Respite services request for response

The Massachusetts Department of Mental Health is announcing its intent to issue a Request for Response for Respite services, with the formal RFR to be posted in November 2026 and responses due March 31, 2027. This is a pre-procurement notice inviting input from current and prospective service providers.

DMH is conducting a listening session on August 20, 2026, from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. via Zoom to solicit stakeholder feedback on existing Respite and Peer Respite services prior to RFR development. Participation is open to current providers and other interested parties; registration is required by email to Michael.Stepansky@mass.gov with attendee names and provider organization information. ASL interpreters will be available.

The procurement encompasses three service categories: Respite Services (COMMBUYS 2028-DMH-3048-01), Peer Respite Services (2028-DMH-3048-02), and Respite Master Agreement Services (2028-DMH-3048-03). The listening session will address the DMH Respite Models (Blended Model and Peer Model), staffing requirements, service components, Master Agreement structure, outcomes, and barriers to service entry.

The source does not specify contract value, term, incumbent providers, set-asides, preferences, eligibility restrictions, evaluation criteria, or detailed service specifications at this stage. As a notice of intent, this announcement provides advance visibility into the procurement timeline and an early engagement opportunity to inform RFR scope development.