Delaware Health
And Social Services
DIVISION OF MANAGEMENT SERVICES

			PROCUREMENT



          				DATE:  January 20, 2010 

  HSS 10 053	

						
			SPECIAL SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION PROGRAM FOR 	
			WOMEN, INFANTS & CHILDREN (WIC) BREASTFEEDING 	
			PEER COUNSELOR PROGRAM


        FOR

        
         DIVISION OF PUBLIC HEALTH  


	
                         Date Due: 	March 9, 2010
				11:00 AM


 ADDENDUM # 1		Please Note:
	
THE ATTACHED SHEETS HEREBY BECOME A PART 
OF THE ABOVE MENTIONED BID.


					___________________________
					Wendy M. Brown
			CONTRACT & PROCUREMENT ADMINISTRATOR
					(302)255-9293


					_____________________________			
					Ida Lawson (302) 739-4614



 
Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for
Women, Infants & Children (WIC)
Breast Feeding Peer Counselor Program 
RFP No. HSS 10 053
Questions and Answers from Pre-bid Meeting January 20, 2010


Question 1 -   “…contractor must furnish private office space”- What is the 
purpose intended by this requirement?  Can this space be in a home office or 
State Service Center conference room or unused space or a current or future 
designated breast feeding locations to cut down on over-head, non-service 
expense? 
Answer - There must be a designated office space for the peer counselor 
and contract manager to ensure confidentiality of client information and to 
establish regular private and secure meeting place.  


Question 2 - Why is a land line required when cell phones are required?
Answer - A land line is necessary to maintain service as cell phone service 
can be interrupted or unavailable.  This is also necessary to maintain inter-
office communications.  Cell phone is to be used primarily after normal 
work hours.


Question 3 - Can a PDA or other type of device be substituted for a required 
computer?  
Answer - Only laptops and desktops are acceptable. 


Question 4 - If a computer is required, can the Department transfer equipment 
from other contractors who purchased equipment under their contract but who no 
longer hold a contract?
Answer - Computer must be equipped with the most current functionality to 
perform all duties as required. 


Question 5 - How many pregnant women does DE serve through WIC program in 
a year for each of the three counties?
Answer - As of September 2009 Delaware WIC served: 
New Castle-approx. 1400
Kent- approx. 600
Sussex-approx. 600


Question 6 - How many organizations are contracted to provide breast feeding 
peer counseling services this past year? Please provide county served and dollar 
amount of each contract.  What was the productivity of each contracted provider?

Answer - Currently there are 4 contractors.  3 in New Castle County and 1 
in Kent/Sussex County.  Funds were distributed up to a maximum of 
$170,000 based on productivity, which varies on number of clients served 
by individual contractors. 


Question 7 - The RFP requires that counselors be employees and that sub-
contractors are not allowed.  Will the Department allow for innovative partnering 
compensation agreements such as case finding fees and stipends in addition or 
in lieu of employment arrangements?  Not all people in an optimal position to 
relate well to low-income females can work 20 hours a week and some may not 
want to be tied to a specific number of hours. 

Answer - Absolutely no sub-contractors allowed.


Question 8 - Can the contractor sub-contract the evaluation component of the 
program so as to assure more independent, objective findings?

Answer - No, sub-contracting is not allowed.


Question 9 - Why is the number of hours for teaching breast feeding classes 
limited?

Answer - This position requires encouragement, individual support, 
telephone support, documentation and various tasks that will limit time 
available for classes/support groups.
  

Question 10 - Can peer counseling occur in small group discussion formats?

Answer - Yes, however it will not replace individual support/encouragement 
or telephone support/encouragement.


Question 11 - Where can the curriculum for the 12 hour peer counseling (PC) 
training be accessed?  What is the reading grade level of materials included in 
the PC training? Is it available in Spanish?

Answer - The PC training materials are available through the WIC 
administrative office. The reading level of materials is not available. 
Training is not available in Spanish.


Question 12 - The RFP states that WIC staff may assign PCs to assist in breast 
feeding and peer counseling promotion.  Is the assignment coordinated through 
the contractor?  How often, in terms of number of hours per quarter, does the 
Department anticipate making these sorts of requests?

Answer - PCs are required to attend quarterly PC meetings, Annual WIC 
meeting, World Breastfeeding Celebration and others as required.


Question 13 - Is travel outside of Delaware required?

Answer - Travel is not required but may be optional.


Question 14 - Where are educational materials obtained?

Answer - Coordination and selection of all educational materials are 
approved by the Delaware WIC Program.