Clinical_RFR_July_2024_FINAL_AMENDMENT_August 2024.docx

THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS

Executive Office of Health and Human Services Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission

600 washington Street, boston, Massachusetts 02111

Request for Response (RFR)

Document Title:

Clinical Services for Individuals with Disabilities

COMMBUYS Bid#: BD-25-1071-AO-02021-105669

Agency Document Number: MRC Clinical Services – 24

***Amendment – August 23rd, 2024*** MRC is adding the CORI Acknowledgement Form for individual providers to the required forms section. If you are an individual provider responding to this solicitation, please complete the CORI Acknowledgement Form – a member of the MRC team will be in touch (after vendor response is submitted electronically) to complete the Remote Verification Form attached to the CORI process for individuals according to agency protocol.

Please Note: This is a single document associated with a complete Bid (also referred to as Solicitation) that can be found on COMMBUYS (www.COMMBUYS.com). All Bidders are responsible for reviewing and adhering to all information, forms and requirements for the entire Bid, which are all incorporated into the Bid. Bidders also may contact the OSD Help Desk at OSDHelpDesk@mass.gov or by phone at 1-888-MA-STATE (627-8283). The OSD Help Desk is staffed from 8:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, Eastern Time, except during federal, state, and Suffolk County holidays.

Boston, MA 02111

Questions & Answers:

Questions must be posted on COMMBUYS by: Friday August 2, 2024, by 4:00 PM Eastern Standard Time (EST)

Responses to the questions received via COMMBUYS will be posted on COMMBUYS no later than Friday August 16, 2024, 4:00 PM EST.

Join Zoom Meeting https://massrehabcommission.zoom.us/j/98755167468?pwd=awwUAjFDlCyQloLZmUkbuRjtvyB6cs.1 Meeting ID: 987 5516 7468 Passcode: 631387 One tap mobile +13017158592,,98755167468# US (Washington DC) 13052241968,,98755167468#

COMMBUYS Helpdesk #: 1-888-627-8283 (8am - 5pm ET Monday - Friday)

ACQUISITION METHOD

MRC will qualify providers to provide services through this RFR. Qualifying to provide services does not guarantee referrals to services. The acquisition method(s) to acquire goods and/or services from this Solicitation is Fee for Service.

SINGLE DEPARTMENT PARTICIPATION

Check One (“X”):X

Eligible Entities

Only Procuring Department May Contract Under RFR

Option to Allow Other Departments to Contract Under Terms of RFR using separate contracts.

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

ANTICIPATED DURATION OF CONTRACT AND ANY RENEWAL OPTIONS

From: Month/Year – To: Month/Year

Anticipated Options to Renew

Two (2), Five (5) year options to renew

MRC also reserves the right to amend this contract if needed.

ANTICIPATED EXPENDITURES, FUNDING OR COMPENSATION FOR EXPECTED DURATION

Estimated Total Procurement Value Including Options to Renew up to $1,500,000.00.

Any and all unspent funds from the current and/or prior state fiscal year(s) shall not be carried forward and will not be available to the vendor in the following fiscal year for services and/or billing. A contract may be amended to allow for the expenditure of unspent funds only with MRC’s written approval.

NOTICE

This RFR covers all areas of the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission (MRC) except our Disability Determination Services (DDS) division. Our DDS division operates under the Social Security Administration protocol and at this time we have elected to exclude this division.

APPLICABLE PROCUREMENT LAW

This Bid is issued under the following law: Executive Branch Goods and Services: MGL c. 7, § 22; c. 30, § 51, § 52; 801 CMR 21.00.

Definition of Terms

· Key Personnel: Personnel directly responsible for management of the contract; or those personnel whose professional/technical skills are determined to be essential to the successful implementation of the contract.

· Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission or MRC: An agency-level organization within the Executive Office of Health and Human Services secretariat.

· Request for Responses or RFR: Shall refer to this RFR document’s procurement specification and referenced documents.

· Services: The activities engaged in by Bidder for fulfilling its obligations under the terms of this RFR, which may or may not result in the creation of a Deliverable.

· Standard Contract Form or SCF: A part of the contract resulting from this procurement governing the conduct of work

· Generic Statement of Work or gSoW: a document that provides a description of a given project’s requirements.

· Vendor (or Provider or Selected Bidder or Contractor): The Bidder who is selected and executes a contract or agreement under this RFR.

· Work Plan/Project Plan: A plan that includes project scope, schedule details, milestones, deliverables, and resource responsibilities.

PURPOSE OF PROCUREMENT

Together with stakeholders, partners, and allies, the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission works to expand what’s possible in the lives of people with disabilities. We collaborate, problem-solve, innovate, and bring about a better Massachusetts for everyone – one that is truly equitable, accessible, and inclusive.

MRC provides services that break down barriers and empower people with disabilities to live life on their own terms. We are innovators, change agents, and community builders who put the people we serve at the heart of everything we do. Our programs focus on training and employment, community living, and disability determination for federal benefit programs – interconnected services that are essential to the Commonwealth.

MRC employs approximately 800 individuals who serve over 128,000 people with disabilities across Massachusetts, providing services and supports that include vocational counseling, training and employment supports, job placement, benefits counseling, independent living supports, assistive technology, home modification, brain injury services, and home care assistance. Services are provided through three primary divisions: (1) Vocational Rehabilitation; (2) Community Living; and (3) Disability Determination Services. Funding for MRC is provided from multiple sources including federal funds, state funds, and grant awards. Additionally, MRC has multiple employer, vendor, and provider partners from across the Commonwealth.

Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission is conducting a competitive procurement to solicit multiple qualified providers, who will serve as a ready source, whenever the specified services are needed. Providers will be chosen from the qualified list to provide consultation and clinical services based on criteria such as geography, clinical needs and corresponding subspecialties, linguistic and cultural factors, specialized skills, demonstrated expertise and/or participant choice.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PROCUREMENT

Through this RFR, the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission’s (MRC) Community Living Division and Vocational Rehabilitation Division seek to recruit qualified Masters and Doctoral level clinicians to provide a range of specified assessment, consultation, and treatment services to individuals with disabilities. Specifically, MRC seeks qualified Individual Providers and Provider Organizations who can provide any or all the following clinical services to, or on behalf of, individuals with disabilities:

· Clinical Case Consultation

· Cognitive Remediation

· Family Assistance Services

· Mental Status Exams

· Neurobehavioral Assessment and Treatment

· Neuropsychological Evaluation

· Psychological Evaluation

· Psychotherapy

· Technical Assistance and Training

The objectives of this RFR are as follows:

To meet these objectives, MRC has developed this RFR to define and establish practice guidelines; clinical evaluation/treatment protocols; reporting requirements; and other methods for monitoring the delivery of services and insuring positive clinical outcomes.

Once providers are qualified to offer clinical services through this RFR, the provider’s information will be entered into an MRC clinical service provider database or the relevant Purchasing Department’s database of choice.

The Purchasing Department reserves the right to identify, follow-up or add additional tasks for the Respondent to perform related to the scope of this project. If the Purchasing Department exercises this right, the Parties will negotiate the scope and compensation for such additional tasks or change in scope and amend this Contract accordingly.

MRC may directly contract with vendors qualified under this RFR as needed for an annual obligation less than $10,000.00. Multiple contracts may be issued, focusing on specific groupings or consumers. Commonwealth Agencies are not required to obtain multiple quotes from multiple contractors prior to issuing an order, but it is strongly encouraged.

Alternatively, if MRC recognizes a need that has requirements not specifically or sufficiently addressed in the existing RFR, MRC may opt to issue a Request for Quotes under this RFR to further qualify vendors as to the specific, more isolated need and then issue a contract.

Ownership: Purchasing Department shall retain full ownership and is entitled to possession of the products, data, reports, and records created because of this RFR and any modifying Agreements thereafter. The vendor acknowledges that it does not retain any intellectual property rights in the deliverables related to this RFR, including proprietary data, and shall not disclose such data to any third party without the prior written consent of Purchasing Department or otherwise required by law.

General Procurement Requirements

This Request for Response (RFR) does not commit the Commonwealth of Massachusetts (Commonwealth) to pay any costs incurred in the preparation of the Bidder’s Quote or contract for products or services.

MRC reserves the right to accept or reject any and all responses received as a result of this RFR and to contract for a portion, all or none of the products and services described in this RFR. MRC further reserves the right to negotiate with any or all qualified Bidders and to cancel in part or in its entirety this RFR if it is in the best interest of MRC or the Commonwealth to do so.

MRC reserves the right to amend this RFR at any time prior to the date responses are due. Any such amendment will be posted to the Commonwealth’s procurement web site, COMMBUYS, at www.commbuys.com. Bidders are reminded to check the COMMBUYS site regularly, as postings to this site will be the sole method used for notification of changes as well as for any clarifications of the RFR that MRC might issue. All Responses and related documents submitted in response to this RFR become public records and are subject to the Massachusetts Public Records law, M.G.L. c.66, §10 and M.G.L. c.4, §7, subsection 26. Any statements in submitted Quotes that are inconsistent with these statutes will be disregarded.

All Responses submissions, regardless of whether a contract is awarded to a Bidder, become the property of MRC. MRC will not return to Bidders any Responses or materials they submit in response to this RFR.

This project will require the selected Vendor(s) to sign a Statement of work (SOW) indicating that the vendor will provide specific services with incorporated elements of this RFR as well as agreed upon provisions of the Vendor’s response.

Bidders are prohibited from communicating directly with any employee or contractor of the Agency concerning this RFR except as specified. No other individual Commonwealth employee or representative is authorized to provide any information or respond to any question or inquiry concerning this RFR for any purpose.

Failure to provide all required state forms will automatically deem the bidder disqualified (i.e., missing documentation such as, but not limited to, SBPP, SDP, CASL, W9, etc.).

SPECIFICATIONS

Qualifications

1. INDIVIDUALS and AGENCIES All respondents to this RFR are required to prepare and submit an application and supporting documents, as stipulated in Appendix B1 of this RFR in order to be determined qualified to provide the clinical services delineated below.

All respondents are expected to be Massachusetts-licensed, or otherwise certified, clinicians and to have met all requirements specified by the licensing/certification board, relevant to their discipline. Specifically, qualified providers will hold an active Massachusetts license or certification as one of the following:

ALLIED MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONAL: Qualified providers are licensed by the Board of Registration of Allied Mental Health Professionals as a Mental Health Counselor, Marriage and Family Therapist, Rehabilitation Counselor, or Educational Psychologist.

CLINICAL NEUROPSYCHOLOGIST: Qualified providers are licensed by the Board of Registration of Psychologists. In addition, approved providers of neuropsychological assessment and treatment services are expected to have met the educational, as well as pre-doctoral and post-doctoral clinical experiential/training requirements, recommended by the International Neuropsychological Society and Division 40 (Clinical Neuropsychology) of the American Psychological Association.

NURSE: Qualified providers are licensed as RNs by the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing and may also be certified as clinical nurse specialists or nurse practitioners.

PSYCHOLOGIST: Qualified providers are licensed by the Board of Registration of Psychologists.

SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGIST: Qualified providers are licensed by the Massachusetts Department of Education.

SOCIAL WORKER: Qualified providers are licensed by the Board of Registration of Social Workers at one of the following levels: Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) or Licensed Certified Social Worker (LCSW).

CERTIFIED ALCOHOL AND DRUG COUNSELOR II (CADC-II): Must have a master’s degree in counseling and an established private practice and must be certified by the Massachusetts Board of Substance Abuse Counselor Certification (MBSACC), the MA chapter of IC&RC (International Certification and Reciprocity Consortium).

LICENSED ALCOHOL AND DRUG COUNSELOR I (LADC-I): Must be licensed by the Bureau of Substance Addiction Services (a division of the Department of Public Health).

CLINICAL SUPPORT SERVICES TO MRC PARTICIPANTS WITHIN THE COMMUNITY LIVING (CL) AND VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION (VR)DIVISIONS OF MRC Clinical Consultants may be requested to provide the following services:

Clinical case consultation to CL and VR programs and staff Review of clinical records and other documentation for the purpose of addressing clinical concerns Cognitive Remediation Family Assistance Services Mental Status Exam Neurobehavioral Assessment and Treatment Neuropsychological Evaluation Psychological Evaluation Psychotherapy Technical Assistance and Training

CLINICAL SUPPORT SERVICES DEFINITIONS & DETAILS REGARDING QUALIFYING PROVIDERS

A. Clinical case consultation to CL and VR programs and staff The work product will be defined by a program designee and will be dependent upon the nature of the requested service.

B. Case Review

Case review by record includes a comprehensive reading of historical, diagnostic and other clinical information, as well as records pertaining to a participant’s educational, rehabilitative, and vocational history. This service may be requested to assist in providing a context/foundation for determining the need for, or providing, additional assessment and treatment services that may be indicated, or requested by a participant, or their family/guardian. Case reviews may also be conducted as a prerequisite to provide participant-specific technical assistance or clinical consultation services to MRC staff. (See section regarding Technical Assistance and Training).

Case review in person will include at least one interview with the individual. Other parties interviewed may include family, significant others, provider staff supporting the individual, and MRC staff supporting the individual.

Provider Qualifications: All clinicians qualified through this RFR may be requested to provide this service.

Work Product: The information derived from a comprehensive case review, and when indicated, recommendations, are summarized in a typed consultation note which is submitted to referring MRC staff.

C. Cognitive Remediation

Description: This rehabilitative service is provided to Purchasing Department participants who exhibit residual neurocognitive impairments resulting from acquired brain injuries or congenital disorders known to be associated with varying degrees of cognitive compromise. Based upon comprehensive neuropsychological test findings, Purchasing Department participants are provided training in developing and utilizing compensatory memory, organizational, and other executive skill strategies. In some instances, improved cognitive functioning is facilitated via assistive technology devices.

Provider Qualifications: Doctoral and master’s level clinicians who are trained and experienced in providing this service and who have qualified through this RFR.

Work Product: A typed report which includes a clinical history and proposed treatment plan is submitted to the referring Purchasing Department staff person. Upon approval of the proposed plan, treatment services are authorized. Progress reports are submitted as directed by the referring Purchasing Department staff person, and a final report is also submitted upon conclusion of treatment.

D. Family Assistance Services

Description: Family Assistance Services provide short-term assessment of the needs of the participant and their family that support their positive adjustment to the changes that accompany brain injury. This may include: a) short-term counseling provided to family members of State Wide Head Injury Program (SHIP) participants to assist families in understanding the cognitive and behavioral consequences of acquired brain injury (ABI); b) a recommendation for the development, implementation, and monitoring of participant neurobehavioral management plans, designed for home or community-based implementation; c) assistance in identifying clinical needs and accessing appropriate clinical services for the individual, (e.g., neurology, pharmacology, psychiatry) or the family (e.g., family or individual counseling), as well as other services/entitlements that would support the positive stabilization of the participant and their family.

Provider Qualifications: These services are provided by doctoral and masters-level clinicians, with specific training and clinical experience in family counseling, behavioral treatment, and/or clinical neuropsychology, as well as diagnosis-specific knowledge regarding the neurobehavioral/neurocognitive consequences of brain injury.

Work Product: Based upon an initial assessment and case review, the clinician is expected to generate a brief report which details the clinical issues to be addressed and a proposed treatment plan. Upon approval of the proposed plan by the involved SHIP supervisor or designee, treatment services are authorized. At the conclusion of Family Assistance Services, a Final Report is generated and submitted to the Purchasing Department referring staff member.

If a neurobehavioral management plan is indicated, a referral for this service may be initiated by the involved SHIP staff member.

E. Mental Status Exam

Description: Comprehensive mental status examinations may be requested as an individual service, or in the context of a psychological or neuropsychological evaluation. It is expected that the protocol to be utilized for this structured diagnostic clinical interview be consistent with those recommended in standard psychiatric references (e.g., Mental Status Examination in Neurology by Straub and Black; Comprehensive Textbook of Psychiatry by Kaplan and Sadock). Projective testing measures may also be utilized to supplement the diagnostic interview, when indicated/appropriate.

Provider Qualifications: This service is provided by qualified clinical neuropsychologists, or other licensed psychologists who have qualified through this RFR.

Work Product: The interpretative results of the Mental Status Examination and projective testing (if administered) are summarized in a typed report, which is submitted to the referring Purchasing Department staff member.

F. Neurobehavioral Assessment and Treatment

Description: Referrals are made for these services in response to behavioral dysfunction, associated with an acquired brain injury or a congenital/developmental disorder, which compromises the acquisition of vocational, independent living, or other functional skills. Protocols for assessment and treatment are consistent with standard practice guidelines within the field of behavioral psychology. Treatment plans may be developed for implementation within a participant’s home (e.g., Family Assistance Services), residential program, vocational placement, or another community-based program.

Provider Qualifications: This service is provided by qualified neuropsychologists, or other licensed psychologists, with demonstrated expertise in behavioral assessment and treatment.

Work Product: Neurobehavioral treatment protocols and supporting data, progress reports, and a final report at the conclusion of treatment are developed, typed, and submitted to the referring staff member at Purchasing Department.

G. Neuropsychological Evaluation

Description: Purchasing Department participants who are referred for comprehensive neuropsychological evaluation may exhibit a history of acquired brain injury (e.g., traumatic brain injury, stroke), developmental disorder (e.g., learning disabilities, ADHD) or congenital disorder (e.g., Klinefelter’s Syndrome). The results of neuropsychological testing provide an empirical basis for: a) vocational planning and skill development; b) developing and implementing cognitive remediation interventions; c) monitoring recovery from a neurological insult; d) differential diagnosis (i.e., psychiatric vs neurological disorder); and e) developing individual service plans.

Provider Qualifications: This service may only be provided by MRC qualified clinical neuropsychologists as defined in this RFR.

As an exception to above noted provider qualifications, a qualified clinical neuropsychologist/psychologist may utilize testing technicians to support this work product if the following parameters are met:

· The use of testing technicians is permitted per the statutes and regulations governing psychologists in Massachusetts.

· The technician is trained to perform the individual tests.

· The psychologist selects the specific tests to be included in the assessment.

· The technician performs the tests under the direct, personal and continuous supervision of the psychologist who must assume professional responsibility for the tests performed.

· The psychologist personally interprets the tests and writes the evaluation report.

· The testing technician is directly employed by the provider and is not a student or trainee.

· Testing technician and neuropsychologist/psychologist hours must be clearly identified and billed accordingly. Testing technician rates follow the rate structure identified for master’s level clinicians.

Work Product: A comprehensive report, which includes the clinical history, behavioral observations, quantitative results, and qualitative interpretation of findings is generated and submitted in a timely fashion to the referring Purchasing Department team member.

H. Psychological Evaluation

Description: This category of service includes intelligence, projective, and other personality assessments, as well as educational diagnostic testing (e.g., for assessment of learning disabilities.)

Provider Qualifications: This service may only be provided by certified school psychologists, clinical neuropsychologists, or other licensed psychologists.

As an exception to above noted provider qualifications, a qualified clinical neuropsychologist/psychologist may utilize testing technicians to support this work product if the following parameters are met:

· The use of testing technicians is permitted per the statutes and regulations governing psychologists in Massachusetts.

· The technician is trained to perform individual tests.

· The psychologist selects the specific tests to be included in the assessment.

· The technician performs the tests under the direct, personal and continuous supervision of the psychologist who must assume professional responsibility for the tests performed.

· The psychologist personally interprets the tests and writes the evaluation report.

· The testing technician is directly employed by the provider and is not a student or trainee.

· Testing technician and neuropsychologist/psychologist hours must be clearly identified and billed accordingly. Testing technician rates follow the rate structure identified for master’s level clinicians.

Work Product: A comprehensive report, which includes a clinical history, behavioral observations, quantitative results, and qualitative interpretation of findings, is generated in a timely fashion, as required by the Purchasing Department.

I. Psychotherapy

Description: Purchasing Department refers participants for short-term individual and group psychotherapy to address psychological/psychiatric concerns/problems which compromise the acquisition of vocational, independent living and other rehabilitation goals. For participants who require long-term treatment and/or psychiatric support services, referrals are made to community-based programs reimbursed by third party payers or other publicly funded services (e.g., Medicaid-funded services and/or clinics, DMH programs).

Provider Qualifications: This service may be provided by licensed allied mental health professionals, psychologists, and social workers with demonstrated training and experience in providing psychotherapy, preferably to persons with acquired brain injury, developmental/congenital disorders, or other disabling conditions.

Work Product: Based upon an initial assessment and case review, the clinician is expected to generate a proposed Psychotherapy Treatment Plan, which is submitted to the referring MRC staff person. Upon approval of the proposed plan, treatment services are authorized, and/or the coordinator will connect the participant with services available through other sources, such as MassHealth. Progress reports are submitted as directed by the Purchasing Department representative, and a final report is submitted upon conclusion of treatment.

J. Technical Assistance and Training

Description: Technical assistance and training are provided to Department staff, program facilities, schools, hospitals, other state agencies, and community-based service providers to facilitate their serving persons who exhibit a wide range of disabling conditions. Technical assistance and training may be general (e.g., overview of traumatic brain injury) or participant-specific and include the presentation of diagnosis-specific information; assistance with developing treatment, individualized educational, service, and transition plans; presentation of guidelines for rehabilitative, clinical, vocational, behavioral, and/or educational management.

Provider Qualifications: All qualified clinicians, as defined in this RFR, may be requested to provide this service, depending upon their specific training and/or clinical experience as determined by MRC.

Work Product: Upon completion of a technical assistance service or training program, a Technical Assistance/Training Report form is completed and submitted to the referring Purchasing Department staff person. A typed consultation note, which summarizes interventions provided/recommended, is required upon completion of a participant-specific technical assistance service.

CORI Checks Individual Providers responding to the RFR must participate in the CORI screening process consistent with agency policy/practice and/or as noted elsewhere in RFR.

Likewise, Provider Organizations are expected to comply with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts CORI check process for clinicians who are providing contracted services under this RFR.

Changes in Provider Status Qualified providers are expected to inform the MRC of any significant changes in their provider status including, but not limited to, the following:

c. change of address and/or business phone numbers

d. change in availability or inability to continue to provide services

e. change in provider status, with respect to insurers (e.g., HMO’s, Medicaid, Medicare, etc.)

Such changes should be reported, in writing, and addressed to the RFR Program Contact Person/Coordinator at the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission, 600 Washington Street, Boston MA 02111 or sent to the Purchasing Department’s program contact via the email addressed identified in the resulting Statement of Work or contract. The RFR Contact Person/Coordinator will then notify the Contracts Department and/or Legal Department of such changes in provider status, as relevant. The RFR Program Contact Person/Coordinator for this RFR is Rosa Rodriquez who can be reached at rosa.rodriquez2@mass.gov

Each clinician is responsible to submit to MRC current licensure at the time of required renewal to verify that providers remain licensed in good standing.

Multiple Contracts and the State Ethics Commission Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 268A, governs the conduct of public officials, employees and contractors with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. All providers must abide by these state laws. Provider organizations may hold more than one contract with the same state agency and other agencies, counties or municipalities. However, individual providers, including those who work for provider organizations, may be considered a state employee or a special state employee for the purposes of the conflict of interest law and therefore may be prevented from holding more than one contract or position with the same state agency, county or municipality Providers are encouraged to secure an opinion from the State Ethics Commission regarding any conflicts that may exists as a result of securing a contract pursuant to this RFR. Securing such an Ethics Ruling is strictly the provider’s responsibility.

Professional Conduct Providers are expected to uphold and comply with the ethical principles, codes of conduct, and practice guidelines stipulated by their respective professional organizations and licensing boards.

Licensed clinicians working with Purchasing Department participants are responsible for knowing, understanding, and complying with Massachusetts laws & regulations (e.g., obligatory, mandated reporting laws) pertaining to the practice of their profession.

Clinicians are expected to immediately report any instances of suspected abuse or neglect of Purchasing Department participants to the designated state agency responsible for investigating any instances of abuse or neglect.

Performance Requirements and Contract Monitoring

Awarded bidders will be required to provide updates to the Purchasing Department as requested, participate in periodic utilization reviews, and submit reports as requested. Providers may be expected to provide Purchasing Department data related to outcomes, metrics, progress measures, staff salaries, and other information upon request related to the performance and financing of services provided under the contract.

Performance Measures

The Purchasing Department reserves the right to revise performance measures during the life of this RFR. The vendor will be evaluated on timely and adequate completion of the required project deliverables specified in this RFR including but not limited to:

The following areas constitute minimum performance criteria that are important to MRC and will be monitored by the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission, or the specific Purchasing Department where procured: Timeliness of responding to referrals, and scheduling services; timely submission and comprehensive, valuable quality of proposed plans, progress notes, reports, and/or recommendations.

Performance Targets

All documentation, material, electronic files, etc. should conform to the latest Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) standards, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) guidelines, and Section 504 and Section 508 guidelines for Accessibility. This includes materials designed to work with various screen readers (e.g.: JAWS, NVDA), closed captioning, etc.

Fiscal Specifications The fiscal considerations below will not be applicable until after the completion of the qualification process and initiation of the referral process.

This procurement will be an open procurement and providers may be qualified throughout the duration of the procurement cycle. Contract(s) will NOT have a Maximum Obligation Amount (Rate Contract).

The Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission will hold funds in a Master Agreement (MA). A qualified Individual Clinician or Provider Organization providing clinical services must have an executed contract prior to delivery of and invoicing for services.

Rates of Reimbursement

The rates of reimbursement are specified by discipline below.

Psychologist/Neuropsychologist (Ph.D. in psychology, residency/internship in psychology/neuropsychology) A. See “Psychologist/Psychiatrist-PHD Level” in regulation 101 CMR 420, Rates for Long-Term Residential Services

MA Clinician (LMHC, LICSW, CDAC-II, LADC-I, Allied Mental Health Professionals noted above, and Testing Technicians) A. See “Level 4 Clinical Team Specialist”, in regulation 101 CMR 424 Rates for Certain Developmental and Support Services B. See “Level 5 Clinical Team Specialist”, in regulation 101 CMR 424 Rates for Certain Developmental and Support Services

Nursing, RN A. See Regulation 101 CMR 420

Third Party Payers When possible, consultants will be requested to bill third party payers (e.g., private insurance, Medicaid, Medicare, etc.) for services provided. When the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission is the source of payment, consultants are reimbursed in accordance with the policies established by the Massachusetts Division of Health Care Finance and Policy, unless otherwise noted in the Specifications section of this RFR.

Travel Reimbursement Providers will be reimbursed for travel time as follows:

1. It is expected that providers will travel approximately one-half hour, each way, from their point of origin to their place of consultation without reimbursement.

2. If a provider travels more than this ½ hour, each way, from and to their point of origin, travel time beyond a total of one hour will be reimbursed at their hourly rate of consultation. Travel is reimbursed on a prorated basis, reflecting actual travel time.

3. Consultants will bill for this time on the same payment voucher (PV) form they submit for the services they delivered. Travel time will be included as part of the actual consultation service. Backup documentation should be attached to the PV form, which specifies travel time, case review time and actual service time.

“No Shows” On occasion, providers will encounter “no-shows”, when the participant will miss or forget a scheduled appointment/meeting with the provider. When a “no show” occurs on a scheduled visit with the participant, the provider will be reimbursed 50% of compensation for service(s) that would have been reimbursed if the service was rendered according to the service authorization/referral details plus travel when applicable. The provider must notify the referring Purchasing Department staff immediately that the appointment was missed in order to request payment.

Changes in Scope/Additional Responsibilities MRC, or the Purchasing Department shall have the option, at its sole discretion, to modify, increase, reduce or terminate any activity related to any contract that may result from this RFR whenever, in the judgment of the Purchasing Department, the objectives of this procurement have been modified or altered in a way that necessitates such changes.

MRC may determine that additional work products or new initiatives are necessary to accomplish the objectives of this RFR or that certain items are not required or must be substantially modified. The Vendor(s) and the Purchasing Department may negotiate amendments to the contract that are in the best interests of the Commonwealth.

The Purchasing Department will provide prior written notice of any such action to the Vendor, and the parties will negotiate the effect of such changes in scope on the schedule and payment terms. No compensation shall be owed, nor credits given, until the parties reach agreement on the modified Change Order or contract amendment. Such Change Order or contract amendment, when approved, shall detail the changes, the cost impact (if any) and the timeline impact (if any).

CULTURAL COMPETENCE

MRC is committed to awarding contracts to providers and organizations that demonstrate cultural competence. This can be evidenced through:

Bidder’s Commitment: The bidding entity has a formalized commitment to creating an environment that supports services for cultural and linguistic minority populations through its mission and goals.

Participant Services (as applicable): Bidder has program policies that include language that contributes to enhancing equal access to services for all individuals residing in the Commonwealth. If the program does not have bilingual/bicultural staff, there are mechanisms in place to respond to inquiries and serve people in languages other than those of the staff.

Bidder Employees: Bidder’s employees and volunteers, especially those who have direct contact with participants, should reflect a diversity of culture and language. Services to non-English speaking clients are provided by bilingual/bicultural employees. Policies on recruitment, screening, and interviewing encourage hiring of individuals whose cultural and linguistic backgrounds are appropriate to the participant it serves. If the bidder does not have bilingual/bicultural employees, whether extensive training is provided to ensure sensitive and appropriate prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation services.

For MRC, cultural competence includes the capacity to provide services to non-English speaking clients who speak one or more of the following underserved languages: American Sign Language (ASL), Spanish, Portuguese, Haitian Creole, Russian, Khmer, Vietnamese, and Mandarin Chinese. Bidder’s organization policies and procedures should contribute to the cultural competence of the organization at the staff and leadership levels.

Bidders should ensure that documentation, materials, electronic files, etc. conform to the latest Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) standards, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) guidelines, and Section 504 and Section 508 guidelines for Accessibility. As appropriate, this should include making sure that materials are designed to work with various screen readers (e.g.: JAWS, NVDA), closed captioning, etc.

Equal Employment Opportunity Plan (Organizational applicants only): An EEOP details your organization’s efforts to employ people with disabilities and minorities. Bidders who have an EEOP should include it with their submission.

Small Business Purchasing Program (SBPP)

Program Background. The Massachusetts Small Business Purchasing Program (SBPP) was established pursuant to Executive Order 599 to increase state contracting opportunities with small businesses having their principal place of business within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Pursuant to the SBPP, it is the intention of the issuing department to award this Small Procurement to one or more SBPP participating business(es) as described below.

SBPP Award Preference. While all businesses, no matter the size or principal place of business, may submit responses to this solicitation, should an SBPP participant respond and meet the best value criteria as described in this solicitation, the SBPP participant shall be awarded the contract. The Strategic Sourcing Services Team (SST) will not evaluate submissions from non-SBPP participants unless no SBPP Bidder meets the SSST’s best value evaluation criteria.

SBPP Participation Eligibility. To be eligible to participate in this procurement as an SBPP participant, an entity must meet the following criteria, and be marked as an SBPP registered business in COMMBUYS:

1. Have its principal place of business in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

2. Been in business for at least one year.

3. Employ a combined total of 50 or fewer full-time equivalent employees in all locations, or employees work less than a combined total of 26,000 hours per quarter; and

4. Have gross revenues, as reported on appropriate tax forms, of $15 million or less, based on a three-year average.

Non-profit firms also must be registered as a non-profit or charitable organization with the MA Attorney General’s Office and be up to date with all filings required by that office and be tax exempt under Section 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code.

SBPP Compliance Requirements. It is the responsibility of the Bidder to ensure that their SBPP status is current at the time of submitting a response and throughout the life of any resulting contract. Misrepresentation of SBPP status will result in disqualification from consideration, and may result in debarment, contract termination, and other actions. To learn more about the SBPP, including how to apply, visit the SBPP Webpage.

Program Resources and Assistance. Bidders and Contractors seeking assistance regarding SBPP may visit the SBPP webpage, http://www.mass.gov/sbpp, or contact the SBPP Help Desk at sbpp@mass.gov.

Forms Review Process Please be advised that you may be required to provide some forms electronically in a particular format as part of the Forms Review Process. It is not an indication of selection for award. It initiates after the responses have been received and happens independently of the scoring and award process.

Electronic Signatures for the Standard Contract Form Electronic Signatures for the Standard Contract Form are required only after decisions have been made regarding awarding a contract.

Upon selection, bidders will receive a Standard Contract Form for signature. No services should be rendered until the bidder is notified that the contract process is complete.

Applicable Laws: The Vendor/Provider/Bidder/Contractor shall comply with all applicable state laws and regulations including but not limited to the applicable Massachusetts General Laws; the Official Code of Massachusetts Regulations; Code of Massachusetts Regulations (unofficial); 801 CMR 21.00 (Procurement of Commodity and Service Procurements, Including Human and Social Services); 815 CMR 2.00 (Grants and Subsidies); 808 CMR 1.00 (Compliance, Reporting and Auditing for Human And Social Services); AICPA Standards; confidentiality of Department records under G.L. c. 66A; and the Massachusetts Constitution Article XVIII if applicable.

The Vendor/Provider/Bidder/Contractor shall also comply with Federal Anti-Lobbying and Other Federal Requirements such as, but not limited to, 2 CFR 200 Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards, the so-called Uniform Guidance.

The providers that MRC contracts with agree to submit Uniform Financial Reports accurately and on a timely basis as required by regulation.

During the term of this Agreement and for a period of six years thereafter, the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission, its auditors, the Operational Services Division, the Office of the Inspector General or other authorized representatives shall be afforded access at reasonable times to Provider's accounting records, including sales information on any system, reports or files, in order to audit all records relating to goods sold or services performed pursuant to this Agreement. If such an audit indicates that Provider has materially overcharged the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission, then the Provider shall remit the overcharged amount and be responsible for payment of any costs associated with the audit.

DEBRIEFINGS AND APPEALS

Any Bidder that has filed an Eligible Response, but that is not selected may request a debriefing to understand the basis for the decision and review all materials relevant to the review and the qualification and selection process. The request must be in writing and received within 14 calendar days of notification of such being sent to the Bidder. A Bidder aggrieved by the decision must participate in a debriefing as a prerequisite to filing a request for an administrative appeal. All requests for a debriefing must be sent by certified mail and addressed to:

If a debriefing is properly requested, one will be scheduled within 14 calendar days of the date the request was received. If necessary, a brief extension shall be allowed by mutual agreement of the Bidder and MRC. At the debriefing, a Bidder shall be allowed to review public records directly related to the selection decision.

A Bidder that is not selected and who attends a debriefing may appeal the decision to the Director of Procurement of MRC. Requests for appeal must be sent by certified mail and addressed to:

The appeal must be filed within 14 calendar days of the debriefing meeting. The appeal must be in writing specifying the basis for the appeal and it must be based on one or more of the following grounds:

a) The procurement failed to comply with applicable regulations and guidelines. These are limited to the requirements of 801 CMR 21.00 or any successor regulations, the policies in the Operational Services Division (OSD) Procurement Information Center, subsequent policies and procedures issued by OSD and the specifications of the RFR; or

b) There was a fundamental unfairness in the procurement process.

The burden of proof rests with the Bidder to provide sufficient and specific evidence in support of its claim.

Requests for an appeal must specify in sufficient detail the basis for the appeal. Sufficient detail requires the identification of an applicable regulation or guideline that was not complied with or the specific facts that demonstrate that the procurement was unfair. MRC reserves the right to reject appeal requests based on grounds other than those stated above, or those submitted without sufficient detail on the basis for the appeal.

Administrative appeals are not subject to the formal procedures specified in M.G.L. c. 30A, §§ 10 & 11. A pending appeal will not prohibit MRC from proceeding with the selected Bidder, awarding a contract or making referrals to the selected Bidder.

Acceptance/Denial of the Appeal Within 21 calendar days of the receipt of request for an appeal, MRC will schedule a hearing date or notify the Bidder…