Deaf Specialty Mental Health Treatment

STATE OF ALABAMA
DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH
RSA UNION BUILDING
100 N. UNION STREET
POST OFFICE BOX 301410
MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA 36130-1410
www.mh.alabama.gov
July 16, 2026
RFP 2027-06
Dear Vendor:
The Alabama Department of Mental Health (ADMH) is soliciting proposals to provide mental health
treatment services for deaf and hard of hearing individuals. Request for Proposals (RFP) will be
accepted until 2:00 pm on Friday, August 7, 2026.
The submission of a proposal does not guarantee the award of a contract. Any contract resulting from the
proposal is not effective until it has received all required governmental approvals and signatures. In
addition, the selected vendor shall not begin performing work under this contract until notified to do so by
the departmental contracting agent. Any contract obtained from this RFP will start on October 1,
2026.
When submitting a proposal, please read the entire RFP document and return your proposal in the
requested format. All proposals should be submitted in ink or typed and contain an original signature.
Submissions should be delivered to:
AL Department of Mental Health
Office of Contracts & Purchasing
100 North Union Street, Suite 570
Montgomery, AL 36104
MAILING NOTE: Proposals may be sent via Regular US Postal Service (USPS) Mail,
Express/Overnight USPS Mail, commercial delivery service such as FedEx or UPS, or hand delivered by
the closing date and time. Emailed or faxed responses are NOT accepted. Also, please note: All US
Postal mail, including express/overnight mail that is dispatched to any State agency is processed thru the
State mail facility before it is forwarded to the appropriate State agency. By using the USPS, you assume
the risk of delay that may result in your proposal being received late and therefore being determined to be
untimely. All proposals received untimely will not be reviewed. Postmarks of the date mailed are
insufficient; the proposal must physically be received at the listed office by the date and time specified
regardless of the delivery service used. RFPs that are improperly submitted or received late* will be
documented for record and will not be returned nor will the bidder be notified.
*Late: any submission received AFTER the specified RFP closing date and time.
Sincerely,
Leola Rogers
Leola Rogers
Office of Contracts & Purchasing

Organization: ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH (ADMH)
RFP Closing Date & Time: 2:00 pm on Friday, August 7, 2026
Review the mailing note.
RFP Contact Info: Leola Rogers
ADMH
Office of Contracts & Purchasing
RSA Union Building
100 North Union Street, Suite 570
Montgomery, AL 36104
Telephone Number (334) 353-7440
Email: leola.rogers@mh.alabama.gov
_______________________________________________________________________________
A. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
1. Who may respond to this RFP? 310 Board Mental Illness Community Mental Health Centers
(CMHCs) who are currently ADMH certified mental health treatment providers, have deaf
service providers (e.g. AIDB Regional Center and ADRS Deaf services) within 25-mile radius
and have approximately 2,200 deaf people population.
2. Who may not respond to this RFP? ADMH certified providers who are not 310 Board Mental
Illness CMHCs, geographical and service areas with less than 2,000 deaf people population,
employees of ADMH, and current State employees.
3. In order to transact business in the State of Alabama all businesses domestic and foreign must be
registered with the Alabama Secretary of State Office. (Domestic means within the State of
Alabama. Foreign means out-of-state.) Website: www.sos.alabama.gov
4. If contracted with the State of Alabama, all vendors must enroll and actively participate in E-Verify.
Website: https://www.e-verify.gov/
5. ALL vendor payments are processed thru the State of Alabama Accounting and Resource System
(STAARS). All vendors must register with STAARS Vendor Self Service. Website:
https://procurement.staars.alabama.gov/webapp/PRDVSS1X1/AltSelfService
6. The ADMH reserves the right to reject any and all proposals if RFP instructions are not adhered to,
such as late submissions received after deadline (see mailing note), requested # of submissions not
received. ADMH reserves the right to issue multiple awards.
Submission Addresses
AL Department of Mental Health AL Department of Mental Health
Office of Contracts & Purchasing Office of Contracts & Purchasing
RSA Union Building RSA Union Building
100 N. Union St., Suite 570 PO Box 301410
Montgomery, AL 36104 Montgomery, AL 36130
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7. Authority to Resolve Protested Solicitations and Awards
Presumption of Correctness. Decisions by the Chief Procurement Officer or Head of a
Procurement Agency during the procurement process are presumed lawful and reasonable unless
proven otherwise. The burden of proof is on a protestor to show not just mere error in the
procurement process, but error causing it prejudice to the satisfaction of the Chief Procurement
Officer or head of a Purchasing Agency for a protest to be sustained and relief to be granted.
8. Filing of Intent to Protest or Protest.
(a) When Filed. An intent to protest or a protest is considered filed when received by the Chief
Procurement Officer.
(b) Timing and Manner of Intent to Protest or Protest. Intent to protest a solicitation, an
amendment to a solicitation, or an intent to award, must be filed within five calendar days of the
issuance of such solicitation, amendment to a solicitation, or intent to award. Thereafter, a formal
protest must be filed no later than seven calendar days from the filing of the notice of intent to protest
(i.e., no later than twelve days from the action being protested). An intent to protest is not required if
a formal protest is filed in lieu of an intent to protest within the initial five days permitted.
(b) Subject of Intent to Protest or Protest. As set forth in this rule, protesters may file an intent to
protest or protest on any phase of solicitation or award including but not limited to, specifications
preparation, bid solicitation, or award. Protesters may also protest the disclosure of information
marked confidential in the bid or offer if the disclosure provided a party with an unfair competitive
advantage.
(c) Form. The written protest shall include as a minimum the following:
1. the name and address of the protester and the email address of the protester's representative;
2. appropriate identification of the procurement, and, if a contract has been awarded, its number;
3. a statement of the grounds of the protest and the relief requested with enough particularity to
give notice of the issues to be decided; and
4. supporting exhibits, evidence, or documents to substantiate any claims unless not available
within the filing time in which case the expected availability date shall be indicated.
(d) An intent to protest or protest that does not contain the information required by subsection (c)
must be denied.
(e) Stay of Procurements During Protest. When a protest has been timely filed and before an award
has been made, the Chief Procurement Officer or the head of a Purchasing Agency shall make no
award of the contract until the protest has been settled unless the Chief Procurement Officer makes a
written determination, after consulting with the head of the Using Agency or the head of the
Purchasing Agency, that the award of the contract without delay is necessary to protect substantial
interests of the State.
(f) Receipt, Review, and Decision by the Chief Procurement Officer. Upon receipt of a protest
containing all information required by this Rule, if the protest is not resolved by mutual agreement
within 10 days in accordance with Code of Ala. 1975, 41-4-16l(c), the Chief Procurement Officer
will conduct an administrative review of the protest and the procurement record. Upon the
completion of the administrative review, the Chief Procurement Officer shall issue a written decision
as expeditiously as possible. During the administrative review of a protest, the Chief Procurement
Officer may request information from the using agency and any interested party.
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(g) Effect of Judicial or Administrative Proceedings. If an action concerning the protest has
commenced in court, the Chief Procurement Officer shall not act on the protest but refer the protest to
the Attorney General. After consulting with the Attorney General, the Chief Procurement Officer may
proceed with a solicitation or award of a contract in accordance with Code of Ala. 1975, 41-4-16l(f).
This Section shall not apply where a court requests that a decision be made on a protest by the Chief
Procurement Officer or the head of a Purchasing Agency. Effective 5/16/2026
9. Records Request: ADMH recognizes and supports the public's right to inspect/request copies of
public records in accordance with State law. Many public records and resources are available on
the ADMH website: www.mh.alabama.gov for review. Anyone seeking copies of records and/or
information from ADMH must complete a records request form. The form is located on ADMH
website at www.mh.alabama.gov for review and completion.
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Request for Proposals Standard Terms and Conditions
1. Authority
Division 4 of the Department of Finance Administrative Code (Chapters 355-4-1 through 355-4-6),
effective October 1, 2022, is incorporated by reference and made a part of this document. To view the
relevant provisions of the Administrative Code, visit our website https://purchasing.alabama.gov/ .
2. Prohibited Contacts; Inquiries regarding this RFP
From the Release Date of this Request for Proposal (hereafter referred to as RFP) until a contract is
awarded, parties that intend to submit or have submitted a Proposal, are prohibited from communicating
with any members of the Soliciting Party's Team for this transaction who may be identified herein or after
the Release Date, or other employees or representatives of the Soliciting Party regarding this RFP or the
underlying transaction except the designated contact(s).
3. Nonresponsive Proposals
Any Proposal that does not satisfy requirements of the RFP may be deemed non-responsive and may be
disregarded without evaluation. Supplemental information, including information necessary to clarify a
proposal, may be required from any Proposer.
4. Changes to RFP; Changes to Schedule
The Soliciting Party reserves the right to change or interpret the RFP prior to the Proposal Due Date.
Changes will be communicated to those parties receiving the RFP who have not informed the Soliciting
Party's designated contact that a Proposal will not be submitted. Changes to the deadline or other scheduled
events may be made by the Soliciting Party as it deems to be in its best interest. Review the RFP Schedule
of Events.
5. Expenses of Proposal
A Proposer will not be reimbursed for any expenses incurred in preparation of a proposal.
6. Rejection of Proposals
The State reserves the right to reject any and all proposals and cancel this Request if, in its sole discretion,
it deems such action to be in its best interest.
7. The Final Terms of the Engagement
Issuance of this RFP in no way constitutes a commitment by the State to award a contract. The final terms
of engagement for the service provider will be set out in a contract which will be effective upon its
acceptance by the State as evidenced by the signature thereon of its authorized representative. Provisions
of this RFP and the accepted Proposal may be incorporated into the terms of the engagement should the
State so dictate. Notice is hereby given that there are certain terms standard to commercial contracts in
private sector use which the State is prevented by law or policy from accepting, including indemnification
and holding harmless a party to a contract or third parties, consent to choice of law and venue other than
the State of Alabama, methods of dispute resolution other than negotiation and mediation, waivers of
subrogation and other rights against third parties, agreement to pay attorney's fees and expenses of
litigation, and some provisions limiting damages payable by a vendor, including those limiting damages to
the cost of goods or services.
8. Choice of Law; Venue
This Contract will be governed by laws of the State of Alabama and the sole venue for litigation and
alternative dispute resolution activities will be the City of Montgomery in the State of Alabama. No other
court shall have jurisdiction.
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9. Not to Constitute a Debt of the State
The terms and commitments contained in the solicitation, or any contract resulting from this solicitation,
shall not constitute a debt of the State of Alabama, the incurring of which is prohibited by Section 213 of
the Official Recompilation of the Constitution of Alabama, 1901, as amended.
10. Proration
Any provision of a contract resulting from this bid to the contrary notwithstanding, in the event of failure
of the State to make payment hereunder as a result of partial unavailability, at the time such payment is
due of such sufficient revenues of the State to make such payment (proration of appropriated funds for the
State having been declared by the governor pursuant to Section 41-4-90 of the Code of Alabama 1975),
the supplier shall have the option, in addition to the other remedies of the contract, of renegotiating the
contract (extending or changing payment terms or amounts) or terminating the contract.
11. Non-appropriation of funds
Section 41-4-144(c) of the Code of Alabama 1975 states: "(c) When funds are not appropriated or
otherwise made available to support continuation of performance in a subsequent fiscal period, the contract
shall be cancelled, and the supplier shall be reimbursed for the reasonable value of any non- recurring costs
incurred but not amortized in the price of the supplies or services delivered under the contract. The cost of
cancellation may be paid from any appropriations available for that purpose."
12. Dispute Resolution
In the event of any dispute between the parties arising from this solicitation and any agreement with a
dispute involving the payment of money, supplier's sole remedy is the filing of a claim with the Board of
Adjustment of the State of Alabama. For any and all other disputes arising under the terms of this contract
which are not resolved by negotiation, the parties agree to utilize appropriate forms of non-binding
alternative dispute resolution including, but not limited to, mediation. Such dispute resolution shall occur
in Montgomery, Alabama, utilizing where appropriate, mediators selected from the roster of mediators
maintained by the Center for Dispute Resolution of the Alabama State Bar Association.
13. No Indemnification
Supplier acknowledges and agrees that, under the terms of this solicitation and agreements relating to
purchases or leases resulting therefrom, the State is prohibited from indemnifying the supplier. The State
does not agree to and will not indemnify the supplier for any reason. The State of Alabama does not release
or waive, expressly or implied, the State of Alabama's right to assert sovereign immunity or any other
affirmative defense right it may have under law. The State of Alabama shall control the defense and
settlement of any legal proceeding on behalf of the State, including the selection of attorneys.
14. Conflict of Law
If any provision of this solicitation and any subsequent award shall contravene any statute or Constitutional
provision or amendment, either now in effect or which may, during the course of this agreement, be
enacted, then that conflicting provision shall be deemed null and void.
15. Internet Website Links
Internet and/or website links will not be accepted in RFP responses as a means to supply any requirements
stated in this solicitation.
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16. Solicitation Reponses and Results
The complete bid file will be made available for review as provided by (or as outlined) in Section 41-4-
115 of the Code of Alabama 1975 and Rule 355-4-1-.04 of the Department of Finance Administrative
Code.
17. Exception to Terms and Conditions
Suppliers may place any qualifications, exceptions, conditions, reservations, limitations, or substitutions
in their bid or proposal concerning the contract terms and conditions. However, the State is not obligated
to accept any changes to the published terms and conditions of the solicitation.
18. Confidentiality
Procurement information is a public record to the extent provided by state law and shall be available to
the public. Section 41-4-115 of the Code of Alabama 1975 defines what is exempt from disclosure.
Additional rules are included in Rules 355-4-1-.03(4) and 355-4-1-.04 of the Alabama Department of
Finance Administrative Code.
19. Click Wrap
The State of Alabama acknowledges that additional terms between the supplier and the State or third-
party terms may apply but does not agree to be bound by them unless provided for review and separately
agreed to in writing by an authorized official of the State of Alabama. If the purchase or use of the supplies
or services provided utilizes a computer interface, no State of Alabama end user shall be deemed to have
agreed to any clause by virtue of it appearing in an "I agree" click box or other comparable mechanism
("click-wrap" or "browse-wrap"); rather the terms and conditions, such as End User License Agreements,
may only be accepted by inclusion in an agreement and signature by an authorized official of the State of
Alabama. If the terms and conditions or any other third-party terms and conditions are invoked through
click wrap, execution by any unauthorized individual shall not bind the end user or the State of Alabama
to such clause. Any clause which requires the State of Alabama to indemnify another party or clause
which assigns jurisdiction to any state other than Alabama which is contained in such click-wrap is
deemed to be stricken from the terms and conditions unless expressly agreed in writing and under the
signature of an authorized individual.
20. Debarment and Suspension
Supplier certifies that neither it nor its principals are presently debarred, suspended, proposed for
debarment, declared ineligible, or voluntarily excluded from participation in this transaction by any
governmental department or agency. If supplier cannot certify this statement, supplier must attach a
written explanation for review by the Chief Procurement Officer.
21. Merit System Exclusion
It is understood and agreed that supplier is an independent supplier and as such all services rendered by
supplier and its agents and employees thereof shall be as an independent supplier and not as an employee,
Merit or otherwise, of the State of Alabama, and supplier or its agents and employees thereof shall not be
entitled to or receive Merit System benefits.
22. Severability
In the event any provision of this solicitation or resulting contract shall not be enforceable, the remaining
provisions shall continue in full force and effect.
23. Volume of Business
Except as otherwise stated in this solicitation, the State of Alabama cannot and does not guarantee any
volume of business.
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24. Legislative Contract Review Committee
Personal and professional services contracts with the State may be subject to review by the Contract
Review Permanent Legislative Oversight Committee in accordance with Section 29-2-40, et seq. of the
Code of Alabama 1975. The vendor is required to be knowledgeable of the provisions of that statute and
the rules of the committee. These rules can be found at https://alison.legislature.state.al.us/contract-
review. If a contract resulting from this RFP is to be submitted for review the service provider must
provide the forms and documentation required for that process.
By submitting a response, I hereby affirm the following:
I acknowledge receipt of the solicitation and all amendments (new rounds). I have read the solicitation
and agree to provide each item or service offered. I will comply with all terms and conditions contained
within this solicitation. I have not been in any agreement of collusion among bidders in restraint of
freedom of competition by agreement to bid or to refrain from bidding. I further certify that I am not
barred from bidding or entering into a contract and acknowledge that the State may declare the contract
void if this certification is false.
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The Alabama Department of Mental Health, hereinafter, referred to as ADMH, was
established by Alabama Acts 1965, No. 881, section 22-50-2. Its purpose is to provide for the
diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation, follow up care, prevention and research into causes of all forms
of mental or emotional illness, which includes alcoholism, drug addiction, epilepsy, and
intellectual/developmental disability. ADMH has the statutory authority to supervise, coordinate,
and establish standards for all operations and activities of the state related to mental health and the
provision of mental health services.
ADMH is seeking to develop a 15 bed Deaf Specialty MOM residential program and 6-bed
Deaf Specialty Group Home for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing who use ASL
as their primary mode of communication. The successful bidder will increase accessibility to
linguistically and culturally appropriate services by providing direct services, to be provided by
staff proficient in ASL as defined by the ADMH Administrative Code or other ADMH approved
modes of communication to admitted residents, and who are culturally competent in working
with individuals who are Deaf or hard of hearing, including individuals with significant language
dysfluency. Moreover, it is expected that the successful bidder will develop agreements with area
agencies that serve individuals who are Deaf and/or hard of hearing to collaborate as appropriate.
==========================================================================
SECTION I
A. Vendor Qualifications
1. Experience in working with ADMH and the Office of Deaf Services (ODS).
2. Have Deaf service providers (e.g. AIDB Regional Center and ADRS Deaf services)
within 25-mile radius.
3. Have an approximately 2,200 or higher deaf people who use sign language population.
4. Experience in working in a public mental health setting that involved development and
administration of mental health housing and residential services.
5. Experience in working with the State of Alabama Medicaid Agency and CMS.
6. Experience in working with diverse groups including other service agencies and
advocacy organizations such as hospitals, jails/detention facilities, and state/local
consumer organizations.
B. Scope of Work
The work listed below identifies the minimum responsibilities and/or services that the Applicant
must agree to assume and implement under any contract awarded as a result of this RFP. In
addition to fulfilling the General Requirements for Participation specified in this RFP, selected
Contractors will be expected to:
1. Provide a supervised, non-institutional, therapeutic environment that fosters safety,
respect, and dignity for each consumer enrolled in the program.
2. Provide a therapeutic service regimen within both Deaf Specialty MOM and Deaf
Specialty Group Home residential programs that have been designed and organized in
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such a manner to provide structure and consistency for consumers in the treatment
program.
3. Ensure access for the program's residents to an adequate number of appropriately
trained and credentialed staff, twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a
year. Overnight staff shall be required to remain awake and provide supervision of
consumers' health, welfare, and safety.
4. Ensure all aspects of the Deaf Specialty MOM residential program and Deaf Specialty
Group Home will guarantee that admitted consumers who are deaf or hard of hearing
will have communication access provided by staff fluent in the consumer's preferred
language or by a qualified interpreter as indicated in the ADMH Administrative Code.
The sign-fluent staff member providing services shall have at least an Intermediate Plus
level in the Sign Language Proficiency Interview. Programming will accommodate the
ability to provide effective participation for all consumers who are deaf.
5. Ensure provision of and/or access to:
a. Medical personnel (e.g. Medical Doctor, Registered Nurse, Licensed Practical
Nurse, Dentist).
b. Psychiatric personnel (e.g. Psychiatrist, Psychologist, Licensed Social Worker,
Licensed Counselor) .
c. In-home supports, care coordination, and monitoring.
6. Provide access to peer-to-peer recovery support services and activities.
7. Provide meaningful day activities that are tailored to each individual resident's needs
and based upon ongoing evaluation of the individual resident's needs in relation to the
program's continued stay, transfer, and discharge criteria.
8. Directly provide or ensure access to structured treatment and recovery support services
at the appropriate dosage and duration that conforms to the assessed needs of each
resident. At a minimum these services must consist of, reflect, or otherwise incorporate
the following elements:
(a) Evidence-based practices and approaches to care.
(b) Strength-based approaches to care.
(c) Cultural responsiveness.
(d) Interventions and activities that address:
Recovery focused interventions.
Relapse prevention.
Empowerment.
Social stigma.
Trauma.
Mental health wellness, treatment, and symptom management.
Life skills.
Educational/vocational skills.
Legal issues.
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