RFP DBH - 25-134 Residential Treatment FINAL~1.pdf

Request For Proposals for

Substance Use Disorder and Recovery Services

Withdrawal Management and Residential Treatment

Services

Joshua Dugas, Acting Director Department of Behavioral Health

San Bernardino County Department of Behavioral Health Contracts Administration 550 Hospitality Lane, 1st Floor San Bernardino, CA 92415-0026

RFP - DBH 25-134

ePro Bid ID # DBHE26-ADMN- 6449

Request for Proposals San Bernardino County Department of Behavioral Health SUDRS WM & RT RFP DBH 25-134/ePro Bid # DBHE26-ADMN-6449 i

TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. INTRODUCTION

A. Purpose B. Period of Contract C. Questions D. Correspondence E. Admonition to Proposers F. Proposal Submission Deadline G. Assistance to Proposers with a Disability

II. PROCUREMENT TIMELINE

III. PROCUREMENT CONDITIONS

A. Proposer B. Authorized Signatures C. Contingencies D. Term of Offer E. Required Review F. Right of Rejection G. Best Value Evaluation Process H. Amendments/Addendums to RFP I. Proposal Submission J. Local Preference Policy K. Incurred Costs L. Public Records Act M. Disclosure of Criminal and Civil Proceedings N. Debarment and Suspension O. Unsatisfactory Performance P. Clarification of Offers Q. Formal Agreement R. Independent Contractor Status S. Pre-Award On-Site Visits T. Level of Service U. Priority Population V. Iran Contracting Act of 2010 W. Executive Order N-6-22 – Russia Sanctions X. Final Authority

IV. PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS (SCOPE OF WORK)

A. Definitions B. Background C. Program Description

V. CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS

A. General B. Indemnification and Insurance Requirements C. Right to Monitor and Audit Performance and Records

VI. EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY/CIVIL RIGHTS

A. Equal Employment Opportunity Program B. Civil Rights Compliance C. Policy Prohibiting Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation

VII. EMPLOYMENT OF FORMER COUNTY OFFICIALS

ii

VIII. IMPROPER CONSIDERATION

IX. DISCLOSURE OF CRIMINAL AND CIVIL PROCEEDINGS

X. SUBCONTRACTOR STATUS

XI. PROPOSAL SUBMISSION

A. General B. Proposal Presentation C. Proposal Format

XII. PROPOSAL EVALUATION AND SELECTION

A. Evaluation Process B. Evaluation Criteria C. Negotiations and Notice of Intent to Award D. Appeal and Award E. Final Authority

ATTACHMENTS:

A. Proposal Submission Checklist B. Table of Contents C. Statements of Certification D. Reportable Conditions E. Disclosures, Exceptions, and California Public Records Act Exemptions to RFP F. Subcontractor Information G. Financial Capability (Audited Financial Statements) H. Indemnification and Insurance Requirements Affidavit I. Budget Proposal J. Budget Cover Page K. References Form L. Licenses, Permits, and/or Certifications M. Local Vendor Preference Self-Certification Form (if applicable) N. Provider Information Report O. Federal Contracting Provisions P. Reserved Q. Business Associate Agreement R. Attestation Regarding Ineligible/Excluded Persons

I. INTRODUCTION

A. Purpose

San Bernardino County Department of Behavioral Health (DBH), which may also be referred to as the “County” or by the DBH Substance Use Disorder and Recovery Services (SUDRS), is seeking proposals from interested and qualified organizations and agencies to provide a proposed plan for the provision of Substance Use Disorder and Recovery Services Withdrawal Management and Residential Treatment at Highland Creek Housing and Wellness Campus (Pacific Village) located at 2626 Pacific Street Highland, CA 92346 along with all regions within the County.

B. Period of Contract

Specific services to be provided under this Request for Proposals (RFP) are outlined under Section IV, Program Requirements (Scope of Work). The Contract period will be for the 23 month period beginning on February 1, 2027 through December 31, 2028. Currently, the projected allocation for this (service/program) is approximately $19,087,102 for the 23 month period.

C. Questions

All questions relating to this RFP must be submitted in writing on or before 12 noon (local time) on Thursday, August 6, 2026 and directed to the individual listed in Section I, Paragraph D, via ePro or through e-mail. The subject line of the e-mail must read: RFP DBH 25-134. All questions submitted timely and in writing will be answered and both the questions and answers will be posted in the County’s ePro system. Answers to written questions will be compiled into one (1) or more documents and posted as an Addendum on the following County website within two (2) weeks following the deadline to submit questions: https://epro.sbcounty.gov/bso.

D. Correspondence

All correspondence, including proposals and questions, are to be submitted through ePro or to the RFP contact:

San Bernardino County Department of Behavioral Health ATTN: Contracts Administration

RE: RFP DBH # 25-134

550 Hospitality Lane, 1st Floor San Bernardino, CA 92415-0026 Contact Person: Nathaniel Rodriguez E-mail: dbh-contractsanalysts@dbh.sbcounty.gov

E-mail address may be used to submit questions only. Proposals will not be accepted by e-mail.

E. Admonition to Proposers

Once the RFP has been issued, the individual identified above is the sole contact point for any inquiries or information relating to this RFP. Failure to adhere to this policy may result in disqualification of the Proposer and rejection of proposal.

F. Proposal Submission Deadline https://epro.sbcounty.gov/bso

1. All proposals or bids must be received no later than 4:00 P.M. local time on Thursday, August 20, 2026. Late or incomplete proposals or bids will not be accepted.

2. An electronic proposal or bid can be submitted through ePro (https://epro.sbcounty.gov/bso/). Submittals in ePro will be opened from the system’s “encrypted lock box” after the deadline and evaluated as stated in this solicitation. If the proposal or bid is submitted through ePro, the proposal or bid may also be withdrawn OR retrieved, adjusted, and re-submitted by the Vendor at any time prior to the scheduled deadline for submission of the proposal or bid. If the proposal or bid is submitted through ePro, the proposer/bidder acknowledges that its electronic signature is legally binding.

OR

3. Hard copies of the proposal or bid containing original signatures will also be accepted at the location identified in this solicitation in Paragraph D above. Postmarks will not be accepted in lieu of actual receipt. The proposal or bid can be withdrawn at any time prior to the scheduled deadline for submission of the proposal or bid.

4. Proposals must be received by the designated date and time. All Proposers must register with the ePro system prior to the date and time to receive the proposal or they will be disqualified. Late or incomplete proposals will not be accepted.

Electronic response must be submitted through San Bernardino County Electronic Procurement Network (ePro) https://epro.sbcounty.gov/bso/. System-related issues in ePro shall be directed to the Purchasing Department at (909) 387-2060. For procurement questions involving ePro, please contact the RFP Contact identified in Section I, Paragraph E-Correspondence.

G. Assistance to Proposers with a Disability

Proposers with a disability may request accommodation regarding the means of communicating this RFP or participating in the procurement process. For more information, contact the RFP Contact no later than ten (10) days prior to the Deadline for Proposal.

II. PROCUREMENT TIMELINE

The above dates are subject to change as deemed necessary by San Bernardino County.

RFP Release Date Tuesday, July 21, 2026

Deadline for Submission of Questions Thursday, August 6, 2026 by 12 noon (local time)

Deadline for Submission of Proposals Thursday, August 20, 2026, by 4:00 p.m. (local time)

Tentative Effective/Start Date for Contract(s)

February 1, 2027 https://epro.sbcounty.gov/bso/ https://epro.sbcounty.gov/bso/

III. PROCUREMENT CONDITIONS

A. All Proposers must:

1. Be a non-profit, for-profit organization or other legally constituted business entity.

2. In order to receive Substance Use Prevention and Treatment Recovery Services (SUBG) Block Grant, proposer must be a nonprofit corporation as required by the Substance Use Prevention and Treatment Recovery Services (SUBG) Block Grant guidelines. (See United States Code (USC), Title 42, Chapter 6A, subchapter XVII, Part B, subpart ii, Section 300x- 31 (a) (1) (E) and Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Title 45, Part 96, Section 135 (a) (5).).

3. Have a current Medi-Cal Certification or have the ability to become Medi-Cal Certified.

4. Have no record of unsatisfactory performance with any government agency or County Department including DBH. Proposers who are or have been seriously deficient in current or recent [within last five (5) years] contract performance, in the absence of circumstances properly beyond the control of the Proposer, shall be presumed to be unable to meet this requirement.

5. Register in the County’s Electronic Procurement Network (ePro) system.

6. Meet other presentation and participation requirements listed in this RFP.

B. Authorized Signatures

All proposals must be signed by an individual authorized to bind the Proposer to the provisions of the RFP.

C. Contingencies

Funding for this program is contingent on funding from the appropriate office of the State of California and is subject to reimbursement under Federal and State laws. This RFP does not commit the County to award a Contract. Cost, while not necessarily the primary factor used in the selection process, is an important factor. The County will award a Contract based on the proposal that best meets the needs of the County.

D. Term of Offer

Proposals shall remain open, valid, and subject to acceptance anytime within nine (9) months after the proposal submission.

E. Required Review

Proposers should carefully review this RFP for defects and questionable or objectionable material.

Comments from Proposers concerning defects and objectionable material in this RFP must be made in writing and received by the RFP contact prior to the deadline for submission of questions identified in Section II or at least ten (10) calendar days before the Deadline for Proposals (whichever occurs last). This will allow issuance of any necessary amendments or addendums to the RFP. It will also help prevent the opening of a defective Proposal and exposure of Proposals upon which an award could not be made. Protests based on any omission or error, or on the content of this RFP, may be disallowed if not submitted in writing to the attention of the RFP Contact, prior to the deadline for submission of questions identified in Section II or at least ten

(10) calendar days before the Deadline for Proposals (whichever occurs last).

F. Right of Rejection

Offers must comply with all of the terms of the RFP, and all applicable local, State, and Federal laws, codes, and regulations. The County may reject as non-responsive any proposal that does not comply with all of the material and substantial terms, conditions, and performance requirements of the RFP.

Further, the County may reject a proposal from any entity that is a parent, affiliate, or subsidiary, or that is under common ownership, control, or management with any other entity submitting a Proposal in response to this RFP.

Proposer may not qualify the proposal nor restrict the rights of the County. If Proposer does so, the proposal may be determined to be a non-responsive counter-offer and the proposal may be rejected.

No proposal shall be rejected, however, if it contains a minor irregularity, defect or variation and if the irregularity, defect or variation is considered by the County to be immaterial or inconsequential, the County may choose to accept the proposal.

Minor informalities may be waived by the County when they:

1. Do not affect responsiveness;

2. Are merely a matter of form or format;

3. Do not change the relative standing or otherwise prejudice other offers;

4. Do not change the meaning or scope of the RFP;

5. Are trivial, negligible, or immaterial in nature;

6. Do not reflect a material change in the work; or

7. Do not constitute a substantial reservation against a requirement or provision;

In such cases the Proposer will be notified of the deficiency in the proposal and given an opportunity to correct the irregularity, defect or variation or the County may elect to waive the deficiency and accept the proposal.

This RFP does not commit the County to award a contract. The County reserves the right to reject any or all proposals if it is in the best interest of the County to do so. County also reserves the right to terminate this RFP process at any time.

G. Best Value Evaluation Process

As established in this RFP, the County realizes that criteria other than price are important and will award contract(s) based on the proposal that best meets the needs of the County. The County seeks the optimal combination of quality, price, and various qualitative elements of the required Services that will provide the County the greatest or best value for its money.

H. Amendments/Addendums to RFP

The County reserves the right to issue addenda or amendments to this RFP if the County considers that additional clarifications are needed.

Changes to a Proposal or withdrawal of a Proposal will only be allowed if a request is received prior to the Deadline for Proposals. No amendments or withdrawals will be accepted after the Deadline for Proposals.

I. Proposal Submission

To be considered, all proposals must be submitted in the manner set forth in this RFP. It is the Proposer’s responsibility to ensure that its proposal arrives on or before the specified deadline. All proposals and materials submitted become the property of the County.

J. Local Preference Policy

The San Bernardino County has adopted a preference for Vendors whose principal place of business is located within the boundaries of the County. A five percent (5%) preference may be applied prior to approval of any purchase or acquisition of services, equipment, goods, or supplies. In a best value evaluation, five percent (5%) of the awardable points for cost will be added to the local vendor’s score. If the local vendor’s overall score is equal to or lower than that of an otherwise successful non-local vendor, the local vendor will be recommended for award.

Due to the evaluation of qualitative elements in a best value evaluation, application of local preference for cost proposals may not result in award to a local vendor with the lowest cost after applying local preference.

For purposes of the application of the Local Preference Policy (County Policy 11 – 10) a vendor is considered a local vendor when it meets the following requirements:

1. Vendor’s main office (headquarters) or a major regional office is located within the County;

2. Vendor employs a minimum of twenty-five percent (25%) of the vendor’s full-time management employees and twenty-five percent (25%) of its full time regular employees working from San Bernardino County location(s);

3. Vendor employs one full-time or two part-time employees with primary residence in the County;

4. Vendor’s “point of sale” for purposes of reporting sales tax to the State Board of Equalization is within the boundaries of the County. The payment of any local share of sales tax must go to the County or a city within the County. If the local business has more than one sales office in the State of California, the office located in the County shall be the point of sale for sales tax calculation;

5. Vendor is not delinquent in any taxes or other payments to the County;

6. Vendor possesses a valid and verifiable business license (if required);

7. Vendor has been open and established for at least six (6) months prior to the issuance of the solicitation;

8. Vendor can demonstrate on-going business activity in the field of endeavor on which they are proposing from that office during the preceding six (6) months;

9. Vendor has not within five years prior to the solicitation admitted guilt or been found guilty by any court or state or federal regulatory enforcement agency of violation of any criminal law or any law or regulation regarding fraud;

10. Vendor is not federally debarred; and

11. Vendor is not suspended or debarred from participation in doing business with the

County, in the scope of work that is the subject of the solicitation.

Any vendor requesting a local preference shall complete Attachment M certifying to DBH under penalty of perjury that they meet all of the criteria listed above. If, at any time after being certified as a local vendor, a change in status occurs rendering a vendor no longer eligible for such status, the vendor must notify DBH prior to responding to a solicitation or accepting an award. Failure to certify the above information shall result in the proposal or bid being evaluated by the County without any adjustment for a local vendor.

False certification shall be immediate grounds for rejection of any proposal or bid or if the proposal or bid is awarded, grounds for voiding the proposal or bid, terminating any agreement, and seeking damages thereto. Any vendor that falsely obtains certification shall be ineligible to transact business with the County for not less than one year and not more than three years, at the discretion of the County. This penalty shall also apply to any vendor that previously obtained proper certification and, because of a change in its status would no longer be eligible for certification, and fails to notify DBH of this information prior to responding to a solicitation or accepting an award.

The County's Local Preference Policy means for example, if two Vendors are responding to this RFP and if quality, service and ability to meet the County's needs are equal, County staff must determine if one of the Vendors is a local Vendor. If one of the Vendors is a local vendor, and its quoted price or cost for services, equipment, goods or supplies does not exceed five percent (5%) of the other Vendor's quoted price or cost, unless it is determined that an exemption applies, staff should recommend the local Vendor for the contract award.

K. Incurred Costs

The County is not obligated to pay any costs incurred by Proposer in the preparation of a proposal in response to this RFP. Proposer agrees that all costs incurred in developing this proposal are the Proposer’s responsibility.

L. Public Records Act

All proposals and other material submitted become the property of the County and are subject to release according to the California Public Records Act (Government Code § 7920.000). All Proposal information, including cost information, will be held in confidence during the evaluation and negotiation process. Thereafter, Proposals are subject to becoming a non-exempt public record.

If a Proposer believes that any portion of its Proposal is exempt from public disclosure, it must indicate the specific portions believed to be confidential and not subject to disclosure on Attachment E – Disclosures, Exceptions, and Public Records Act Exemptions to RFP. The Proposer also must include a brief description that sets out the reasons for exemption from disclosure. Each stated exemption must include a citation to supporting legal authority, including statutory authority or case law, to support exemption from the Public Records Act. Requested exemptions that do not meet the requirements of this section will not be considered.

The County will use reasonable means to ensure that such information is safeguarded, but will not be held liable for inadvertent disclosure of the information. Proposals marked “Confidential” in their entirety will not be honored, and the County might not deny public disclosure of any portion of Proposals so marked.

By submitting a Proposal with portions identified in Attachment E as “Confidential,” Proposer represents that it has a good faith belief that such portions are exempt from disclosure under the California Public Records Act. Proposer may be requested to obtain legal protection from disclosure should a Public Records Act request be received. In the event the County does not disclose the information marked “Confidential,” Proposer agrees to reimburse the County for, and to indemnify, defend (with counsel approved by County) and hold harmless the County, its officers, employees, agents, and volunteers from and against any and all claims, damages, losses, liabilities, suits, judgments, fines, penalties, costs and expenses, including without limitation, attorneys’ fees, expenses and court costs of any nature arising from or relating to the County’s non-disclosure of any such designated portions of a Proposal.

M. Disclosure of Criminal and Civil Proceedings

The County reserves the right to request the information described herein from the Proposer selected for Contract award. Failure to provide the information may result in a disqualification from the selection process and no award of Contract to the Proposer. The County also reserves the right to obtain the requested information by way of a background check performed by an investigative firm.

The selected Proposer may also be asked to provide information to clarify initial responses. Negative information provided or discovered may result in disqualification from the selection process and no award of Contract.

The selected Proposer may be asked whether the firm, or any of its partners, principals, members, associates or key employees (as that term is defined herein), within the last ten years, has been indicted on or had charges brought against it or them (if still pending) or convicted of any crime or offense arising directly or indirectly from the conduct of the firm’s business, or whether the firm, or any of it partners, principals, members, associates or key employees, has within the last ten years, been indicted on or had charges brought against it or them (if still pending) or convicted of any crime or offense involving financial misconduct or fraud. If the response is affirmative, the Proposer will be asked to describe any such indictments or charges (and the status thereof), convictions and the surrounding circumstances in detail.

In addition, the selected Proposer may also be asked to disclose whether the firm, or any of its partners, principals, members, associates or key employees, within the last ten years, has been the subject of legal proceedings as defined herein arising directly from the provision of services by the firm or those individuals. “Legal proceedings” means any civil actions filed in a court of competent jurisdiction, or any matters filed by an administrative or regulatory body with jurisdiction over the firm or the individuals. If the response is affirmative, the Proposer will be asked to describe any such legal proceedings (and the status and disposition thereof) and the surrounding circumstances in detail.

For purposes of this provision “key employees” includes any individuals providing direct service to the County. “Key employees” do not include clerical personnel providing service at the firm’s offices or locations.

N. Debarment and Suspension; California Secretary of State Business Entity Registration.

Proposer certifies that neither it nor its principals or subcontractors are presently debarred, suspended, proposed for debarment, declared ineligible, or voluntarily excluded from participation in this transaction by any federal department or agency. (See the following United States General Services Administration’s System for Award Management website https://www.sam.gov). Proposer also certifies that if it or any of the subcontractors listed in the Proposal are business entities that https://www.sam.gov/ must be registered with the California Secretary of State, they are registered and in good standing with the Secretary of State.

O. Unsatisfactory Performance

Proposer affirms that it has no record of unsatisfactory performance with the County in the twenty-four (24) month period immediately preceding the date of issuance of this RFP.

P. Clarification of Offers

In order to determine if a Proposal is reasonably susceptible for award, communications by the Facilitator for the evaluation panel are permitted with a Proposer to clarify uncertainties or eliminate confusion concerning the contents of a Proposal. Clarifications may not result in a material or substantive change to the Proposal. The evaluation by the panel may be adjusted as a result of a clarification under this section.

Q. Formal Agreement

Proposer will be required to enter into a formal agreement with the County. This RFP sets forth some of the general provisions which will be included in the final contract. In submitting a response to this RFP, Proposer will be deemed to have agreed to each clause unless the proposal identifies an objection and County agrees to a change of language in writing. All objections to any provisions of the final contract should be listed on Attachment E – Disclosures, Exceptions, and Public Records Act Exemptions to RFP, or any exception thereto shall be waived.

R. Independent Contractor Status

Any Proposer that is awarded a Contract will be considered an independent Contractor(s), wholly responsible for the manner in which it performs, and will assume exclusively the responsibility for the acts of its employees who will not be entitled to any rights and privileges of County employees nor be considered in any manner to be County employees.

S. Pre-Award On-Site Visits

Site visits may be conducted to verify information submitted in the RFP and to determine if the proposed facilities are appropriate for the proposed services to be provided.

T. Level of Service

For any Contract awarded as a result of the RFP, no minimum or maximum number of referrals or enrollments can be guaranteed by the County.

U. Iran Contracting Act of 2010

(Only applicable for all procurements of one million dollars ($1,000,000) or more).

In accordance with Public Contract Code Section 2204(a), the Proposer certifies that at the time the proposal is submitted, the Proposer signing the proposal is not identified on a list created pursuant to subdivision (b) of Public Contract Code Section 2203 (https://www.dgs.ca.gov/PD/Resources/Page-Content/Procurement-Division-Resources-List- Folder/List-of-Ineligible-Businesses) as a person [as defined in Public Contract Code Section 2202(e)] engaging in investment activities in Iran described in subdivision (a) of Public Contract Code Section 2202.5, or as a person described in subdivision (b) of Public Contract Code Section 2202.5, as applicable.

Proposers are cautioned that making a false certification may subject the Proposer to civil penalties, termination of existing contract, and ineligibility to bid on a contract for a period of three

(3) years in accordance with Public Contract Code Section 2205. Proposer agrees that signing the Proposal shall constitute signature of this Certification.

V. Executive Order N-6-22 – Russia Sanctions

On March 4, 2022, Governor Gavin Newsom issued Executive Order N-6-22 (the EO) regarding Economic Sanctions against Russia and Russian entities and individuals. “Economic Sanctions” refers to sanctions imposed by the U.S. government in response to Russia’s actions in Ukraine (https://home.treasury.gov/policy-issues/financial-sanctions/sanctions-programs-and-country-information/ukraine-russia-related-sanctions), as well as any sanctions imposed under state law (https://www.dgs.ca.gov/OLS/Ukraine-Russia). By submitting a bid or proposal, Proposer represents that it is not a target of Economic Sanctions. Should it be determined Proposer is a target of Economic Sanctions or is conducting prohibited transactions with sanctioned individuals or entities, that shall be grounds for rejection of the Proposer’s bid/proposal any time prior to contract execution, or, if determined after contract execution, shall be grounds for termination by the County.

W. Final Authority

The final authority to award a Contract as a result of this RFP rests solely with San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors.

IV. PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS (SCOPE OF WORK)

A. Definitions:

1. The terms Proposer, Contractor, Provider, or Vendor/Applicant are used interchangeably throughout this document referring to the entity submitting a response and may subsequently become a Contractor.

2. The terms beneficiary, client, consumer, customer, participant, or patient are used interchangeably throughout this document and refers to the individual(s) receiving services

3. Definition of May, Shall and Should. Whenever in this document the words “may”, “shall”, and “should” are used, the following definitions shall apply: "may" is permissive; "shall" is mandatory; and "should" means desirable.

4. The terms Application, Proposal and Bid are used interchangeably throughout this document referring to the document interested applicants and/or agencies/organizations submit in response the RFP.

5. Whenever in this document and in any attachments hereto, the terms "Contract" and/or "Agreement" are used to describe the conditions and covenants incumbent upon the parties hereto, these terms are interchangeable.

6. The “State and/or applicable State agency” as referenced in this Contract may include the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS), the Department of State Hospitals (DSH), the Department of Services (DSS), the Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission (MHSOAC), the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), and the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development (OSHPD).

7. American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) – ASAM is a professional society representing over 3,000 physicians and associated professionals dedicated to increasing access and improving the quality of addiction treatment; educating physicians, other medical professionals and the public; supporting research and prevention; and promoting the appropriate role of physicians in the care of clients with addictions.

8. American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) Criteria – The ASAM Criteria is a set of guidelines for placement, continued stay, and transfer/discharge of patients with Substance Use Disorders and co-occurring conditions. The ASAM criteria provides separate placement criteria for adolescents and adults to create comprehensive and individualized treatment plans. Adolescent and adult treatment plans are developed through a multidimensional patient assessment over five broad levels of treatment services provided. ASAM’s criterion uses six dimensions to create a holistic, biopsychosocial assessment of an individual to be used for service planning and treatment across all services and levels of care.

9. Assessment – Activities to evaluate or monitor the status of a client’s behavioral health and determine the appropriate level of care and course of treatment for that client.

Assessments shall be conducted in accordance with applicable State and Federal laws, regulations, and standards. Assessment may be initial and periodic, and may include contact with family members or other collaterals if the purpose of the collateral’s participation is to focus on the treatment needs of the client.

Assessment services may include one or more of the following components:

a. Collection of information for assessment used in the evaluation and analysis of the cause or nature of the substance use disorder.

b. Diagnosis of substance use disorders utilizing the current DSM and assessment of treatment needs for medically necessary treatment services. This may include a physical examination and laboratory testing (e.g., body specimen screening) necessary for treatment and evaluation conducted by staff lawfully authorized to provide such services and/or order laboratory testing (labor

c. tory testing is covered under the “Other laboratory and X-ray services” benefit of the California Medicaid State Plan).

d. Treatment planning, a service activity that consists of development and updates to documentation needed to plan and address the client’s needs, planned interventions and to address and monitor a client’s progress and restoration of a client to their best possible functional level.

10. Care Coordination – Care Coordination consists of activities that organize and integrate substance use disorder, mental health, physical health, and ancillary services for a member, with the goal of restoring the member to their best possible functional level. Care Coordination must be provided with all levels of SUD treatment and may also be delivered and claimed to be a standalone service. Care coordination can be provided in clinical or non-clinical settings (including the community) and can be provided face-to-face, by telehealth, or by telephone.

Care Coordination includes one or more of the following components:

a. Coordinating with medical and mental health care providers to monitor and support comorbid health conditions.

b. Discharge planning, including coordinating with SUD treatment providers to support transitions between levels of care and to recovery resources, referrals to mental health providers, and referrals to primary or specialty medical providers.

c. Coordinating with ancillary services, including individualized connection, referral, and linkages to community-based services and supports including but not limited to educational, social, prevocational, vocational, housing, nutritional, criminal justice, transportation, childcare, child development, family/marriage education, cultural sources, and mutual aid support groups.

11. Certified Peer Support Services – Are culturally responsive, recovery-oriented, strength-based services delivered by certified peer support specialists with lived experience of mental health and/or substance use challenges. Services promote recovery, resiliency, engagement, socialization, self-sufficiency, self-advocacy, and development of natural support through structured individual and group activities. Peer Support Services may be delivered and claimed as a standalone service or in conjunction with other DMC-ODS services and levels of care, in clinical or non-clinical settings.

12. Choosing Healthy Options to Instill Change and Empowerment (CHOICE) – Provides intensive outpatient mental health and/or substance use disorder services, known as co-occurring services, to qualifying probationers sentenced to probationary supervision under AB109 Public Safety Realignment directive.

13. Client - The San Bernardino County resident who will be receiving the services as described in the RFP.

14. Client Education – Research-based education on addiction, treatment, recovery, and the effects on both their mental health and substance use patterns and associated health risks.

15. Collaterals - Significant persons in the life of the client. Significant persons are individuals that have a personal, not official or professional, relationship with the client.

16. Co-Occurring Capable – Treatment programs that address co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders in their policies and procedures, assessments, treatment and discharge planning are described as “co-occurring capable”. Such programs have arrangements in place for coordination and collaboration between addiction and mental health services. They also can provide medication monitoring, addiction, and psychological assessment and consultation either; on-site or through coordinated consultation with off-site providers. Program staff are able to address the interaction between mental and substance use disorders and their effect on the client’s readiness to change – as well as relapse and recovery environment issues – through individual and groups program content. The primary focus of co-occurring capable programs in addiction treatment settings is the treatment of substance use disorders. Within mental health settings, a co-occurring capable program’s primary focus is the treatment of mental health disorders.

17. Co-Occurring Disorders – Concurrent substance use and mental health disorders.

18. Criminal Justice Services – Specific services provided to the forensic population; which consists of non-violent offenders presenting with a chronic behavioral health condition and/or co-occurring disorder.

19. Crisis Intervention Services – Contacts with a beneficiary in crisis. A crisis means an actual relapse or an unforeseen event or circumstance which presents to the beneficiary an imminent threat of relapse. SUD Crisis Intervention Services shall focus on alleviating the crisis problem, be limited to the stabilization of the beneficiary's immediate situation, and be provided in the least intensive level of care that is medically necessary to treat their condition.

20. Cultural Competency – The acceptance and understanding of cultural mores and their possible influence on the participant’s issues and/or behavior, i.e., using the understanding of the differences between the prevailing social culture and that of the participant’s family to aid in developing individualized supports and services.

21. Community Supervised Treatment After Release (CSTAR) – Provides intensive care coordination, psychiatry, and co-occurring services to qualifying individuals with a history of criminal justice involvement and/or those with no formal probation supervision.

22. Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) – DBH under state law provides mental health and/or substance use disorder treatment and prevention services to County residents. In order to maintain a continuum of care, DBH operates or contracts for the provision of 24-hour residential treatment, non-medical withdrawal management (detoxification) services, Outpatient Treatment services, Intensive Outpatient Treatment (IOT), early intervention services, case management, recovery centers and crisis and referral services. Community services are provided in all major County metropolitan areas and are readily accessible to County residents.

23. Documentation – Documentation standards for all programs include an individualized problem list and progress notes in the client’s record that clearly reflect planned action steps and the client’s response to therapeutic interventions for all disorders treated, as well as subsequent amendments to the list.

24. Diversion Opportunity for Outpatient Recovery Services (DOORS) – Provides mental health and supportive case management treatment services for participants in Mental Health Diversion (MHD) court who are found to meet specific criteria in accordance with Welfare and Institutions Code section 4361 and ordered by the Presiding Judge to MHD terms/conditions

25. Evidence-Based Practices (EBPs) – Programs that have been shown to have positive outcomes through high quality research. An evidence-based program shall demonstrate the use of a minimum of two evidence-based practices.

26. Family Therapy – A rehabilitative service that includes family members in the treatment process, providing education about factors that are important to the client’s recovery as well as the holistic recovery of the family system. Family members can provide social support to the client and help motivate their loved one to remain in treatment. There may be times when, based on clinical judgment, the client is not present during the delivery of this service, but the service is for the direct benefit of the client.

27. Forensic Population – Non-violent offenders presenting with a chronic behavioral health condition and/or co-occurring disorder. The forensic population may be enrolled in the following DBH programs; CHOICE, DOORS, RISES, CSTAR, and STAR.

28. Group Counseling – Contacts in which one or more therapists or counselors treat two or more clients at the same time with a maximum of 12 in the group, focusing on the needs of the individuals served.

Note: A client that is 17 years of age or younger shall not participate in group counseling with participants who are 18 years of age or older. However, a client who is 17 years of age or younger may participate in group counselling with participants who are 18 years of age or older when the counselling is at a provider’s certified school site.

29. Incidental Medical Services (IMS) – IMS are services provided at a licensed residential facility by a health care practitioner that address medical issues associated with either withdrawal management (detoxification) or the provision of substance use disorder recovery or treatment services to assist in the enhancement of treatment services. IMS does not include the provision of general primary medical care. IMS must be related to the client’s process of moving into long-term recovery. The following six categories of IMS services may be provided after receiving approval from DHCS.

a. Obtaining medical histories.

b. Monitoring health status to determine whether the health status warrants transfer of the client in order to receive urgent or emergent care.

c. Testing associated with detoxification from alcohol or drugs.

d. Providing alcoholism or drug abuse recovery or treatment services.

e. Overseeing client self-administered medications.

f. Treating substance abuse disorders, including withdrawal management (detoxification)

30. Individual Counseling Session – A face-to-face meeting with a therapist or counselor with one (1) individual. Individual counseling sessions are for treatment and shall be claimed using fifteen (15) minute increments. One session may include multiple units of service.

Time spent documenting shall not be included within the individual counseling session.

31. Initial Assessment - Process of determining that a client meets medical necessity criteria and is admitted into a substance use disorder treatment program. The initial assessment includes the evaluation or analysis of substance use disorders; the diagnosis of substance use disorders; and the assessment of treatment needs to provide medically necessary services. The initial assessment may include a physical examination and laboratory testing necessary for substance use disorder treatment.

32. Licensed Practitioner of the Healing Arts (LPHA) – Includes Physicians, Nurse Practitioners, Physician Assistants, Registered Nurses, Registered Pharmacists, Licensed Clinical Psychologist (LPC), Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC), and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) and licensed-eligible practitioners working under the supervision of licensed clinicians.

33. Medical Necessity – For individuals 21 years of age or older, a service is “medically necessary” or a “medical necessity” when it is reasonable and necessary to protect life, to prevent significant illness or significant disability, or to alleviate severe pain. (W&I Section 14059.5(a))

For individuals under 21 years of age, a service is “medically necessary” or a “medical necessity” if the service is necessary to correct or ameliorate screened health conditions.

(W&I Section 14059.5(b)(1))

Beneficiaries 21 years of age and older must meet one of the following criteria: 1) Have at least one diagnosis from the current DSM for Substance-Related and Addictive Disorders, with the exception of Tobacco-Related Disorders and Non Substance-Related Disorders;

OR 2) Have had at least one diagnosis from the current DSM for Substance-Related and Addictive Disorders, with the exception of Tobacco-Related Disorders and Non-Substance Related Disorders, prior to being incarcerated or during incarceration, as determined by substance use history.

Beneficiaries under the age of 21: Covered services shall include all medically necessary SUD services for individuals under 21 years of age as required pursuant to Section 1396d(r) of Title 42 of the United States Code. Federal EPSDT statutes and regulations require States to furnish all Medicaid-coverable, appropriate, and medically necessary services needed to correct and ameliorate health conditions, regardless of whether those services are covered in the state’s Medicaid State Plan. Consistent with federal guidance, services need not be curative or completely restorative to ameliorate a mental health condition, including substance misuse and SUDs. Services that sustain, support, improve, or make more tolerable substance misuse or a SUD are considered to ameliorate the condition and are thus covered as EPSDT services.

34. Medication Services – Prescription or administration of medication related to substance use disorder services, or the assessment of the side effects or results of the medication.

Medication Services does not include MAT for Opioid Use Disorders (OUD) or MAT for Alcohol Use Disorders (AUD) and other Non-Opioid Substance Use Disorders. Medication Services includes prescribing, administering, and monitoring medications used in the treatment or management of SUD and/or withdrawal management not included in the definitions of MAT for OUD or MAT for AUD services.

35. Medication Assisted Services (MAT) – Medications for addiction treatment is the use of FDA-approved medications in combination with evidence-based behavioral therapies to provide a whole-patient approach to treating SUDs.

36. Medications for Addiction Treatment (also known as medication assisted treatment) for Opioid Use Disorders (MAT for OUD) – Includes all medications approved under section

505 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 355) and all biological products licensed under section 351 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 262) to treat opioid use disorders. MAT for OUD may be provided in clinical or non-clinical settings and can be delivered as a standalone service or as a service delivered as part of all levels of care.

37. Mental Health Diversion (MHD) – A legal process in accordance with Welfare and Institutions Code section 4361, Assembly Bill 1810 (AB 1810), and Penal Code section

1001.36 that offers defendants living with mental illness a diversion opportunity to participate in court-supervised, community-based treatment for up to two (2) years in lieu of criminal justice sanctions with the potential for dropped criminal charges upon completion of the MHD treatment program.

38. Observation – The process of monitoring the patient’s course of withdrawal. Observation is conducted at the frequency required by applicable state and federal laws, regulations, and standards. This may include but is not limited to observation of the patient’s health status.

39. Perinatal Eligibility –

a. Women who are pregnant;

b. Women with dependent children;

c. Women attempting to regain custody of their children, Postpartum women and their children;

d. Women with substance exposed infants Women with substance exposed infants;

e. Note: the postpartum coverage period for individuals receiving postpartum care services begins after the last day of pregnancy through the last day of the month in which the 365th day occurs. Individuals will maintain coverage through their pregnancy and the 12-month postpartum coverage period regardless of income changes, citizenship, immigration status, or how the pregnancy ends.

40. Problem List – A list of symptoms, conditions, diagnoses, and/or risk factors identified through assessment, psychiatric diagnoses evaluation, crisis, encounters, or other types of service encounters and updated on an ongoing basis to reflect the current presentation of the client.

41. Program – The Proposer’s, Contractor’s or Vendor’s/Applicant’s overall services described in this RFP; including but not limited to; the operations, facility, equipment, staff and methodology and modality, etc.

42. Progress Notes – A written narrative of a client encounter, which provides sufficient detail to support the service code selected for the service type as indicated by the service code description.

43. Recovery Services – Recovery services emphasize the client’s central role in managing their health, use effective self-management support strategies, and organize internal and community resources to provide ongoing self-management support to the client.

44. Request for Proposals (RFP) – The document used to solicit a solution or solutions from Proposers to a specific problem or need. Although cost is important, originality and effectiveness of the proposal, and the background and experience of the Proposer, are evaluated in addition to the proposed cost.

45. Residential Treatment (ASAM Level 3 programs) – Offer organized treatment services that feature a planned and structured regimen of care in a 24-hour residential setting.

Treatment services adhere to defined policies, procedures and clinical protocols. They are housed in or affiliated with, permanent facilities where clients can reside safely. (One of the purposes of these programs is to demonstrate aspects of a positive recovery environment.) They are staffed 24 hours a day. All level 3 programs serve individuals who because of specific functional limitations, need safe stable living environments and 24-hour care. ASAM Level 3.1 – Clinically Managed Low-Intensity Residential Services:

Level 3.1 programs offer at least five (5) hours per week of low-intensity treatment of substance-related disorders. Treatment is characterized by services such as individual, group and family therapy; medication management; and psychoeducation. These services facilitate the application of recovery skills, relapse prevention, and emotional coping strategies. They promote personal responsibility and reintegration of the individual into the network systems of work, education and family life. Mutual/self-help meetings are available on-site, or easily accessible in the local community. When clinical services and recovery residence components are provided together, Level 3.1 programs often are considered appropriate for individuals who need time and structure to practice and integrate their recovery and coping skills in a residential, supportive environment.

a. ASAM Level 3.3 – Clinically Managed Population Specific High-Intensity Residential Services: Level 3.3 programs provide a structured recovery environment in combination with high-intensity clinical services provided in a manner to meet the functional limitations of clients to support recovery from substance-related disorders.