Personal Emergency Response System (PERS) Services

Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, Office of Aging Services is issuing Request for Proposal 26-08 for Personal Emergency Response System (PERS) services to support older adults enrolled in the OPTIONS program. PERS services consist of electronic mobile devices enabling single-touch emergency assistance for eligible consumers experiencing falls or medical emergencies, with services limited to individuals living alone or alone for significant portions of the day, at significant risk for falls, lacking regular caretakers, or living with individuals unable to promptly call for help. Providers must deliver services countywide, respond to service orders within two business days of receipt via email, and complete installation and setup within seven calendar days of service authorization. The contract term runs for an initial three years (July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2029) with two optional one-year renewal periods available by mutual assent, up to five years total based on funding availability. Proposals must be submitted electronically through the Bonfire Portal by April 8, 2026, not to exceed twelve pages excluding the title page and attachments; questions must be submitted at least seven days prior to the closing deadline. The unit price is fixed at $30.00 per month per consumer, covering all installation, 24-hour emergency response center staffing, 365-day annual operations, device maintenance and repair, two-way voice communication, fall detection sensors, and consumer and provider testing, with billing based solely on authorized service orders verified in the Co-Pilot system. Evaluation criteria include provider experience, past performance, delivery capabilities, ability to meet service standards, and compliance with insurance and staffing requirements.

The procurement does not identify specific set-asides for disadvantaged enterprises, though Montgomery County maintains a Local, Small, and Diverse Business Concern Certification requirement as part of Appendix A submissions. No incumbent vendors or current contractors are identified in the available documentation. All contractor staff, volunteers, owners, and office staff must obtain Pennsylvania State Criminal Record Checks at hire or within one year preceding application, with FBI Background Checks required for those with residence outside Pennsylvania within the preceding two years; annual verification of non-suspension and non-debarment status is mandated. Providers must maintain minimum liability insurance of $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 general aggregate, with workers' compensation insurance, naming the Office of Aging Services as certificate holder. The contract structure establishes fixed monthly reimbursement at $30.00 per authorized consumer, with non-compliance fees of up to $200.00 per occurrence for failures such as late billing submission or failure to provide monitoring paperwork within specified timeframes. Required attachments include W-9 forms, organizational charts, job descriptions, most recent audit reports or Yellow Book audits if applicable, and current insurance certificates. The procurement incorporates federal grant compliance requirements, Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law protocols, and comprehensive standard terms and conditions addressing performance, insurance, nondiscrimination, and audit rights.