South Florida Evaluation and Treatment Center (SFETC) Operations

The Florida Department of Children and Families is soliciting proposals for the comprehensive operation of the South Florida Evaluation and Treatment Center (SFETC) in Florida City. The selected provider will be responsible for delivering high-quality, facility-based forensic mental health services 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to 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 scope of work includes full facility management, maintenance, and the integration of security with substance abuse and mental health treatment for a minimum of 249 beds. Key operational goals focus on reducing hospitalization time through competency restoration and implementing risk reduction strategies for those not guilty by reason of insanity. The contract is envisioned as a five-year term starting January 1, 2027, with payment contingent upon annual legislative appropriations. Providers must maintain a secure, licensed, and accredited facility in compliance with HIPAA and other federal and state regulations. Financial requirements include a not-to-exceed price and bed day rates, as well as the establishment of a major repair reserve fund where at least 17,000 dollars of each monthly payment is reserved for large-scale projects, capped at 500,000 dollars. Additionally, respondents must submit a Strategic Future Capacity Expansion Proposal to demonstrate their vision for increasing the facility's operational capacity. Evaluation is based on a point-system scoring methodology assessing competency, capability, and strategic approach.