Emergency Management Shelter Staff and Clinical/Behavioral Health Staff Support Services

Pinellas County, Florida, is soliciting proposals through RFP #23-0509-RFP for Emergency Management Shelter Staff and Clinical/Behavioral Health Staff Support Services, seeking qualified organizations to provide comprehensive emergency response staffing during disasters or states of emergency. The procurement targets organizations capable of activating emergency shelter support with a primary staffing allocation of 100 shelter staff and 25 behavioral health staff on a seven-day deployment schedule, with potential expansion to 50 additional shelter staff and 10 extra behavioral health staff. The county anticipates potentially opening up to 25 shelters to support 64,000 residents during worst-case scenarios like a Category 5 hurricane. The evaluation will be points-based, comprising 250 points (25%) for qualifications, 300 points (30%) for approach, 300 points (30%) for statement of work, and 150 points (15%) for compensation. Key proposal submission details include a non-mandatory pre-conference Microsoft Teams meeting on March 23, 2023, a question submission deadline of March 24, 2023, and a proposal submission deadline of April 4, 2023, at 3:00 pm, with proposals to be submitted electronically via OpenGov.

The initial contract term is 36 months with potential for one additional 24-month extension, and the solicitation does not explicitly mention specific set-aside designations or restrictions on responding organizations. Successful contractors must demonstrate expertise in shelter operations, mental health support, trauma-informed care, harm reduction principles, and de-escalation tactics, with staff capable of working effectively in high-stress emergency environments. The procurement is supported by FEMA grant funding, which introduces comprehensive federal compliance requirements including equal employment opportunity, non-discrimination practices, workplace safety standards, and strict procurement regulations. While specific award values are not detailed in the provided documents, the fee schedule suggests an all-inclusive hourly rate structure for 12-hour shift work, with rates to be completed by bidders. Contractors must also adhere to federal guidelines around workforce diversity, wage standards, environmental regulations, and potential conflicts of interest, with potential penalties for non-compliance including contract termination or suspension.