Questions and Answers_ HPC.RFR.2026.004.docx
DOCX document 16 KB Posted
- Attached to
- RFR for Behavioral Health Workforce Consultant
- Solicitation number
- BD-27-1055-HPC01-HPC-133346
- Issued by
- Suffolk County, Massachusetts
About this file
This is a Questions and Answers document related to the Massachusetts Health Policy Commission's Request for Responses (RFR) for a Behavioral Health Workforce Consultant. The HPC seeks one contractor with expertise in behavioral health workforce policy, care delivery systems, and qualitative research to support the Behavioral Health Workforce Center in partnership with the Executive Office of Health and Human Services. The consultant will deliver literature reviews, legislative reviews, program reviews, qualitative analyses, workforce gap analyses, and policy documentation with particular focus on child and youth-serving behavioral health providers. The contract period runs from October 15, 2026, through June 30, 2027, with a possible renewal option at HPC discretion. The RFR response deadline was September 29, 2026, at 5:00 PM, with anticipated award by October 5, 2026. Written questions were due September 18, 2026, with responses posted by September 23, 2026.
Compensation is structured as an hourly rate inclusive of all work, materials, expenses, travel, overhead, and ancillary costs, with a maximum contract obligation of $70,000 for the full contract period. The HPC does not guarantee actual hours utilized. The contractor will receive interview responses from HPC staff for qualitative analysis rather than conducting interviews directly. Work is anticipated to be completed virtually, with minimal in-person presence required, potentially one to two meetings in Boston that are not mandatory. The contractor may be an individual or firm and must submit three business references, undergo background checks, and complete mandatory ethics training. Evaluation criteria weight overall approach (20 points), demonstrated expertise in behavioral health workforce and system capacity (30 points), quality of sample deliverables (20 points), pricing (20 points), and confidentiality and security protocols (10 points). Subcontracting arrangements are not acceptable given the proposed timeline and scope.
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Other files
| File | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| Prompt_Payment_Discount_Form[1].pdf | ||
| form_standard-contract 2.23.2026.pdf | ||
| HPC CNDA template.docx | DOCX document | |
| Business Reference Form_2026-004-BHWorkforceConsultant.docx | DOCX document | |
| HPC RFR BHWC Consulting_Final.docx | DOCX document | |
| instructions_standard-contract-form 2.23.2026.pdf | ||
| Statement of Work Template.docx | DOCX document |
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Text version
Question Response
| In selecting child and youth serving BH workforce as a priority topic area, how does the HPC plan to use the consultant’s deliverables in 2026-2027 and beyond, to advance the goals of the BWHC? |
| The HPC intends to use the deliverables to support the development of HPC authored reports, research projects, and presentations. |
| Does the HPC and/or BHWC seek specific expertise from the bidder in understanding the specific needs of certain child and youth population groups, such as children and youth with co-occurring disorders, intellectual and/or development disabilities, those in the care and custody of child-serving agencies, or other populations? |
| The HPC seeks a contractor who demonstrates expertise and experience working on policy related to behavioral health workforce and behavioral health care capacity. Bidders may indicate if they have expertise in certain behavioral health sub-populations. |
| How will the HPC view bidders with lived experience as a professional and a parent experienced in navigating the behavioral health care delivery system in Massachusetts and working with a range of behavioral health professionals? |
| The HPC will consider all of the Bidder's demonstrated expertise and experience regarding the behavioral health workforce and behavioral health care system capacity, including lived experience. Please refer to all of the qualifications listed in section 4 of the RFR. |
| Would HPC accept bids from an entity proposing to subcontract with another person(s) to augment its subject matter expertise? |
| Given the proposed timeline and scope of this work, the HPC will not accept subcontracting arrangements. |
| Should the bidder disclose and describe its current client engagement with a behavioral health provider in Massachusetts? |
| Bidders are required to submit potential conflicts of interest as part of the bid response, as further described in Section 2.5 of the RFR. |
| Has the HPC hired consultants to support the BHWC since its inception? If so, can you share the names of those consultants? |
| Yes. More information on previous procurements can be found on COMMBUYS. |
| Will the HPC confirm that the total amount to be spent on this engagement for the contract period (October 15, 2026- June 30, 2027) is capped at $70,000? |
| Yes. |
| Does the HPC prefer to meet with the selected contractor in person or by zoom? Does the HPC have a regular cadence of meetings in mind for this RFR? |
| Virtual meetings are preferred. The BHWC anticipates most or all work to be completed virtually. There may be 1-2 opportunities to join in-person meetings in Boston, but this will not be required. Meeting cadence will be determined during the contracting process, but is likely to be weekly or bi-weekly. |
| Section 1.4 lists qualitative analysis of interview responses among the contractor's responsibilities. Will the contractor be expected to design interview protocols and conduct interviews directly, or will the HPC provide transcripts or interview notes for the contractor to analyze? |
| The contractor will not be designing or conducting interviews directly. HPC will provide the contractor with interview responses. |
| Section 1.5.3 states that the hourly rate must be inclusive of all travel considerations. Does the HPC anticipate any required onsite presence in Boston or elsewhere in Massachusetts, and if so, at approximately what frequency? If the work is expected to be performed remotely, please confirm. |
| The BHWC anticipates most or all work to be completed virtually. There may be 1-2 opportunities to join in-person meetings in Boston, but this will not be required. |
| Is HPC planning to contract with one individual or a firm? |
| Individual contractors and firms may submit responses. |
| Does HPC currently have anyone helping with this work? |
| The HPC has a number of vendor contracts. This work will primarily require interaction with HPC staff. Contractors may interact with other HPC vendors as may be required by the HPC. |
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