Mental Health Urgent Care- Rutland County

The Department of Mental Health in Vermont is soliciting proposals under RFP 142 to establish a 24/7/365 Mental Health Urgent Care Services facility in Rutland County, aimed at reducing Emergency Department visits, minimizing police involvement in mental health crises, and expanding access to community-based crisis care for adults, children, and youth. This initiative is part of Vermont’s broader Rural Health Transformation grant, designed to strengthen rural health networks and improve workforce capacity. The selected provider will deliver comprehensive crisis assessments, implement a formal triage process for medical and mental health referrals, staff the facility with clinicians and peer support specialists, and operate with a Continuous Quality Improvement plan. The contract term is two years with an option to renew for up to three additional twelve-month periods, with an anticipated start date in late fall 2026. Bidders must demonstrate a clear scope of work, company capabilities, realistic implementation timeline, and a detailed, auditable budget covering the initial two-year period and optionally extending to five years. Proposals must be submitted electronically through Vermont’s VTBuys system, and all bidders are required to register as suppliers in that system to be eligible. All proposals are subject to public disclosure under Vermont’s Public Records Act and must comply with stringent quality standards requiring all products and services to be new, unused, and in full compliance with federal, state, and local safety and quality requirements. For bids exceeding $250,000, bidders must submit a Certificate of Compliance detailing worker classification practices and subcontractor reporting, along with a self-reported history of any violations over the past twelve months. Retainage may be withheld on deliverables until satisfactory completion and state acceptance. Evaluation will be weighted: 30% for scope of work and expected activities, 20% for company overview, 20% for proposed timeline, 20% for budget, and 10% for reporting and compliance. The state reserves the right to award one or multiple contracts and may conduct negotiations based on evaluation outcomes. Preference is given to Vermont-resident businesses and those incorporating clean energy and climate-conscious practices. The contract includes binding terms such as organizational and personal conflict of interest disclosures, adherence to the Standard Contract for Services and its attachments, including the Business Associate Agreement and Federal Terms Supplement, and full compliance with Vermont’s procurement and financial accountability frameworks. All communications must be directed to the designated point of contact, and no public bid opening will occur.