Long-term Resource Support Services

The State of Maine Department of Health and Human Services is requesting proposals for long-term staffing and recruitment services under RFP 202607123, with proposals due October 22, 2026, and questions due October 1, 2026. The Department intends to make multiple awards to at least the top five bidders scoring 70 points or above.

The scope encompasses recruitment, screening, interviewing, payroll processing, and ongoing resource management across three categories: Specialized Professional Resources (epidemiologists, program managers, clinical social workers), Laboratory/Medical Resources (chemists, microbiologists, medical doctors), and Traveling Resources (registered nurses, investigators). Resources work a standard forty-hour week, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET, though alternate schedules may be required for psychiatric hospitals or emergency situations. The Department anticipates requesting 400 to 500 resources annually through a Delivery Order process. Standard recruitment turnaround is ten business days for presenting viable candidates meeting or exceeding specifications.

Pricing is structured as a Resource Hourly Rate multiplied by a category-specific Mark-up Rate to determine the Billable Rate; mark-up rates serve as maximums and may be negotiated lower on individual orders. Employee mark-up rates must account for employment taxes, workers' compensation, operational costs, supervision, and profit margin. Independent contractor mark-up rates must cover applicable taxes and operational costs. Providers must ensure employees receive health insurance meeting 60 percent of medical costs, dental coverage at 95 percent of preventive costs, ten paid time off days annually, and thirteen state holidays. Conversion fees for provider-identified resources are capped at 10 percent of billable rate based on the first six months of engagement. If a replacement resource is not identified within thirty calendar days of termination or resignation, the provider faces a 20 percent penalty on billable rate per scheduled working day exceeding the window, though the Department may waive this penalty.

The contract term runs January 1, 2027, through December 31, 2031. Evaluation is scored on 100 points: Organization Qualifications and Experience (35 points), Proposed Services (20 points), and Proposed Mark-up Rates (45 points), with mark-up rates scored using a mathematical formula comparing each bidder's rates to the lowest submitted rates within each category.