Systemwide Needs Program Citywide Crisis Intervention Services

ORLEANS PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
Procurement Department
2401 Westbend Parkway, Suite 5055
New Orleans, LA 70114
Paul A. Lucius, Executive Director of Procurement
REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL NO. 27-0037
SYSTEMWIDE NEEDS PROGRAM CITYWIDE CRISIS INTERVENTION SERVICES
ELECTRONIC PROPOSAL SUBMITTAL DEADLINE:
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2026 @ 9:00 A.M.
VIRTUAL PRE - PROPOSAL MEETING: FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2026 @ 9:00 A.M.
PROPOSER:
SIGNATURE:
NAME (PRINT OR TYPE):
ADDRESS:
CITY, STATE, ZIP:
TELEPHONE:
EMAIL ADDRESS:
TERMS:
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ORLEANS PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
Procurement Department
2401 Westbend Parkway, Suite 5055
New Orleans, Louisiana 70114
ADVERTISEMENT
REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL NO. 27-0037
SYSTEMWIDE NEEDS PROGRAM CITYWIDE CRISIS INTERVENTION SERVICES
Electronic Responses to Request for Proposal relative to the above will be received via email
submission to the Procurement Department for the Orleans Parish School Board ("OPSB" or "the
District") at 2401 Westbend Parkway, Suite 5055, New Orleans, Louisiana 70114 until 9:00 A.M.
(CST) on Tuesday, September 22, 2026.
Specifications and qualifications are found in the RFP documents and may be obtained by visiting the
District's website at www.nolapublicschools.com. All questions regarding this RFP shall be directed
to the Executive Director of Procurement at procurement@nolapublicschools.com.
The District will host a Virtual Pre-Proposal meeting to be held on Friday, September 4, 2026, at
9:00 A.M. (CST). The Virtual link can be found below:
Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/8vR3oBgITOatn38CSiCZQ
The District reserves the right to reject any or all Responses to Request for Proposal whenever such
rejection is in its best interest in accordance with law. The provisions and requirements of this
advertisement shall not be waived.
NOLA Public Schools shall make every effort to provide reasonable accommodations for persons
with disabilities. The requests for any reasonable accommodation shall be submitted in writing
to the Executive Director of Procurement, no less than seven (7) days in advance of any meetings.
Paul A. Lucius
Executive Director of Procurement
FIRST INSERTION DATE: THURSDAY, AUGUST 20, 2026
SECOND INSERTION DATE: THURSDAY, AUGUST 27, 2026
THIRD INSERTION DATE: THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2026
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Request for Proposal / Invitation to Bid Instructions
1.0 Overview
1.1 Instructions to Proposers
1.2 Purpose
1.3 School District Profile
2.0 Scope of Services
3.0 General Terms & Conditions
4.0 Specifications
5.0 Special Terms & Conditions
6.0 Evaluation Criteria / Process
7.0 Proposal Forms/Submissions Requirements & Specifications
7.1 Proposal Submission Requirements
7.2 Submittal Requirements/Specifications
Appendix A - NOLA-PS Required Documents
8.0 Authority to Contract on Behalf of Company
9.0 Cost Form
10.0 References
11.0 Indemnity and Insurance
12.0 Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension, Ineligibility & Voluntary Exclusion
13.0 Certification Regarding Lobbying Form
14.0 Proposer's Certification Form
15.0 Non-Collusion Statement Form
16.0 Vendor Registration and W-9 Form Link
17.0 Conflict of Interest Form
18.0 Proposer Guaranties and Warranties
19.0 EDGAR Contract Form
Appendix B - Disadvantaged Business Enterprises Required Documents
20.0 Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program - Policy & Provisions
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OVERVIEW
1.1 Instructions to Proposers
One signed original proposal shall be submitted electronically and clearly marked: REQUEST
FOR PROPOSAL NO. 27-0037 ON September 22, 2026 AT 9:00 A.M. to Mr. Paul A. Lucius,
Executive Director of Procurement: procurement@nolapublicschools.com.
The Orleans Parish School Board will not be responsible for the opening of, post-opening of, or failure
to open a Proposal not properly addressed or identified.
The Orleans Parish School Board will not assume the responsibility for any delay as a result of failure
of any entity to deliver Proposals on time.
The Proposal Submission Checklist is provided in Appendix A of this RFP. The checklist contains the
required documents needed to be submitted with vendor proposal. All vendors shall refer to the
checklist while preparing their proposals to ensure all required documents are submitted (See
Appendices A & B). Failure to submit required documents shall result in rejection and proposals will
not be reviewed by the Evaluation Committee.
No Proposal will be accepted after September 22, 2026 @ 9:00 A.M. under any conditions unless
in the best interest of NOLA-PS by an addendum notification.
Pre-Proposal Meeting (via Virtual) Friday September 4, 2026 @ 9:00 A.M.
Last Day for Questions@ 4:00 P.M. (CST) Wednesday September 9, 2026
Last Day for Addendum Tuesday September 15, 2026
PROPOSAL SUBMISSION DEADLINE no later than 9:00 A.M. September 22, 2026
Oral Presentations (if applicable) September 30 - October 1, 2026
Evaluation Committee Meeting September 30 - October 1, 2026
Award Notification (approximate) TBD
Execution of Agreement (approximate) TBD
CODE OF SILENCE:
From the date the RFP is issued; through the time the Agreement is finally awarded by NOLA-PS
Elected Officials, Proposers shall not contact any Representatives of NOLA-PS, nor the District Staff,
nor their Advisors or Consultants with respect to this RFP, or RFP process, other than to submit
questions or protest in accordance with the Instructions to Proposers therein. This prohibition does not
apply to questions or comments sent in writing to the Executive Director of Procurement, or questions
made at Pre-Proposal conferences, in presentations before evaluation committees, or during contract
negotiations. Proposers who violate this Code of Silence may be deemed non-responsive, and their
proposal may be rejected for cause.
REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL DOCUMENTS: A complete set of Request for Proposal documents
shall be used in preparing proposals; neither the Orleans Parish School Board nor its representatives
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assume any responsibility for errors or misinterpretations resulting from the use of incomplete sets of
Request for Proposal Documents.
The forms furnished as part of the specifications MUST be used for filing of Request for
PROPOSALS and must be signed by the proposer. No proposals will be considered unless made on
the forms provided and must not be detached from the proposal document of which it forms a part.
Failure to follow these instructions may result in your proposal being disqualified.
OBJECTION TO THE AWARD: If any Proposer who submitted a proposal has an objection to the
award of the contract to the Selected Proposer, the objecting Proposer shall furnish that protest, in writing,
to the Executive Director of Procurement (or Designee) within ten (10) Business Days of the notification
of non-award. The protest shall describe in detail the basis for the protest and shall request a
determination under this section of the Instructions to Proposers.
If a protest is filed in a timely fashion, the Executive Director of Procurement (or Designee) will review
the basis for the protest and relevant facts under such terms and conditions as he considers proper. Upon
completion of the review, the Executive Director of Procurement (or Designee) shall submit applicable
findings and recommendations to the Superintendent and/or Chief Financial Officer, who shall then
review the matter under such terms and conditions, as deemed proper. Upon receipt of authority to act
from the Superintendent or NOLA-PS, the Executive Director of Procurement (or Designee) will notify
those Proposers involved of its decision. The decision shall be final and binding on the objecting
Proposer.
WITHDRAWAL OF BID: Any bid may be withdrawn if clear and convincing sworn, written
evidence of obvious mechanical, clerical or mathematical error is furnished by the proposer to the
Executive Director of Procurement within 48 hours of proposal receipt.
SUPPLIER PERFORMANCE AND EVALUATION: The proposer, vendor, service provider
and/or supplier performance process will involve evaluating the proposer, vendor, service provider
and/or supplier's overall quality status, as well as evaluating the quality of each material or service the
NOLA-PS wishes to purchase. Prior to the invoice submission, the proposer, vendor, service provider
and/or supplier, shall meet with a purchasing representative to discuss and review deliverables and
timeline events for said services. Contract with automatic renewals will be based upon the NOLA-PS
evaluating and analyzing proposer, vendor, service provider, and/or supplier performance.
DEBARMENT AND SUSPENSION: To ensure that the Orleans Parish School Board does not enter
into a contract with a debarred or suspended company or individual, each responsive proposer must
include a certification statement with each bid. By signing the certification statement, the proposer
certifies that neither it nor any of its principals (e.g., key employees) have been proposed for
debarment, debarred or suspended by a Federal Agency. It is the responsibility of each proposer to
sign the attached certification statement and submit it with the bid. Failure to comply with this
requirement will cause your bid to be disqualified and declared non-responsive.
BACKGROUND CHECK: Contractor will not employ any person to provide services who has been
convicted, or pled nolo contendere to, any one of the crimes listed in the Louisiana Child Protection
Act. La R.S. 15:587.1 (C). Criminal History Record must be obtained by contractor for all employees
to be hired and shall be retained during the duration of the employment. Records are to be updated on
an annual basis.
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PERFORMANCE INVESTIGATIONS: As part of the proposal evaluation process, the NOLA-PS
may make inquiries and investigations, including verbal or written references from the firm's
customers, to determine the ability of the firm to provide service.
EMPLOYMENT: It is understood that all employees will be employees of the successful firm(s),
including but not limited to the successful firm's subcontractors, partners, etc.
NOTICE TO OFFEROR: The NOLA-PS shall consider the intentional employment by the selected
firm of unauthorized aliens in violation of U.S. immigration laws cause for unilateral cancellation of
the contract resulting from this RFP.
PROPOSAL FORMAT: Proposals should be prepared simply but completely, providing a
straightforward, concise description of capabilities to satisfy the requirements of the RFP. Please
carefully read Sections as outlines within the Table of Contents. Emphasis should be on completeness
and clarity of content.
SELECTION: Selection shall be made of one or multiple firm(s) deemed to be fully qualified and best
suited among those submitting proposals on the basis of the evaluation factors contained in this RFP.
Fee structure/pricing will be considered, but will be one among many determining factors. The NOLA-
PS may cancel this RFP, reject proposals or any portion thereof at any time prior to an award, and is
not required to furnish a statement of the reason why a particular qualification was not deemed to be
the most advantageous. Should the NOLA-PS determine in writing and in its sole discretion the firm(s)
that is fully qualified, or that one firm is clearly more highly qualified than the others under
consideration, a contract may be awarded to that firm.
DISADVANTAGED BUSINESS ENTERPRISE (DBE) PROGRAM:
The Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program is race & gender-neutral, and open to all
business owners regardless of race, ethnicity or gender. DBE firms currently certified with the
Louisiana Unified Certification Program (LAUCP), or the State & Local Disadvantaged Business
Enterprise (SLDBE) Program must submit a copy of their certification letter for eligibility with the
offer/response to this solicitation.
The Proposer shall submit the following forms below: (Appendix B)
* DBE Responsiveness Form 1
* DBE Responsiveness Form 2
* DBE Certification Letter (for each company)
* DBE Professional Services Compliance Certification Checklist
* DBE Verification Form
DBE Provisions (Attached), which is hereby made a part of this RFP. Failure to include DBE
participation; including all signatures and notary, shall cause a firm's proposal to be non-responsive
and cause for rejection. All DBE forms must be properly completed whether or not they are
applicable to Proposer.
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COMPUTED COST SCORE:
The cost evaluation shall constitute ten (10%) of the total points assigned and will be based upon
standard cost rates submitted by the proposers. The proposer with the lowest cost shall receive the
highest cost evaluation score. Other proposers will receive a cost score computed as follows:
CSF = (LPC/PC*X)
CSF = Cost Scoring Formula
LPC = Lowest proposed cost
PC = Proposer's cost
X= n% of the total number of points assigned
PURCHASES USING FEDERAL GRANT FUNDS (2 C.F.R. 200).
When NOLA-PS seeks to procure goods and services using funds under a federal grant or contract,
specific federal laws, regulations, and requirements may apply in addition to those under state law.
This includes, but is not limited to, the procurement standards of the Uniform Administrative
Requirements, Cost Principles and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards, 2C.F.R. 200 (sometimes
referred to as the "Uniform Guidance" or new "EDGAR"). (EDGAR FORM ATTACHED)
All Vendors awarded a contract under this proposal must complete the NOLA-PS EDGAR Contract
Addendum before a purchase order can be entered as proof of their willingness and ability to comply
with certain requirements which may be applicable to specific NOLA-PS purchases using federal grant
funds.
This information will be made available to the NOLA-PS for its use while considering their
purchasing options when using federal grant funds.
1.2 Purpose
The Orleans Parish School Board ("OPSB") / NOLA Public Schools hereby gives notice that it is
seeking responses from qualified organizations ("Contractor") to provide comprehensive City-Wide
Crisis Intervention Support Services for students, staff, and school communities across New Orleans
public schools. This includes both (1) rapid, reactive crisis response and (2) proactive capacity-
building, prevention, and early intervention services designed to reduce the frequency and severity of
crisis events over time.
1.3 School District Profile
BACKGROUND:
The vision of NOLA Public Schools is that all students receive a high-quality education that fosters
their individual capabilities, while ensuring that they thrive, achieve physical and mental wellness, and
are prepared for civic, social, and economic success. NOLA Public Schools currently authorizes 60
public charter schools, a school with two educational programs for students in secure-care facilities,
and one direct-run elementary school.
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School communities across New Orleans face unique and recurring challenges that require timely,
expert mental health crisis response. Trauma resulting from violence, loss, natural disasters, and
community disruption can profoundly impact student learning, staff well-being, and the overall school
climate. At the same time, reactive crisis response alone is not sufficient: schools need stronger capacity
to identify risk early, screen students for mental health and trauma needs, and respond through a tiered,
trauma-informed system of supports before issues escalate to crisis. Through this investment, NOLA
Public Schools aims to strengthen school communities' capacity to prevent, respond to, and recover
from crises, ensuring that all students and staff have access to professional, culturally responsive, and
evidence-based crisis intervention and prevention services.
The Systemwide Needs Program supports initiatives that shall result in districtwide improvements in
areas that can be more effectively and efficiently addressed at the system level than at the school level.
In administering the Systemwide Needs Program, we strive to ensure the following:
* That funds for the Systemwide Needs Program are coordinated with other funds to increase
the effectiveness of the program.
* That as many schools as possible are able to participate in and/or benefit from the Program.
Pursuant to law, recipients of funds from the Systemwide Needs Fund shall demonstrate that at least
twenty-five percent (25%) of the funds it will expend to achieve its proposal are from sources other
than the Systemwide Needs Fund.
* Each organization will be asked to provide a narrative explanation and a detailed budget
outlining program costs as sufficient demonstration of how they will cover 25% of the program
cost with funds other than what is being awarded by NOLA Public Schools.
* This requirement ensures that NOLA Public Schools is not the sole source of funding for
programs/projects awarded through this RFP.
Key Terms
* Crisis Event - any acute incident requiring immediate mental health response, including but
not limited to student or staff death, threats of violence or self-harm, suicide ideation or
attempts, serious injury, natural disasters, community violence, or traumatic school incidents.
* Rapid Deployment - the ability of the Contractor to mobilize licensed mental health
professionals on-site within a defined response window from time of activation.
* High-Need School - a school with higher-than-normal student trauma exposure, 70% or
higher free and reduced-price lunch rates, school-wide Title I designation, or a CIR/UIR label
in any category.
* Psychological First Aid (PFA) - evidence-informed early intervention provided to individuals
in the immediate aftermath of a crisis event.
* Post-Crisis Stabilization - structured follow-up services provided after the acute crisis phase
to support healing, restore functioning, and prevent further harm.
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PROPOSAL REJECTION: NOLA-PS shall have the right to reject any or all proposals and in
particular to reject a proposal not accompanied by data required by the RFP or in any way incomplete
or irregular, including omission of cost and budget information, i.e. in the best interest of NOLA-PS.
Conditional proposals will not be accepted.
CONTRACT AWARD: Award shall be made to the Most Qualified Proposer(s) whose proposal is
determined to be the most advantageous; thus, when taking into consideration the evaluation factors
set forth in the sections that follow, including overall long-term value to the NOLA-PS. Fees/pricing
consideration will not be the sole determining factor. There is no obligation on the part of the NOLA-
PS to award a contract.
CONTRACT TERM AND RENEWAL: Contract term will be for a period of one (1) year. The
contract term may be extended for two (2) additional one-year periods pending the availability of
funds and/or alignment to NOLA Public Schools priorities outlined in the Strategic Plan of Action. If
warranted terms and conditions for an amendment to the contract will be in writing, negotiable and
subject to NOLA-PS approval.
ERRORS: NOLA-PS is not liable for any errors or misinterpretations made in responding to this
Request for Proposal.
PROPOSAL SUBMISSION: One electronic original Proposal document to be submitted as per date
and time established/set within this Request for Proposal.
INQUIRIES: NOLA-PS will not give verbal answers to inquiries regarding the Request for Proposals,
or verbal instructions prior to the award of a contract. A verbal statement regarding same by any person
shall be non-binding. The NOLA-PS is not liable for any increased costs resulting from the acceptance
of verbal direction. Cost or problems associated with misinterpretation of the intent of the NOLA-PS
will be the responsibility of the proposing firm.
All inquiries must be in writing and addressed to: Paul A. Lucius, Executive Director of Procurement
at procurement@nolapublicschools.com. All inquiries will be answered in the form of an addendum
after the pre-proposal meeting. No contact in any form or manner is to be made with any employee of
the District except through the Executive Director Of Procurement. Violation of this provision shall
be considered grounds for disqualification.
REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL DOCUMENTS: A complete set of Request for Proposals documents
shall be used in preparing proposals. Neither the Orleans Parish School Board, nor its representatives
assume any responsibility for errors or misinterpretations resulting from the use of incomplete sets of
Request for Proposal Documents.
OPEN COMPETITION: NOLA-PS encourages free and open competition. Whenever possible,
specifications and proposal terms and conditions are designed to accomplish this objective, consistent
with the necessity to satisfy the needs of the NOLA-PS and to guarantee an economically sound
solution. The signature on this proposal guarantees that the prices quoted have been established without
collusion with other firms and without effort to preclude the NOLA-PS from obtaining the best possible
competitive value. The firm certifies that neither its officers nor its employees have bribed or attempted
to bribe or influence in any improper manner any officer, employee or agent of the NOLA-PS.
PREPARATION EXPENSE: All proposals submitted in response to this RFP must be submitted at
the sole expense of the proposing firm, irrespective of the final decision of the NOLA-PS as to contract
award.
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TITLE VI SOLICITATION NOTICE:
NOLA-PS, in accordance with the provisions of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (78 Stat. 252,
42 U.S.C. 2000d to 2000d-4) and the Regulations, hereby notifies all Proposers that it will
affirmatively ensure that any contract entered into pursuant to this advertisement, disadvantaged
business enterprises will be afforded full and fair opportunity to submit bids in response to this
invitation, and will not be discriminated against on the grounds of race, color, or national origin in
consideration for an award.
EVALUATION PROCEDURES:
All proposals will be evaluated by the RFP Evaluation Committee that will conduct an independent,
objective evaluation of proposals for Systemwide Needs Program Citywide Crisis Intervention
Services. All members of the Evaluation Committee must execute a disclosure certifying they do not
possess a conflict of interest with any of the proposers. Before beginning the evaluation process, the
Evaluation Committee must review the RFP, concerning not only the scope of work but also the
qualifications and the evaluation criteria. See Evaluation criteria - Section 6.0.
The purpose of the Evaluation Committee is to conduct an independent, objective evaluation of Request
for Proposals for Systemwide Needs Program Citywide Crisis Intervention Services.
REVIEW AND EVALUATION OF PROPOSALS:
A Finance Department representative shall serve as the Evaluation Committee coordinator and is solely
responsible for disseminating all information received during the RFP evaluation process. After
completion and tallying of the technical evaluation scores, each Evaluation Committee member shall
sign and date his/her individual score sheet.
NOLA-PS will evaluate proposals on a qualitative basis. This includes our review of the firm(s)
proposal and related materials for evidence of prior experience, value-added services beyond the scope
of work, qualifications of staff to be assigned to the project, cost effectiveness, and the Proposer's
completeness and timeliness in its response, etc.
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the
meeting. ALL NOLA Public Schools solicitations/addendums can be found on NOLA-PS website at:
www.nolapublicschools.com. Click Community/business resources/solicitations.
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