6-Interim Recovery Housing RFP Final.docx

Ventura County Behavioral Health Interim Recovery Housing RFP

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP)

Interim Recovery Housing Services RFP

ISSUED: April 7, 2026 DUE: May 8, 2026

1911 Williams Drive, Suite 200 • Oxnard, CA 93036

RFP TABLE OF CONTENT

RFP INTRODUCTION

Statement of Intent Ventura County Behavioral Health (VCBH) is soliciting proposals from experienced providers to establish and operate Interim Recovery Housing. The purpose is to expand safe Interim housing options for individuals receiving VCBH services with a substance use disorder or co-occurring diagnosis who are experiencing or at risk of experiencing homelessness. This RFP may result in the award of contracts to multiple qualified vendors.

Program Purpose (Program Specific) Recovery Housing is a safe, sanitary, sober, residential environment that promotes individual recovery through positive peer group interactions among house members and staff. Recovery housing is alcohol and illicit drug free and allows the residents to continue to develop their individual recovery plans and to become self-supporting, through a respectful manner within residential communities in Ventura County. Target population to be served are individuals enrolled in VCBH services, having a serious behavioral health condition – Substance Use Disorder or co-occurring Mental Illness and Substance Use Disorder, and at risk of homelessness or chronically homeless.

RFP Timeline

All submissions and clarifications must occur through Bonfire.

Intent to Bid Each bidder is responsible for indicating their intent to bid through the Ventura County Bonfire system at https://ventura.bonfirehub.com/opportunities/230206. To be able to submit a proposal, your organization must indicate its intent to bid. Any RFP addenda, Questions and Answers, or updated information will be made available through the Bonfire system.

Bidder RFP Questions All questions related to this RFP may be directed to the assigned VCBH Contracts Administrator through the Message section of the Bonfire system at https://ventura.bonfirehub.com/opportunities/230206. The VCBH Contracts Administrator facilitating this RFP is the only individual authorized to answer questions related to this RFP.

Bidder Bonfire Technical Support Any technical questions or issues related to the use of the Bonfire system may be sent to support@gobonfire.com.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Background and Need (Program Specific) Ventura County Behavioral Health (VCBH) is responsible for providing mental health and substance use disorder services to county residents who are Medi-Cal eligible, are experiencing a serious mental illness and/or substance use disorder. VCBH Substance Use Disorder Services provides a full range of Substance Use Disorder (SUD) treatment services and education for communities and residents through contracts with community-based organizations and County-operated clinics with the goal of promoting intervention, recovery and resiliency for individuals and families.

The transition into lasting recovery is often a difficult and emotionally trying journey for many people with a substance use disorder. Relapse rates for substance use disorders can be high and relapse can signify the necessity to reexamine a person’s course of treatment. The first 12 months of an individual’s recovery is the transitional period prior to the onset of sustained full remission, sometimes referred to as early recovery. Recovery houses are uniquely qualified to assist individuals in all phases of recovery, especially those in early recovery.

2.2 Nomenclatures

The terms Bidder, Vendor, or Proposer may be used interchangeably in this RFP to designate an organization interested in responding to this RFP. The terms RFP, RFP Solicitation, or Solicitation refer to all proposal documents and related addenda produced by VCBH and provided to prospective Bidders. The terms Successful Proposer, Successful Contractor, and Contractor may be used interchangeably in this RFP and shall refer exclusively to the organization with whom VCBH enters into a contract because of this RFP.

Standard definitions include:

· "Bidder," "Vendor," or "Proposer" refers to an organization submitting a proposal.

· "RFP" refers to this Request for Proposals and all related addenda.

· "Contractor" or "Successful Proposer" refers to the organization awarded a contract.

· "Supportive Services" refers to non-clinical services that assist individuals in obtaining, maintaining, and sustaining stable housing.

· "Housing Stabilization Services" include tenancy support, landlord engagement, and client skill-building.

· "PSH" (Permanent Supportive Housing) refers to long-term housing with supportive services for individuals with disabilities.

· "Interim Housing" refers to temporary housing such as shelters or bridge housing.

· "Housing Navigation" refers to services that help individuals identify, apply for, and secure housing.

· "Tenancy Support" refers to services that help individuals maintain housing and prevent eviction.

· "CalAIM" refers to California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal, including Community Supports and Enhanced Care Management (ECM).

· "BHSA" (Behavioral Health Services Act) refers to California's 2024 behavioral health reform requiring 30% housing investment.

· "Scatter-Site Housing" refers to individual housing units dispersed throughout the community.

· "Housing First" refers to the evidence-based approach that prioritizes rapid placement into permanent housing without preconditions.

Program-specific terms:

To increase access to safe, stable and affordable housing for individuals and families with mental health and/or substance use disorder diagnosis who are experiencing or at risk of experiencing homelessness. Through strategic landlord partnerships, coordinated referrals, integrated tenant support services the rental pool is intended to ensure that participants not only obtain housing, but are best equipped with the support and resources needed to retain their housing.

1.1 Program Goals and Objectives (Program Specific)

· Primary Goal: To provide a safe, substance-free shared living environment that supports sustained recovery and prepares individuals receiving VCBH services to secure permanent housing.

· Objectives:

· Provide a Substance-Free Environment Maintain a supervised shared living setting that is free from alcohol and illicit drug use.

· Promote Recovery Through Peer Support Facilitate structured peer support activities and community-building opportunities that strengthen recovery efforts.

· Enhance Independent Living Skills Support residents in developing the skills necessary to maintain sobriety, manage daily responsibilities, and transition successfully to permanent housing.

California Housing Requirements and Alignment This program must align with current California housing requirements:

· Proposition 1 (2024): Approved $6.4 billion bond for behavioral health infrastructure including treatment beds and supportive housing.

· BHSA (Behavioral Health Services Act - effective July 1, 2026): Requires counties to dedicate at least 30% of funds to housing interventions for individuals with serious mental illness (SMI) and substance use disorders (SUD).

· CalAIM Community Supports: Available housing services include Transitional Rent, Housing Transition Navigation Services, Housing Deposits, and Housing Tenancy and Sustaining Services.

· Housing First Principles: All housing programs must follow evidence-based, low-barrier, trauma-informed approaches that prioritize rapid housing placement without preconditions.

Bidder Eligibility Eligible bidders must:

1. Must have written policies and procedures for operations, facility requirements, admission procedures, staffing, etc. Must describe in detail their program plan.

1. Have at least 2 years of experience operating similar programing

1. Demonstrate capacity to serve our target population, that include individuals with a serious behavioral health condition and are experiencing housing instability

1. Comply with all VCBH, county, state, and federal regulations Suspension and Debarment and Exclusion To be eligible to submit a proposal, a bidder must not be listed as an ineligible person on the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General's List of Excluded Individuals/Entities from federal programs. VCBH will not review a proposal submitted by an individual or entity on either list.

Ventura County plans to use the following links to identify individuals and entities that are not eligible to contract with VCBH: http://exclusions.oig.hhs.gov/ and https://sam.gov/SAM/pages/public/searchRecords/search.jsf.

California Secretary of State Business Entities Search Business entities registered with the California Secretary of State must have an active status designation. Verify status at: https://businesssearch.sos.ca.gov/.

INSTRUCTIONS TO BIDDERS/RULES GOVERNING COMPETITION

Submittal Deadline Completed proposals should be submitted online through the Bonfire system (https://ventura.bonfirehub.com/opportunities/230206) no later than 5:00 p.m., May 8, 2026.

Bidders are allowed to submit more than one proposal with different methods of meeting the RFP requirements. If a bidder submits more than one proposal, one proposal must be marked "Base Proposal" and the others shall be marked "Alternate Proposal 1", "Alternate Proposal 2", etc.

Bidders are responsible for making certain their proposals are received on or before the proposal submittal deadline. The receiving time in the Bonfire System will be the governing time for acceptability of proposals—no late submittals will be allowed.

Proposal Response Bidders must submit their proposals and all required information and forms by the submittal deadline. Proposals failing to provide complete information may be deemed non-responsive.

Modification of Proposals If a Bidder wishes to make modifications to a proposal already submitted to VCBH online through the Bonfire System, they must withdraw the proposal to make modifications. It is the responsibility of the Bidder to ensure that modified proposals are resubmitted before the submittal deadline. Proposals cannot be changed or modified after the submittal deadline.

Opening of Proposals Proposals will not be opened publicly. However, a list of the names of the organizations that submitted a proposal will be available within a reasonable time after the submittal deadline.

Examination of the Request for Proposal Bidders should carefully examine the entire RFP, any addenda thereto, and all related materials. Bidders shall be presumed to be familiar with all specifications and requirements of this RFP.

Proposal Validity Proposals submitted hereunder shall be firm for 90 calendar days from the due date and through the initial 37-months period of operation.

Proposal Content/Format To be considered responsive, proposals should address all items identified in this RFP. Proposals should be prepared to provide a straightforward and concise discussion of the Bidder's ability to provide the services described in this RFP.

Please respond to this RFP solicitation on 8 1/2" X 11" paper using either Times New Roman or Arial font and no smaller than 12-point font size. Margins should be one inch all around. All pages must be numbered.

Costs Incurred in Responding VCBH will not pay any costs incurred in proposal preparation, presentation, demonstration, or negotiation. All costs of proposal preparation shall be borne by the bidder.

Addenda VCBH will issue written addenda in order to make changes, additions, or deletions to this RFP. Oral communications regarding this RFP will not be valid or binding. Addenda will be sent to all known Bidders that complete an intent to bid within the Bonfire System.

Confidential and Proprietary Data All materials received relative to this RFP will be kept confidential until such time an award is made, or the RFP is canceled, at which time all materials received will be made available to the public per the California Public Records Act.

Commitments, Warranty, and Representations The proposal submitted in response to this RFP will be included as part of the final contract. Bidders are cautioned that if a contract is awarded as a result of this procurement process, any written commitment by a bidder within the scope of this procurement shall be binding upon the bidder whether or not incorporated into a contract document. Failure of the bidder to fulfill any such commitment shall render the bidder liable for liquidated or other damages due to VCBH under the terms of the contract. For the purpose of this procurement, a commitment by a bidder includes:

· Any modification, affirmation, or representation as to the above, which is made by a bidder in or during the course of negotiation.

· Any representation by a bidder in a proposal, supporting document, or negotiations about the services to be performed (regardless of the fact that the duration of such commitment may exceed the duration of the contract).

Proposal Validation/Evaluation/Award Validation Proposals will be checked for the information required to conform with this RFP. The absence of required information may be cause for rejection.

Evaluation The successful bidder shall be chosen in accordance with criteria including: (1) Proven Performance, (2) Compliance with Contract Terms, (3) Support, (4) Requirements/Specifications, and (5) Cost.

Award The contract will be awarded to the Bidder offering the most advantageous proposal after consideration of all evaluation criteria set forth herein. VCBH reserves the right to award contracts to more than one Bidder as a result of this RFP, based on the needs of the department, qualifications of the proposals, and the scope of services required. The criteria are not listed in any order of preference. VCBH will establish an Evaluation Committee that will be responsible for evaluating all proposals received in accordance with the evaluation criteria. The Evaluation Committee may also:

· Contact and evaluate the Bidder’s and any subcontractor’s references

· Contact any Bidder to clarify any response

· Contact any current users of a Bidder’s services

· Solicit information from any available source concerning any aspect of a proposal

· Seek and review any other information deemed pertinent to the evaluation process.

VCBH reserves the right to establish weight factors that will be applied to the criteria depending upon order of importance. Weight factors and summary of evaluation scores will not be released until after award of the contract. VCBH will not be obligated to accept the lowest priced proposal, but will make an award in the best interests of VCBH after all factors have been evaluated. While VCBH intends to enter into a contract for these services, it will not be bound to do so. VCBH reserves the right to reject any or all proposals.

VCBH shall be the sole judge of the successful offers hereunder. VCBH reserves the right to award the contract to a Bidder that might not have submitted the lowest total price and negotiate with any or all Bidders. Bidders are advised that it is possible that an award may be made without discussion or any contact concerning the received proposals. Accordingly, proposals should contain the most favorable terms from a price and technical standpoint. DO NOT ASSUME that you will be contacted or afforded an opportunity to clarify, discuss, or revise your proposal.

Award will be by means of a written contract with the successful Bidder. A Notification of Intent to Award may be sent to any selected Bidder, but does not obligate VCBH to award the contracts until the completion of the entire RFP process. Award is contingent upon the successful negotiation of the final contract terms. Negotiations shall be confidential and not subject to disclosure to competing Bidders unless an agreement is reached. If contract negotiations cannot be concluded successfully, VCBH may negotiate with the next highest scoring Bidder or withdraw the RFP. County Board of Supervisor’s approval is required for all contracts that exceed $200,000.

The contractor shall not commence work until a meeting is held between representatives of the contractor and VCBH. The meeting will be held at VCBH, at a time and date to be established.

County Board of Supervisor's approval is required for all contracts that exceed $200,000.

Presentations Bidders may be invited to make presentations to VCBH, if needed.

Site Visits VCBH reserves the right to schedule site visits to bidder's facilities or current operational sites.

Additional Information VCBH may request additional information and will permit five (5) business days to comply with any such request.

Errors/Defects in Proposals If discrepancies or errors are found in a proposal, VCBH may reject the proposal. However, VCBH may at its sole option, correct any mathematical errors in price.

VCBH may waive any immaterial deviation or defect in a proposal. VCBH’s waiver of an immaterial deviation or defect shall in no way modify the RFP documents or excuse the bidder from full compliance with the RFP requirements, if awarded a contract.

Rejection of Proposals VCBH reserves the right to reject the proposal of any bidder who:

1. Previously failed to perform adequately for the County

1. Submits false, incomplete, or unresponsive statements

1. Is in default on payment of taxes, licenses, or other monies due to County

1. Submits a proposal that contains errors or discrepancies RFP Cancellation VCBH reserves the right to cancel this solicitation at any time, prior to the submittal deadline.

Protest Procedures For a protest to be considered, the protest must be made in writing, signed by the bidder’s authorized representative, and delivered to the VCBH Contracts Administrator at 1911 Williams Drive, Suite 200, Oxnard, CA 93036. The VCBH Contracts Administrator reserves the right to refuse to hear protestors who have not followed the procedures listed below.

The following conditions apply to proposal protest:

a. Before Proposal Submittal Deadline. Protests of specifications, terms, conditions, or any other aspects of the RFP solicitation must be made before the proposal submittal deadline.

b. After Proposal Submittal Deadline. Protests of award must be made, no later than five (5) calendar days after the aggrieved party knows or should have known of the facts giving rise to the protest.

c. Protest Content. All protests must include the following information:

1) The name, address, and telephone number of the protestor.

2) The signature of the protestor or protestor’s authorized representative.

3) The RFP solicitation or contract number.

4) A detailed statement of the legal and/or factual grounds for the protest.

5) The form of relief requested.

d. Protest Process

1) If the VCBH Contracts Administrator can resolve the issue, there is no further action required.

2) If there is no resolution, the issue will be referred to the VCBH Administrative & Financial Operations Chief for review and resolution. If the issue is resolved, there is no further action required.

3) If there is no resolution, the issue will be referred to the VCBH Director who will make a determination on the issue and render a determination. This determination will be final.

SCOPE OF WORK

Operation Guidelines:

· Interim Recovery Houses will not provide substance use disorder treatment.

· Will operate the program in accordance with Housing First model, prioritizing the rapid placement of individuals into housing, without preconditions such as, not require sobriety before entry, not require treatment participation as condition of housing, not terminate housing solely for relapse.

· Naloxone shall be readily available at each Recovery House at all times.

· Provide Interim Recovery Housing to adults enrolled in VCBH services, with a serious behavioral health condition, at risk of homelessness or chronically homeless, ages 18+, who meet the admission requirements, which provides shelter on a 24-hour basis and offers substance-free activities that promote recovery and facilitate mutual recovery support among clients in residence.

· A stay in Recovery House shall be determined by treatment need but will not exceed 12 months.

· Provide Interim Recovery Housing in a twenty-four (24) hour - seven (7) days a week operation and shall provide sufficient staffing as required to support this type of operation.

· Provide linkage to VCBH services, and other community resources, beneficial to be successful in maintaining their housing.

· At minimum have a “House Manager” available at all times either onsite at the facility or a “House Manager” who can be reached twenty-four (24) hours - seven (7) days a week in the event of an emergency and any other staff available, as determined necessary.

· Housing placements typically occur Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.

· May be required to accept placements after 5:00 pm and on weekends and/or holidays with prior notification and agreement.

· Provide adequate personal space for each resident

· All residents shall have access to the: kitchen, refrigerator, stove, dining room, laundry facilities, restrooms, and showers to ensure basic needs are met.

· Residents shall be trained and instructed in the facilities emergency procedures.

· Maintain all Federal, State and locally required, permits, licenses, clearances and certifications necessary for operation of services.

· The interim recovery housing program must operate in a manner consistent with evidence-based practices and must allow the use of all FDA-approved medications, including medications for addiction treatment (MAT). Residents using methadone, buprenorphine, naltrexone, or any other prescribed medication shall be afforded equal access to housing and may not be excluded based on medication status.

Facility Requirements:

· The facility must meet the National Standards for the Physical Inspection of Real Estate (NSPIRE), Habitability Standards and meet the Housing Quality Standards (HQS).

· Provide all facilities, facility management, supplies and other resources necessary to establish and operate the program.

· The facility utilized for services shall be as close to a normal home environment as possible without sacrificing client safety or care.

· Demonstrate legal possession of the facilities that will be used for interim Recovery Housing.

· Documentation may include a deed showing title or a lease agreement.

· Bedroom and dwelling occupancy may not exceed the dwelling’s legal capacity as defined by the town or city’s fire and safety codes that are applicable to all residences in the neighborhood.

· The facility shall appear neat and be in good repair.

· Provide on-going maintenance, repair, and or replacement, as needed, of flooring, paint, window coverings, appliances, fixtures, etc. The facility and grounds shall be maintained in a manner consistent with other homes in the neighborhood.

· The facility shall have living, sleeping, bathing and toilet areas enclosed by permanent walls, floors, ceilings and doors.

· The facility shall have sufficient space for Recovery Housing services such as:

· Sleeping areas adequate for each individual, as well as room for personal storage.

· Living room area with adequate space for clients to assemble for social or other group activities.

· Dining area suitably furnished for group or individual meal service.

· Bathrooms sufficient for the number of clients in residence.

· Outdoor areas.

· Kitchen facilities shall provide cooking and storage space to meet the needs of the facility and its clients.

· Staff and/or administrative offices, if necessary.

· Provide clean semi-private rooms for each adult client.

· Semi-private rooms and/or sleeping quarters shall be clean and in good repair.

· Sleeping areas shall be enclosed by permanent walls which extend from the floor to the ceiling and a permanent door.

· Obtain and/or maintain a facility location that will be appropriate and accessible and readily accessible by public transportation and be easily accessible to community services, educational resources, health care facilities, and employment opportunities, and shall be in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and California State Administration Code Title 24.

· The facility shall have laundry facilities (washers/dryers) on site.

· Provide basic supplies for basic living needs. (IE: paper towels, toilet tissue, hand soap, bath towels, bed linens, laundry soap, etc).

· Provide a telephone within the facilities complex that is available twenty-four (24) hours per day, seven (7) days per week for resident use.

· For the safety of clients:

· Install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in sufficient numbers and locations as required by safety codes and ensure they are functional at all times.

· Install fire extinguishers in, at minimum, the kitchen area.

· Clearly mark exit doors and ensure they are unobstructed at all times.

· Have first aid kits readily available in the facility.

· Facilities with 2nd floors shall have emergency fire ladders clearly marked.

· Train clients on the facilities’ safety procedures and their role in maintaining safety in the facility.

· Establish fire safety guidelines as part of the written policies, such as:

· No smoking in the facility.

· No accumulation of clutter in living and sleeping areas.

· Stoves and cooking areas shall be kept clean and free of grease accumulation.

· Designated smoking areas outside and guidelines for keeping them clean.

· Have written policies that limit access by individuals who are not clients, staff, volunteers, nor authorized visitors.

Regulations and Standards:

· Maintain compliance with all non-discrimination laws and regulations and follow admission policies that ensure clients are admitted to services regardless of anticipated outcomes.

· Programs are encouraged to align with the standards established by the California Consortium of Addiction Programs and Professionals (CCAPP) for a sober living environment (https://www.ccapp.us for more information) or align with the standards of the National Alliance for Recovery Residences (NARR) to ensure adherence to nationally recognized best practices of recovery housing.

· Ensure equal access to quality care by diverse populations.

· Ensure that Recovery Housing facilities are free of any non-prescription drugs that could be utilized in an illicit manner, including medical/recreational marijuana, as well as alcohol.

· Comply with all state and federal statutes and regulations regarding confidentiality, including but not limited to applicable provisions of Part 2, Title 42 Code of Federal Regulations: Welfare Institutions Code Sections 5328 et. seq., and 14100.2; Sections 11878, 11812 and 11977 of the Health and Safety Code and Title 22, California Code of Regulations Section 51009 and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA).

· Ensure staff is knowledgeable with Ventura County’s Grievance and Appeals policy and procedure and ensure any grievances/complaints made are referred to the County in accordance with these procedures.

· Ensure all incidents with clients are reported on the Unusual Occurrence/Incident Report, County form.

· Incidents can be, but are not limited to:

· Dangerous Behavior

· Medical/Injury

· Disturbance/Destruction of Property

· Victimized

· Death

· Dangerous Behavior – Self

· Sexual Behavior

· Other’s (not listed) All incidents shall be reported to supervision staff immediately. Provide completed Unusual Occurrence/Incident Report next day to county.

Written Procedures:

· Develop and/or maintain a written Personnel Policy and Procedures Manual in accordance with current VCBH standards. The written procedures and all updates shall be provided to all employees charging hours to this agreement. The written Personnel Policy and Procedures Manual shall be submitted to VCBH, upon request. A change to any part of the Personnel Policy and Procedures requires a written change in the manual and submission of all changes to VCBH, upon request.

· Develop a resident handbook to help ease clients transition into a Recovery Housing living environment and to assist in ensuring clients compliance with house rules.

· Develop a Recurrence of Use policy and submit this policy to VCBH for review and approval. Please submit a copy of the Recurrence of Use Policy with the proposal.

· Develop and maintain written procedures, forms and documents associated for:

· Admission to the program, which shall be available to the public upon request

· Guidelines for clients who are required to take prescribed medications and storage of prescribed medications

· Fire Safety, General Safety and Health Standards

· Resident Log

· The Resident Council

· Client’s role and responsibilities in the residence

· House Managers role and responsibilities in the residence

· House rules shall be conspicuously posted in the facility

· Client Termination from the program

· Phone use policy

· Outside Visitor Policies

· Neighborhood complaint protocol

· Recovery Residences Standards (for assistance in developing standards see: Certified Recovery Residence standards on the California Consortium of Addiction Programs and Professionals (CCAPP) website: https://www.ccapp.us or Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Recovery Housing: Best Practices and Suggested Guidelines. (www.samhsa.gov). The written procedures shall be submitted to VCBH. A change to any part of the written procedures requires a submission of all changes to VCBH.

Data Reporting:

· Submit a census (resident log) of Recovery Housing clients by the fifth (5th) working day of the month following the report month.

· Submit quarterly reports of average stay of residents, relapse incidents (non-punitive), exits, reason for exits

· VCBH may require other reports and/or documentation as deemed necessary.

Audits or Reviews:

· Conduct internal reviews and evaluations at least once every fiscal year as it relates to these Program Requirements (Scope of Work). Results of the review and any plans for correction shall be available for review by VCBH.

· Provide full cooperation in any auditing or reviews conducted by any authorized agency(ies), and/or VCBH Staff.

Staff Requirements and staffing levels:

Provide staffing levels and qualifications appropriate to meet the needs of the program and clients participating, including but not limited to:

· Administer staff and provide management systems and have a written Personnel Policy and Procedures Manual and written Recovery Housing policies and procedures.

· Submit a staffing plan, including number, type, and qualifications of staff. Staffing must be sufficient to provide the requested services.

· Program(s) shall recruit, hire, train and maintain staff.

· All staff providing services shall have the required criminal record review and clearance.

· Staff shall have regular periodic training that covers:

· Emergency Procedures

· Individual and Agency Emergency Preparedness

· Emotional Responses to Emergency

· Utility Shut-Off Procedures

· Fire Suppression and Proper Use of Fire Extinguishers

· Overdose response, including administering naloxone

· All staff shall be trained or shall have experience which provides knowledge of the skills required in the following areas, as appropriate to the job assigned, and as evidenced by safe and effective job performance:

· Housekeeping and sanitation principles

· Principles of communicable disease prevention and control

· Recognition of early signs of illness and the need for professional assistance

· Availability of community services and resources

· Recognition of individuals under the influence of alcohol and/or other drugs

· Co-occurring disorders and the close association these ailments have with substance use disorders and how co-occurring disorders and resulting symptomology can contribute to increasing a client’s susceptibility to relapse.

· Maintain a drug-free work environment. Staff shall be drug tested prior to hire. Drug test results shall be negative for illegal drug use. Results shall be maintained in the personnel file. Proposer(s) shall include a signed release by the staff member/volunteer/intern, per the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) that allows for drug testing information to be kept in the personnel file.

· All staff shall meet all personnel requirements as defined by the Department of Health Care Services, California Code of Regulations (CCR), Title 9, Division 4, Chapter 5, Subchapter 3, Article 2, Section 10564 Personnel Requirements guidelines)

· Recovery Housing residents shall not be used as substitutes for required staff.

· In order to effectively serve Ventura County residents, staff shall have the ability to address at minimum the most recent threshold languages of the County, whether by implementation of best practice, by having bilingual staff, or as a secondary process by utilizing formal interpreter services.

· Develop, maintain and implement an ongoing training program for all staff in addition to specific training related to their duties. Staff/volunteer/intern participation in training shall be documented and kept in the personnel file.

· Written Personnel Policy and Procedures Manual shall contain, at minimum, the following for all staff:

· Recruitment Procedures

· Screening and Selection Procedures

· Training and Orientation Process

· Personnel File Documentation Requirements

· Duties and Assignments (Job Description)

· Supervision and Evaluation Responsibilities

· Protection of Confidentiality Procedures

· Maintain complete personnel files for all staff.

· Personnel files contain confidential information and therefore shall be stored appropriately. They shall be made available to VCBH staff in any review and/or audit.

Recovery Housing Methodology Include at minimum:

· The methodology employed shall be approved by the VCBH Designee.

· Encourage and afford clients every opportunity to participate in self-help groups of their choice.

· Residents shall be provided the opportunity for participation in planned recreational activities on a voluntary basis.

· Each resident will be provided a copy of facility Code of Conduct and it shall be displayed in an area accessible and conspicuous to all clients and staff.

· Residents shall participate in monthly resident council meetings, facilitated by the House Manager.

· Notify VCBH either immediately (if during business hours) or no later than the following business day of any suspected violation(s) of program criteria by clients.

Recovery Housing Admission Criteria

· VCBH will refer Medi-Cal eligible individuals receiving VCBH services.

· Individuals shall have the ability to become part of a harmonious home environment, taking into consideration the needs of the individual clients and the characteristics of the existing clients in residence.

· Individuals shall be able to provide for their own personal care, including taking prescribed medications, following the prescription medication guidelines, and storage of prescribed medications.

· Individuals shall not display any acts of violence, or intentions to harm themselves or others.

Resident Information File

· Resident Information file shall contain, at minimum, but not be limited to:

· Basic personal information such as name, DOB, emergency contact, etc.

· Recognition of client rights, house expectations, grievance and complaint procedures.

· Any incident reports regarding resident

· Personal Data Form: which contains admission date and emergency contact Recovery Housing Termination Criteria Criteria for client termination from the program shall include, but not limited to:

· Violence, threats of violence, or aggressive and oppositional behaviors

· Drug-related misdemeanor or felony offenses occurring after entry into the program

· Violation of Resident Agreement

· Possession of a weapon Termination Criteria must be clearly defined in the written procedures.

Re-occurrence of use cannot be the sole reason a resident is terminated.

Administrative Requirements Must have the ability to maintain adequate files and records and meet statistical reporting requirements.

Must have the administrative and fiscal capability to provide and manage the proposed services and to ensure an adequate audit trail.

PROPOSAL REQUIREMENTS

Proposals must include responses to:

Organizational Profile and Qualifications (Maximum 3 pages) Required Information:

· Organization ownership, incorporation details, and office locations

· Number of employees locally and nationally

· Point of contact information for contract management

· Organization background and mission alignment

· Minimum 2 years experience providing similar services

· Description of previous programs including staff size, locations, dates, and outcomes

· Complete disclosure of any contract failures, litigation, or sanctions

· Self-disclosure of pending charges, convictions, or disciplinary actions Program Approach and Implementation Plan (Maximum 8 pages) Service Delivery Model:

· Detailed description of proposed delivery service and strategies to be employed Implementation Timeline:

· Staff recruitment and training timeline Staffing Plan and Organizational Capacity (Maximum 6 pages) Organizational Structure:

· Proposed staffing plan with roles, responsibilities, and FTE allocations

· Organizational chart showing reporting relationships

· Staff recruitment and retention strategies

· Supervision and professional development plans Key Personnel (provide resumes, job descriptions, salary information) Cultural Competency and Accessibility (Maximum 3 pages) Cultural Competency Framework:

· Approach to serving diverse racial, ethnic, and linguistic populations

· Staff training on cultural competency and implicit bias

· Accommodation strategies for clients with disabilities

· LGBTQ+ affirming practices and policies Language Access:

· Interpretation and translation services

· Bilingual staff capabilities

· Culturally adapted materials and resources Quality Assurance and Evaluation (Maximum 3 pages) Data Collection and Management:

· Data collection protocols and tools

· Data security and privacy protection measures

· Outcome measurement strategies

· Quality improvement processes Evaluation Participation:

· Commitment to participate in external evaluation

· Internal evaluation and monitoring systems

· Continuous quality improvement approach Budget and Financial Management (Use provided budget template) Required Budget Information:

· Detailed budgets for each contract period using Attachment A

· Cost-effective justification for each line item

· Indirect costs not to exceed 15% of direct salaries and benefits

· Cash flow and sustainability planning

· Detailed line-item budget that separates housing costs from other operational costs

The budgets should detail expenses using Attachment “A.” Tabs for “Direct Budget” expenses are to detail direct service staff, leadership and support staff, direct operational expenses, and indirect costs using the ‘Direct Budget’ tabs for each year of the contract. The total budget for each year should be entered on the orange tab labeled ‘RFP Budget – TOTAL’. For each budgetary line item, please include a description of the item, your calculations, amount, and any additional information that justifies the expense. Training costs should be included in the budget to accommodate any needed staff training as described in the submitted proposal.

PROPOSAL EVALUATION CRITERIA

Recommended scoring weights:

Technical Approach & Program Design -- 40%

· Quality and comprehensiveness of proposed service delivery model

· Alignment with program goals and objectives

· Innovation and creativity in program design

· Feasibility and sustainability of proposed approach Organizational Capacity & Experience -- 30%

· Demonstrated experience with similar populations and programs

· Organizational stability and track record

· Quality and qualifications of proposed staff

· Capacity to manage program requirements

· Appropriate facility location to proposed service area, availability of transportation, and facility layout.

Budget & Cost-Effectiveness – 20 %

· Budget reasonableness and cost-effectiveness

· Financial management capacity and controls

· Value proposition and return on investment Quality Assurance & Reporting -- 10%

· Data collection and evaluation plan quality

· Quality improvement and monitoring systems

· Commitment to accountability and transparency

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Submissions must be completed through Bonfire and include:

· Complete proposal

· Required attachments

· Budget template

· Proof of eligibility

CONTRACT TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Contract Structure

· One-year term with two optional one-year extensions

· Performance-based contract

· Payment on reimbursement basis (Net 60 days)

· VCBH contract terms (Attachment B) Performance Standards

· Monthly reporting and data submission

· Quarterly performance reviews

· Annual client satisfaction surveys

· Compliance with all applicable regulations Insurance Requirements

· General liability, professional liability insurance

· Workers' compensation coverage

· Minimum coverage amounts as specified in Attachment B Provider Agreement Contract Includes

· Contract term

· Insurance requirements

· Facility responsibilities (if applicable)

· ADA compliance

· Data privacy and confidentiality

· Monitoring and audits

QUESTIONS AND CLARIFICATIONS

All questions must be submitted through the Bonfire system message center by April 21, 2026. Questions and responses will be posted publicly for all potential proposers.

Contact: VCBH Contracts Administrator Technical Support: support@gobonfire.com

ATTACHMENTS

Attachment A: Budget Template (Excel workbook) Attachment B: Provider Agreement Attachment C: Key Staff Listing Template Attachment D: References Template Attachment E: Non-Collusion Affidavit All attachments are available through the Bonfire system at the URL provided above.

This RFP has been structured to promote fair competition among qualified providers while ensuring the best possible outcomes for individuals experiencing housing instability in Ventura County. VCBH reserves the right to reject any or all proposals and to negotiate with selected vendors.

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