RFP 27-88778 DMHA FSSA Behavioral Health OmbudsmanBid Documents

The Indiana Department of Administration (IDOA), acting on behalf of the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration Division of Mental Health and Addiction, is requesting proposals for statewide behavioral health ombudsman services with proposals due November 30, 2026 at 3:00 PM ET, a virtual pre-proposal conference on October 28, 2026 at 9:30 AM, and questions due November 4, 2026.

The scope is a nonprofit organization with statewide offices providing independent complaint investigation, consumer advocacy, and dispute mediation across mental health agencies and facilities. The contractor must staff at least one full-time employee, recruit and manage trained volunteers, accept complaints from any source, conduct investigations, notify complainants and agencies of findings, issue recommendations, follow up on compliance, and refer non-compliant entities to regulatory bodies. Deliverables include monthly and quarterly reports to DMHA detailing complaint types, investigation dates, recommendations, compliance status, and closure dates. Mandatory qualifications are nonprofit status with IRS Section 170 tax-deductibility, statewide office presence, and demonstrated mental health advocacy experience. All activities must comply with DMHA standards and privacy regulations.

The contract is structured as a two-year base term with three optional one-year renewals for a potential five-year period. Pricing must remain firm for 180 days from award issuance and be all-inclusive with no additional State costs. The proposal must include annual costs for Years 1 and 2, with optional pricing for Years 3–5.

Evaluation is on a 92-point scale: mandatory requirements (pass/fail), management assessment and quality (50 points), price (30 points with lowest cost receiving full 30 points), Buy Indiana Initiative or Indiana Small Business Program participation (5 points with 1 bonus point), and Indiana Veteran Owned Small Business subcontractor commitment (5 points with 1 bonus point). A 3% IVOSB subcontracting goal and 10% Indiana Small Business participation goal apply. Award recommendation is anticipated by January 4, 2027. Submissions require Executive Summary, Business Proposal, Technical Proposal, Cost Proposal, and Attestation Form through the Supplier Portal. References must be submitted directly to HHScategory@idoa.in.gov by the proposal due date.