RFP 135: Children\'s Crisis Stabilization Program

Agency:	State of Vermont
State:	Vermont
Type of Government:	State & Local
NAICS Category:	541611 - Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services
Posted Date:	Jan 20, 2026
Due Date:	Mar 2, 2026
Original Source:	Please Login to View Page
Contact information:	Please Login to View Page
Bid Documents:	Please Login to View Page

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Department of Mental Health

166 Horseshoe Drive | Waterbury VT 05671-20110

802-241-0090 phone |802-241-0100 fax

SEALED BID

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL

RFP 135: Children’s Crisis Stabilization Program

ISSUE DATE

BIDDERS CONFERENCE

QUESTIONS DUE

RFP RESPONSES DUE BY

January 20, 2026

January 28, 2026– 8:05AM - 9:00AM (ET)

February 9, 2026 – 4:00 PM(ET)

All questions are to be submitted electronically via VT Buys

March 2, 2026 – 4:00 PM (ET)

All proposals are to be submitted via VT Buys

PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT ALL NOTIFICATIONS, RELEASES, AND ADDENDUMS ASSOCIATED

WITH THIS RFP WILL BE POSTED AT:

Public Solicitations: Vermont Buys

And

Vermont Business Registry and Bid System - Home

STATE CONTACT:

E-MAIL :

Jennifer Rowell

AHS.DMHSubmissions@vermont.gov

THE STATE WILL MAKE NO ATTEMPT TO CONTACT INTERESTED PARTIES WITH UPDATED

INFORMATION. IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF EACH BIDDER TO PERIODICALLY CHECK VT

BUYS FOR ANY AND ALL NOTIFICATIONS, RELEASES AND ADDENDUMS ASSOCIATED WITH

THIS RFP.

If you speak a language not listed on the website below or require additional help, we offer free language

assistance services. The State of Vermont contracts with several Translation Services organizations, and

you can visit this page for more information Language Access | Department of Mental Health.

If you require assistance with technology, access, or have other issues with being able to complete your

proposal, reach out to the single point of contact.

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

contracts with one or more companies that can provide a crisis stabilization treatment

program for up to 6 children of any gender, ages 5 years through 12 years of age,

experiencing an acute mental health crisis with the goal to stabilize and transition

children back to their home and community. DMH will fund a maximum of 6 beds.

Proposals must identify which scope the program will serve: 4-6 beds statewide or a

regional program with no fewer than 2 beds.

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

(AHS) strives to improve the conditions and well-being of Vermonters by ensuring all

Vermonters have the opportunity to thrive in inclusive, equitable, and resilient

communities. 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. DMH promotes mental health as a vital part of overall well-

being by advancing prevention, early intervention, and recovery-focused care. Our

vision is that mental health serves as a cornerstone of health in Vermont, where

inclusive communities respond with compassion and respect, enabling all

Vermonters to thrive and participate fully in their lives. This work is guided by our

core values of compassion, equity, integrity, collaboration, and accountability.

1.2. CONTRACT PERIOD: Contracts arising from this RFP will be for a period of 2 years

with an option to renew for up to 3 additional years. The State anticipates the start date

for such contract(s) will be in July 2026.

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

submitted through VT Buys. In the event that a bidder is experiencing system issues

with submitting a question through VT Buys, communications should 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 non-mandatory bidders’ conference will be held

remotely at the date and time indicated on the front page of this RFP.

1.4.1. The virtual Applicant Briefing will be held via Microsoft Teams:

Teams meeting link

Call-in (audio only option): +1 802-552-8456,,19972201#

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 VT Buys no later than the deadline for question indicated on the first page

of this RFP. As noted in 1.3, questions should be e-mailed to the single point of contact

on the front page of this RFP if a bidder is experiencing system issues and cannot

submit a question via VT Buys. Questions or comments not submitted on or before the

Revised: March 18, 2025

Page 2 of 16

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 to

this solicitation on the DMH website under the Careers and Opportunities tab

(https://mentalhealth.vermont.gov/RFP) and in VT Buys

(https://vtbuys.vermont.gov/page.aspx/en/rfp/request_browse_public. 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. All information provided by

vendors during this process will be public and bidders shall not provide confidential

information, except as described in 4.1 below.

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

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

Solicitations: Vermont Buys, and on the DMH website under the Careers and

Opportunities tab. Modifications from any other source are not to be considered.

1.7. SOURCE OF FUNDS: The Department anticipates using state and 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 requirements in the Assistance Listing Number (ALN) #93.778, U.S.

Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid

Services (CMS).

Please note that when procurements are supported by federal funds, SOV business

users must take affirmative steps that include at least the following Socioeconomic

affirmative steps per 2 C.F.R. § 200.321:

1. Placing qualified small and minority businesses and women’s business enterprises

on solicitation lists;

2. Assuring that small and minority businesses 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 and minority businesses, and

women’s business enterprises;

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

participation by small and minority businesses, 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

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.

This project is being funded in whole or in part using federal monies. If a bidder requires

assistance in preparing their proposal or needs guidance on socioeconomic certifications,

the bidder may contact the VT APEX Accelerator. The APEX Accelerator specializes in

helping small businesses navigate the documentation associated with State and Federal

procurement. Their website is: http://apex.vermont.gov

Revised: March 18, 2025

Page 3 of 16

2. DETAILED REQUIREMENTS/DESIRED OUTCOMES:

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

need(s): Provide a crisis stabilization treatment program for children, ages 5 years

through 12 years of age, of any gender, experiencing an acute mental health crisis

with the goal to stabilize and transition children back to their home and community. A

maximum of 6 beds will be funded through this opportunity. Proposals must be for one

of the following scopes: 1) a Statewide 5-6 bed program serving children from all

regions of Vermont; or 2) a Regional program with no less than 2 and no more than 4

beds serving a specified region of Vermont.

2.2. The State of Vermont seeks to achieve the following Business Values:

2.2.1. Customer Service Improvement: The new solution will provide new or improved

customer service or services.

2.2.2. Risk Reduction: The new solution will reduce risk to the State

2.3 Scope of Work & Expected Activities

Bidder will provide a crisis stabilization program for children ages 5 years up through 12

years of age, of any gender, experiencing an acute mental health crisis with the goal to

stabilize and transition children back to their home and community.

The proposed program site must be reasonably accessible to families in the region to

be served (Scope 1 or Scope 2), with proximity to major transportation routes.

Respondents will indicate which scope they are responding to:

2.3.1 SCOPE 1: Statewide program serving children from all regions of Vermont with

5-6 beds.

a. Bidder will specify number of beds, preference is given to proposals for 6

beds. Minimum of 5 beds for statewide.

2.3.2 SCOPE 2: Regional program serving children from an identified region of

Vermont (e.g. county, hospital service area, designated agency/ certified

community-based integrated health center service area)

a. Bidder will name the regional service area, with as much specificity as

possible.

b. Bidder will specify number of beds, no less than 2 and no more than 4

The following elements are required for all proposals, regardless of whether a bidder

choses Scope 1 or Scope 2.

2.3.3 Program Description

Revised: March 18, 2025

Page 4 of 16

Target Population and Eligibility Criteria: The target population

includes children experiencing a mental health crisis, and their

families, representing diverse backgrounds and circumstances.

Services are available to children/youth from ages 5 through 12,

regardless of custody status (bio-family, adoptive family, kinship care,

or Department for Children and Famlies, Family Services [DCF]

custody). Children may present with internalizing or externalizing

behaviors such as physical aggression, suicidal ideation and

behaviors, self-harm, and elopement, but do not meet inpatient level of

care and are voluntary for crisis stabilization. Families have a range of

needs to improve their quality of life. While the child is the primary

focus of daily intervention, the family is an integral part of the treatment

to support successful transition back into the home/community.

i) Bidder will specify any exclusionary criteria for target

population; exclusionary criteria must be clinically justified

and may not be discriminatory.

Availability of Services: Crisis stabilization program will run 24

hours/day and will make available to all children the full array of

services for the entire contract period, 365/366 days per year, unless

clearly stated in the program’s descriptions.

Length of Stay: Each child is intended to be served by the program

until such time that it has been determined that the child has made

sufficient progress toward meeting their goals as outlined in their Plan

of Care. The anticipated length of stay for the crisis stabilization

program will be no more than ten (10) days.

i) Program may request prior approval for extensions beyond

10 days for children funded by Medicaid from DMH if

continued stay criteria are met.

Location/ Geographical Area

Specify geographical area to be served, based on response to

Scope 1 or 2. Provide explanation for and familiarity with

selection.

ii)

Specify if bidder has an existing site or if will need to identify site.

iii)

Proposals should demonstrate how the location ensures

equitable access for families and should include information on

average travel times from major population centers, access to

public transportation or major highways, and the feasibility of

family visitation. Proposals must demonstrate that the site is not

located in a geographically isolated area.

Service Goals and Outcomes:

Revised: March 18, 2025

Page 5 of 16

This page summarizes the opportunity, including an overview and a preview of the attached documents.

TITLE	QUESTIONS DUE	ANSWERS POSTED	DUE DATE	NO POSTING AFTER
RFP 135: Children\'s Crisis Stabilization Program	02/09/2026 04:00PM		03/02/2026 04:00PM

RFP 135: Children\'s Crisis Stabilization Program

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