Capability statements must be submitted in OpenGov and should use the .docx or .pdf file type, or any other standard file type that can be opened in Microsoft Word or Adobe Acrobat. There are no strict formatting requirements for capability statements. To be properly evaluated, a capability statement must include the following information:The name of the individual or organization submitting the capability statement.The name, email address, and phone number of the primary contact.A description of how the entity meets the County's need.The capability statement must directly address any minimum requirements described in the public notice. Any capability statement offering to provide items or services other than those specifically requested must demonstrate that they are of matching specifications and compatible with any systems with which the items or services will be integrated.

The contract awarded as a result of this exemption will have an initial term beginning at contract execution and ending December 31, 2027. The estimated cost for the initial term is $330,000. The County may, at its discretion, extend the agreement at a commensurate cost for a maximum term not to exceed 5 years.

The County has identified the following minimum requirements to meet the County's need:The ability to provide short-term financial assistance to individuals with a history of OUD who are entering or exiting a Level 1 / Type P Recovery Residence.The entity manages Level 1 / Type P Recovery Residences that meet the following requirements:democratic, peer-run management with no paid staff on site;a consistently maintained substance-free environment;operation without clinical services on site;resident governance and shared decision-making;required participation in house meetings and adherence to house rules;distribution of household duties among residents;support for participation in recovery activities such as mutual aid groups;resident contributions toward rent and utilities to maintain financial self-sufficiency;verification by HCA for listing on the DBHR Registry of Recovery Residences, with ongoing adherence to the Level 1 / Type P model as monitored by HCA.

Pierce County posts public notice of all sole source, special facility, and special market condition procurement exemptions for 10 business days. Interested vendors have 5 business days to submit questions in OpenGov. A public notice is not a competitive bid or solicitation, and any bids or proposals submitted during this process will not be accepted. At minimum, the public notice will explain the following information:The scope of the purchase.The estimated cost of the purchase.The estimated term of the exemption.The intended vendor for the purchase.The justification for the procurement exemption.Any minimum requirements for a vendor to meet the County's need.Any entity who believes they are qualified to meet the County's need as described in the public notice may submit a capability statement by the submission deadline. The Pierce County Purchasing Agent, or designee, will evaluate the capability statement in consultation with subject matter experts as appropriate to determine whether the submitter has demonstrated that they can meet the County's need.If the capability statement demonstrates that the submitter can meet the County's need, the County will cancel the public notice and proceed with a competitive procurement. If the County determines that the capability statement has not demonstrated that the submitter can meet the County's need, the County will proceed with the procurement exemption. Entities who submit a capability statement will receive a letter explaining the County's decision.The County reserves the right to contact entities who submit capability statements to request more information about their capabilities and qualifications.

To identify qualified vendors, support the justification of this exemption, and determine the minimum requirements to meet the County's need, the County performed the following market research:Online research, including reviewing the Washington Alliance for Quality Recovery Residences website and its publicly available provider listingsSearching the DBHR listing of Recovery ResidencesDirectly reaching out to HCA staff to confirm which entities meet the standards for Level 1 / Type P Recovery Residences.

Based on a sole source exemption, Pierce County intends to purchase Level 1 (Type P, Peer-run) recovery housing services in Pierce County by direct negotiation. The County has determined that Oxford House, Inc. is the only entity capable of meeting the County's need as described below.

The services to be purchased via this exemption include the provision of short-term financial assistance to individuals with a history of opioid use disorder (OUD) who are entering or exiting a Level 1 recovery residence. Such assistance may include temporary entry support, such as initial fees or short-term scholarships, to help individuals access a peer-run home, as well as limited exit support for individuals transitioning to independent housing. All activities will align with Level 1 / Type P peer-run recovery housing standards and prioritize accessibility for individuals impacted by substance use disorders, including individuals using medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD).

Pierce County has identified the expansion of Level 1 / Type P Recovery Residences in Pierce County, and the reduction of barriers for individuals entering or transitioning from recovery housing, as a critical need. The requested services will help individuals enter recovery housing and stabilize in long-term independent housing, reducing the risk of homelessness and improving recovery outcomes. Level 1 / Type P recovery residences are a democratic, peer-run type of residence with no paid staff on site that require resident governance and shared decision-making, participation in house meetings and adherence to house rules, and resident contribution toward rent and utilities to maintain financial self-sufficiency, among other requirements.The Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA) maintains a registry of residences and monitors Level 1 / Type P Recovery Residences to ensure adherence to the requirements of the Level 1 / Type P model. An HCA fact sheet about recovery residences can be accessed via the following link: https://www.hca.wa.gov/assets/program/fact-sheet-recovery-residences.pdf. The fact sheet includes a link to the DBHR registry of recovery residences.Based on the County's market research, including direct contact with HCA, the regulatory entity, the County has determined that Oxford House Inc. is the only entity that manages Level 1 / Type P Recovery Residences in Pierce County and is the only entity capable of meeting the County's need and requirements.