RFP 112 - Staff Secure Program (2 Beds)

Back Print

Agency:	State of Vermont
State:	Vermont
Level of Government:	State & Local
Category:	G - Social Services R - Professional, Administrative and Management Support Services
Opps ID:	NBD14408971867638734
Posted Date:	Mar 25, 2024
Due Date:	May 1, 2024
Source:	Members Only

TITLE	QUESTIONS DUE	ANSWERS POSTED	DUE DATE	NO POSTING AFTER
RFP 112 - Staff Secure Program (2 Beds)	04/15/2024 05:00PM		05/01/2024 05:00PM

Attachment Preview

Department of Mental Health

280 State Drive, 166 Horesehoe Dr | Waterbury, VT 05671-2010

802-241-0090 phone |802-241-0100 fax | 800-253-0191 tty

https://mentalhealth.vermont.gov/

SEALED BID

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL

RFP112

Staff Secure Program (2 Beds)

ISSUE DATE

QUESTIONS DUE

RFP RESPONSES DUE BY

March 25, 2024

April 15, 2024 – 5:00 PM (ET)

May 1, 2024 – 5:00 PM (ET)

PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT ALL NOTIFICATIONS, RELEASES, AND ADDENDUMS

ASSOCIATED WITH THIS RFP WILL BE POSTED AT:

http://www.bgs.state.vt.us/pca/bids/bids.php

THE STATE WILL MAKE NO ATTEMPT TO CONTACT INTERESTED PARTIES WITH

UPDATED INFORMATION. IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF EACH BIDDER TO

PERIODICALLY CHECK THE ABOVE WEBPAGE FOR ANY AND ALL NOTIFICATIONS,

RELEASES AND ADDENDUMS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS RFP.

STATE CONTACT:

TELEPHONE:

E-MAIL:

Jen Rowell

(802) 241-0090

AHS.DMHSubmissions@vermont.gov

1. OVERVIEW:

1.1. SCOPE AND BACKGROUND: Through this Request for Proposal (RFP) the

Department of Mental Health (DMH, hereinafter the “State”) is seeking to establish a

contract with an entity that can develop and provide mental health residential treatment

services. The State is seeking proposals for a two bed, staff secure residential

treatment program for adults who qualify for, or are currently enrolled in, a Community

Rehabilitation and Treatment Program and require a structured and supervised

community-based treatment program upon discharge from an inpatient psychiatric

hospitalization or the DMH operated secure psychiatric residential program. The

intention is to provide services to no more than two individuals who:

• are currently under the care and custody of the DMH Commissioner and

require ongoing treatment for their mental illnesses.

• may have legal charges that have resulted in a finding of incompetency or

insanity.

• stipulate to participate in a community-based residential treatment program as

a “least restrictive setting” to inpatient hospitalization or a secure residential

program.

1.1.1. RFP OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the RFP is to solicit proposals from entities to

develop and operate a two bed (two single-occupancy resident rooms), staff

secure residential treatment program for adults who qualify for, or are currently

enrolled in, a Community Rehabilitation and Treatment Program and require a

structured and supervised community-based treatment program upon discharge

from an inpatient psychiatric hospitalization or the DMH operated secure

psychiatric residential program.

1.1.2. DESCRIPTION OF ORGANIZATION: The Vermont Agency of Human Services

(AHS) strives to improve the health and well-being of Vermonters today and

tomorrow and to protect those among us who are unable to protect themselves.

The scope of AHS is profound. Through its six departments, twelve district offices,

and a network of community partners and providers, it is responsible for the

implementation and delivery of all human service programs within the state. Each

department has a distinct area of focus and responsibility and contributes to the

creation and sustenance of an entire system of human service supports.

The Department of Mental Health (DMH) resides under AHS and has the same

critical mission in mind: to improve the conditions and well-being of Vermonters

and protect those who cannot protect themselves. DMH continues to focus on its

vision for self-determination, empowerment, recovery, and resiliency. This means

being responsive to the needs of Vermonters and their families, as well as

continuing to challenge ourselves to try to change society’s culture, philosophy,

and values, while working to fully embrace the concepts of recovery and resiliency.

By improving our effectiveness and coordination of programs and services around

the State, we will help Vermonters meet their needs.

1.2. CONTRACT PERIOD: Contracts arising from this RFP will be for a period of twelve

months with an option to renew for up to two additional two-year periods. The State

anticipates the start date for such contract(s) will be September 1, 2024, or sooner if

possible.

Revised: October 4, 2023

Page 2 of 16

1.3. SINGLE POINT OF CONTACT: All communications concerning this RFP are to be

addressed in writing to the State Contact listed on the front page of this RFP. Actual or

attempted contact with any other individual from the State concerning this RFP is strictly

prohibited and may result in disqualification.

1.4. BIDDERS’ CONFERENCE: A bidders’ conference will not be held.

1.5. QUESTION AND ANSWER PERIOD: Any bidder requiring clarification of any section of

this RFP or wishing to comment on any requirement of the RFP must submit specific

questions in writing no later than the deadline for question submission indicated on the

first page of this RFP. Questions may be e-mailed to the point of contact on the front

page of this RFP. Questions or comments not raised in writing on or before the last day

of the question period are thereafter waived. At the close of the question period a copy

of all questions or comments and the State's responses will be posted on the State’s

web site http://www.bgs.state.vt.us/pca/bids/bids.php. Every effort will be made to post

this information as soon as possible after the question period ends, contingent on the

number and complexity of the questions.

1.6. CHANGES TO THIS RFP: Any modifications to this RFP will be made in writing by the

State through the issuance of an Addendum to this RFP and posted online at

http://www.bgs.state.vt.us/pca/bids/bids.php. Modifications from any other source are

not to be considered.

1.7. SOURCE OF FUNDS: The Department anticipates using Federal funds for the resulting

contract(s). The Department may choose to modify the source of funding contingent

upon the availability of funds at the time of award. Any selected Vendor will be subject

to the federal funding requirements in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance

(CFDA) # 93.778, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for

Medicare and Medicaid.

Socioeconomic affirmative steps under 2 C.F.R. § 200.321: If using applicable federal

funds Socioeconomic affirmative steps under 2 C.F.R. § 200.321 affirmative steps must

include at least the following six steps:

1. Placing qualified small, historically marginalized group, and women’s business

enterprises on solicitation lists;

2. Assuring that small, historically marginalized group, and women’s business

enterprises are solicited whenever they are potential sources;

3. Dividing total requirements, when economically feasible, into smaller tasks or

quantities to permit maximum participation by small, historically marginalized

group, and women’s business enterprises;

4. Establishing delivery schedules, where the requirement permits, which

encourage participation by small, historically marginalized group, and women’s

business enterprises;

5. Using the services and assistance, as appropriate, of such organizations as the

Small Business Administration and the Minority Business Development Agency

of the Department of Commerce; and

Revised: October 4, 2023

Page 3 of 16

6. Requiring the prime/general contractor, if subcontracts are to be let, to take the

same affirmative steps as listed in numbers 1 through 5.

If a bidder requires assistance in preparing their proposal, registering with SAM.gov, or

needs guidance on socioeconomic certifications, the bidder may contact the Agency of

Commerce and Community Development (ACCD), Department of Economic

Development (DED), APEX Accelerator (formerly the Procurement Technical Assistance

Center [PTAC]). The Vermont APEX Accelerator specializes in helping small businesses

navigate the documentation associated with State and Federal procurement. There is no

cost to the Contractor for assistance provided by APEX Accelerator. Their website is:

https://accd.vermont.gov/economic-development/programs/ptac.

2. DETAILED REQUIREMENTS/DESIRED OUTCOMES:

2.1 The State of Vermont is interested in obtaining bids to meet the following business

needs:

• developing and operating a staff-secure residential treatment program;

• providing trauma-informed, culturally responsive, strengths-based mental

health treatment to target the specific needs of two residents with complex

psychiatric needs;

• providing treatment for individuals who may have histories of engaging in

violent behavior, behaviors that have made living in less restrictive settings

unsuccessful, and historical medication non-adherence outside of hospital

settings;

• providing coaching around development of independent living skills to support

successful discharge to a less restrictive and structured setting; and

• working with individuals to support the goals of rehabilitation and community

engagement.

This new service capacity may be developed through new program development, or

modifications of existing community-based program capacity intended to meet the needs

of this targeted cohort. The new program will identify a rehabilitation and treatment

model that most appropriately addresses an environment of care and programmatic/

oversight management for this specific treatment cohort. Proposed program staffing

must identify the clinical and treatment personnel needed to implement the program.

Training components for all personnel must include trauma-informed service delivery,

engagement and motivational interviewing, de-escalation strategies, emergency

response, and safety interventions. Program staff must have regular access to qualified

clinical personnel for treatment plan development, individualized behavior programming,

and oversight of service model delivery.

DMH will initiate referrals to this new staff-secure residential program. Individuals referred

will be nearing discharge from psychiatric inpatient units or the DMH-operated secure

psychiatric residential program and will have been identified to be at risk for re-

hospitalization without structured mental health treatment services. Their treatment

programming and oversight needs will have been identified to exceed lower levels of

support and supervision available in community-based residential treatment models. A

history of violent behavior, complexity of psychiatric need, or length of hospitalization

Revised: October 4, 2023

Page 4 of 16

would not be a sufficient criterion, either individually or collectively, for denial of program

referral or admission. Program characteristics would also include the capacity to maintain

a safe, staff secure environment. Staff would be trained to work with the cohort of

characteristics identified within this request for proposal. Providers proposing to serve

this cohort must be prepared to therapeutically engage with individuals who are at risk of

exhibiting brief episodes of assaultive or self-injurious behavior or behavioral

dysregulation within this program.

3. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS:

3.1. Certificate of Need (CON) and Certificate of Approval (COA) Processes: Depending

on the entity that is the successful bidder, this project may require a COA or a CON. The

COA process is managed by DMH and only applies to Designated Agencies and

Specialized Services Agencies, while the CON applies to all other healthcare providers

and is managed by the Green Mountain Care Board (GMCB).

3.1.1. Bidder should include whether they believe their proposal will warrant a COA or

CON in order to be able to operate their proposed program based on COA/CON

criteria.

3.1.2. If a COA is required, then the bidder’s proposal can be considered as your letter of

intent. All COA application materials and financial tables can be submitted along with

the proposals. If not, they will be requested by the Department in order to proceed

with contracting.

3.1.3. If a CON is required, this is an entirely separate process that must be followed as

outlined by the GMBC. This should be acknowledged in your proposal and the letter

of intent can be attached to your proposal or linked to the GMCB site.

3.2. PRICING: Bidders must price the terms of this solicitation at their best pricing. Any and

all costs that Bidder wishes the State to consider must be submitted for consideration. If

applicable, all equipment pricing is to include Free On Board (FOB) delivery to the

ordering facility. No request for extra delivery cost will be honored. All equipment shall be

delivered assembled, serviced, and ready for immediate use, unless otherwise

requested by the State.

3.2.1. Prices and rates shall remain firm for the initial term of the contract. The pricing policy

submitted by Bidder must (i) be clearly structured, accountable, and auditable and (ii)

cover the full spectrum of materials and services required.

3.2.2. Cooperative Agreements. Bidders that have been awarded similar contracts

through a competitive bidding process with another state or cooperative are

welcome to submit the pricing in response to this solicitation.

3.3. STATEMENT OF RIGHTS: The State shall have the authority to evaluate Responses

and select the Bidder(s) as may be determined to be in the best interest of the State and

consistent with the goals and performance requirements outlined in this RFP. The State

of Vermont reserves the right to obtain clarification or additional information necessary to

properly evaluate a proposal. Failure of bidder to respond to a request for additional

information or clarification could result in rejection of that bidder's proposal. To secure a

project that is deemed to be in the best interest of the State, the State reserves the right

to accept or reject any and all bids, in whole or in part, with or without cause, and to

waive technicalities in submissions. The State also reserves the right to make purchases

outside of the awarded contracts where it is deemed in the best interest of the State.

Revised: October 4, 2023

Page 5 of 16

This is the opportunity summary page. You are currently viewing an overview of this opportunity and a preview of the attached documentation. For more information, please visit the Publication URL Web page.

TRY FOR FREE

Not a USAOPPS Member Yet?

Get unlimited access to thousands of active local, state and federal government bids and awards in All 50 States.

Start Free Trial Today >