RFP 131: Mental Health Facility Travel Staff

Agency:	State of Vermont
State:	Vermont
Type of Government:	State & Local
NAICS Category:	541611 - Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services 621330 - Offices of Mental Health Practitioners (except Physicians)
Posted Date:	Nov 26, 2025
Due Date:	Jan 9, 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 131: Mental Health Facility Travel Staff

ISSUE DATE

QUESTIONS DUE

RFP RESPONSES DUE BY

November 25, 2025

December 8, 2025 – 4:00PM (ET)

All questions are to be submitted electronically via VTBuys

January 9, 2026 – 4:00 PM (ET)

All proposals are to be submitted via VTBuys

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

VTBUYS 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 Mental Health Facility Travel

Staff to the Vermont Department of Mental Health at the Vermont Psychiatric Care

Hospital (VPCH), and State Run Secured Residential Facilities.

1.2. 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.

The Vermont Psychiatric Care Hospital (VPCH) serves adults who need short-term

acute care inpatient treatment and who are under court-ordered psychiatric observation

or are committed civilly. The State-run secured residential facility, River Valley

Therapeutic Residence (RVTR) serves civilly committed adults who benefit from

transitional supports in the community.

1.3. CONTRACT PERIOD: Contracts arising from this RFP are intended to be for a period

of three (3) years with an option to renew for up to two (2) additional years. The State

anticipates the start date for such contract(s) will begin in March 2026.

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

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

with submitting a question through VTBuys, 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.

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

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

questions via the Discussion tab in VTBuys no later than the deadline indicated on the

first page of the RFP. In order to submit a question on an RFP in VTBuys, a bidder must

click “Participate in RFx”. This action does not commit a bidder to respond to the RFP. If

a bidder is experiencing system issues and cannot submit a question through VTBuys,

questions should be e-mailed to the single point of contact listed on the front page of

this RFP. Questions or comments not submitted on or before the last day of the

question period are thereafter waived.

Revised: March 18, 2025

Page 2 of 12

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 may also be posted on

VTBuys (Public Solicitations: Vermont Buys). 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 VTBuys by the

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

Public Solicitations: Vermont Buys and on the DMH website. Modifications from any

other source are not to be considered.

1.7. SOURCE OF FUNDS: The Department anticipates using Federal funding 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.

1.8. 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

2. DETAILED REQUIREMENTS/DESIRED OUTCOMES:

Revised: March 18, 2025

Page 3 of 12

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

need(s): Traveling Nurses and Paraprofessionals for the Vermont Department of

Mental Health at VPCH and RVTR, including Mental Health Specialists for acute

inpatient psychiatric hospital, Residential Counselors for the secure residential facility,

and may include Licensed Nurses Assistants (LNAs) and Certified Nurse Assistants

(CNAs).

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

2.2.1. Cost Savings: Over the lifecycle of the new solution, the total costs will be less

than the current solution.

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

customer service or services.

2.3 Scope of Work & Expected Activities

2.3.1 Contractor shall provide Registered Nurses and Paraprofessionals to be

placed on assignment for a minimum of 13 weeks, unless otherwise agreed

prior to the commencement of an assignment. Respondents must address

each of the following:

a) SCOPE 1: Description of Duties and Qualifications:

Candidates at all levels are expected to demonstrate independent and

autonomous decision making within the scope of their roles and practice. Each

are fully collaborative members of the interdisciplinary team and may be

assigned to various duties including ancillary, clinical leadership, and

sometimes supervisory positions. Daily work will involve the compassionate

care and treatment of individuals with a variety of physical, emotional, mental

and/or psychiatric disabilities. Duties are primarily performed in a clinical

setting. Work may require travel off-site. Exposure to communicable diseases,

blood borne pathogens, potentially physically and verbally violent patient

population and other stressful situations may occur. May be required to work

additional and/or extended shifts as the need arises.

Duties are performed in accordance with direction from the Chief Nursing

Executive or their designee at the VPCH. All Nurses and Mental Health

Specialists perform their respective functions adhering to four key practices:

customer service, holistic service, strengths-based relationships, and results

orientation.

Duties are performed in accordance with direction from the Nurse Manager or

their designee at the secure residential facilities. All Nurses and Residential

Counselors perform their respective functions adhering to four key practices:

customer service, holistic service, strengths-based relationships, and results

orientation.

Termination of Assignment:

Revised: March 18, 2025

Page 4 of 12

The State may immediately terminate any contractor assignment upon

providing written notice to the contractor describing the details surrounding

such termination.

b) SCOPE 2: Work Week

Temporary staff contracts are for a minimum of thirteen weeks, with the option

to renew. For new temporary staff the first week will include a classroom

orientation. It is the state’s intent that the orientation week will not be billable.

Travel staff are expected to work 80 hours in each two-week pay period with

variable hours each work week. Overtime rates billed to the state could apply

for when in excess of 80 hours per pay period.

c) SCOPE 3: The Contractor must also provide/ensure the following:

a) Candidates for VPCH with at least 2 years of acute, in-patient psychiatric

care experience

b) Candidates for secure residential facilities with at least 2 years of

experience in a human services setting

c) Nurse candidates must be licensed to practice in the state of Vermont

d) Applicable compliance/credentialing material

e) Proof of outside trainings, current certification in BLS/CPR

f) Proof of physical examination and work clearance

g) Medical clearance for respirator fit testing

h) Proof of COVID vaccination

i) National criminal background check, as well as verification that candidates are

not currently and never have been on the Vermont Abuse Registry maintained

by Vermont Adult Protective Services

j) National Sex Offender Registry search results

k) A completed Office of the Inspector General (OIG) exclusion database

search.

l) Employed professionals shall participate in and cooperate with the States

compliance program, and personnel shall conform to all applicable

accrediting bodies.

m) Contractor will notify the State of the initiation of any action, of which it is

aware, commenced for the purposes of suspending, revoking, or limiting

Health Care Personnel license that is providing services to the State under

this agreement.

3. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS:

3.1. Prospective bidders must be registered as a supplier in Vermont’s Procurement

system, VTBuys https://vtbuysprocurement.vermont.gov/suppliers-bidders.

Registration in this system is important for future steps related to the RFP such as

contracting and invoicing.

Revised: March 18, 2025

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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 131: Mental Health Facility Travel Staff	12/08/2025 04:00PM		01/09/2026 04:00PM

RFP 131: Mental Health Facility Travel Staff

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