242032 RFR Clinical Stabilization Services.docx

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Public Health Bureau of Substance Addiction Services

Address: 250 Washington Street, 3rd Floor, Boston, MA, 02108

Contact Name: Ryan Naismith

Telephone #: 617 624-5332

Fax #: 617-624-5185

Email: Ryan.h.naismith@mass.gov

Request for Response (RFR)

Document Title: Clinical Stabilization Services

COMMBUYS BID Number: BD-23-1031-BSAS0-BSA01-85030

DPH RFR Document Number: 242032

March 07, 2023

Key RFR Information All Potential Bidders must read

COMMBUYS REGISTRATION

It is the responsibility of the prospective Bidder and awarded Contractor to maintain an active registration in COMMBUYS and to keep current the email address of the Bidder’s contact person and prospective contract manager, if awarded a contract, and to monitor that email inbox for communications from the Purchasing Department, including requests for clarification. The Purchasing Department and the Commonwealth assume no responsibility if a prospective Bidder’s/awarded Contractor’s designated email address is not current, or if technical problems, including those with the prospective Bidder’s/awarded Contractor’s computer, network or internet service provider (ISP) cause email communications sent to/from the prospective Bidder/Awarded contractor and the Purchasing Department to be lost or rejected by any means including email or spam filtering. To register review the COMMBUYS Job Aide COMMBUYS Vendor Registration and/or go to www.COMMBUYS.com.

QUOTE SUBMISSION

This BID requires the submission of electronic quotes. All Bidders are advised to allow adequate time for submission of their quotes by considering potential online impediments like Internet traffic, Internet connection speed, file size, and file volume. DPH is not responsible for delays encountered by Bidders or their agents, or for a Bidder’s local hardware failures, such as computers or related networks, associated with bid compilation or submission. Bids submitted via COMMBUYS are time stamped by the COMMBUYS system clock which is considered the official time of record.

If you plan to submit a quote to this RFR “No Bid” should not be checked anywhere in your quote in COMMBUYS. This includes on the General Screen and the Items tab. Checking No Bid sends your quote to a different location in COMMBUYS than the rest of the quotes for that Bid and you run the risk of the Department not receiving your response. The department will not guarantee that a bid received with a “No Bid” checked will be reviewed.

Section A: Procurement Overview

A1: Procurement Description or purpose

This is a rolling-enrollment procurement and proposals will be reviewed as received. Providers that are currently contracted with the MA Department of Public Health/Bureau of Substance Addiction Services (BSAS) to provide Clinical Stabilization Services must respond to this RFR by April 13th, 2023, to ensure that a new contract is in place and to avoid a potential break in service.

Description of Services Clinical Stabilization Services (CSS) - ASAM Level 3.5 (the American Society of Addictions Medicine (ASAM) are designed to stabilize patients and increase their retention in treatment. CSS programs provide comprehensive supports and direct linkages for patients to further substance use treatment and recovery support services.

Clinical Stabilization Services are appropriate for adults, who have completed a 24-hour diversionary withdrawal management service, as well as adults who do not meet criteria for 24-hour diversionary withdrawal management but have other substance use disorders and other, current, related complications. The goal of the CSS is to provide the needed service interventions and program support that enable patients to engage in a structured process and to plan and implement any services needed for a successful transition to the next level of substance use disorder treatment or other care, based on an assessment process tailored to each patient. CSS services enable patients to focus on recovery, increase treatment acceptance and readiness to change, while identifying skills and strategies to prevent continued use and/or to reduce risk of harm due to continued use.

Section B: Procurement Information B1: Applicable Procurement Law:

Executive Branch Goods and Services

B2: Whether Single or Multiple Contractors Are Required For Contract(s)

Check One (“X”):

B3: Calendar Rule Type

* This is a rolling-enrollment procurement and proposals will be reviewed as received.

B4: Acquisition Method: Fee for Service:

B5: Use of a Procurement by a Single or Multiple Departments

· Identify additional Eligible Entities by name or type.

The Purchasing Department reserves the right to add or remove additional authorized users during the contract term.

B6: Expected Duration of Contract

B7: Anticipated Expenditures, Funding Or Compensation For Expected Duration

Dollar Amount

Estimated annualized procurement amount $1,650,000

Check One (“X”):

Notice concerning rates of payment – implementation of Chapter 257 of the Acts of 2008: An Act Relative to Rates for Human and Social Service programs, provides that the Secretary of Health and Human Services has the sole responsibility for established rates of payment for social service programs purchased by governmental units of the Executive Office. Contractors will be reimbursed based on rates established by EOHHS regulation, 101 CMR 346, and other applicable rate regulations as may be amended from time to time during the duration of the Contract. As a result of Chapter 257, during the life of the Contract, rates of payment and reimbursement structures may change.

Will Federal Funds be used to fund any part of Contract(s)?

*Additional information for contracts with Federal Dollars:

Sub-Recipient: Providers receiving federal grant funds will be considered sub-recipients for federal grant purposes and will be required to comply with applicable federal requirements, including but not limited to sub-recipient audit requirements under OMB Circular A-133.

Unique Entity Identifier: On April 4, 2022, the unique entity identifier used across the federal government changed from the DUNS Number to the Unique Entity ID also known as UEI or SAMS number. Any entity that wants to apply for federal contracts or wants to receive federal funds must register with SAM. Entities that use SAM include for profit businesses, nonprofits, government contractors or subcontractors, as well as state and local governments.

Registering with SAM.gov is free and is required for your organization to receive federal funds. Your organization can submit an application to this RFR without being registered on SAM, however if awarded your organization will need to have an active SAM account prior to contract execution.

Unspent Funds: Any funds from Capital, Trust and/or Federal Accounts designated in the budget that are unspent in any fiscal year will not be available for expenditure in the subsequent fiscal year.

Section C: Performance and Contract Specifications

C1: Eligibility

This RFR is for direct services under Office of the Comptroller’s object code classification MM3 or M03. To be considered eligible to apply for this RFR a bidder must be considered an organization. Individuals are not eligible to apply. To receive and maintain CSS licensure programs must be in compliance with the following DPH Regulations found in 105 CMR 164.000 - (Licensure of Substance Use Disorder Treatment Programs):

Applicants must have contracts with 3rd party insurance including Mass Health and Mass Health contracted Managed Care Entities/Organizations (MCE/O) and be able to provide enhanced medical or clinical services necessary to meet the requirements of those service agreements, including staffing appropriate to the delivery of such enhanced care to serve patients with co-occurring mental health disorders. All programs are required to submit patient and billing data for those services within the ESM/EIM systems.

C1a: Provider Qualification Requirements

To be considered eligible and prior to entering into a contract with DPH a bidder must demonstrate that it meets minimum administrative and fiscal standards established through the Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) provider qualification policy. Your provider qualification status will be considered in making award decisions.

Provider qualification is the process used to evaluate a provider’s administrative and financial condition. The main objectives of the provider qualification process are to determine whether the provider has (a) the capabilities to comply with the numerous federal and state administrative requirements that surround the expenditures of public funds and (b) sufficient fiscal and administrative capacity to fulfill its contractual obligations.

· New Providers of Purchased Human and Social Services to Clients Bidders who do not have current contracts with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to provide human and social services for clients must submit completed provider qualification application materials as part of the response to this RFR. The Contracting Qualification Forms and instructions can be found in the Provider Qualification Folder (QUALIFICATION) in the attachments section of COMMBUYS for this RFR.

· Current Providers of Purchased Human and Social Services to Clients Bidders with current human and social services contracts (MM3/M03 contracts) must have filed their Uniform Financial Statements and Independent Auditor's Report (UFR) with the Operational Services Division via the internet using the UFR eFiling application for the most recently completed fiscal year before a contract can be executed and services may begin unless considered exempt from filing. Other contractor qualification/risk management reporting requirements and non-filing consequences promulgated by Secretariats or Departments pursuant to 808 CMR 1.04(3) may also apply. If you have questions about your UFR contact the UFR Help Desk at ufrefilehelp@mass.gov.

C2: Scope of Services

Clinical Stabilization Services (CSS) consist of 24-hour, seven-day-per-week, clinically managed high-intensity services offered in community settings. Services are delivered by nursing, clinical, care management, and recover support staff under the direction of a licensed medical provider in collaboration with the multidisciplinary team.

Services include a bio-psychosocial, multidimensional assessment; individual counseling; therapeutic group counseling, psycho-educational groups; case management; recovery support services; medication monitoring; and discharge planning.

Clinical Stabilization Services are appropriate for patients whose symptoms do not require the intensity of 24-hour Diversionary Withdrawal Management Service and whose multidimensional needs cannot be managed in a less intensive service setting. Admission to Clinical Stabilization Services- ASAM Level 3.5 is appropriate for patients who meet the diagnostic and dimensional criteria specified in accordance with the American Society of Addiction Medicine Criteria®.

BSAS Standards of Care

Federal block grant funds are used to support BSAS services. Providers will be required to work with BSAS to ensure that all relevant block grant provisions are met. In addition, providers will need to be in compliance with all BSAS Standards of Care including the following:

Committed to Engaging and Serving Persons with Co-Occurring Mental Health Disorders. Providers must have capacity to serve individuals with co-occurring disorders in accordance with the BSAS Practice Guidance for Co Occurring Disorders and 105 CMR 164.000 and to ensure that:

· Systems and operations that support patient’s care coordination and engagement in the appropriate level of care and treatment modality is established.

· Collaborative agreements and documented linkages with a comprehensive continuum of care are established including inpatient withdrawal management programs, acute psychiatric facilities, and emergency medical and psychiatric services.

· Mental health service programs and crisis intervention programs are in place and provide for systems for referral and follow-up, care coordination

· Screening and assessments include assessment of mental health needs, including history of trauma;

· Treatment plans specify treatment interventions to address mental health needs as identified on the mental health assessment and identify referral and follow up for mental health services, process for care coordination, plan for care management, specifically for ensuring proper medication management; and ensuring that each referral has a specific contact with phone number and other contact information and identified appointment dates for follow up services.

· Staff shall demonstrate competency supported through training and supervision in identifying mental health needs, including trauma history and assessing for medication contraindications; and providing person centered and trauma informed treatment;

· Ongoing Quality Improvement process exists that incorporates a range of stakeholder and patient feedback including specific outcome measure related directly to assessment, treatment and discharge aftercare of the patient’s mental health needs.

Trauma-Informed Services: Trauma-informed care is an approach to delivery of behavioral health services. Given the prevalence of trauma among persons with substance related disorders, and the benefits of trauma-informed approaches, BSAS requires providers to establish trauma-informed treatment environments and provide trauma informed care, as evidenced by:

· Stated commitment to trauma-informed care, with emphasis on individual choice and decision making;

· Inclusion of trauma screening in all assessments, and periodic reassessments and facilitated referral if indicated;

· Collaborative systems which provide access to trauma specific services

Committed to Opioid Overdose Prevention: Providers are required to support Massachusetts’ efforts to prevent and reduce opioid overdose, as evidenced by:

· A stated commitment to prevent and reduce opioid overdose;

· Up-to-date knowledge of overdose prevention and response resources in their communities, including identification of pharmacies stocking naloxone and/or having standing orders for naloxone;

· Establishing an on-site overdose emergency response plan and ensuring all staff are trained in preventing, recognizing and responding to overdose, including having access to naloxone on site;

· Including review of overdose history (including witnessing overdose) in treatment assessments;

· Educating individuals served about opioid overdose prevention, recognition and response;

· Allowing individuals served to retain possession of naloxone rescue kits while in the treatment program;

· Including opioid overdose risk reduction in treatment and discharge plans.

Medication for Addiction Treatment: The effectiveness of medication for addiction treatment in stabilizing individuals and enabling them to build a recovery-based lifestyle is well documented This expanding field of knowledge is accompanied by increased availability of effective treatments using medications which target physiological effects related to substance use. Providers are required to ensure access to all FDA-approved medications for addiction treatment directly or by contract with a qualified vendor.

Referrals and Wait List Management:

· Requirements under 105 CMR 164.070 and 164.570 mandate that providers establish written admission eligibility criteria and procedures. These criteria and procedures must not impose any restrictions that act as a barrier to treatment access, such as discrimination against patients with public health insurance.

· Providers are prohibited from creating eligibility criteria that establish a category of automatic exclusion that is defined by a history of criminal conviction, type of primary substance used, mental health diagnosis, or prescribed medication including FDA-approved medications for the treatment of addiction.

· Providers are further prohibited from establishing admission criteria that create a barrier to access, such as requirements for a certain number of medication refills, prohibition of any prescribed medication, or the lack of an official identification documentation.

· Providers are required to maintain and manage an active placement list to ensure that patients receive services in a timely manner. Facilitated referral to alternative placements, if necessary, will include utilization of available resources such as the MA Helpline and the MABHA website.

· Provider needs to ensure priority access for pregnant women

Integrating Education/Treatment for Use of Tobacco Products and other Nicotine Delivery Systems:

· Providers need to provide or support access to nicotine replacement therapy or other medications for quit attempts. Post discharge planning should also include continuity of care for tobacco treatment. Providers should refer to the BSAS Practice Guidance on Integration of Tobacco and Nicotine Into Substance Use Treatment Services: https://www.mass.gov/files/documents/2016/09/ud/practice-guidance-tobacco-september-2016.pdf

Service Elements The primary service elements of Clinical Stabilization Services must include:

Bio-psychosocial Assessment and Individualized Treatment Planning

· Admission capability seven days a week, 24 hours a day.

· An assessment of medical and psychiatric issues to ensure patient does not require a more intensive level of care.

· A complete bio-psychosocial assessment to include substance use and mental health needs in order to determine individual patient needs.

· Psychiatric crisis evaluation and clinical services based on the mental health assessment.

· Provider shall ensure each patient has an initial medical examination, which conforms to principles established by the American Society of Addiction Medicine and is completed for all patients within 24 hours of admission; treatment may begin prior to completing the assessment upon obtaining sufficient information to initiate treatment for the acute problem at the time of presentation and that the assessment is subsequently completed in a reasonable timeframe

· An assessment of overall patient life functioning to include housing and treatment service needs.

· The development of an individualized treatment and aftercare plan.

· Medical and psychiatric medication management.

· Collaboration with family members and/or significant others to promote their engagement and an understanding of recovery processes.

· Capacity to facilitate induction onto FDA-approved medications for addiction treatment (MAT)/Medication for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) as clinically indicated and appropriate with referral for ongoing MAT/MOUD at discharge.

· The program admits and has the capacity to treat patients currently maintained on MAT/MOUD for the treatment of OUD. Such capacity may take the form of documented, active Affiliation Agreements with providers licensed to provide such treatments.

· Co-occurring psychiatric services, medication evaluation and management and related laboratory services are offered either directly or by a QSOA. Services are provided on-site or virtually within 8 hours or referred to an offsite provider within 24 hours, as appropriate to the severity and urgency of the patient’s needs

· Prior to medication dispensing, the provider engages in a medication reconciliation process in order to avoid inadvertent inconsistencies in medication prescribing that may occur in transition from one care setting to another. The provider does this by reviewing the patient’s complete medication regimen at the time of admission (e.g., transfer and/or discharge from another setting or prescriber) and comparing it with the regimen being considered in the CSS. The provider engages in the process of comparing the patient’s medication orders newly issued by the CSS prescriber to all medications that patient has been taking in order to avoid medication errors.

Individual Counseling, Clinical and Psycho-Educational Groups

These services must be available to each patient seven days a week:

· A minimum of three (3) hours of individual counseling per week

· A minimum of ten (10) hours of group therapy over a seven (7) day patient stay, utilizing motivational techniques, cognitive behavioral therapy, or other evidence-based practices to support engagement in treatment

· A minimum of fifteen (15) distinct psycho-educational group modules over a seven (7) day patient stay, in addition to the ten (10) hours of group therapy and 2) the three (3) hours of individual counseling noted above. Group topics should include education on addiction, relapse prevention, introductions to self-help programs, planning for aftercare, medications for addiction treatment, recovery planning and management, managing medications, overdose prevention education, life skills issues, and other related health and recovery topics. Additional targeted counseling, therapy, and/or psycho-educational groups can be delivered to address gender specific issues including trauma, parenting, custody issues, sexual assault, and legal/criminal justice issues, as well as co-occurring disorder education and self-management of the recovery process.

· Peer led recovery support activities, on or off site; These do not “count” as therapy or psycho-educational groups.

· Family meetings, family counseling, and family consultation to support the recovery process, as indicated by the assessment and with the permission of the patient.

Health Monitoring, Education, and Access

· Daily, on-site nursing services to monitor patient medication administration, health status, and, as appropriate, the delivery of health-related psycho-educational groups

· Referrals to medical or psychiatric services, as needed

· Referral and active linkages to community based medical services.

Referral, Care Coordination, and Follow-up

· All care and aftercare plans must identify and follow any referrals while in the program and to next-step services. These include substance use disorder treatment, safe and sober housing placements, mental health, primary care, or other services as determined by the clinical assessment in compliance with 42 CFR and HIPPA requirements.

· A care coordination process is required to monitor engagement in services identified in the current program service and aftercare plan. Individual face-to-face sessions with care coordinator/case manager is required to review the current treatment plan and aftercare plans with each patient.

· Referral for family focused support services and counseling, as determined by clinical assessment

· Established and operational linkages with primary care, substance addiction, mental health, and community-based treatment providers to facilitate: 1) participation in ongoing substance use disorder and/or mental health treatment, 2) entry into continuing treatment, 3) re-entry to community care and other social/family supports

· Aftercare plans that include current or new access to nutrition, housing, employment/income, or skills training; Appropriate linkages and collaborative agreements for prenatal care with OB/GYN providers for females who are or may be pregnant to ensure the health and safety of the female while in the program and after discharge

· Active follow-up by care coordinators to ensure successful engagement at the next level of care, or other ongoing services, or specific documentation as to why this could not happen

Milieu Management

· An operating seven (7) day schedule of activities including physical recreational activities, in addition to the groups and individual sessions required

· Maintenance of a treatment environment that ensures patient safety, operating in-house crisis intervention/crisis stabilization capabilities, and overall program security

· Required staffing levels to ensure these services are delivered as set forth in the BSAS CSS staffing guidelines

Transportation

· Directly provide or arrange transportation for patients while they are in the program to facilitate other needed services such as interviews for continuing care, community self-help meetings, medical and psychiatric visits, court appearances, emergencies, and other community appointments, seven (7) days per week

· Directly provide or arrange transportation to next step placements to ensure patient arrival and initial patient engagement

Food Service

· Adequate nutrition with time and space for at least three (3) meals daily. Programs must meet the individual dietary need of any patient.

Discharge Criteria

· Requirements under 105 CMR 164.076 and 164.576 mandate that providers directly connect the patient to an appropriate provider to ensure a continuum of care for the patient, including arrangements for further substance use disorder treatment and post-discharge counseling and other supportive services.

· Direct connection to continued substance use disorder services or other services includes educating the individual about available treatment options, providing all necessary assistance for initiating a referral, and securing a “warm handoff” connection to the accepting provider.

Staffing Requirements

The provider utilizes a multi-disciplinary staff including nurses, counselors, physicians, psychiatrists, care coordinators, recovery specialists, and clinical staff with skills, training, and/or expertise in established treatment protocols for persons with substance use disorders.

Clinical Stabilization Services procured through this RFR must meet the following staffing requirements

Medical Director: The Medical Director is a physician licensed to practice medicine in Massachusetts, with specialized training in addiction medicine, who is responsible for administering all medical services performed by the program, either by performing them directly or by delegating specific responsibility to authorized program physicians and qualified healthcare professionals functioning under the Medical Director’s direct supervision. The Medical Director shall have documented clinical experience or 40 hours of documented continuing education credit in addiction medicine and medications for treatment of addiction, including all FDA-approved medications for treatment of opioid use disorder The Medical Director or designee will ensure 24-hour medical coverage, seven days per week, either on site, via telehealth or through a Qualified Service Organization Agreement, for consultation and assessment of patients within 24 hours of admission.

Nursing staff: A minimum of 40 hours of nursing per week, including weekends and holidays to support medication compliance and monitoring of symptoms. Nurse time must be flexed according to case mix, acute/complex clinical acuity, and the needs of the patients. Nursing hours of coverage increase according to operational/licensed capacity; refer to BSAS Staffing Standards Program Director (1 FTE) who will carry full responsibility for the administration and operations of the program.

Clinical Director (1 FTE) who meets 105 CMR 164 criteria for Senior Clinician. A clinical director is responsible for ensuring adequate and quality behavioral treatment is being provided. The clinical director provides direct supervision to non-medical clinical staff including counselors, care coordinators, and recovery specialists. The clinical director reviews and/or participates in treatment planning and follow-up patient care services.

Counselors: are responsible for working with patients to develop and facilitate an individual treatment plan. Counselors provide individual counseling, group psychotherapy, psycho-educational and family groups. Programs need to meet the 1:8 counselor to patient ratio, 7 days per week for 12 hours per day (excluding overnight); refer to BSAS Staffing Standards. Counselors should have a CAC, CADAC, LADCI, or LADCII credential.

Recovery Specialists: are responsible for the milieu management, provide guidance and direction to patients and oversee patient activities to ensure conformance with program policies. Programs need to meet the 1:16 recovery specialist to patient ratio on day and evening shifts, and 1:20 ratio on overnight shifts; refer to BSAS Staffing Standards

Care Coordinators/Case Managers: are responsible for all case management responsibilities, while immediate clinical and medical needs are addressed by additional members of the treatment team. The Care Coordinator/Case Manager assists patients in obtaining necessary services while in the program and after discharge, by providing information, coordinating referrals, and following through with specified treatment plan goals. The Care Coordinator/Case Manager communicates with the treatment team and family to ensure appropriate referrals to, and successful engagement in next steps of care. Programs need to have a minimum of one Care Coordinator/Case Manager; case management needs to be provided at a minimum of 8 hours a day, 5 days a week; refer to BSAS Staffing Standards

In addition, there needs to be:

At minimum, one staff person trained in CPR and Naloxone administration on duty each shift.

An obstetrician/gynecologist on staff or available through a qualified service organization agreement (QSOA) to accommodate pregnant women

Psychiatric and pharmacological consultation and direct services are provided by a licensed psychiatrist or appropriate designee on staff or available through qualified service organization agreement (QSOAs), 24/7.

All programs must have at least one staff member assuming each of the following roles:

HIV/AIDS/Infectious Disease Coordinator: responsible for overseeing confidential HIV risk assessment and access to counseling and testing; staff and patient HIV/AIDS and hepatitis education; and any requirements for admission, service planning and discharge of HIV positive patients.

Tobacco Education Coordinator: responsible for assisting staff in implementing BSAS guidelines for integrating on of tobacco assessment, education and treatment into program services.

Access Coordinator: responsible for development and implementation of the evaluation, plan and annual review of the program’s performance in ensuring equitable access to services.

CLAS Coordinator (Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services) who ensures that the service meets the language and cultural needs of the patient population.

Supervision Providers need to be in compliance with all regulations listed in 105 CMR 164 related to supervision including:

· Programs must ensure that supervision provided meets the needs of all staff.

· Supervision must be provided by qualified staff, preferably in the discipline of the supervisee.

· Clinical supervision shall be provided to direct care staff by a qualified individual.

· Supervision of nursing staff may be provided by a practitioner, registered nurse, or licensed practical nurse (LPN), or other qualified health care professional provider defined under 164.005. LPNs may provide supervision in accordance with the Board of Registration in Nursing: https://www.mass.gov/doc/ar-9802-the-lpn-in-charge-or-nurse-supervisor-role-0/download

C2a: DPH Racial and Health Equity Commitment

DPH is committed to improving health outcomes for all Commonwealth residents while eliminating the marginalization and health inequities that disproportionately threaten of the ability for communities of color to reach their full potential of health. Applicants will be expected to design activities through a racial equity lens incorporating the principles for Racial Equity developed by DPH. (See Principles for Promoting Racial Equity in Attachments for this RFR on COMMBUYS). Applicants will also be expected to describe how the current or planned operations of their organization support racial equity. Each prospective applicant should demonstrate how they will incorporate racial equity into their service design. The social marginalization and inequities that racism cultivates in housing, education, employment, the built and social environments, and health care are felt across generations, most acutely in communities of color. DPH reviewers will be required to consider an applicant’s ability to reflect on racial equity and how it is incorporated into the agency operations and program design as they score proposals.

Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS) can be used as an additional tool to help achieve Health and Racial Equity. The National CLAS standards[footnoteRef:1] incorporate several principles, including but not limited to (1) collecting and analyzing data to better understand structural root causes of racial inequities; (2) building community partnerships to engage those who are most impacted in planning, implementing and evaluating programs; (3) fostering cultural competence to ensure staff understand and reflect the community served; and (4) ensuring language access services to increase quality of services to all communities. Applicants are expected to demonstrate the ability to provide culturally and linguistically competent services, including the ability to provide services to individuals whose primary language is not English, to individuals with disabilities especially the deaf and hard of hearing, to veterans, and to individuals who identify as GLBTQ. For further guidance visit www.mass.gov/dph/healthequity including The Making CLAS Happen Manual, a user’s guide to providing culturally and linguistically appropriate services in a variety of public health settings and the CLAS standards at https://www.mass.gov/lists/making-clas-happen-six-areas-for-action. [1: Adapted from National CLAS Standards and racial equity data roadmap

C2b: Supplier Diversity Program (SDP)

Pursuant to Executive Order 599, the Commonwealth’s Supplier Diversity Program (SDP) promotes business-to-business relationships between awarded Vendors, including health and human service providers, and diverse businesses and non-profit organizations (“SDP Partners”) certified or recognized by the Supplier Diversity Office (SDO).

All Bidders responding to this solicitation are required to make a significant annual financial commitment (“SDP Commitment”) to partnering with one or more SDO-certified or recognized diverse business enterprise(s) or non-profit organization(s). Providers that are issued a contract from this procurement (Bid) will be required to submit an annual “Supplier Diversity Program (SDP) Plan Form for Purchase of Service (POS)” with their Uniform Financial Report (UFR) through the Operational Services Division’s (OSD) eFiling site.

No contract shall be awarded to a Provider without an SDP Commitment that meets the requirements. This requirement extends to all Providers regardless of their own supplier diversity certification.

SDP Program Resources and Assistance: Additional information about the SDP policy can be found in the Attachments section of this RFR on COMMBUYS. Bidders seeking assistance in the development of their SDP Plans or identification of potential SDP Partners may visit the SDP webpage, www.mass.gov/sdp, or contact the SDP Help Desk at sdp@mass.gov.

C3: Performance Requirements and Contract Monitoring BSAS will work with providers to assess the impact of retention in care and subsequent placement in continuing care once discharged from CSS. BSAS will review utilization rates, program costs, treatment completion, and transition to any next step, and assess the impact of the CSS services on the utilization of other levels of treatment and care. Contracted CSS program providers are expected to attend BSAS sponsored meetings, including, but not limited to: regional provider and CSS modality meetings. BSAS reserves the right to conduct announced and unannounced site visits to the program during the hours of operation, in this case meaning any day or any time.

Providers are expected to work closely with BSAS to review and assess programmatic outcomes, further refine necessary service elements for CSS care, and evaluate how any element affects the quality of the services. BSAS providers agree to:

· monitor their own performance on the number of patients served, lengths of stay, referrals into the program, referrals made to community-based agencies while in the program, and aftercare referrals and provide such data to BSAS as requested

· collaborate with the BSAS to refine data and information designed to measure performance outcomes and service effectiveness

· assure adequate linkages with resources both within the substance addiction continuum of care and other relevant services

· to address the needs of diverse patient populations; and

· comply with all BSAS fiscal, licensing, contractual and EOHHS reporting requirements.

Results and Measures

CSS programs are expected to implement strategies to achieve the following results:

Result: CSS program serves a diverse population, consistent with the demographics of the location of the program.

Measure: % of non-white admissions as compared to the demographics of the current census data

Result: Patients are engaged in treatment and subsequently complete their CSS treatment based on an individualized treatment planning process.

Measure: % of patients completing CSS as compared to the state average

Result: Patients are referred to appropriate services regardless of completion status.

Measure: % of patients that are referred to another substance use disorder treatment program or behavioral health provider

Result: Patients are stabilized in an appropriate length of time.

Measure: Average length of stay for all discharged patients as compared to the state average

Result: Patients appropriate for medication for addiction treatment (MAT/MOUD) are inducted and linked to ongoing care Measure: % of patients that are inducted on medication for addiction treatment (MAT/MOUD) while in the CSS program compared to the statewide average

C4: Contract Invoicing Select at least one of the following types of contracts:

· DPH billing procedures through the EIM/ESM system require that contracted providers submit an invoice, on a monthly basis, for all services provided in the previous month.

· DPH requires that this invoice be authorized in EIM-ESM no later than the 14th day of the month, following service delivery. This includes a zero invoice if no services were provided.

· The only exceptions will be when the Bureau has been previously notified of extenuating circumstances and the request has been approved by the bureau contract manager. If corrections need to be made to previously submitted invoices, supplemental invoices must be submitted for the month in which the billing was originally submitted.

· All offsets must be reported for each UFR on the Invoice.

· Refer to the Provider Billing Booklet Reimbursement Policies and Billing in EIM at for detailed invoicing requirements.

1. Providers using the EIM-ESM manual billing process are required to submit a Service Delivery Report (SDR), on a monthly basis, for all services provided in the previous month.

· DPH requires that this SDR be authorized in EIM-ESM no later than the 14th day of the month, following service delivery. This includes a zero invoice if no services were provided.

· DPH requires that all services delivered to clients and paid by a third party be reported on the SDR as fully offset.

· Providers using the HIPAA electronic billing process are required to submit an all claims for the services provided in the previous month no later than the 14th day of the month, following service delivery.

· DPH requires that all delivered services paid by a third party be reported on an 837 HIPAA “encounter”.

· Program service delivery is paid through accommodation rates that are monthly rates developed to cover core services.

· Reports may be required for generation of payment.

Payment through Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) is required for any contract awarded through this solicitation. If awarded a contract bidders not already enrolled will be required to sign up for EFT as a contract requirement by completing the Authorization for Electronic Funds Transfer Form. Additional information will be sent at the time of contract.

Section D: RFR Evaluation

D1: Evaluation Criteria

All proposals will be scored on the following criteria:

· The timely submission of a complete and thorough application that describes a coherent and comprehensive Clinical Stabilization (CSS) program

· Demonstrated commitment to providing services that align with the BSAS Standards of Care

· Demonstrated commitment and plan to promote racial justice and health equity;

· Effective staffing, program management, and quality assurance/quality improvement strategies;

· Staff capacity building and retention strategies that include hiring and retaining staff that identify as representing communities experiencing inequities and strategies for the support and inclusion of people of color in leadership positions;

· Demonstrated commitment to collect and report required program data;

· Supplier Diversity Program (SDP)

· Provider Qualification Status D2: Review Process

Proposals will undergo multiple levels of review described below based on the evaluation criteria:

· Technical Review: The quality of the response to each question in the narrative is evaluated by a team of objective reviewers who score each question according to criteria related to that question. Reviewers are instructed to evaluate each question for content, comprehensiveness, and clarity of each answer.

· SDP form:

A key component of the technical level review will be the evaluation of the Supplier Diversity Program form. To encourage substantial Bidder supplier diversity initiatives and commitments as measures valuable to the Commonwealth, at least 25% of the total available evaluation points shall be allocated to the evaluation of the SDP Plan submissions. A portion of the score will be allocated to the evaluation of additional equity and inclusion criteria relevant to health and human services.

· Second Level Review: During the second level of review, factors such as an applicant’s past performance, billing, license status, agency demographics, need, resources available, and other criteria are considered and scored. These criteria may vary depending upon the service being procured.

Based on all review scores, recommendations will be made to the Commissioner, who makes the final funding determination.

Section E: Estimated Procurement Calendar

RFR Release Date

March 07, 2023

Deadline for Submission of RFR Q&A.1

June 20th, 2024

* Will be re-opened as needed.

4pm ryan.h.naismith@mass.gov

Deadline for Submission of Responses Also known as the BID Opening Date in COMMBUYS

June 30th, 2032

* This is a rolling-enrollment procurement and proposals will be reviewed as received.

Anticipated Contract Start Date

7/1/2023

1All Questions must be received in writing. Questions can be sent by email no later than the date and time indicated in the Procurement Calendar. All questions should be sent to the email listed in the calendar and should include the RFR title and number in the subject of the email. All Questions with answers will be posted on the COMMBUYS Attachment section for this procurement.

Section F: Instructions for Submission of Responses

F1: Bidder Response Requirements

Potential bidders should refer to the Application Response Form found in the Attachments to this RFR on COMMBUYS for required questions to be completed as part of this RFR.

F2: Multiple Quotes

DPH will allow a bidder to upload more than one quote in response to this RFR

Multiple Quotes will be accepted:

F3: COMMBUYS Submission Instructions

All responses are to be submitted electronically using the online submission tools available to bidders registered in COMMBUYS. There is no charge to register in COMMBUYS To Register go to www.COMMBUYS.com and click on the “Register” link on the front page. The COMMBUYS Vendor Registration Job Aide is also available.

All Quotes must be received by the Department of Public Health before the specified date, month, year and time of the Bid Opening Date displayed on COMMBUYS. Times are Eastern Standard/Daylight Savings (US), as applicable.

All Bidders are advised to allow adequate time for submission by considering potential online submission impediments like Internet traffic, Internet connection speed, file size, and file volume. DPH is not responsible for delays encountered by Bidders or their agents, or for a Bidder’s local hardware failures, such as computers or related networks, associated with bid compilation or submission. Bids submitted via COMMBUYS are time stamped by the COMMBUYS system clock which is considered the official time of record.

Bidders are encouraged to upload attachments well in advance of the Bid Opening Date. This will help to reduce disqualified submissions that can occur if upload is not fully completed or if an attachment is missing at the deadline. Prior to the Bid Opening Date listed in the Procurement Calendar above, documents can easily be deleted and revised versions can be uploaded. If you wish to revise or delete a quote after submission, you may do so prior to the bid opening date. Review the Withdraw, Reopen, and Resubmit a Quote in COMMBUYS Job Aide for additional instructions.

No Bid in COMMBUYS Quote If you plan to submit a quote to this RFR “No Bid” should not be checked anywhere in your quote in COMMBUYS. This includes on the General Screen and the Items tab. Checking No Bid sends your quote to a different location in COMMBUYS than the rest of the quotes for that Bid and you run the risk of the Department not receiving your response. The department will not guarantee that a bid received with a “No Bid” checked will be reviewed.

Electronic Signatures: Quotes submitted via COMMBUYS must be signed electronically by the Bidder or the Bidder’s Agent by accepting the terms and conditions of the bid on the “Terms & Conditions” tab in COMMBUYS. Bidders do this by selecting “Save & Continue” on the “Terms and Conditions” tab after accepting the terms and conditions of the bid. By agreeing to this the submitter attests that s/he is an agent of the Bidder with authority to sign on the Bidder’s behalf, and that s/he has read and assented to each document’s terms.

File Format and Naming Conventions Scanned documents will be accepted and must be scanned in such a way that they can be read on a computer monitor and printed on 81/2” x 11” paper, unless otherwise specified. Attachments must be uploaded individually and cannot be combined in a zipped file.

DPH is requiring that all response attachments that are uploaded in COMMBUYS include the company name of the Bidder and the RFR number. For additional instructions about naming conventions and the document titles see the Checklist of Attachments found in the Application Response Form. The description entered during the file upload process ensures each file is readily identified by Company Name, RFR and content.

F4: RFR Attachments

To assist bidders in identify the purpose of the attachments for this procurement; the forms posted on the COMMBUYS attachment section have a prefix according to the following chart:

Must complete and upload document with application

F5: COMMBUYS Support

A link to a job aid on How to Submit a Quote on COMMBUYS COMMBUYS Resource Information at www.mass.gov/osd/commbuys Email: Send inquiries to the COMMBUYS OSD Help Desk at OSDHelpDesk@mass.gov Telephone: Call the COMMBUYS Help Desk at 1-888-627-8283 or 617-720-3197. The Help Desk is staffed from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Monday through Friday Eastern Standard or Daylight time, as applicable, except on federal and state holidays.

Technical assistance is available during the procurement process. Every effort is made to respond to inquiries within one business day.

Bidders are advised that COMMBUYS will be unavailable during regularly scheduled…