D49C6CEB-562B-419A-9F06-CF1749CF5506.pdf

2026 Home and Community Based Therapy RFP

7/20/26

1.1 Scope

The City of Columbus, Columbus Public Health’s (CPH) Neighborhood Social Services (NSS) division is seeking proposals to establish a contract to develop culturally sensitive and trauma-responsive counseling for clients served within NSS.

Clients referred must be contacted within 48 hours of the referral, with at least 3 contact attempts. Crisis services and appointments should be provided within 1 week of referral.

1.2 Classification

The contract resulting from this bid proposal will provide up to 12 free counseling services for families referred from the NSS team.

Columbus Public Health will provide referrals and oversee other referral sources for approval.

1.3 Applicant Eligibility Requirements

Have a City of Columbus Contract Compliance Number; register with Vendor Services to obtain a number (the agency must be “Contract Compliance in Status Active”);

Not be debarred or suspended from working on federally assisted projects or projects in Ohio or with the City of Columbus;

Have an active registration with the Ohio Secretary of State to due business in the State of Ohio;

Have the capacity to commence services by September 1, 2026;

Have the proven capacity to implement professional services to provide culturally sensitive and trauma-responsive mental health services. Have the capacity to offer therapy in different languages and have a diversely represented staff that can be verified in proposal;

Must have the capacity to offer in-home, community, and in-office services based on client preferences.

2.1 Proposal Info

$20,000 has been allocated for 20 families and individuals to receive counseling services, provided to both youth and adults. Contractor will also provide a learning opportunity at the end of the contract to share important lessons and takeaways for NSS staff. Vendor should utilize a documented evidenced based modality for all services. Vendors must be able to support families and youth at risk for violence utilizing Multisystemic Therapy, Family Functional

Therapy, and utilize creative therapies to connect and engage with those less acclimated to therapy. CPH is requesting proposals from qualified vendors to provide mental health services according to the specification requirements herein and will provide all referrals. objectives, and scheduling of the Vendor responsible for contingency planning for continuity of care for clients should funding not be re-awarded.

2.2 Background

NSS supports youth, individuals, and families that face a variety of challenges including socioeconomic challenges, youth at risk for violence, trauma, and loss. This contract will support improved access to therapy and supportive coordination with NSS staff for better outcomes and wellness. Current barriers to care include long waitlists and lack of culturally sensitive practitioners which can make families less willing to engage in needed services.

2.3 Project Description and Service Requirements

2.3.1 Crisis and Ongoing Therapy: Vendor to provide 10 sessions for individuals, youth, and/or families. Vendor must have experience and extensive expertise working with families and young people. Vendor should also have demonstrated expertise with working across the lifespan and provide demonstrated ability to provide culturally sensitive services. Vendor must be able to provide therapy services in Spanish and other languages as needed. Vendor should also be prepared to utilize up to 5% of the funding to assist with social needs such as transportation to support therapy. Vendor will also be responsible for continuity planning after the contract ends for clients with the Vendor’s therapeutic care. Vendor should make availability for same day appointments as needed.

Vendor is also responsible for all advertising of services and groups.

Vendor to create a client complaint process related to the contract for any clients who are unsatisfied with services.

2.3.2 Promotional Material: Vendor to provide one page overview, and hot card of offered services and what to expect for new referrals by September 1, 2026. Also to include options for clients in crisis and where to get emergent assistance.

2.3.3 Educational Offering: Vendor to oversee one 2-hour educational offering at the conclusion of contract by August 31, 2027 to share important considerations with working with families and youth.

2.3.6 Translation: All resources must be available in English, Spanish and Somali.

2.3.7 Outcome Measures: The contract will include monthly reporting by the 5th of each month on agreed upon measures that demonstrate number of therapy sessions provided, treatment modalities utilized, etc. Reporting format will be provided by Columbus Public Health through the RedCAP software. Vendor will need to implement anonymous customer satisfaction surveys at regular intervals of services with clients which will be entered into RedCAP as well. Vendor will also oversee evaluation scales to clients to monitor their progress in treatment. Vendor will submit RedCAP forms when opening and closing a case to record results of evaluation scales and other information regarding referral timeliness and case progress. Reimbursement method will be determined by funding source.

3.1 Submission Information and Instructions

3.1.1 All bids must be submitted electronically: paper and /or email bids will not be accepted.

Applications must be submitted electronically through the City of Columbus Vendor Portal at https://columbusvendorservices.powerappsportals.com/.

3.1.2 Applications must be received by August 7th, 2026, at 12:00pm EST

Columbus Public Health, at its sole and absolute discretion, with or without cause, and without liability of any kind to any applicant, reserves the right to accept or reject any and/or all proposals either in whole or in part, waive any informalities or irregularities of any proposals, cancel this RFP at any time and/or take any action in the best interest of the CITY. Columbus Public Health’s decision in matters shall be final. The CITY reserves the right to contact an applicant if additional information is required. Once the expiration date has passed, no proposal may be amended, unless amendment has been requested by the

CITY.

3.1.3 Proposal Format

Bidders are required to use the following format for the proposal:

Proposals should be submitted with a 12-point font and not exceed 15 pages.

The following information must be included in the proposal to be considered:

3.1.3.1 Bidder Experience: The offeror must submit an outline of its experience and work history in these services in the past five-ten years. (Competency)

3.1.3.2 Bidder References: The offeror shall have references and anonymous client testimonials regarding services rendered. (Past Performance)

3.1.3.3 Bidder Approach, Process, Timeline and Project Team: The offeror must include a description of their approach to traumatic grief therapy, review of EBPs and treatment modalities, process and timeline to this strategic engagement as well as the names and relevant biographies of key team members. Include approach to how clients will have access to therapist of various demographics (Gender, Race, and languages outside of English for example) based on their personal preferences.

https://columbusvendorservices.powerappsportals.com/

3.1.3.4 Cost, Pricing and Structure: The bidder must clearly define the unit costs associated with each service requirement. The breadth and reach of proposed activity will be considered to determine the best bidder for award.

3.2 Anticipated Timeline

Activity: Dates:

Publish RFP July 20th, 2026 Deadline for submission of proposal August 7th, 2026 Proposal selection August 21st, 2026 Contract Term Begins September 1, 2026 Contract Tern Ends August 31, 2027

* All indicated times are EST.

3.3 Proposal Scoring and Criteria

Crisis Grief Counseling Scoring is as follows:

Competency: (max: 20 points) The ability of the bidder to provide qualified personnel to perform the required services as indicated by experience, cultural sensitivity, training and education, or certification. The bidder shall provide the resumes, curriculum vitae, or other documentation describing the expertise and qualifications of the persons who the bidder will assign to this project. Bidder will need to document how therapists will be available that speak different languages.

Past Performance: (max: 30 points) The bidder must demonstrate successful therapeutic practice with families after violence and loss and ability to share key details for learners. At least one reference (preferably three references) that Columbus Public Health may contact regarding the work performance of the bidder.

Quality and Feasibility: (max: 30 points) The bidder must provide an outline or narrative description of its plan and timeline to complete objectives to include how bidder will ensure 72 hour contact and how bidder will support positive engagement in therapy process. Bidder should provide behavioral health scales and evaluation tools to be used in therapy as well as template for customer satisfaction surveys.

Cost and Price: (max: 20 points) The total cost and price of the project cannot exceed $20,000. The bidder must include the unit costing for all types services offered in the proposal.

TOTAL (max: 100 points)