Camps for Department of Mental Health Referred Children

The Massachusetts Department of Mental Health (DMH) has issued a Request for Response (RFR) to establish a Master List of approved camps to which the department can refer children during summer months (June through Labor Day) and other times when children are not in school. The procurement seeks to create a comprehensive network of camp providers capable of serving youth with diverse behavioral health needs, with an open enrollment process accepting responses until December 31, 2024. Camps must possess an active Department of Public Health (DPH) camp license and comply with the State Sanitary Code's minimum standards for recreational camps, including requirements for staff qualifications, health and safety protocols, and facility standards. The evaluation process includes a scoring system with a maximum of 20 points, requiring a minimum passing score of 15 points, and assesses criteria such as submission completeness, capacity to serve DMH youth, pricing, financial requirements, and submission of a Supplier Diversity Program (SDP) plan. Potential camp providers will be evaluated based on their ability to plan and coordinate services with DMH, with specific emphasis on meeting the unique needs of referred children.

The RFR includes a Supplier Diversity Program (SDP) component that encourages participation from Minority and Women Business Enterprises (M/WBEs) and Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Business Enterprises (SDVOBEs), with a minimum required SDP commitment of 1% and potential additional evaluation points for diverse business participation. As of the 2023 document, 16 approved/active vendors were already listed, including organizations such as Gladys Allen Brigham Community Center, Camp Starfish Inc., and YMCA of Greater Boston. The contract will be structured as a fee-for-service arrangement with an initial 4-year and 7-month term, offering up to 5 one-year renewal options. While no guaranteed minimum expenditures are specified, DMH estimates an annual spend of $1 million and a total procurement value of $10 million over the contract's lifetime. Referrals to approved camps will be made based on factors including the child's specific needs, camp availability, location, and overall best value to DMH.