Pierce County expressly reserves the rights to:Waive any and/or all irregularities in the proposals submitted.Reject any or all proposals or portions thereof.Base awards with due regard to quality of services, experience, compliance with specifications, and other such factors as may be necessary in the circumstances.Make the award to any organization or combination of organizations whose proposal(s), in the opinion of the County, is in the best interest of the County.

"Applicant," "Bidder," and "Proposer" mean an organization, agency or provider that submits a formal response to this solicitation."Application," "Bid," or "Proposal" mean a formal response to this solicitation. “BHAB” means Behavioral Health Advisory Board.“BHIP” means Behavioral Health Improvement Plan.“BHTC” means Behavioral Health and Therapeutic Courts tax.“CFR” means Code of Federal Regulations.“Client,” "Participant," "Household," or "Member" means an individual (or individuals) who receives services, or is eligible to receive services, under this solicitation.“Contractor” means an individual or organization whose proposal has been accepted by the County and has been awarded a fully executed, written contract.“Department” means the Pierce County Human Services Department. “Equal Opportunity” means ensuring that services and resources are accessible to all individuals based on relevant qualifications, needs, and circumstances and that services and resources are attentive and adaptable to the unique needs, values, and challenges of communities within Pierce County.“Family” per RCW 73.08.005 means the spouse or domestic partner, surviving spouse, surviving domestic partner, and dependent children of a living or deceased veteran, or a service member who was killed in the line of duty regardless of the number of days served.“Geographic Diversity” means ensuring that services, resources, and representation are distributed and accessible across all areas of the county (urban, suburban, and rural) and the organization demonstrates an understanding of regional needs and/or filling gaps of underserved areas.“Indigent” per RCW 73.08.005 means a person who is:Receiving one of the following types of public assistance: Temporary assistance for needy families, aged, blind, or disabled assistance benefits, pregnant women assistance benefits, poverty-related veterans' benefits, food stamps or food stamp benefits transferred electronically, refugee resettlement benefits, Medicaid, medical care services, or supplemental security income;Receiving an annual income, after taxes, of up to two hundred and ten percent or less of the current federally established poverty level established by the county legislative authority; orUnable to pay reasonable costs for shelter, food, utilities, and transportation because his or her available funds are insufficient.“Pierce County Executive’s Strategic Plan” is found here: Pierce-County-Strategic-Plan.“RCW” means Revised Code of Washington.“VA” means the United States Department of Veteran Affairs.“Veteran” per RCW 73.08.005 means:A person who served in the active military, naval, or air service; a member of the women's air forces service pilots during World War II; a United States documented merchant mariner with service aboard an oceangoing vessel operated by the war shipping administration; the office of defense transportation, or their agents, from December 7, 1941, through December 31, 1946; or a civil service crewmember with service aboard a United States army transport service or United States naval transportation service vessel in oceangoing service from December 7, 1941, through December 31, 1946, who meets one of the following criteria:Served on active duty for at least one hundred eighty days and who was released with a qualifying discharge as defined in RCW 73.04.005;Received a qualifying discharge as defined in RCW 73.04.005 with a medical reason for separation for a condition listed as non-existed prior to service, regardless of number of days served; orReceived a qualifying discharge as defined in RCW 73.04.005 and has received a rating for a service-connected disability from the VA regardless of number of days served;A current member honorably serving in the armed forces reserve or national guard who has been activated by presidential call up for purposes other than training;A former member of the armed forces reserve or national guard who has fulfilled his or her initial military service obligation and was released with a qualifying discharge as defined in RCW 73.04.005;A former member of the armed forces reserve or national guard who does not have over one hundred seventy-nine days of active-duty service but meets the federal definition of a veteran having completed twenty years of service.

All proposals will be reviewed for completeness and compliance with the RFP requirements. Proposals that meet the Minimum Qualification as identified in Section 2 will advance to the formal evaluation process and be scored based on responses to RFP questions and required attachments, including Exhibit A: Budget Worksheet. An Application Evaluation Committee (AEC) comprised of Pierce County staff, or community partners with expertise in procuring similar services will review and score proposals based on the requirements and content of this RFP. The AEC’s recommendations will then be sent to the County Executive. Final determination of awards will be made by the County Executive, in consultation with Human Services Department. The Human Services Department will then notify the County Council of the funding awards concurrent with notifying the Successful Applicant.

Pierce County is seeking proposals to provide outpatient behavioral health services that address ongoing or emerging needs of indigent veterans and their families.Services may be delivered in-person or through tele-health and other digital tools, depending on the proposed service model. Priority will be given to services that can be utilized by veteran households across Pierce County and not geographically limited to one municipality or location.The following three service areas are to be treated as priorities in all proposals:Outpatient Services: Outpatient services include, but are not limited to, the following:Psychiatric EvaluationIndividual Therapy (including for co-occurring disorders)Family or Group Therapy (including for co-occurring disorders)Other clinical outpatient services not listed aboveGaps in Medicaid/Insurance Coverage: This funding is intended to support programs that serve veterans and their families who fall through the cracks of traditional coverage systems. This includes individuals who are underinsured, uninsured, or do not meet Access to Care standards for Medicaid or private insurance.Services may include, but are not limited to:Care provided while veterans await VA Community Care appointmentsServices that are not billable under Medicaid or private insurance.Outpatient behavioral health treatment for veterans and their families who lack any form of insurance coverage. Veteran Families Component Services: These are programs that integrate behavioral health services for family members of veterans including case management services. These services should be trauma-informed and tailored to address the unique behavioral health needs of veteran families. The programs should also provide support for family members who may not meet clinical diagnostic thresholds but are experiencing significant emotional distress related to a veteran’s service-connected conditions or care needs, including dedicated services for caregivers of veterans.

Pierce County cannot accept late proposals. All proposals are due by the deadlines per the timeline under the procurement. No exceptions shall be made.

Pursuant to RCW 73.08, funded projects must serve indigent veterans and their families. Under this funding opportunity, priority will be given to proposals that serve the following sub populations:Veterans and their immediate family members who are experiencing ongoing or emerging behavioral health needs.Veteran households that have received an initial appointment from the VA, Community Care, or a similar provider with a scheduled date more than 30 days from referral, and who are seeking more immediate behavioral health services.Veteran households that are underinsured, uninsured, or do not meet Medicaid Access to Care standards for outpatient behavioral health services.

In order for an organization to be eligible to submit a proposal under this procurement, the organization must meet the following eligibility requirements:Has an ACTIVE UEI number issued by sam.gov at the time of application.Has a UBI number.Has NOT filed for bankruptcy within the past 7 years.Has NOT been part of any legal proceedings or lawsuits within the last 3 years.

The County reserves the right to conduct interviews with qualified proposers prior to making a final selection. If interviews are conducted, details and information will be provided prior to any scheduling, if the timeline does not already include an interview date. Interview questions will only include questions associated with the received proposal for clarification and additional details. Interviews will not be added scores, but the evaluation team may revise initial scores with additional information provided during the interviews. The final award would be based upon the review process, interviews, and past contract performance (where applicable).

PROPOSERS WHO REGISTER AND DOWNLOAD RFP DOCUMENTS will be automatically added to the FOLLOWERS' list in the County's eProcurement Portal. Notifications for procurement updates, addendum and other procurement information will be sent to all who register on the Pierce County eProcurement Portal.

All questions must be submitted within the County's eProcurement Portal, under the Question & Answer Section no later than 4:30 pm on Friday, April 10, 2026. Proposers must be registered in the eProcurement Portal software in order to submit questions, receive addenda and notifications, and ultimately submit a proposal.

The County will not reimburse organizations for any costs involved in the preparation and submission of responses to this procurement or in the preparation for and attendance at subsequent interviews.

Proposers who do not meet these minimum qualifications will be considered non-responsive and their proposal will not be evaluated. Proposers must be either a Behavioral Health Agency (BHA) licensed under WAC 246-341, a faith-based outpatient clinic, or a community agency that employs or contracts with licensed behavioral health providers. In accordance with WAC 246-341-0515, all staff providing clinical services must be appropriately credentialed for the services they deliver and must receive clinical supervision. Unlicensed staff may provide services only under the supervision of licensed clinical professionals, as defined by Washington State Department of Health regulations.Proposers that are BHAs must provide a copy of their license issued by the Department of Health. Proposers that are operating a faith-based outpatient clinic must provide certification that the agency is compliant with WAC 246-341. All other community agencies (defined as organizations that are not licensed Behavioral Health Agencies but provide behavioral health services through employed or contracted licensed professionals) must provide documentation demonstrating that staff administering eligible services are licensed behavioral health providers. In accordance with WAC 246-341-0515 and WAC 246-341-0520, any unlicensed staff must be supervised by a licensed clinician appropriate to the services being delivered, and supervision must meet the standards set forth by the Washington State Department of Health.Proposers must be legally authorized to conduct business in the State of Washington, as demonstrated by:Providing a valid Unified Business Identifier (UBI) number.

Projects must:Promote recovery and stability through trauma-informed therapy that meets ongoing or emerging behavioral health needs, reduces social isolation, and supports long-term, whole person wellness.Reduce reliance on crisis and inpatient care by connecting veterans and families to services and providing care while they wait for VA or Community Care appointments.Coordinate with existing systems, to include the VA, local non-profits, and other veteran, non-veteran, and family services.Result in measurable improvements in reduction of wait time for behavioral health services for veteran families.Demonstrate sustainable improvements in the health, daily function, and community connection for veterans and their families served.Be responsive to the needs of veterans and their family members.

All submission, timeliness, and content requirements shall be applied equally to all Proposers regardless of any current or previous relationship with the County or the proposer's relationship with the County, County staff, or elected officials. See Pierce County Code 3.12 (Code of Ethics).Proposers not selected may seek additional clarification or debrief, request time to review the selection procedures, or discuss the scoring methods utilized in the RFP process. Appeals are limited to procedural errors in the selection process. In the event no such procedural errors are found to have occurred, the decision of the County shall be final.If a proposer disagrees with the decision, they may register the appeal by sending an email to pcshsprocurement@piercecountywa.gov, within five (5) business days after the notice of selection is sent to the proposer. The appeal must state all facts and arguments upon which the appeal is based. The Director of Pierce County Human Services, or designee, will review the appeal and determine whether the rules and requirements outlined in this RFP were followed, including solicitation documents, the organizations’ proposal, and the facts which form the basis of the appeal. The Director will render a written decision within fifteen (15) days from the receipt of the appeal.

The Washington State Interlocal Cooperation Act, Ch. 39.34 RCW, authorizes public agencies to cooperatively purchase goods and services if all parties agree. By responding to this RFP, Consultants agree that other public agencies may purchase goods and services under this solicitation or contract at their own cost and without Pierce County incurring any financial or legal liability for such purchases. Pierce County agrees to allow other public agencies to purchase goods and services under this solicitation or contract, provided that Pierce County is not held financially or legally liable for purchases and that any public agency purchasing under such solicitation or contract file a copy of this invitation and such contract in accordance with RCW 39.34.040.

A virtual or in-person pre-proposal meeting will be conducted by Pierce County staff at the time, date, and location as indicated in the Timeline section of this RFP.Pre-proposal meeting attendance is not required but is highly encouraged for all organizations considering a response to this procurement. It is the County’s belief that attending the meeting will assist the proposer in presenting the best possible request for funding. During the pre-proposal meeting, Pierce County staff will give an overview of the solicitation, the proposal process, an overview of the requirements, and will also be available to answer questions and provide technical assistance. Please have the instruction/proposal packet available and any questions that the organization may have related to the procurement.

Organizations should be aware that any records they submit to the County or that are used by the County even if the organization possess the records, may be public records under the Washington Public Records Act (RCW 42.56). The County must promptly disclose public records upon request unless a statute exempts them from disclosure. Organizations should also be aware that if even a portion of a record is exempt from disclosure, generally, the rest of the record must be disclosed. Exemptions are narrow and specific.Organizations should clearly mark any record they believe is exempt from disclosure.

The period of performance of any contract resulting from this procurement will be from the date of the contract execution through December 31, 2027, when the BHTC Tax expires. Should the BHTC Tax be extended, the County has the option of extending contracts for an additional two years after the initial contract expires. However, no Contractor will be guaranteed an extension. Decisions whether to extend a contract will be based on Pierce County’s assessment of the Contractor’s performance as evaluated by performance measure data as described in Section 4.5 of this solicitation, as well as any additional performance outcomes or deliverables negotiated in the final contract agreement.

The total value of this procurement is $500,000 in Behavioral Health and Therapeutic Courts tax and $500,000 Veterans Relief Funds, totaling $1,000,000. The County anticipates awarding a single contract from this procurement. The County reserves the right to make more awards or no awards, based on the quality and scope of proposals received, available funding, and identified service needs.Within one year of contract execution, the successful Applicant will also be required to develop a plan for sustainable funding beyond the BHTC. Applicants should factor into their funding request any costs related to this requirement.Additional federal, State, or local funds may become available during the contracting cycle and allocated through this solicitation. Funding may only be awarded for the same scope of services as described in this solicitation. It is important to note, any contract awarded as a result of this procurement is contingent upon the availability of funding. If at any time during the term of the contract the funding relied upon for the contract is reduced, modified, or eliminated, or if the funding terms are modified, the County reserves the right to amend the contract as appropriate or to terminate the contract.

Successful Applicants must ensure that no BHTC Tax funding will supplant any services covered by other funders. For example, projects providing non-Medicaid allowable services to Medicaid clients are allowed but must clearly document funding under the BHTC funding is not supplanting Medicaid services or Medicaid rates.Staff Costs: Case management, data entry, direct supervision costs, peer/recovery specialists, staff training/conference fees.Other Program Costs: Program supplies (to be used only for funded project), electronic health care record costs, telehealth service costs, IT services, insurance coverage, program specific web-based subscriptions, participant support costs, harm reduction supplies, mental health services, or other costs as pre-approved by Pierce County.*Administrative Expenses: Advertising, communications, facilities and maintenance, insurance, IT support, Computer equipment, office and operating supplies, personal salaries and benefits, professional services, audit and accreditations fees or general administration costs supported by a cost allocation plan.*Administrative expenses are limited to no more than 15% of the total direct program costs. Applicants must ensure that their proposed budgets reflect this cap on administrative spending.

Pierce County, in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 78 Stat. 252, 42 U.S.C. 2000d to 2000d-4 and Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, Department of Transportation, subtitle A, Office of the Secretary, Part 21, nondiscrimination in federally assisted programs of the Department of Transportation issued pursuant to such Act, hereby notifies all bidders that it will affirmatively ensure that in any contract entered into pursuant to this advertisement, disadvantaged business enterprises as defined at 49 CFR Part 26 will be afforded full opportunity to submit bids in response to this invitation and will not be discriminated against on the grounds of race, color, or national origin in consideration for an award.

Successful Applicants will be required to submit data in accordance with Exhibit E: Data Reporting Requirements in Attachment A: SAMPLE: Client Services Agreement. In addition, successful applicants’ performance will be measured as follows:Number of encounters per household per month.Percentage of veteran households reporting improved quality of life, including reduction in social isolation, as measured by pre and post surveying/rating scales.Percentage of households receiving services within seven days of having received service approvals.Breakdown of single adults vs. Veteran families served monthly.Applicants must submit an additional performance metric that is specific to their application and includes these six elements: a SMART Objective, an Outcome, an Output, an Indicator, a Target, and a Source of Verification.SMART ObjectiveSMART Objectives outline the project’s strategy for reaching its desired program result. Objectives should be Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Time-bound.Example: By June 30, 2026, enroll at least 50 veterans who are uninsured or underinsured into outpatient behavioral health services, providing short-term support while they await VA community Care appointments. Services will be tracked through intake logs and follow-up engagement data to ensure at least 75% attend a minimum of three sessions within the first 60 days.OutcomesOutcomes are benefits or changes veteran households experience by participating in services.Example: Veteran families experience a reduction in the use of crisis services (e.g., emergency department visits, inpatient psychiatric admissions) by accessing timely outpatient behavioral health care prior to receiving VA Community Care appointments.OutputsOutputs are short-term, countable results—tangible services or interventions delivered.Example: Number of veteran households receiving at least two outpatient treatment contacts per month over a 6-month period.IndicatorsIndicators are quantitative or qualitative measurements that track changes related to an Outcome or Output.Example: Percentage of veteran households reporting improved access to behavioral health and supportive services. TargetsTargets are the desired values or direction of change for Outcomes and Outputs.Example: Achieve a 75% rate of veteran families maintaining behavioral health treatment engagement and maintaining connection to behavioral health services after 6 months.Source(s) of VerificationThese are the data sources used to verify that changes have occurred.Example: Data will be collected from electronic records, client self-report surveys, and behavioral health rating scales.

Follow instructions carefully - if attachments are provided under this procurement, they are to be utilized as part of the proposal - do not replace or use the organization's own format, as the proposal may be deemed "non-responsive" or "not eligible." All proposals are evaluated on the completeness and quality of the content. Only those proposers providing complete information as required will be considered for evaluation. The County will not contact the organization for correction of proposals and proposers are strongly encouraged to carefully review their proposals for completeness and accuracy before submitting. For proposals to be considered responsive and move to the review process, the proposer must, under Section 7, RFP Questionnaire:1. Acknowledge all required "confirmations."2. Complete all required attachments, to include uploading any supplemental documents.3. Submit the following materials as part of the proposal. The accepted file types include, .pdf, .png, .jpeg, .docx, .xlsx, and other MS Office formats. Please label all attachments as listed below.Eligible Entity Documentation (Question 8.4)Budget Worksheet (Question 12.1)Pre-Award Risk Assessment and supplemental materials (Question 13.1)4. Acknowledge and confirm each addendum and notice issued under this procurement. The system will not allow final submission unless all required confirmations are checked.By submitting a proposal, proposer agrees that all documents, reports, proposals, submittals, working papers, or other materials prepared by the organization pursuant to this procurement shall become the sole and exclusive property of the County, and the public domain, and not property of the organization. The organization shall not copyright, or cause to be copyrighted, any portion of said items submitted to the County because of this procurement.Only electronic submittal via the County's eProcurement Portal shall be accepted for this procurement. No hard copies, emails, or fax submittals shall be accepted.

Proposals must be received by the Procurement & Contract Services Department before 2:00 pm on Friday, May 1, 2026. The proposer is responsible for submission of proposal before the deadline. The County shall not be responsible for late submittals. Exceptions will not be made for proposers who miss the submission deadline, and no proposals will be accepted via email.