SLED Opportunity · MARYLAND · FREDERICK COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
AI Summary
Frederick County Public Schools seeks licensed nursing agencies to provide private duty nursing services for medically fragile students during school hours to ensure their health and safety while accessing education. Electronic bid submissions are required by April 23, 2026.
General work description: This solicitation is to qualify multiple licensed nursing agencies (not individual nurses) to provide private duty nursing services for the care of medically fragile students during the school day. These services support a student while they are accessing their education to ensure their health and safety during instruction and service time.
Addendum 1 is being issued to provide additional information, corrections, clarifications and answers to certain questions raised relating to the original proposal package. The due date has also been revised.
The FCPS is accepting electronic bid submissions. Bidders shall create a FREE account with OpenGov Procurement by signing up at https://secure.procurenow.com/signup. Once you have completed account registration, browse back to this page, click on "Draft Response", and follow the instructions to submit the electronic bid.
Each bid shall be accompanied by a certified cashier’s check, or bid bond, in the amount of NO VALUE of the total bid price, payable to Frederick County Public Schools, as a guarantee that the bidder, if its bid is accepted, will promptly execute the Agreement. The bidder shall guarantee the total bid price for a period of 60 days from the date of the bid opening.
Please scan and upload a copy of your bid bond/cashier's check. Bidder must also MAIL bid guarantee with a postmarked date no later thanMonday, April 27, 2026 to FCPS 191 South East Street, Frederick, MD 21701, Attn:Kim Miskell. Please have the Bidder Name, Contract Title ("26MISC9, Contract Service Agencies for Private Duty Nursing"), and Contract Number ("TBD") listed clearly on the outside of the envelope.
The contract shall be executed by the successful bidder and shall be returned, together with the Payment Bond, Performance Bond and Certificate(s) of Insurance to the County so that it is received within 10 working daysafter the bidder has received the contract for execution. Failure to do so shall be just cause for forfeiture of the proposal guaranty.
Please Upload your COMPLETE Proposal with Signature Page here.
Please upload your Technical Proposal here, excluding the Cost Proposal.
Confirm that your Cost Proposal is not attached in your Technical Proposal and is attached separately here.
Complete and upload Statutory Affidavit and Non-Collusion Form
Complete and upload Certificate of Compliance Form
Complete and upload Vendor Conflict of Interest Disclosure Form
Please upload your completed MBE Attachment "A" Form here.
Please upload your completed MBE Attachment "B" Form here
Complete and upload a current W9 (dated within the last year)
Complete and upload the Proprietary Information Form
Would you like to have bidders respond to an electronic pricing table through ProcureNow? Answer no here if you are attaching your own pricing spreadsheet that you want them to fill out and upload or if the RFP has the vendor including their own formated cost proposal response.
Do you need to separate the Vendor's Fee Proposal from the rest of the Response?
Q (Insurance): Is XCU insurance required for this project?
A: No, "X,C, U" insurance is excluded.
Q (Questions for RFP #: 26MISC9): Who are the current vendors, and what are their bill rates for requested services?
A: This information is available on the Frederick County Public Schools website, www.fcps.org, under the Purchasing Department Page, Solicitation and Awards, Awarded Solicitations, 22MISC13.”
Q (Incorrect RFP Document): The RFP Proposal Package document appears to be for HVAC Filters instead of 1 on 1 nursing. Please clarify or advise.
A: The RFP proposal package attached to this notification is for private duty nursing services.
Q (Acknowledgements): Technical Response- Do we need to submit acknowledgements to the General and Specific Terms & Conditions and Instructions in Section I and Section II with the Technical Response?
A: No.
Q (Technical Questionnaire - Signature Page): Is there a separate signature page with Technical Questionnaire ?
A: Yes. The Signature Acknowledging Proposal Form will be included with Addendum 1.
Q (Addendum): In which section should the signed Addendum be attached
A: The addendum should be acknowledged on the signature page that is part of the Cost Proposal Form.
Q (Comprehensive Automobile Liability): Since our agency policy is to strictly restrict all nurses from driving patients in their cars, therefore we do not cover automobile insurance. Will the justification be acceptable to FCPS?
A: No, the agency will still be required to meet the automobile insurance requirement.
Q (Incumbent Rate): What are the incumbent rates
A: This information is available on the Frederick County Public Schools website, www.fcps.org, under the Purchasing Department Page, Solicitation and Awards, Awarded Solicitations, 22MISC13.”
Q (No subject): The insurance terms in Section II – Specific Terms and Conditions on Page 44 (subsection 9.d.) state that “X, C, U” (explosion, collapse, and underground) coverage must not be excluded. Can you clarify whether this exception would apply to our scope of services, i.e. staffing services?
A: "X,C, U" insurance coverage is not required and is excluded from this contract
Q (No subject): If XCU coverage is not applicable to our operations, would you be open to revising or waiving this requirement for our engagement?
A: "X,C, U" insurance coverage is not required and is excluded from this contract
Q (No subject): Will there be an opportunity to negotiate the terms of the RFP or FCPS’ Memorandum of Understanding post-award?
A: Exceptions to the terms and conditions listed in the bid solicitation can be submitted as part of your bid proposal. Exceptions taken do not obligate FCPS to change the terms, conditions, and/or specifications. Exceptions to the terms and/or conditions may be sufficient cause for rejection of the bid.
Q (No subject): Are exceptions/negotiations allowed? If so, at what stage must exceptions be proposed?
A: Exceptions to the terms and conditions listed in the bid solicitation can be submitted as part of your bid proposal. Exceptions taken do not obligate FCPS to change the terms, conditions, and/or specifications. Exceptions to the terms and/or conditions may be sufficient cause for rejection of the bid.
Q (No subject): Will submitting exceptions or additional terms negatively impact the bidder?
A: Exceptions to the terms and conditions listed in the bid solicitation can be submitted as part of your bid proposal. Exceptions taken do not obligate FCPS to change the terms, conditions, and/or specifications. Exceptions to the terms and/or conditions may be sufficient cause for rejection of the bid.
Q (No subject): In regard to subsection 9.g. of Section II – Specific Terms and Conditions, would FCPS be willing to permit the Agency to provide 30 days' notice of cancellation or modification of its insurance policies, instead of the insurance carrier, since it is not commercially available for the carrier to provide such cancellation endorsement due to administrative burden?
A: Yes
Q (Company Work History): In the Proposal Package, Section 11, part c, it states that the company must have a minimum of three-year work history under its current ownership. Our company is new as of June 2025 and just beginning to solicit business as of March 2026. However, our managing partners have nearly 20 years working together running another healthcare staffing business. We are confident we can provide these services given our extensive history in the industry. Is it possible to amend this to accommodate new companies with experience in the healthcare staffing industry?
A: No, FCPS has no plans to amend this requirement.
Q (Assignment Distribution): How are student assignments distributed among approved agencies (e.g., rotation, direct selection based on performance, or case-specific matching)?
A: Selection is very situational. Depending on the needs of the student, the ability of the agency to provide a qualified nurse in a timely manner among other factors are considered. Please see language from page 39: “4. CONTRACT TERMS e. FCPS reserves the right to decide when and if an agency’s nurses will be assigned and makes no commitment to any agency for a minimum or maximum number of assignments, hours or any overall value of work.”
Q (Staffing Challenges): What are the most common challenges FCPS experiences with maintaining consistent nursing coverage for student assignments?
A: A common challenge is lack of back-up coverage for nursing absences. Something that has worked well has been agencies cross-training nurses on multiple students when possible. Also, helpful is having nurses, on staff, who have received FCPS background clearance so there is not a delay in providing coverage when a nurse has extended absence for travel, medical, or other leave.
Q (No subject): Are there specific types of student cases (e.g., tracheostomy, enteral feeding, or medically complex needs) that are historically more difficult to staff?
A: No, we do not have difficulty staffing cases with specific medical needs. Difficulty staffing is more often based on a student’s frequent or extended absences (since nurses need consistent hours/income).
Q (No subject): What is the typical onboarding timeline for newly approved agencies, and how soon after approval can assignments begin?
A: Once agencies are approved, assignments can begin as soon as nurses have passed background checks as long as there are positions open and qualified nurses available.
Q (No subject): In situations where an assigned nurse is unavailable, how does FCPS typically manage coverage gaps, and what role do additional vendors play in those situations?
A: The expectation is that back up coverage be provided by the vendor. Importantly, when a nurse is unavailable, the agency must notify the FCPS Health Services Coordinator as soon as possible.
Q (Questions): 1. Can you provide an approximate headcount for the required services? 2. Can you provide information on the incumbent vendor? 3. Are you satisfied with the current incumbent and if no, what are the main issues? 4. Why is this solicitation out to bid? 5. Can you provide the current or historical rates by skillset? 6. Can you provide an estimated budget for the contract? 7. Do we need to submit candidate/key personnel resumes with the proposal? If yes, can these be sample/redacted resumes?
A: 1. Please see language from page 39: “4. CONTRACT TERMS a. FCPS currently has contracts with four agencies for 13 students, valued at an approximated $1,000,000 per annum. The current year’s assignments will not automatically transfer to other agencies qualified under this procurement. FCPS staff will review each of the students’ needs and associated costs prior to modifying existing agreements.” 2. We have multiple awarded vendors under the current bid. This information is available on the Frederick County Public Schools website, www.fcps.org, under the Purchasing Department Page, Solicitation and Awards, Awarded Solicitations, 22MISC13.” 3. There are no issues or concerns with the current awarded vendors. 4. Maryland law and FCPS Board Policy require that these services be obtained through a competitive bidding process. 5. This information is available on the Frederick County Public Schools website, www.fcps.org, under the Purchasing Department Page, Solicitation and Awards, Awarded Solicitations, 22MISC13.” 6. FCPS has not established a fixed budget for private duty nursing services under this solicitation. Service needs may vary based on individual student requirements, including IEP and health needs .Offerors are encouraged to submit competitive pricing which will be evaluated as part of the overall best value determination. 7. A resume or curriculum vitae only needs to be submitted for the Agency Clinical Supervisor/Manager who will oversee the performance of the assigned nurses.
Q (Questions for RFP #: 26MISC9): How many Hours in a day are billable?
A: Billable hours vary from student to student based on their school and transportation schedule.
Q (No subject): I had a few quick questions regarding the RFP and was hoping you might be able to provide some insight: How many providers are currently contracted for the 2025–2026 school year? Does the district have any projections for the 2026–2027 school year? Are these services currently operating under an existing RFP? If so, who are your current vendors, and what are the bill rates for these services?
A: 1. Please see language from page 39: “4. CONTRACT TERMS a. FCPS currently has contracts with four agencies for 13 students, valued at an approximated $1,000,000 per annum.” We have agencies on our bid who do not have current assignments as well. 2. It is difficult to project needs because students transfer in and out of our county throughout the year. I anticipate we will begin the school year with at least 12 students requiring PDN. 3. Yes 4. This information is available on the Frederick County Public Schools website, www.fcps.org, under the Purchasing Department Page, Solicitation and Awards, Awarded Solicitations, 22MISC13.”
Q (No subject): How does FCPS define clinical supervision in the context of school-based private duty nursing?
A: PDN agencies maintain the responsibility for clinical supervision of the nurses providing service to our students during the school day. This can be accomplished with onsite observations, review of documentation, and responsiveness to any concerns shared by the FCPS Health Services Specialist or designee.
Q (No subject): Can FCPS provide any additional insight into anticipated volume, such as typical hours per student or frequency of new assignments?
A: Hours will vary by student. However, the typical school day is 6 hours plus any additional time for transportation to and from school if the student accesses FCPS transportation. Assignments are frequently 8 hours or greater. We are unable to estimate the frequency of new assignments because there are too many variables involved.
Q (No subject): Is this a multiple award, and how will assignments be distributed among awarded agencies?
A: Yes, this is a multiple award. There is not a standard process for distributing assignments.
Q (Location): Per the RFP, please confirm that the winning vendor must have an office in the required states: VA, MD, DC, PA, WV.
A: Confirmed. This is a minimum qualification for an agency to be considered for award.
Q (Questions for RFP #: 26MISC9): Is there a rate cap for each of the requested professions? If so, could the district please share the applicable rates
A: No.
Q (No subject): Does this proposal require staffing license as a requirement?
A: Yes, Agencies are required by Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR) 10.07.03 (to be licensed as a health Care Staff Agency by the Maryland Department of Health’s Office of Health Care Quality (OHCQ).
Q (No subject): What advice would you give to a new vendor entering this contract?
A: Closely review the terms and conditions of the bid solicitation, especially, but not limited to pages 39-53.
Q (Questions for RFP #: 26MISC9): What is the anticipated number of openings by profession for services related to this bid?
A: Unknown. This an open requirements type contract.
SLED stands for State, Local, and Education. These are solicitations issued by state governments, counties, cities, school districts, utilities, and higher education institutions — as opposed to federal agencies.
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