RFI K13592.pdf

Washington State RFI K13592 Page 1 of 6 Department of Corrections 24DH

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION

RFI K13592

Electrolysis Services to Incarcerated Individuals

Released by the Washington State Department of Corrections

Issue Date: August 15, 2024

Response Deadline: No later than 4:00PM, September 16, 2024. Early responses are encouraged.

Washington State RFI K13592 Page 2 of 6

CONTENTS OF THE REQUEST FOR INFORMATION:

1. PURPOSE

2. BACKGROUND AND RELEVANT INFORMATION

2.1 BACKGROUND

2.2 DEPARTMENT LOCATIONS WHERE SERVICES MAY BE NEEDED

2.3 REQUIREMENTS FOR SERVICES PROVIDED AT DEPARTMENT FACILITIES

3. INFORMATION REQUESTED FROM VENDORS

4. GENERAL INFORMATION FOR VENDORS

4.1 RFI COORDINATOR

4.2 SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES

4.3 VENDOR QUESTIONS

4.4 VENDOR RESPONSES TO RFI

4.5 PROPRIETARY INFORMATION/PUBLIC DISCLOSURE

4.6 AMENDMENTS

4.7 RIGHT TO CANCEL

4.8 COSTS TO RESPOND

4.9 NO OBLIGATION TO CONTRACT

Washington State RFI K13592 Page 3 of 6

STATE OF WASHINGTON

DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS

TUMWATER, WASHINGTON

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION

RFI K13592

ELECTROLYSIS SERVICES TO INCARCERATED INDIVIDUALS IN WASHINGTON STATE

1. PURPOSE

The Washington State Department of Corrections (“Department” or “DOC”) is initiating this Request for Information (“RFI”) to obtain information about electrolysis service providers (“Vendors”) and the services they may be able to provide to individuals in the custody of the Department (“Individuals”).

Vendor responses to this RFI may be used to assist the Department in determining the contractual options available to meet the electrolysis needs of Individuals. The Department may use the information obtained to pursue direct negotiation of a client services contract with Vendors.

This RFI is neither an offer nor a request to contract. This RFI does not obligate the Department to contract, issue a competitive solicitation, or take any action toward procuring services. The

Department reserves the right to explore all options in its efforts to provide quality electrolysis services to Individuals, including, but not limited to, options that are brought to its attention through this RFI.

This RFI shall not be construed to create an obligation or commitment on behalf of the Department or any Vendor.

2. BACKGROUND AND RELEVANT INFORMATION

2.1 BACKGROUND

The Department provides comprehensive healthcare to approximately 13,000 Individuals across at facilities throughout Washington. At any given time, a small number of Individuals are receiving treatment for gender dysphoria and need electrolysis before gender reassignment surgery or other medically necessary treatment may be performed. The Department is committed to providing all

Individuals with the care and treatment necessary to promote their physical and mental health, including the provision of electrolysis to Individuals receiving treatment for gender dysphoria.

Washington State RFI K13592 Page 4 of 6

2.2 DEPARTMENT LOCATIONS WHERE SERVICES MAY BE NEEDED

The Department is primarily interested in contracting with electrolysis providers to provide services to Individuals at DOC facilities but would consider transporting Individuals to Vendor’s office if it proves feasible. The Department would like to contract with Vendors to provide services at or near the following facilities:

Airway Heights Corrections Center: Airway Heights, WA 99001

Monroe Correctional Complex: Monroe, WA 98272

Washington Corrections Center for Women: Gig Harbor, WA 98332

Washington State Penitentiary Walla Walla, WA 99362

Stafford Creek Corrections Center Aberdeen, WA 98520

2.3 REQUIREMENTS FOR SERVICES PROVIDED AT DEPARTMENT FACILITIES

Vendors that perform services at DOC facilities must abide by certain requirements, including, but not limited to, the following:

• Vendor must use a topical anesthesia unless Vendor is professionally licensed and insured to provide local anesthetic injections.

• Vendor must abide by Department health and safety protocols and undergo orientation and training, including, but not limited to, Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) orientation.

3. INFORMATION REQUESTED FROM VENDORS

Please respond to the requests for information in Attachment A, Information from Vendors.

4. GENERAL INFORMATION FOR VENDORS

4.1 RFI COORDINATOR

The RFI Coordinator is the Department’s primary point of contact for this RFI. Upon receipt of this

RFI, all communication between Vendors and DOC shall be with the following RFI Coordinator:

Washington State RFI K13592 Page 5 of 6

Name Richard Reninger

E-Mail Address richard.reninger@doc1.wa.gov

4.2 SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES

The dates listed below represent the projected RFI schedule. All times are local at Tumwater, Washington.

The Department reserves the right to change the timeline. Any changes to the schedule prior to the Response due date will be posted electronically on WEBS as an amendment to this solicitation.

Vendors may submit responses at any time before the deadline and are encouraged to do so.

RFI issued by posting on Washington's Electronic Business

Solution (WEBS) site. https://pr-webs-vendor.des.wa.gov/ August 15, 2024

RFI response deadline September 16, 2024, at 4:00 PM

4.3 VENDOR QUESTIONS

Vendors may submit written questions and requests for clarification about the RFI to the RFI

Coordinator at any time prior to the RFI response deadline. Questions must be sent via email and include “RFI K13592 – Electrolysis Services” in the subject line.

4.4 VENDOR RESPONSES TO RFI

Responses are voluntary and do not create obligations on behalf of Vendor or DOC. Interested

Vendors should submit their response to this RFI to the RFI Coordinator via email on or before the date set forth in the Schedule of Activities (Section 4.2). Please include “RFI K13592 - Electrolysis

Services” in the email’s subject line. The response must contain the information requested in

Attachment A, Information Requested from Vendors.

4.5 PROPRIETARY INFORMATION/PUBLIC DISCLOSURE

Materials submitted in response to this RFI shall become the property of DOC. The Department is subject to the Public Records Act (Chapter 42.56 RCW). Any information contained in the Response that is proprietary or confidential must be clearly designated. Each page claimed to be exempt from disclosure must reference the specific basis claimed under Chapter 42.56 RCW, the Public

Records Act or other state or federal law that provides for the nondisclosure of your Response information. Any portion Vendor claims to be proprietary, confidential, or exempt from disclosure https://pr-webs-vendor.des.wa.gov/ http://apps.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=42.56 http://apps.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=42.56

Washington State RFI K13592 Page 6 of 6 must be clearly identified by the word “Proprietary” or “Confidential” printed on the lower right-hand corner of the page.

To the extent consistent with Chapter 42.56 RCW, the Public Records Act, DOC shall maintain the confidentiality of Vendor’s information marked and accepted as confidential or proprietary. If a request is made to view Vendor’s confidential or proprietary information, DOC will notify Vendor of the request and of the date that the records will be released to the requester unless Vendor obtains a court order enjoining that disclosure or the requester and Vendor reach an agreement on the extent of such disclosure, which agreement will be forwarded to DOC by the requester prior to

DOC’s date for the proposed disclosure. If Vendor fails to obtain the requester agreement or the court order enjoining disclosure, DOC will release the requested information on the date specified.

4.6 AMENDMENTS

The Department reserves the right to amend this RFI, in whole or in part, at any time and without obligation or liability. Amendments will be posted on WEBS.

4.7 RIGHT TO CANCEL

The Department reserves the right to cancel or reissue this RFI, in whole or in part, at any time and without obligation or liability.

4.8 COSTS TO RESPOND

The Department will not be liable for any costs incurred by Vendor in preparing a response to this

RFI or any activities related to this RFI.

4.9 NO OBLIGATION TO CONTRACT

This RFI does not obligate the state of Washington or DOC to contract for the goods or services specified herein.

http://apps.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=42.56