Pharmacy Services for DHS HDCs

The Arkansas Department of Human Services, through the Department of Shared Administrative Services Office of State Procurement, is requesting proposals for comprehensive pharmacy services for five Human Development Centers (HDCs) across the state under RFP S555, with proposals due July 28, 2026 at 3:00 p.m. Central Time.

The awardee must hold a current Arkansas Pharmaceutical License and possess a minimum of five years' experience in long-term care pharmacy. General liability insurance of $1,000,000 per occurrence and professional liability coverage of $3,000,000 aggregate are required. The contractor must execute a HIPAA-compliant Business Associate Agreement and comply with all Arkansas State Board of Pharmacy regulations and federal DEA requirements for controlled substance handling.

The scope includes medication dispensing and delivery to approximately 819 residents (functional capacity 862) across five HDC campuses, with same-day delivery preferred by 2:00 p.m. for routine orders and STAT/emergency delivery capability on an as-needed basis. The contractor must implement an electronic system interfacing with MatrixCare EHR within six months of contract start and maintain 24/7 availability with two-hour emergency delivery response. Monthly site visits at each location are required. The contractor must bill third-party payers (Medicaid, Medicare Part D, private insurance) first; uninsured prescriptions may not exceed NADAC pricing. Monthly reporting on spend, medications, billing methods, and insurance denials at each HDC is mandatory.

The initial contract term is four years with options for up to three additional one-year renewals, not to exceed seven consecutive years total. The state estimates baseline costs of $2.4 million for over-the-counter and non-prescription items over the four-year term, though volumes are not guaranteed. Pricing must be firm and all-inclusive, submitted in designated cells on the official price sheet. Contractors must propose percentage discounts below NADAC for OTC and brand/generic prescriptions, and below WAC for wound care products.

Interviews with selected prospective contractors and their key personnel are scheduled for August 10–11, 2026, followed by a discussion phase with comprehensive technical and management teams. Contract award is anticipated September 11–25, 2026, with an effective date of November 1, 2026.