Designated Crisis Responder Training

The Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA) is conducting a sole source procurement for comprehensive Designated Crisis Responder (DCR) training services, targeting mental health professionals across multiple Washington counties including Franklin, Grant, Chelan, Yakima, and numerous others. The contract, awarded to the Washington Association of Designated Crisis Responders (WADCR), requires developing and delivering statewide training that covers DCRs' legal responsibilities, risks, and emerging challenges in mental health crisis intervention. Specific deliverables include conducting one five-day DCR Academy training session of at least 40 hours, providing a final training report, and hosting two conference call meetings to support DCR supervisors statewide. The training must comprehensively address Involuntary Treatment Act statutes, ethical practices, investigation procedures, population-specific best practices, and safety protocols. Key submission requirements include vendors interested in demonstrating capabilities must submit a capability statement via email by June 9, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time, with the contract period running through September 30, 2030.

The procurement appears to be a non-competitive sole source contract specifically targeting WADCR as the exclusive vendor, with no explicit set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises mentioned. The contract is funded through HCA's Adult Involuntary Treatment Team within the Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery, with an initial contract value of $32,500 and anticipated annual budgets around $65,000 in subsequent periods. Market research indicated comparable training services typically range from $260,000 to $577,500 annually, making this contract exceptionally cost-effective. The sole source justification emphasizes WADCR's unique qualifications as the only organization of experts selected by DCRs to represent their workforce in the state. The contract is critical for maintaining Washington's behavioral health crisis response infrastructure, with potential risks to public safety if comprehensive training is not consistently delivered. Funding will be incrementally allocated through budget periods subject to availability, with the primary goal of ensuring DCRs can effectively perform their legally mandated responsibilities in mental health crisis intervention.