Program Evaluator Services

The County of Santa Clara's Behavioral Health Services Department (BHSD) is seeking program evaluator services through a Request for Statements of Qualifications (RFSQ-BHS-FY24-0084) to establish a Qualified Pool of vendors across six service categories: Integrated Service Model, Mental Health Program, Substance Use Treatment Services, Quality Assurance and Data Analytics, Property Management Services, and Other Evaluation Services. The primary objective is to secure firms capable of conducting comprehensive program evaluations for behavioral health initiatives funded through county, state, and federal sources, including the Mental Health Services Act. Deliverables include developing program logic models, implementing data collection systems, conducting process and impact analyses, creating data visualizations and dashboards, and providing technical assistance to county staff. Evaluation criteria will assess organizational structure and experience (75 points), proposed program description (20 points), and historical performance (5 points), with a minimum score of 70% required to qualify. The solicitation remains open until September 1, 2028, with initial responses due October 3, 2023, and subsequent submission windows scheduled annually from March 1 through August 1. Offerors must demonstrate at least five years of experience in culturally sensitive evaluations, proficiency in advanced statistical techniques, and the ability to serve populations in seven threshold languages (Spanish, Vietnamese, Mandarin, Cantonese, Tagalog, Farsi, and Russian).

The RFSQ does not specify specific set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises, but emphasizes cultural competence and diversity in service delivery. As of January 24, 2025, nine firms were already part of the qualified pool, including Actionable Insights, American Institutes for Research, Applied Survey Research, and several other research and consulting organizations. While specific contract values are not explicitly stated, the solicitation includes sample service rates ranging from $2,000 to $10,000 for complete reports, $500 to $10,000 for dashboard support, and $250 to $400 per evaluator consultation. The County reserves the right to award multiple contracts and will select vendors based on future needs and available resources, with funding potentially derived from County General Fund, federal sources (CDC, NIH, SAMHSA), and state sources including the Mental Health Services Act. Contractors must meet comprehensive insurance requirements, including Commercial General Liability ($1,000,000 per occurrence), Professional Errors and Omissions Liability ($1,000,000 per occurrence), and Cyber Liability ($1,000,000 per occurrence). Subcontracting is restricted, particularly for Medi-Cal reimbursable direct patient services, and all vendors must comply with detailed contracting principles and cultural competency standards.