Prison Rape Elimination Act Emotional Support Services Provider

The Rhode Island Department of Corrections (RIDOC) has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP23002565) seeking a vendor to provide Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) Emotional Support Services for eligible inmates at correctional facilities in Providence County. The primary objective is to provide inmates with emotional access to support services in compliance with PREA requirements, with services to be delivered at the DOC Administration facility located at 40 Howard Avenue in Cranston, RI. The initial contract period will commence approximately July 1, 2023, and will run for three years, with the potential for up to three additional 12-month renewal periods contingent on vendor performance and funding availability. Proposals are due by April 12, 2023, at 10:00 AM EDT, with a vendor Q&A period open from March 15 to March 29, 2023. Evaluation criteria will include a comprehensive assessment of technical proposals, cost proposals, and the vendor's proposed ISBE (Minority/Women/Disability Business Enterprise) participation rate, with the state reserving the right to award the contract to the most qualified vendor.

The RFP strongly encourages participation from minority-owned businesses (MBEs), women-owned businesses (WBEs), and disability business enterprises (DisBEs), with vendors receiving evaluation points based on their proposed ISBE utilization rate. Vendors must be registered in the Ocean State Procures system and must provide comprehensive insurance coverage, including $1 million in general liability, workers compensation, and automobile liability, $2 million in professional liability, and $5 million in technology errors and omissions coverage. While no specific contract value is estimated in the solicitation documents, potential bidders must demonstrate significant qualifications, including the ability to comply with HIPAA requirements and sign a business associate agreement if handling protected health information. The procurement process includes requirements for affirmative action, non-discrimination, and anti-boycott compliance. Successful vendors will be expected to maintain their proposed ISBE participation rates if awarded the contract, and all proposals must be submitted electronically through the state's procurement system with separate technical, cost, and ISBE participation components.