Telemedicine Services

The Massachusetts Department of Developmental Services is requesting proposals for telemedicine services to support a pilot program in state-operated group homes, with responses due September 9, 2026, and questions due August 11, 2026.

All bidders must commit a minimum of 1 percent of contract sales to the Supplier Diversity Program (SDP), partnering with SDO-certified or SBA-recognized diverse businesses or non-profit organizations in eligible categories including MBE, WBE, SDVOBE, VBE, and LGBTBE; bidders proposing higher commitments will receive additional evaluation points, with up to 25 percent of total available evaluation points allocated to SDP evaluation. The Small Business Purchasing Program (SBPP) applies, providing award preference to SBPP-registered businesses with principal places of business in Massachusetts, fifty or fewer full-time equivalent employees, and gross revenues not exceeding fifteen million dollars based on a three-year average.

The scope encompasses urgent telemedicine services available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, serving approximately 100 to 150 state-operated group homes and an estimated 500 to 700 individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Medical clinicians must be assigned within 15 minutes of request. Services include care coordination, follow-up support, and integration with Commonwealth documentation and reporting requirements. All staff are subject to Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) checks, Disabled Persons Protection Commission (DPPC) registry searches, and national criminal fingerprint-based background checks. The awarded provider must serve as a Business Associate under HIPAA and comply with Massachusetts privacy and security regulations, including breach reporting to the DDS Privacy Office within five days of discovery.

The estimated contract value is $300,000 per year, totaling approximately $1.2 million including two optional one-year renewal periods, with a potential end date of June 30, 2030. All pricing must be inclusive of labor, materials, equipment, travel, administrative costs, and overhead. The Department intends to award a single contract. Invoicing occurs through the Enterprise Invoice Management (EIM) system with payment via Electronic Funds Transfer. Contractors must provide a Prompt Payment Discount unless demonstrating undue burden. Responses must include completion of an SDP Plan Form, Electronic Funds Transfer Authorization Agreement, and tax identification forms (W-9 or substitute). The contract is anticipated to begin October 1, 2026, with an initial duration of up to one year and nine months.