DCF RFI 2425 061.pdf

STATE OF FLORIDA

DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES

SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND MENTAL HEALTH

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION

STATEWIDE RECOVERY COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION (RCO) SUPPORT SERVICES

DCF RFI 2425 061

TABLE OF CONTENTS

SECTION 1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 Introduction

1.2 Purpose of an RFI

1.3 Contact Person

1.4 RFI Questions and Contact

SECTION 2. BACKGROUND

SECTION 3. RESPONSE INSTRUCTIONS

3.1 Submission Layout

3.2 Requested Information

3.2.1 Tab 1: Introduction

3.2.2 Tab 2: Details

3.2.3 Tab 3: Additional Information

3.3 Submission Format

3.4 Trade Secret, Confidential, or Proprietary Information

3.5 Presentations

SECTION 4. Timeline

SECTION 5. CAVEATS

5.1 Respondent Costs

5.2 Special Accommodations

SECTION 1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 Introduction

The Department of Children and Families (Department), Substance Abuse and Mental Health (SAMH), is issuing this Request for Information (RFI) to obtain information from interested parties who can provide sustainable mechanisms and supports for statewide current, emerging, and new Recovery Community Organizations (RCOs) through technical assistance and training.

The goal of this RFI is to determine the most appropriate methods for promotion of public education of peer-based and other recovery support services; providing peer recovery support training that meet the requirements for certification; capability for serving as key employers of peer recovery support professionals; and methods for providing support and technical assistance to current, emerging, and new RCOs.

This is an RFI as defined in ss. 287.012(22), Florida Statutes (F.S.), for planning purposes.

This is not a solicitation for offers. The information gathered from this RFI may be used to develop a future competitive solicitation or to utilize for application of an exemption(s) from formal solicitations as stated in ss. 287.057(3)(e) F.S. Please monitor the Vendor Information Portal (VIP) for any changes or notices prior to submitting a response.

1.2 Purpose of an RFI

Rule 60A-1.042, Florida Administrative Code, provides that an agency may request information by issuing a written RFI. Agencies are authorized to use an RFI in circumstances including, but not limited to, determining whether or not to competitively procure a commodity or contractual services, determining what solicitation process to use for a particular need, or researching general, special, and/or technical specifications for a solicitation. A Respondent’s response to an RFI is not an offer and the agency may not use the Respondent’s submission to justify a contract with that Respondent without otherwise complying with Chapter 287, Florida Statutes (F.S.) and Rule 60A-1.042, F.A.C.

Respondents submitting a response to an agency’s RFI are not prohibited from responding to any related subsequent solicitation.

Any future purchase of the services will be conducted in accordance with Chapter 287, F.S. The Commission may use responses to this RFI to prepare one or more competitive solicitations and as the basis for any subsequent vendor meetings. Any request for cost information is for budgetary purposes only.

1.3 Contact Person

The sole contact point for communication (will only be accepted in writing) regarding this RFI is:

Joshua Burns, Procurement Officer The only permitted means of contact is by Email:

Joshua.Burns@myflfamilies.com, and CC:

hqw.procurement.team.activities@myflfamilies.com

**ALL EMAILS TO THE CONTACT PERSON SHALL CONTAIN THE RFI NUMBER IN THE

SUBJECT LINE OF THE EMAIL.**

mailto:Joshua.Burns@myflfamilies.com mailto:hqw.procurement.team.activities@myflfamilies.com

1.4 RFI Questions and Contact

Respondents shall address all questions regarding this RFI in writing to the Contact Person identified in Section 1.3. The Department will post answers to questions on the VIP as noted in Section 3.6.

SECTION 2. BACKGROUND

Chapters 394 and 397, F.S. outlines the duties of the Department to develop a comprehensive state plan for the provision of substance abuse services which includes providing technical assistance services to state agencies, Managing Entities, and new, emerging, and existing RCOs.

The Department has been awarded the State Opioid Response (SOR) grant since 2018 to provide prevention, treatment, and recovery support services. The SOR grant is funded by the U.S.

Department of Health & Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Since inception, the grant has supported the development of new, existing, and emerging RCOs. An RCO is an independent, peer-run, non-profit organization led and governed by representatives of local communities of recovery to provide recovery-focused community education and outreach programs, peer-based recovery support services, and peer-led advocacy.

Initial efforts to support RCO development was facilitated in-house at the Department through a contract with the Peer Support Coalition of Florida (PSCFL) (Contract LD997) in 2018 with the focus primarily on mental health related support. Through that contract, PSCFL worked to enhance and expand collaboration and recovery supports in local communities. PSCFL’s goal was to identify and prepare up to four local organizations or emerging RCOs for Council on Peer Recovery Support Services (CAPRSS) accreditation. In addition to technical assistance for RCO accreditation, these efforts also included start-up funding for related expenses to build infrastructure in order to provide direct peer-based recovery support services. The initial process began with an assessment and identification of emerging RCOs interested in service delivery and accreditation. The assessment utilized a ranking process of organizational and accreditation readiness to assess the following capacity: leadership, management and operations, community engagement, service delivery, and evaluative skills. In 2019, the Department began contracting with Faces of Voices of Recovery to assist with national accreditation and provide technical assistance, consulting, and mentoring regarding all aspects of organizational development and sustainability to new, emerging, and existing RCOs throughout the state. Faces & Voices of Recovery is a non-Florida based accredited RCO that works to support individuals in long-term recovery from drug and alcohol addiction and their family members, friends, and allies through consultation, technical assistance, advocacy, and education. Services include capacity building in support of the national recovery movement, fighting the stigma of addiction, RCO sustainability, RCO development, and creating recovery messaging trainings.

Current efforts to support RCO development will be shifted to a Florida-based RCO or 501c3 nonprofit peer run organization operating statewide to provide the technical assistance and training to current, emerging, and new RCOs.

SECTION 3. RESPONSE INSTRUCTIONS

3.1 Submission Layout

Please organize your responses to this RFI as follows

TAB 1 Introduction

TAB 2 Details

TAB 3 Additional Information

3.2 Requested Information

3.2.1 Tab 1: Introduction

Please provide a cover letter with the name of the Respondent and the primary point of contact. The cover sheet must reference DCF RFI 2425 061. Include a brief summary of your organization, its history, and experience with information requested in this RFI.

3.2.2 Tab 2: Details

Please provide a detailed summary of the following information:

3.2.2.1 Experience providing direct recovery support services to peers.

3.2.2.2 Experience navigating the process to certification through the Florida Certification Board for peers seeking the Certified Recovery Peer Specialist credential.

3.2.2.3 Experience and resources in executing and managing trainings on multiple topics.

3.2.2.4 Experience and resources executing and managing new programs.

3.2.2.5 Experience and resources executing and managing technical assistance to RCOs or other peer-run organizations.

3.2.2.6 Capacity to provide training and technical assistance to new, current, and emerging RCOs.

3.2.2.7 Experience developing an RCO from start-up including board development, implementing policies and procedures, and sustainability plans.

3.2.2.8 Experience collaborating with other providers on projects such as local events, trainings, or direct services.

3.2.2.9 Provider information regarding Vendor qualifications.

A current RCO is preferred but not required. Vendor may be a peer run organization serving the SOR target population who has the experience, capacity, and skills set to meet the requirements below.

3.2.2.9.1 A 501c3 nonprofit organization.

3.2.2.9.2 Transparent Board selection process and defined terms.

3.2.2.9.3 More than 50% of the Board of Directors identify as people in personal recovery from their own substance use disorders.

3.2.2.9.4 Board of Directors is actively engaged.

3.2.2.9.5 The Board has no voting members who are receiving state or federal dollars through the state as an RCO.

3.2.2.9.6 Adopted bylaws.

3.2.2.9.7 Adopted conflict of interest policy.

3.2.2.9.8 Adopted operational policies and procedures.

3.2.2.9.9 Experience as an RCO or peer run organization providing direct services to individuals with substance use disorders.

3.2.2.9.10 Experience collaborating and managing projects with multiple partners.

3.2.2.9.11 Experience developing an RCO from the ground up.

3.2.2.9.12 Experience developing curriculum on peer related topics.

3.2.2.9.13 Experience facilitating training and mentoring new trainers.

3.2.2.9.14 Experience providing technical assistance and support to leaders in the community.

3.2.2.9.15 The capacity to provide statewide support.

3.2.3 Tab 3: Additional Information

Please provide any additional information for consideration including proposed sustainable mechanisms for integrating peer voices into Florida’s behavioral health and service delivery system, supporting RCOs through technical assistance and training.

Pricing: Please do not provide any specific cost or pricing information at this time; this is not a solicitation for an offer. However, general pricing information may be provided (e.g., price ranges and variable factors that impact the price).

3.3 Submission Format

Respondents must submit responses via email using the contact information found in Section 1.3.

3.4 Trade Secret, Confidential, or Proprietary Information

If Respondent considers any portion of the documents, data or records submitted in response to this RFI to be a trade secret, as defined in Section 812.081(1)(c), F.S., confidential, proprietary, or otherwise not subject to disclosure pursuant to Chapter 119, F.S., the Florida Constitution or other authority, Respondent must mark the document as “Confidential” and simultaneously provide the Department with a separate redacted copy of its response and briefly describe in writing the grounds for claiming exemption from the public records law, including the specific statutory citation for such exemption. This redacted copy shall contain the Department’s RFI name, number, and the name of the Respondent on the cover, and shall be clearly titled “Redacted Copy.” The Redacted Copy should only redact those portions of material that the Respondent claims are confidential, proprietary, trade secret or otherwise not subject to disclosure.

In the event of a request for public records pursuant to Chapter 119, F.S., the Florida Constitution or other authority, to which documents that are marked as confidential are responsive, the Department will provide the Redacted Copy to the requestor. If a requestor asserts a right to the Confidential Information, the Department will notify the Respondent such an assertion has been made. It is the Respondent’s responsibility to assert that the information in question is exempt from disclosure under chapter 119 or other applicable law. If the Department becomes subject to a demand for discovery or disclosure of the Confidential Information of the Respondent in a legal proceeding, the Department shall give the Respondent prompt notice of the demand prior to releasing the information, unless otherwise prohibited by applicable law. The Respondent shall be responsible for defending its determination that the redacted portions of its response are confidential, proprietary, trade secret, or otherwise not subject to disclosure.

By submitting a reply, the Respondent agrees to protect, defend, and indemnify the Department for any and all claims arising from or relating to the Respondent’s determination that the redacted portions of its reply are confidential, proprietary, trade secret, or otherwise not subject to disclosure.

If Respondent fails to submit a redacted copy of information it claims is confidential, the Department is authorized to produce the entire documents, data, or records submitted to the Department in answer to a public records request for these records.

3.5 Presentations

After the Department receives responses to this RFI, and at the sole discretion of the Department, one (1) or more Respondents may be selected to demonstrate to the Department the Respondent’s products and services relating to the information submitted in the RFI response. The purpose is to learn about the most current solutions available. This economy of presentation will be applied to all verbal discussions as well. The meeting moderator will be polite but direct to keep discussions on topic and will not allow the meetings to take on a sales tone. Vendors are encouraged to bring technical and legal representatives to the presentation meetings.

SECTION 4. Timeline

Date Time Eastern Event

04/10/2025 N/A Release of RFI

04/24/2025 2:00 pm Deadline to submit inquiries

05/08/2025 N/A Department’s response to inquiries

05/19/2025 2:00 pm Deadline to submit responses

Date Time Eastern Event

TBD TBD Presentations

SECTION 5. CAVEATS

5.1 Respondent Costs

Respondents are responsible for all costs associated with the preparation, submission, and any potential meeting to discuss this RFI. The Department will not be responsible for any Respondent related costs associated with responding to this request.

5.2 Special Accommodations

Any person with a disability requiring special accommodations to participate in the RFI shall contact the Department sole point of contact email provided in Section 1.3 at least five (5) working days prior to the event. If you are hearing or speech impaired, please contact this office by using the Florida Relay Services which can be reached at 1 (800) 955-8771 (TDD). Certified Business Enterprises are encouraged to participate in the RFI process.