Access to Mental Health Services and Reduce Social Isolation

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE DEPARTMENT OF MILITARY AFFAIRS AND VETERANS SERVICES DIVISION OF COMMUNITY BASED MILITARY PROGRAMS Access to Mental Health Services and Reduce Social Isolation RFP 2022-03 SECTION 1 – Overview and Schedule A. Executive Summary The Division of Community Based Military Programs (CBMP) at the Department of Military Affairs and Veterans Services (DMAVS) is seeking proposals for programs that will combat struggles with mental health and social isolation for New Hampshire military and Veterans. The objective for this Request for Proposal (RFP) is to increase access to mental/behavioral health services and decrease social isolation for service members, veterans, and their families (SMVF) in the State of New Hampshire. The DMAVS intends to engage one or more qualified Proposers that can implement measurable strategies to achieve positive outcomes in New Hampshire for addressing mental health and social isolation among the identified population in a not to exceed

contract. Program design and implementation should result in measurable outcomes showing an increase in individuals from the SMVF population in the state accessing and participating in mental and behavioral health services, and/or a reduction in the social isolation in the same population. Services can include, but are not limited to, direct service, training and clinical capacity build up, advancing existing programs, and outreach and awareness activities. A combination of service delivery methods will be acceptable (virtual, in-person, etc.); however, manpower and support for the services need to be in New Hampshire to best support the military & Veteran population and facilitate collaboration with other community providers and the NH Department of Military Affairs & Veterans Services. The total available funding is limited to no more than $750,000; the maximum award for any individual qualified proposal is limited to no more than $400,000. Individual proposals budgeting for more than $400,000 will not be considered. The Department, at its sole discretion, may award lesser amounts to multiple Proposers if there is no individual Proposal that can meet all the deliverables listed in the Scope of Services. Services will need to be provided prior to June 30, 2023, and there is no guarantee that funds will be available beyond that date to sustain the programming implemented; therefore, proposals must have a clear plan for sustainability. B. Schedule of Events The following table provides a Schedule of Events for this RFP through contract finalization and approval. The Department reserves the right to amend this Schedule at its sole discretion and at any time through a published Addendum. EVENT DATE LOCAL TIME RFP Released to Proposers By 06/15/2022 4:00 PM Proposer Inquiry Period Ends 07/12/2022 4:00 PM Final Department Responses to Proposer Inquiries 07/15/2022 4:00 PM Proposers Submit Proposals 07/29/2022 1:00 PM Invitations for Oral Interviews/Presentations (if deemed necessary) 08/19/2022 4:00 PM Proposer Interviews/Presentations (if deemed necessary) TBD Estimated Notification of Selection and Begin Contract Negotiations TBD Anticipated Governor & Council Approval TBD Anticipated Effective Contract Date TBD SECTION 2 – Description of Department/Program Issuing the Request for Proposals The Department of Military Affairs and Veterans Services (DMAVS) Division of Community Based Military Programs (CBMP) works in close partnership with the New Hampshire Army and Air National Guard to serve NH service members, veterans, their families (SMVF) and local communities across the state. The mission of the CBMP is to collaborate, coordinate, and communicate with military and civilian provider groups to promote the delivery of quality health care services to NH SMVF. The Division works closely with a variety of federal, state, and community providers and stakeholders to benefit the military and veteran population in New Hampshire. The Division leads and participates in several statewide initiatives aimed at ensuring SMVF can access services and supports they need when they need them. A priority focus area for the CBMP is preventing suicide among SMVF. In 2018, the State of New Hampshire was one of seven states to participate in the Governor’s Challenge to Prevent Suicide among SMVF funded by SAMHSA and the Veterans Administration. In 2019, the Governor’s Challenge team merged with the NH Suicide Prevention Council (SPC) Military & Veterans Committee to combine efforts and resources. A variety of suicide prevention and mental health wellness initiatives emerged from the work of the Governor’s Challenge team and the SPC Military & Veterans Committee including ones focused on increasing access to mental/behavioral health services and reducing social isolation for SMVF. The program/s selected and funded through this Request for Proposal will supplement the efforts of the CBMP, the Governor’s Challenge team, and the SPC Military & Veterans Committee. Unique and challenging circumstances in New Hampshire have impacted the ability of SMVF to access mental/behavioral health services and the level of social isolation experienced by the community: • The state is experiencing a lack of qualified mental health practitioners, but the challenge to access quality care is even greater for those who rely on Tricare as their primary form of insurance coverage as this is not yet a widely accepted form of insurance; • Out of approximately 106,752 Service Members and Veterans in New Hampshire, only about 45,100 were enrolled in the VA healthcare system (2019). Most are relying on community providers for mental and behavioral health services; • More than 50% of New Hampshire Veterans are over the age of 65 years which indicates an increased need for in-home caregiving and social services; • In general, New Hampshire is a state with many rural areas and a lack of accessible, public transportation. This leads to problems related to social isolation and accessing healthcare services especially for Veterans utilizing services available to them at the VA Medical Centers. • When a Veteran experiences mental health challenges related to prior service, he or she often prefers peer support services. There are limited options for peer support services in the state, but in rural regions with few options for transportation the services that are available are often difficult to access. There are a variety of problems and challenges that can be addressed in order to achieve an increase in access to mental/behavioral health services and a decrease in social isolation for SMVF. The Department of Military Affairs & Veterans Services will accept and consider proposals of varying types. SECTION 3 – Proposed Scope of Work A. Deliverables Must Include: 1. Data and reports demonstrating outcomes for each deliverable. B. Deliverables Must Include One or More of the Following: 1. Services and/or programming to enhance access to, or use of, mental/behavioral health services by individuals who have served and reside in the state regardless of their discharge status or VA-eligibility. 2. Services and/or programming to reduce social isolation of individuals who have served and reside in the state regardless of their discharge status or VA-eligibility. All Proposals submitted should demonstrate consideration for the mission and purpose of the Ask the Question Campaign. The State reserves the right, at its discretion, to retain other contractors to provide any of the Services or Deliverables identified under this procurement or make an award by item, part or portion of an item, group of items, or total Proposal. SECTION 4 – Process for Submitting a Proposal A. Proposal Submission, Deadline, and Location Instructions Proposals submitted in response to this RFP must be received by the Department of Military Affairs and Veterans Services, no later than the time and date specified in the Schedule section, herein. Proposals may be submitted by (U.S. Mail, Delivery Service, In Person, Electronic). Proposals must be addressed to: State of New Hampshire Department of Military Affairs and Veterans Services c/o Tyler Carmichael 4 Pembroke Road Concord, NH 03301 Proposals must be clearly marked as follows: STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE RESPONSE TO RFP 2022-03 Access to Mental Health Services and Reduce Social Isolation Unless waived as a non-material deviation in accordance with Section 6B, late submissions will not be accepted and will be returned to the proposers unopened. Delivery of the Proposals shall be at the Proposer’s expense. The time of receipt shall be considered when a Proposal has been officially documented by the Department, in accordance with its established policies, as having been received at the location designated above. The Department accepts no responsibility for mislabeled mail or mail that is not delivered or undeliverable for whatever reason. Any damage that may occur due to shipping shall be the Proposer’s responsibility. All Proposals submitted in response to this RFP must consist of at least: a) One (1) original and three (3) clearly identified copies of the Proposal, including all required attachments; b) One (1) original and three (3) clearly identified electronic copies of the Proposal, including all required attachments contained on compact disc (USBs will NOT be accepted); c) One electronic copy of the Proposal with all Confidential Information fully redacted, as provided for in Section 7E of this RFP. Proposers who are ineligible to bid on proposals, bids, or quotes issued by the Department of Administrative Services, Division of Procurement and Support Services pursuant to the provisions of RSA 21-I:11-c shall not be considered eligible for an award under this proposal. B. Proposal Inquiries All inquiries concerning this RFP, including but not limited to, requests for clarifications, questions, and any changes to the RFP, shall be submitted via email to the following RFP designated Points of Contact: Tyler Carmichael Procurement Technician Department of Military Affairs and Veterans Services Tyler.D.Carmichael@DMAVS.nh.gov Inquiries must be received by the Department’s RFP Points of Contact no later than the conclusion of the Proposer Inquiry Period (see Schedule of Events section, herein). Inquiries received later than the conclusion of the Proposer Inquiry Period shall not be considered properly submitted and may not be considered. The Department intends to issue official responses to properly submitted inquiries on or before the date specified in the Schedule section, herein; however, this date is subject to change at the Department’s discretion. The Department may consolidate and/or paraphrase questions for sufficiency and clarity. The Department may, at its discretion, amend this RFP on its own initiative or in response to issues raised by inquiries, as it deems appropriate. Oral statements, representations, clarifications, or modifications concerning the RFP shall not be binding upon the Department. Official responses by the Department will be made only in writing by the process described above. Vendors shall be responsible for reviewing the most updated information related to this RFP before submitting a proposal. C. Restriction of Contact with Department Employees From the date of release of this RFP until an award is made and announced regarding the selection of a Proposer, all communication with personnel employed by or under contract with the Department regarding this RFP is forbidden unless first approved by the RFP Points of Contact listed in the Proposal Inquiries section, herein. Department employees have been directed not to hold conferences and/or discussions concerning this RFP with any potential contractor during the selection process, unless otherwise authorized by the RFP Points of Contact. Proposers may be disqualified for violating this restriction on communications. D. Validity of Proposal Proposals must be valid for one hundred and eighty (180) days following the deadline for submission of Proposals in Schedule of Events, or until the Effective Date of any resulting Contract, whichever is later. SECTION 5 - Content and Requirements for a Proposal Proposals shall follow the below format and provide the required information set forth below: 1. Letter of Introduction. Include a letter of introduction that includes the following information: a) Company or Firm Name, address, telephone/fax number, web page address & e- mail address; b) Date of proposal; and c) A statement that the company has the ability to provide the services as requested and will comply with the sample P-37agreement terms and conditions set forth in this request.