RFI - ADAP Pharmaacy Benefits Mgmt Svcs

The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) has issued a Request for Information (RFI) for pharmacy benefit management (PBM) services specifically for the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (SC ADAP), targeting pharmaceutical care service providers with expertise in managing ADAP pharmacy services across South Carolina. The procurement seeks a contractor capable of establishing and maintaining a limited pharmacy network that can serve all geographic areas within the state, including mail-order options, with a 30-day prescription fulfillment cycle. Key responsibilities include maintaining secure electronic communications compliant with HIPAA standards, providing detailed monthly invoicing and reporting in loadable formats, managing virtual inventory replenishment through Cardinal Health, operating a help desk with business and emergency support, and implementing clinical review processes for antiretroviral regimens. The RFI requires respondents to submit information including business name, primary point of contact details, webpage link, and a cost estimate with per-transaction and implementation fees. Responses are due by 5:00 PM ET on January 19, 2024, with questions required by midnight on December 29, 2023, and the anticipated contract period is approximately seven years.

The RFI does not specify explicit set-aside designations or restrictions on responding organizations. Currently, SC ADAP serves approximately 1,800 clients in the uninsured Direct Dispensing Program, representing roughly 3,600 monthly prescription fills, though the state does not guarantee this volume and requires contractors to accept service without minimum or maximum client thresholds. The contractor must maintain business continuity and disaster recovery plans and be prepared to coordinate transition activities upon contract termination to ensure uninterrupted care for enrolled clients. While no specific budget range is provided, the comprehensive service requirements suggest a complex and potentially significant contract value. The procurement is structured as a market research initiative, with DHEC planning to conduct a future solicitation based on the information gathered through this RFI process. Respondents should note that this is not a direct solicitation for purchase but a preliminary information-gathering exercise to inform a subsequent competitive procurement.