Project Information

Bid Title

SMHS Clinical Services – Telehealth and In-Person Provider

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 Documents

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Project Description

Bid Title:	SMHS Clinical Services – Telehealth and In-Person Provider
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 firms and/or individual practitioners to provide telepsychiatry (telehealth) and/or in-person clinical services to support and expand Lake County’s Special Mental Health Services (SMHS) provider network under BHSA. Services will be provided to Medi-Cal beneficiaries and other eligible populations served by LCBHS. The County is seeking to expand its contracted clinical provider network to ensure access, capacity, and service flexibility under BHSA. The County may contract with individual providers, provider groups, or organizations to deliver services across multiple disciplines and modalities. 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 - SMHS Clinical Services - Telehealth and In-Person Provider

Attachment Preview

LAKE COUNTY BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

SMHS Clinical Services – Telehealth

and In-Person Provider RFP

COUNTY OF LAKE, BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES

Issued: February 25, 2026

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

By:

Elise Jones

Deputy Director, Administration

Clinical Services (Telehealth and In-Person) – Provider Network Expansion

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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Clinical Services (Telehealth and In-Person) – 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

firms and/or individual practitioners to provide telepsychiatry (telehealth) and/or in-person

clinical services to support and expand Lake County’s Special Mental Health Services

(SMHS) provider network under BHSA. Services will be provided to Medi-Cal beneficiaries

and other eligible populations served by LCBHS.

The County is seeking to expand its contracted clinical provider network to ensure access,

capacity, and service flexibility under BHSA. The County may contract with individual

providers, provider groups, or organizations to deliver services across multiple disciplines

and modalities.

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 – PSYCHIATRIC SERVICES (TELEHEATLTH AND/OR IN-PERSON)

Provide telehealth psychiatric evaluation and medication support services for adults and/or

children/youth. Services must be delivered using a secure, HIPAA-compliant audio-video

platform, and documentation must be completed in the County’s electronic health record

(EHR) or other system designated by the County.

2.2 TRACK B – THERAPY SERVICES (TELEHEALTH AND/OR IN-PERSON)

Provide telehealth psychotherapy services for adults and/or children/youth. Services must

be delivered using a secure, HIPAA-compliant audio-video platform and documented per

County standards.

2.3 TRACK C – NURSING AND MEDICAL (TELEHEALTH AND/OR IN-PERSON)

Provide temporary in-person clinical coverage for psychiatric and/or therapy services at

County clinic sites as needed to meet access standards and continuity of care. In-person

coverage may include short-term assignments, vacancy coverage, and/or surge capacity.

Travel expectations, clinic locations, and scheduling will be coordinated with the County.

2.4 TRACK D – SHORT-TERM OR TEMPORARY COVERAGE (OPTIONAL)

Provide short-term or temporary clinical coverage to support continuity of care, including

coverage for vacancies, leave, or surge capacity needs.

Services may be delivered in-person and/or via telehealth, depending on County needs.

Assignments may vary in duration and scope.

2.5 TARGET COVERAGE NEEDS (ESTIMATED)

The County anticipates a need for some or all of the following capacity. These estimates

are provided for planning and are not a guarantee of volume:

• Adult Psychiatry: 6 FTE

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Clinical Services (Telehealth and In-Person) – Provider Network Expansion

• Child/Youth Psychiatry: 1

• Therapy (adult and/or child/youth): 6.5 FTE

Proposers should describe proposed availability (days/hours), expected appointment

capacity per week, and whether services include intake/initial evaluations, follow-ups, and

urgent consults.

2.6 LICENSURE AND PROFESSIONAL REQUIREMENTS

All clinicians must be properly licensed, certified, registered, or otherwise authorized to

practice in the State of California, in good standing, and meet all applicable requirements

for providing services within a County behavioral health system.

Examples of acceptable disciplines include, but are not limited to:

• Psychiatrist (MD/DO)

• Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)

• Physician Assistant (PA) with appropriate supervision/scope

• Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)

• Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)

• Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC)

• Licensed Psychologist

• Nurse or LVN

• Medical Assistance

Proposals may include support staff if relevant; however, support staff are not required

unless proposing Track C in-person coverage with a model that relies on on-site clinical

support.

2.7 COMPLIANCE REQUIREMENTS

Proposers must comply with all applicable federal and state requirements, including but

not limited to HIPAA and, when applicable, 42 CFR Part 2. Proposers must also comply

with County documentation standards, privacy/security requirements, and quality

management expectations.

The County anticipates additional statewide quality, reporting, and service delivery

expectations under the Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA) and related initiatives

(including BH-CONNECT). Proposers should describe readiness to support evolving

reporting and performance requirements, including participation in quality improvement

activities and required data submission as directed by the County/Medi-Cal managed care

partners/DHCS.

2.8 COORDINATION AND CARE TEAM PARTICIPATION

Proposers must coordinate with LCBHS care teams and participate in case conferences,

treatment planning, and care coordination activities as requested. Proposers must

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Clinical Services (Telehealth and In-Person) – Provider Network Expansion

maintain timely communication with County leadership and designated clinical

supervisors.

3. COMPENSATION AND PRICING

Proposers must submit a rate schedule that includes fully loaded rates (inclusive of

overhead, administration, and any platform costs). Proposals should specify:

• Hourly and/or per-encounter rates, as applicable

• Any minimum hour requirements (if any)

• Travel and on-site day rates for Track C, if applicable

• After-hours coverage rates (if offered)

Rates should be valid for the term of the agreement unless otherwise stated.

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.

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.

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Commodity Codes

• NAICS 541611Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services

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