DMHAS-SWS-HOUSING-H2H-2026.pdf

STATE OF CONNECTICUT STANDARD RFP FOR POS PROCUREMENTS (Final Draft 9.17.26)

STATE OF CONNECTICUT PROCUREMENT NOTICE

Request for Proposals (RFP)

Issued by the State of Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services

(DMHAS)

Homeless to Housing Request for Proposals

(DMHAS-SWS-HOUSING-H2H-2026)

September 21, 2026

The Request for Proposal is available in electronic format on the

State Contracting Portal by filtering by Organization for Connecticut The Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services https://portal.ct.gov/DAS/CTSource/BidBoard or from the Agency’s Official Contact:

Name: Christine Goracy

Address: 410 Capitol Avenue

Hartford, CT 06106

Phone: (860) 418-6746

E-Mail: DMHAS.FiscalContracts@ct.gov

The RFP is also available on the Department’s website at:

https://portal.ct.gov/dmhas/rfps/index/rfps-and-rfqs

RESPONSES MUST BE RECEIVED NO LATER THAN

November 19, 2026 3:00 PM EST

A REQUIRED BIDDERS’ CONFERENCE WILL BE HELD

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2026

at 10:30 AM

DMHAS is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.

https://biznet.ct.gov/SCP_Search/BidResults.aspx https://biznet.ct.gov/SCP_Search/BidResults.aspx https://portal.ct.gov/DAS/CTSource/BidBoard https://portal.ct.gov/dmhas/rfps/index/rfps-and-rfqs

The Agency reserves the right to reject any and all submissions or cancel this procurement at any time if deemed in the best interest of the State of Connecticut (State).

I. TABLE OF CONTENTS

A. INTRODUCTION

B. INSTRUCTIONS

II. PURPOSE OF RFP AND SCOPE OF SERVICES

A. AGENCY OVERVIEW

B. PROGRAM OVERVIEW

C. SCOPE OF SERVICE DESCRIPTION

D. PERFORMANCE MEASURES

E. CONTRACT MANAGEMENT/DATA REPORTING

III. PROPOSAL SUBMISSION OVERVIEW

A. SUBMISSION FORMAT INFORMATION

B. EVALUATION OF PROPOSALS

IV. REQUIRED PROPOSAL SUBMISSION OUTLINE AND REQUIREMENTS

A: Cover Sheet B: Table of Contents C: Proposer Executive Summary D: Main Proposal Submission/Questions E: Attachments F: Declaration of Confidential Information G: Conflict of Interest – Disclosure Statement H: Statement of Assurances

V. MANDATORY PROVISIONS

A. POS STANDARD CONTRACT, PARTS I AND II

B. ASSURANCES

C. TERMS AND CONDITIONS

D. RIGHTS RESERVED TO THE STATE

E. STATUTORY AND REGULATORY COMPLIANCE

VI. APPENDIX

A. ABBREVIATIONS / ACRONYMS / DEFINITIONS

B. STATEMENT OF ASSURANCES

C. REQUIRED LETTER OF INTENT

D. COVER SHEET

E. BUDGET AND BUDGET NARRATIVE

F. Acknowledgement of Contract Compliance - Notification to Bidders G. Equal Employment Opportunity (CHRO) H. Campaign Contribution Certification

I. PROPOSAL CHECKLIST

A. INTRODUCTION

1. RFP Name and Number. Connecticut Homeless to Housing Services Request for Proposal (RFP) (DMHAS-SWS-HOUSING-H2H-2026). The name and number will be used on the packaging if applicable and cover sheet of proposals submitted in response to this RFP.

2. RFP Summary. The State of Connecticut, represented by the Department of

Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS), is soliciting proposals from providers. The purpose of this RFP is to develop programs to support people experiencing homelessness find and sustain stable, safe, permanent housing.

Agencies will do this by implementing interdisciplinary service teams that address the individualized needs of each consumer. The service teams will follow the consumer from their unsheltered or sheltered situation through the stabilization of permanent housing. The program will follow a “services follows the person” model.

3. RFP Purpose. Due to the Office of Policy Management procurement schedule, the scattered site case management services and CT Homeless to Housing services are up for rebid within the DMHAS housing and homeless services budget. DMHAS is soliciting proposals to develop service teams to support people experiencing unsheltered or sheltered homelessness find and sustain stable, safe, permanent housing. The intent of this RFP is to create a collaborative service delivery program that will support people experiencing unsheltered or sheltered homelessness, find and sustain stable, safe, permanent housing by addressing the individualized needs of each consumer. The goals of the program will be to conduct outreach to persons residing out of doors and in places not meant for human habitation and collaborate with emergency shelter staff to assist them in locating permanent housing; once housed the program will continue to provide housing support services to ensure tenancy sustainability. Outcome goals include ensuring service staff are canvassing for people experiencing unsheltered homelessness, connecting them to the Coordinated Access Network (CAN), and advocate for subsidized housing opportunities, connecting to behavioral health services and increasing income through gaining employment or SSI/SSDI.

4. Coordinated Access Network - A collaboration of service providers working together through various monthly meetings to streamline and standardize the process for Consumers to access assistance. There are seven (7) CAN regions in

CT.

5. Commodity Codes. The services that the Agency wishes to procure through this

RFP are as follows:

• 85000000: Healthcare Services

• 93000000: Politics and Civic Affairs Services

• 93140000: Community and Social Services

B. INSTRUCTIONS

1. Official Contact. The Agency has designated the individual below as the Official Contact for purposes of this RFP. The Official Contact is the only authorized contact for this procurement and, as such, handles all related communications on behalf of the Agency. Proposers, prospective proposers, and other interested parties are advised that any communication with any other Agency employee(s)

(including appointed officials) or personnel under contract to the Agency about this RFP is strictly prohibited. Proposers or prospective proposers who violate this instruction may risk disqualification from further consideration.

Name: Christine Goracy

Address: 410 Capitol Avenue

Hartford, CT 06106

Phone: (860) 418-6746

E-Mail: DMHAS.FiscalContracts@ct.gov

Please ensure that e-mail screening software (if used) recognizes and accepts e-mails from the Official Contact.

2. Registering with State Contracting Portal. Respondents must register with the State of CT contracting portal at: https://portal.ct.gov/DAS/CTSource/Registration if not already registered.

Respondents must submit the following information pertaining to this RFP with your proposal:

a. Secretary of State recognition – onlineBusinessSearch (ct.gov)

b. Non-profit status, if applicable

c. Notification to Bidders, Parts I-V https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/CHRO/cc-documents/NotificationtoBidderspdf.pdf

d. Campaign Contribution Certification (OPM Ethics Form 1):

https://portal.ct.gov/OPM/Fin-PSA/Forms/Ethics-Forms

e. Valid Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) obtained through www.sam.gov

3. RFP Information. The RFP, amendments to the RFP, and other information associated with this procurement are available in electronic format from the Official Contact or from the Internet at the following locations:

• Agency’s RFP Web Page https://portal.ct.gov/DMHAS/RFPs/Index/RFPs-and-RFQs

• State Contracting Portal (go to CTSource bid board, filter by DMHAS

It is strongly recommended that any proposer or prospective proposer interested in this procurement check the Bid Board for any solicitation changes.

Interested proposers may receive additional e-mails from CTsource announcing addendums that are posted on the portal. This service is provided as a courtesy to assist in monitoring activities associated with State procurements, including this RFP.

mailto:DMHAS.FiscalContracts@ct.gov https://portal.ct.gov/DAS/CTSource/Registration https://service.ct.gov/business/s/onlinebusinesssearch?language=en_US https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/CHRO/cc-documents/NotificationtoBidderspdf.pdf https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/CHRO/cc-documents/NotificationtoBidderspdf.pdf https://portal.ct.gov/OPM/Fin-PSA/Forms/Ethics-Forms http://www.sam.gov/ https://portal.ct.gov/DMHAS/RFPs/Index/RFPs-and-RFQs

4. Procurement Schedule. See below. Dates after the due date for proposals

(“Proposals Due”) are non-binding target dates only (*). The Agency may amend the schedule as needed. Any change to non-target dates will be made by means of an amendment to this RFP and will be posted on the State Contracting Portal and, if available, the Agency’s RFP Web Page.

Procurement Activity Procurement Dates

RFP Released September 21, 2026

Required Letter of Intent Due October 8 2026, by 3:00 pm

RFP/Bidder’s Conference Date October 15, 2026 at 10:30 am

Deadline for Questions October 22, 2026 by 3:00 pm

Answers Released November 5, 2026 by 3:00 pm

Proposals Due November 19, 2026 by 3:00 pm

(*) Proposer Selection TBD

(*) Start of Contract Negotiations TBD

(*) Start of Contract July 1, 2027

5. Contract Awards. The award of any contract pursuant to this RFP is dependent upon the availability of funding to the Agency. The Agency anticipates the following:

Total Funding Available

$22,770,513.00 annually

Total anticipated service slots statewide

Number of Awards

Up to 5 lead agency contracts per coordinated access network – see attached map

Contract Cost: To Be Determined (TBD) by the Department

Contract Term: 3-year term, however, the Department has the right to extend this contract based on funding availability

Funding Source: State funding, Federal Social Service Block Grant funding, Federal Department of Housing and Urban Development Continuum of Care Federal funding.

(Projects must comply with all DMHAS and HUD requirements, including CoC Program Interim Rule;

Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost

Principles, & Audit Requirements for Federal Awards; HUD CoC Program Notices; CT CAN

Policies; CT BOS Policies; ODFC Policies) https://www.hudexchange.info/resource/2033/hearth-coc-program-interim-rule/ https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/CFR-2014-title2-vol1/CFR-2014-title2-vol1-part200 https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/CFR-2014-title2-vol1/CFR-2014-title2-vol1-part200 https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/CFR-2014-title2-vol1/CFR-2014-title2-vol1-part200 https://www.hudexchange.info/coc/coc-program-law-regulations-and-notices/ https://www.ctbos.org/wp-content/uploads/CT-CAN-Policies-HUB-211-DRAFT-2023.03.27-Formatted-v5.pdf https://www.ctbos.org/wp-content/uploads/CT-CAN-Policies-HUB-211-DRAFT-2023.03.27-Formatted-v5.pdf https://www.ctbos.org/policies/ https://www.openingdoorsfc.org/guidelines

6. Eligibility. Pursuant to C.G.S. §17a-676, and in accordance with federal grant requirements for use of this funding, the Department may only award contracts for the services requested herein to private nonprofit organizations or Connecticut municipalities. Eligible respondents are private provider organizations (defined as non-state entities that are 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporations or partnerships with principal place of business in Connecticut) or Connecticut municipalities.

7. Minimum Qualifications of Proposers. To qualify for a contract award, a proposer must have the following minimum qualifications. Must have a minimum of five (5) years of demonstrated experience with:

a. Direct service delivery: Case management and /or outreach and engagement and/or delivery of clinical services to persons experiencing homelessness, unsheltered, sheltered or in permanent housing AND;

b. Collaboration with: the coordinated access network housing match, the existing homeless outreach teams, permanent supportive housing scattered site programs, the State Operated and/or Private Non-Profit Local Mental Health Authorities (LMHA) in your respective DMHAS region including housing coordination, mental health and/or substance use services.

Failure to meet the minimum qualifications in accordance with the requirements set forth herein shall result in disqualification from further consideration.

8. An Electronic Letter of Intent. An Electronic Letter of Intent (LOI) is required for this RFP. The LOI is non-binding and does not obligate the sender to submit a proposal. The LOI must be submitted to the Official Contact by e-mail by the deadline established in the Procurement Schedule. The LOI must clearly identify the sender, including name, postal address, telephone number, DMHAS CAN applying for, and e-mail address. It is the sender’s responsibility to confirm the Agency’s receipt of the LOI. Failure to submit the required LOI in accordance with the requirements set forth herein shall result in disqualification from further consideration.

9. Inquiry Procedures. All questions regarding this RFP or the Agency’s procurement process must be directed, in writing, electronically, (e-mail) to the Official Contact before the deadline specified in the Procurement Schedule. The early submission of questions is encouraged. Questions will not be accepted or answered verbally – neither in person nor over the telephone. All questions received before the deadline(s) will be answered. However, the Agency will not answer questions when the source is unknown (i.e., nuisance or anonymous questions). Questions deemed unrelated to the RFP or the procurement process will not be answered. At its discretion, the Agency may or may not respond to questions received after the deadline. If this RFP requires a Letter of Intent, the Agency reserves the right to answer questions only from those who have submitted such a letter. The Agency may combine similar questions and give only one answer. All questions and answers will be compiled into a written amendment to this RFP. If any answer to any question constitutes a material change to the RFP, the question and answer will be placed at the beginning of the amendment and duly noted as such.

The agency will release the answers to questions on the date(s) established in the Procurement Schedule. The Agency will publish any and all amendments to this

RFP on the State Contracting Portal and, if available, on the Agency’s RFP Web Page.

At its discretion, the Agency may distribute any amendments to this RFP to prospective proposers who submitted a Letter of Intent and attended the RFP Conference.

10. Virtual RFP Conference. A virtual RFP Bidder’s conference will be held on

October 15, 2026 at 10:30 am to answer questions from prospective proposers.

Attendance at the virtual conference is required. Invitations will be forwarded to prospective proposers who sent in the Letter of Intent. You can also RSVP to attend the conference at DMHAS.FiscalContracts@ct.gov.

Prospective proposers will be provided an opportunity to submit questions via email to DMHAS.FiscalContracts@ct.gov. All questions submitted will be answered in a written Addendum to this RFP, which will serve as the Department’s official response. If any answer to any question constitutes a material change to the RFP, the question and answer will be placed at the beginning of the Addendum and duly noted as such. The agency will release the Addendum on the date established in the Procurement Schedule. The Department will publish any and all Addenda.

11. Electronic Proposal due Date and Time. The Official Contact is the only authorized recipient of proposals submitted in response to this RFP. Proposals must be received by the Official Contact on or before the due date and time:

• Due Date: November 19, 2026

• Time: 3:00 PM EST

Proposals received after the due date and time will be ineligible and will not be evaluated. The Agency will send an official letter alerting late respondents of ineligibility.

An acceptable submission must include the following:

a. One (1) conforming electronic copy of the original proposal.

b. The proposal must be complete, properly formatted and outlined, and ready for evaluation by the Screening Committee.

c. The electronic copy of the proposal must be emailed to the Official Agency

Contact for this procurement. The subject line of the email must read:

DMHAS-SWS-HOUSING-H2H-2026. Required forms and appendices may be scanned and submitted as PDFs at the end of the main proposal document. Please ensure the entire email submission is less than 25MB as this reflects The Agency’s server limitations. Respondents should work to ensure there are not additional IT limitations from the provider side.

12. Multiple Proposals. The submission of multiple proposals is an option for this procurement but only one submission per agency per Coordinated Access Network (CAN).

The remainder of this page left intentionally blank

Coordinated Access Network

II. PURPOSE OF RFP AND SCOPE OF SERVICES

A. AGENCY OVERVIEW

The Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) promotes and administers comprehensive, recovery-oriented services in the areas of mental health treatment and substance use treatment throughout Connecticut.

While the Department's services serve all Connecticut citizens, its mandate is to serve adults (over 18 years of age) with psychiatric or substance use disorders, or both, who lack the financial means to obtain such services on their own. DMHAS also provides collaborative programs for individuals with special needs, such as persons with HIV/AIDS infection, people in the criminal justice system, those with problem gambling disorders, pregnant and parenting women with substance use disorders, persons with traumatic brain injury or hearing impairment, those with co-occurring substance use and mental illness, and special populations transitioning out of the Department of Children and Families.

DMHAS operates on the belief that people with mental illnesses and/or substance use disorders can and should be treated in community settings, and that inpatient treatment should be used only when absolutely necessary to meet the best interests of the individual. Effective care requires that services such as residential, supportive, rehabilitative and crisis intervention programs are available within their local communities. DMHAS is responsible for providing a wide range of services to adults in each of the five human service Regions in Connecticut.

Department Mission

“To promote the overall health and wellness of persons with behavioral health needs through integrated network of holistic, comprehensive, effective, and efficient services and supports that foster dignity, respect, and self-sufficiency in those we serve.”

B. PROGRAM OVERVIEW

The State of Connecticut DMHAS is requesting proposals from non-profit human service agencies to implement a Homeless to Housing Services (H2H) program. The proposed program must develop service teams to provide services that support people experiencing unsheltered or sheltered homelessness, in finding and sustaining stable, safe, permanent housing through interdisciplinary, service teams. The proposed program must reflect collaboration with the local behavioral health organizations including the State Operated and/or Private Non-Profit LMHAs, CANs, The program should include staffing structures and/or community partnership service teams, that allow for the delivery of services to the consumer through their continuum of needs from unsheltered or sheltered homelessness to stable, safe, permanent housing. Programs should follow a “services follow the person” model of service delivery, such that services begin with canvassing and remain with the consumer throughout the process of accessing and securing housing with minimum handoffs to different staff. Once consumers are prioritized for housing, services will continue with the consumer as they are stably housed and as long as the consumer choses to continue housing stabilization services. The service teams will have multiple allowable activities as outlined below. Responsive proposals must clearly outline how they will include all the activities in their program or a combination of their program, subcontractors and community partners. Details regarding the related experience and knowledge of the subcontractors and community partners must be included in the proposal.

Proposals must include a comprehensive plan to implement the following activities:

1. Homeless to Housing Services

a. Coordination with outreach and engagement teams for canvassing;

b. Collaboration with or build capacity for Clinical staff to participate in canvassing and/or housing stabilization and completion of the Disabling Condition Verification;

c. Completing Current Living Situation (CLS) in HMIS

d. Tracking all contacts with consumers;

e. Implement weighted caseloads and plan to fill open slots through collaboration with outreach teams, shelters and the CAN housing match process

f. Connection and collaboration with employment and/or Social Security benefits;

g. Connection and collaboration with behavioral health services providers;

h. Attend CAN meetings to advocate for housing subsidies;

i. Ensure each consumer’s program eligibility as evidenced by documented verification of homelessness and disabling condition;

j. Coordinate services and benefits by providing consumers with referrals, encouraging and supporting use of community services, and providing education on how to access and utilize available services to function independently;

k. Assist with housing location and lease negotiation;

l. Complete Housing Acuity and Assessment Index for each consumer once housed;

m. Development of Housing Services and Sustainability Plan and

n. Provide housing stabilization services to maintain housing.

C. SCOPE OF SERVICE DESCRIPTION

1. Organizational Expectations The purpose of this subsection is to gather information about the administrative and operational capabilities of the proposer to provide the purchased service. At a minimum, the proposer must include the following specific details regarding their organization:

a. Provide a general overview of your organization including its experience providing relevant services and engaging key stakeholders. Describe why your organization is uniquely qualified to take on this scope of work. If you intend to use subcontractors, list each and describe why they are uniquely qualified to take on this scope of work.

b. Identify the CAN Region to be covered in this proposal and how you will work with existing HUD CoC Rental Assistance service providers and scattered site PSH service providers to ensure caseloads are covered if there is a transition in providers for your CAN.

c. Describe your existing relationship with the CAN in which you are proposing to provide services, including collaboration with outreach teams, emergency shelters and housing match and stabilization.

d. Describe your oversight and management plan of subcontractors programmatically and fiscally if applicable

2. Services Expectations

The purpose of this subsection is to gather information about how the proposer intends to provide the purchased service (including the use of any subcontractors).

Proposals must include a comprehensive plan to implement the following:

a. Describe your proposed program workflow including proposed canvassing schedule with DMHAS Unsheltered Homeless Street Outreach teams, coordination with CAN HUBs, continuing services once consumers access a shelter bed and how you will ensure that those experiencing unsheltered or sheltered homelessness will move into permanent housing as part of your service delivery model with a minimum of staff handoffs. (plan should include all activities listed above in section II.B.1 a-n)

b. Describe your proposed program implementation plan and timeline.

c. Describe your experience in using the Stages of Change to engage persons experiencing homelessness or housed in permanent housing.

d. Describe your plan to engage and enhance any existing relationship(s) with the State Operated and Private Non Profit LMHA(s) in your CAN.

e. Describe how your organization includes persons with lived experience including, homelessness, substance use and/or behavioral health disorders in the programs and management structure.

f. Describe how you will connect consumers to income through employment or Social Security benefits.

g. Describe how you will utilize the Housing Assessment and Acuity Index tool to develop a Housing Services and Stabilization Plan.

h. Describe your management and supervision plan for your service staff.

3. Staffing Expectations

Describe the team that would work on this new program. Use the salary with benefits at a minimum $100,000 annually per FTE

a. Key Personnel for the lead agency and any subcontractors included in this proposal: Provide the names or titles of proposed personnel and the hours and percentages of time dedicated to this project

b. Describe your plan to recruit and hire people with lived experience, including lived experience of homelessness, substance use and/or mental health disorders to be a member of your team.

c. Describe how this funding will support staffing capacity and broaden the capacity for service delivery outside of normal business hours.

d. Include proposed organizational chart to demonstrate the supervision structure of these positions and subcontractors (Not included in the 20 page limit, include in appendices)

4. Data and Technology Expectations

The purpose of this subsection is to gather information about the proposer’s information management and performance measurement systems.

a. Proposers must demonstrate sufficient capacity to collect, manage and report Department-required data for itself and subcontractors as needed.

b. Proposers and the proposed program must have the capability to access the internet, send/receive outside email and to maintain electronic health records on-site.

c. Program service site will have processes in place that utilize data to monitor and inform program management and improvement. Proposers will have sufficient capacity to collect and manage DMHAS required data regarding admission, discharge, and services.

d. Describe your capacity to collect consumer level data using Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) or your ability to implement such data collection within one month of award.

e. Describe your ability to ensure staff have access to adequate technology infrastructure necessary for supporting field documentation and virtual connection or service provision should there be a resurgence in pandemic conditions that require said protocols.

f. Describe your ability to collect and enter consumer level data in DMHAS Data Performance System (DDaP) for your agency and your proposed subcontractors as needed. If not currently a DMHAS funded agency, describe your plan to access DDaP and all relevant DDaP trainings and how you will comply with all DDaP requirements.

5. Financial Expectations

a. Financial Status Reports: If the three (3) most recent audits are available via the Office of Policy and Management’s EARS system, such may be noted in the proposal, and a hardcopy of the audit cover letters need not be provided.

b. Audited Financial Statements: Any proposer agency that does not hold a current contract with the Department, must submit cover letters from their auditor for the last three (3) annual audits of their agency and a copy of their most recent financial audit, included in the proposal. If less than three (3) audits were conducted, detail must be provided as to why, and any supporting documentation assuring the financial efficacy of the applicant agency should be included (i.e. an accountant prepared financial statement, a tax return, etc.).

6. Budget and Budget Narrative developed the proposed budget and cost allocations. For the development of your program, staffing structure and budget, please utilize the salary with benefits at a minimum $100,000 annually per FTE

a. Proposals must contain an itemized annual budget on the budget form delineated in Section VI. Appendix, E. Budget and Budget Narrative, of this RFP. All startup costs must be clearly identified as one (1) line item in the budget.

b. A budget narrative must be provided, explaining all costs contained in the budget. All start-up costs must be listed separately and clearly detailed in the budget narrative.

c. Budget: A responsive proposal shall include a line item budget for each of the three years that depicts the allowable costs associated with the program, staffing Full Time Equivalent (FTE) and % along with job title, contracted amounts for each subcontractor as needed and lines 5901 – 5906, client subsidies with proposed activities described in the budget narrative, utilizing the budget form embedded in appendix section. All pages should be submitted and, as they are forms, are not included in the page limit. Proposals will be competitively scored on financial feasibility.

d. Budget Narrative: A responsive proposal shall detail how costs included in the line item budget were calculated. Either Microsoft Office Word or Excel format is acceptable. Allowable costs are those associated with the above described eligible activities.

D. PERFORMANCE MEASURES

The following performance metrics highlight key priorities that will be analyzed with providers collaboratively during the life of the contract. This is not an exhaustive list, but rather an indication of significant performance metrics of interest to DMHAS.

DMHAS looks forward to working with providers to define additional important performance metrics.

CT Homeless to Housing Services Performance Measures

Measure 1: At least 90% of H2H consumers had an immediate prior residence of literal homelessness when enrolled

Measure 3: At least 80% of engaged consumers will not return to homelessness after or within 2 years.

Measure 4: At least 80% of enrolled consumers get permanently housed

Measure 5: At least 90% of engaged consumers are connected to community resources, including behavioral health or healthcare.

Measure 6: At least 75% of H2H consumers will obtain and/or maintain earned or unearned income over the course of their program enrollment.

E. CONTRACT MANAGEMENT/DATA REPORTING

As part of the State’s commitment to becoming more outcomes oriented, DMHAS, seeks to actively and regularly collaborate with providers to enhance contract management, improve results, and adjust service delivery and policy based on learning what works. Reliable and relevant data is necessary to ensure compliance, inform trends to be monitored, evaluate results and performance, and drive service improvements. As such, DMHAS reserves the right to request/collect other key data and metrics from providers.

1. Program Monitoring: DMHAS Housing and Homeless Services Unit will convene quarterly meetings with the new providers.

2. Outcome results will be monitored by the Department through data reported to the Department’s information systems, in observations through site visits, the required monthly and/or annual service reports, as required by the Department or a combination of site visits and reports.

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III. PROPOSAL SUBMISSION OVERVIEW

A. SUBMISSION FORMAT INFORMATION

1. Required Outline. All proposals must follow the required outline presented in Section IV – Proposal Submission Outline and Requirements. Proposals that fail to follow the required outline will be deemed non-responsive and not evaluated.

2. Cover Sheet. The Cover Sheet is Page 1 of the proposal. Proposers must complete and use the Cover Sheet form provided by the Agency in the VI.

Appendix D. Cover Sheet.

Legal Name is defined as the name of private provider organization, CT State agency, or municipality submitting the proposal. Contact Person is defined as the individual who can provide additional information about the proposal or who has immediate responsibility for the proposal. Authorized Official is defined as the individual empowered to submit a binding offer on behalf of the proposer to provide services in accordance with the terms and provisions described in this RFP and any amendments or attachments hereto.

3. Table of Contents. All proposals must include a Table of Contents that conforms with the required proposal outline.

4. Executive Summary. Proposals must include a high-level summary, not exceeding two (2) pages. The summary must include a bulleted list of how the organization meets the minimum qualifications as described in section I.B.7, and the organization’s eligibility and qualifications to respond to this RFP. The executive summary is not part of the main proposal and cost proposal. Failure to meet the minimum qualifications in accordance with the requirements set forth herein shall result in disqualification from further consideration.

5. Attachments. Attachments other than the required Appendices or Forms identified in the RFP are not permitted and will not be evaluated. Further, the required Appendices or Forms must not be altered or used to extend, enhance, or replace any component required by this RFP. Failure to abide by these instructions will result in disqualification. All attachments should be labeled and included in Section E. Attachments of the proposal.

6. Style Requirements. This is an electronic submission.

Submitted proposals must conform to the following specifications:

Paper Size 8.5 x 11 (Standard Letter)

Font Size 12

Font Type Times New Roman

Margins Normal (1 inch around)

Line Spacing 1 ½

Print Style Singled-Sided

Page Limit Maximum 20 pages, exclusive of Executive Summary, Appendices, Budget Forms and Budget Narrative

7. Pagination. The proposer’s name must be displayed in the header of each page.

All pages, including the required Appendices and Forms, must be numbered in the footer.

8. Packaging and Labeling Requirements. Not Applicable

9. Declaration of Confidential Information. Proposers are advised that all materials associated with this procurement are subject to the terms of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), the Privacy Act, and all rules, regulations and interpretations resulting from them. If a proposer deems that certain information required by this RFP is confidential, the proposer must label such information as CONFIDENTIAL prior to submission. In subsection IV.F.

of the proposal submission, the proposer must reference where the information labeled CONFIDENTIAL is located in the proposal. EXAMPLE:

Section G.1.a. For each subsection so referenced, the proposer must provide a convincing explanation and rationale sufficient to justify an exemption of the information from release under the FOIA. The explanation and rationale must be stated in terms of (a) the prospective harm to the competitive position of the proposer that would result if the identified information were to be released and (b) the reasons why the information is legally exempt from release pursuant to C.G.S.

§ 1-210(b).

10. Conflict of Interest - Disclosure Statement. Proposers must include a disclosure statement concerning any current business relationships (within the last three (3) years) that pose a conflict of interest, as defined by C.G.S. § 1-85. A conflict of interest exists when a relationship exists between the proposer and a public official (including an elected official) or State employee that may interfere with fair competition or may be adverse to the interests of the State. The existence of a conflict of interest is not, in and of itself, evidence of wrongdoing. A conflict of interest may, however, become a legal matter if a proposer tries to influence, or succeeds in influencing, the outcome of an official decision for their personal or corporate benefit. The Agency will determine whether any disclosed conflict of interest poses a substantial advantage to the proposer over the competition, decreases the overall competitiveness of this procurement, or is not in the best interests of the State. In the absence of any conflict of interest, a proposer must affirm such in the disclosure statement. Example: “[name of proposer] has no current business relationship (within the last three (3) years) that poses a conflict of interest, as defined by C.G.S. § 1-85.”

B. EVALUATION OF PROPOSALS

1. Evaluation Process. It is the intent of the Agency to conduct a comprehensive, fair, and impartial evaluation of proposals received in response to this RFP. When evaluating proposals, negotiating with successful proposers, and awarding contracts, the Agency will conform with its written procedures for POS and PSA procurements (pursuant to C.G.S. § 4-217) and the State’s Code of Ethics (pursuant to C.G.S. §§ 1-84 and 1-85). Final funding allocation decisions will be determined during contract negotiation.

2. Evaluation Review Committee. The Agency will designate a Review Committee to evaluate proposals submitted in response to this RFP. The Review Committee will be composed of individuals, Agency staff or other designees as deemed appropriate. The contents of all submitted proposals, including any confidential information, will be shared with the Review Committee. Only proposals found to be responsive (that is, complying with all instructions and requirements described herein) will be reviewed, rated, and scored. Proposals that fail to comply with all instructions will be rejected without further consideration. The Review Committee shall evaluate all proposals that meet the Minimum Submission Requirements by score and rank ordered and make recommendations for awards. The Agency Head will make the final selection. Attempts by any proposer (or representative of any proposer) to contact or influence any member of the Review Committee may result in disqualification of the proposer.

3. Minimum Submission Requirements. To be eligible for evaluation, proposals must (1) be received on or before the due date and time; (2) meet the Proposal Format requirements; (3) meet the Eligibility and Qualification requirements to respond to the procurement, (4) follow the required Proposal Outline; and (5) be complete. Proposals that fail to follow instructions or satisfy these minimum submission requirements will not be reviewed further. The Agency will reject any proposal that deviates significantly from the requirements of this RFP.

4. Evaluation Criteria (and Weights). Proposals meeting the Minimum Submission

Requirements will be evaluated according to the established criteria. The criteria are the objective standards that the Review Committee will use to evaluate the technical merits of the proposals. Only the criteria listed below will be used to evaluate proposals. The weights are disclosed below:

Criteria Points

Organizational Expectations 15

Services Expectations 35

Staffing Expectations 30

Data and Technology Expectations 10

Budget/Narrative 10

Total 100

Criteria Total Points

What would a top score look like?

Organizational Expectations

15 Would include but not limited to experience working with the CAN, housing match, working with homeless delivery system, collaboration with mental health and substance use service agencies, and relevant service delivery during non-business hours (early mornings, evenings, weekends) If applicable, this will include sub-contractors and their role on the proposed team and how the lead agency will provide oversight and monitoring. Would also include transition plan to work with any PSH scattered site programs that do not get this award but have clients in service slots.

Scope of Services – Service expectations

35 Would include but not limited to a comprehensive workflow canvassing schedule, that will include all towns in relevant CAN (applicant and sub-contractors, if applicable), how those experiencing unsheltered or sheltered homelessness will move into permanent housing as part of your service delivery model, inclusion of persons with lived experience including, homelessness, substance use and/or behavioral health disorders in the programs and management structure, and utilization of the Housing Assessment and Acuity Index tool to develop a Housing Services and Stabilization Plan. (This will include sub-contractors, if applicable). Plan to assist tenants in maintaining housing, include case management and engagement strategies.

Staffing Expectations

30 Would include staff titles, percent of time dedicated to this program and expected capacity. If sub-contractors are being used, provide a description of their specific role, including but not limited to staff titles, percent of time dedicated to this program and expected capacity.

If there are subcontractors, what is the proposed oversight and partnership structure for data collection and consistency in service delivery and documentation. A detailed organizational chart outlining agency H2H staffing structure and subcontractor staffing structure with oversight must be in appendices. Would include the supervision schedule and structure.

Data and Technology Expectations

10 Would include but not limited to process for use of HMIS and DDaP, technology to complete any required reports, use of reliable and relevant necessary data to ensure compliance and adequate technology infrastructure necessary for supporting field documentation and virtual connections. (This will include sub-contractors, if applicable).

Budget and Budget narrative

10 Would include allowable costs associated with the program, staffing Full Time Equivalent (FTE), using the $100,000 per FTE and % along with job title, utilizing the budget form in the appendices. All pages should be submitted and, as they are forms, not included in the page limit. Proposals will be competitively scored on financial feasibility: budget supports flexibility of staff in the office and in the field, budget supports any client support needs as described in service expectations, # of proposed FTEs supports the needs of transitioning PSH clients and obtaining new clients through the CAN and/or outreach and engagement

Total 100

As part of its evaluation of the Staffing Plan, the Review Committee will review the proposer’s demonstrated commitment to affirmative action, as required by the Regulations of CT State Agencies § 46A-68j-30(10).

5. Proposer Selection. Upon completing its evaluation of proposals, the Review Committee will submit the rankings of all proposals to the Commissioner or Agency Head. The final selection of a successful proposer is at the discretion of the Commissioner or Agency Head. Any proposer selected will be so notified and awarded an opportunity to negotiate a contract with the Agency. Such negotiations may, but will not automatically, result in a contract. Any resulting contract will be posted on the State Contracting Portal. All unsuccessful proposers will be notified by e-mail or U.S. mail, at the Agency’s discretion, about the outcome of the evaluation and proposer selection process. The Agency reserves the right to decline to award contracts for activities in which the Commissioner or Agency Head considers there are not adequate respondents.

6. Debriefing. Within ten (10) days of receiving notification from the Agency, unsuccessful proposers may contact the Official Contact and request information about the evaluation and proposer selection process. The e-mail sent date or the postmark date on the notification envelope will be considered “day one” of the ten

(10) days. If unsuccessful proposers still have questions after receiving this information, they may contact the Official Contact and request a meeting with the Agency to discuss the evaluation process and their proposals. If held, the debriefing meeting will not include any comparisons of unsuccessful proposals with other proposals. The Agency may schedule and hold the debriefing meeting within fifteen (15) days of the request. The Agency will not change, alter, or modify the outcome of the evaluation or selection process as a result of any debriefing meeting.

7. Appeal Process. Proposers may appeal any aspect the Agency’s competitive procurement, including the evaluation and proposer selection process. Any such appeal must be submitted to the Agency head. A proposer may file an appeal at any time after the proposal due date, but not later than thirty (30) days after an agency notifies unsuccessful proposers about the outcome of the evaluation and proposer selection process. The e-mail sent date or the postmark date on the notification envelope will be considered “day one” of the thirty (30) days. The filing of an appeal shall not be deemed sufficient reason for the Agency to delay, suspend, cancel, or terminate the procurement process or execution of a contract.

More detailed information about filing an appeal may be obtained from the Official Contact.

8. Contract Execution. Any contract developed and executed as a result of this RFP is subject to the Agency’s contracting procedures, which may include approval by the Office of the Attorney General. Fully executed and approved contracts will be posted on State Contracting Portal and the Agency website.

IV. REQUIRED PROPOSAL SUBMISSION OUTLINE AND REQUIREMENTS

A. Cover Sheet

B. Table of Contents

C. Executive Summary

D. Main Proposal

E. Attachments (clearly referenced to summary and main proposal where applicable)

F. Declaration of Confidential Information

G. Conflict of Interest - Disclosure Statement

H. Statement of Assurances

A-H are defined more specifically below. The listing above is just to provide an initial outline for proposers.

This section is for information only. This can be used for additional instruction on completing your Main Proposal in your RFP as applicable.

A: Cover Sheet

The Respondent must use a Cover Sheet provided.

Legal Name is defined as the name of private provider organization, CT State agency, or municipality submitting the proposal. Contact Person is defined as the individual who can provide additional information about the proposal or who has immediate responsibility for the proposal. Authorized Official is defined as the individual empowered to submit a binding offer on behalf of the proposer to provide services in accordance with the terms and provisions described in this RFP and any amendments or attachments hereto.

B: Table of Contents

Respondents must include a Table of Contents that lists sections and subsections with page numbers that follow the organization outline and sequence for this proposal.

C: Proposer Executive Summary

The page limitation for this section is two (2) pages briefly describing how the Respondent meets the eligibility and qualification criteria outlined in the Proposal Overview and a brief overview of why the Respondent should be selected for the activities highlighted in the scope of services.

D: Main Proposal Submission/Questions

***Please note the maximum total page length for this section is 20 (all appendices and other attachments should be referred to in section D and then placed in section E.

1. Organizational Expectations

The purpose of this subsection is to gather information about the administrative and operational capabilities of the proposer to provide the purchased service.

2. Services Expectations intends to provide the purchased service (including the use of any subcontractors).

3. Staffing Plan Expectations

a. Team overview: Describe the team that would work on this project. Include a list of key team members and their general availability while on this project.

Make the case for why they will be great partners on this project. Please provide bios, and additional information you think best highlights the strength of the team that would be working on this project.

b. General capacity: Please describe your organization’s capacity to take on additional work if you are awarded this contract. How would you create additional capacity, if needed? How would you quickly pivot directions, should feedback from the DMHAS require a change in direction?

4. Data and Technology Expectations The purpose of this subsection is to gather information about the proposer’s information management and performance measurement systems.

5. Financial Expectations

The purpose of this subsection is to gather information about the proposer’s fiscal stability, accounting and financial reporting systems, or relevant business practices.

6. Budget and Budget Narrative developed the proposed budget and cost allocations.

E: Attachments

Attachments other than the required attachments identified are not permitted and will not be evaluated. See the Proposal Checklist in Appendix I. pages 37 and 38 for a list of relevant attachments. Further, the required attachments must not be altered or used to extend, enhance, or replace any component required by this RFP. Failure to abide by these instructions may result in disqualification.

F: Declaration of Confidential Information

If a proposer deems that certain information required by this RFP is confidential, the proposer must label such information as CONFIDENTIAL prior to submission. The proposer must reference where the information labeled CONFIDENTIAL is located in the proposal. EXAMPLE: Section G.1.a. For each subsection so referenced, the proposer must provide a convincing explanation and rationale sufficient to justify an exemption of the information from release under the FOIA. The explanation and rationale must be stated in terms of (a) the prospective harm to the competitive position of the proposer that would result if the identified information were to be released and (b) the reasons why the information is legally exempt from release pursuant to C.G.S. § 1-210(b).

G: Conflict of Interest – Disclosure Statement

Proposers must include a disclosure statement concerning any current business relationships (within the last three (3) years) that pose a conflict of interest, as defined by C.G.S. § 1-85. A conflict of interest exists when a relationship exists between the proposer and a public official (including an elected official) or State employee that may interfere with fair competition or may be adverse to the interests of the State. The existence of a conflict of interest is not, in and of itself, evidence of wrongdoing. A conflict of interest may, however, become a legal matter if a proposer tries to influence, or succeeds in influencing, the outcome of an official decision for their personal or corporate benefit. In the absence of any conflict of interest, a proposer must affirm such in the disclosure statement. Example: “[name of proposer] has no current business relationship (within the last three (3) years) that poses a conflict of interest, as defined by C.G.S. § 1-85.”

H: Statement of Assurances

Place after Conflict of Interest-Disclosure Statement.