Psychiatric Medication Consultation

The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services is issuing a Request for Proposal (RFP) for psychiatric medication consultation services to support the Civil Commitment Unit for Sexual Offenders (CCUSO) program. The Agency seeks a qualified contractor holding a PhD or PsyD in Psychology to provide psychiatric consultation, medication management, care plan development, and evidence-based treatment guidance for approximately 200 patients, with an anticipated 90% receiving inpatient treatment at the Cherokee Mental Health Institute. Key deliverables include virtual consultation services using Agency-approved platforms with video capability, specialized treatment for sexually violent predators and civil commitment management, and evidence-based care for individuals diagnosed with Gender Dysphoria. The contractor must maintain Iowa licensure throughout the contract term, respond to Agency communications within 48 hours, provide complete documentation within seven calendar days of service delivery, and identify a single qualified primary provider to ensure continuity of care with optional backup coverage for emergencies only. Critical dates include a letter of intent deadline of March 10, 2026, written questions due by March 17, 2026, and proposal submissions due by April 7, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. Central Time. The Agency anticipates announcing the apparent successful bidder on April 21, 2026, with contract execution completed by June 30, 2026, and service commencement on July 1, 2026. Evaluation will utilize a ratio-based scoring formula where the lowest cost proposal receives maximum points, with compensation provided at a firm fixed hourly rate specified in the bidder's cost proposal.

The RFP documents do not indicate specific set-aside designations or restrictions limiting organizational eligibility based on disadvantaged enterprise status or other classifications. No incumbent vendors or current contractors are identified in the available documentation. The contractor will be provided a secured laptop and Agency system access but assumes all other costs associated with service delivery. Insurance requirements include general liability, professional liability, automobile liability, and workers' compensation coverage at specified minimum limits. A 10% deduction will be applied to invoices if a corrective action plan is in place. While no minimum compensation is guaranteed, historical usage data indicates approximately fifteen consultation cases annually, which can serve as a baseline for cost estimation. The initial contract will have a one-year term with the option for five additional one-year extensions, all at the Agency's sole discretion.