South Florida Evaluation and Treatment Center (SFETC) Operations

The Florida Department of Children and Families is seeking a qualified provider to manage the comprehensive operations of the South Florida Evaluation and Treatment Center (SFETC) in Florida City. This five-year contract, scheduled to begin January 1, 2027, involves the delivery of high-quality, facility-based forensic mental health services for adults and juveniles adjudicated as adults who are committed under Chapter 916, Florida Statutes, as either Incompetent to Proceed or not guilty by reason of insanity. The selected provider will be responsible for 24/7 operations, including facility management, maintenance, security, and the integration of substance abuse and mental health treatment, with a specific clinical focus on competency restoration and risk reduction to decrease lengths of stay. The scope of work requires the provider to maintain a licensed and accredited facility and adhere to strict regulatory standards, including HIPAA and ADA compliance. Key requirements include the submission of a Strategic Future Capacity Expansion Proposal and the maintenance of a qualified management team. Financial obligations include providing a bid guarantee for 50 percent of the bid price and performance and payment bonds for 100 percent of the contract price. The provider is also solely responsible for the cost of all major repairs and replacements of facility equipment and systems. Award selection is based on the most advantageous response to the state, evaluated through a programmatic and financial scoring system totaling 432 possible points.