COUNTY OF ORANGE

HEALTH CARE AGENCY

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP)

FOR

DAY TREATMENT INTENSIVE SERVICES FOR ADULT MEDI-CAL

BENEFICIARIES

RFP NO. 042-2998601-SK

RESPONSES MUST BE SUBMITTED ELECTRONICALLY TO:

https://secure.procurenow.com/portal/ocgov https://secure.procurenow.com/portal/%7bproject.government.code%7d

County of Orange RFP

Health Care Agency - Day Treatment Intensive Services for Adult Medi-Cal Beneficiaries, 042-2998601-SK

County of Orange

Health Care Agency

Procurement and Contract Services

405 W 5th St

Santa Ana, CA

92701-4134

SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES

Release of RFP Solicitation March 10, 2026

Question Submission Deadline March 31, 2026, 4:00pm

Proposal Submission Deadline April 7, 2026, 4:00pm

Board of Supervisors Date Anticipated: August 11, 2026

Contract Start Date Anticipated: October 1, 2026

PROPOSALS MUST BE RECEIVED ON

OR BEFORE

Tuesday, April 7, 2026

4:00 pm

Health Care Agency - Day Treatment Intensive Services for Adult Medi-Cal Beneficiaries, 042-2998601-SK

SECTIONS

SECTION 1. INTRODUCTION AND INSTRUCTIONS TO RESPONDENTS

SECTION 2. PROTEST PROCEDURES

SECTION 3. SCOPE OF WORK

SECTION 4. PROPOSAL SCORING CRITERIA

SECTION 5. OCLSB AND DVBE PREFERENCE POLICIES CERTIFICATION

REQUIREMENTS

SECTION 6. VENDOR RESPONSES

Attachments:

A - Model Contract

Health Care Agency - Day Treatment Intensive Services for Adult Medi-Cal Beneficiaries, 042-2998601-SK

SECTION 1. INTRODUCTION AND INSTRUCTIONS TO RESPONDENTS

1.1 INTRODUCTION

The County of Orange, Health Care Agency (hereinafter referred to as “County”), is soliciting proposals from qualified organizations (hereinafter referred to as “Respondents”) to provide Day

Treatment Intensive (DTI) Services for Adult Medi-Cal Beneficiaries who meet medical necessity criteria for Specialty Mental Health Services (SMHS) under the County’s Behavioral Health Plan

(BHP). These services are intended for people with a serious mental disorder, as defined by the

Welfare and Institutions Code (WIC) section 5600.3, that impairs daily functioning and requires treatment from a team of mental health professionals. Eligibility is based on having a qualifying mental health diagnosis and a need for services to improve or maintain functioning, prevent deterioration, or avoid hospitalization.

SMHS are a set of intensive mental health services provided through the County’s BHP for Medi-

Cal beneficiaries who need more than traditional outpatient care. These services may include:

• Individual and group therapy

• Medication support

• Case management

• Day treatment programs

• Crisis intervention

• In-home or community-based support

Day Treatment Intensive per CCR Title 9, § 1810.213 is a structured, multi-disciplinary program of therapy that may be an alternative to hospitalization, avoids placement in a more restrictive setting, or maintains the individual in a community setting where services to a distinct group of individuals is provided. Services are available for at least three hours and less than 24 hours each day the program is open.

For the purpose of this RFP, DTI services will be provided to individuals with serious mental illness (SMI). SMI refers to a diagnosable mental, behavioral, or emotional disorder that significantly interferes with a person’s ability to function in daily life. Examples include:

• Schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders

• Bipolar disorder

• Major depressive disorder

• Severe anxiety disorders

DTI Program Requirements include:

https://codes.findlaw.com/ca/welfare-and-institutions-code/wic-sect-5600-3/

Health Care Agency - Day Treatment Intensive Services for Adult Medi-Cal Beneficiaries, 042-2998601-SK

• DTI services must be in person, and the client is expected to be present for all scheduled hours of operation for each day. In addition, a DTI Program consists of the following:

o Full-day program: More than four program hours per day (excluding breaks and meals).

o Half- day program: Minimum of three program hours per day (excluding breaks and meals).

o The program must be available six days per week, with treatment scheduling aligned to client needs.

o DTI Programs must provide transportation that meets each client’s needs. This may include:

▪ Agency-owned vehicles

▪ Contracted transportation services

▪ Coordination with public or paratransit providers o Authorization from the Orange County BHP is required prior to the delivery and claiming of services for any client.

Respondents must meet the minimum qualifications outlined in this RFP and be able to deliver the services described in the Scope of Work.

The County intends that the successful Respondent shall provide Day Treatment Intensive Services for Adult Medi-Cal Beneficiaries proposed in accordance with contract requirements set forth in the solicitation and Model Contract, including Attachments.

1.2 COUNTY HOLIDAYS DURING SOLICITATION PERIOD

During this solicitation period, the Health Care Agency will be closed on the following County holidays:

• May 25, 2026: Memorial Day

• July 4, 2026: Independence Day

1.3 INSTRUCTIONS TO RESPONDENTS AND PROCEDURES FOR SUBMITTAL

A. Proposals are to be uploaded via the County's eProcurement Portal at https://procurement.opengov.com/portal/ocgov. For assistance on uploading proposals via County’s eProcurement Portal, please contact procurement-support@opengov.com or https://help.procurement.opengov.com/en/ Note: Allow sufficient time to upload all required files. The County’s eProcurement Portal will not allow any uploads after the due date and time specified herein, e.g., if Part 1 and 2 uploaded successfully at 3:58:38 P.M.

https://procurement.opengov.com/portal/ocgov https://procurement.opengov.com/portal/ocgov mailto:procurement-support@opengov.com https://help.procurement.opengov.com/en/

Health Care Agency - Day Treatment Intensive Services for Adult Medi-Cal Beneficiaries, 042-2998601-SK and Part 3 is in progress of being uploaded at 4:00:01 P.M., Part 3 will not upload successfully.

B. Examine the RFP Documents and the site of the proposed work carefully before submitting a Proposal for the work contemplated. Investigate the conditions to be encountered, as to the character, quality, and quantities of work to be performed and materials to be furnished and as to the requirements of all RFP Documents.

County has attempted to provide all information available. It is the responsibility of each

Respondent to review, evaluate, and, where necessary, request any clarification prior to submission of a Proposal. If any person contemplating submitting a response to this RFP is in doubt as to the true meaning of any part of the RFP documents attached hereto or finds discrepancies in or omissions from the specifications, they may submit a written request for clarification/interpretation to the County Deputy Purchasing Agent (DPA) via the

County’s eProcurement Portal under the bid page for this RFP.

If clarification or interpretation of this RFP is considered necessary by County, an addendum shall be issued, and the information will be posted via the County’s eProcurement Portal. Any interpretation of, or correction to, this solicitation shall be issued by the DPA. It is the responsibility of each Respondent to periodically check the County’s eProcurement Portal to ensure that they have received and reviewed any and all addenda to this RFP.

County is not responsible for any other explanations, corrections to, or interpretations of the documents, including any oral information. If an addendum is issued, Respondent must acknowledge the addendum via the County’s eProcurement Portal.

All questions or requests for interpretations must be received by Tuesday, March 31, 2026, before 4:00 pm. The DPA will provide all official communication concerning this

RFP. Any County response relevant to this RFP other than through or approved by the

DPA is unauthorized and will be considered invalid.

C. Proposals must be valid for a period of at least three hundred sixty-five (365) calendar days from the Proposal Submission Deadline. No Proposal may be withdrawn after the submission deadline.

D. Each Respondent must submit their proposal electronically via the County’s eProcurement

Portal.

E. All pages must be numbered and identified sequentially by section. Proposals must be tabbed and indexed in accordance with the information requested in the Section 6, Vendor

Responses Requirements Section. It is imperative that all Respondents comply, exactly and completely, with the instructions set forth herein. All responses to this solicitation shall be type written or word-processed (except where otherwise provided or noted), concise, straightforward, and must fully address each requirement and question. Although not as a

Health Care Agency - Day Treatment Intensive Services for Adult Medi-Cal Beneficiaries, 042-2998601-SK substitute for a complete written response, additional material, such as technical documents, may be referenced in any response if the material is included in the same section as additional information.

F. Proposals are not to be marked as confidential or proprietary. County may refuse to consider any Proposal so marked. All Proposals and supporting documents will be subject to the provisions of the California Public Records Act (California Code Government Code

7920.000 et seq.) (PRA) and will be disclosed or withheld in accordance therewith. County shall not be liable in any way for disclosure of any such records. Additionally, all Proposals shall become the property of County.

Respondents should not request that certain information be treated as exempt, and statements in the Proposals should not be marked as confidential or proprietary.

G. Each Respondent shall exercise reasonable care and diligence to avoid submitting a

Proposal that could result in a conflict of interest if Respondent were to be selected. This obligation shall apply to Respondent, Respondent’s employees, agents, and relatives, sub-contractors, and third parties associated with accomplishing work and services in Proposal.

In the event Respondent has done work for the County on this Project in the past or has reason to believe that a conflict of interest may exist for Respondent in regard to this

Project, Respondent should consult with its legal counsel prior to responding to this solicitation. Any Respondent who is found to have an actual conflict of interest may have its Proposal rejected on that ground.

Respondent, its employees and/or consultants may be subject to the provisions of the

California Political Reform Act of 1974 (the “Act”), which (1) requires such persons to disclose any financial interest that may be materially affected by services provided under this Contract, (2) prohibits such persons from making, or participating in making, decisions that could reasonably affect such interest; and (3) may require the filing a Statement of

Economic Interest (Form 700).

If subject to the Act, Respondent shall conform to all requirements of the Act. Failure to do so shall constitute a material breach and is grounds for immediate termination of the

Contract by County. Respondent shall indemnify and hold harmless County for any and all claims for damages resulting from Respondent’s violation of this Section.

H. By submitting a Proposal, Respondent represents that it thoroughly examined County’s requirements, is familiar with the services required under this solicitation and is qualified and capable of providing the services to achieve County’s objectives.

I. Each Respondent must submit its Proposal in strict accordance with all requirements of this solicitation and compliance must be stated in the Proposal. Deviations, clarifications and/or exceptions must be clearly identified and listed separately as alternative items

Health Care Agency - Day Treatment Intensive Services for Adult Medi-Cal Beneficiaries, 042-2998601-SK on additional information section for County’s consideration as specified in the

Vendor Responses Section, “Statement of Compliance” subsection.

J. Pre-contractual expenses are not to be included in Attachment B: Budget Forms. Pre-contractual expenses are defined as including, but not limited to, expenses incurred by

Respondent in: a) preparing its Proposal in response to this solicitation; b) submitting that

Proposal to County; c) negotiating with County any matter related to Respondent’s

Proposal; and d) any other expenses incurred by Respondent prior to the date of award and execution, if any, of the Contract.

K. Any Proposal may be construed as non-responsive and ineligible for consideration if it does not comply with the requirements of the solicitation. Failure to comply with the technical features and acknowledgment of receipt of addenda are common causes for holding a Proposal nonresponsive.

L. Where two or more Respondents desire to submit a single Proposal in response to this RFP, they must do so on a prime/subcontractor basis rather than as a joint venture. County intends to contract with a single firm that may subcontract with multiple firms (team) but not with multiple firms doing business as a joint venture.

M. County does not require and neither encourages nor discourages the use of lobbyists or other consultants for the purpose of securing business.

N. County requires a valid UEI number and full registration prior to Contract

Award. Respondent must obtain one at no cost at www.usfcr.com. If Respondent is unable to provide/obtain a UEI number, please indicate so in your proposal submission response.

O. Effective from the issuance date of this RFP until a Contract is awarded or the RFP is withdrawn, all individuals or entities responding—including their employees, agents, representatives, proposed partners, subcontractors, members, lobbyists, or attorneys

(collectively "Respondents")—are prohibited from engaging in any direct or indirect communication with County personnel involved in the selection process, except with the designated DPA. Respondents may continue conducting business with County on matters unrelated to this RFP and may communicate with County staff, provided the solicitation is not discussed. Any attempt to engage in discussion regarding this RFP with anyone other than the designated DPA will be presumed to create an unfair competitive advantage and may result in disqualification.

1.4 MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS/REQUIREMENTS

All timely submitted Proposals first will be evaluated by the DPA for the minimum submission requirements set out below. The minimum submission requirements must be met for a Respondent to be considered as an eligible candidate to be evaluated for the requested services described in http://www.usfcr.com/

Health Care Agency - Day Treatment Intensive Services for Adult Medi-Cal Beneficiaries, 042-2998601-SK this RFP. Should any of this information be missing, Respondent may be deemed non-responsive.

Respondents only need to upload required documents once. These qualifications must be maintained during the term of any resultant contract.

*Please note: These minimum qualifications must be verified for the Proposal to be deemed responsive. Any Proposal may be construed as non-responsive and ineligible for consideration if it does not comply with the requirements of the solicitation.

A. In order to be eligible to enter into a contract with County, an individual or entity must not be listed on the current Cumulative Sanction List of the Office of the Inspector

General (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services) or the General Services

Administration’s list of parties excluded from federal programs, or the California Medi-

Cal Suspended and Ineligible Provider List. Accordingly, County will not review any proposal submitted by an individual or entity found to be on any of these lists and the proposal will automatically be rejected. County will notify Respondent of this determination in writing. County plans to use the following databases to identify individuals and entities that are not eligible to contract with County:

1. https://exclusions.oig.hhs.gov/

2. https://sam.gov/search/

3. Medi-Cal Suspension Search Database

4. Social Security Administration’s Death Master File

B. It is the sole responsibility of all respondents to verify that they are not on any of these lists prior to preparing, and submitting, a proposal in response to this RFP. Correction of any errors found on any of the lists, above, is the sole responsibility of Respondent and must be made prior to submission of the proposal.

C. In addition, in order to be eligible to enter into a contract with County, an individual or entity must not have any pending charge(s) or conviction(s) for violation of criminal law(s) and/or any sanction(s) or disciplinary action(s) imposed or taken against them by any federal or state law enforcement, regulatory or licensing agency or body, including exclusion from Medicare and Medicaid programs. Accordingly, all respondents must self-disclose with explanation or deny the existence of this information pertaining to their principals, executives, and managers directly involved with the performance of the services solicited herein.

D. Have the ability to do business in Orange County, California;

https://exclusions.oig.hhs.gov/ https://sam.gov/search/

Health Care Agency - Day Treatment Intensive Services for Adult Medi-Cal Beneficiaries, 042-2998601-SK

E. Complete all required questions and upload all required documents in Section 6 Vendor

Responses of the RFP;

F. Provide all of the following documents. Include an index of all the documents included, and an explanation for any document requested but not provided.

1. If Incorporated

a. Articles of Incorporation executed by the Secretary of State, including all amendments

b. By-laws, including all amendments

c. Board of Directors resolution empowering a Corporate Officer either by title or individual name, to act on behalf of the organization by his/her signature alone.

(If applicable)

2. If not incorporated: Documentation empowering an Authorized Representative to act on behalf of the organization by his/her signature alone.

3. Fictitious Business Name statement filed with the County Clerk and proof of publication

4. Partnership papers and/or joint venture contracts

5. Evidence of federal/state tax status

6. Business License/Certifications/Conditional Use Permits (CUP)

7. Table of Contents from the organization's policies and procedures manual covering daily operations and emergency procedures (medical, fire, etc.). If a policies and procedures manual does not exist, provide a plan and time frame for development.

8. Corporate organizational chart that includes all programs, identifies the relationship of the proposed program to the overall organization, and identifies the reporting relationship of each staff position.

9. Recent financial statement prepared by an independent Certified Public Accounting

(CPA) firm.

10. Any audits, reviews, or inspection reports completed by a CPA firm, regulatory agency (e.g., Occupational Safety and Health Administration), or other government agency within the last 12 months. IF THERE ARE NON, PLEASE STATE SUCH IN

THE PROPOSAL RESPONSE.

11. A description of any active litigation and resolution, performance issues and/or audit or review of any contractual documents (e.g., invoices, units of service reports, etc.)

Health Care Agency - Day Treatment Intensive Services for Adult Medi-Cal Beneficiaries, 042-2998601-SK within the last five (5) years that resulted in a corrective action plan, reimbursement of money to funder, investigation, and/or termination of any agreements or contracts between your organization and the County of Orange, other government entity, and/or private organization. Provide a copy of a letter from your organization’s attorney and/or in-house legal counsel concerning the status of lawsuits and pending litigation for the most recent year. IF THERE ARE NONE, PLEASE STATE SUCH IN THE

PROPOSAL RESPONSE. For each litigation and or performance issue include:

a. The type of contracts, contract term (dates), funding amount and services provided.

b. The issues and circumstances.

c. How and when the issues were resolved.

d. Your organization’s plans to ensure that the issues will not re-occur in future contracts.

12. Detailed information regarding past, current, or threatened litigation, liens, or claims

(including claims filed or pending with Financial Industry Regulatory Authority and/or with the Security Exchange Commission) within the past five (5) years involving your company, or any company your company holds a controlling interest in, or any company that holds an interest in your company, or any of the principal officers of your company that has also involved the County of Orange or any of its officers or agencies. IF THERE ARE NONE, PLEASE STATE SUCH IN THE

PROPOSAL RESPONSE.

Proposals deemed to meet all minimum submission requirements will move to the Evaluation

Process Stage.

1.5 EVALUATION PROCESS

Proposals deemed to meet all minimum submission requirements will be evaluated by an

Evaluation Panel of job knowledge experts on the basis of the responses to the requirements in this

RFP. The Evaluation Panel will score Proposals based on the established evaluation criteria set forth in Section 4. Proposal Scoring Criteria, which includes County of Orange Procurement

Preference Policy, in accordance with Sections 1.8-103 and 4.3-112 of the 2024 County Contract

Policy Manual (CPM). A copy of the 2024 CPM can be found at https://cpo.ocgov.com/cpm.

Each Proposal will be assigned points that measure the responsiveness to each evaluation criterion.

The total number of points earned will be tallied for each Proposal, based upon Respondent(s) submitted written materials.

Proposals will be evaluated from the most advantageous to the least advantageous to County.

County may request clarifications, or otherwise verify the contents of the Proposal, including information about the Respondent and sub-contractors.

https://cpo.ocgov.com/cpm

Health Care Agency - Day Treatment Intensive Services for Adult Medi-Cal Beneficiaries, 042-2998601-SK

Evaluation Process Stage

The evaluation process stage may be conducted in two phases. Phase 1 will be an evaluation of the written proposal based on the evaluation criteria for all Respondents and Phase 2 will be an evaluation of the interview/presentation for only the highest-rated Respondents in Phase 1 that are invited to participate in Phase 2. The Evaluation Panel has the right to determine whether to conduct Phase 2 and the number of Respondents who will participate in Phase 2 if it is conducted.

Please note that contract award will be made to the responsible Respondent whose proposal is most advantageous to County, taking into consideration the evaluation criteria. Cost Proposal as an evaluation criterion does not require County to select Respondent with the lowest cost proposal.

Phase 1:

In Phase 1, written proposals will be scored by the Evaluation Panel using the established weighted criteria set out in Section 4. Proposal Scoring Criteria, which have been assigned points before the submission of proposal that measure the responsiveness to each criterion in the Proposal.

The Evaluation Panel will evaluate the written materials solely on the quality of the responses to all questions and requirements of this RFP using the evaluation criteria. The total number of points earned for all criteria will be tallied for each proposal, and the proposals will be rank-ordered based upon the points earned.

Phase 2:

If the Evaluation Panel decides to conduct Phase 2, then the selected highest-ranked Respondent(s) from Phase 1 will be invited to participate in Phase 2. In Phase 2, Respondents must provide an interview/presentation on their proposed services. Respondents must be prepared to travel to

County at their own expense to make their interview/presentation within five (5) business days after notification by the DPA. Respondents must be prepared to discuss all aspects of their proposals in detail, including answering technical questions. Respondents are not allowed to alter or amend their proposal during the interview/presentation process.

The total score shall be as follows:

Written Proposal Scoring: 800 points maximum

See "Proposal Scoring Criteria" section for categories and points.

Presentation/Interview Scoring: 200 points maximum

County reserves the right to conduct, or not to conduct, oral interviews/presentations with the highest-ranked Respondent(s). The decision whether to conduct oral interviews/presentations exists solely with County, and the decision of the Evaluation Panel is final.

Please note that, if the Evaluation Panel does not conduct Phase 2, the total score for all

Respondents is the points awarded in Phase 1. If the Evaluation Panel does conduct Phase 2, Respondents that County elects not to invite to participate in Phase 2 will not have a total score.

Health Care Agency - Day Treatment Intensive Services for Adult Medi-Cal Beneficiaries, 042-2998601-SK

1.6 SELECTION/AWARD PROCEDURES

Upon the completion of the evaluation process, the Evaluation Panel will make a recommendation for an award to the County’s DPA. Final award determination shall be subject to reference checks and past performance.

The Model Contract contained in this RFP is the contract proposed for execution. Successful

Respondents are expected to accept the terms and conditions of Attachment A - Model Contract, which contains the contracting requirements between County and Respondent regarding the provision of services solicited under this RFP. It may be modified to incorporate negotiated items and other pertinent terms and conditions set forth in this RFP, including special conditions and requirements and those added by addendum, necessary attachments and/or exhibits, and to reflect

Respondent’s proposal and qualifications. Any additional exceptions to the terms and conditions made by any Respondent after submission of its Proposal may result in its elimination from further consideration.

Exceptions to the terms and conditions of the Model Contract or the statements regarding

Respondent’s inability to comply with any of the provisions thereof are to be declared in the response to the RFP in Section 6. VENDOR RESPONSES - Statement of Compliance.

The ranking of Respondent(s) will be brought to the County Board of Supervisors for selection and negotiations may or may not be conducted with the finalist(s); therefore, the Proposal submitted should contain Respondent(s) most favorable terms and conditions, since the selection and award may be made without further discussion or need for clarification.

County will enter into negotiations with the selected Respondent and award a contract upon completion of negotiation of fees and contract terms. The award may require additional approval by the County Board of Supervisors.

If a satisfactory contract cannot be negotiated in a timely manner, County, in its sole discretion, may terminate negotiations with the selected Respondent and begin negotiations with the next

Respondent.

1.7 RIGHTS RESERVED TO COUNTY

County reserves the right to:

A. Make use of any information or ideas in the Proposals submitted.

B. Request proposal revisions and hold discussions and negotiations with any Respondent as necessary to serve the best interests of County.

C. Seek publicly available information about Respondents.

D. Conduct, or not to conduct, interviews/presentations with the highest-ranked

Respondent(s).

E. Waive, at its discretion, any procedural, non-material defects, irregularity, or informality, which County deems correctable or otherwise not warranting rejection of the proposal

Health Care Agency - Day Treatment Intensive Services for Adult Medi-Cal Beneficiaries, 042-2998601-SK that do not result in any unfair competitive advantage. Any waiver will not excuse a

Respondent from full compliance.

F. Verify and validate any information prior to contract Award and during the entire term of the contract.

G. Negotiate the final contract with any Respondent(s), including pricing/fee schedule, as necessary to serve the best interests of County;

H. Withdraw or cancel in part or in its entirety this solicitation at any time without prior notice and furthermore makes no representations that any contract will be awarded to any

Respondent responding to this solicitation;

I. Award its total requirements to one Respondent or to apportion those requirements among two or more Respondents as County may deem to be in its best interests;

J. Reject any Proposal if it is conditional, incomplete or deviates significantly from the services requested in this solicitation; and/or

K. Request Best and Final Offer from any Respondent determined to be within the competitive range. Unless requested by County, late Best and Final Offers will not be accepted by County for any reason. In addition, negotiations may or may not be conducted with Respondents.

L. Make multiple awards to Respondent(s) for services requested in this RFP, at its sole discretion, to serve the best interests of County.

M. Defer award of this contract for a period of 180 days after the solicitation opening.

During this period, Respondent shall guarantee the prices and terms quoted in their

Proposals. County and the responsive, responsible Respondent may mutually agree in writing to extend this deferral period.

Therefore, Proposals submitted shall contain Respondent’s most favorable terms and conditions, since the selection and award may be made without discussion with any Respondent.

1.8 CONTRACT TERM AND FUNDING AVAILABILITY

County plans to contract with qualified organizations to provide the services described in this RFP and reserves the right to make multiple awards to Respondents for services requested in the RFP.

At the discretion of County, the initial term of the contracts resulting from this RFP may be renewed for an additional term or terms. Any renewal is contingent upon available funding, contractor performance, need for services, and County policies.

Successful Respondents are expected to accept the terms and conditions of Attachment A - Model

Contract, which contains the contracting requirements between County and Respondent regarding the provision of services solicited under this RFP.

Health Care Agency - Day Treatment Intensive Services for Adult Medi-Cal Beneficiaries, 042-2998601-SK

Contracts resulting from this RFP shall be a cooperative contract and may be utilized by all County of Orange departments.

The provisions and pricing of any contract resulting from this RFP will be extended to other governmental entities. Governmental entities wishing to use the contract are responsible for issuing their own purchase documents, providing for their own acceptance, and making any subsequent payments. Respondent shall be required to include in any subordinate contract entered into with another governmental entities pursuant to the contract, a contract clause that will hold harmless the County of Orange from all claims, demands, actions or cause of actions of every kind resulting directly or indirectly, arising out of, or in any way connected with, the use of the contract. Failure to do so will be considered a material breach of the contract and grounds for immediate contract termination. Respondent is responsible for providing each governmental entity a copy of the contract upon request. County makes no guarantee of usage by other users of the contract.

Respondent shall be required to maintain a list of County of Orange departments and governmental entities using the contract. The list shall report dollar volumes spent annually and shall be provided on an annual basis to County, at County’s request.

Subordinate contracts must be executed prior to the expiration or earlier termination of the contract and may survive the expiration of the contract up to a maximum of one year; however, in no case shall a subordinate contract exceed five (5) years in duration.

The contracts awarded through this RFP will be based on successful negotiations and County of

Orange. The funding source for these services consists of Medi-Cal Full Financial Participation through a Fee for Service contract. The rate for service will be negotiated with the provider based off of the DHCS rates for 2026-27 for DTI full and half-day. Any contracts resulting from this

RFP are contingent upon sufficient funds being made available by federal, state, and/or county governments for the term of the contracts. County reserves the right to revise the contract terms stated in this RFP. Start-up funds are not available for these services.

1.9 TITLE VI SOLICITATION NOTICE

The County of Orange, in accordance with the provisions of the Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (78 Stat. 252, 42 USC §§ 2000d to 2000d-4) and the Regulations, hereby notifies all

Respondents that it will affirmatively ensure that any contract entered into pursuant to this advertisement, will be afforded full and fair opportunity to submit proposals in response to this solicitation and will not be discriminated against on the grounds of race, color, or national origin in consideration for an award.

1.10 DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY, INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE FORM

W-9/W-8 REQUIREMENTS

Effective June 3, 2006, all contractors, entering into a contract with County, who are not already established in Countywide ERP System as an Auditor-Controller vendor, must submit to County a federal Form W-9, or form W-8 for foreign vendors. County will inform Respondent, at the time of award, if the Form W-9 or W-8 will be required.

Health Care Agency - Day Treatment Intensive Services for Adult Medi-Cal Beneficiaries, 042-2998601-SK

In order to comply with this County requirement, within ten (10) days of notification of selection of award of contract but prior to official award of contract, the selected Contractor agrees to furnish to Contract administrator, or the DPA the required W-9 or W-8.

1.11 LEVINE ACT REQUIREMENT

Effective January 1, 2023, all contractors entering into a contract with the County, must submit the Campaign Contribution Disclosure Form for any contributions made on or after January 1, 2023. In order to comply with this requirement, Respondent agrees to furnish the required

Campaign Contribution Disclosure Information form as a required submittal with its Proposal.

Failure to include the form as required will render the Proposal nonresponsive.

SECTION 2. PROTEST PROCEDURES

Any actual or prospective bidder or respondent who alleges an error or impropriety in the solicitation or award of a contract may submit a grievance or protest to Susan Kessel at skessel@ochca.com, as set forth herein.

PROTEST PROCEDURES

All protests shall be typed under the protestor’s letterhead and submitted in accordance with the provisions stated herein. All protests shall include at a minimum the following information:

A. The name, address, and telephone number of the protestor;

B. The signature of the protestor or the protestor’s representative;

C. The solicitation or contract number;

D. A detailed statement of the legal and/or factual grounds for the protest; and, E. The form of relief requested.

Protest of Solicitation Specifications:

A. All protests related to solicitation specifications must be submitted to the Deputy

Procurement Agent (DPA), Susan Kessel at skessel@ochca.com, no later than five (5) business days prior to the Closing Date of the solicitation. Protests received after the five

(5) business-day deadline will not be considered by the County.

B. In the event the protest of specifications is denied, and the protestor wishes to continue in the solicitation process, the protestor must still submit a bid/response prior to the close of the solicitation in accordance with the solicitation submittal procedures provided in this solicitation.

Protest of Award of Contract:

Health Care Agency - Day Treatment Intensive Services for Adult Medi-Cal Beneficiaries, 042-2998601-SK

A. Protests related to the award of a contract must be submitted to the Deputy Procurement

Agent, Susan Kessel at skessel@ochca.com, no later than five (5) business days after the

Notice of Solicitation Ranking Results is provided by the DPA.

B. Protests relating to a proposed contract award received after the five (5) business day deadline will not be considered by the County.

C. If the five (5) business day period expires without the receipt of a protest, the department may move forward with the contract award or if necessary, file the item for approval by the Board of Supervisors.

Protest Process

A. In the event of a timely protest, the County shall not proceed with the solicitation or award of the contract until the DPA issues a decision on the protest.

B. Upon receipt of a timely protest, the DPA will, within ten (10) business days of receipt of the protest, issue a decision in writing which shall state the reasons for the actions taken.

C. The County may, after providing written justification, make the determination that an immediate award of the contract is necessary to protect the substantial interests of the

County. The award of a contract shall in no way compromise the protester’s right to the protest procedures outlined herein.

D. If the protestor disagrees with the decision of the DPA, the protestor may submit a written appeal to the County Procurement Officer requesting an appeal to the

Procurement Appeals Board, in accordance with the process stated below.

APPEALS PROCESS

A. If the protestor wishes to appeal the protest decision of the Deputy Procurement Agent, the protestor must submit, within three (3) business days from receipt of the Deputy

Procurement Agent’s decision, a written appeal to the Office of the County Procurement

Officer.

Written appeals must be sent by mail to the address below with a courtesy copy by email;

County of Orange/County Executive Office

County Procurement Office

400 W. Civic Center Drive, 5th Floor

Santa Ana, CA 92701

Attn: County Procurement Officer

Health Care Agency - Day Treatment Intensive Services for Adult Medi-Cal Beneficiaries, 042-2998601-SK

CPOAppeals@ceo.oc.gov

B. Within fifteen (15) business days, the County Procurement Officer will review all materials in connection with the appeal, assess the merits of the protest and provide a written determination that shall contain his or her decision on whether the appeal shall be forwarded to the Procurement Appeals Board.

C. The decision of the County Procurement Officer on whether to allow the appeal to go forward will be final and there shall be no right to any administrative appeals of this decision.

SECTION 3. SCOPE OF WORK

3.1 GENERAL INFORMATION:

Day Treatment Intensive (DTI) is a structured, multi-disciplinary program of therapy as an alternative to hospitalization or to maintain community placement. These services are designed for people who need more support than traditional outpatient therapy, but who do not need to stay in a psychiatric hospital full-time.

DTI programs must be delivered by a multidisciplinary team (a group of professionals with different specialties) and must include Assessment, Treatment Planning, Therapy, and

Psychosocial Rehabilitation. Programs must create a therapeutic environment (also called a

“milieu”) that encourages peer interaction and support, helps clients learn emotional regulation, and promotes recovery and wellness.

3.2 TARGET POPULATION:

This program is for adults aged 18 and older who reside in Orange County, who have been diagnosed with serious mental illness (SMI), also referred to as serious mental disorder, which means a mental disorder that is severe in degree and persistent in duration, which may cause behavioral functioning which interferes substantially with the primary activities of daily living, and which may result in an inability to maintain stable adjustment and independent functioning without treatment, support, and rehabilitation for a long or indefinite period of time. Serious mental disorders include, but are not limited to, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, as well as major affective disorders or other severely disabling mental disorders.

Complete criteria are described in California Code, Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC § 5600.3.

Program participants must be adult Medi-Cal members and meet medical necessity criteria, SMHS as set by the Federal statute WIC § 14059.5. SMHS is “medically necessary” or a “medical necessity” when it is reasonable and necessary to protect life, to prevent significant illness or significant disability, or to alleviate severe pain. Services must be provided in the least restrictive setting appropriate to the individual’s needs. These criteria are outlined in DHCS Behavioral

Health Information Notice (BHIN) 21-073 and WIC § 14184.402.

Many people in this program may also have:

mailto:CPOAppeals@ocgov.com https://www.dhcs.ca.gov/Documents/BHIN-21-073-Criteria-for-Beneficiary-to-Specialty-MHS-Medical-Necessity-and-Other-Coverage-Req.pdf

Health Care Agency - Day Treatment Intensive Services for Adult Medi-Cal Beneficiaries, 042-2998601-SK

• Substance use issues (such as alcohol or drug use)

• Chronic physical health conditions (like diabetes, high blood pressure, or chronic pain)

• Histories of trauma, which may affect their mental and emotional well-being

All participants must be referred directly by Orange County Behavioral Health Services

(BHS). The program is not open to walk-ins or self-referrals. BHP authorization is required for this level of care.

3.3 SERVICES TO BE PROVIDED:

Day Treatment Intensive Services

Services must be provided for at least three (3) hours per day, but less than 24 hours. The County prefers programs that offer both full day and half day programing that operate a minimum of six

(6) days per week.

The client is expected to be present for all scheduled hours of operation for each day. In addition, a DTI program consists of the following:

• Full-day services: More than four (4) program hours per day (excluding breaks and meals)

• Half-day services: Minimum of three (3) program hours per day (excluding breaks and meals)

For services to be billable, the provider must have a distinct place of services. Services must be in person and telehealth is permitted if clinically appropriate but must not be the primary mode of service delivery and must include one or more of the following components.

• Assessment- A service activity designed to collect information and evaluate the current status of a client’s mental, emotional, or behavioral health to determine medical necessity and recommend or update a course of treatment for that client.

• Treatment Planning- A service activity to develop or update a client’s course of treatment, documentation of the recommended course of treatment, and monitoring a client’s progress.

• Therapy- Therapeutic intervention focusing on symptom reduction and restoration of functioning, delivered individually or in groups, and may include family therapy.

• Psychosocial Rehabilitation- Recovery/resiliency-focused service activity to restore, improve, or preserve functional, social, communication, or daily living skills.

• Services may include contact with significant support persons or other collaterals if the purpose of their participation is to focus on the treatment of the client.

Health Care Agency - Day Treatment Intensive Services for Adult Medi-Cal Beneficiaries, 042-2998601-SK

A. Additional Requirements:

1. Daily Community Meetings: Each day, staff and clients must meet together in person to check in, share updates, and support a positive and therapeutic environment.

2. Family Involvement: Staff must contact a client’s family member, caregiver, or other support person at least once per month to involve them in the client’s care and recovery process.

3. Step-Down Planning: Staff must work with each client to create a transition plan that helps them move to a lower level of care when ready. This plan should support the client’s long-term success in the community.

4. Transportation: Programs must provide transportation that meets each client’s needs.

This may include:

o Agency-owned vehicles o Contracted transportation services o Coordination with public or paratransit providers

Transportation must be:

o Safe and reliable o Accessible for people with disabilities or mobility challenges o Coordinated with program hours so clients arrive and leave on time o Documented in the client’s treatment plan if needed for participation

Providers must have a contingency plan in place for transportation disruptions (e.g., vehicle breakdowns, driver absences).

o Emergency transportation procedures must be included in the program’s crisis response plan.

5. Mental Health Crisis Protocol: Programs must have a written plan for responding to mental health emergencies in accordance with California Code of Regulations (CCR), Title

9, Sections 1810.405 and 1810.410, and applicable DHCS Behavioral Health Information

Notices (e.g., BHIN 23-025). This plan must ensure client and staff safety, uphold client dignity, and comply with all state and federal requirements. The crisis response plan must include:

o How staff assess immediate risk o Detailed plan on staff role and responsibilities during a crisis o How to work with emergency services (like 911 or mobile crisis teams)

Health Care Agency - Day Treatment Intensive Services for Adult Medi-Cal Beneficiaries, 042-2998601-SK o When and how to notify family or support persons o How the incident is documented and followed up

All crisis protocols must follow local and state laws and ensure the safety of clients and staff.

6. Program Schedule: Programs must follow a consistent daily schedule that supports recovery. The schedule must:

o Clearly show what services are offered and when o Be shared with clients, families, and support persons o Include time for therapy, skill-building, community meetings, and creative or recreational activities o Be posted in a visible place at the facility and updated as needed

7. Required Service Components o Educational Skill-Building Groups: These are groups provided in a supportive environment in which clients and their families learn coping strategies and problem-solving skills to improve and develop essential life skills. These groups focus on building abilities in socialization, recovery, self-sufficiency, self-advocacy, developing natural supports, and maintaining skills learned through other support services.

o Psychosocial Rehabilitation: Recovery or resiliency focused service activity which addresses a mental health need. This service activity provides assistance in restoring, improving, and/or preserving a client's functional, social, communication, or daily living skills to enhance self-sufficiency or self-regulation in multiple life domains relevant to the developmental age and needs of the client. Psychosocial rehabilitation includes assisting clients to develop coping skills by using a group process to provide peer interaction and feedback in developing problem-solving strategies. In addition, psychosocial rehabilitation includes therapeutic interventions that utilize self-expression such as art, recreation, dance or music as a modality to develop or enhance skills. These interventions assist the client in attaining or restoring skills which enhance community functioning including problem solving, organization of thoughts and materials, and verbalization of ideas and feelings. Psychosocial rehabilitation also includes support resources, and/or medication education. Psychosocial rehabilitation may be provided to a client or a group of clients.

o Psychotherapy: A service activity that is a therapeutic intervention that focuses primarily on symptom reduction and restoration of functioning as a means to improve

Health Care Agency - Day Treatment Intensive Services for Adult Medi-Cal Beneficiaries, 042-2998601-SK coping, adaptation and reduce functional impairments, Therapeutic intervention includes the application of cognitive, affective, verbal and nonverbal strategies based on the principles of development, wellness, adjustment to impairment, recovery and resiliency to assist a client in acquiring greater personal, interpersonal and community functioning or to modify feeling, thought processes, conditions, attitudes or behaviors which are emotionally, intellectually, or socially ineffective. These interventions and techniques are specifically implemented in the context of a professional of a professional clinical relationship. Therapy may be delivered to a client or group of clients and may include family therapy directed at improving the client’s functioning and at which the client is present.

o Medication Support Services: Service includes prescribing, administering, dispensing and monitoring of psychiatric medications or biologicals that are necessary to alleviate the symptoms of mental illness. This service includes one or more of the following service components: evaluation of the need for medication; evaluation of clinical effectiveness and side effects; medication education including instruction in the use, risks and benefits of, and alternatives for medication; treatment planning.

Medication support services may include contact with significant support persons or other collaterals if the purpose of their participation is to focus on the treatment of the client. This service may also include assessing the appropriateness of reducing medication usage when clinically indicated. All services rendered must comply with

Medi-Cal standards as outlined in the DHCS Medi-Cal Provider Manual and applicable

Medication Therapy Management (MTM) guidelines. These services must be:

▪ Delivered by Medi-Cal-enrolled providers

▪ Documented in the client’s treatment plan

▪ Billed using appropriate Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes and formats as required by the DHCS

▪ Medication Services may be billed separately from the DTI bundled rate if provided as additional services outside the bundled DTI component. If medication management services are integrated into the DTI program structure, the service must be claimed as part of the bundled rate.

▪ Medication support must be provided in a manner that is person-centered, culturally…