25-09003-000 Level of Care Services

The California Department of State Hospitals (DSH) issued an Invitation for Bid (IFB) numbered 25-09003-000 for Level of Care Staffing Services to provide temporary relief and permanent recruitment of licensed clinical nursing staff across its five state hospital facilities and an additional location in Napa. The procurement seeks qualified contractors to supply Registered Nurses (RNs), Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs), and Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) on a 24-hour, seven-day-per-week basis across Atascadero, Coalinga, Metropolitan (Norwalk), Patton, and Sacramento facilities. Bidders must demonstrate a minimum of five years' experience in recruitment for clinical classifications in forensic mental health facilities, submit current Curriculum Vitae for at least five potential candidates, and provide three professional references from the past two years. The contract structure includes three compensation components: hourly rates for temporary relief staff with maximum caps ranging from $52.00 to $165.00 per hour depending on classification and tier level, a monthly flat overhead fee not to exceed 15 percent, and a recruitment fee per permanent placement capped at $2,500 per individual with 50 percent due 60 days after hire and the remaining 50 percent upon completion of probation. All contractors must meet California State Personnel Board licensure requirements, pass background checks and tuberculosis testing, and comply with facility security protocols and confidentiality requirements. Bid submissions are due May 20, 2026, at 5:00 PM Pacific Time, with a public bid opening scheduled for May 27, 2026, at 9:00 AM, and the anticipated contract start date of July 1, 2026, with an initial three-year term through June 30, 2029, plus options for two additional one-year periods.

Small business enterprises are eligible for a five percent preference consideration, while Disabled Veteran Business Enterprises (DVBE) may qualify for incentives ranging from one to five percent depending on participation level. Bidders must demonstrate proof of legal right to do business in California and provide insurance certifications including Commercial General Liability coverage of $1,000,000/$2,000,000, Professional Liability coverage of $1,000,000/$2,000,000, Performance and Payment Bonds, and Workers' Compensation insurance. No incumbent vendors or current contractors are identified in the procurement documents. DSH estimates 176 monthly hours per classification for a 12-month period but makes no guarantee of minimum hours, requiring bidders to submit rates for all requested classifications and locations. The contract does not specify a fixed budget or award value range; rather, compensation is contingent upon actual staffing hours utilized and successful permanent placements. The procurement emphasizes DSH's commitment to maintaining comprehensive staffing coverage at its facilities while supplementing civil service recruitment efforts through temporary relief services and permanent placement support.