RFP 142 Mental Health Urgent Care- Rutland County

Agency:	State of Vermont
State:	Vermont
Type of Government:	State & Local
NAICS Category:	621112 - Offices of Physicians, Mental Health Specialists 621330 - Offices of Mental Health Practitioners (except Physicians)
Posted Date:	Jul 10, 2026
Due Date:	Aug 7, 2026
Original Source:	Please Login to View Page
Contact information:	Please Login to View Page
Bid Documents:	Please Login to View Page

Description

TITLE	QUESTIONS DUE	ANSWERS POSTED	DUE DATE	NO POSTING AFTER
RFP 142 Mental Health Urgent Care- Rutland County Bidders Conference Q&A	07/17/2026 04:00PM		08/07/2026 04:00PM

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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 142 Mental Health Urgent Care- Rutland County

ISSUE DATE

BIDDERS CONFERENCE

QUESTIONS DUE

RFP RESPONSES DUE BY

June, 26, 2026

July, 10, 2026 – 9:00 AM (EST)

July, 17, 2026 - 4:00PM (EST)

August, 7, 2026 - 4:00PM (EST)

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 the above webpage 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.

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 one

company that can provide Mental Health Urgent Care Services in Rutland county.

Vermont received a Rural Health Transformation (RHT) grant of $195 million in Year One of

a five-year opportunity. The purpose of the grant is to build stronger rural health networks,

improve technology and shared operations, strengthen the rural health workforce and

ultimately ensure that Vermonters receive the right care at the right time for an affordable

cost.

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 Two (2)

years, with an option to renew for up to three (3) additional twelve-month periods.

Funding for subsequent years is contingent on the state continuing to receive CMS

funding. The State anticipates the start date for such contract(s) will be late fall of 2026.

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 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

Meeting ID: 212 480 614 537 858

Passcode: e8R8vT6m

Call-in (audio only option): +1 802-828-7667,,566239620#

Revised: February 13, 2026

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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 questions indicated on the first page

of this RFP. If a bidder is experiencing system issues and cannot submit a question in

VT Buys, questions should be e-mailed to the single point of contact 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. At the close of the question period a copy of all questions or

comments and the State's responses will be posted as a new document through an

addendum to this solicitation in VTBuys. 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 federal funds for the resulting

contract. The Department may choose to modify the source of funding contingent upon

the availability of funds at the time of award. This project is supported by the Centers for

Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human

Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $195,053,740.44 with

100 percent funded by CMS/HHS. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not

necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by CMS/HHS, or the

U.S. Government. Any selected Vendor will be subject to the requirements in the

Assistance Listing Number (ALN) # 93.798, U.S. Department of Health and Human

Services, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

1.7.1 Ineligible Expenses: Key areas where funding may not be used are the

following. This is not an exhaustive list:

1. Pre-award costs.

2. Meeting matching requirements for any other federal funds or local entities.

3. Supplanting existing State, local, tribal, or private funding of infrastructure or

services, such as staff salaries.

4. Construction or building expansion, purchasing or significant retrofitting of

buildings, cosmetic upgrades, or any other cost that materially increases the

value of the capital or useful life as a direct cost.

5. Purchase of covered telecommunications and video surveillance equipment

(See 2 CFR 200.216) as well as financial assistance to households for

installation and monthly broadband internet costs.

6. Clinical services that could be reimbursed by insurance. Funds also may not be

used for payments to clinical services if they duplicate billable services and/or

attempt to change the payment amounts of existing fee schedules. If the

Recipient plans to fund direct health care services, the Recipient must justify

Revised: February 13, 2026

Page 3 of 15

why they are not already reimbursable, how the payment will fill a gap in care

coverage (such as uncompensated care or services not covered by insurance),

and/or how they transform the current care delivery model. CMS will have final

approval of whether proposed services are allowable.

7. Funds also may not be used for clinician salaries or wage supports for facilities

that subject clinicians to non-compete contractual limitations

1.7.2 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.

Instruction: At a minimum to meet the requirements identified in this section (2 C.F.R. §

200.321), you will need to post a notice of solicitation on the

http://www.vermontbidsystem.com/ site, and then also notify Vermont APEX Accelerator

(formerly VT Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC)) at

ACCD.APEX@vermont.gov.

1.7.3 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:

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

need(s): To establish an alternative care setting that delivers comprehensive crisis

services for individuals of all ages, 24/7, reducing reliance on Emergency Department

visits. Bidders may propose alternative approaches within the scope of this Mental

Health Urgent Care RFP, including phased implementation of age eligibility criteria and

Revised: February 13, 2026

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hours of operation during a ramp-up period. Any such proposal must include a detailed

plan and timeline demonstrating the bidder's ability to achieve full implementation of all

RFP requirements.

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

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

improved customer service or services.

2.3. Scope of Work & Expected Activities

Respondents will address each of the following in their proposals:

2.3.1 SCOPE 1: Program approach

2.3.1.1

The State of Vermont is interested in obtaining bids to develop or

expand services that will alleviate system pressures by one or more of

the following:

2.3.1.1.1 Reducing crisis assessments occurring in Emergency

Departments.

2.3.1.1.2 Increasing access to crisis assessments in the mental health

urgent care.

2.3.1.1.3 Reducing police involvement with mental health crisis

2.3.1.1.4 Increasing access to community-based urgent mental health

supports for adults, children, and youth 24/7/365.

2.3.1.1.5 Increasing access to peer support counselors top help de-

escalate and work on safety planning.

2.3.1.2 Describe the triage process for determining the referrals to ED,

including both medical and mental health reasons.

2.3.1.3 Describe the plan for building strong relationships with local providers

and stakeholders. Who are the providers and stakeholders?

2.3.2 SCOPE 2: Populations served: Describe approach to serving a range of

acuity through the program being proposed. This should include plans for

serving individuals, including:

2.3.2.1.1 Proposed ages of individuals served,

2.3.2.1.2 Individuals diagnosed with serious mental illnesses (SMI) or

serious emotional disturbances (SED)

2.3.2.1.3 Individuals with substance use, mental health and/or co-occurring

needs

2.3.2.1.4 Individuals involved in the justice system,

2.3.2.1.5 Individuals with a history of violent behavior,

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

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RFP 142 Mental Health Urgent Care- Rutland County

Description

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