CLOSED - Request for Proposals for “Third Space” Youth Community Facility Development Plan

The County is seeking consulting services to facilitate a community-based planning process that could aid in the strategic planning and development of youth centered facility(ies), programming and services that aligns with the findings of the recent community health improvement plan and behavioral health system gaps analysis and best suits the needs of the youth population age ranging from 13-24.

A maximum budget of $100,000 is available to fund successful proposal(s) via allocated funding from the County’s 1/10th of 1% Sales Tax (a.k.a. “Treatment Sales Tax”).

This RFP is intended for consultants with the necessary capacity and experience to successfully propose a plan for developing a “third space” community facility(ies) for youth, describe how the proposal best suits Grays Harbor County, specify recommendations for target population age, and address the gaps identified in the community health improvement plan behavioral health system gaps analysis.

This RFP opens April 26, 2023, and all proposals are due no later than June 7, 2023, at 4:30 p.m.

READ THE FULL REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS HERE.

Questions related to this application may be directed to Jessica Molina, Community Health Specialist
E-mail: jmolina@graysharbor.us
Phone: (360) 591-8585

Questions and Answers:

Q. What is the anticipated outcome? Facility plan? Implementation plan? Services and size? Partners?

A. We are seeking consulting services to facilitate a community-based planning process that could aid in the strategic planning and development of youth centered facility(ies), programming and services that aligns with the findings of the recent community health improvement plan and behavioral health system gaps analysis and best suits the needs of the youth population age ranging from 13-24. The anticipated outcome is to successfully propose a plan for developing a “third space” community facility(ies) for youth, describe how the proposal best suits Grays Harbor County, specify recommendations for target population age, recommended partners, facility(ies) size and services and address the gaps identified in the CHIP and behavioral health gap analysis.

Q. More detail about the activities in the scope (forum? survey?)

A. The anticipated approach with the RFP is to develop a plan based on community input/needs including, but not limited to, priorities outlined in our CHIP/CHA and Behavioral Health Gap Analysis. Interested agencies would propose community-based strategies that would be effective in collecting feedback/recommendations to build into the facility(ies) development plan.

Q. Does this initial scope of work include any architectural services?

A. The intended outcome/product of this specific RFP is a comprehensive community environment scan/set of recommendations for expanding “third space” access and opportunity.

Q. What is the type of methodology or approach best suited for gathering and analyzing data in planning efforts?

A. We are seeking consulting services to facilitate a community-based planning process. The anticipated approach with the RFP is to develop a plan based on community input/needs including, but not limited to, priorities outlined in our CHIP/CHA and Behavioral Health Gap Analysis. Interested agencies would propose community-based strategies that would be effective in collecting feedback/recommendations to build into the facility(ies) development plan. The intended outcome/product of this specific RFP is a comprehensive community environment scan/set of recommendations for expanding “third space” access and opportunity.

Q. Will compensation be incorporated in the $100,000 budget or will this be a separate budget item?

A. A maximum budget of $100,000 is available to fund successful proposal(s) via allocated funding from the County’s 1/10th of 1% Sales Tax (a.k.a. “Treatment Sales Tax”). If your agency plans to include compensation within the community-driven process it would need to be budgeted within the maximum budget amount.

Q. Is it a requirement to provide "recent financial statements" if the consulting service is in good standing with granters/funders? Or is that requirement only for those who are not and/or are a part of an active corrective action plan?

A. Yes, we require a form of financial statement to be in alignment with the requirements. We will also accept a letter of financial stability in lieu of the financial audits.

Q. Will Grays Harbor County Public Health Department be able to provide translation and interpretation for engagement activities under this project, or should prospective consultants prepare to provide translation and interpretation services?

A. The consulting agency should plan to provide translation and interpretation services by their agency’s means. It would be helpful to address how consultants plan to provide language accessibility in their proposal if they intend to provide language access within proposed engagement activities.

CLOSED: Request for Proposals to Increase Access to Mental Health services in Grays Harbor County

Grays Harbor County has issued a request for proposals (RFP) to interested and qualified agencies to increase access to mental health services in Grays Harbor County. A maximum budget of $1,000,000 is available to fund successful proposal(s).

The County is seeking proposals that can demonstrably increase access to mental health services and substance use disorders for all residents of Grays Harbor County in a way that addresses considerations and needs identified in the Community Health Assessment and Improvement Plan and the Behavioral Health Gap Analysis.

PROPOSALS ARE DUE NO LATER THAN 4:30 P.M. FRIDAY, APRIL 28, 2023. Click HERE for the full RFP.

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Mental Health Request for Proposals Questions and Answers

Questions due by April 19 to clentz@graysharbor.us

Q: Can funds from this RFP be used to cover out-of-pocket costs for treatment services for under-insured clients? It would be applied directly to the client balance at the agency level, not paid to the client.

A: If part of a successful/awarded proposal yes these would be allowable expenses.

Q. How long is the funding period?
A. There is no set funding period. The County expects contracts to be executed approximately July 2023, or that meaningful progress is made on contract negotiations/project finalization by October 2023.

Q. How many award recipients or grantees can be expected?
A. There is not a set number of awards or recipients. It will depend on the proposals received and the evaluation process, along with total budget.

Q: Is the RFP is only for mental health services, or does it include early intervention programs? Is the RFP accepting innovative programs for prevention? Are contractors and full-time employees contracted under the grant accepted in the budget?

A: The RFP is to improve access to mental health services. Contractors and full-time employees could be included in budget submitted with proposal.

Q: Can a for-profit entity apply?

A: Yes, so long as the contract/scope of work for awarded project includes actual, reasonable, and eligible expenses on a cost reimbursement basis.

Q: Is there a break-down of how much of the available funds will be invested in prevention, intervention, recovery supports, etc.?

A: No. Proposals will be evaluated based on their ability to demonstrate increased access to mental health services.

Q: Is there a limit/maximum funding request per application/proposal?

A: No. Proposals will be considered up to the maximum budget of the RFP – $1,000,000

Q: Is there specific data the County requires to be collected for successful projects?

A: No. Part of proposal narratives should outline metrics of success and how it will be measured/reported.

Q: Is the County seeking proposals to increase access to substance use services or only mental health services?

A: Proposals may include increased access to mental health and substance use services but must include increased access to mental health services as part of the proposal to be eligible.

Q: Is it required that services can begin July 1, 2023?

A: No. The County expects contracts to be fully executed by July 1, 2023 and/or meaningful progress made on project finalization by October 1, 2023. Services may begin after those dates.

Q: Can these funds serve non-Medicaid/uninsured individuals?

A: RCW 82.14.460 does not specify specific eligible or ineligible groups to receive behavioral health services funded by these dollars.

Q: Can funds be used to recruit necessary workforce?

A: Potentially. Proposals must outline a model to increase access to mental health services and all activities and expenses must be reasonable and allowable under that model.

Q: Can funds support implementation/startup costs?

A: Yes – assuming those costs are part of an approved model to increase access to mental health services and all activities and expenses are reasonable and allowable.

Q: Do you have a budget template agencies need to use?

A: No

Q: Is there a cap on administration costs?

A: No specific cap. Proposals will be evaluated on their overall model and determination activities and expenses are necessary, reasonable, and allowable.

Q: Will the resulting contracts be operated on a cost reimbursement basis? Are there limitations on how much of the contract can be billed/reimbursed up front?

A: Yes, contracts will be on a cost reimbursement basis for approved and actual expenses. There are no restrictions or requirements to ration funding requests other than the maximum contract budget. I.e. agencies can do the majority of the work up front, bill for, and be reimbursed for those expenses as long as it is within scope of work and budget of the contract and expenses have been incurred and paid by the contractor.

Q: Can these funds support direct services?

A: Yes, if those services can be demonstrated they cannot be covered under other fund sources like MCOs/BHASOs, other grants, etc.

Q: Do you have specific needs/subpopulations you are prioritizing?

A: No

Q: What is the review/award process?

A: An evaluation committee will review qualified proposals that meet the threshold criteria using the evaluation criteria outlined in the RFP. The committee may ask the proposing agencies to share additional information and/or be available for a question-and-answer forum. They will make recommendations to the Board of County Commissioners who can accept, reject, or revise their recommendations. Public Health staff will work with apparently successful bidders to negotiate the terms of contracts and implement programs/projects.

Q: Will contracts be for one year?

A: There is not a specified time period for contracts that result from this RFP.