STATE OF NORTH DAKOTA

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

BADLANDS BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CLINIC

1463 I-94 BUSINESS LOOP EAST

DICKINSON, ND 58601

Solicitation Number: 325-25-980-079

Solicitation Type: Request for Proposal (RFP)

RFP Title: Recovery Center – Mental Health

Issued: November 5, 2025

Purpose of RFP: To procure an entity to establish and operate a Recovery Center serving individuals with serious mental illness and/or substance use disorders in the Badlands Behavioral Health Clinic region of North Dakota.

Procurement Officer: Rebecca Bonde

TABLE OF CONTENTS

SECTION ONE

Introduction and Instructions

1.03 RFP Schedule

1.04 Assistance to Individual with a Disability

1.05 Secretary of State Registration Requirements

1.06 Bidders List Registration

1.07 Notice Provided

1.08 Pre-Proposal Conference or Site Inspection

1.09 Deadline for Submission of Questions and Objections

1.010 Amendments to the RFP

1.011 Proposal Submission Instructions

1.012 Proposal Receipt Deadline – Late Proposals Rejected

1.013 Proposal Opening

1.014 News Releases

1.015 Attempt to Influence Prohibited

1.016 Collusion Prohibited

1.017 Specifications Prepared by Non-State Personnel

1.018 Supplier Registration (Payee)

SECTION TWO

Scope of Work

2.01 Background Information

2.02 Budget

2.03 Scope of Work

2.04 Location of Work

2.05 Required Licenses

2.06 Federal and State Requirements

SECTION THREE

General Contract Information

3.06 Supplemental Terms and Conditions

3.07 Contract Approval

3.08 Contract Changes – Unanticipated Amendments

3.09 Taxes and Taxpayer Identification Number

3.010 Proposed Payment Procedures

3.011 Contract Personnel

3.012 Right to Inspect Place of Business

3.013 Inspection & Modification – Reimbursement for Unacceptable Services

3.014 Business Associate Agreement

SECTION FOUR

Proposal Format and Content

4.01 Proposal Format and Content

4.02 Introduction

4.03 Understanding of the Scope of Work

4.04 Management Plan

4.05 Experience and Qualifications

4.06 Cost Proposal

4.07 Required Enclosures

SECTION FIVE

Award and Proposal Evaluation

5.01 Award

5.02 Responsiveness

5.03 Proposal Evaluation

5.04 Understanding of the Scope of Work

5.05 Management Plan

5.06 Experience and Qualifications

5.07 Cost Proposal

SECTION SIX

Standard Proposal Information

6.01 STATE Not Responsible for Preparation Costs

6.02 Conflict of Interest

6.03 Offer Held Firm

6.04 Amendments to Proposals and Withdrawal of Proposals

6.05 Alternate Proposals

6.06 Subcontractors

6.07 Joint Ventures

6.08 Disclosure of Proposal Contents and Compliance with North Dakota Open Records Laws

6.09 Right of Rejection

6.010 Clarification of Proposals - Discussions

6.011 Best and Final Offers

6.012 Preference Laws

6.013 Negotiations

6.014 Notice of Intent to Award – Offeror Notification of Selection

6.015 Protest and Appeal

ATTACHMENTS

Attachment A – Recovery Center Member Handbook Attachment B – Quarterly Compliance Report Attachment C – Annual Compliance Report Attachment D – Monthly Activity Report Attachment E – Sample Purchase of Service Agreement Attachment F – Business Associate Agreement Attachment G – Cost Proposal Attachment H - Evaluation Tool

SECTION ONE

INTRODUCTION AND INSTRUCTIONS

1.01 Purpose of the RFP

The state of North Dakota, acting through its North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services, Badlands Behavioral Health Clinic (STATE) is soliciting proposals for an entity to establish and operate a Recovery Center serving individuals with serious mental illness and/or substance use disorders in the Badlands Behavioral Health Clinic region of North Dakota.

1.02 Procurement Officer Contact Information

The procurement officer is the point of contact for this RFP. All communication regarding this RFP must be directed to the procurement officer (the preferred method of communication is e-mail). Please do not add the procurement officer to any marketing distribution lists.

Procurement Officer: Rebecca Bonde E-Mail: rbonde@nd.gov Phone: 701-298-4410 TTY Users Call: 7-1-1

Engaging in unauthorized communication or seeking to obtain information about an open solicitation with any state employee or official other than the responsible procurement officer or designee is sufficient grounds for suspension or debarment. [N.D.A.C. § 4-12-05-04(7)]

1.03 RFP Schedule

This schedule of events represents STATE’s best estimate of the schedule that will be followed for this RFP. If a component of this schedule, such as the Deadline for Receipt of Proposals, is delayed, the rest of the schedule will be shifted by the same number of days. The estimated RFP Schedule is as follows:

1.04 Assistance to Individual with a Disability

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

1.05 Secretary of State Registration Requirements

The North Dakota Secretary of State has registration requirements for individuals and businesses transacting business in North Dakota. If the successful Offeror is determined to have a registration requirement with the North Dakota Secretary of State, they must be registered before the contract award and registration must remain active for the duration of the contract period (N.D.C.C. § 54-44.4-09.1).

· See the OMB Guidelines to Vendor Registry for more information.

Visit the Secretary of State's Vendor Registration webpage for information on registration requirements and fees. Visit FirstStop, the Secretary of State's business and licensing software, for online form options.

· Check the Business Records database to see if a business is registered.

· Contact Secretary of State's office by email or call 701-328-2900 (choose menu item 2, then option 1).

· If you need to register, fees apply.

· Vendors may need to obtain businesses licenses. See the list of licenses required of businesses in the State of North Dakota. The link includes information on who to contact, application fees, renewal dates, and the legal reference.

1.06 Bidders List Registration

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) Bidders Lists are used to notify vendors when solicitations are issued on the State Procurement Office Online system (SPO Online). Placement on the Bidders List does not guarantee a vendor will receive notice of every solicitation (N.D.A.C. § 4-12-05-01). There are no fees to register as a bidder. The online application form requests contact information for the receipt of solicitation notices. The Bidders List application and SPO Online system use commodity codes to identify categories of goods, services, and information technology.

The commodity code used for this solicitation is: 952 – 06, 59, 62.

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.

1.07 Notice Provided

This RFP, and any related amendments and notices, will be posted on North Dakota’s OMB’s website using SPO Online. Offerors are responsible for checking this website to obtain all information and documents related to this RFP:

https://apps.nd.gov/csd/spo/services/bidder/main.htm

Select “Recent Solicitations”. Recent Solicitations are listed by close date (see Deadline for Receipt of Proposals date in Section 1.03 RFP Schedule).

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

Offerors not having completed the Bidders List registration may request to receive notices related to this RFP by contacting the Procurement Officer, in writing, with the following information: RFP title, business name, contact person, mailing address, telephone number, and email address.

This RFP will also be posted on the North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services website: Solicitation Notice | Health and Human Services North Dakota

1.08 Pre-Proposal Conference or Site Inspection

No pre-proposal conference or site inspection will be held for this RFP.

1.09 Deadline for Submission of Questions and Objections

Offerors should carefully review this RFP, including all attachments. Offerors may ask questions to obtain clarification and request additional information, or object to material in the RFP. Questions and objections must be submitted to the procurement officer, in writing, by the deadline identified in the RFP Schedule. The procurement officer may elect to respond to questions received after the deadline.

Questions and objections should include a reference to the applicable RFP section or subsection. Email is the preferred method of submission with the RFP number cited in the email subject line.

Responses to questions will be distributed as a Solicitation Amendment, unless the question can be answered by referring the offeror to a specific section of the RFP.

1.10 Amendments to the RFP

If an amendment to this RFP is issued, it will be provided to all offerors on the Bidders List for the solicitation and to those prospective offerors who have contacted the procurement officer to receive notices related to the RFP. An offeror shall include in its proposal any required acknowledgements of amendments to the RFP.

1.11 Proposal Submission Instructions

UPLOAD RESPONSE THROUGH THE STATE PROCUREMENT ONLINE SYSTEM (SPO ONLINE):

Offeror must electronically submit proposals through the State Procurement Office Online system (SPO Online) by the Deadline for Receipt of Proposals.

DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THE “LAST MINUTE” TO SUBMIT A RESPONSE. It is recommended that proposals be uploaded 24 hours prior to the Deadline for Receipt of Proposals.

Offeror must begin the electronic submission process well in advance of the Deadline for Receipt of Proposals to allow for transmission and resolution of any technical difficulties. Be advised that the STATE is not responsible for an offeror’s failure to timely submit a proposal due to any technical difficulties. If you experience any technical difficulties contact the Procurement Officer or the State Procurement Office at infospo@nd.gov or 701.328.2740.

If documents are in the process of being uploaded when the Deadline for Receipt of Proposals occurs, the upload process will stop. The attempted submission will not be uploaded successfully and is ineligible for consideration. The STATE takes no responsibility for electronic submissions that are captured, blocked, filtered, quarantined, or otherwise prevented from uploading by any anti-virus or other security software.

1. This solicitation is posted on SPO Online at: https://apps.nd.gov/csd/spo/services/bidder/main.htm

2. Select “Recent Solicitations” and find this solicitation. Solicitations are listed by close date.

3. Use “Upload Response” to upload a maximum of five (5), clearly labeled documents before the Deadline for Receipt of Proposals provided in the RFP Schedule.

4. Offeror must upload their Technical Proposal and Cost Proposal in separate files.

5. The maximum file size allowed is 50mb per file.

6. There is a 50-character file name limitation for the document being uploaded.

7. There is a 75-character limit in the TITLE field within SPO Online.

8. All SPO Online field entries must be alphanumeric. Dashes and underscores are allowed; however, the system DOES NOT accept other special characters, such as apostrophe, & symbol, quotation marks, etc..

9. DO NOT submit documents that are embedded (zip files), movies, wmp, encrypted, or mp3 files.

10. Offeror will receive an email confirmation from infospo@nd.gov that the upload response was received including the “File Description” for the uploaded files. Review this email to ensure all files were successfully uploaded. If offeror DOES NOT receive an email confirmation, the upload was NOT successful, and the files will need to be uploaded again. If offeror does not receive an email confirmation after the reattempt, contact the Procurement Officer or the State Procurement Office at infospo@nd.gov or 701.328.2740.

Visit https://www.omb.nd.gov/sites/www/files/documents/doing-business-with-the-state/procurement/spo-electronic-response-external-job-aid.pdf for the SPO Electronic Response Job Aid which describes how to submit an electronic response.

1.12 Proposal Receipt Deadline – Late Proposals Rejected

An offeror is responsible for ensuring its proposal is received by STATE prior to the Deadline for Receipt of Proposals identified in Section 1.03 RFP Schedule. A Solicitation Amendment will be issued if this deadline is changed. An offeror may contact the procurement officer to inquire whether its proposal has been received. Offerors assume the risk of the method of dispatch chosen. STATE assumes no responsibility for delays caused by any delivery service. Postmarking by the Deadline for Receipt of Proposals shall not substitute for actual proposal receipt by STATE. Proposals delivered late will be rejected pursuant to N.D.A.C. § 4-12-08-13.

1.13 Proposal Opening

This is a formal sealed RFP process. Proposals will be secured and held unopened until the Deadline for Receipt of Proposals. A public opening will not be held.

1.14 News Releases

An offeror shall not make any news releases related to this RFP without prior approval of the procurement officer.

1.15 Attempt to Influence Prohibited

Offerors must not give or offer to give anything to a state employee or official anything that might influence, or appear to influence, procurement decisions. Suspected attempt to influence will be handled in accordance with N.D.A.C. § 4-12-04-05.

1.16 Collusion Prohibited

Offerors must prepare proposals independently, without collusion. Suspected collusion will be handled in accordance with N.D.A.C § 4-12-04-06.

1.17 Specifications Prepared by Non-State Personnel

When a purchasing agency has specifications prepared by someone other than a state employee or official on behalf of the STATE, that person or business entity must be excluded from submitting bids or proposals in accordance with N.D.A.C. § 4-12-06-06.

1.18 Supplier Registration (Payee)

The successful offeror will be required to complete Supplier Registration, if not already registered as a Supplier. Any individual or business who will be receiving payment from a state agency or higher education institution must complete a registration process to collect important financial and taxpayer information. Payments are generally made by check or automatic clearing house (ACH), and taxpayer information must be collected in compliance with IRS requirements. The State and North Dakota University System (NDUS) have separate financial systems and vendor registration processes.

SECTION TWO

SCOPE OF WORK

2.01 Background Information

History of Recovery Centers in North Dakota The Recovery Centers, referred to as psycho-social rehabilitation centers in North Dakota Century Code (NDCC) and North Dakota Administrative Code (NDAC), are part of an integrated, multi-disciplinary continuum of services for individuals with serious mental illness and/or those struggling with co-occurring disorders. The continuum of mental health services consists of an array of services provided by private mental health professionals, private agencies, social services agencies, behavioral health clinics (f/k/a human service centers), community-based residential care and treatment facilities, and private and public in-patient psychiatric hospitals. This continuum of care provides that a person requiring treatment be submitted to the least restrictive available conditions necessary to achieve the purpose of treatment. To the extent feasible, access to the continuum is through behavioral health clinics and DHHS must ensure appropriate cooperation with social service agencies and private providers in achieving the continuum of care. DHHS, through the regional behavioral health clinics, is charged with providing for or contracting for the operation of a psycho-social rehabilitation center in each of the eight behavioral health clinic regions in the state.

Regulatory authority for the operation of a Recovery Center:

NDCC 50-06 and NDAC 75-05 Behavioral Health Clinics Licensure Standards are the regulatory authority for the operation of a recovery center.

History: Effective November 1, 1987; amended effective December 1, 1991.

February 1, 1996; March 1, 1997; August 1, 1997; and January 1, 2009.

General Authority: NDCC 50-06-05.2

Law Implemented: NDCC 50-06-05.2

Psycho-social rehabilitation centers have been in existence in North Dakota since 1987 and are located at:

Region I ------ Williston Region II ------Minot Region III ---- Devils Lake Region IV -----Grand Forks Region V ------Fargo Region VI-----Jamestown Region VII ----Bismarck Region VIII----Dickinson

Recovery-Focused and Consumer-Driven Services The name change from Psycho-Social Rehabilitation Centers to Recovery Centers several years ago reflected important changes taking place within both the consumer movement and the mental health system on a national and state level. The continued growth of the consumer movement in North Dakota has increasingly raised the awareness on the part of mental health consumers of the possibility of recovery. The term recovery has become a popular concept to acknowledge that people can successfully contend with serious mental illness, function well, and create positive lives. As such, recovery is a multi-faceted concept with a connotation that persons can and do restore and/or generate to full human capacity. Within a mental health system, recovery can guide the planning and implementation of services and supports for people with mental illness. Such a system is person-oriented, respects people’s needs holistically, and contends with more than just their symptoms. Such a system meets basic needs and addresses problems in living. It empowers people to move toward self-management of their condition. The orientation is one of hope with an emphasis on positive mental health and wellness. A recovery-oriented system encourages people to connect through mutual self-help. It focuses on positive functioning and rebuilding positive relationships.

The former name Psycho-Social Rehabilitation Centers no longer reflected what was occurring at the centers nor was the name in keeping with the recovery vision. Changing the name to Recovery Centers also changed the dynamics of the movement and generated new energy and enthusiasm. The activities for the Recovery Centers also reflected the change to a recovery focus with an emphasis upon Recovery Centers becoming places where consumers can obtain the needed education, information, and support they need to manage their own recovery process.

Recovery Centers today have become a place where consumers direct their own recovery process and where consumers acquire the necessary skills for the utilization of resources within the community. Consumers make up the membership of the Recovery Centers and are referred to as “members”. The Recover Centers are a place where members can become educated about their mental illness and its treatment, and where they can learn about the resources needed to achieve their own individualized recovery goals. The Recovery Centers offer a range of skill-building and recovery activities. The staff is trained in the recovery process and in how to engage with members in their own recovery process. The attitude and approach of the staff and the activities of the Recovery Centers promote the involvement of mental health consumers in their own treatment and recovery from mental illness. The members have an opportunity to develop peer leadership skills that enable them to participate in various roles within the Recovery Center. The Recovery Centers have become a recovery resource for members for integration into the community. The members assist in the overall operation of the program, including, but not limited to, assisting staff with program planning; leading groups; planning, preparing, serving, and cleaning-up lunch; writing and assembling newsletters; cleaning group area; and stocking supplies.

A Recovery Center is first and foremost a community of people who are working together toward a common goal. Through participation in a Recovery Center, people are given the opportunities to rejoin the worlds of friendships, family, important work, employment, education, and to access the services and supports they may individually need. A Recovery Center is a restorative environment for people who have had their lives drastically disrupted and need the support of others who believe that recovery from mental illness is possible for all.

The Recovery Center is committed to delivering recovery-based services that promote feelings of self-worth, self-respect, independence, choice, and hope to people with mental health challenges, enabling them to live meaningful lives in the communities of their choice while striving to achieve their full potential.

The primary goal of the Recovery Centers is to help individuals with chronic mental illness take steps in their recovery to improve quality of life, avoid in-patient hospitalization, and increase overall level of functioning.

Key points of a Recovery Center

· Recovery Centers do not monitor medication or offer traditional therapy. They offer peer support in a recovery-oriented environment that feels comfortable to many people.

· Recovery Centers do not “lure” people away from traditional services. They are fully voluntary, and most participants use them to enhance, rather than substitute for, traditional service approaches.

· Many Recovery Centers serve as an entry point to traditional services, especially for people who have avoided them in the past.

· Recovery Centers are completely voluntary. It is not acceptable to require people to use traditional mental health services or to accept any other supports, such as case management. Nor is it appropriate for participation in a Recovery Center to become a requirement imposed by another service or the legal system.

Collaborative Relationships Although some people rely exclusively on services provided at the Recovery Center, most are also involved with other services and supports; thus, the relationship and communication between these services is important. Collaborative relationships are best when both sides are clear about the purpose and benefits of the collaboration and when respect is mutual. Recovery Centers need to be viewed as valued partners within the network of services. At the same time, they need to earn that respect and demonstrate that value over time.

Linking with the Community A task natural to many Recovery Centers and promoted as a best practice, is to help participants link with a wide range of general community resources and services. These can include social services, educational entities, community and civic groups, activities and events, faith-based organizations, youth and senior centers, self-help groups, and so forth. Every community, large and small, has a unique set of resources that can be linked to. Some Recovery Centers draw on these resources for enriching their programs. For example, engaging a nutritionist to offer workshops with demonstrations and tips on economical healthy cooking for one person, drawing on local police and fire personnel to offer classes on personal safety and fire safety, and having a yoga instructor offer classes for members.

Another approach is to help members learn about and access community services. Some approaches that are useful include the following:

· Create community resource guides. List community organizations and service resources with names, contact information, and a brief description. Include general community resources, such as local landlords or housing management groups, employment agencies, education institutions and programs, legal aid/ protection and advocacy organizations, health services, utility assistance programs, food banks, thrift and resale shops, as well as treatment and self-help resources, such as mental health services, 12-step programs, and local or state mental health consumer groups.

· Keep a “Postings” area. Set aside an area for flyers and posters for community events and activities; upcoming conferences and opportunities; descriptions of resources; and notices about changes in eligibility criteria, availability, or application processes.

· Establish an applications file. Create a space for organizing and storing applications for commonly used resources, such as utility assistance, lifeline telephone, and scholarship programs for education.

· Draw on experience. Many web-based services include customer opinions or tips. Consider ways in which participants can share experiences, both good and bad, with various providers and resources. Collect their practical tips for accessing or using them successfully.

· Support self-advocacy efforts. Provide information and support for members to resolve problems that may arise in their access, use, or satisfaction with a service or resource. This can include brainstorming options and providing information about advocacy resources, legal avenues, and grievance and appeal procedures. Some organizations offer self-advocacy skills training and, when desired, peer support to individuals going through a difficult self-advocacy process.

Another way to link with the community is to “give back.” Get involved with community activities and events as volunteers. Offer to help with charity drives or event set-up or clean-up. If you have space to share, offer it for meetings or activities. Reach out to schools and civic organizations and make presentations about mental health and consumer-operated services. Be a member of the community in many ways. When the organization is actively part of the community, participants also strengthen their sense of being part of the community.

The Recovery Movement In 1989, the National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors (NASMHPD) issued a position statement on consumer contributions to the mental health system. In addition to promoting consumer participation in all aspects of policy and practice, the statement calls for consumer driven services to enhance existing mental health service delivery systems.

In 1999, the Surgeon General’s report on mental health firmly established the concept of recovery as a guiding principle for mental health service systems and promoted consumer-driven services as important elements of recovery-oriented comprehensive mental health service systems.

The National Council on Disability report (2000) and the Institute of Medicine report (2006), also advocate for a shift toward more recovery-oriented and more consumer-driven mental health systems.

In 2006, the Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) issued a Consensus Statement on Mental Health Recovery. Developed by 110 expert panelists representing many stakeholder groups, the statement presents ten fundamental components of recovery, one of which is peer support. It states, “Consumers encourage and engage other consumers in recovery and provide each other with a sense of belonging, supportive relationships, valued roles, and community.”

Recovery from mental disorders and/or substance use disorders is a process of change through which individuals improve their health and wellness, live a self-directed life, and strive to reach their full potential.

Through the Recovery Support Strategic Initiative, SAMHSA has delineated four major dimensions that support a life in recovery:

· Health: overcoming or managing one’s disease(s) or symptoms—for example, abstaining from use of alcohol, illicit drugs, and non-prescribed medications if one has an addiction problem—and for everyone in recovery, making informed, healthy choices that support physical and emotional well-being;

· Home: a stable and safe place to live;

· Purpose: meaningful daily activities, such as a job, school, volunteerism, family caretaking, or creative endeavors, and the independence, income, and resources to participate in society; and

· Community: relationships and social networks that provide support, friendship, love, and hope.

SAMHSA’s Guiding Principles of Recovery

· Recovery emerges from hope: The belief that recovery is real provides the essential and motivating message of a better future – that people can and do overcome the internal and external challenges, barriers, and obstacles that confront them. Hope is internalized and can be fostered by peers, families, providers, allies, and others. Hope is the catalyst of the recovery process.

· Recovery is person-driven: Self-determination and self-direction are the foundations for recovery as individuals define their own life goals and design their unique path(s) towards those goals. Individuals optimize their autonomy and independence to the greatest extent possible by leading, controlling, and exercising choice over the services and supports that assist their recovery and resilience. In doing so, they are empowered and provided the resources to make informed decisions, initiate recovery, build on their strengths, and gain or regain control over their lives.

· Recovery occurs via many pathways: Individuals are unique with distinct needs, strengths, preferences, goals, culture, and backgrounds, including trauma experiences, which affect and determine their pathway(s) to recovery. Recovery is built on the multiple capacities, strengths, talents, coping abilities, resources, and inherent value of each individual. Recovery pathways are highly personalized. They may include professional clinical treatment; use of medications; support from families and schools; faith-based approaches; peer support; and other approaches. Recovery is non-linear, characterized by continual growth and improved functioning that may involve setbacks. Because setbacks are a natural, though not inevitable, part of the recovery process, it is essential to foster resilience for all individuals and families. Abstinence from the use of alcohol, illicit drugs, and non-prescribed medications is the goal for those with addictions. Use of tobacco and non-prescribed or illicit drugs is not safe for anyone. In some cases, recovery pathways can be enabled by creating a supportive environment. This is especially true for children, who may not have the legal or developmental capacity to set their own course.

· Recovery is holistic: Recovery encompasses an individual’s whole life, including mind, body, spirit, and community. This includes addressing self-care practices, family, housing, employment, education, clinical treatment for mental disorders and substance use disorders, services and supports, primary healthcare, dental care, complementary and alternative services, faith, spirituality, creativity, social networks, transportation, and community participation. The array of services and support available should be integrated and coordinated.

· Recovery is supported by peers and allies: Mutual support and mutual aid groups, including the sharing of experiential knowledge and skills, as well as social learning, play an invaluable role in recovery. Peers encourage and engage other peers and provide each other with a vital sense of belonging, supportive relationships, valued roles, and community. Through helping others and giving back to the community, one helps oneself. Peer-operated support and services provide important resources to assist people along their journeys of recovery and wellness. Professionals can also play an important role in the recovery process by providing clinical treatment and other services that support individuals in their chosen recovery paths. While peers and allies play an important role for many in recovery, their role for children and youth may be slightly different. Peer support for families are very important for children with behavioral health problems and can also play a supportive role for youth in recovery.

· Recovery is supported through relationship and social networks: An important factor in the recovery process is the presence and involvement of people who believe in the person’s ability to recover; who offer hope, support, and encouragement; and who also suggest strategies and resources for change. Family members, peers, providers, faith groups, community members, and other allies form vital support networks. Through these relationships, people leave unhealthy and/or unfulfilling life roles behind and engage in new roles (e.g., partner, caregiver, friend, student, employee) that lead to a greater sense of belonging, personhood, empowerment, autonomy, social inclusion, and community participation.

· Recovery is culturally-based and influenced: Culture and cultural background in all of its diverse representations, including values, traditions, and beliefs are keys in determining a person’s journey and unique pathway to recovery. Services should be culturally grounded, attuned, sensitive, congruent, and competent, as well as personalized to meet each individual’s unique needs.

· Recovery is supported by addressing trauma: The experience of trauma (such as physical or sexual abuse, domestic violence, war, disaster, and others) is often a precursor to or associated with alcohol and drug use, mental health problems, and related issues. Services and support should be trauma-informed to foster safety (physical and emotional) and trust, as well as promote choice, empowerment, and collaboration.

· Recovery involves individual, family, and community strengths and responsibility: Individuals, families, and communities have strengths and resources that serve as a foundation for recovery. In addition, individuals have a personal responsibility for their own self-care and journeys of recovery. Individuals should be supported in speaking for themselves. Families and significant others have responsibilities to support their loved ones, especially for children and youth in recovery. Communities have responsibilities to provide opportunities and resources to address discrimination and to foster social inclusion and recovery. Individuals in recovery also have a social responsibility and should have the ability to join with peers to speak collectively about their strengths, needs, wants, desires, and aspirations.

· Recovery is based on respect: Community, systems, and societal acceptance and appreciation for people affected by mental health and substance use problems – including protecting their rights and eliminating discrimination – are crucial in achieving recovery. There is a need to acknowledge that taking steps towards recovery may require great courage. Self-acceptance, developing a positive and meaningful sense of identity, and regaining belief in oneself are particularly important.

2.02 Budget

The budget shall be for the period of January 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027. The successful offeror must submit a detailed Cost Proposal of the monthly projection, to include regional staffing patterns based upon the current regional market, to substantiate the requested amount. This amount will be prorated based on the official start date.

The successful offeror will be responsible for all start-up costs, including remodeling a facility to meet compliance with local codes (if needed). STATE may assist the successful offeror, upon proof of actual costs, with start-up costs.

STATE intends to enter into a contract with the successful offeror for the monthly projection cost.

2.03 Scope of Work

STATE is requesting proposals for the operation of a Recovery Center serving individuals with a serious mental illness and/or substance use disorders in the Badlands Behavioral Health Clinic- Region VIII, located in Dickinson, North Dakota.

Offerors are encouraged to refer to information provided in Section 2.01 of this RFP for useful background information.

Mutual support, including informal peer support services, will occur naturally in the Recovery Center but the members participating in the informal services will not be certified as peer specialists through the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (DMHSAS). The successful offeror has the option of providing stipends to members who engage in informal peer support activities as part of the mutual support milieu of the Recovery Center.

Successful offeror is responsible for all expenses involved in carrying out the following activities.

The Recovery Center shall assist members to take steps in their recovery to improve quality of life, avoid inpatient hospitalization, and increase overall level of functioning by implementing programming which:

· Fosters recovery skills;

· Improves daily living and social interaction skills;

· Develops support networks; and

· Develops and engages in recreational outlets.

The successful offeror shall use the SAMHSA-endorsed Consumer-Operated Services model in the philosophy and operations of the Recovery Center. The successful offeror shall collaborate with STATE. STATE will conduct routine reviews of the Recovery Center and provide recommendations for improvement.

The successful offeror will be required to complete the following activities as part of their contract.

Section 1 The items in Section 1 are required by the successful offeror to remain compliant throughout the contract term. Failure to adhere to the requirements in this section will result in a letter of warning requiring immediate correction. Failure to correct identified non-compliance within 30 days of receiving the letter of warning shall result in disciplinary action up to and including termination of the contract.

a. The successful offeror shall ensure all members of the Recovery Center meet the following eligibility guidelines and shall not impose additional eligibility guidelines.

· Individuals shall self-identify as having a serious mental illness and/or substance use disorders and be 18 years of age or older. Individuals do not need to be clients of STATE to be a member.

Offeror Response:

b. The Recovery Center facility shall be open a minimum of 40 hours per week. The hours of operation for the Recovery Center shall be determined with member participation during a regularly held and announced membership meeting. Documentation of the meeting, including a compilation of member comments and votes, shall be maintained by the successful offeror and be open for review.

Offeror Response:

· During hours of operation, the Recovery Center is expected to operate as a Drop-In Center. A Drop-In Center provides a welcoming environment, as well as a wide range of activities, including support groups, recreational and social events, and linkages with community and support services. Members can casually come and go; signing in is expected.

Offeror Response:

c. The successful offeror shall develop and submit their agency's policy and procedure manual within 30 days of entering into a contract with STATE, and annually thereafter. The policy and procedure manual shall address, but is not limited to, the following areas: personnel hiring, supervision, evaluations, discipline, termination, training, grievance procedures, and confidentiality.

Offeror Response:

d. The successful offeror shall utilize STATE’s Recovery Center Member Handbook, see Attachment A. The Recovery Center Handbook shall address, but is not limited to, the following areas: mission statement, member rights, responsibilities, eligibility, application procedures, new member orientation, expectations and rules, and incident reporting.

Offeror Response:

e. The successful offeror shall submit an organizational chart illustrating who supervises the Recovery Center Director, the Recovery Center Coordinator, and other Recovery Center staff to STATE within 30 days of entering into a contract, and within 30 days of any changes in staff thereafter.

Offeror Response:

f. Recovery Center staff requirements:

· The successful offeror shall employ staff sufficient to provide necessary services. This includes, at a minimum:

· A full-time Recovery Center Director; and Offeror Response:

· A Recovery Center Coordinator (minimum 20 hours per week).

Offeror Response:

· The Recovery Center Coordinator shall be employed by the Recovery Center, certified as a peer support specialist by STATE, and obtain certification or submit application for certification within 30 days of start of employment.

Offeror Response:

· The Recovery Center Coordinator shall assist the Recovery Center Director in daily operational duties of the Recovery Center in addition to their peer support services.

Offeror Response:

· The Recovery Center Director and Recovery Center Coordinator positions are expected to be filled within 30 days of entering into a contract with STATE and must remain filled.

Offeror Response:

· The successful offeror shall develop a job description for all positions and maintain documentation in an employee file.

Offeror Response:

· The successful offeror shall obtain employee background checks and maintain documentation in an employee file.

Offeror Response:

· An individual seeking employment must not have been found guilty of, pled guilty to, or pled no contest to:

· Homicide; criminal coercion; aggravated assault; harassment; terrorizing; stalking; assault or homicide while fleeing a police officer; kidnapping; theft and related offenses; forgery and counterfeiting; sexual performances by children; Uniform Act on Prevention of and Remedies for Human Trafficking; manufacture or delivery of a controlled substance; gross sexual imposition; continuous sexual abuse of a child; sexual imposition; corruption or solicitation of minors; luring minors by computer or other electronic means; sexual abuse of wards; sexual assault; arson; robbery; burglary; promoting prostitution; facilitating prostitution; distribution of intimate images without or against consent; hazing; contact by bodily fluids or excrement; child procurement; abuse of child; or neglect of a child.

Offeror Response:

· In the case of a misdemeanor offense, the successful offeror may determine that the individual has been sufficiently rehabilitated if five years have elapsed after final discharge or release from any term of probation, parole, or other form of community corrections or imprisonment, without subsequent conviction.

Offeror Response:

· The successful offeror shall provide education and training on recovery principles to all Recovery Center staff and keep a training record for each staff member. A completed training record shall be submitted to STATE within six months of hire for all new staff, and annually thereafter for all staff.

Offeror Response:

· The successful offeror shall agree to the following training and support requirements:

· Staff training shall, at a minimum, include topics identified in the Field Service Competency Manual, and incorporate SAMHSA's 10 Guiding Principles of Recovery and SAMHSA's Four Major Dimensions.

Offeror Response:

· Recovery Center Coordinator and Recovery Center Director shall attend a minimum of one conference offered per year. The successful offeror shall be responsible for paying all related expenses, including, but not limited to, mileage, lodging, meals, registration, and related expenses.

Offeror Response:

· Additionally, the successful offeror shall budget $1,000 annually for recovery related training, training materials, and educational use.

Offeror Response:

g. The successful offeror shall follow STATE's policies for use of state vehicles. All use of state fleet vehicles is contingent upon authorization by STATE. The successful offeror shall make arrangements and obtain authorization for use of state fleet vehicles through STATE. The successful offeror's approved staff shall transport STATE's clients utilizing state vehicles. The successful offeror shall carry proof of automobile insurance when operating a state vehicle. This shall be provided to STATE upon renewals.

Offeror Response:

h. The successful offeror shall implement a policy for a tobacco-free environment in the Recovery Center and on the grounds of the Recovery Center.

Offeror Response:

i. The successful offeror shall submit STATE-created Quarterly Compliance Reports, attached as Attachment B, to STATE on a quarterly basis by the 15th of each subsequent quarter (January 15th, April 15th, July 15th, and October 15th).

Offeror Response:

j. The successful offeror shall submit an Annual Compliance Report, attached as Attachment C, to STATE providing updates and addressing progress made on each of the activities contained in the Agreement. This shall include a synopsis of the quarterly outcome reports and the actions taken to address identified needs. The report shall be completed and turned into STATE by August 1st of each year.

Offeror Response:

k. The successful offeror shall conduct an annual STATE-created consumer satisfaction survey during the month of May of each year. The successful offeror shall submit the results of the satisfaction survey to STATE by June 30th of each year.

Offeror Response:

Section 2 The items in Section 2 are required activities of the Recovery Center. The successful offeror is required to provide physical space sufficient to support the activities contained within the scope of service, to include space for peer groups and group activities and an adequate kitchen area for meal preparation. The successful offeror shall fulfill the following activities as part of the contract; payment is contingent upon completion of these items. Payment structure is included. Failure to complete an activity may result in reduced payment for the month. Failure to complete activities three or more months in a row shall lead to a letter of warning requiring immediate correction. Failure to correct identified non-compliance within 30 days of receiving the letter of warning shall result in disciplinary action up to and including termination of the Purchase of Service Agreement.

a. The successful offeror shall develop a monthly calendar of events of at least ten days in advance which shall be made available to the membership and emailed to the Liaison; failure to complete this item may result in a 10% reduction in payment for the month.

Offeror Response:

b. The successful offeror shall create programming grounded in recovery, empowerment, and mutual support and shall provide the following services and supports; failure to complete these items in their entirety may result in a 25% reduction in payment for the month.

Offeror Response:

· Mutual Support/Peer-to-Peer Support: The successful offeror shall provide a minimum of one formal peer support group per week and document a summary of the group and attendees.

Offeror Response:

· People with common life experiences have a unique capacity to help each other because they share a deep understanding that might not exist in other relationships. Mutual support exemplifies the "helper's principle" which means that both parties benefit from the process. When peers support each other in this way, there is no need to designate who is the "helper'' and who Is the "helpee." They might switch back and forth. Recognizing that friendships and social relationships are key to recovery, peers are matched with peers with similar interests and spend time together in a supportive relationship.

Offeror Response:

· Mutual support/peer-to-peer support is a mutually supportive relationship based on two or more people's shared experiences.

Offeror Response:

· In addition to the formal group, mutual support/peer-to-peer support occurs in day-to-day interactions and informal conversations.

Offeror Response:

· Recovery Education/Recovery Planning: The successful offeror shall provide a minimum of one recovery education class for members per week. The successful offeror shall document a summary of the class and attendance.

Offeror Response:

· The successful offeror shall provide classes which educate members on recovery principles and assist them with applying the principles to their lives and to take responsibility for their personal recovery.

Offeror Response:

· The successful offeror shall incorporate SAMHSA's 10 Guiding Principles of Recovery and SAMHSA's Four Major Dimensions into Recovery Education.

Offeror Response:

· Social and Recreation: The successful offeror shall provide a minimum of one structured daily activity for relaxation, socialization, and recreation to assist members with progressing in their recovery and building a meaningful life in the community. The successful offeror shall document group activities and attendance.

Offeror Response:

c. The successful offeror shall hold Member Meetings at least one time per month. The successful offeror shall document the summary of the meeting and attendance. Documentation shall be open for review; failure to complete this item may result in a 10% reduction in payment for the month.

Offeror Response:

· Member Meetings are expected to provide members with leadership opportunities, including, but not limited to, member involvement in policy development, mutual support, staffing, volunteer activities, and the day-to-day operations of the Recovery Center.

Offeror Response:

d. The successful offeror and STATE liaison(s) shall meet at least monthly to review programming and compliance with contract expectations.