DMH Pre-Admission Screenings/Resident Reviews (PASRR) Services and Coordination

The Vermont Department of Mental Health (DMH) has released Request for Proposal RFP133 seeking a qualified organization to provide comprehensive Pre-Admission Screenings and Resident Reviews (PASRR) services statewide in compliance with federal and state mental health PASRR mandates. The contract will cover the administration and coordination of both PASRR Level 1 pre-admission screenings and PASRR Level 2 in-depth mental health assessments for individuals seeking admission to Medicaid-certified nursing facilities in Vermont. The contractor is expected to ensure timely and accurate evaluations conducted by qualified psychiatric nurse evaluators, facilitate coordination with the DMH-contracted psychiatrist, provide outreach and education to referring healthcare providers, and support federal reporting requirements under SAMHSA. The contract term is two years with an option to extend up to three additional one-year periods, with an anticipated start in spring 2026. Evaluation of proposals will be conducted using a weighted trade-off approach emphasizing the technical proposal (75%), including project approach, organizational capacity, alignment with State goals, and timeline, along with cost proposals (20%) and budget considerations. The solicitation requires bidders to submit their proposals through the Vermont procurement portal (VT Buys) by January 12, 2026, and encourages participation of small, minority, and women-owned businesses per affirmative action regulations. Contractual terms are state-specific and bidders may take exceptions to the terms under specified provisions. Additional mandates include mandatory disclosure of organizational and personal conflicts of interest, worker classification compliance for bids over $250,000, and climate change certification for bids over $25,000. The contractor will deliver services throughout Vermont, providing documentation and assessments within four working days, adhering to DSM criteria, federal standards, and Vermont statutes. The solicitation references detailed contract provisions, including standard state contract attachments, but does not provide exact pricing or contract value, leaving bidders responsible for submitting detailed cost proposals aligned with the Scope of Work and budget worksheets. Payment and invoicing will be coordinated through state systems without a separately designated payment office listed.