IFB 26-063 Q and A.pdf

This Questions and Answers document is associated with IFB 26-063 for Chaplain Services issued by the New York State Office of Mental Health for St. Lawrence Psychiatric Center and St. Lawrence Addiction Treatment Center. The solicitation seeks a contractor to provide spiritual services and chaplaincy support for up to 25 hours per week across a 52-week annual schedule. Primary duties include conducting two Roman Catholic masses on Sundays—one at the adult inpatient building and one at the Sex Offender Treatment Program building—and two nondenominational worship services weekly. Additional responsibilities encompass spiritual care and counseling to patients and families, facilitation of faith-based classes, attendance at treatment team meetings, support for pediatric patients' religious needs, community event participation, and therapeutic group facilitation. The contractor will routinely work 12 hours weekly with potential escalation to 25 hours based on facility needs. A Notice of Intent to Bid was due August 14, 2026, questions were due August 20, 2026 with responses provided by August 27, 2026, and sealed bids were due September 3, 2026 at 3:00 p.m. EST. The contract term runs from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2031 with no renewal options.

Compensation is established on an hourly fixed-rate basis with 25 hours per week for 52 weeks annually and no cost escalation permitted across the five-year period; bidders must submit a cost per hour rate for each contract year. Bidders must demonstrate three years of prior chaplain services experience and maintain current New York State Workers' Compensation and Disability Benefits Insurance and general liability insurance. Additional requirements include AHA Basic Life Support certification, HIPAA compliance, federal health care program exclusion verification, and mandatory background checks including screening against the Staff Exclusion List and Statewide Child Abuse Registry. MWBE participation goals are set at 0% based on unavailability of qualified certified firms. No travel reimbursement is provided. The award will be made to the responsible and responsive lowest bidder meeting all mandatory requirements, with the New York State Office of Mental Health reserving the right to negotiate further cost or contract terms prior to contract execution. As of the document date, no questions had been submitted regarding this solicitation.