Psychiatric Nursing Program

The Colorado Department of Corrections is requesting proposals for dedicated psychiatric nursing services across two correctional facilities, with proposals due October 11, 2026 at 2:00 PM MST via bidnetdirect.com/cdoc. Written questions are due September 21, 2026 at 2:00 PM MST, with responses posted by September 28. A mandatory site visit is required for responsiveness.

The scope spans two facilities: Denver Women's Correctional Facility and Centennial Correctional Facility in Canon City. Part 1 requires five registered nurses (4 full-time, 1 part-time) working 13-hour-and-20-minute shifts across a 65-bed Therapeutic Community unit and 48-bed Residential Treatment Program with seven-day-a-week coverage. Part 2 requires three registered nurses (2 full-time, 1 part-time) for a 16-bed Substance-Induced Psychosis unit at CCF with similar scheduling. Core duties include medication administration, compliance monitoring, patient education on substance use disorder comorbidities, clinical therapy facilitation, and multidisciplinary team participation, with objectives to enhance integrated medical-psychiatric service delivery and achieve 80 percent medication adherence while increasing baseline knowledge of medical and mental health complications by 50 percent.

All personnel must hold active, unencumbered Colorado registered nurse licenses (modified requirement as of September 14, 2026), dedicated verifiable inpatient psychiatric nursing experience, and proven clinical experience with individuals diagnosed with substance use disorders. All staff must complete CDOC Enhanced Criminal Background Investigation, criminal history checks, background screening, fingerprinting, and drug testing within 30 days of award, plus mandatory CDOC training including PREA guidelines, HIPAA regulations, and defensive tactics certification within one year of hire.

The contract term runs November 30, 2026 through June 30, 2027, with renewal options for up to four additional one-year periods (maximum five-year total) at CDOC's sole discretion, contingent upon appropriated funds. Billing is structured at hourly rates covering all indirect costs, invoiced bi-monthly at quarter-hour increments for up to 40 hours per full-time equivalent per week, plus approved mileage exceeding 50 miles from office or residence. Overtime requires prior approval; holiday premiums apply to New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day.

Offerors must be registered with the Colorado Secretary of State, provide evidence of insurance prior to execution, and demonstrate organizational experience through at least three relevant projects within the past five years. Professional Liability Insurance with $1 million per occurrence and $2 million general aggregate is required. The State reserves the right to award to multiple offerors and may request best and final offers. Notice of Intent to Award is estimated October 31, 2026, with contract execution anticipated by December 31, 2026.