IFB- Licensed_Speech_Therapist_for_MDH_Potomac_Center_and_SETT.pdf

BID BOARD NOTICE (IFB)

PROCUREMENT ID NUMBER: 22-MDHPC-16 / eMMA#BPM029539

ISSUE DATE: April 28, 2022

TITLE: Licensed Speech Therapist for MDH Potomac Center and SETT

THIS SOLICITATION SHALL BE MADE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SMALL

PROCUREMENT REGULATIONS DESCRIBED IN COMAR 21.05.07.

I. SUMMARY STATEMENT

The Maryland Department of Health (MDH) is seeking a Licensed Speech Therapist to provide on-site services to Individuals with developmental disabilities who reside at the Potomac Center and Secure Evaluation & Therapeutic Treatment (SETT) facilities in Hagerstown, Maryland. The Potomac Center and SETT are residential care facilities for developmentally disabled adults who may have co-existing mental disorders; the Potomac Center has 62 licensed beds, and the SETT, which is a secure Forensic facility, has 32 licensed beds. All required services shall be provided in compliance with licensure, certification, and accreditation standards, including but not limited to, the Intermediate Care Facilities for Individuals with Intellectually Disabled (ICF/ID) standards of the Office of Health Care Quality (OHCQ), Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, as well as all applicable Maryland and Federal Laws and regulations governing Speech Therapists.

II. BACKGROUND

The goal of the Potomac Center is to promote personal growth and productivity by enhancing each individual’s skills and decreasing or eliminating maladaptive or socially unacceptable behaviors to facilitate movement to the most integrated, least restrictive setting. This program focuses on using therapeutic interventions to empower residents as they learn the skills they need to successfully return to community living. The SETT program provides assistance as Individuals who are court-ordered to the facility resolve their court involvement and work toward transitioning to a less restricted environment. The SETT utilizes active treatment as well as providing evaluation, assessment and competency attainment education

Both facilities serve adults who are at least 18 years old and residents of the state of Maryland.

The Potomac Center and SETT provide active therapeutic treatment in a supportive environment for individuals with Intellectual Disabilities who are deemed to need a higher level of care than the community is able to provide.

III. CONTRACT TERM

A single contract will be awarded to the Offeror that best meets the needs of the evaluation criteria. The anticipated term of the contract resulting from this solicitation will begin on:

May 18, 2022 and conclude after May 31, 2024 (two year contract term).

IV. SCOPE OF WORK

The Bidder or Speech Therapist assigned to this contract shall:

● Provide on-site, one-on-one Speech Therapy services to the Individuals residing at the

Potomac Center and/or Secure Evaluation & Therapeutic Treatment (SETT) facilities, located at 1380 Marshall Street, Hagerstown, MD 2170. Services will be provided primarily to Potomac Center Individuals, however, this contract shall cover exceptions and/or intermittent assessments required for SETT Individuals as well.

o Speech Therapist must be comfortable working with individuals who have intellectual disabilities (including dual diagnosis/co-existing mental disorders), who are court ordered to the facility and may experience behavioral challenges.

● Provide on-site Speech Therapy services for an average of nine (9) hours per week, not to exceed four hundred sixty-eight (468) hours per year (52 wks/yr x 9 hrs/wk = 468). Total contract hours shall not exceed nine hundred thirty-six (936) for the two-year contract term.

● Services can be performed in the evening (4:00 PM to 9:00 PM) and/or on weekends, as well as regular business hours, Monday through Friday including Holidays. The Speech Therapist shall set his or her own weekly schedule to be approved by the Contract Monitor and will sign in upon arrival and sign out prior to departure from the facility. In this way, the Contract Monitor will track the Speech Therapist’s hours, which may vary from week to week depending on the need for the Speech Therapist’s services.

o If the Contract Monitor determines that the Speech Therapist is working more than 9 hours per week, the Speech Therapist shall meet with the Contract Monitor to discuss the need for services and reasons for working more than 9 hours per week.

o A Speech Therapist working over six (6) consecutive hours shall take a half hour unpaid lunch break.

● The Speech Therapist assigned to this contract shall complete at least five (5) days, forty (40) hours, of orientation training provided by Potomac Center prior to assuming the role. This includes four (4) days of MANDT (Preventing, De-escalating, Intervening) Training, CPR, First Aid, policies and overview of rules and regulations of Potomac Center/SETT.

Completion of this training is required in order for the Speech Therapist to begin working.

o Orientation and MANDT training shall be full, eight (8) hour days, and may be scheduled for dates/times outside the Speech Therapist’s negotiated "working" schedule.

o Speech Therapist must be prepared to attend the following scheduled training when the contract initiates (dates and times are NOT flexible):

▪ Wednesday, May 18, 2022, 8:00am - 4:30pm

▪ Thursday, May 19, 2022, 8:00am - 4:30pm

▪ Friday, May 20, 2022, 8:00am - 4:30pm

▪ Monday, May 23, 2022, 8:00am - 4:30pm

▪ Tuesday, May 31, 2022, 8:00am - 4:30pm

● The Speech Therapist’s services shall include, but not be limited to:

o Speech, language and hearing evaluations;

▪ Speech, language and hearing evaluation for each new Potomac Center (and/or SETT) Individual arriving at the facility shall be done within thirty days of the individual’s arrival. The Contract Monitor shall notify the Speech Therapist of any new arrivals. The Speech Therapist shall become familiar with existing plans for Individuals and complete new evaluations such that each Potomac Center and/or SETT (if applicable) Individual has an evaluation once every three years, or more often if deemed necessary by the facility.

o Determining of individual’s speech therapy goals and objectives;

▪ The Speech Therapist shall monitor and document the progress of each

Potomac Center and/or SETT (if applicable) Individual requiring Speech Therapy Services or related goals, such as hearing aid usage and care, swallowing, sign language and picture card communications. The Speech Therapist shall add progress notes, appointments, meetings and treatment plans to the Individual’s on-site records as necessary.

▪ The Speech Therapist shall consult with facility staff on function problems and concerns (i.e., Hearing aids, the care of a hearing aid, how it is to be worn, cleaning, settings and battery installation).

o Provide training on implementing therapy programs to Potomac Center and/or SETT staff;

▪ The Speech Therapist shall provide basic sign language training to facility staff on key words to enable communication with people residing at the facility, as well as in-service training on proper implementation of each Individual’s individualized therapy program.

o Provide orientation/overview to new employees;

▪ The Speech Therapist shall provide orientation/overview of Speech Therapy for new employees of the Potomac Center/SETT upon request of the Contract Monitor. When orientation occurs, this training will be included as part of the Speech Therapist’s weekly hours. The training will provide information to new staff on the services and programs that the Speech Therapist provides as well as challenges staff may have implementing therapy programs o Participate in team meetings;

▪ The Speech Therapist shall be part of the Inter-disciplinary Team and meet as requested by the Contract Monitor. The Inter-disciplinary Team includes the Potomac Center/SETT Individual, the Individual’s family, a physical therapist, an occupational therapist, social worker(s), a dietitian, a vocational provider, a therapeutic recreation individual, a qualified developmental disabilities professional, nursing, a psychiatrist (if needed), direct care staff, and a Speech Therapist (if needed). Time spent by the Speech Therapist in Inter-disciplinary Team meetings shall be considered part of the Speech Therapist’s weekly hours.

▪ The Team conducts one-on-one evaluations of Individuals coming to the Potomac Center/SETT. Meetings occur upon an admission and then annually with quarterly updates to determine the goals, needs, and objectives of each Individual.

● If the Contract is awarded to an agency or group, a Speech Therapist shall be designated to the

Contract and shall not change without prior consent of the facility’s Contract Monitor. Any replacement therapist shall have similar qualifications to the designated therapist. The Speech Therapist must receive advance approval from the Contract Monitor for vacation and sick time that interfere with or preclude the Speech Therapist’s weekly hours at the facility.

V. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS

The Bidder or Speech Therapist assigned to this contract shall meet the following minimum requirements, verified with required documentation:

● Shall have at least one (1) year of experience providing Speech Therapy Services for the intellectually disabled and/or Dually-Diagnosed. As proof of meeting this requirement, the Bidder must provide with its Bid one (1) reference from the past five years showing the Speech Therapist’s experience working the intellectually disabled and/or dually-diagnosed.

● Shall be licensed by the Maryland State Board of Examiners for Audiologists, Hearing Aid Dispenser and Speech Language Pathologists. As proof of meeting this requirement, the Bidder must provide with its Bid a copy of the Speech Therapist’s current license issued by the Maryland State Board of Examiners for Audiologists, Hearing Aid Dispenser and Speech Language Pathologists.

o The Speech Therapist must maintain an active State of Maryland Speech Therapy license throughout the duration of the Contract.

● Shall be licensed by the American Speech Language and Hearing Association (ASHA). As proof of meeting this requirement, the Bidder must provide with its Bid a copy of the Speech Therapist’s current license issued by the American Speech Language and Hearing Association.

● The bidder, if an agency or group, shall be registered with the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation to do business in the State of Maryland and be in Good Standing.

As proof of meeting this qualification, the Bidder must provide a copy of documentation evidencing its registration with the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation.

● Before working (including training):

o Must provide a negative COVID-19 test result from the past 7 days, along with proof of full COVID-19 vaccination status.

▪ The Bidder or Speech Therapist assigned to this contract must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, must wear PPE at all times during working hours (or if facility guidelines change, will follow updated PPE directives provided by the facility), and will be required to participate in COVID-19 testing on-site monthly (or more frequently, if appropriate).

o Must have background check completed and returned to the Potomac Center prior to start date.

o A copy of the Bidder’s required Commercial General Liability Insurance certificate, which shall cover losses resulting from or arising out of Contractor action or inaction in the performance of the Contract by the Contractor, its agents, servants, employees, or subcontractors, with a limit of $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 aggregate, must be provided upon contract award.

VI. BILLING

The contractor shall bill the Department on a monthly basis for the work performed the previous month. The total cost of work may not exceed $50,000 for the term of the contract.

All invoiced must be on the contractor’s letterhead, must be signed and dated, and must include the following:

● The contractor’s name and mailing address;

● The contractor’s Federal Tax Identification or Social Security Number;

● The State assigned Contract Control Number;

● The State assigned blanket purchase order number;

● The goods and services provided;

● The time period covered by the invoice;

● The amount of requested payment; and

● Documentation to support invoice requested amount.

VII. eMARYLAND MARKETPLACE ADVANTAGE eMMA is an electronic commerce system administered by the Maryland Department of General Services. In order to receive a contract award, a vendor must be registered on eMMA.

Registration is free. Go to https://emaryland.buyspeed.com/bso/login.jsp, click on “Register” to begin the process, and then follow the prompts.

VIII. BID SUBMISSION INFORMATION

In accordance with COMAR 21.03.05, bids may be submitted electronically through electronic mail at Potomac.Procurement@maryland.gov or preferably through eMaryland Marketplace Advantage (eMMA). Bids must include:

● Completed Financial Form (Exhibit A),

● Signed Bid/Proposal Affidavit (Attachment C),

● Signed Conflict of Interest Affidavit and Disclosure (Attachment H), and

● All required documentation as specified in Section V, “Minimum Qualifications and

Mandatory Requirements)

● IF any addendums are later added to this solicitation, a signed Addendum

Acknowledgement Receipt shall be required as part of the bid submission package.

Bidders cannot submit multiple responses.

NO HARD-COPY SEALED BIDS DELIVERED VIA IN-PERSON, MAIL, DELIVERY

SERVICE OR COURRIER SERVICE WILL BE ACCEPTED.

NO FAX BIDS WILL BE ACCEPTED.

***BID DUE DATE AND TIME IS: Wednesday, May 11, 2022 BY 2:00PM EST.***

Late bids shall not be considered for award.

https://emaryland.buyspeed.com/bso/login.jsp https://emaryland.buyspeed.com/bso/login.jsp mailto:Potomac.Procurement@maryland.gov

IX. EVALUATION CRITERIA OF BID

The State will evaluate bids based on meeting the submission requirements, and the financial bid form itself. Failure to include ALL the mandatory submissions described in Section VIII shall deem your Bid non-responsive.

X. TIE-BIDS

Tie Bids will be decided pursuant to COMAR 21.05.02.14.

XI. AWARD

An award will be made to the responsible Bidder submitting a responsive Bid on the basis of the most advantageous offer to the State of Maryland, considering price and the evaluation criteria found in this solicitation. Vendors must first meet all of the mandatory requirements. Bids from vendors who do not meet all of the mandatory requirements will not be considered. The total cost of the resulting contract will not exceed $50,000.

XII. CONTACT INFORMATION

A. Procurement Officer

Jessica Bradley Procurement Officer Maryland Department of Health Potomac Center/SETT 1380 Marshall Street Hagerstown, MD 21740 Office: 240-313-3510 Email: JessicaM.Bradley @maryland.gov

B. Contract Monitor DeLaura White, MSN, RN Director of Nursing Maryland Department of Health Potomac Center and SETT 1380 Marshall Street Hagerstown, MD 21740 Office: 240-313-3523 Email: Delaura.White@maryland.gov

All bids must be submitted either through e-mail at Potomac.Procurement@maryland.gov or via the eMaryland Marketplace Advantage (eMMA). Please do not submit bids directly to the Procurement Officer or Contract Monitor.

Approved by:

Date:

Jessica Bradley, Procurement Officer

MINORITY BUSINESS ENTERPRISES ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO

RESPOND TO THIS SOLICITATION.

mailto:Jessica.Hitrik@maryland.gov mailto:Delaura.White@maryland.gov mailto:Potomac.Procurement@maryland.gov

EXHIBIT A

FINANCIAL FORM

PROCUREMENT I.D. NUMBER: 22-MDHPC-16/eMMA# BPM029539

ISSUE DATE:

TITLE: Licensed Speech Therapist for MDH Potomac Center and SETT

Offeror Information:

Vendor Name:

Federal Tax ID (FEIN):

Contact Person:

Address:

E-Mail:

Telephone:

Fax:

SBR Number: eMMA Number:

Signature Date

Vendor signature and date certifies that technical and price submissions are correct and that vendor agrees to perform all services stated in the Bid Board Solicitation.

Maryland Department of Health Line Item Budget*

Budget Period from 5/18/2022 to 5/31/2024

BUDGET ITEM PRICE

Provide on-site, one-on-one Speech Therapy services to the intellectually disabled Individuals residing at the Potomac Center and/or Secure Evaluation & Therapeutic Treatment (SETT) facilities, located at 1380 Marshall Street, Hagerstown, MD 2170.

Provide on-site Speech Therapy services for an average of nine (9) hours per week for a term of two (2) years; Total contract hours shall not exceed 936 hours for the two-year contract term.

TOTAL COST $

* Include Budget Narrative on a separate page and attach it to the Financial Proposal Form. Budget Narrative must include full breakdown of costs for each line item