250533 RFR Ambulatory Services for Substance Use and Addictive Disorders updated~1.docx

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

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

Contact Name: Ryan H. Naismith

Email: ryan.h.naismith@mass.gov

Request for Response (RFR)

Document Title: Ambulatory Services for Substance Use and Addictive Disorders

DPH RFR Document Number: 250533

COMMBUYS BID Number: BD-24-1031-BSAS0-BSA01-98075

January 06, 2024

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

With this “Ambulatory Services for Substance Use and Addictive Disorders” RFR, the Bureau of Substance Addiction Services (BSAS) seeks proposals from Outpatient Service providers to provide ambulatory (also referred to as “outpatient”) services for adults, youth and families in Massachusetts who are impacted by substance use disorders and for people experiencing a gambling disorder. Vendors may apply for any of the services listed below. Vendors must be licensed as a substance addiction outpatient program and must comply with all applicable licensing regulations detailed in 105 CMR 164.000. Vendors must have licensing approval for each service for which they are applying. Providers do not need to be licensed to submit a proposal for this RFR; however, they must be licensed prior to receiving a BSAS contract. As a result of this RFR, three Master Service Agreements (or “blankets”) will be established: one for SUD Ambulatory Services, one for Problem Gambling Services, and one for Family Intervention.

Vendors currently contracted with DPH to provide SUD Ambulatory Services, Problem Gambling Services, or Family Intervention must respond to this new RFR by April 1, 2024 in order to ensure contracting by July 1, 2024 and to avoid a break in service. This is a rolling RFR. Bidders may submit proposals during the entire contract period. Applications will be reviewed as they are received.

A2: Program Background Information

Outpatient services - ASAM Levels 1 and 2.1 ( ASAM - American Society of Addiction Medicine) - are programs designed to extend the substance use disorder (SUD) treatment continuum by offering ambulatory services as initial treatment access or as aftercare following treatment episodes in higher levels of care.

The goal of outpatient services is to further address a patient’s substance use disorder once more acute symptoms have been stabilized in Withdrawal Management Services (WMS) and/or Clinical Stabilization Services (CSS) or if the patient’s substance use does not put them at risk of significant withdrawal symptoms. Ambulatory patients do not require 24-hour staff to manage addiction, mental health, or medical needs. Services can be used as additional support while a patient is participating in other treatment such as Residential Rehabilitation Services (RRS) or Opioid Treatment Program (OTP) if there is a risk of returning to use. Accessing outpatient treatment allows patients to continue residing in the community and to continue activities such as work or school while offering some structure with counseling, groups, psychoeducation, and outreach to maintain recovery and manage stressors.

· The following is an outline of billable service units that are described in this RFR. Services marked with an asterisk (*) require special training and/or credentials by the individuals delivering and/or supervising the service. Programs may be required to obtain pre-approval to bill for these services. Details regarding the required certifications and training are included in the Scope of Services below.

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 rolling enrollment procurement. Proposals will be reviewed as they are 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

month(s)

B7: Anticipated Expenditures, Funding or Compensation for Expected Duration

Dollar Amount

Estimated annualized procurement amount $2,500,000.00

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. Contracted vendors 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 the 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.

Licensing:

Providers of Outpatient Services will be required to be licensed by the Department of Public Health as an adult and/or adolescent outpatient program or be eligible for a license. A license in good standing is considered such when a licensee complies with all applicable DPH regulations as found in 105 CMR 164 (mass.gov) – Licensure of Substance Addiction Treatment Programs. A licensee with outstanding deficiency correction orders may be considered in good standing if there is no history of repeat unresolved deficiency correction orders and/or the deficiencies are not a threat to the health and safety of residents. Contract will be contingent upon providers having the appropriate license for the services proposed.

To receive and maintain an outpatient license, programs must comply with the following DPH Regulations found in 105 CMR 164.000 (Licensure of Substance Addiction Treatment Programs):

· Part 1 – 105 CMR 164.001 – 164.087 Applicable to All Licensees

· Part 2 – 105 CMR 164.200 – 164.234 Applicable to Outpatient Services Licensees

· Special Populations – Providers intending to serve special populations as outlined in the DPH Regulations (pregnant women, transitional age youth, persons with co-occurring disorders, elders, or persons with disabilities) must comply with 105 CMR 164.082 Special Populations.

· Link to DPH/BSAS online: www.mass.gov/dph/bsas

Licensed Outpatient providers will also need to adhere to relevant Practice Guidance found here: Principles of Care and Practice Guidance | Mass.gov

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 the 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

Ambulatory Outpatient Services for Adult and Adolescents (under SUD Ambulatory Services MSA)

· Individual and Group Counseling

· Day Treatment (Intensive Outpatient Service)

· Recovery Coaching*

· Master’s and Non-Master’s Case Management

· Psychoeducation Groups

Services for Specialty Populations Legal and Justice involved services (under SUD Ambulatory Services MSA)

· Pre and post adjudicated services

· Second Offender Aftercare (SOA)

Adult Gambling Services (under Problem Gambling Services MSA)

· Individual and Group Counseling*

· Day Treatment (IOP) *

Family Intervention – Clinical Support (under Family Intervention MSA)

· Adolescent Community Reinforcement Approach (A-CRA)*

· Project AMP*

· Enhanced Family Groups (ARISE, Strong African American Families, etc.)*

The BSAS intends to be the Payor of Last Resort (POLR) for the network of license and qualified providers of substance use disorder (SUD) ambulatory services in Massachusetts. In addition, the BSAS intends to provide guidance and fiscal support for providers to treat identified populations in specialized ways. Current models for specialized programming include work with adolescents, legal justice involved individuals, and those presenting with problem gambling behaviors. This RFR also includes descriptions of and parameters for emerging ambulatory services such as recovery coaching. The BSAS anticipates updating this rolling RFR as future models of care are developed and the funding or ability to bill for new services becomes available.

Ambulatory Outpatient Services for Adults and Adolescents

ASAM Level1 Outpatient services can include individual, group and family counseling, and case consultation for adults and adolescents with substance use disorder diagnoses. The type of service and frequency will be determined by an initial clinical assessment.

· The provider will complete a clinical assessment using a validated assessment tool for SUD and will utilize ASAM criteria for placement.

· Mental health needs will be assessed, including history of trauma, and when appropriate a referral for mental health services will be made or services can be provided in an integrated way.

· Telehealth services may be provided as allowable by BSAS and other payers.

· Best practice models and evidenced-based practices will be used in treatment services, including trauma informed care.

· Providers will demonstrate capacity to serve low income and uninsured populations as well as other priority populations (e.g., pregnant and post partem people, LGBTQ+ youth, underserved racial, ethnic, and linguistic minority communities, unaccompanied youth, etc.).

· Treatment plans will document the justification for the type of service provided.

· Providers are expected to have formal working relationships with the substance use disorder treatment continuum for the purpose of making and receiving referrals, including Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT).

· Providers are expected to reach out to and engage with collateral agencies such as the Department of Children and Families, Courts, the Office of Probation, the Parole Board, and County Houses of Correction.

· Providers will ensure that services for those coming from a higher level of care will be delivered within one week of discharge from that program.

Adolescent Outpatient Services:

BSAS recognizes that treatment delivery for adolescents and young adults requires different approaches from adult treatment. Adolescents and young adults have unique developmental needs, differences in values and beliefs, strong peer influences, and physical differences. Adolescent substance use treatment approaches should match the stage of readiness and the varying degrees of substance use of the individual.

In addition to the above listed adult outpatient service elements and criteria applicants must:

· Utilize evidence-based practices that are trauma informed and culturally and developmentally appropriate for youth for example Adolescent- Community Reinforcement Approach (A-CRA)

· Provide outreach to and engage with youth and young adult serving state agencies including, but not limited to: Department of Children and Families, Department Youth Services, Department of Mental Health, Department of Corrections, local school districts, Juvenile and Adult Courts, and Office of Juvenile Probation and Adult Probation & Parole.

· Offer resources and support to families, parents/primary caregivers, spouses/significant others who offer support in the client’s treatment.

Day Treatment Services:

Day treatment (also referred to as Intensive Outpatient Program) services must be offered in accordance with 105CMR 164.231-164.234. The ASAM Level 2.1 Day Treatment (IOP) services provide 3.5 hours of treatment per day and includes group counseling, psycho-educational groups, individual and family counseling, and case management. Individuals assessed to meet this level of care are those that can benefit from more intensive and structured ambulatory programming to address a substantial risk of returning to use, ambivalence or a lack of knowledge about SUD recovery, and a lack of supportive recovery environment. A day treatment program may choose to serve a target population such as pregnant and post-partem people, adolescents, justice involved individuals, or it may be gender specific.

· Day Treatment services are available 5 days per week and meet at times that are conducive to the needs of the target population.

· Day Treatment programming provides both therapeutic and educational groups supporting early recovery and relapse prevention.

· Day Treatment programming provides case management services including referrals to other services and supports and encourages self-help groups and other sources of community support for recovery.

· Day Treatment programming includes aftercare planning and linkages to ongoing services.

Recovery Coaching:

Recovery coaching is a recovery support service that allows providers to meet individuals in their community and at their stage of change. Services can be initiated at any point in the continuum of SUD treatment including at the time of discharge from 24-hour Withdrawal Management or Clinical Stabilization Services. Referrals can come from residential services, DCF, shelters, the criminal justice system, other community services or they can be self-referrals.

· A Recovery Coach serves as a recovery guide and role model in the management of recovery and assists the recoveree to identify and overcome barriers to recovery, connects recoverees with recovery support services and encourages hope, optimism, and health.

· Recovery Coaching is a non-clinical peer recovery support service provided by an individual who has lived experience with addiction recovery and has completed specialized training to effectively provide non-clinical recovery support to individuals in or seeking recovery. A formal degree is not required.

· A Recovery Coach is either a Certified Addiction Recovery Coach (CARC) or is working towards certification and has completed Recovery Coach Academy (RCA), Ethical Considerations and is in the process of completing additional training required for certification. There is a one-year grace period for a working Recovery Coach to complete the additional training and earn supervised hours for CARC. More information on training and certification requirements can be found at Peer Recovery Coach | Careers of Substance

· A Recovery Coach meets the core competencies for peer workers in behavioral health services https://www.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/programs_campaigns/brss_tacs/core-competencies_508_12_13_18.pdf

· Recovery Coaching uses a strengths-based approach and best practices in peer recovery support to work with participants to identify and achieve individualized, develop recovery plans with self-directed wellness goals, share information on multiple pathways, provide support to navigate systems, establish community connections, facilitate healthy decision-making, and promote self-advocacy.

· Recovery Coaches receive regular non-clinical supervision by a staff person who has completed the BSAS Supervisor of Recovery Coaches Training, understands the principles and practices of peer recovery support and has a recovery-oriented approach to supervision of peers.

Case Management, non-master's level service components:

· Provide services to high risk and vulnerable populations such as pregnant women, parents with DCF involvement, elders, frequent utilizers of 24-Hour Withdrawal Management Services, unhoused individuals, transitional age youth and young adults, and individuals with criminal justice involvement.

· Arrange referrals to needed resources including insurance benefits, medical care, dental care, mental health care, employment assistance, education and training, and substance addiction treatment and follow-up on referrals.

· Obtain appropriate patient consent for care coordination and communication.

· Transport patients to services such as 12-Step meetings or appointments

· Attend meetings to discuss probation or school compliance as needed.

· Make weekly telephone contact and meet weekly face-to-face as needed.

· Provide education for the individual and their family about connecting with support systems and needed resources.

· Coordinate services provided by professionals involved in an individual’s care.

· Requires a non-master's level case manager with at least 2 years of experience with SUD treatment.

· Case managers are supervised weekly by a Senior Clinician.

· Complete documentation of assessment, service plan, service activities, and progress toward patient’s goals.

· Provide discharge/transition planning when linkages are in place or within 3 months, whichever comes first. Under certain circumstances BSAS will allow a longer period when a waiver for discharge from case management services is submitted to the BSAS regional manager.

Case management-Master’s Level

· Provide services to high risk and vulnerable populations such as pregnant women, parents with DCF involvement, elders, frequent utilizers of 24-Hour Withdrawal Management Services, unhoused individuals, transitional age youth and young adults, and individuals with criminal justice involvement.

· An evidenced-based model is used to provide a combination of service coordination and treatment services in a non-clinical setting.

· Master’s Level Clinician must be trained in an evidenced-based model.

· The service provided must need the expertise of a master's Level Clinician.

Psycho-Educational Groups Psycho-educational groups are a series of groups covering a range of topics designed to meet the needs of a particular population. Groups can consist of addiction/recovery education, community resources education, introduction to self-help, HIV education/risk reduction, treatment readiness, and parent/spouse/significant other education/intervention groups.

Psycho-educational groups are intervention services for individuals:

· Who may meet the diagnostic criteria for a substance use disorder, but not be ready for treatment (treatment readiness groups)

· Who may not meet the diagnostic criteria for a substance use disorder, but whose use puts them at high risk for increased functional impairment, such as first offenders of substance use related offenses.

· Or who are collateral patients, including youth, children, and parents/caregivers who may need family member education.

Outpatient Services for Specialty Populations

Legal and Justice Involved Services BSAS seeks to enhance the state's capacity to provide services specifically for individuals involved in the legal system. Outpatient jail diversionary services encompass a range of programs and initiatives focused on providing alternatives to incarceration. By combining outpatient services with the legal system, implementing pre and post adjudicated diversionary programming, utilizing recovery and specialty courts, and collaborating with probation and parole, these services aim to promote rehabilitation and reintegration while reducing recidivism and the risk of overdose.

Pre and Post Adjudicated Services:

Outpatient jail diversionary services aim to provide alternative options to incarceration for individuals involved with the legal system. These services primarily focus on offering outpatient treatment and support to individuals who may require intervention or rehabilitation but can be safely managed within the community.

Pre and post adjudicated diversionary programming are an integral part of these services. Pre-adjudication programs provide diverting options to individuals at various stages of the legal process, including diversion at the point of arrest, pretrial diversion, or during the pre-sentencing phase. These programs may involve assessment, counseling, and treatment services to address underlying issues such as substance use or mental health disorders.

Post adjudicated diversionary programming offers alternatives to incarceration for individuals already convicted or sentenced. Instead of serving time in jail or prison, individuals may be assigned to outpatient programs that provide intensive supervision, treatment, and support services. These services focus on addressing the root causes of criminal behavior and promoting rehabilitation and reintegration into the community.

Second Offender Aftercare Treatment:

In compliance with 105 CMR 164.223-164.224, Second Offender Aftercare (SOA) services for individuals referred after a second or subsequent driving under the influence offense will include tailored clinical services. Each Second Offender Aftercare patient undergoes an individualized treatment approach determined by an initial clinical assessment. Treatment planning and counseling will underscore the consequences of substance use while driving, along with other personalized treatment goals.

Ongoing reports on the individual's status will be submitted to the referring court, accompanied by a comprehensive evaluation of their adherence to the service plan 30 days before completing one year of outpatient treatment. Random alcohol and drug screenings are integral components of the treatment plan. All services are designed with consideration for the developmental needs of the individual.

Problem Gambling Treatment Services The Office of Problem Gambling Services (OPGS), in partnership with BSAS, seeks to build capacity in the state for the provision of services related to problem gambling by providing reimbursement to licensed organizations offering gambling treatment services, including education, treatment, and recovery support services related to problem gambling.

· Services to treat problem gambling can include individual and group outpatient counseling, day treatment, psycho-educational groups, non-master's case management and master's level case management based on an assessment of the individual’s diagnosis and needs.

· Services will be provided by clinicians who have received or are in the process of receiving a MA Problem Gambling Specialist (MA PGS) certificate from the Massachusetts Technical Assistance Center for Problem Gambling Treatment (M-TAC): MA PGS Certification – MTAC (m-tac.org)

· Clinical supervisors of MA PGS clinicians must also be certified as MA PGS and be able to appropriately supervise problem gambling cases.

· Providers will be required to participate in training and technical assistance provided by the Massachusetts Technical Assistance Center for Problem Gambling Treatment. See M-TAC website for further information MTAC (m-tac.org)

Family Intervention Services – Clinical Support BSAS seeks to build capacity for current and perspective ambulatory/outpatient providers to provide evidence informed and evidence based-based practices to special populations (e.g., adolescents and families). We recognize barriers that may hinder the adoption of these evidence-based practices and aim to provide support to agencies who wish to pursue implementation of these models, through technical assistance and financial reimbursement.

Family Intervention – Clinical Support identifies specific evidence-based practices, brief intervention, and family engagement interventions outpatient providers may utilize to deliver additional effective practices to target populations including youth and young adults (13-25) and families or caregivers. These include:

· Adolescent Community Reinforcement Approach (A-CRA) an evidence-based model to address substance use disorders in youth and young adults between the ages of 13-25. Providers must have received training from the MADPH Statewide A-CRA Trainer or directly from Chestnut Health Systems and be A-CRA certified or in the process of certification to bill against a BSAS contract.

· Project AMP, evidence informed, short term, brief intervention delivered by a near peer mentor to youth between the ages of 13-17 who are identified as “at risk” using a variety of criteria including positive beliefs of cannabis use, family history of substance use disorder, academic difficulty, etc.

· Family Engagement (i.e., ARISE, Strong African American Families (SAAF), and CRAFT). A variety of models identified to intervene with families/caregivers, including evidence-based practices designed for Black Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities.

· The BSAS continues to identify and evaluate emerging and evidence-based practices to meet the needs of priority populations, and may, over the course of this rolling RFR, add components to Family Intervention – Clinical Support.

Please refer to “Appendices” in the COMMBUYS Bid Solicitation; File Attachment Section for the following documents which will help applicants understand the evidence-based model and all that is required to implement it: Service Specifications: Adolescent Community Reinforcement Approach (A-CRA), Service Specifications: Project AMP, Service Specifications: Family Engagement The BSAS Office of Youth and Young Adult Services (OYYAS) oversees the training and certification and contract management of these services.

BSAS Standards of Care

BSAS will require compliance with all BSAS Standards of Care.

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 vendors 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.

· Recognition that children of individuals served have experienced trauma and that they and their parents may require support and assistance in obtaining effective trauma treatment.

Committed to Opioid Overdose Prevention: Vendors 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 about opioid overdose prevention, recognition, and response.

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

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

Medication Assisted Treatment: The effectiveness of medication assisted treatment in stabilizing individuals and enabling them to build a recovery-based lifestyle is well documented. Research and experience provide an increasingly comprehensive understanding of the physiological changes that accompany or result from substance use. For example, we understand a great deal about substance-related changes in metabolism and brain activities such as increased or decreased neurotransmitter production. This expanding field of knowledge is accompanied by increased availability of effective treatments using medications which target those physiological effects, for example by disrupting metabolism of the substances, or modifying substance-related brain activity. BSAS requires the use of proven, effective medication assisted treatment in a variety of settings.

Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS):

· Vendors must have demonstrated ability to provide culturally and linguistically competent services, including be able 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 GLBT. · All staff must be trained in Cultural and Linguistically Appropriate Services

· Vendors must have policies and procedures for, and MOUs with interpreter and translation services.

· Patient manuals, patient rights and other critical documents for patients must be available in their primary language.

· Vendors must demonstrate efforts to hire staff that have representation from such identity groups.

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 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:2] 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. [2: 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

Program Monitoring and Evaluation

· Providers will meet with BSAS staff for at least one annual contractual site visit per year, or more, as needed.

· Providers will be responsible for meeting program results and measures as specified.

· Providers will dis-enroll clients no later than 90 days from the last point of contact.

· Providers will report to BSAS all enrollments and dis-enrollments, as well as all third-party income data and client fees collected by the program for both SUD and Problem Gambling treatment.

· Providers will comply with BSAS Payer of Last Resort policy.

· Providers will collaborate with the BSAS in the development and implementation of measures developed over the course of the contract period through statewide meetings.

· BSAS will monitor the use of BSAS funding of the provider to ensure the appropriate use of treatment resources.

Results and Measures

BSAS will monitor measures annually and may modify results as needed.

Programs are expected to develop quality measures to monitor and improve the services it provides. This may include patient satisfaction survey and the following measures:

Result: The percentage of clients who remain engaged in treatment and complete treatment programs.

Measure: Individual or group counseling for 90 days, 20 sessions of Day Tx, 6 months of Jail Diversion, 1 year of SOA.

Result: Decrease in readmission rates to higher levels of care.

Measure: Number of clients who complete treatment without a return to a higher level of care.

Result: The percentage of clients who receive referrals for co-occurring behavioral health or physical health conditions.

Measure: Number of clients who have documented referrals to behavioral health or medical providers.

Result: Initial appointment provided within 5 business days of initial contact or referral.

Measure: Number of days between request for services and initial appointment.

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, monthly, 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), monthly, 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 for 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 for 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 the contract.

Section D: RFR Evaluation

D1: Evaluation Criteria All proposals will be scored on the following criteria:

· Demonstrated collaboration with Medication Assisted Treatment programs.

· Demonstrated ability to provide trauma informed care and staff training.

· Demonstrated ability to assess, treat or refer clients with medical and mental health disorders.

· Demonstrated adequate staffing pattern to provide the services for which you are applying.

· Demonstrated referral, communication, and collaboration process with the courts for pre and post adjudicated services.

· Demonstrated ability to provide pre and post adjudicated services that address the root cause of criminal behavior and promote rehabilitation and reintegration into the community.

· Demonstrated referral, communication, and collaboration process with the courts for second offender aftercare services.

· Demonstrated ability to provide an individualized treatment approach for second offender aftercare clients that underscores the consequences of substance use while driving.1

· Certification process for clinicians and supervisors providing problem gambling services.

· Training and certification process for recovery coaches and their supervisors.

· Demonstrated experience in providing evidence-based practices for Family Intervention Services.

· Demonstrated staffing pattern and credentialing to provide Family Intervention Services.

· Ability to deliver equitable, culturally competent and linguistically appropriate services.

· 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

2/6/2024

Deadline for Submission of RFR Q&A.1

Ryan.h.naismith@mass.gov

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

Anticipated Contract Start Date

7/1/2024

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 the General Screen and the Items tab.