Project Information

Bid Title

Children's Specialty Mental Health Services (SMHS) and Behavorial Health Transformation Provider Net

Issuing Agency

Lake County

Location

California

Published Date

Feb 25, 2026

Closing Date

Mar 25, 2026

Government Level

State & Local

Status

Closed

Original Source

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Bid Inquiries

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Bid Documents

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Project Description

Bid Title:	Children's Specialty Mental Health Services (SMHS) and Behavorial Health Transformation Provider Net
Category:	County General
Status:	Open

Description: IMPORTANT NOTE: Proposers may submit one or more service tracks. The County may award to one vendor or multiple vendors based on best value and operational need. PURPOSE AND BACKGROUND Lake County Behavioral Health Services (LCBHS) is soliciting proposals from qualified individual providers, groups, and/or organizations to expand its contracted Children’s Specialty Mental Health Services (SMHS) provider network under Medi-Cal, the Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA), and CalAIM transformation standards. Publication Date/Time: 2/25/2026 8:00 AM Closing Date/Time: 3/25/2026 5:00 PM Contact Person: Elise Jones - Deputy Director, Administration Related Documents: RFP_Childrens_Specialty_Mental_Health_Services_FY2026027

Attachment Preview

LAKE COUNTY BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

Children’s Specialty Mental Health

Services (SMHS)

and Behavioral Health Transformation

Provider Network

COUNTY OF LAKE, BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES

Issued: February 25, 2026

Submission Deadline: March 25, 2026, by 5:00pm

By:

Children’s SMHS Provider Network Expansion

Elise Jones

Deputy Director, Administration

1. INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................. 3

2. SCOPE OF SERVICES ....................................................................................... 3

3. COMPENSATION ................................................................................................ 5

4. PROPOSAL CONTENT ....................................................................................... 5

5. PROPOSAL SUBMITTAL ......................................................................................... 6

6. PROPOSAL EVALUATION AND AWARD ............................................................... 7

7. PROTEST PROCEDURES ...................................................................................... 8

8. GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS................................................................... 8

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Children’s SMHS Provider Network Expansion

IMPORTANT NOTE: Proposers may submit one or more service tracks. The County

may award to one vendor or multiple vendors based on best value and operational

need.

1. PURPOSE AND BACKGROUND

Lake County Behavioral Health Services (LCBHS) is soliciting proposals from qualified

individual providers, groups, and/or organizations to expand its contracted Children’s

Specialty Mental Health Services (SMHS) provider network under Medi-Cal, the

Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA), and CalAIM transformation standards.

The County seeks to ensure network adequacy, timely access, integrated care delivery,

trauma-informed practices, and compliance with all applicable federal and state

requirements. Services shall be provided to Medi-Cal beneficiaries under age 21, including

children, youth, and transition-age youth (TAY).

2. SCOPE OF SERVICES

Proposers may submit a proposal for one or more of the following tracks. Proposals

should clearly identify which track(s) are being proposed and the associated

staffing/coverage plan.

2.1 TRACK A – CORE OUTPATIENT SPECIALTY MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES

Provide comprehensive outpatient Specialty Mental Health Services (SMHS) to children

and youth. Services must comply with Medi-Cal SMHS requirements, CalAIM medical

necessity standards, and County documentation protocols. All documentation must be

completed in the County’s electronic health record (EHR) or other system designated by

the County.

• Mental Health Assessment

•

Plan Development

•

Individual, Family, and Group Therapy

•

Rehabilitation (Individual and Group)

•

Collateral Services

•

Targeted Case Management

•

Medication Support Services and Administration

•

Crisis Intervention and Crisis Stabilization

2.2 TRACK B – INTENSIVE/EPSDT SERVICES

Provide enhanced EPSDT services for children and youth with higher levels of need.

Services must align with BHIN 21-073 and successor guidance and meet all CalAIM

documentation standards.

•

Intensive Care Coordination (ICC)

•

Intensive Home-Based Services (IHBS)

•

Therapeutic Behavioral Services (TBS)

•

Wraparound Services

2.3 TRACK C – FOSTER CARE SERVICES

Provide SMH for children placed in foster care or therapeutic foster care settings.

Providers must demonstrate compliance with applicable BHIN guidance and foster care

oversight standards.

• Therapeutic Foster Care (TFC) & Intensive Treatment Foster Care (ITFC)

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Children’s SMHS Provider Network Expansion

2.4 TRACK D – CRISIS AND HIGH-ACUITY SERVICES

Provide crisis response collaboration and high-acuity stabilization services. Providers must

support 24/7 coordination, No Wrong Door access, and integrated behavioral health

response.

• 24/7 Crisis Response Collaboration

• Mobile Crisis Coordination

• High-Risk Youth Stabilization Support

All services must comply with updated medical necessity criteria under WIC 14184.402(a),

utilize Problem List documentation standards, participate in Quality Improvement (QI)

processes, and adhere to HIPAA, HITECH, and applicable privacy regulations.

3. COMPENSATION AND PRICING

Proposers must submit a rate schedule that includes fully loaded rates. Compensation

shall be based on negotiated rates consistent with Medi-Cal reimbursement and available

BHSA funding.

4. PROPOSAL REQUIREMENTS

Proposals should be concise and must include the following sections in order:

A. Cover Letter

Include proposer name, contact information, service track(s) proposed, and a brief

summary of qualifications.

B. Qualifications and Relevant Experience

Describe experience providing psychiatric/therapy services in public behavioral health

settings, rural communities (if applicable), and telehealth environments. Include key staff

resumes/CVs.

C. Staffing and Coverage Plan

Describe proposed staffing, availability (days/hours), expected appointment capacity, and

clinical coverage approach. Identify adult vs child/youth capacity. Include supervision

approach where applicable.

D. Work Plan and Implementation Timeline

Provide a work plan describing onboarding steps and timeline from notice of award to go-

live, including credentialing, background checks (if required), technology setup, EHR

access/training, and expected service start date.

E. Compliance and Quality Management

Describe compliance approach for HIPAA/42 CFR Part 2 (as applicable), documentation

standards, quality assurance, incident reporting, and participation in County quality

improvement processes.

F. Cost Proposal

Provide a rate schedule as described in Section 3 and any assumptions related to billing,

invoicing frequency, or minimum commitments.

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Children’s SMHS Provider Network Expansion

5. SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS

Proposals must be received no later than Wednesday, March 25th, 2026, by 5:00 PM

(Pacific Time). Late submissions may be deemed non-responsive.

Submit proposals electronically to the RFP Contact listed on the cover page unless

otherwise directed by the County.

Questions must be submitted in writing to the RFP Contact no later than five (5) business

days prior to the proposal due date. Responses will be issued in writing as an addendum

to all known proposers and posted on the County’s procurement/RFP posting location.

6. EVALUATION AND SELECTION

Proposals will be evaluated based on best value to the County. The County may request

interviews and/or additional information.

Evaluation factors may include:

• Qualifications and experience

• Staffing and coverage plan and ability to meet County needs

• Compliance and quality management approach

• Cost and overall value

• Demonstrated capacity to mobilize quickly and support continuity of care

The County reserves the right to award one or more proposers and to negotiate scope and

rates consistent with County needs and available funding.

7. PROTEST PROCEDURES

Any protest of the proposed award must be submitted in writing within the timeframe

specified in the County’s procurement procedures.

8. GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS

The County reserves the right to reject any or all proposals, to waive informalities, and to

cancel this RFP in whole or in part. Issuance of this RFP does not commit the County to

award a contract. The County shall not be responsible for costs incurred in the preparation

of proposals.

The selected proposer(s) will be required to enter a County agreement and comply with all

County insurance, indemnification, and contracting requirements.

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Commodity Codes

• 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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