Project Information

Bid Title

RFP136: Peer Mental Health Patient Representative - Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility

Issuing Agency

State of Vermont

Location

Vermont

Published Date

Apr 3, 2026

Closing Date

Apr 16, 2026

Government Level

State & Local

Status

Closed

Original Source

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Bid Documents

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Project Description

TITLE	QUESTIONS DUE	ANSWERS POSTED	DUE DATE	NO POSTING AFTER
RFP136: Peer Mental Health Patient Representative - Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility	04/02/2026 04:00PM	RFP 136 Questions and Answers (04/03/2026)	04/16/2026 04:00PM

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Department of Mental Health

166 Horseshoe Drive | Waterbury VT 05671-20110

802-241-0090 phone |802-241-0100 fax

SEALED BID

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL

RFP136: Peer Mental Health Patient Representative -

Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility

ISSUE DATE

QUESTIONS DUE

RFP RESPONSES DUE BY

March 5, 2026

April 2, 2026 – 4:00 PM (ET)

All questions are to be submitted electronically via VT Buys

April 16, 2026 – 4:00 PM (ET)

All proposals are to be submitted via VT Buys

PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT ALL NOTIFICATIONS, RELEASES, AND ADDENDUMS ASSOCIATED

WITH THIS RFP WILL BE POSTED AT:

Public Solicitations: Vermont Buys

DMH Careers and Opportunities

And

Vermont Business Registry and Bid System - Home

STATE CONTACT:

E-MAIL :

Jennifer Rowell

AHS.DMHSubmissions@vermont.gov

THE STATE WILL MAKE NO ATTEMPT TO CONTACT INTERESTED PARTIES WITH UPDATED

INFORMATION. IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF EACH BIDDER TO PERIODICALLY CHECK VT

BUYS FOR ANY AND ALL NOTIFICATIONS, RELEASES AND ADDENDUMS ASSOCIATED WITH

THIS RFP.

If you speak a language not listed on the website below or require additional help, we offer free language

assistance services. The State of Vermont contracts with several Translation Services organizations, and

you can visit this page for more information Language Access | Department of Mental Health.

If you require assistance with technology, access, or have other issues with being able to complete your

proposal, reach out to the single point of contact.

1

1. OVERVIEW:

1.1. SCOPE AND BACKGROUND: Through this Request for Proposal (RFP) the

Department of Mental Health (DMH, hereinafter the “State”) is seeking to establish a

contract with a peer-run organization that can provide Peer Patient Representative

Services to individuals under the custody of the commissioner being served in a

Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility.

1.1.1. DESCRIPTION OF ORGANIZATION: The Vermont Agency of Human Services

(AHS) strives to improve the conditions and well-being of Vermonters by ensuring all

Vermonters have the opportunity to thrive in inclusive, equitable, and resilient

communities. The scope of AHS is profound. Through its six departments, twelve

district offices, and a network of community partners and providers, it is responsible

for the implementation and delivery of all human service programs within the state.

Each department has a distinct area of focus and responsibility and contributes to

the creation and sustenance of an entire system of human service supports.

The Department of Mental Health (DMH) resides under AHS and has the same

critical mission in mind. DMH promotes mental health as a vital part of overall well-

being by advancing prevention, early intervention, and recovery-focused care. Our

vision is that mental health serves as a cornerstone of health in Vermont, where

inclusive communities respond with compassion and respect, enabling all

Vermonters to thrive and participate fully in their lives. This work is guided by our

core values of compassion, equity, integrity, collaboration, and accountability.

1.2. CONTRACT PERIOD: Contracts arising from this RFP will be for a period of two years

with an option to renew for up to three additional years. The State anticipates the start

date for such contract(s) will be in July, 2026.

1.3. SINGLE POINT OF CONTACT: All communications concerning this RFP are to be

submitted through VT Buys. In the event that a bidder is experiencing system issues

with submitting a question through VT Buys, communications should be addressed in

writing to the State Contact listed on the front page of this RFP. Actual or attempted

contact with any other individual from the State concerning this RFP is strictly prohibited

and may result in disqualification.

1.4. QUESTION AND ANSWER PERIOD: Any bidder requiring clarification of any section of

this RFP or wishing to comment on any requirement of the RFP must submit specific

questions in VT Buys no later than the deadline for question indicated on the first page

of this RFP. As noted in 1.3, questions should be e-mailed to the single point of contact

on the front page of this RFP if a bidder is experiencing system issues with VT Buys.

Questions or comments not submitted on or before the last day of the question period

are thereafter waived. At the close of the question period a copy of all questions or

comments and the State's responses will be posted to this solicitation in VTBuys and on

the DMH website under the Careers and Opportunities tab

(https://mentalhealth.vermont.gov/RFP).

Every effort will be made to post this information as soon as possible after the question

period ends, contingent on the number and complexity of the questions. All information

provided by vendors during this process will be public and bidders shall not provide

confidential information, except as described in 4.1 below.

Revised: March 18, 2025

Page 2 of 12

1.5. CHANGES TO THIS RFP: Any modifications to this RFP will be made in VT Buys by

the State through the issuance of an Addendum to this RFP as well as posted on the

DMH website and the Vermont Business Registry. Modifications from any other source

are not to be considered.

1.6. SOURCE OF FUNDS: The Department anticipates using state funds for the resulting

contract(s). The Department may choose to modify the source of funding contingent

upon the availability of funds at the time of award.

If a bidder requires assistance in preparing their proposal or needs guidance on

socioeconomic certifications, the bidder may contact the VT APEX Accelerator. The

APEX Accelerator specializes in helping small businesses navigate the documentation

associated with State and Federal procurement. Their website is:

http://apex.vermont.gov

2. DETAILED REQUIREMENTS/DESIRED OUTCOMES:

2.1. The State of Vermont is interested in obtaining bids to meet the following business

need(s): provide Full Time Equivalent (FTE) Peer Patient Representative Services to

youth placed in a Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility (PRTF). The Patient

Representative shall provide education on patient rights, advocate for patients and

shall also foster communication between patients and health care providers.

2.2. The State of Vermont seeks to achieve the following Business Values:

2.2.1. Customer Service Improvement: The new solution will provide new or improved

customer service or services.

2.2.2. Compliance: The new solution meets a previously unmet State or Federal

compliance requirement.

2.3 Scope of Work & Expected Activities

Respondents will address each of the following:

2.3.1 Representation for youth placed at PRTF

2.3.1.1

Hire, train, and supervise an FTE Mental Health Patient

Representative (MHPR) to provide weekly virtual check in sessions for

youth placed at a Vermont PRTF, ensuring coverage and continuity of

services.

At a minimum initial and ongoing training for the MHPR shall

include Youth engagement and trauma-informed care, Patient

rights and advocacy, and Working with youth in residential

psychiatric treatment settings

2.3.1.2 Foster communication between patients and the PRTF.

2.3.1.3 Share information with youth patients regarding their patient rights and

the PRTF grievance process.

Revised: March 18, 2025

Page 3 of 12

2.3.1.4 Advocate for patients’ rights as outlined in accordance with 18 V.S.A. §

7253(1)(J).

2.3.2 Communication with AHS and PRTF

2.3.2.1

The Contractor will work with the PRTF to develop a Memorandum Of

Understanding (MOU) between the contractor and PRTF to outline

roles, expectations, and responsibilities for the patient representatives,

methods of communication, and ways for individuals to access the

patient representative at the PRTF

2.3.2.2

The Contractor will provide monthly written updates on activities to

AHS and PRTF. Updates at minimum will identify the number of youth

who were provided check in sessions, themes of challenges, and any

next steps needed when an issue arises with a patient.

2.3.2.3 Contractor will maintain a record of the number of contacts and

services performed.

2.3.3 Reporting and Documentation:

Contractor will report quarterly on the following performance measures:

a) Percentage of patients that request a session with the Mental Health

Patient Representative and those who receive a session.

b) Average length of time between a request for a session with the Mental

Health Patient Representative and when a session is provided.

c) Aggregate Satisfaction survey results from patients receiving these

services.

2.4 Proposal Requirements

All bids for this RFP will be completed in VTBuys via the Questionnaire. Responses

must define:

2.4.1 Company overview

2.4.1.1 Form of Business Organization

Provide details concerning your form of business organization,

company size and resources

2.4.1.2 Bidder Experience Level

Describe your capabilities and particular experience relevant to

RFP requirements.

2.4.1.3 Experience working with State of Vermont

If you have experience working with the State of Vermont, identify all

current or past State projects. Provide the name of the Vermont

Revised: March 18, 2025

Page 4 of 12

department or agency and the project title or a brief description of the

work. Do not include references or statements from State of Vermont

agencies or employees.

2.4.1.4 Subcontractors

Identify the names of all subcontractors you intend to use, the portions

of the work the subcontractors will perform, and address the

background and experience of the subcontractor(s), in response to the

questions described above in this section.

If you intend to use subcontractors (not 1099 independent contractor

staff) identify which portions of the work the subcontractors will

perform. If a subcontractor is already identified, include the name of

the subcontractor and address the background and relevant

experience of the subcontractor(s).

2.4.1.5 Exceptions to Contract Terms and Conditions

If a bidder wishes to propose an exception to any terms and

conditions set forth in the Standard Contract Form and its

attachments, such exceptions must be included in the cover letter to

the RFP response. Failure to note exceptions when responding to

the RFP will be deemed to be acceptance of the State contract terms

and conditions. If exceptions are not noted in the response to this

RFP but raised during contract negotiations, the State reserves the

right to cancel the negotiation if deemed to be in the best interests of

the State. Note that exceptions to contract terms may cause rejection

of the proposal, and that the State’s non-rejection of a proposal on

this basis does not indicate acceptance of the exceptions. Services

to be provided and anticipated outcomes

2.4.2 Scope of Work & Expected Activities

2.4.2.1 Respondents will address each of the items identified in section 2.3 of

this RFP.

2.4.3 Proposed budget

Upload, as an attachment, a detailed cost proposal and pricing breakdown for

a two (2) year term, with the option for the State to renew for up to three (3)

additional years.

Bidders shall also submit their total annual cost via the Quotation form.

The proposal must include a comprehensive line-item budget that clearly

identifies all direct and indirect costs, assumptions, and calculation

methodologies. This submission should go beyond the pricing fields entered in

VTBuys and provide sufficient detail to fully explain how proposed costs were

developed.

Revised: March 18, 2025

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Commodity Codes

• NAICS 236220Commercial and Institutional Building Construction
• NAICS 541611Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services
• NAICS 621112Offices of Physicians, Mental Health Specialists
• NAICS 621330Offices of Mental Health Practitioners (except Physicians)
• NAICS 621420Outpatient Mental Health and Substance Abuse Centers

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