System Transformation Consulting RFP

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
June 10, 2026
RFP 2027-05
Dear Vendor:
The Alabama Department of Mental Health (ADMH) is soliciting proposals to provide mental health
and substance use systems transformation consulting. Request for Proposals (RFP) will be accepted
until 2:00 pm on Monday, July 6, 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.
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 Monday, July 6, 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 not respond to this RFP? ADMH certified providers, Employees of ADMH, and current
State employees.
2. 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
3. If contracted with the State of Alabama, all vendors must enroll and actively participate in E-Verify.
Website: https://www.e-verify.gov/
4. 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
5. 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.
6. Specify facility of interest (if applicable and listed). Each facility will determine the contract
vendor for their location.
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.
2

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.
(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
3

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.
B. 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
4

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.
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.
5

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.
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
6

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.
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.
7

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.
The ADMH is soliciting proposals from qualified firms and/or individuals to provide mental health and
substance use systems transformation consulting services.
==========================================================================
SECTION I
A. Vendor Qualifications
* Knowledge of ADMH MHSU (Mental Health Substance Use Division), Alabama Medicaid
and relationship between the two Departments.
* Knowledge of Medicaid funding within ADMH MHSU and other funding streams.
* Knowledge of Medicaid entitlements as it pertains to children and adolescents.
* Knowledge of ADMH MHSU, Housing partners and relationships between these entities.
* Knowledge of housing guidelines in Alabama specific to mental health.
* Knowledge of evidence-based practices and national guidelines for supportive housing and
assertive community treatment.
* Knowledge of 1115 waivers and CMS guidelines.
* At least 10 years or more experience working with Medicaid.
* A summary description of your understanding of the evaluation needs of the mental illness
and substance use treatment services in the State of Alabama.
* A description of ability to address the responsibilities and tasks of evaluation.
* Examples of prior work within the six consulting activities listed above.
* Experience in working with the State of Alabama Medicaid and CMS.
* Experience in working with ADMH.
* Experience in working with public mental health and substance use providers.
* Experience in working with the Alabama Housing Finance Authority and HUD COCs.
* Experience working with diverse groups including other service agencies such as hospitals,
state, and local consumer organizations.
B. Scope of Work
* Ability to devote up to 2,750 hours to this work and work flexible hours.
* Provide consultation to ADMH in the development and implementation of the: 1)
infrastructure necessary to maximize, expand, and maintain housing resources, 2) strategic
plan implementation for evidence-based supportive housing, 3) strategic plan implementation
for evidence-based assertive community treatment, 4) strategic plan implementation for
entitlements around mental health and substance use services within the community mental
health system, 5) enhancing children's mental health services, and 6) development and
implementation of substance-use focused 1115 Waiver and other related activities.
* Work with public mental health and substance abuse providers to develop training and/or
direct assistance with previous six consultation activities.
* Discuss Goals, Objectives, and Strategy for six consultation activities.
* Review and recommend policy related to six consultation activities.
8

* Research and provide sample materials from other states with similar initiatives. Deliverable:
Summary of key research findings.
* Assist in development and implantation processes for six consultation activities.
* Develop strategies for implementation of outcome/quality measures and data collection and
reporting processes.
* Research and provide assistance in the development of materials needed for six consultation
activities.
* Perform ad-hoc analysis per the direction of ADMH.
==========================================================================
SECTION II
A. Proposal Content
Instructions must be followed, or responses will not be graded.
Each proposal is to contain specific responses to each of the following requests and respondents are
encouraged to respond fully to each inquiry, but to be as concise as possible. Submit the response to each
item with the item reproduced at the top of the page of the response.
1. Submit a cover letter summarizing your proposal. Limit the cover letter to no more than one page.
2. Attach a Vendor Contact Page.
3. A Table of Contents of the submitted information.
4. Attach vendor information to include:
* Include previous experience.
* Include knowledge of the requested services and/or any special training.
* Include any information pertaining to the respondent's abilities to provide the scope of
work for this RFP.
5. Budget:
* Please provide a detailed, line-item annual budget for this project.
* A listing of all personnel, by position for this project, inclusive of level of effort, that will
contribute in any way to the operation of this project, salaries, fringe benefits, and full-time
equivalency status.
* All proposed costs are justifiable; and
* A narrative budget justification for each line item.
6. All pages should be numbered consecutively beginning with number 1 after the cover letter.
7. Submit one (1) original and two (2) copies of your entire proposal. Note: Make sure at least one
copy is single-sided.
8. Clearly print on the outside of the envelope RFP 2027-05 ST Consulting.
Your entire proposal must be received at the following address no later than 2:00 pm on Monday, July
6, 2026. Please review the mailing note.
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
9

The Department of Mental Health assumes no responsibility for expenses incurred in the preparation of
the proposal and reserves the right to reject any and all proposals. Additionally, ADMH reserves the right
to waive irregularities in any proposals and request clarification of any information and negotiate with the
firm and/or individual submitting the best proposal to secure more favorable conditions.
B. Evaluation Process
ADMH will examine each proposal submitted and may elect to conduct interviews with finalists. The
department expects a final selection on or before July 24, 2026.
C. Selection Criteria
Selection shall be based on factors to be developed by the procuring state entity, which may include
among others, the following:
1. Specialized expertise, capabilities, and technical competence, as demonstrated by the proposed
approach and methodology to meet project requirements.
2. Resources available to perform the work, including any specialized services within the
specified time limits for the project.
3. Record of past performance, quality of work, ability to meet schedules, cost control and
contract administration.
4. Availability to and familiarity with the project locale.
5. Proposed project management techniques.
6. Ability and proven history in handling special project contracts.
D. Evaluation Criteria
Proposals will be evaluated based on their responsiveness to the items contained in the content section of
this Request for Proposal. It is expected that the review committee will rate responses accordingly:
1. Experience, stability and reputation -35%
2. Understanding of and responsiveness to the Request for Proposal - 15%
3. Expertise and knowledge of the requested service - 35%
4. Budget - 15%
10