SOPSCHK27003 Q&A.pdf

This is a Questions and Answers document issued by the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services regarding Request for Proposal SOPSCHK27003 for on-call psychiatric coverage services at the Cherokee Mental Health Institute. The RFP seeks proposals from qualified Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners or Physician Assistants to provide on-call coverage including week night hours from 4:30 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. Monday through Friday and weekend coverage from 4:30 p.m. Friday through 8:00 a.m. Monday. Key procurement timeline dates include a letter of intent deadline of April 1, 2026, written questions due by April 8, 2026, agency responses by April 14, 2026, proposal submissions due by April 29, 2026 at 2:00 p.m., Notice of Intent to Award anticipated May 13, 2026, contract execution by June 30, 2026, and service commencement on July 1, 2026. The initial contract term is one year with the option for five additional one-year extensions at the Agency's sole discretion. The Q&A document specifically addresses proposal formatting requirements, clarifying that tabs may be either traditional thick sheets with protruding tabs or standard 8.5" x 11" paper clearly labeled with tab numbers, and that binding may be accomplished through stapling, folder pinch tabs, plastic comb binding, or coil binding. The document also confirms that bidders are responsible for collecting letters of reference from previous clients and submitting them with their proposals rather than having the Agency contact references directly.

The Agency has established an annual maximum budget of $50,000 per contract year with compensation provided at separate hourly rates for on-call availability and on-duty services, including differentiated rates for standard and holiday periods. No minimum compensation is guaranteed. Prospective contractors must maintain current Iowa licensure and demonstrate at least one year of psychiatric training or experience. Requirements include responding to phone calls within five minutes 98 percent of the time and arriving on-site within twenty minutes of notification 98 percent of the time. Evaluation criteria consist of approach to meeting deliverables (375 points), experience and references (175 points), personnel qualifications (50 points), and cost proposal (400 points), totaling 1,000 possible points. The procurement is not exclusive, and the Agency reserves the right to make multiple awards if deemed in the best interest of the Agency. No set-aside designations, restrictions for particular business types, or incumbent vendors are identified in the available procurement documentation.