Interim Recovery Housing RFP

Ventura County Behavioral Health (VCBH) is soliciting proposals through a Request for Proposals (RFP) process to establish and operate Interim Recovery Housing services for individuals receiving VCBH services with substance use disorders or co-occurring mental health diagnoses who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness. The procurement seeks experienced providers to deliver 24/7 recovery housing operations that provide safe, substance-free shared living environments supporting sustained recovery and preparation for permanent housing, with individual stays not exceeding 12 months. Proposals will be evaluated using weighted criteria including Technical Approach and Program Design (40%), Organizational Capacity and Experience (30%), Budget and Cost-Effectiveness (20%), and Quality Assurance and Reporting (10%). Eligible bidders must demonstrate at least two years of experience operating similar programming, maintain written policies and procedures, and comply with all federal, state, and county regulations. Key deadlines include RFP questions due by April 21, 2026, an Intent to Bid deadline of April 27, 2026, and proposal submission by May 8, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. through the Bonfire online system, with contractor selection scheduled for June 19, 2026, and service commencement on September 1, 2026. The contract structure consists of a one-year initial term with two optional one-year extensions for a potential three-year period. Proposals must include organizational profiles, program approach and implementation plans, detailed staffing plans with resumes and qualifications, cultural competency frameworks, quality assurance protocols, and comprehensive budgets using the provided template.

Bidders must not appear on the HHS Office of Inspector General's List of Excluded Individuals/Entities or be suspended or debarred from federal programs. The contract is structured on a reimbursement basis with Net 60 days payment terms, and indirect costs are capped at 15% of direct salaries and benefits. VCBH reserves the right to award contracts to multiple qualified vendors based on departmental needs and proposal qualifications. The budget template provided indicates a proposed staffing structure including a Program Director allocated at 10% full-time equivalent with salary and benefits, and Licensed Clinicians allocated at 20% FTE each, with detailed expense planning for operational costs such as medications, food, professional medical services, housekeeping, security, vehicle expenses, utilities, and equipment maintenance. Specific award values and budget ranges are not disclosed in the available RFP documents; however, County Board of Supervisors approval is required for any contracts exceeding $200,000. All submissions must occur through the Bonfire platform, and proposals remain valid for 90 calendar days from the due date through the initial 37-month period of operation.