Secondary Due Process Review Hearing Officer

The Vermont Department for Children and Families, through the Agency of Human Services, is seeking one or more qualified individuals or entities to serve as Secondary Due Process Review Hearing Officers. The primary objective of this role is to act as an arbitrator for hearings involving children and youth, typically aged 13 to 17, who are appealing initial determinations regarding their administrative placement in secure facilities. The contractor will be responsible for determining if the individual meets the criteria for continued placement beyond eight days, utilizing a preponderance evidentiary standard. Key deliverables include conducting hearings efficiently, making pre-hearing determinations, and issuing written findings within three business days. The contractor must maintain availability on Tuesday and Friday afternoons and adhere to strict due process protections and hearing timelines. The contract period is scheduled to run from February 1, 2027, through December 31, 2031. Compensation is structured through a combination of a weekly base payment, hourly rates for training and mandatory meetings, and potential fixed-price deliverables. Payment terms are Net 30 days, requiring detailed monthly invoices and the submission of a current W-9 and certificate of insurance. Awards are made based on the best interest of the State, with preference given to resident bidders and those promoting clean energy. Bidders must disclose any organizational or personal conflicts of interest and comply with non-discrimination and confidentiality requirements. Proposals must be submitted as a single digitally searchable PDF by September 28, 2026.