2487-20260825132050 MDMH.pdf

Request for Proposals Mississippi Department of Mental Health

Division Outreach and Training

Contact: MarQuaita Lampkin MS Department of Mental Health

239 North Lamar St.

Jackson, MS 39201

601-359-1288 marquaita.lampkin@dmh.ms.gov Date: Tuesday, August 25, 2026 mailto:marquaita.lampkin@dmh.ms.gov

1. Introduction The Mississippi Department of Mental Health (DMH) certifies, provides, and financially supports a statewide network of services for individuals with mental illness, intellectual and developmental disabilities, and substance use disorders. DMH’s mission is to improve the lives of Mississippians by supporting a better tomorrow, one person at a time.

DMH, through the Division of Outreach and Training, is seeking a qualified organization with demonstrated expertise in evidence-based suicide prevention education and workforce development to provide LivingWorks suicide prevention training and related implementation support. Services will include Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST), safeTALK, Training for Trainers (T4T) activities, trainer mentoring and support sessions, and the purchase and provision of required LivingWorks training materials.

The purpose of this Request for Proposals (RFP) is to expand Mississippi’s capacity to identify and respond to individuals who may be experiencing thoughts of suicide by increasing the number of trained community members, professionals, and qualified trainers able to deliver standardized suicide prevention education across the state.

2. Background Suicide prevention is a critical component of Mississippi’s behavioral health and public health efforts.

DMH supports a comprehensive approach that strengthens awareness, early identification, intervention skills, referral pathways, and community capacity. To support these efforts, DMH seeks to make standardized, evidence-based suicide prevention training available to professionals, community partners, and other individuals who may encounter persons at risk for suicide.

LivingWorks programs provide a structured continuum of suicide prevention education. Under this project, DMH intends to support delivery of ASIST and safeTALK, strengthen the statewide trainer network through applicable T4T opportunities, provide mentoring and technical support for trainers, and ensure access to the official materials required to deliver the programs with fidelity.

3. Project Overview The selected vendor will work collaboratively with the DMH Division of Outreach and Training to plan, coordinate, and support statewide implementation of LivingWorks suicide prevention training. The project is intended to build sustainable training capacity while maintaining fidelity to LivingWorks program standards and ensuring that trainers have the materials, mentoring, and support necessary to deliver high-quality training.

DMH will provide overall project direction, identify priority audiences and training needs, coordinate with statewide partners, and approve training schedules as appropriate. The selected vendor will provide qualified personnel, authorized curricula and materials, trainer development activities, mentoring, consultation, and documentation necessary to support successful implementation.

4. Scope of Services The selected vendor shall provide the following services in coordination with DMH. Final quantities, locations, and schedules will be determined by DMH based on program needs, available funding, and mutually agreed-upon implementation plans.

4.1 Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST)

Provide and/or support delivery of LivingWorks ASIST, an in-person suicide intervention skills training designed to strengthen participants’ ability to recognize when a person may be thinking about suicide, engage the person directly, and develop an intervention and safety-focused plan consistent with the LivingWorks model.

• Provide qualified and authorized ASIST trainers, as requested by DMH.

• Coordinate ASIST training dates, locations, trainer assignments, and participant requirements with

DMH.

• Provide all required participant materials, trainer materials, and other authorized program resources necessary for each ASIST training.

• Maintain training fidelity and quality standards established by LivingWorks.

• Provide documentation of completed trainings and participation, as required by DMH.

4.2 safeTALK

Provide and/or support delivery of LivingWorks safeTALK to increase participants’ ability to recognize signs that a person may be thinking about suicide, engage the person directly, and connect the individual to appropriate suicide intervention and community resources.

• Provide qualified and authorized safeTALK trainers, as requested by DMH.

• Coordinate safeTALK training dates, locations, trainer assignments, and participant requirements with DMH.

• Provide required participant and trainer materials for each training.

• Ensure training is delivered in accordance with current LivingWorks standards and requirements.

• Provide documentation of completed trainings and participation, as required by DMH.

4.3 Training for Trainers (T4T) and Trainer Development

Provide applicable LivingWorks Training for Trainers (T4T) opportunities to expand and sustain Mississippi’s pool of qualified ASIST and safeTALK trainers. Trainer development activities shall be conducted in accordance with LivingWorks eligibility, certification, quality assurance, and program fidelity requirements.

• Coordinate T4T opportunities with DMH based on identified statewide training capacity needs.

• Provide qualified T4T faculty or instructors and all required trainer-candidate materials.

• Communicate prerequisite, participation, completion, and certification requirements to DMH and trainer candidates.

• Provide documentation of trainer-candidate participation, completion status, and applicable certification or authorization milestones.

• Support trainer candidates in understanding LivingWorks standards for maintaining active trainer status and delivering the curriculum with fidelity.

4.4 Trainer Mentor Sessions and Ongoing Support

Provide structured mentor sessions and ongoing consultation for DMH-supported LivingWorks trainers to strengthen trainer confidence, competence, fidelity, and sustainability. Mentor support may be delivered virtually or in person, as appropriate and approved by DMH.

• Conduct individual and/or group mentor sessions for new and existing ASIST and safeTALK trainers.

• Provide coaching related to facilitation skills, curriculum fidelity, training preparation, challenging training situations, and continuous quality improvement.

• Support newly trained trainers as they prepare for and complete initial training deliveries and other requirements applicable to their trainer pathway.

• Provide opportunities for trainers to discuss implementation challenges, lessons learned, and strategies for maintaining high-quality training delivery.

• Document mentor sessions, participation, topics addressed, and recommended follow-up actions, as requested by DMH.

4.5 Training Materials and Program Resources

The vendor shall provide or make available for purchase the official LivingWorks materials and resources necessary to conduct ASIST, safeTALK, T4T, and related trainer development activities.

Materials shall be current, authorized for use, and consistent with LivingWorks program requirements.

• Participant workbooks, handouts, certificates, and other required participant materials.

• Trainer manuals, trainer kits, presentation resources, and other required trainer materials.

• T4T materials and resources required for trainer candidates and faculty.

• Replacement or supplemental materials needed to support continued statewide delivery, as approved by DMH.

• Shipping, handling, licensing, or other material-related costs shall be clearly identified in the vendor’s pricing proposal.

4.6 Coordination, Technical Assistance, and Reporting

• Participate in planning and coordination meetings with DMH, as requested.

• Designate a primary point of contact responsible for project coordination and communication with

DMH.

• Provide technical assistance regarding implementation, trainer development, training fidelity, and use of LivingWorks materials.

• Provide training and trainer-support data in a format approved by DMH, including dates, training type, location or delivery format, number of participants, trainer names, mentor sessions, and materials purchased or distributed, as applicable.

• Notify DMH promptly of implementation issues that may affect scheduled trainings, trainer status, material availability, or project deliverables.

5. Deliverables At a minimum, the selected vendor will be expected to provide the following deliverables during the contract period:

• DMH-approved implementation plan and proposed schedule for ASIST, safeTALK, T4T, trainer mentoring, and material procurement.

• Delivery and/or support of ASIST and safeTALK trainings in quantities approved by DMH.

• T4T opportunities sufficient to address DMH-approved trainer development needs, subject to

LivingWorks requirements.

• Scheduled mentor and technical assistance sessions for DMH-supported trainers.

• Official LivingWorks participant, trainer, and T4T materials in quantities authorized by DMH.

• Periodic activity and expenditure reports documenting services delivered, participation, trainer development activities, mentoring, and materials purchased.

• Final report summarizing project activities, deliverables completed, training reach, trainer development outcomes, materials provided, challenges, and recommendations for sustaining statewide capacity.

6. Deadline/Timelines Milestone Date

RFP Issue Date August 25, 2026

Proposal Submission Deadline September 14, 2026, by 5:00 P.M. CST

Selection Completed September 30, 2026

Estimated Contract Start Date October 8, 2026

Estimated Contract End Date September 27, 2027

7. Proposal Submission Requirements To submit a proposal for this contract, the offeror shall submit a signed proposal on organizational letterhead directly to MarQuaita Lampkin, Mississippi Department of Mental Health, 239 North Lamar St., Jackson, MS 39201, or via email at marquaita.lampkin@dmh.ms.gov by 5:00 P.M. CST on September 14, 2026. Proposals received after the deadline will not be considered.

The proposal must, at a minimum, include:

• A detailed statement of price and an itemized cost proposal for ASIST, safeTALK, T4T, trainer mentor sessions, training materials, shipping/handling, travel, and any other applicable costs.

• Terms of the proposal, including the period for which pricing is valid.

• A detailed description of the services to be provided and the offeror’s name, address, telephone number, and primary contact information.

• Documentation of qualifications and experience providing LivingWorks suicide prevention programs, trainer development, mentoring, technical assistance, and related services.

• A proposed implementation approach describing how the offeror will coordinate training delivery, T4T activities, trainer mentoring, material procurement, quality assurance, and reporting with

DMH.

• A proposed schedule or process for scheduling services throughout the contract period.

• Any assumptions, prerequisites, minimum class sizes, trainer requirements, material-order requirements, cancellation terms, or other conditions that may affect service delivery or pricing.

8. Pricing The offeror shall submit a comprehensive, itemized pricing proposal that clearly identifies all costs associated with the requested services. Pricing should be structured so DMH can determine the cost of individual services and adjust quantities based on available funding and statewide need.

At a minimum, pricing shall separately identify:

• ASIST training delivery and associated trainer/faculty costs.

• safeTALK training delivery and associated trainer/faculty costs.

• Applicable ASIST and/or safeTALK T4T costs, including trainer-candidate materials and faculty costs.

• Trainer mentor sessions, coaching, consultation, and technical assistance.

• Participant materials, trainer materials, trainer kits, manuals, certificates, and other required

LivingWorks resources.

• Shipping, handling, travel, lodging, or other reimbursable expenses, if applicable.

• Any licensing, registration, certification, maintenance, or other fees required by LivingWorks.

DMH will authorize specific quantities and expenditures in accordance with the final contract, approved budget, and applicable procurement requirements. No additional charges may be incurred without prior written approval from DMH.

9. Evaluation Criteria Proposals will be evaluated using a 100-point scale based on the following criteria:

• Technical approach and plan for performing the required services, including training delivery, T4T, trainer mentoring, material procurement, coordination, and reporting: 30 points

• Pricing and overall cost effectiveness: 30 points

• Demonstrated qualifications, authorization, and experience with LivingWorks ASIST, safeTALK, T4T, and trainer development/support: 25 points

• Past performance on relevant suicide prevention training, statewide implementation, workforce development, or comparable projects: 15 points

10. Contract Period The anticipated contract period is October 8, 2026, through September 27, 2027. Final contract dates are subject to completion of the procurement and contracting process and approval by the Mississippi Department of Mental Health.