RFP 139 Coordinated Specialty Care for First Episode Psychosis

Agency:	State of Vermont
State:	Vermont
Type of Government:	State & Local
NAICS Category:	236220 - Commercial and Institutional Building Construction
Posted Date:	Mar 4, 2026
Due Date:	Apr 15, 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 139 Coordinated Specialty Care for First Episode

Psychosis

ISSUE DATE

BIDDERS CONFERENCE

QUESTIONS DUE

RFP RESPONSES DUE BY

March 4, 2026

March 19, 2026– 2:00 PM (ET)

April 1, 2026 – 4:00PM (ET)

All questions are to be submitted electronically via VT Buys

April 15, 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

DMH Careers and Opportunities

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 a

contract with a company that can develop an implementation plan for a Coordinated

Specialty Care (CSC) Program in Vermont for individuals experiencing First (early)

Episode Psychosis and their families based upon existing evidence-based CSC

program elements as defined by the Substance Use and Mental Health Services

Administration (SAMHSA).

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 one (1)

year with an option to renew for up to four (4) 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): +1 802-828-7667,,570457824#

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 with VT Buys.

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Questions or comments not submitted 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 to this solicitation in VTBuys and on

the DMH website under the Careers and Opportunities tab.

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 as well as posted on the

DMH website and the Vermont Business Registry. 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) and # 93.958, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services,

Department of Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

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

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2. DETAILED REQUIREMENTS/DESIRED OUTCOMES:

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

need(s): develop a Coordinated Specialty Care (CSC) Program in Vermont for

individuals experiencing First (early) Episode Psychosis and their families.

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

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

improved customer service or services.

2.2.2. Compliance: The new solution meets a previously unmet State or Federal

compliance requirements.

2.3 Scope of Work & Expected Activities

Respondents will develop a Coordinated Specialty Care (CSC) Program as a first

phase toward statewide implementation. These activities will aim to serve the

target population, which is individuals ages 14-35 experiencing First Episode

Psychosis and their families with a caseload size in alignment with evidence-based

CSC practice.

2.3.1 SCOPE 1: Finalize and operationalize the CSC program design for

Vermont to support launch of an initial pilot team and phased regional

expansion. The proposed program design will conform to the evidence-

based practice endorsed by SAMHSA.

2.3.1.1

Finalize an implementation-ready CSC program structure for Vermont

through consultation with content experts, service providers, families,

and individuals who have experienced psychosis, and other

stakeholders, resulting in identification of the initial implementation site,

governance structure, defined roles and responsibilities, and a detailed

12-month implementation timeline with milestones.

2.3.1.1.1 Include CSC evidence-based practices, associated treatment

approaches (Open Dialogue; Individual Placement and Support,

Assertive Community Treatment, CBT for Psychosis; Integrated

Dual Disorders Treatment, etc.) and treatment team

configuration.

2.3.1.1.2 Use existing epidemiologic data to estimate amount and

distribution of the need for this service.

2.3.1.2

Identify opportunities to align existing Vermont resources and

partnerships to support future CSC implementation, including

coordination with Designated Agencies and related service providers,

supported employment and education services, and potential funding

pathways such as Medicaid and Mental Health Block Grant resources.

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Provide recommendations for partnership structure and funding

alignment to inform implementation planning. Deliver a comprehensive

implementation package that positions DMH to initiate launch of a CSC

pilot team as soon as practicable following completion of required

regulatory and funding approvals.

2.3.2 SCOPE 2: Engage community leaders and organizations to promote

support implementation of a CSC pilot team

2.3.2.1

Facilitate targeted engagement with identified implementation partners

in the proposed pilot region to confirm referral pathways, clarify roles

and responsibilities, and address operational considerations specific to

team launch.

2.3.2.2

Consult with providers experienced in supporting CSC programs and

individuals with lived experience of psychosis to provide guidance on

program implementation including training and best practice strategies.

2.3.2.3 Explore hub and spoke model of program delivery.

2.3.3 SCOPE 3: Develop operational supports for program delivery

2.3.3.1

Create program policies and procedures necessary to support CSC

implementation, including incoming and outgoing referral processes,

and admission and discharge criteria

2.3.3.2

Develop a staffing plan for a CSC pilot team that includes psychiatry

staff, clinical team leader, mental health and substance use disorder

clinician(s), case manager(s), peer specialist(s), and Supported

Employment and Education specialists, including recommended roles

and responsibilities.

2.3.3.3 Explore various funding and billing mechanisms including Medicaid.

2.3.3.4

Establish structure for ongoing advisory board composed of individuals

and families with lived experience, community providers members, and

other stakeholders, to support implementation and ongoing program

development.

2.3.4 SCOPE 4: Educational material development and training

2.3.4.1

Develop a comprehensive training curriculum for CSC teams using

materials and resources from existing national CSC programs and

aligning with established evidence-based practice standards.

2.3.4.2

Create program informational materials for use by providers, referral

sources, individuals, and families, including descriptions of services,

eligibility criteria, and referral processes to support program launch

and community awareness.

2.4 Proposal Requirements

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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 139 Coordinated Specialty Care for First Episode Psychosis	04/01/2026 04:00PM		04/15/2026 04:00PM

RFP 139 Coordinated Specialty Care for First Episode Psychosis

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