BB27-101, Locum Tenens Staffing Services - Pharmacists

The State of Utah Division of Purchasing is requesting proposals for locum tenens pharmacist staffing services on behalf of the Department of Health and Human Services under RFP BB27-101, with proposals due October 6, 2026. Multiple contract awards will be made to vendors achieving a minimum technical score of 420 points and a combined technical-and-cost threshold of 600 points.

The scope covers on-demand pharmacist staffing at two correctional facilities: Utah State Correctional Facility in Salt Lake City and Central Utah Correctional Facility in Gunnison. All pharmacists must maintain current, active, and unrestricted Utah licenses; proof of board certification or board eligibility; and valid Controlled Substance and DEA licenses with no disciplinary actions. The contractor must pre-screen and verify qualifications, conduct Utah criminal history background checks at no additional cost, and maintain 24-hour, seven-day-per-week emergency contact availability with response to staffing requests via email by DHHS-specified deadlines. DHHS may hire any independent contractor as a full-time employee after 180 calendar days from initial placement at no additional cost.

The contract term is five years with pricing guaranteed for one year. Contractors must submit an all-inclusive hourly rate for pharmacist services on the provided cost sheet; costs not explicitly listed will not be permitted. Cost scoring awards 300 points to the lowest-cost bidder proportionally scaled to all others. Quarterly reports are due within 30 days following each calendar quarter, detailing percent of staffing requests filled within deadline, percent of assigned staff reporting as scheduled, and percent of staff hired full-time within 180 days. The contractor bears all federal and state payroll taxes and withholdings.

Technical evaluation spans five criteria weighted at 30, 30, 30, 25, and 25 points respectively, addressing staffing qualification capability, credentialing and verification processes, correctional healthcare experience, response-timeline performance and staff coverage reliability, and 24/7 emergency support capabilities. Proposals must be submitted electronically through the U3P platform. Vendors requesting exceptions to Standard Terms and Conditions must submit these during the Question and Answer period.