CS269009 Pharmacy Services

The California Department of Developmental Services is issuing an Invitation for Bid (CS269009) for pharmacy services at Canyon Springs, a 63-bed state developmental center in Cathedral City, California, serving approximately 50 residents. The contractor will dispense prescriptions written by physicians, distribute stock medications ordered by authorized medical staff, and provide comprehensive pharmaceutical services including prescription and non-prescription medications, clinical management solutions, and technology solutions. Key deliverables include 24/7/365 prescription dispensing with STAT prescriptions delivered within three hours and antibiotics/comfort medications within four hours of order placement; monthly prescription deliveries in blister card format at least 48 hours prior to the start date; pharmacist consultation services including monthly medication room inspections, drug regimen reviews, psychotropic medication reviews, and new admission medication assessments; computer-generated medical records and physician order system functionality; emergency medication kits in compliance with California Board of Pharmacy regulations; and a 30-45 day transition plan with 60-day follow-up support. The contractor must maintain strict temperature controls (room temperature not exceeding 86°F; refrigerated items maintained at 36-46°F) due to the desert location's seasonal extremes, comply with Medicare Part D requirements, bill third-party payers directly, and maintain HIPAA compliance and quality assurance documentation. Required qualifications include California pharmacy licensure in good standing, compliance with Title 22 of the California Code of Regulations and Title 42 of the Code of Federal Regulations, electronic integrated physician order system functionality, general liability and professional liability insurance with minimum coverage of $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 in aggregate, and three references from similar services provided within the past ten years. Award will be made to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder; bidders with contracts terminated by the California Department of Developmental Services in the past 18 months are automatically disqualified. The bid submission deadline is May 12, 2026, at 11:00 AM Pacific Standard Time, with bid opening scheduled for May 13, 2026, at 1:00 PM, proposed award date of June 4, 2026, and contract execution on July 1, 2026.

DVBE (Disadvantaged Veterans Business Enterprise) participation requirements have been waived for this solicitation, and no specific set-aside designations restrict the types of organizations that can respond. No incumbent vendor or current contractor information is identified in the procurement documents. The contract incorporates extensive information security and confidentiality requirements, including mandatory background checks for all workforce members, annual confidentiality and security training, implementation of FIPS 140-2 encryption standards, role-based access controls with automatic 20-minute session timeouts, and disaster recovery procedures with weekly full backups and monthly offsite storage. The cost structure is based on tiered rates including house stock/supply medications at WAC plus a percentage and dollar amount with a specified dispensing fee minimum; brand medications at WAC plus a percentage and dollar amount with a dispensing fee minimum; generic medications at AWP minus a percentage and dollar amount with a dispensing fee minimum; and over-the-counter items at AAC plus a percentage and dollar amount with a dispensing fee minimum, plus computer-generated medical records at a flat fee per licensed bed per month and consulting services at an hourly rate with an estimated 650 annual hours. The contract term runs from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2028, with one optional one-year renewal at original rates, and the State will pay only for services rendered to uninsured clients at the contractor's bid rates, with Medi-Cal, Medicare, and other third-party payers billed directly. Monthly invoicing and payment are made in arrears following Project Representative approval in compliance with the California Prompt Payment Act, with a budget contingency clause permitting the State to cancel the agreement with no liability if appropriated funds are insufficient.