DMHAS-CSD-RISE-202_Oct_26_26_solicitation_doc.pdf

This is a Request for Proposal (RFP) solicitation document issued by the Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS), Community Services Division, seeking qualified organizations to establish and operate Regional Infectious Services Enhancement (RISE) Hubs across Connecticut's five service regions. The solicitation requests proposals for a maximum of two RISE Hubs per region to strengthen regional capacity in integrated infectious disease prevention, education, screening, testing, linkage to care, care coordination, workforce development, and regional collaboration within the behavioral health system. The RFP opens October 19, 2026, with a mandatory bidders' conference scheduled for November 5, 2026, and proposals due December 10, 2026, at 3:00 PM EST. A Letter of Intent is due October 28, 2026, at 3:00 PM, and questions must be submitted by November 12, 2026, with answers released by November 17, 2026. The anticipated contract start date is March 1, 2027, for an initial term of up to three years.

Eligible respondents include private nonprofit organizations holding 501(c)(3) status or Connecticut municipalities with a principal place of business in Connecticut. Proposers must demonstrate organizational experience in behavioral health, healthcare, infectious disease, public health, or comparable services and maintain all required Connecticut licenses and certifications. Total funding is $1,000,000, with a maximum award of $200,000 per region, funded through Substance Use State and Federal sources. Minimum staffing requirements include a Program Coordinator (0.50–1.00 FTE), Peer Recovery Specialist (0.75–1.00 FTE), Licensed Nurse/RN (0.50–1.00 FTE), and Administrative/Data Support (in-kind). Each hub must serve a minimum of 100 unduplicated individuals annually and conduct at least four regional education and training activities annually. An additional 10 points will be awarded to applicants with SAMHSA-certified Opioid Treatment Programs proposing to house and operate the RISE Hub within their OTP locations. Evaluation criteria include organizational requirements (5 points), service requirements (25 points), core components of service (30 points), staffing (5 points), data and technology (5 points), work plan (5 points), budget and narrative (10 points), culturally responsive services (10 points), and contract management and data reporting (5 points).