STATE OF CONNECTICUT STANDARD RFP FOR POS PROCUREMENTS

DMHAS/DSS-Nursing Home for Complex Care Behaviors (NH-CCB)-2026

STATE OF CONNECTICUT PROCUREMENT NOTICE

Request for Proposals (RFP) for

Statewide Services, Long-Term Services and Support

Issued by the State of Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services

(DMHAS)

RFP Name: DMHAS/DSS-Nursing Home for Complex Care Behaviors (NH-CCB)-2026

RFP Release Date: July 30, 2026

The Request for Proposal is available in electronic format on the State Contracting Portal by filtering by Organization for Connecticut

The Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services https://portal.ct.gov/DAS/CTSource/BidBoard or from the Agency’s Official Contact:

Name: Betty McCants Address: 410 Capitol Avenue Hartford, CT 06106

Phone: (860) 418-6890 E-Mail: DMHAS.FiscalContracts@ct.gov

The RFP is also available on the Department’s website at https://portal.ct.gov/dmhas/rfps/index/rfps-and-rfqs

RESPONSES MUST BE RECEIVED NO LATER THAN

Wednesday, September 23, 2026 3:00 PM EST

A VIRTUAL BIDDERS’ CONFERENCE WILL BE HELD ON

Tuesday, August 25, 2026 at 10:00 AM

DMHAS is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.

The Agency reserves the right to reject any and all submissions or cancel this procurement at any time if deemed in the best interest of the State of Connecticut (State).

https://biznet.ct.gov/SCP_Search/BidResults.aspx https://biznet.ct.gov/SCP_Search/BidResults.aspx https://portal.ct.gov/DAS/CTSource/BidBoard https://portal.ct.gov/dmhas/rfps/index/rfps-and-rfqs

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

Section I — GENERAL INFORMATION

A. Introduction B. Instructions

Section II — PURPOSE OF RFP AND SCOPE OF SERVICES

A. Agency Overview B. Program Overview C. Scope of Services Description D. Performance Measures E. Contract Management/Data Reporting

Section III — PROPOSAL SUBMISSION OVERVIEW

A. Submission Format Information B. Evaluation of Proposals

Section IV — REQUIRED PROPOSAL SUBMISSION OUTLINE AND REQUIREMENT A. Cover Sheet

B. Table of Contents C. Executive Summary D. Main Proposal Submission Questions E. Attachments F. Declaration of Confidential Information G. Conflict of Interest – Disclosure Statement H. Statement of Assurances

Section V — MANDATORY PROVISIONS

A. POS Standard Contract, Parts I and II B. Assurances C. Terms and Conditions D. Rights Reserved to the State E. Statutory and Regulatory Compliance

Section VI — APPENDIX

A. Abbreviations / Acronyms / Definitions B. Statement of Assurances C. Required Letter of Intent D. Cover Sheet E. Budget and Budget Narrative Sheet F. Notification to Bidders G. Equal Employment Opportunity H. Campaign Contribution Certification I. Proposal Checklist

I. GENERAL INFORMATION

A. INTRODUCTION

1. RFP Name and Number. DMHAS/DSS-Nursing Home for Complex Care Behaviors (NH-CCB)-2026

2. RFP Summary. The Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS or Department/Agency) is issuing this RFP in collaboration with the Department of Social Services (DSS) to identify nursing home level of care for individuals in state care who are challenging to place. They could be transitioning from a correctional facility, have criminal justice involvement and/or be individuals transitioning from a higher level of care provided by DMHAS. The State is seeking a provider that is clinically qualified, has established connections to the local behavioral health and corrections services landscape and can work effectively across systems.

DMHAS, in consultation with the DSS, will enter into a contract to eventually provide 45 beds for nursing home level of care that will serve individuals who are challenging to place and meet the Preadmission Screening and Resident Review (PASRR) requirements for nursing facility level of care.

The agencies are seeking innovative submissions that effectively describe a plan for long-term care for certain DMHAS and Department of Corrections (DOC) individuals and are most interested in submissions that:

• Stimulate innovation and efficiency in service delivery;

• Support person-centered, recovery-oriented approaches;

• Provide access to care for individuals that existing nursing homes often deny due to psychiatric disability and/or criminal justice histories; and

• Are financially sustainable.

3. RFP Purpose. DMHAS and DOC have identified individuals that need long-term placement in a skilled nursing facility. DMHAS seeks to contract for the addition of 45 nursing home beds in a facility for individuals who meet state and federal PASRR requirements and have been unable to access care from the State’s present nursing home vendors due to their mental health and/or criminal justice history.

The Departments are looking for innovative and effective approaches that will provide individuals with access to long-term care for a variety of reasons including:

• Physical, medical, and/or cognitive needs requiring 24-hour skilled nursing services and/or;

• All community options have been explored, and the health and safety needs of the individuals can only be met in a skilled nursing home setting and;

• The admission complies with federal and state PASRR criteria and;

• The individual meets the Department of Social Service’s definition of medical necessity for nursing home level of care as specified in 17b-259-b.

4. Commodity Codes. The services that the Agency wishes to procure through this RFP are as follows:

• 85000000: Healthcare Services

• 93000000: Politics and Civic Affairs Services

• 93140000: Community and Social Services

B. INSTRUCTIONS

1. Official Contact. The Agency has designated the individual below as the Official Contact for purposes of this RFP. The Official Contact is the only authorized contact for this procurement and, as such, handles all related communications on behalf of the Agency. Proposers, prospective proposers, and other interested parties are advised that any communication with any other Agency employee(s) (including appointed officials) or personnel under contract to the Agency about this RFP is strictly prohibited. Proposers or prospective proposers who violate this instruction may risk disqualification from further consideration.

Name: Betty McCants Address: 410 Capitol Avenue Hartford, CT 06106 Phone: (860) 418-6890 E-Mail: DMHAS.FiscalContracts@ct.gov

Please ensure that e-mail screening software (if used) recognizes and accepts e-mails from the Official Contact.

2. Registering with State Contracting Portal. Respondents must register with the State of CT contracting portal at: https://portal.ct.gov/DAS/CTSource/Registration if not already registered.

Respondents must submit the following information pertaining to this RFP with your proposal:

a. Secretary of State recognition – onlineBusinessSearch (ct.gov)

b. Non-profit status, if applicable

c. Notification to Bidders, Parts I-V https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/chro/cc-documents/notificationtobidderspdf.pdf

d. Campaign Contribution Certification (OPM Ethics Form 1):

https://portal.ct.gov/OPM/Fin-PSA/Forms/Ethics-Forms

e. Valid Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) obtained through www.sam.gov

3. RFP Information. The RFP, amendments to the RFP, and other information associated with this procurement are available in electronic format from the Official Contact or from the Internet at the following locations:

• Agency’s RFP Web Page https://portal.ct.gov/DMHAS/RFPs/Index/RFPs-and-RFQs

• State Contracting Portal (go to CTSource bid board, filter by DMHAS

It is strongly recommended that any proposer or prospective proposer interested in this procurement check the Bid Board for any solicitation changes. Interested proposers may receive additional e-mails from CTsource announcing addendums mailto:DMHAS.FiscalContracts@ct.gov https://portal.ct.gov/DAS/CTSource/Registration https://service.ct.gov/business/s/onlinebusinesssearch?language=en_US https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/chro/cc-documents/notificationtobidderspdf.pdf https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/chro/cc-documents/notificationtobidderspdf.pdf https://portal.ct.gov/OPM/Fin-PSA/Forms/Ethics-Forms http://www.sam.gov/ https://portal.ct.gov/DMHAS/RFPs/Index/RFPs-and-RFQs that are posted on the portal. This service is provided as a courtesy to assist in monitoring activities associated with State procurements, including this RFP.

4. Procurement Schedule. See below. Dates after the due date for proposals (“Proposals Due”) are non-binding target dates only (*). The Agency may amend the schedule as needed. Any change to non-target dates will be made by means of an amendment to this RFP and will be posted on the State Contracting Portal and, if available, the Agency’s RFP Web Page.

RFP Released 7/30/2026 Required Letter of Intent Due 8/10/2026 by 3:00 pm RFP/Bidder’s Conference Date 8/25/2026 at 10 am Deadline for Questions 9/1/2026 by 3:00 pm Answers Released 9/9/2026 by 3:00 pm Proposals Due 9/23/2026 by 3:00 pm (*) Proposer Selection TBD (*) Start of Contract Negotiations TBD (*) Start of Contract TBD

5. Contract Awards. The award of any contract pursuant to this RFP is dependent upon the availability of funding to the Agency. The Agency anticipates the following:

• Total Funding Available: TBD

• Number of Awards: One (1)

• Contract Cost: TBD

• Contract Term: TBD

• Funding Source: State and Federal

6. Eligibility. Private provider organizations (defined as non-state entities that are either nonprofit or proprietary corporations or partnerships), CT State agencies, and municipalities are eligible to submit proposals in response to this RFP. Individuals who are not a duly formed business entity are ineligible to participate in this procurement.

Pursuant to C.G.S. §17a-676, and in accordance with federal grant requirements for use of this funding, the Department may only award contracts for the services requested herein to private nonprofit organizations or Connecticut municipalities.

Eligible respondents are private provider organizations (defined as non-state entities that are 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporations or partnerships with principal place of business in Connecticut) or Connecticut municipalities.

7. Minimum Qualifications of Proposers. To qualify for a contract award, a proposer must have the following minimum qualifications:

• The facility must be in good financial and regulatory standing with all state agencies.

• Have a demonstrated track record of operating a skilled nursing facility;

• Own and operate a licensed skilled nursing facility with a capacity of a minimum of 45 beds that is properly zoned to accommodate individuals with a full range of past criminal offenses and/or behavioral health conditions;

• Has a demonstrated ability to engage competently trained staff to meet the needs of this population;

• Ability to comply with existing federal and state standards of practice in operating a licensed skilled nursing facility;

• Substantial experience and established relationships within Connecticut’s behavioral health, criminal justice and recovery systems (mental health and substance use);

• Ability to comply with a structured monitoring process established and operated in conjunction with DMHAS and DOC that will include employing a nurse to assess all referrals in conjunction with DMHAS’s contracted nurse, tracking of client referrals, admissions, treatments, client rights issues and discharges. Outcomes to be tracked may relate to client assessments, collaboration efforts, use of medical and behavioral services, rehabilitation, family involvement and quality of life;

and

• Ability to self-monitor resident population to ensure the facility does not reach the status of an Institution for Mental Disease (IMD)

8. An Electronic Letter of Intent. An Electronic Letter of Intent (LOI) is required for this RFP. The LOI is non-binding and does not obligate the sender to submit a proposal. The LOI must be submitted to the Official Contact by e-mail by the deadline established in the Procurement Schedule. The LOI must clearly identify the sender, including name, postal address, telephone number, and e-mail address. It is the sender’s responsibility to confirm the Agency’s receipt of the LOI. Failure to submit the required LOI in accordance with the requirements set forth herein shall result in disqualification from further consideration.

9. Inquiry Procedures. All questions regarding this RFP or the Agency’s procurement process must be directed, in writing, electronically, (e-mail) to the Official Contact before the deadline specified in the Procurement Schedule. The early submission of questions is encouraged. Questions will not be accepted or answered verbally – neither in person nor over the telephone. All questions received before the deadline(s) will be answered. However, the Agency will not answer questions when the source is unknown (i.e., nuisance or anonymous questions). Questions deemed unrelated to the RFP or the procurement process will not be answered. At its discretion, the Agency may or may not respond to questions received after the deadline. If this RFP requires a Letter of Intent, the Agency reserves the right to answer questions only from those who have submitted such a letter. The Agency may combine similar questions and give only one answer. All questions and answers will be compiled into a written amendment to this RFP. If any answer to any question constitutes a material change to the RFP, the question and answer will be placed at the beginning of the amendment and duly noted as such.

The agency will release the answers to questions on the date(s) established in the Procurement Schedule. The Agency will publish any and all amendments to this RFP on the State Contracting Portal and, if available, on the Agency’s RFP Web Page.

At its discretion, the Agency may distribute any amendments to this RFP to prospective proposers who submitted a Letter of Intent and attended the RFP Conference.

10. Virtual RFP Conference. A virtual RFP Bidder’s conference will be held on Tuesday, August 25, 2026 at 10:00 am to answer questions from prospective proposers.

Attendance at the virtual conference is optional but is strongly encouraged.

Invitations will be forwarded to prospective proposers who sent in the Letter of Intent.

Prospective proposers will be provided an opportunity to submit questions via email to DMHAS.FiscalContracts@ct.gov. All questions submitted will be answered in a written Addendum to this RFP, which will serve as the Department’s official response. If any answer to any question constitutes a material change to the RFP, the question and answer will be placed at the beginning of the Addendum and duly noted as such. The agency will release the Addendum on the date established in the Procurement Schedule. The Department will publish any and all Addenda.

11. Electronic Proposal due Date and Time. The Official Contact is the only authorized recipient of proposals submitted in response to this RFP. Proposals must be received by the Official Contact on or before the due date and time:

• Due Date: September 23, 2026

• Time: 3:00 PM EST

Proposals received after the due date and time will be ineligible and will not be evaluated. The Agency will send an official letter alerting late respondents of ineligibility.

An acceptable submission must include the following:

a. One (1) conforming electronic copy of the original proposal.

b. The proposal must be complete, properly formatted and outlined, and ready for evaluation by the Screening Committee.

c. The electronic copy of the proposal must be emailed to the Official Agency Contact for this procurement. The subject line of the email must read: DMHAS/ DSS-Nursing Home for Complex Care Behaviors (NH-CCB)-2026. Required forms and appendices may be scanned and submitted as PDFs at the end of the main proposal document. Please ensure the entire email submission is less than 25MB as this reflects The Agency’s server limitations. Respondents should work to ensure there are no additional IT limitations from the provider side.

12. Multiple Proposals. The submission of multiple proposals is not an option for this procurement.

II. PURPOSE OF RFP AND SCOPE OF SERVICES

A. AGENCY OVERVIEW

The Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) promotes and administers comprehensive, recovery-oriented services in the areas of mental health treatment and substance use treatment throughout Connecticut.

While the Department's services serve all Connecticut citizens, its mandate is to serve adults (over 18 years of age) with psychiatric or substance use disorders, or both, who lack the financial means to obtain such services on their own. DMHAS also provides collaborative programs for individuals with special needs, such as persons with HIV/AIDS infection, people in the criminal justice system, those with problem gambling disorders, pregnant and parenting women with substance use disorders, persons with traumatic brain injury or hearing impairment, those with co-occurring substance use and mental illness, and special populations transitioning out of the Department of Children and Families.

DMHAS operates on the belief that people with mental illnesses and/or substance use disorders can and should be treated in community settings, and that inpatient treatment should be used only when absolutely necessary to meet the best interests of the individual. Effective care requires that services such as residential, supportive, rehabilitative and crisis intervention programs are available within their local communities. DMHAS is responsible for providing a wide range of services to adults in each of the five human service Regions in Connecticut.

Department Mission “To promote the overall health and wellness of persons with behavioral health needs through integrated network of holistic, comprehensive, effective, and efficient services and supports that foster dignity, respect, and self-sufficiency in those we serve.”

B. PROGRAM OVERVIEW

A responsive proposal must include a summary of the proposer’s overall qualifications to successfully operate a skilled nursing facility in compliance with the federal and state Department of Public Health (DPH) codes and regulations for long-term care per the Nursing Home Reform Act of 1987 specifically:

• Processing referrals from DMHAS and the criminal justice system (DOC);

• Providing skilled nursing care to individuals who have physical, medical and/or cognitive needs that require 24-hour supervision and care;

• Developing person-centered programming for individuals with behavioral health and/or criminal justice involvement under DPH Health codes, regulations and guidelines;

• Developing a behaviorally based process and environment to mitigate risks that individuals with dementia or behavioral health needs may bring to the nursing home setting;

• Providing evidence that admissions and continued resident utilization management reviews comply with federal and state PASRR requirements;

• A physical environment designed with a focus on safety and comfort, with removal or mitigation of potentially dangerous, hazardous or antagonistic spaces, equipment or systems prior to occupancy with particular attention to creating an atmosphere or milieu conducive to healing;

• Behavioral management training curriculum that places great emphasis on safe and effective de-escalation and management of potentially harmful resident care situations;

• Development of innovative and unique programming in a person-centered facility environment and culture, guided by the social and cultural backgrounds and interests of the individuals who contribute to the community’s composition.

C. SCOPE OF SERVICE DESCRIPTION

1. Service Expectations A skilled nursing facility that includes competently trained staff in the areas of behavioral health and risk management to treat individuals who meet PASRR criteria, are otherwise challenging to place because of involvement with DOC or DMHAS services and have physical, medical and/or cognitive needs requiring 24-hour skilled care. The proposed building must be zoned to accommodate individuals with a full range of past criminal offenses and have desirable space options to accommodate these individuals. The facility will operate as does any other nursing home with 24/7 staffing, trained in the behavioral health practices.

The target population is challenging to place individuals with mental health and/or criminal justice histories and have otherwise been denied admission at nursing homes across the state. The facility should have a 45-bed capacity. All services rendered will be person-centered and culturally sensitive to the diverse needs and interests of the individuals who contribute to the facility’s population. This includes mental health services and specialized treatment including the capacity to coordinate medication and care for residents with Opioid Use Disorders (OUD).

The facility will accept individuals with co-occurring mental health conditions, OUD, and criminal justice involvement, including those under community supervision or transitioning from correctional settings. The facility must be able to maintain capacity to continue and monitor all FDA-approved medications for OUD including Methadone, Buprenorphine, or Naltrexone. The facility may employ or contract with qualified medical providers authorized to prescribe MOUD and establish formal agreements, as needed with Opioid Treatment Programs (OTPs) and community-based prescribers to ensure continuity of care.

This includes ensuring that there is no interruption in MOUD for individuals admitted from hospitals, the community, or correctional facilities.

a. Proposers should clearly identify in which region they are proposing services, including the specific towns.

• Describe in detail the geographic area of current and proposed site for the nursing home;

• Provide the proposed address of the facility and explain in detail any community obstacles that may arise by providing services to individuals with a range of past criminal offenses; and

• Provide a physical description of the building including type of structure, capacity, proof of compliance with zoning, safety features including any type of cameras or security systems, fire code compliance and public health and safety code compliance.

b. Proposers must identify the community and population needs they plan to address through their proposed services. Proposals should indicate which of the identified target population(s) they are going to serve, based on supporting evidence of need and agency experience.

• Describe your ability to ensure a culturally-responsive delivery of services that recognizes and affirms diversity and specific needs of individuals who have had involvement with the correctional system or are receiving services from the DMHAS;

• Describe the array of services that will be offered to the individuals including your acceptance of the no-reject and no-eject policy.

Describe how your proposal fits within your organization’s mission and current programs configurations;

• Summarize services you currently provide, especially for individuals with behavioral health issues and/or criminal justice involvement;

• Describe any additional experience your organization has with individuals involved with the criminal justice system and mental health continuum of care;

• Describe in detail your operating compliance practices with PASRR rules and regulations;

• Describe the behavioral focus and/or the conceptual basis to be used in designing the milieu adapting the physical environment and creating treatment relationships; and

• Describe the ability of the organization to work with a no-reject, no-eject policy and the use of increased support to enable individuals to maintain their place at the facility regardless of their behavior.

c. Describe the specific type and length of experience your organization has in the delivery of skilled nursing services to individuals, especially individuals who are transitioning from correctional facilities or receiving services from DMHAS.

d. Client Evaluation/Assessment/Treatment:

• Describe an admission, transfer and discharge process that includes oversight from DMHAS and DOC;

• Describe the proposed assessment tool that will be completed on each individual and how the tool is designed to meet the needs and preferences of the individual;

• Describe the proposed application of an evidence-based chronic disease management program to address the co-morbid medical issues related to this population;

• Include information on any prior use of Positive Behavioral Support Plans to work with individuals;

• Describe any enhanced programming which will support person-centered care, clients’ right issues and maintain or increase quality of life for each individual;

• Provide a Risk Assessment Policy and Procedure and any additional measures or tools used for risk assessment; and

• Provide a detailed description of a successful Utilization Management Policies and Procedure program including collaboration with DMHAS and DOC.

e. Program Requirements

The facility will provide care according to the federal and state DPH codes and regulations for Skilled Nursing Care. In addition, the organization should:

• Have a behavioral health focus and/or the conceptual basis to design the milieu, adapting the physical environment and creating person-centered treatment relationships;

• Have a proven ability to skillfully work with individuals who may have multiple medical problems and co-occurring behavioral issues such as aggression and self-harm;

• Employ and supervise staff that are competently trained to care for individuals with multiple needs.

f. Standards

• The organization will provide existing license information and any credentialing by the organization in its provision of skilled nursing care;

• The organization will provide information regarding any recent (past 2 years) citations by the DPH.

g. Start-up Process

The Department is seeking a vendor who is presently operating a skilled nursing facility in Connecticut (CT) and is interested in converting an existing property for this new program. If proposing to add additional beds to an existing skilled nursing facility, describe the timeline for adding them.

An opening date by January 1, 2027 is required. The ability to start up a viable facility in a short time frame will receive higher consideration in the evaluation process.

2. Organizational Expectations

DMHAS is looking for proposals that outline the applicant’s overall qualifications to successfully operate a skilled nursing facility in conjunction with the federal and state DPH codes and regulations for long-term care facilities. The proposed site will be easily accessible to all individuals who reside in the State of Connecticut and able to admit residents shortly after the procurement process. Proposals should identify existing linkages to mental health services and specialized treatment including the capacity for MOUD treatment for residents with OUD or describe plans to establish such connections. In addition:

• Describe existing license information and any credentialing by the organization in its provision of skilled nursing care;

• Describe any recent (past 2 years) citations or infractions issued by the

DPH regarding your organization’s delivery of skilled nursing care.

3. Staffing Expectations

Describe your proposed staffing ratios and configurations of professional and paraprofessional staff to meet the skilled needs in a facility of approximately 45 beds. Please include the following:

• Describe staffing levels in accordance with state DPH regulations for the operation of a skilled nursing facility;

• Describe planned staffing levels;

• Describe the services of an experienced mental health practitioner, i.e. behavioral psychologist, licensed clinician, and the number of hours this person will be available.

a. Roles and Responsibilities:

• Supervision / Management: Provide a table of organization to describe the reporting route for this facility including: Formal liaison with DMHAS and DOC regarding admission, transfer and discharge procedures;

• Credentials / Licensure: attach job descriptions in Appendices for proposed positions; and

• Description of your plan to recruit, hire and train staff to effectively provide skilled nursing home services for this population, including using alternative staffing initiatives and programs.

b. Staff Training/Education:

• Provide a written annual staff training/education plan and /or schedule including education on the treatment of behavioral and mental health disorders.

• Recruitment, screening, hiring and training of the staff for the development and maintenance of an environment that facilitates and promotes person-centered programming and resident quality of life;

• The organization will train staff in crisis de-escalation techniques, risk mitigation and mental health that will help the facilitation of person-centered behavioral health plans for individuals with co-occurring diagnosis;

• Staff will have the appropriate Registered Nurse, Licensed Practical Nurse, Certified Nurse’s Aide licensure for their specific jobs;

• The facility administrator will ensure all staff are trained and receive adequate supervision from supervisory staff.

4. Data and Technology Expectations

Provide a clear description of how the organization will collect, manage and report data:

• Provide examples of successful prior history in collecting, managing and reporting data to any federal or state agency;

• Describe how your organization will report Utilization Management data to

DMHAS and DOC and other data as required;

• Describe how the organization will utilize data to improve quality management;

• Describe a Quality Assurance and Improvement Plan addressing the key issues of federal and state regulatory compliance;

• Describe a Quality Assurance and Improvement Plan that encompasses a formal liaison with DMHAS and DOC;

• Demonstrate capacity to collect and manage DMHAS required data regarding admissions and utilization management;

• It is expected that this facility will have access to a computer that is connected to the internet and can send/receive email communication;

• Organization contractor must have Quality Improvement systems and processes in place that utilize data to monitor and inform program management improvement; and

• The contractor must have a system in place to conduct client satisfaction surveys and collect data from those surveyed to assist with continuous quality improvement.

5. Subcontractor

Please provide the following information if your organization will use any subcontractors for the provision or delivery of a service:

• Service to be provided under subcontract;

• Legal name of agency, address, FEIN;

• Contact person, title, phone, fax, E-mail;

• Subcontractor oversight; and

• Subcontract cost and term.

6. Work Plan

• Provide a detailed implementation plan which lists key dates such as conversion of existing property, renovations, hiring and training of staff, date to admit first individual, etc.

• Provide timeline describing the start-up process to convert an existing property.

• Create a timeline describing the start-up process to hire, orient and train staff.

• Estimate the date by which the first individual can be admitted to the facility.

The work plan narrative should be included in the main proposal section and will be included in the page capacity. If you have a supplemental chart or grid to include, it may be included in the appendix. Reference to the location must be stated in the Main proposal.

7. Financial Expectations

a. Financial Status Reports: If the three (3) most recent audits are available via the Office of Policy and Management’s EARS system, such may be noted in the proposal, and a hard copy of the audit cover letters need not be provided.

b. Audited Financial Statements: Any proposer agency that does not hold a current contract with the Department must submit cover letters from their auditor for the last three (3) annual audits of their agency and a copy of their most recent financial audit, included in the proposal. If less than three (3) audits were conducted, detail must be provided as to why, and any supporting documentation assuring the financial efficacy of the applicant agency should be included (i.e. an accountant prepared financial statement, a tax return, etc.).

8. Budget and Budget Narrative

• Provide an anticipated startup and annualized budget for the services to be provided in the template provided.

• Provide a detailed explanation of the need for the proposed expenditures.

The expense spreadsheet should be completed in accordance with the Budget and Budget Narrative. The purpose of this section is to gather information about how the proposer developed the proposed budget and cost allocations. Proposals must include the following:

a. Itemized annual budget on the budget form delineated in Section VI.

Appendix E. Budget and Budget Narrative, of this RFP. All startup costs must be clearly identified as one (1) line item in the budget.

b. A budget narrative must be provided, explaining all costs contained in the budget. All start-up costs must be listed separately and clearly detailed in the budget narrative.

c. All other funding, including agency financial support must be identified.

d. Complete a price schedule, budget, or cost proposal in its entirety that will enable the effective delivery of the proposed project or services.

e. Describe all direct and indirect costs associated with the service or project.

f. Describe any key cost variables for the service or project such as volume, frequency, duration or length.

g. Narrative and justification: present a detailed, line-item cost narrative that explains the basis and rationale for the costs proposed and why you consider your costs to be reasonable, given the nature of your proposed program?

h. Describe any key budgeting decisions you faced, assumptions, or calculation approaches used to develop the cost proposal.

Medicaid Estimate Facility Budget Template

Completion of the Medicaid Estimate Facility Budget Template is required. The purpose of the document is to provide an estimated operational nursing home budget of costs associated with facility operations and costs that may be considered for Medicaid reimbursement. DSS will use this document to assist with setting a rate. This is necessary to allocate facility costs to that of either DSS or DMHAS for purposes of resident funding supports.

Costs that are not appropriate for Medicaid but may be necessary in support of facility operations must be featured on a separate tab titled “Other” within the document. To assist respondents with completion of the budget document, below is additional information that may be helpful.

When developing your budget of estimated facility operation costs, consider common nursing home expenses such as staffing costs, facility maintenance, supplies, food, laundry and housekeeping. Costs may or may not be included for Medicaid reimbursement purposes but are costs the respondent has presented as part of its RFP response.

Successful respondents will need to negotiate final Medicaid per diem rates with DSS. DSS can only consider allowable costs that may be reimbursed under Medicaid programs that are approved by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and approved in the Medicaid State Plan Amendment (SPA).

DSS - Facility

Budget Template RFP.xlsx

Medicaid State Plan

DSS is the single state Medicaid Agency for the State of Connecticut. In accordance with §1901.42 U.S.C. 1396 of the Social Security Act, the purpose of Medicaid is to enable states "to furnish (1) medical assistance on behalf of families with dependent children and of aged, blind, or disabled individuals, whose income and resources are insufficient to meet the costs of necessary medical services, and (2) rehabilitation and other services to help such families and individuals attain or retain capability for independence or self-care”.

Medicaid is a state–federal partnership jointly funded by the state and federal government and administered by the state in accordance with federal requirements.

Federal requirements help to guide and assist states in providing medical care to eligible populations. This cost-sharing partnership between the federal government and the state is known as Federal Medical Assistance Payment (“FMAP” or “match”). The percentage of costs paid by the federal government varies for specific services and types of enrollees.

Section 1902(a)(30)(A) of the Social Security Act (the Act) requires that Medicaid payments be “consistent with efficiency, economy, and quality of care” and reimbursement method must be considered “proper and necessary for efficient delivery of needed health care services.” In meeting these requirements, states have flexibility in establishing Medicaid payment methods, but the federal agency Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has final approval.

For more information on Medicaid allowable costs, please visit the Department Fees/Payments webpage. Connecticut Medicaid nursing homes are paid a per diem daily rate which is comprised of five cost categories:

• Direct - Nursing and nurse aide personnel salaries, related fringe benefits and nursing pool costs.

• Indirect - Professional fees, dietary, housekeeping, laundry personnel costs and expenses and supplies related to patient care.

• Administrative and General - Maintenance and plant operation expenses, and salaries and related fringe benefits for administrative and maintenance personnel.

• Property (Fair Rent) - A fair rental value allowance is calculated to yield a constant amount each year in lieu of interest and depreciation costs. The allowance for the use of real property (non-moveable equipment) other than land is determined by amortizing the base value of property over its remaining useful life, using the Hospital Fixed Asset Guide Book, and applying a rate of return (ROR) on the base value. The ROR is linked to the Medicare borrowing rate and is currently 2.766% for assets placed in service in 2016. Under state statute the maximum ROR is 11%. Non-profit facilities receive the lower of the fair rental value allowance or actual interest and depreciation plus certain other disallowed costs. A helpful resource is the Fair Rent Calculator and Cost Report Information website that has additional information.

• Capital Related - Property taxes, insurance expenses, moveable equipment leases and moveable equipment depreciation.

9. Culturally Competent Services – The Contractor will provide care that respects and responds to each resident’s unique cultural background, beliefs, https://portal.ct.gov/dss/health-and-home-care/medicaid-nursing-home-reimbursement/medicaid-nursing-home-reimbursement/fees?language=en_US https://myersandstauffer.com/client-portal/connecticut/connecticut-cost-report/ https://myersandstauffer.com/client-portal/connecticut/connecticut-cost-report/ values, language, traditions, and lived experiences. Describe agency experience interacting effectively and communicating with people of different cultures and socio-economic backgrounds. Please provide an example of your work with underserved/under-represented groups of people or communities.

D. PERFORMANCE MEASURES

The following performance metrics highlight key priorities that will be analyzed with providers collaboratively during the life of the contract. This is not an exhaustive list, but rather an indication of significant performance metrics of interest to DMHAS. DMHAS looks forward to working with providers to define additional important performance metrics.

• The Contractor will employ adequately skilled staff to meet the needs of individuals in the facility. This includes review of staffing and staff training curricula, procedures for employee performance reviews and availability of supervision for all staff

• The Contractor will retain skilled staff to ensure quality of care for the residents of the facility. No more than 30% turnover of nursing staff in a calendar year. The calculation shall not include per-dem staff, temporary employees, and staff not involved in direct patient care.

• The Contractor will provide activities for all residents per individual’s person-centered care plan. This includes, but is not limited to recreational, psychosocial and group activities. At least 90% of residents will attend those activities or document reasons why that metric is not achieved.

• The Contractor will attend Department-designated utilization management meetings with the DMHAS program manager and assessment nurse on a frequency mutually agreed upon by the parties. The assessment nurse/coordinator and facility administrator should be in attendance.

• The Contractor will coordinate all referrals with the DMHAS assessment nurse and program manager and agree to joint face to face assessments of all individuals referred.

E. CONTRACT MANAGEMENT/DATA REPORTING

As part of the State’s commitment to becoming more outcomes oriented, DMHAS seeks to actively and regularly collaborate with providers to enhance contract management, improve results, and adjust service delivery and policy based on learning what works.

Reliable and relevant data is necessary to ensure compliance, inform trends to be monitored, evaluate results and performance, and drive service improvements. As such, DMHAS reserves the right to request/collect other key data and metrics from providers.

The provider will meet with DMHAS and DOC staff biweekly until the facility is at 80% capacity and monthly thereafter to review all referrals, discuss assessments and manage admissions into the facility.

III. PROPOSAL SUBMISSION OVERVIEW

A. SUBMISSION FORMAT INFORMATION

1. Required Outline. All proposals must follow the required outline presented in Section IV – Proposal Submission Outline and Requirements. Proposals that fail to follow the required outline will be deemed non-responsive and not evaluated.

2. Cover Sheet. The Cover Sheet is Page 1 of the proposal. Proposers must complete and use the Cover Sheet form provided by the Agency in the VI.

Appendix D. Cover Sheet.

Legal Name is defined as the name of private provider organization, CT State agency, or municipality submitting the proposal. Contact Person is defined as the individual who can provide additional information about the proposal or who has immediate responsibility for the proposal. Authorized Official is defined as the individual empowered to submit a binding offer on behalf of the proposer to provide services in accordance with the terms and provisions described in this RFP and any amendments or attachments hereto.

3. Table of Contents. All proposals must include a Table of Contents that conforms with the required proposal outline.

4. Executive Summary. Proposals must include a high-level summary, not exceeding one (1) page. The summary must also include the organization’s eligibility and qualifications to respond to this RFP. The executive summary is not part of the main proposal and cost proposal.

5. Attachments. Attachments other than the required Appendices or Forms identified in the RFP are not permitted and will not be evaluated. Further, the required Appendices or Forms must not be altered or used to extend, enhance, or replace any component required by this RFP. Failure to abide by these instructions will result in disqualification. All attachments should be labeled and included in Section E. Attachments of the proposal.

6. Style Requirements. This is an electronic submission.

Submitted proposals must conform to the following specifications:

Paper Size 8.5 x 11 (Standard Letter) Font Size 12 Font Type Times New Roman Margins Normal (1 inch around) Line Spacing 1 ½ Print Style Singled-Sided Page Limit Maximum 15 pages, exclusive of Executive Summary, Appendices, Budget Forms and Budget Narrative

7. Pagination. The proposer’s name must be displayed in the header of each page.

All pages, including the required Appendices and Forms, must be numbered in the footer.

8. Packaging and Labeling Requirements. Not Applicable

9. Declaration of Confidential Information. Proposers are advised that all materials associated with this procurement are subject to the terms of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), the Privacy Act, and all rules, regulations and interpretations resulting from them. If a proposer deems that certain information required by this RFP is confidential, the proposer must label such information as CONFIDENTIAL prior to submission. In subsection IV.F. of the proposal submission, the proposer must reference where the information labeled CONFIDENTIAL is located in the proposal. EXAMPLE:

Section G.1.a. For each subsection so referenced, the proposer must provide a convincing explanation and rationale sufficient to justify an exemption of the information from release under the FOIA. The explanation and rationale must be stated in terms of (a) the prospective harm to the competitive position of the proposer that would result if the identified information were to be released and (b) the reasons why the information is legally exempt from release pursuant to C.G.S.

§ 1-210(b).

10. Conflict of Interest - Disclosure Statement. Proposers must include a disclosure statement concerning any current business relationships (within the last three (3) years) that pose a conflict of interest, as defined by C.G.S. § 1-85. A conflict of interest exists when a relationship exists between the proposer and a public official (including an elected official) or State employee that may interfere with fair competition or may be adverse to the interests of the State.

The existence of a conflict of interest is not, in and of itself, evidence of wrongdoing. A conflict of interest may, however, become a legal matter if a proposer tries to influence, or succeeds in influencing, the outcome of an official decision for their personal or corporate benefit. The Agency will determine whether any disclosed conflict of interest poses a substantial advantage to the proposer over the competition, decreases the overall competitiveness of this procurement, or is not in the best interests of the State. In the absence of any conflict of interest, a proposer must affirm such in the disclosure statement.

Example: “[name of proposer] has no current business relationship (within the last three (3) years) that poses a conflict of interest, as defined by C.G.S. § 1-85.”

B. EVALUATION OF PROPOSALS

1. Evaluation Process. It is the intent of the Agency to conduct a comprehensive, fair, and impartial evaluation of proposals received in response to this RFP.

When evaluating proposals, negotiating with successful proposers, and awarding contracts, the Agency will conform with its written procedures for POS and PSA procurements (pursuant to C.G.S. § 4-217) and the State’s Code of Ethics (pursuant to C.G.S. §§ 1-84 and 1-85). Final funding allocation decisions will be determined during contract negotiation.

2. Evaluation Review Committee. The Agency will designate a Review

Committee to evaluate proposals submitted in response to this RFP. The Review Committee will be composed of individuals, Agency staff or other designees as deemed appropriate. The contents of all submitted proposals, including any confidential information, will be shared with the Review Committee. Only proposals found to be responsive (that is, complying with all instructions and requirements described herein) will be reviewed, rated, and scored. Proposals that fail to comply with all instructions will be rejected without further consideration. The Review Committee shall evaluate all proposals that meet the

Minimum Submission Requirements by score and rank ordered and make recommendations for awards. The Agency Head will make the final selection.

Attempts by any proposer (or representative of any proposer) to contact or influence any member of the Review Committee may result in disqualification of the proposer.

3. Minimum Submission Requirements. To be eligible for evaluation, proposals must (1) be received on or before the due date and time; (2) meet the Proposal Format requirements; (3) meet the Eligibility and Qualification requirements to respond to the procurement, (4) follow the required Proposal Outline; and (5) be complete. Proposals that fail to follow instructions or satisfy these minimum submission requirements will not be reviewed further. The Agency will reject any proposal that deviates significantly from the requirements of this RFP.

4. Evaluation Criteria (and Weights). Proposals meeting the Minimum Submission Requirements will be evaluated according to the established criteria.

The criteria are the objective standards that the Review Committee will use to evaluate the technical merits of the proposals. Only the criteria listed below will be used to evaluate proposals. The weights are disclosed below:

Criteria Points What would a top score look like

Service Expectations 25 Would provide in depth knowledge of state and federal regulations, PASRR process, person centered planning, community partnerships and existing resources.

Organizational Profile Expectations

15 Would include, but is not limited to, a general overview of the organization including history and prior experience providing services to the identified population as well as experience managing a skilled nursing facility.

Staffing Expectations 15 Would include but is not limited to, staff resumes, titles, and % of time dedicated to the project.

Data and Technology Expectations

5 Would include, but is not limited to, access to data and technology, appropriate office space, and ability to process data as required.

Subcontractors 5 Would include list of subcontractors and the work for which they will be responsible. This should include letters from the subcontractors agreeing to provide the work

Work plan 10 Would provide, but is not limited to, a clear, detailed outline of the work may be completed.

Financial Expectations 5 Information about the proposer's fiscal stability, accounting and financial reporting systems, or relevant business practices.

Budget/Budget Narrative 10 Would include a detailed budget and narrative…