Optometry services - PR269002

The State of California Department of Developmental Services, operating through Porterville Developmental Center (PDC), is issuing an Invitation for Bid (IFB) for optometry services under contract PR269002. The three-year contract, effective July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2029 with optional extension for up to two additional one-year periods, requires a licensed optometrist to provide comprehensive optometry services to PDC residents, including up to 185 clinic sessions scheduled on Wednesdays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., with each session lasting a minimum of four hours and no more than two clinics permitted per calendar day. Required qualifications include current California optometry licensure per Business and Professions Code Section 3107 and Health and Safety Code Section 1345, a minimum of five years' experience working in state hospitals, developmental centers, or prison settings, and demonstrated expertise in serving developmentally disabled populations. Deliverables include comprehensive clinical examination documentation, written reports detailing examination results and treatment recommendations, special clinics for individuals on psychotropic medications requiring eye dilation, surgical procedures with associated reports, eyewear repair assistance, and advisory recommendations to medical staff. Evaluation will award the contract to the lowest responsive responsible bidder based on submitted cost proposals using a per-clinic-session rate structure. Critical deadlines include written questions due by April 24, 2026 at 3:00 PM PDT, responses posted by April 27, 2026, sealed bid submission to Brandi McElhaney at PDC by May 5, 2026 at 10:00 AM PDT, bid opening and award announcement on May 5-6, 2026, and proposed award date of May 13, 2026.

Bidders must submit current optometry licenses, proof of professional liability insurance with minimum coverage of $1,000,000 per occurrence and $3,000,000 in aggregate, three references for similar services provided within the last five years, and required certifications including Darfur Contracting Act and California civil rights law compliance. A five percent small business preference applies to California-certified small businesses, microbusinesses, or non-small businesses with at least 25 percent small business subcontracting participation. Additionally, a disabled veteran business enterprise (DVBE) incentive ranging from one to five percent is available based on participation levels, though mandatory DVBE participation has been waived. Staffing agencies must have qualified, licensed personnel in place at bid submission and cannot subcontract optometry services. The contractor must comply with comprehensive HIPAA requirements including designation of Privacy and Security Officers, annual employee training, and breach notification within 72 hours, maintain generally accepted accounting principles, cooperate with State personnel and other contractors, ensure all employees receive background clearance per Department Policy Memorandum #423, and obtain tuberculosis and hepatitis B testing. Compensation will be paid monthly, quarterly, semi-annually, or annually in arrears at a specified rate per full four-hour clinic session, with the total contract value dependent on actual clinics conducted up to the maximum 185-clinic threshold over the three-year period.