S25DWC003 Medical Access Study

The California Department of Industrial Relations (DIR), Division of Workers' Compensation (DWC) is seeking an independent consulting firm to conduct a comprehensive medical access study for injured workers under Labor Code Section 5307.2. The 48-month contract requires the selected contractor to perform annual studies for calendar years 2025 through 2028, analyzing access to quality health care, prescription drugs, and pharmacy services within the workers' compensation system. Key deliverables include written analyses, yearly reports examining physician trends, specialist access, medical provider networks, utilization review impacts, and telehealth effects, along with monthly progress reports and quarterly meetings. Proposers must possess a minimum of five years of experience in independent empirical research, qualitative and quantitative health policy analysis, and managing confidential government datasets. The proposal submission deadline is November 18, 2025, at 3:00 p.m., with optional interviews scheduled for December 8-12, 2025, and a proposed award notice on December 16, 2025. The evaluation process will assess administrative responsiveness and technical factors including management plan, methodology, work schedule, personnel experience, and cost, with a total possible score of 100 points and a minimum qualifying score of 70 points.

The contract has a total budget of $1,250,000, with proposals exceeding this amount subject to disqualification. Socio-economic preferences are available, including Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise incentives of up to 5 percent and Small Business preferences. Insurance requirements include professional liability insurance of at least $1,000,000, general liability coverage of $1,000,000 per occurrence with $2,000,000 annual aggregate, and workers' compensation insurance. The state will implement a 10 percent withhold on all invoices until all deliverables are accepted, with payment made upon task completion in arrears. No incumbent contractor is identified for this procurement. The contract is expected to commence on January 19, 2026, following necessary approvals, and will run for the full 48-month period. Potential bidders should carefully review the requirements, as the study demands significant expertise in health policy research, workers' compensation systems, and the ability to communicate complex findings to policymakers and the public.