Behavioral health nutrition services

The State of Delaware, Department of Health and Social Services, Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health (DSAMH) is procuring Behavioral Health Nutrition Services through a competitive Request for Proposals (RFP) with contract number HSS-26-047. The procurement seeks a qualified healthcare provider to deliver comprehensive nutrition services for adults aged 18 and older with serious mental illness and substance use disorders, focusing on nutrition screening, individualized medical nutrition therapy, and group-based nutrition education. Services will be primarily delivered at Horizon House in Wilmington and through the Transitional Case Management program in Newark and New Castle County, involving six hours of weekly nutrition screening and group education, and five total days of medical nutrition therapy per month. Qualified vendors must employ or subcontract Registered Dietitian Nutritionists or Licensed Nutritionists with behavioral health experience, demonstrating expertise in trauma-informed care and motivational interviewing. The RFP was issued on December 22, 2025, with questions due by January 22, 2026, question responses posted by February 5, 2026, and proposals due on March 5, 2026, at 1:00 PM EST. Proposals will be evaluated on Experience and Expertise (25 points), Capacity to Meet Requirements (25 points), Program Design and Implementation (30 points), and Sustainability and Pricing (20 points).

The procurement includes opportunities for minority and disadvantaged business enterprises, with specific designations for Women Business Enterprise (WBE), Minority Business Enterprise (MBE), Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE), Veteran Owned Business Enterprise (VOBE), and Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business Enterprise (SDVOBE). Vendors must have been in operation for a minimum of two years, maintain an active Delaware Business License, and obtain a Unique Entity ID Number. The contract is structured as a cost-reimbursement model with an annual budget not to exceed $50,000, pending state general funding availability. Required insurance includes Workers' Compensation, Commercial General Liability ($1,000,000 per occurrence/$3,000,000 aggregate), Medical/Professional Liability ($1,000,000 per occurrence/$3,000,000 aggregate), and potentially Automotive Liability. The contract term is one year with four optional one-year extensions, and the selected vendor must comply with HIPAA, 42 CFR Part 2, and various state and federal regulations, including monthly reporting requirements and potential fiscal monitoring and audits.