request-for-information.docx

STATE OF NORTH DAKOTA

ND Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation Division of Adult Services 3100 Railroad Ave, Bismarck ND 58502

Request For Information (RFI)

Solicitation Number: 530.7-1 Date of Issue: July 8, 2025

RFI Title: Community Mental Health Services

Purpose of RFI: The North Dakota Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (DOCR) is seeking information from qualified vendors to identify available services and provider capabilities for delivering community mental health and substance abuse services to previous and currently incarcerated individuals across North Dakota. This RFI will inform a future procurement process for statewide correctional mental health and substance use disorder (SUD) programming, including both in-person and telehealth options.

Service Categories

SECTION ONE

INTRODUCTION AND INSTRUCTIONS

1.01 Purpose of the RFI

The state of North Dakota, acting through its ND Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation, Division of Adult Services (STATE) is soliciting information from potential bidders for delivering community mental health and substance abuse services to previous and currently incarcerated individuals across North Dakota.

The information, data, comments, or reactions obtained may be used as research for a future solicitation. This RFI does not constitute and Invitation for Bid, Request for Proposal, or Informal Request for Bid or Proposal and is not to be construed as a commitment by STATE.

STATE will review all responses received. If STATE decides to issue a solicitation for commodities or services, the procurement will be conducted in accordance with North Dakota State Procurement laws, rules and guidelines.

1.02 Contact and Response Information

The procurement officer is the point of contact for this RFI. Please submit responses to the procurement officer by the deadline specified in the RFI Schedule. Please reference the Solicitation Number and Title. You may submit your response by mail or by email to the procurement officer at:

Address: ND Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation Division of Adult Services Attention: Tammy Klein Insert solicitation number and title PO Box 1898 Bismarck, ND 58502

Email: tlklein@nd.gov

1.03 Assistance to Individuals with a Disability

Contact the procurement officer, as soon as possible, if an individual with a disability needs assistance with the RFI, including any events in the RFI Schedule, so reasonable accommodations can be made.

1.04 RFI Schedule

1.05 Questions and Requests for Clarification

Please submit any questions or requests for clarifications about this RFI in writing to the procurement officer by the deadline for submission of questions and requests for clarification identified in the RFI Schedule. Preferred method of submission is email.

Two types of questions generally arise. One type of question may be answered by directing the questioner to a specific section of the RFI, and the procurement officer may answer these questions over the telephone. The other type of question may be more complex and may require a written amendment to the RFI. The procurement officer will make that decision.

1.06 Notice Provided – State Procurement Website

This RFI and any related amendments and notices will be posted on the North Dakota OMB website using SPO Online at: https://apps.nd.gov/csd/spo/services/bidder/main.htm

Notices related to this RFI will be sent to the Bidders List for the needed commodity or service and other known potential vendors.

Additionally, vendors may request to receive notices related to this RFI by contacting the procurement officer in writing with the following information: RFI title, business name, contact person, mailing address, telephone number, and email address.

1.07 Respondents Responsible for All Preparation Costs

Respondents are responsible for all costs associated with the preparation, submittal, and presentation of their response to this RFI.

1.08 Bidders List Registration

If a competitive solicitation is issued, notice will be sent to approved bidders on the Bidders List and other known potential bidders. Individuals or business entities desiring to be notified of bidding opportunities may apply to be placed on the Bidders List. (N.D.C.C. § 54-44.4-09) Placement on the Bidders List does not guarantee a vendor will receive notice of every solicitation (N.D.A.C. § 4-12-05-01)

Visit the OMB website for instructions and the online Bidders List Application:

Bidders List Registration Website

For assistance with Bidders List Registration, contact State Procurement Help Desk at 701-328-1728 or infospo@nd.gov.

1.09 Disclosure of Information and Compliance with North Dakota Open Records Laws The state of North Dakota has broad open records laws. All information submitted become the property of STATE and may be returned only at STATE’s option. All information is subject to North Dakota Open Records Laws. Records are closed or confidential only if specifically stated in law.

Respondents may make a written request to hold confidential any trade secrets and other proprietary data contained in its response. Respondent must clearly identify the material considered confidential and explain why the material is confidential. See the North Dakota See the North Dakota Office of the Attorney General website for additional information at https://www.legis.nd.gov/cencode/t44c04.pdf and https://attorneygeneral.nd.gov/open-records-meetings

If STATE receives a request for public information, the procurement officer, in consultation with the Office of the Attorney General, shall determine whether the information is an exception to the North Dakota open records laws, and the information shall be processed accordingly.

SECTION TWO

GOAL AND BACKGROUND INFORMATION

2.01 Goal and Background Information

Deliver community mental health and substance abuse services to previous and currently incarcerated individuals.

2.02 Information Requesting

The ND Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation, division of Adult Services, is requesting information to deliver community mental health and substance abuse services to previous and currently incarcerated individuals across North Dakota.

SECTION THREE

RESPONSE FORMAT AND CONTENT

3.01 Response Preparation Instructions

Respondents are asked to provide a response in the following format:

A. Introduction

Please provide:

1. Contact name, phone number, and email

2. Business name, address, and phone number

B. Technical Response

1. Respondents should detail their ability to provide the following services:

a) Substance abuse treatment, including:

b) Level 2.1 (intensive outpatient group)

c) Level 1 (outpatient group/individual)

d) Mental health counseling (individual and group)

e) Anger management groups

f) Criminal thinking intervention (e.g., Thinking for a Change or equivalent)

g) Trauma therapy groups

h) Crisis intervention and emergency mental health services

i) Intake screening and assessment

j) Staff training in mental health and SUD issues

2. Geographic Coverage Respondents must specify:

a) All North Dakota counties and/or regions they can serve

b) Which services are available in-person, at local jails or community sites

c) Which services are available via telehealth

3. Eligibility Requirements

a) Vendors must be currently enrolled, willing and eligible to bill insurance providers, SUD voucher and Medicaid. The ND DOCR would be payer of last resort.

b) Providers must meet all state licensure and certification requirements for behavioral health and SUD services.

C. Cost Estimate

Respondents are asked to provide estimated costs to help STATE understand acquisition and on-going costs.

Any cost estimates requested are for budgeting purposes only. Responders will not be held to price estimates provided as part of the RFI should STATE later decide to issue a competitive solicitation.

1. Respondents must submit:

a) Breakout of per-service and group rates for each type of service offered

b) Separate pricing for in-person and telehealth delivery models

c) Any additional fees or costs associated with service delivery

D. Enclosures

Respondents are asked to provide the following documentation list:

1. Each response must include:

a) Description of organizational experience and qualifications in correctional behavioral health

b) List of services offered, with ASAM level or equivalent for SUD programming

c) Geographic service map or list of covered facilities/counties

d) Medicaid and aid voucher enrollment documentation

e) Costing details as specified above

E. Additional Information

This RFI is for information-gathering only and may result in one or multiple future procurements.

Respondents may be asked to participate in follow-up discussions or provide demonstrations.