Standardized Definitions and Metrics Framework Development

The contract seeks to develop nationally consistent definitions and performance metrics for foster home network dynamics to support cross-jurisdictional comparison and improve policy alignment across states and territories. The initiative aims to establish a standardized framework that enables agencies to measure and evaluate the structure, functionality, and outcomes of foster care networks using uniform criteria, thereby enhancing data comparability and informing evidence-based decision-making at the federal and state levels. The effort is part of a broader goal to strengthen the foster care system through improved accountability, transparency, and coordination among jurisdictions. This subcontract, issued under the Administration for Children and Families within the Department of Health and Human Services, is categorized under NAICS code 541690 for other scientific and technical consulting services. The solicitation was posted on July 10, 2026, with a response deadline of August 10, 2026, indicating the urgency and time-bound nature of the project. While no specific location is designated for performance, the outcomes are expected to have national applicability. The work will require expertise in child welfare systems, data standardization, performance measurement, and stakeholder engagement across diverse state and tribal child protective services to ensure the framework is both scientifically rigorous and practically implementable.