Mobile Response Team

Hillsborough County Public Schools (HCPS) is issuing a Request for Proposals (RFP) to procure Mobile Response Team (MRT) services designed to enhance behavioral health crisis intervention capabilities for district students. The solicitation seeks qualified firms to deliver on-demand crisis intervention services during school hours with a mandatory 60-minute response time to any location within Hillsborough County. The MRT services must be provided by a multi-disciplinary team of licensed professionals trained in crisis intervention, with access to a board-certified or board-eligible psychiatrist or psychiatric nurse practitioner, and must include screening, assessment, safety planning, crisis counseling, care coordination, warm hand-offs to community services, and facilitation of Baker Act transportation. Contractors must establish formalized agreements with local law enforcement agencies and coordinate with the district's mental health staff, administration, and student services. The RFP evaluation criteria allocate 25 points for specifications and scope of work, 30 points for qualifications and experience, 35 points for cost and value, and 10 points for Small Business Encouragement Program participation. Technical questions must be submitted by Tuesday, March 4, 2026, with proposals due by 5:00 PM ET on Tuesday, March 25, 2026, submitted exclusively through HCPS's VendorLink portal. The initial contract term commences the first business day after Board approval through the last day of the first anniversary month, with automatic renewal for up to four additional one-year periods contingent upon appropriations, contractor performance, and continued need, plus a temporary renewal period of up to 180 days if needed.

HCPS encourages participation from small business enterprises, service-disabled veterans, minority-owned businesses, and women-owned businesses, with self-identification tracked through various certification agencies including the Florida State Minority Supplier Development Council, City of Tampa, and Women's Business Enterprise National Council. All proposers must complete vendor registration with HCPS, including submission of a Substitute W-9 form for tax reporting purposes, and must execute an affidavit certifying compliance with Florida Statutes Section 287.138, which prohibits contracting with entities owned by, controlled by, or organized under the laws of designated foreign countries of concern, including China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, Cuba, Venezuela, and Syria. HCPS is replacing an expiring contract (21002-DST Mobile Response Teams) with this new competitive solicitation, indicating an existing incumbent contractor whose services will be transitioned. The estimated annual budget for this contract is $1,500,000, with all pricing firm against increases during the initial term unless mutually agreed upon. Contractors must maintain comprehensive insurance coverage including workers' compensation, general liability, and auto liability, and comply with all federal, state, and local laws, HIPAA, FERPA, and HCPS policies. Vendors who decline to participate must submit a Statement of No Bid form by the proposal deadline to avoid removal from HCPS's qualified bidder's list for future competitive solicitations.