Telemedicine Services

The Massachusetts Department of Developmental Services (DDS) is conducting a Request for Response (RFR) procurement to engage a qualified provider to deliver 24/7 urgent telemedicine services as part of a pilot program serving approximately 120 individuals across 25-30 state-operated group homes throughout Massachusetts. The primary objective is to provide right-on-time health assessments for urgent medical matters, potentially reducing emergency department visits while supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in residential settings. The selected provider must assign medical clinicians within 15 minutes of contact and deliver services through a HIPAA-compliant telemedicine platform accessible on multiple devices. Required qualifications include a minimum of four years' experience serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, medical clinicians who are actively licensed in Massachusetts and board certified or board eligible by the American Board of Medical Specialties with specialized training in intellectual and developmental disability care, CORI clearance, DPPC registry compliance, and national criminal background check eligibility. All questions regarding the procurement must be submitted by May 20, 2026 at 5 p.m. EST, with electronic bid submissions due by May 29, 2026 at 5 p.m. EST via COMMBUYS. The anticipated contract start date is July 1, 2026. Evaluation criteria allocate at least 25 percent of total points to Supplier Diversity Program (SDP) Plan submissions, with additional scoring based on provider experience, clinical model, staffing qualifications, coverage capabilities, medical care coordination protocols, appointment follow-up procedures, and documentation and reporting requirements.

This procurement is restricted to a single contractor and prioritizes Small Business Purchasing Program (SBPP) participants with principal places of business in Massachusetts that meet applicable size and revenue eligibility criteria. All bidders must register and maintain active COMMBUYS Seller accounts and make a minimum 1 percent financial commitment to diverse business enterprises or non-profit organizations as part of their SDP Plan. No incumbent vendor or current contractor information is specified in the procurement documents. The provider must establish accounts in the Enterprise Invoice Management (EIM) system for invoicing, participate in Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) for payments, and offer Prompt Payment Discounts unless documented hardship prevents such discounts. The estimated annual contract value is $100,000, with approximately $400,000 total value including anticipated renewal options, covering a two-year initial contract term with options to renew for two additional one-year periods, with a potential final end date of June 30, 2030. No federal funds will support this contract. The provider must comply with HIPAA Privacy and Security Rules, Massachusetts state data protection laws, and execute a Business Associate Agreement (BAA) governing the handling of Protected Health Information (PHI) and personal data.