Washington State RFI K14022 Page 1 of 11

Department of Corrections 26DH

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION

RFI K14022

Gender Dysphoria Evaluation Services to

Incarcerated Individuals

Released by the

Washington State Department of Corrections

Issue Date: August 27, 2026

Response Deadline: Vendors are encouraged to respond any time before October 30, 2025.

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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

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

SCOPE OF WORK

ATTACHMENT A

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STATE OF WASHINGTON

DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS

TUMWATER, WASHINGTON

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION

RFI K14022

GENDER DYSPHORIA EVALUATION SERVICES

WASHINGTON STATE

1. PURPOSE

The Washington State Department of Corrections (“Department” or “DOC”) is initiating this Request for Information (“RFI”) to obtain information about gender dysphoria evaluation service providers

(“Vendors”) who may be able to provide services 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 gender dysphoria evaluation needs of the Department of Corrections.

The Department may use the information obtained to pursue direct negotiation with Vendors. This is not a competitive solicitation, and the Department may choose to work with several Vendors to meet

Department needs.

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 gender dysphoria consultation and evaluation 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 at facilities throughout Washington. At any given time, a small number of Individuals are receiving treatment for gender dysphoria and need consultation and evaluation before gender affirming

Washington State RFI K14022 Page 4 of 11 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 consultation and evaluation services to Individuals receiving treatment for gender dysphoria.

2.2 DEPARTMENT LOCATIONS WHERE SERVICES MAY BE NEEDED

The Department is primarily interested in contracting with gender dysphoria consultation and evaluation providers to provide services to Individuals at DOC facilities but would consider transporting Individuals to Vendor’s office, if 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

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:

Name Richard Reninger

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

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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 27, 2026

RFI Closing Date October 30, 2025, 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 K14022 – Gender Dysphoria Evaluation 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 closure date set forth in the Schedule of Activities (Section 4.2). Please include “RFI K14022 –

Gender Dysphoria Evaluation 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 must be clearly identified by the word “Proprietary” or “Confidential” printed on the lower right-https://pr-webs-vendor.des.wa.gov/ http://apps.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=42.56

Washington State RFI K14022 Page 6 of 11 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.

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GENDER DYSPHORIA EVALUATION SERVICES

SCOPE OF WORK

1. Expert clinical consultation to Department staff regarding issues related to incarcerated individuals’ transgender status and gender dysphoria. The contractor will respond to requests for consultation from Department staff within two working days unless notice has been given that the contractor will be unavailable for a specified period of time or the contractor is unable to respond.

Consultation includes, but is not limited to, the following:

a. Case discussions with Department clinical staff;

b. Reviewing healthcare documentation and other clinically relevant information;

c. Administrative duties required to accomplish these services.

2. Conducting evaluations of medical necessity and readiness for gender affirming surgery for incarcerated individuals requesting gender affirming surgery referred by the Department. This may include, but is not limited to, the following:

a. Interviewing Department staff telephonically, or via secure video conferencing;

b. Interviewing incarcerated individuals via secure video conferencing;

c. Reviewing healthcare documentation and other clinically relevant information;

d. Writing a comprehensive report regarding medical necessity;

i. If report is requested, the Contractor’s report shall, include, but is not limited to, the following:

1. Opinions regarding whether the individual suffers from gender dysphoria;

2. The medical necessity of the requested surgery; the individual’s readiness for the requested surgery;

3. The individual’s ability to render informed consent for the requested surgery or any potential limitations on the individual’s ability to render informed consent for the requested surgery;

4. Any absolute or relative mental health contraindications to the surgery;

5. Any mental health treatment or other interventions needed to promote the individual’s readiness for surgery or ability to render informed consent;

and

6. The information underlying the opinions of the contractor.

e. Administrative duties to accomplish these services.

3. For the purposes of the evaluations when requested by the Department, gender dysphoria is defined per DSM-5. Medical necessity is defined by the following at the time of the evaluation:

a. Is essential to life or preservation or limb (danger to self or grave disability), OR

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b. Is essential for protecting the safety of others (danger to others), OR

c. Prevents significant deterioration of activities of daily living (ADL), OR

d. Is of proven value to significantly reduce the risk of one of the three outcomes above (e.g., certain immunizations), OR

e. Immediate intervention is not medically necessary, but delay of care would make future care or intervention for danger to self, danger to others, or preservation of ADL significantly more dangerous, complicated, or significantly less likely to succeed, OR

f. Reduces severe psychiatric symptoms to a degree that permits engagement in programming that advances correctional interests, OR

g. Is described as part of a Departmental policy or health care protocol or guideline and delivered according to such policy, protocol, or guideline, OR

h. When mental health treatment is an essential component of medically necessary medical or dental treatment, OR

i. Is necessary to reduce risk of recidivism and is medically indicated, AND

j. Is not considered experimental or to be lacking in medically recognized professional documentation of efficacy, OR

k. Be administered solely for the convenience of the patient or the health care provider.

4. The Contractor, when requested by the Department’s, by and through the Office of the Attorney

General, shall be available to provide deposition or courtroom testimony regarding any documents, written materials, or reports written pursuant to this contract as necessary.

5. Provide monthly one-hour long training to DOC psychologists on gender dysphoria management and surgical readiness assessments for gender affirming surgery.

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ATTACHMENT A

INFORMATION REQUESTED FROM VENDORS

Please respond to each of the following requests for information. Responses will help DOC decide whether to pursue a contract with a Vendor. Vendors may provide answers on a different sheet, but please try to provide responses in an order that corresponds with the requests below.

1. Please indicate your ability to provide the following gender dysphoria evaluation services:

• Clinical consultation related to transgender status and gender dysphoria.

• Evaluations of medical necessity and readiness for gender confirmation surgery.

• Training to Department psychologists on gender dysphoria management and surgical readiness assessments for gender affirming surgery.

• Depositions/Testimony when requested by the Department by and through the Office of the

Attorney General.

2. Please respond to whether Vendor meets the following prerequisites depending on the specific service provided:

Gender dysphoria evaluation services:

A. Must establish that they have competency and previous experience:

• Providers should have at least 2 years work experience in diagnosis and management of gender dysphoria, and assessment of surgical readiness for gender affirming surgeries.

• Providers must hold a current Washington state Department of Health Psychology license.

• Preferred providers will have experience with justice involved clients.

• Providers must be available to respond via email or telephone call within two working days and provide advance notification for periods of planned unavailability.

• Providers must submit timely reports after patient evaluation visit.

• Providers should have experience and be willing to document treatment plans, chart notes, and surgery readiness assessments according to DOC expectations.

• Providers will provide a monthly one-hour training to DOC psychologists on gender dysphoria management and surgical readiness assessment for gender affirming surgeries.

AND

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B. Must establish that they can meet ONE of the below criteria:

• Member of the American Psychological Association (APA)

(https://www.apa.org)

• Member of The World Professional Association for Transgender Health

(https://wpath.org/)

AND

C. Ongoing, meet specific continuing education and competency standards outlined by the

Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA) Department of Health to diagnose and treat gender dysphoria and provide gender affirming care.

3. Business Profile. Please provide the following information:

a. Vendor’s name and dba, if applicable.

b. Vendor’s address and principal place of business.

c. Vendor’s contact information.

d. Name(s) of business owners.

e. Legal status of the Vendor (e.g. partnership, LLC, corporation, etc.)

f. Vendor’s Tax ID and UBI number.

g. Whether Vendor is a small, diverse, or veteran owned business as defined here: Tips for Small, Diverse and Veteran-Owned Businesses | Department of Enterprise Services (DES) (wa.gov).

h. Please state whether Vendor is involved in any lawsuits related to the quality of services.

4. Background and Experience: Please describe Vendor’s background and experience providing gender dysphoria related services (psychological evaluation, treatment planning, and consultation for transgender and gender nonbinary patients as part of surgical readiness assessment for gender affirming surgery). In Vendor’s response, please be sure to include any staff that Vendor consider using when performing work for DOC:

a. Vendor’s general background and experience providing gender dysphoria related services to transgender Individuals.

b. Vendor/Staff’s experience providing pre-operative surgical readiness evaluation for gender affirming surgery.

https://www.apa.org)/ https://wpath.org/ https://www.des.wa.gov/sell/how-work-state/tips-small-diverse-and-veteran-owned-businesses https://www.des.wa.gov/sell/how-work-state/tips-small-diverse-and-veteran-owned-businesses

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c. Professional licenses held by Vendor/Staff, if any.

d. Does Vendor have any transgender client testimonials that Vendor can provide?

5. Availability and Capacity: The Department anticipates that 25-50 Individuals will need treatment each year. Please describe Vendor’s availability and capacity to provide services to Individuals. In the response, please address the following:

a. When would Vendor be available to begin providing services to Individuals and the number of

Individuals Vendor is able to provide services to at that time.

6. Pricing: Please describe any and all charges for services. Please include:

a. Whether prices are on an hourly basis, per consultation basis, or a hybrid pricing structure.

b. If payment is on an hourly rate, indicate the number of providers and/or assistants that will be involved in treatments and their respective hourly rates.

c. Any and all charges Vendor would bill to the Department related to the provision of services.