New York State Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports Technical Assistance Center (NYS PBIS TAC) - RFP Proposal #09-007

The Office of Vocational and Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities (VESID), of the New York State Education Department (NYSED), seeks to establish a statewide Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) Technical Assistance Center (TAC). The purpose of the statewide PBIS TAC is to support the work of behavioral specialists funded by VESID in its Regional Special Education Technical Assistance Support Centers (RSE-TASC) to promote the use of positive behavioral supports and interventions in school districts around the State. (A map of the RSE-TASC regions is included as Attachment A.) PBIS TAC will make research-based information on positive behavioral supports and interventions available statewide and provide technical support and professional development to regional behavioral specialists in the 10 RSE-TASCs and to other VESID technical assistance specialists. PBIS-TAC and its functions will be overseen by VESID.

Eligible applicants

Eligible applicants must be located in New York State (NYS) and may include Local Educational Agencies (LEAs), Boards of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES); public or private Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs); not-for-profit service organizations and private for-profit organizations with knowledge and training experience in the area of PBIS and/or positive behavioral supports (PBS).

The contract resulting from this RFP will be for five years, March 1, 2010 through February 28, 2015.

NYSED encourages the use of minority/women-owned business enterprises as both prime contractors and subcontractors. Please see the section of this RFP for information regarding NYSED’s Minority/Women-Owned Business Enterprise Procurement Policy.

Subcontracting

Subcontracting will be limited to twenty-five percent (25%) of the annual contract budget.

Mandatory Requirements for All Applicants

The eligible bidder must agree to the Mandatory Requirements found below and must submit the Mandatory Requirements Certification Form, signed by an authorized person, with the Submission Documents. The NYS-PBIS Statewide TAC must include, at minimum:

One individual to fulfill the position of .50 FTE (full time equivalent) NYS-PBIS TAC Director to coordinate work of the NYS-PBIS TAC necessary to provide deliverables as noted within this RFP and in subsequent approved work plans. The Director must meet the following minimum requirements:

Master’s degree or higher in Psychology, Special Education, Behavioral Sciences, Counseling, Education, Human Services, or Social Work ; and
three (3) year’s experience supporting successful development and/or implementation of PBIS and/or Positive Behavior and Supports (PBS) for students including those with disabilities in public schools, private schools and/or alternative settings as well as knowledge of federal and State special education and general education requirements; and
minimum of two (2) year’s demonstrated experience as a skilled trainer.

NYS PBIS TAC Associates (2.0 FTE) to train and provide technical assistance to Regional Special Education-Technical Assistance Support Center (RSE-TASC) regional behavioral specialists and other NYSED technical assistance specialists. Eligible candidates must meet the following minimum requirements:
1. Master’s degree or higher in Psychology, Special Education, Behavioral Sciences, Counseling, Education, Human Services, or Social Work; and
2. two (2) or more years experience supporting development and/or implementation of PBIS and/or PBS for students including those with disabilities in public schools, private schools and/or alternative settings as well as knowledge of federal and State special education and general education requirements; and
3. two (2) or more years demonstrated experience as a skilled trainer.