Documented Quote Request Strategies for Self Improvement and Change Training

DQ IBEH 2026000462

April 30, 2026 Basic Information and Timeline

All dates and times are subject to change and are in Mountain Time.

Table of Contents

A. Quick Resources

1. For questions about this solicitation, contact the Single Point of Contact identified above.

2. For help with Vendor Self Service (ColoradoVSS), contact the Vendor Self Service Help Desk vsshelp@state.co.us or 303-866-6464.

3. For information about doing business with the state of Colorado generally, go to: https://osc.colorado.gov/spco/accesscolorado.

4. The Department is always interested in improving. Please take this survey at any time: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScIgv9lgrT3x5AGzcvT1xkvpucrRhhN5QJ23vLcbyfvc2smaw/viewform (We do actually read the responses)

B. Introduction and Background Behavioral Health Administration (BHA) is seeking a contractor to deliver specialized training that strengthens the behavioral health workforce serving justice involved individuals with substance use disorder. BHA works to ensure that Coloradans have access to high-quality behavioral health services that are evidence-based, person-centered and culturally responsive.

The Strategies for Self-Improvement and Change (SSC) curriculum is an evidence-based, cognitive-behavioral intervention designed to reduce substance use and criminal behavior among justice-involved individuals. The curriculum utilizes a structured, three-phase model—Challenge to Change, Commitment to Change, and Ownership of Change—to support long-term behavioral change, recovery, and reduced recidivism.

Purpose of the Project The purpose of this contract is to provide five (5) SSC training sessions during State Fiscal Year 2026–2027 (July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027). Each SSC session will be a two-day training, offered either virtually or in person, and designed for behavioral health and substance use treatment providers who work with justice-involved individuals.

Awarded contractor Qualifications:

The proposed trainer should hold one of the following Colorado credentials:

Certified Addiction Specialist (CAS) or Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC)

The proposed trainer should either:

1. Be approved by BHA as a trainer of the Strategies for Self-Improvement and Change (SSC) curriculum at the time of proposal submission; or

2. Demonstrate the ability to obtain BHA approval and commit to securing such approval prior to delivering SSC training services under the contract.

To demonstrate the ability to obtain BHA approval, the proposed trainer shall provide documentation that includes:

1. Relevant professional experience delivering SSC or comparable evidence-based cognitive-behavioral interventions for justice-involved population;

2. Current credentials and qualifications that align with BHA trainer requirements (e.g. CAS or LAC licensure)

3. A clear plan and timeline for obtaining BHA approval within the required timeframe, and

4. A written commitment to secure BHA approval prior to delivering any SSC training services.

Process for Obtaining BHA SSC Trainer Approval:

To support respondents in demonstrating their ability to obtain BHA approval, the SSC trainer approval process includes completion of required training and an observed training component.

SSC trainings are offered as fourteen (14) hour, two-day sessions, delivered either virtually or in person, and are designed for behavioral health and substance use treatment providers working with justice-involved individuals.

Interested applicants must complete and submit the SSC training application available on the BHA Workforce Development webpage (https://bha.colorado.gov/for-service-providers/learning-and-development/workforce-development). The application includes the current schedule of available SSC training and must be submitted via email to the BHA SSC Program Manager.

BHA trainer approval consists of successful completion of the SSC training and delivery of one SSC training under direct observation of the BHA SSC Program Manager.

Respondents proposing a trainer who is not yet BHA-approved at the time of proposal submission must include a plan and timeline demonstrating how they will complete these steps and obtain approval prior to delivering any SSC training services under this contract.

C. How to Submit a Quote

5. In General. Email the quote, Signature Page, and any other required documents in one zip file as an attachment to this email address: DQ_IBEH.totjoj3rk2c9xh9k@u.box.com. Please be aware of email server file size limitations. The maximum file size the Department can accept is 15 GB.

6. Only Attachments. Only the zip file goes through. The Department cannot see any text or messages sent to the email address identified above. Written questions may be emailed to the Single Point of Contact.

7. File Names. The zip file name should start with the solicitation type, solicitation number, and vendor name (e.g., “DQ 2026000XXX Vendor Name…”). Vendors may include additional information in the zip file name.

8. Timing. The zip file typically uploads within five minutes; however, vendors should submit zip files at least thirty minutes prior to any deadline to ensure the file is received.

9. Confirmation. Vendors will receive an email confirmation from box.com that the zip file was uploaded correctly. If not, please contact the Single Point of Contact.

10. No Encryption. Do not encrypt emails sent to the submission email as it may prevent full submission.

11. Pre-bid Conference. There will not be a pre-bid conference.

12. Questions. Vendors may submit questions by email to the Single Point of Contact prior to the Questions Due Date identified in the Basic Information and Timeline above. The Department may answer some, all, or none of the questions asked by posting them publicly.

13. Late Quotes may be accepted at the Department’s sole discretion.

D. Quote Format

1. Maximum Length. Proposals should not exceed six (6) pages. The Department may evaluate proposals negatively if this page limit is not followed.

2. Complete and return Section K. Signature Page.

E. Quote Content

1. Quote Substance. Please answer or address the following questions or issues. The response should be succinct, self-explanatory, and consistent with the information presented in the RFP and Exhibit A - Statement of Work (SOW):

a. Professional Credential I. Please submit evidence if you hold any of the following credentials:

i. Certified Addiction Specialist (CAS) or

ii. Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC) in Colorado

iii. Note: Vendors without these credentials may still apply.

iv. Note: The credentials will not go against the maximum length pages listed in D.1 of this proposal.

II. If not currently approved, please demonstrate your ability to obtain BHA approval by addressing the following:

i. Describe your relevant professional experience delivering SSC or comparable evidence-based cognitive-behavioral interventions for justice-involved populations;

ii. Reference your previously submitted credentials (e.g., CAS or LAC licensure) and describe how they align with BHA trainer approval requirements.;

iii. Provide a clear plan and timeline for obtaining BHA approval within the required timeframe; and

iv. Provide a written commitment confirming you will obtain BHA approval prior to delivering any SSC training services under this contract.

b. Please describe any relevant training you have obtained, including BHA approved SSC training.

I. Note: Any attachments sustaining this request will not go against the maximum length pages listed in D.1 of this proposal.

c. Experience Delivering Behavioral Health & Justice-Involved Trainings I. Please describe your experience delivering behavioral-health and justice-involved training for governmental or public-sector agencies, or public-sector agencies (or equivalent combination of education and experience). Please include information as listed below:

i. Resumes which clearly outlines relevant professional background,

ii. Competencies and experience of the proposed trainer in delivering the SSC curriculum, including the ability to maintain high fidelity to the three-phase model or experience delivering a comparable structured, manualized cognitive-behavioral curriculum serving justice-involved or substance use treatment populations. Applicants with comparable experience should demonstrate the ability to adapt to and maintain fidelity to the SSC model upon training.

iii. Note: Letter of recommendations are welcome but will not be considered part of the experience demonstration and will not be evaluated. These will not go against the maximum length pages listed in D.1 of this proposal.

d. Training Delivery Capacity (Virtual and In-Person) I. Please describe your experience and capability to deliver SSC curriculum via Zoom (or comparable virtual platform) and in person.

e. Training Quality / Participant Evaluation Scores I. Proposals should include documentation that at least 80% of past participants rated the trainer as “satisfactory” or higher on post-training evaluations. Documentation should include aggregated evaluation results and electronic copies of the course evaluations or other verifiable evidence of participant feedback.

2. Cost. Please answer or address the following questions or issues:

i. Cost Requirements - Please submit a completed Exhibit B – FY27 BHA Cost Reimbursement Budget Template and a detailed budget narrative.

ii. Budget submissions should include the following information:

a. Explain and justify the purpose of each budget line item, including calculations and assumptions for all costs necessary to operate the proposed program effectively.

b. Ensure all proposed costs are reasonable, allowable, and necessary to accomplish the deliverables and activities outlined in the SOW.

c. Provide a short narrative for each budget line item describing how the funds support program activities and how costs were calculated.

F. Demographic Form

1. In an effort to best comply with Colorado Procurement Code rule R-24-103-901 re maximizing opportunities, we like to gather certain voluntary demographic information from potential vendors where possible. This is entirely voluntary and does not affect an organization’s application/proposal/quote/bid or contract whatsoever in any way. It is not taken into consideration in this procurement process or reviewed by evaluators in this process. The information gathered is submitted directly to a data gathering team at CDHS who provide general statistics on outcomes and trends to CDHS Contracts & Procurement leadership on approximately a quarterly basis so that this leadership can look for ways to generally and overall maximize opportunities as described in the Code. Please fill out the following form regarding your organization’s demographic information if and to whatever extent you are willing. This is again entirely voluntary and has no impact on your potential work for the State: https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/219f6db8803b4994afb9bf70e84fa421 G. How Quotes are Evaluated

1. In General. The Department may determine whether a quote is acceptable and may compare the relative value of competing quotes, not solely the price. “Acceptable,” means that the good or service will meet the Department's needs and that the price is fair and reasonable. The choice of vendor will be based on which acceptable quote is most advantageous to the state, price/cost being the primary consideration.

2. Mandatory Criteria. The Department may identify mandatory criteria. However, the Department reserves the right to waive mandatory requirements pursuant to Rule 24-103-301-03.

3. References. The Department may contact references, whether provided or not, and consider them as part of the evaluation.

H. Ethics and Accessibility

1. Any person involved in the purchasing process for the State, any end users of such goods and services, any vendor or contractor that does business with the state, and any other interested third parties to the procurement process shall enhance the proficiency and stature of the purchasing process by adhering to the highest standards of ethical behavior.

2. Accessibility Requirements. All work performed as a result of this solicitation must comply with all applicable provisions of §§24-85-101, et seq., C.R.S., and the Accessibility Standards for Individuals with a Disability, as established by the Office Of Information Technology pursuant to Section §24-85-103 (2.5), C.R.S. and 3) all State of Colorado technology standards related to technology accessibility and with Level AA of the most current version of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), incorporated in the State of Colorado technology standards.

I. Administrative Information

1. Communication. All communication regarding this solicitation must be done through the Single Point of Contact identified above. Unauthorized contact with any Department personnel other than the Single Point of Contact regarding this solicitation is prohibited and may result in disqualification.

2. Notices. The Department may modify this solicitation by posting changes via the Colorado VSS website. All communications will be posted on the VSS, www.colorado.gov/vss , and/or through a direct email from the Single Point of Contact.

3. Modifications of Quotes. Quotes may be modified or withdrawn by the vendor prior to the established due date and time. Vendors may be asked by the Department to modify or clarify their quotes after the due date.

4. Presentations or Site Visits. At the Department’s sole discretion, the Department may request presentations or site visits. Vendors should not, however, prepare the quote with the assumption that an opportunity for oral presentations or revisions will be offered.

5. Acceptance of solicitation terms. A quote submitted in response to this solicitation shall constitute a binding offer and acknowledgment that all terms and conditions of this solicitation are accepted. Vendors must identify any variations between its quote and the solicitation. Failure to do so shall be deemed a waiver of any rights to subsequently modify the terms of performance.

6. Contract. Vendors must agree to the State’s contract terms, found here: https://cdhs.colorado.gov/procurement or as an exhibit to this solicitation. Please note that any referenced or attached model contract lists the State’s standard required legal provisions but may not include the specific scope of work and other specific terms or requirements for this solicitation. Vendors must review any attached contract terms and note any exceptions. If no exceptions are noted, Vendor is indicating an intent to accept the terms as-is. Modifications to the State’s contract terms constitute increased risk and costs to the State. Therefore, Vendor’s noted exceptions may be considered in any evaluation.

7. Award. The Department will notify all vendors who submitted a quote when it issues a Notice of Intent to Award or actual award. The awarded vendor(s) must act in good faith to execute an agreement on or before the Anticipated Contract Start Date identified above. If this date is not met, through no fault of the State, the State, at its sole discretion, may cancel the Notice of Intent to Award.

8. Protests. Any actual or prospective vendor who is aggrieved in connection with the solicitation or award of a contract may protest to Lauren Ingalls (email to lauren.ingalls@state.co.us), Procurement Director, Division of Contracts and Procurement, Department of Human Services. The protest shall be submitted in writing within three business days after such aggrieved person knows, or should have known, of the facts giving rise thereto.

9. CORE Registration. Unless otherwise noted, before the Department can award to any vendor, that vendor must be registered in CORE, which can be completed through Vendor Self Service at www.colorado.gov/vss.

10. EFT. Awarded vendors are encouraged to sign up for EFT transfers.

11. Secretary of State Registration. Before Contract execution, the awarded vendor must be registered to do business in the State of Colorado. If a vendor is a foreign corporation (formed under a statute or common law in a jurisdiction other than Colorado) or other foreign entity transacting business in the State of Colorado, it shall warrant that it currently has obtained and shall maintain any applicable certificate of authority to transact business in the State of Colorado and has designated a registered agent in Colorado to accept service of process.

12. System for Award Management. Before Contract execution, the awarded vendor(s) must be registered with the System for Award Management (SAM.gov).

13. Confidentiality. The State of Colorado is subject to the requirements of §24-72-200.1, C.R.S., et seq., Colorado Open Records Act. Anything submitted by a vendor is likely to become public information. Vendors may submit, as a part of its solicitation response, a written request for classification of certain portions of the proposal as confidential information pursuant to Colorado Procurement Code R-24-101-401-03. Material for which confidentiality has been requested shall be readily identifiable and separable from other portions of the solicitation to facilitate public inspection of the non-confidential portion of the solicitation response, if it is not, the confidentiality request will not be considered. Commingling of confidential and non-confidential information is not acceptable and any confidentiality request made in this fashion will not be considered. In no event shall an entire proposal be classified as confidential. Marking an entire proposal as confidential is a confidentiality request that will not be considered. Price information will not be considered confidential. In addition to complying with the aforementioned restrictions, in order for the confidentiality request to be considered, the vendor must include the rationale for the request to classify portions as confidential, as specified in the Colorado Procurement Code R-24-101-401-03, specifying by line which section of §24-72-204, C.R.S. is the purported authority for the requested confidentiality determination ("Confidentiality Request Justification"). The confidentiality request shall also include both a proposed redacted version and an unredacted version of the submission. The Procurement Official or his or her designee shall determine if the information identified in the Offeror’s request is exempt from disclosure in accordance with §24-72-204, C.R.S., and shall inform the Offeror in writing of his or her determination. If the Offeror does not agree with the determination, the Offeror may protest the determination in accordance with article 109 of the Colorado Procurement Code and the terms of this solicitation. Reference Procurement Rule R-24-101-401-03. A confidentiality request, even if granted, will not render any potential later mutually-negotiated contract terms confidential, as such a resulting contract would be a matter of public record.

14. Background Checks. Pursuant to C.R.S. §27-90-111 and Department policy, any vendor, and its agent(s), who has direct contact with vulnerable persons in a state-operated facility, or who provides state-funded services that involve direct contact with vulnerable persons in the vulnerable person’s home or residence, shall:

a. submit to and successfully pass a criminal background check, and

b. report any arrests, charges, or summonses for any disqualifying offense as specified by C.R.S. §27-90-111 to the Department.

15. Prices. Estimated prices are not acceptable. Pricing shall be FOB Destination and include any minimums, special charges, restrictions, or any other conditions. The failure of the vendor to note any special conditions or exceptions shall be deemed a waiver of any such condition or exception. Pricing shall be firm for the term of the award, including option years, unless otherwise specified.

16. Cancellation. A solicitation may be cancelled only when there are cogent and compelling reasons to believe that the cancellation of the solicitation is in the state's best interest. An award of a contract under a solicitation may be cancelled, in whole or in part, when the procurement official determines in writing that such action is in the state's best interest.

17. Costs. The Department is not liable for any cost incurred by vendors prior to any formal contract, purchase order, or other agreement. No property interest of any nature shall occur until a contract is awarded and signed by all concerned parties.

18. Quantity. The Department may request future increases or decreases to the quantity of the goods or services, or request that goods or services be delivered to other areas within the Department.

19. Quote Rejection. The Department may reject a quote, waive informalities, and minor irregularities, or accept any portion.

20. Tax ID. Any tax identification number provided must be that of the vendor responding to the solicitation. The vendor must be a legal entity with the legal right to contract.

21. News Releases. Vendors may not issue any news releases pertaining to this solicitation without prior written approval by the State.

22. Taxes. The Department is exempt from all federal excise taxes under Chapter 32 of the Internal Revenue Code (Registration No. 84-730123K) and from all state and local government use taxes C.R.S. §39-26-114(a). The Colorado State and Local Sales Tax Exemption Number is 98-02565. Vendor is hereby notified that hen materials are purchased in certain political sub-divisions (for example - City of Denver), the vendor may be required to pay sales tax even though the ultimate product or service is provided to the State of Colorado. This sales tax will not be reimbursed by the Department.

23. E-Verify. Vendors must participate in the federal E-Verify program or the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment Program as required by C.R.S. §8-17.5-101.

24. Services Outside of Colorado or the United States. Vendors must disclose services performed outside of Colorado or the United States as required by C.R.S. §24-102-206.

25. Notice to NonResident Bidders. If a nonresident bidder is from a state that provides a bidding preference to bidders from that state, then a comparable percentage disadvantage will be applied to the bid of that nonresident bidder pursuant to C.R.S. §24-103-908. The bidder may obtain additional information from the department of personnel's website.

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J. Exhibit List

1. Exhibit A – Statement of Work (For Review Only)

2. Exhibit B – FY27 BHA Cost Reimbursement Budget Template (Complete and Submit)

3. Exhibit C- State of Colorado Purchase Order Terms and Conditions (Not an attachment but a website) (For Review Only)

4. Exhibit D - HIPAA Business Associate Agreement (BAA) (For Review Only)

5. Exhibit E - Miscellaneous Provisions (For Review Only)

K. Signature Page The vendor must complete and submit the Signature Page along with the quote.

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