NIA1-171-260000000623-1 | Notice of Award and Synopsis for RFP #260000000897

The contract awarded under solicitation NIA1-171-260000000623-1 is a multi-year services agreement managed by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget (DTMB) to deliver comprehensive behavioral health crisis services across three state programs: MiCAL/988 Lines, Frontline Strong Together, and the Michigan Peer Warmline. The contract, with a total base value of $56,118,642, was awarded to two vendors—Common Ground and Gryphon Place—through a best-value trade-off process that prioritized technical merit over lowest price, selecting proposals that demonstrated superior capabilities in staffing, confidentiality compliance, and operational readiness despite significant price disparities. Performance is confined to the State of Michigan, with all staff required to be Michigan residents to ensure licensing, training, and continuity. Key requirements include maintaining a minimum 85% service level, designating a Privacy Officer, conducting mandatory background checks, ensuring fair market wages above $18.00 per hour, and demonstrating scalability to grow from initial staffing to 128 employees within 90 days. Proposals were evaluated on four equally weighted technical factors for the general SOW—Vendor Questions Worksheet, Transition Plan, Staffing, and Project Plan—and on a weighted structure for each specialized SOW, with Program Requirements through Confidentiality carrying the highest weight at 35%. The solicitation emphasized strong adherence to state-specific behavioral health standards and prohibited out-of-state, seasonal, or transient staffing models. Offerors were required to submit complete, detailed proposals via Michigan’s SIGMA VSS portal by the May 29, 2026 deadline, addressing all evaluation criteria with sufficient depth to avoid deficiencies. While no explicit FAR clauses, packaging standards, or contract administration details such as payment offices, COR/COTR designations, or accounting lines are documented, implicit requirements include full compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, implementation of a robust Business Continuity Plan, and provision of crisis debriefing protocols. The absence of option pricing data limits visibility into potential contract growth, though three one-year option periods are referenced. The procurement is strictly electronic, and vendor representations indicate no certification under socioeconomic programs such as SDVOB or GDBE. The contract supports Michigan’s broader mental health infrastructure by formalizing the delivery of 24/7 crisis response, peer support, and workforce development through stable, locally rooted personnel.