720-5121 Peer-Led Wellness Stay Program

The Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS) is seeking competitive proposals for two Peer-Led Wellness Stay Programs through RFP 720-5121-85946, targeting DBHDS Regions 2 and 5. The procurement will establish term contracts for short-term residential support facilities staffed by certified peer recovery specialists, providing non-clinical support for individuals experiencing mental health crises or emotional distress. Proposers must demonstrate capability to operate a specialized wellness stay program with comprehensive service delivery focused on mental health support. Evaluation criteria include location (10%), Recovery Community Organization status (10%), implementation plan (15%), specific service plans (30%), references (5%), small business subcontracting plan (20%), and price (10%). Key dates include an optional virtual pre-proposal conference on February 27, 2025 at 10:00 AM, with mandatory pre-registration by February 24, 2025, and electronic sealed proposals due March 19, 2025 at 10:00 AM. The initial contract term is one year with potential for three optional one-year renewals, and price increases during renewals are limited to the CPI-U Other Services category percentage increase.

The solicitation includes a 42% small business participation goal and requires contractors to maintain specific insurance coverage, including $1 million in commercial general liability insurance. Contractors must also comply with HIPAA requirements by executing a Business Associate Agreement. While the RFP does not explicitly mandate disadvantaged enterprise participation, it emphasizes small business involvement through the subcontracting plan evaluation criterion. The procurement will result in multiple awards, with one contractor selected for Region 2 and another for Region 5. Specific qualifications include certification as peer recovery specialists and demonstrated ability to provide non-clinical mental health support in a residential setting. Although precise budget ranges are not specified in the available documentation, the comprehensive evaluation criteria and multi-year contract structure suggest a significant investment in these wellness stay programs. Interested vendors must carefully review the full solicitation document to understand the complete requirements and submission guidelines.