Request for Applications (RFA): RFA-26-45-IDD-Crisis-Respite-Services

REQUEST FOR APPLICATIONS (RFA)
Crisis Respite Services for Individuals with Intellectual &
Developmental Disabilities (IDD) in Bexar County
Alamo Area Council of
Governments (AACOG)
Procurement Department
Solicitation Deadlines
RFA Release Date June 24, 2026 @ 4:00 pm
Questions Deadline July 1 2026 @ 4:00 pm
July 06, 2026 @ 4:00 pm
Q&A Posting
July 27, 2026 @ 5:00 pm
Response Deadline
Sep 1, 2026
Contract Award / Start
Date
RFA Posting Locations
https://aacog.gov/member-government-services/procurement/
https://www.txsmartbuy.com/esbd
RFA-26-45-IDD-Crisis-Respite-Services

For purposes of this RFA, the following definitions and acronyms apply:
Term / Acronym Definition
AACOG Alamo Area Council of Governments
ABL Adaptive Behavioral Level
BCBA Board Certified Behavior Analyst
Bexar County Local Intellectual and Developmental Disability Authority serving
LIDDA Bexar County
HCS Home and Community-based Services Program
HHSC Texas Health and Human Services Commission
HUB Historically Underutilized Business
ICF/IID Intermediate Care Facility for Individuals with an Intellectual Disability
IDD Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
LIDDA Local Intellectual and Developmental Disability Authority
LPA Licensed Psychological Associate
Medicaid Waiver A provider authorized to deliver Medicaid waiver services through
Provider approved HHSC waiver programs
Person-Directed An individualized service planning document identifying goals,
Plan supports, and outcomes for the individual served
QAIS Quality Assurance and Improvement System
The organization or entity submitting an application in response to this
Applicant
RFA
Service AACOG staff responsible for coordinating and monitoring individual's
Coordinator services and supports
RFA-26-45-IDD-Crisis-Respite-Services

Crisis Respite Short-term, community-based stabilization and support services
Services designed to address crisis situations involving individuals with IDD
These definitions are provided for reference and clarification purposes only. AACOG
reserves the right to interpret terminology and program requirements consistent with
applicable federal, state, and local regulations.
PART 1 - GENERAL INFORMATION
1.1 Background Information
A. Alamo Area Council of Governments (AACOG)
The Alamo Area Council of Governments (AACOG) is a voluntary association of local
governments representing Bexar County and the surrounding eleven (11) counties within
the Alamo Region of Texas.
B. Purpose
AACOG is soliciting Applications from qualified firms and organizations to provide Crisis
Respite Services for individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD)
served through AACOG programs.
Through this Request for Applications (RFA), AACOG invites eligible Applicants to submit
applications demonstrating their qualifications, experience, organizational capacity, and
ability to provide Crisis Respite Services in accordance with the requirements outlined
herein.
Selected contractors shall provide services in compliance with all applicable federal, state,
and local laws, regulations, standards, and AACOG requirements.
C. AACOG IDD Program Information
In 2006, the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services designated AACOG as the
Local Intellectual and Developmental Disability Authority (LIDDA) for Bexar County.
AACOG's Administrative Offices are located at:
2700 NE Interstate 410 Loop Suite 101
San Antonio, Texas 78217
RFA-26-45-IDD-Crisis-Respite-Services

AACOG is responsible for providing services and support to Bexar County residents with
Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) and related conditions.
D. Authority
This Request for Applications (RFA) is issued pursuant to applicable federal and state laws
and regulations governing procurement and contracting, including but not limited to:
1. Texas Government Code, Chapter 2254
2. Texas Government Code, Chapter 2161
3. Texas Local Government Code
4. Uniform Grant Management Standards (UGMS)
5. Applicable HHSC and AACOG policies and procedures
E. Historically Underutilized Businesses (HUB)
AACOG encourages participation by small and Historically Underutilized Businesses
(HUBs), as defined in Texas Government Code Chapter 2161.
A HUB is generally defined as a for-profit business entity:
* Located in Texas;
* At least 51% owned by an Asian Pacific American, Black American, Hispanic
American, Native American, American woman, and/or another qualifying
individual; and
* Actively managed and controlled by qualifying owner(s).
F. HUB Participation Goal
AACOG's goal is to include HUB participation in at least ten percent (10%) of the total value
of contracts awarded annually.
G. Applicant Registration
AACOG maintains an active Applicant outreach and registration process to encourage
participation by small businesses and HUB Applicants.
Interested Applicants may complete the AACOG Applicant Setup Package located at:
https://aacog.gov/member-government-services/procurement/
H. Ethics Certification
RFA-26-45-IDD-Crisis-Respite-Services

By submitting an Application, Applicants affirm that they have not given, offered to give,
nor intend to give any economic opportunity, future employment, gift, loan, gratuity,
special discount, trip, favor, or service to a public servant or AACOG representative in
connection with this procurement.
I. Collusion Certification
By submitting an Application, Applicants certify that pricing and Application contents have
been independently developed and that no collusion, price fixing, or anti-competitive
practices have occurred related to this procurement.
PART 2 - SUBMISSION INFORMATION
2.1 Submission Requirements
Responses must be received by the Alamo Area Council of Governments (AACOG) no later
than July 27, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. Central Time.
2.1.2 Solicitation Deadlines (Anticipated)
AACOG anticipates the following procurement schedule:
Milestone Date
RFA Release Date June 24, 2026 @ 4:00 pm
Questions Deadline July 1, 2026 @ 4:00 pm
Q&A Posting July 06, 2026 @ 4:00 pm
Response Deadline July 27, 2026 @ 5:00 pm
Contract Award / Start Date September 1, 2026
AACOG reserves the right to modify the procurement schedule through written addenda.
RFA-26-45-IDD-Crisis-Respite-Services

2.1.3 Submission Format
Applications and all required attachments must be submitted electronically as PDF files only.
AACOG prefers Applications to be submitted as one combined PDF file whenever possible.
If multiple files are necessary due to file size limitations, each file must be clearly labeled.
2.1.4 Submission Method
One (1) complete electronic copy of the Application shall be submitted via email to:
* ijones@aacog.gov
* procurement@aacog.gov
With a copy (cc) to:
* dugarte@aacog.gov
Subject Line: RFA Submission: RFA-26-45-IDD CRISIS RESPITE SERVICES
File Type Required Naming Format
XXXXX (Name of Business) - RFA-26-45-IDD Crisis Respite
Main Application
Services.pdf
PDF
AACOG Vendor
XXXXX(Name of Business) - AACOG Vendor Packet.pdf
Packet
Multiple Application XXXXX(Name of Business) - RFA-26-45-IDD Crisis Respite
Files Services (Part X of Y).pdf
2.2 Authorized Points of Contact
2.2.1 Primary Point of Contact
Isaac Jones III
Senior Procurement Analyst
Email: ijones@aacog.gov
RFA-26-45-IDD-Crisis-Respite-Services

2.2.2 Secondary Point of Contact
Debbie Ugarte
Contracts and Procurement Director
Email: dugarte@aacog.gov
2.3 Communications Restrictions
During the procurement process, Applicants shall restrict communications regarding this
RFA to AACOG's designated procurement representatives.
Applicants shall not contact AACOG Board Members, evaluation committee members, or
other AACOG personnel regarding this solicitation except as expressly authorized.
Unauthorized communications may result in disqualification.
2.4 Questions and Addenda
AACOG will accept written questions submitted electronically in accordance with the
deadlines stated in this RFA.
Official responses and addenda will be posted on AACOG's procurement webpage:
https://aacog.gov/member-government-services/procurement/
Only written addenda issued by AACOG shall be considered official.
2.5 Public Information and Confidentiality
All Applications submitted in response to this RFA are subject to the Texas Public
Information Act.
If an Applicant believes portions of the Application are confidential, the Applicant must
clearly identify the information and provide statutory justification.
2.6 Technical Assistance
AACOG may respond to written questions submitted during the open question period.
AACOG will not provide individualized Application development assistance.
RFA-26-45-IDD-Crisis-Respite-Services

PART 3 - SCOPE OF SERVICES
3.1 General Scope
The Crisis Respite Center will have the capacity to house between one (1) to seven (7) individuals at
any given time. This facility may be in either a residential or a commercially zoned area within
Bexar County. The facility will be staffed twenty-four (24) hours per day regardless of client census.
The facility will provide food, shelter, leisure activities and assistance needed based on the clients'
adaptive behavioral level (ABL). The clients' stay at the Crisis Respite Center is determined on a
case-by-case basis, generally not to exceed fourteen days. This determination is made by the Crisis
Intervention Specialist.
The Crisis Respite Center shall:
* Have the capacity to house approximately one (1) to seven (7) individuals at any
given time;
* Operate within a residential or commercially zoned location in Bexar County;
* Be staffed twenty-four (24) hours per day regardless of census;
* Provide food, shelter, supervision, leisure activities, and individualized support
services;
* Provide services based on the individual's Adaptive Behavioral Level (ABL);
* Provide temporary placements generally not to exceed fourteen (14) calendar
days, unless additional time is authorized by the Crisis Intervention Specialist
based on the individual's assessed needs and in accordance with applicable HHSC
requirements.
RFA-26-45-IDD-Crisis-Respite-Services

3.2 Crisis Respite Services for Persons with Intellectual & Developmental
Disabilities
A. Crisis Respite Service is funded through a base of general revenue funds and third-party
coverage for people who currently are waiting for long-term services and support and who
may or may not have Medicaid coverage. Reductions in general revenue funds threaten
these critical services. The Crisis Respite Service is the short-term community response to
protect the health and safety of persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities
(IDD)who are experiencing a crisis that cannot be stabilized in a less intensive setting. Crisis
means a situation in which the individual presents an immediate danger to self or others;
or, the individual's mental and physical health is at risk of serious deterioration; or, an
individual believes he or she presents an immediate danger to self or others or that his or
her mental or physical health is at risk of serious deterioration. These interventions also
provide critical time-limited interim support to families and other caregivers of children and
adults with IDD. The out-of-home crisis respite service provides therapeutic support
through a flexible array of services, including behavioral support provided to individuals
with IDD who require varying therapeutic and habilitative levels of intervention to address
the stressors that result in challenging behaviors. The need for short-term community
response is an essential element in supporting persons with IDD in their homes and
communities rather than the more expensive institutional or residential options. It is also
important for persons to have choices to direct their own lives, especially when such added
choices are both economically effective and improve the quality of life. This approach
results in more freedom, authority, responsibility, support, and confirmation - the tenets of
self-determination. Therapeutic support includes:
1. Activities to strengthen appropriate developmental functioning in areas of socialization,
self-advocacy and rights;
2. Developing coping skills; and
3. Reducing or avoiding stressors to prevent crisis events
Documentation Requirements:
Services provided to person in services must be documented in accordance with AACOG
requirements. Crisis Respite Service provider will be required to provide necessary
documentation of all services to AACOG in a prescribed format.
B. Crisis Respite Services to Be Provided to IDD Clients By Provider
Crisis Respite Services provide short-term community-based interventions intended to
protect the health and safety of individuals with IDD and support family members and
caregivers.
Definition of Service: Out-of-home crisis respite provides therapeutic support in a safe
RFA-26-45-IDD-Crisis-Respite-Services

environment with staff on site providing 24-hour supervision to an individual who is
demonstrating a crisis that cannot be stabilized in a less intensive setting. Out-of-home crisis
respite is provided in a setting for which the state provides oversight (for example, an
Intermediate Care Facility (ICF), a Home and Community-based Services (HCS) group home, a
Legacy Department of State Health Services authorize crisis respite facility, or crisis residential
facility.
Out-of-Home Crisis Respite service includes:
* Providing a person with personal assistance with activities of daily living, i.e., grooming,
eating, bathing, dressing and personal hygiene;
* Providing a person with functional living tasks; assistance with planning and preparing
meals; transportation or assistance in securing transportation; assistance with
ambulation and mobility; reinforcement of behavioral support and specialized therapy
activities; assistance with medications in accordance with physician orders, provider
policies and procedures, and applicable regulatory requirements; and supervision of
the person's safety and security.
* Habilitation activities that facilitate the person's inclusion in community activities, use of
natural supports and typical community services available to all people, social interaction
and participation in leisure activities, and development of socially valued behaviors and
daily living and functional living skills;
* 1:1 staffing or greater if needed;
* 24-Hour emergency on-call staffing;
* Coordination with psychiatric, behavioral health, medical, or other clinical resources, as
appropriate to support stabilization and continuity of care;
* * Implementation of individualized behavioral support strategies designed to promote
stabilization and address identified needs.
* Assistance with medication in accordance with physician orders, provider policies and
procedures, and applicable regulatory requirements. Staff responsible for medication
support shall receive appropriate training.
Services are intended for individuals who:
1. Are at risk of losing their current support system or living arrangement;
2. Are at risk of abuse or neglect;
RFA-26-45-IDD-Crisis-Respite-Services