Notice of Funds Available (RFP)
22ADM4: Inclusive Post Secondary Allocation Formula Consultant
Specifications
| Posted | Applications Due | Start Date | End Date | Amount | Match | Poverty Match | Council Staff |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 08, 2021 | Jan 01, 2022 | Mar 31, 2022 | $20,000.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | Starr Bruner |
Project Description
The purpose of this Notice of Funds Available (NoFA) is to solicit proposals to develop an equitable and adaptable funding formula for Georgia's Inclusive post secondary education (IPSE) programs, using the State's yearly budgetary allocation.
Schedule of Events
This Request for Proposals will be governed by the following schedule:
• October 12, 2021 RFP posted on DD Suite and GCDD Website
• October 26, 2021 Deadline for Written Questions
• November 8, 2021 Applications Due in DD Suite by 11:59 PM
• November 8- December 14, 2021 Application Review and Evaluation
• December 15, 2021 Finalist Notified, Notice of Intent to Award Posted
• December 15-31, 2021 Contract Negotiations with assigned program staff
• January 1, 2022 Work Begins
Restrictions on Communication
Applicants are restricted from communicating with GCDD staff and Council members during the competitive NoFA process (on matters concerning this NoFA).
All questions concerning this NoFA must be submitted in writing by email to lisa.eaves@gcdd.ga.gov.
Only written questions will be accepted. No response other than written will be binding upon the State.
All questions about this NoFA must be submitted in the following format:
Organization/Individual Name
1. Question
Citation of relevant section of the NoFA
2. Question
Citation of relevant section of the NoFA
The DD Council
The Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities (GCDD), is one of 56 entities of its type in the United States and territories that report to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Administration for Community Living. It is authorized under Public Law 106-402, the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act Amendments of 2000.
Our activities are governed by a 27-member board, appointed by the Governor and comprised of at least 60 percent individuals with developmental disabilities and family members. Other members include policymakers that represent various agencies and organizations having a vested interested in persons with developmental disabilities.
GCDD serves as an advocate for all persons with developmental disabilities. We are charged with creating systems change for people with developmental disabilities and their families by increasing opportunities for independence, inclusion, integration, productivity and self-determination. Activities include public policy research and analysis, reform, project demonstrations, education and training.
The GCDD is a state agency, attached to the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD) for administrative purposes.
Scope of Work
The Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities (GCDD) is the state's leader in advancing public policy on behalf of persons with developmental disabilities. Our mission is to promote public policy that creates an integrated community life for persons with developmental disabilities, their families, friends, neighbors, and all who support them. We achieve this mission by sharing information, coordinating public outreach, and implementing strategic legislative advocacy.
GCDD receives about $500,000 in state funds each year from the Georgia General Assembly to distribute across the state’s inclusive post secondary education programs. Inclusive post secondary education (IPSE) programs provide opportunities for study beyond high school to students with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) who historically have not been presented with such possibilities. Students develop marketable skills that they typically cannot acquire anywhere else and learn how to lead increasingly independent lives, while pursuing studies relevant to their career of choice alongside their typically developing peers - in the same classes, sharing the same campus.
IPSE programs have grown in number and reach across the country, from 50 programs nationwide in 2000, to now more than 250 in 49 states. IPSE programs are housed on the following campuses across Georgia: Albany Technical College (Albany); Columbus State University (Columbus); East Georgia State College (Swainsboro); Georgia Southern University (Statesboro); Georgia State University (Atlanta); Georgia Institute of Technology (Atlanta); Kennesaw State University (Kennesaw); and University of Georgia (Athens). Georgia College & State University (Milledgeville) is slated to open an IPSE program in the fall of 2022.
The purpose of this RFP is to develop a fair, equitable, and transparent funding formula which GCDD can implement in the distribution of yearly state dollars. This funding formula should be easily adjusted based on fluctuations in 1) the size of state’s financial allocation, 2) the number of IPSE programs to be funded in a contract cycle, 3) the projected number of IPSE students served by each of those programs in the contract year ahead, and/or 4) other criteria not yet specified but that may be identified through collaboration with the GCDD team. This mathematical formula (and accompanying Excel spreadsheet) should also consider the equity of IPSE access for students from low-income homes and/or those who identify as Black, Brown, or other racial or ethnic minorities. Other diversity and inclusion related disparities may be considered, as identified in conjunction with GCDD staff.
The product of this grant should be a user-friendly Excel spreadsheet and accompanying formula that allows GCDD staff to easily adjust the agreed-upon and identified factors each year to determine the level of funding for each IPSE programs. The spreadsheet should also be visually appealing, and relevant GCDD staff should be trained on its use and application.
Suggested Workplan Outline:
Goal: To develop an equitable and adaptable funding formula for Georgia’s inclusive post secondary education (IPSE) programs, using the state’s yearly budgetary allocation. To increase IPSE access for students from low-income homes and/or those who identify as Black, Brown, or other racial or ethnic minorities. Other disparities may be considered, as identified in conjunction with GCDD staff.
Objective 1: A mathematical formula that can be easily adjusted based on fluctuations in 1) the size of state’s financial allocation, 2) the number of IPSE programs to be funded in a contract cycle, 3) the projected number of IPSE students served by each of those programs in the contract year ahead, and/or 4) other criteria not yet specified but that may be identified through collaboration with the GCDD team.
Activity 1.1: Develop a standardized formula in a clear and visually appealing Excel document that can be easily adjusted for the identified criteria each year.
Activity 1.2: Build diversity, equity, and inclusion considerations into the IPSE funding formula in a quantifiable, objective, and standardized format.
Method of Payment
This is a cost reimbursement contract with an amount not to exceed 20,000.00.
The consultant shall request payment through DD Suite by providing an invoice listing the hours and scope of service completed. The invoice will be reviewed and paid on a net 30 basis once approved.
Eligibility & Requirements
Experience requirements: A demonstrated history of success in one or more of the following fields: applied mathematics; diversity, equity, and inclusion; inclusive post secondary education; informatics; data science; intellectual/developmental disability research; or applied research. Interdisciplinary applicants with experience in other fields are encouraged to apply, provided that they have resources to supplement the mathematical knowledge and background necessary for this grant. Successful applications will use up-to-date terminology regarding people with disabilities and demonstrate an understanding of respectful disability language.
Organizations, departments, or individuals from universities or tech schools which house (or plan to house) an IPSE program in the state of Georgia MAY be considered, as long as the applicant can sufficiently demonstrate distance, impartiality, and disassociation from the IPSE (both official or unofficial; by program/department or by individuals). Applicants and their agencies MUST be unaffiliated with any IPSE program in Georgia, and may be asked to officially attest to their independence and provide further documentation describing how objectivity will be maintained.
Submission Requirements:
Applications must be submitted online via https://www.ddsuite.org, prior to the published deadline. No hard copies will be accepted. Applicants must have or create a DD Suite user account and an organization account in order to submit an application. Go to https://www.ddsuite.org and click on "HELP TAB" for detailed instructions on creating DD Suite user and organization accounts. (See complete application process and Guide to DD Suite attached)
Additional Submission Requirements:
* Two written professional references who can speak to your qualifications and experience. (Upload references to your DD Suite application.)
Additional Attachments (Optional):
* Please attach any relevant work products, publications, bios of key staff, organizational diversity policies, or other documents as applicable. PDF format preferred.
Notifications:
There will be no debriefing for applicants who are not selected. All applicants who respond to this NOFA will be notified of the outcome of their application (awarded, application modifications requested, or denied) by email through DD Suite.