SLED Opportunity · SOUTH CAROLINA · RICHLAND COUNTY
AI Summary
Richland County requests proposals for medical and mental healthcare services for detainees at the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center.
Richland County (County) is seeking electronic proposals from qualified vendors to provide medical and mental healthcare to detainees at the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center.
Richland County is located in the center of South Carolina and covers a total area of 756 square miles. The County surrounds the state capital city of Columbia, which is also the County seat. Established in 1785, the County has grown to become home to just over 400,000 residents, and represents a thriving business, industrial, governmental, and educational center. The County employs approximately 1765 people and operates a general fund budget in excess of $100 million dollars.
The County is governed by an 11-member council, which in turn appoints an Administrator to handle daily operations and to provide professional expertise in government management. Under state law, the County is the primary governmental unit for the administration of law enforcement, justice, health, education, taxation, social service, library service, agricultural service, and the maintenance of public records.
Please use the See What Changed link to view all the changes made by this addendum.
The Due Date for responses has been extended. Please use the See What Changed link to view all the changes made by this addendum.
"Appendix A Stats" has been revised and the new file has been added in the Attachments section. Questions and answers are also posted. Please use the See What Changed link to view all the changes made by this addendum.
Evaluation of the Offeror’s proposed clinical approach to delivering healthcare services within the detention center.
Evaluation of the Offeror’s experience providing healthcare services in correctional or institutional environments.
Evaluation of the proposed staffing model and qualifications of key personnel.
Evaluation of the overall cost to the County.
Contractor shall provide a minimum of three (3) client references for whom the Contractor has provided services of a similar size, scope, and complexity within the past five (5) years. References should include organizations comparable in nature to the County whenever possible.
All contact information must be current and accurate. The County reserves the right to contact any reference provided and to make inquiries regarding the Contractor’s performance, quality of services, timeliness, responsiveness, and overall satisfaction with the services provided.
References must confirm that the Contractor performed the services in a satisfactory manner. If references cannot be contacted using the information provided, or if the feedback received indicates unsatisfactory performance, the County may deem the Contractor non-responsive or may reduce the Contractor’s evaluation score, as applicable under this solicitation.
The County reserves the right to contact additional references not listed by the Contractor, including other public agencies or entities with which the Contractor has conducted business.
Evaluation of the Offeror’s ability to implement services.
By clicking "Please confirm" below, the VENDOR hereby attests that every provision of this Statement of Assurance, Compliance and Non-collusion has been read and understood.
The VENDOR hereby provides assurance that it’s represented in this Agreement that it:
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In accordance with Section 44-107-30, South Carolina Code of Laws (1976), as amended, and as a condition precedent to the award of the above-referenced contract, the vendor (hereinafter contractor) certifies on behalf of the contractor that the contractor will provide a drug-free workplace by:
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Can you certify that you comply with the County's Prompt Payment requirements?
Do you certify that you will comply with the applicable requirements of Title 8, Chapter to establish either: (a) that Title 8, Chapter 14 is inapplicable to you and your subcontractors or sub-subcontractors; or (b) that you and your subcontractors or sub-subcontractors are in compliance with Title fraudulent document, statement, or report pursuant to this chapter is guilty of a felony, and, upon conviction, must be fined within the discretion of the court or imprisoned for not more than five years, or (a) comply with the applicable requirements of Title 8, Chapter 14, and (b) include in their contracts with the sub-subcontractors language requiring the sub-subcontractors to comply with the applicable requirements of Title 8, Chapter 14. [07-7B097- 1].
Offeror herby certifies and agrees that the following information is correct: In preparing its response on this project, the Offeror has considered all proposals submitted from qualified, potential Subcontractors and suppliers, and has not engaged in “discrimination” as defined in the County’s Commercial Nondiscrimination Ordinance, Section 2-647: to wit: discrimination in the solicitation, selection or commercial treatment of any Subcontractor, vendor, supplier, commercial customer on the basis of race, color, religion, ancestry or national origin, sex, age marital status, sexual orientation or on the basis of disability or other unlawful forms of discrimination. With limiting the foregoing, “discrimination” also includes retaliating against any person or to her entity for reporting any incident of “discrimination.” With limiting any provisions of the solicitation for response for this project, it is understood and agreed that, if this certification is false, such false certification will constitute ground for the County to reject the response submitted by the Offeror on this project, and termination of any Contract awarded based on the response. As part of the its response, the Offeror shall provide to the County a list of all instances within the immediate past 4 years where there has been a final adjudication determination in a legal or administrative proceeding in the State of South Carolina that the Offeror discriminated against its Subcontractors, vendors, supplier or commercial customers, and a description of the status or resolution of that complaint, including any remedial action taken. As a condition of submitting a response to the County, the Offeror agrees to comply with the County’s Commercial Nondiscrimination Policy as described under its Commercial Nondiscrimination Ordinance, Section 2-647, and further agrees to cooperate fully with the County in its inquiries relating to compliance with this policy.
The undersigned, having fully familiarized with the information contained within this entire solicitation and applicable amendments, submits the attached proposal and other applicable information to the County, which I verify to be true and correct to the best of my knowledge.
I certify that this proposal is made without prior understanding, agreement, or connection with any corporation, firm or person submitting a bid for the same materials, supplies or equipment, or services, and is in all respects, fair and without collusion or fraud. I agree to abide by all conditions of this solicitation and certify that I am authorized to sign this proposal.
By clicking "Please confirm" below, I certify, under penalties of perjury, that the below company complies with section 12-54-1020(B) of the SC Code of Laws 1976, as amended, relating to payment of any applicable taxes. I further certify that this proposal is good for a period of one hundred and twenty (120) days, unless stated otherwise on the proposal form.
Offeror certifies, by clicking "Please confirm" below, that neither it nor its principals, nor its prospective subcontractors are presently debarred, suspended, or proposed for debarment by Richland County or any state or federal department or agency.
Upload a Certificate of Insurance indicating the minimum coverages listed in this solicitation.
Upload a copy of your proposal here.
Do not include any pricing information in your proposal.
Upload your Price Proposal here.
Q (Cooperative Procurement): Cooperative procurement contracts (COOPS) create value and enhance cost containment for jails by providing access to an already competitively solicited pharmacy agreement that is accessible to Richland County . • Is the Richland County familiar with, and open to considering cooperative procurement contracts (which have already been competitively solicited and are compliant procurement mechanisms available to ASGDC) to acquire cost-effective independent correctional pharmacy services? • If not, what concern or reservation does Richland County have in utilizing cooperative procurement contracts (membership is completely free) to access these independent pharmacy contracts outside the scope of the current RFP for Health and Mental Health services?
A: The County is familiar with COOPS and utilizes them.
Q (Independent Pharmacy Benefits if Cooperative Procurement is not an Option for Richland County. ): Independently contracting your pharmacy services has potential benefits over incorporating pharmacy into a comprehensive health services model. As an individual discipline, a pharmacy will provide a checks and balance system that will independently monitor for and directly report to ASGDC, any irregular prescriber ordering habits, excessive medication utilization, cost effectiveness of medication selection, and compliance with local, state, and federal laws, rules and regulations. Additionally, selecting a pharmacy independently or via a cooperative contract allows ASGDC to be the decision maker regarding who you wish to work with; and not, being subject to chance regarding a potentially unqualified pharmacy provider being proposed as a subcontractor to a medical group. • Would Richland County permit an informational response to your RFP along with a cost plus dispensing fee-pricing model from industry-leading vendors that specialize in correctional-based medication dispensing and pharmacy program management? • If so, would you consider adding simple RFP addendum language for medical bidders to provide a comprehensive pricing model that includes pharmaceuticals and a pricing option excluding pharmaceuticals so that their proposed pharmacy costs are clearly benchmarked and documented? • If not, what concerns or reservations does Richland County have regarding pharmacy services contracted independently?
A: Yes, the County will permit an informational response to the RFP for pharmacy services. The RFP has been amended.
Q (No subject): The General Liability insurance requirements section requests $10 million in general liability coverage. This is more than three times higher than most contracts require. Considering the very low incidence of general liability claims in Jail medical contracts such as this, would the county be amenable to modifying this coverage requirement to the industry-typical $3,000,000 aggregate?
A: The County may consider negotiations to the required coverage limits; however, all proposed coverage must remain adequate to protect the County’s interests. Sexual abuse and molestation coverage, customarily included in Commercial General Liability, must be adequate and acceptable to the County.
Q (No subject): The county is requesting $1 million per claim in aggregate for automobile coverage. It is not clear how automobile usage (and therefore coverage) factors into the performance of this contract. Is this something that could be waived or removed from the insurance requirements?
A: If the vendor will not have owned vehicles driven onto the County’s premises, we can remove this requirement. However, we would require non-owned automobile coverage if their employees will be driving their personal vehicles on County premises. This coverage is typically inexpensive for businesses to add to their insurance program.
Q (No subject): Section III(R) states: “Detention Officers assigned to the Infirmary shall receive appropriate training from Contractor.” However D(VII) states “Richland County does not have an infirmary.” Please confirm if facility has an infirmary?
A: According to NCCHC in SC, an infirmary within a jail is defined as a specialized unit designed to provide skilled nursing care, observation, and inpatient medical treatment for inmates, differing from outpatient care by offering 24 hour monitoring for those with illnesses or injuries that do not require acute hospital care. Richland County does not have an infirmary.
Q (No subject): The RFP specifications require SAS 70 certified data centers, but SAS 70 was retired in 2011 and replaced by SOC 2. Is SOC 2 Type II compliance acceptable in lieu of SAS 70?
A: Yes.
Q (No subject): Is the county open to migrating EHR vendors, provided the vendor pays for the migration?
A: Yes.
Q (General): Will the County allow electronic signatures for proposal documents and forms?
A: Yes.
Q (General): Does the County currently provide tablets or kiosks at the facility for inmate use?
A: Yes.
Q (General): Is the County interested in implementing a Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) program to include induction and counseling services?
A: The Offeror may include such programs in its proposal as optional offerings for the County’s consideration and evaluation.
Q (General): Please provide the number of AED located throughout the facility as well as who is responsible for checking the equipment, frequency of checks, as well as who is financially responsible for the disposable supplies associated with equipment upkeep (pads/batteries)?
A: Five throughout the facility checked monthly, one in medical checked daily by medical provider.
Q (General): Is the vendor responsible for providing interpreter services for non-English speaking inmates?
A: No.
Q (General): Are there any special requirements for contract medical staff entering the facility such as clear bags, no cell phones, required searches, or any similar security measures?
A: Yes, According to Entrance and Exit Executive Directive All employees, visitors, volunteers, or vendors will be subject to search at any time while on Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center property. Searches will be conducted in a professional, courteous manner. Refusal to submit to a search will constitute a reason to deny admission to Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center property or removal from ASGDC property and will result in swift corrective action for employees, suspension of visitation privileges for visitors, or termination of volunteer access for volunteers. All authorized items must fit in a clear, non-color-tinted tote, lunch bag, or small backpack no larger than 13x13x9. Only Medical Staff Managers are authorized exception to the no cellular device rule. Staff must keep their cellular device in their office area, must be responsible for their device at all times, must not utilize their device in any area where detainees are present.
Q (General): Are staggered fifteen-minute watches documented electronically or via paper logs?
A: Paper logs.
Q (General): Who is responsible for the maintenance, inspection, and licensing of the dental x-ray equipment?
A: See Scope of Work VI. D. A. ix.
Q (General): Who is financially responsible for destruction/shredding of privileged health information?
A: The County will pay for costs associated with shredding of privileged health information.
Q (Pricing): Please clarify the ADP that should be used in pricing / staffing.
A: See revised Appendix A.
Q (Pricing): Please provide a breakdown of the current facility population for the following a. Male b. Female c. Pre-sentenced detainees d. Sentenced individuals e. ICE f. US Marshalls g. State Inmates
A: All available information is contained in revised Appendix A.
Q (Pricing): In order for our team to develop the most accurate, comprehensive, and competitively priced proposal that fully aligns with the County’s operational needs, compliance requirements, and service objectives, would the County please provide the DOLLARS spent on offsite services for by year for the last three years by the categories below, at your facility: • Hospitalization • Emergency room visits • Specialty visits • Outpatient surgeries • Diagnostics
A: All available information is contained in revised Appendix A.
Q (Pricing): In order for our team to develop the most accurate, comprehensive, and competitively priced proposal that fully aligns with the County’s operational needs, compliance requirements, and service objectives, would the County please provide the offsite EVENTS for by year for the last three years by the categories below, at your facility: • Hospital days • Hospital admissions • Emergency room visits • Specialty visits • Outpatient surgeries • Diagnostics
A: All available information is contained in revised Appendix A.
Q (Pricing): Please provide the following by year for the last three contract years for your facility: a. Average monthly number of patients on HIV medications b. Average monthly number of patients on psychotropic medications c. Average monthly number of patients on hepatitis medications d. Average monthly number of patients on blood products relating to hemophilia e. HIV medications dollars f. Psychotropic medications dollars g. Hepatitis C medications dollars h. Blood products relating to hemophilia dollars
A: All available information is contained in revised Appendix A.
Q (Pricing): Please provide the TOTAL dollars spent on pharmacy at your facility by year for the last three years.
A: All available information is contained in revised Appendix A.
Q (Pricing): Would the County please clarify if the offeror is required to recognize the findings of the South Carolina Supreme Court in the case of Myrtle Beach Hospital, Inc. d/b/a Grand Regional Medical Center v. City of Myrtle Beach, 532 S.E.2d 868 (2000) and its Myrtle Beach decision? In this decision the Court ruled that the City of Myrtle Beach was not responsible for payment of pre-sentenced inmate medical bills because there was no implied contract or obligation to pay simply because of the City’s duty to provide pre-sentenced inmates with “access” to needed medical services. Please clarify whether offerors should include costs for offsite care inmates? And, are all offsite care costs for inpatient and outpatient the responsibility of others?
A: The Offeror must comply with all applicable laws and legal requirements in the performance of the contract. All costs should be captured and included in the RFP response.
Q (Pharmaceutical): How many prescriptions per month on average are ordered for the inmates at the facility?
A: All available information is contained in revised Appendix A.
Q (Pharmaceutical): What percentage of your medications ordered each month is stock vs. patient specific prescriptions?
A: Approximately 10% stock, the balance is patient specific.
Q (Pharmaceutical): Please provide three (3) years of drug utilization at the facility preferably in an electronic format.
A: The available spending information for pharmaceuticals is in Appendix A- Stats revised. This is the only information available.
Q (Pharmaceutical): How are current medication orders being transcribed to pharmacy?
A: By fax.
Q (Pharmaceutical): Please clarify how are medications delivered and dispensed: patient-specific or stock/pill line?
A: Patient specific.
Q (Pharmaceutical): Please provide the number of prescriptions per inmate at the facility.
A: All available information is contained in revised Appendix A.
Q (Pharmaceutical): Does your current pharmacy provider offer monthly/quarterly pharmacy consultation/inspection? If so, please describe?
A: Monthly pharmacy consultation.
Q (Pharmaceutical): Does your facility have a DEA License? If so, whose name is under licensure?
A: No, the faciliy does not have one.
Q (Pharmaceutical): Where are inmate’s personal medications kept upon booking?
A: Detainees who arrive with any type of medication shall relinquish it to the booking officer upon arrival. The booking officer shall immediately contact a member of the medical staff for medical evaluation and submission of all medications to the on-duty supervisor of the medical department to be properly stored in the medical department until returned upon the detainee’s release.
Q (Mental Health): How many completed suicides took place at your facility in the past 2 years?
A: 1
Q (Mental Health): How many persons on average per month have been placed on suicide precaution over the past year?
A: 16
Q (Mental Health): How many persons are currently receiving psychotropic medications per month?
A: All available information is contained in revised Appendix A.
Q (Mental Health): How many persons are currently receiving anti-psychotic medications per month?
A: All available information is contained in revised Appendix A.
Q (Mental Health): How many persons are currently receiving mood-stabilizing medications (Lithium, Depakote, Lamictal etc.) per month?
A: All available information is contained in revised Appendix A.
Q (Mental Health): How many group therapy sessions are provided per week by the current vendor?
A: None.
Q (Mental Health): How many patients were sent to the state mental hospital from your facility in the past year?
A: 38
Q (Mental Health): Is it the responsibility of the officers to provide direct observation and/or 15-minute checks and logs on all patients placed in suicide watch?
A: Yes.
Q (Discharge Planning): How are medications currently made available to inmates upon release from the correctional facility?
A: Released with 10 day supply.
Q (Discharge Planning): Does the County's standard operating policies provide that inmates who are receiving mental health or medical services encounter medical or mental health staff as they are released from the facility? Please describe the process.
A: MH has discharge planner, for medical chronic care pts appointments are arranged.
Q (Discharge Planning): How many planned or predicted releases on average occur each day?
A: none.
Q (Discharge Planning): Please provide a description including average daily enrollment of your inmate substance abuse education, cognitive behavioral classes, and other inmate programs.
A: Courage Center’s Trauma class enrollment is approximately 10 detainees per 6 weeks- This program offers an evidence-based curriculum for adults designed to strengthen personal self-management skills, general social skills, and drug resistance skills. Individuals can learn to examine their self-image and its impact on behavior, set goals, and track their progress. It also identifies everyday decisions and how they may be influenced by others, analyzes problematic situations, and considers the consequences of each solution before making decisions. IRIZE- class enrollment approximately 10 detainees per 4 weeks-This program is a comprehensive, proactive, emotionally intelligent approach to creating a drug-free environment. The program is designed not only to address the immediate challenges of drug use and addictive behaviors but also to build a foundation for a healthier, drug-free future for individuals. Other programs include Bible study and Jehovah Witness Bible Study for English speaking and Spanish speaking detainees. Pre-GED (Based upon test scores to get into the fast track GED) and GED (12 weeks) classes approximate enrollment 10-12 detainees. New Beginnings is a men’s fellowship taught by Outreach Ministry teaching from the book “The Purpose Driven Life”. Path2Redemption and Path2Redemption- Becoming HER, Literacy for Life, and Therapeutic Art.
Q (Electronic Medical Records (EMR)): Please provide the name of the current EMR/EHR system.
A: DETAIN
Q (Electronic Medical Records (EMR)): Is the current records system a combination of electronic and paper records? If so: • What records are electronic? • What records are paper?
A: All records are electronic except prescriptions.
Q (Electronic Medical Records (EMR)): Will the existing facility network be available for EMR connectivity?
A: Yes.
Q (Electronic Medical Records (EMR)): What interfaces are currently in place, if any: • JMS, • Lab, • Pharmacy, or • Other.
A: JMS.
Q (Electronic Medical Records (EMR)): Can the EMR be installed on existing jail hardware?
A: No.
Q (Electronic Medical Records (EMR)): Is the County currently exploring to replace the current JMS?
A: Yes,
Q (Electronic Medical Records (EMR)): Should servers be proposed as a stand-alone system?
A: No.
Q (Electronic Medical Records (EMR)): Does the existing jail data center/computer room have space available for any or all of the above?
A: No.
Q (Electronic Medical Records (EMR)): Do you use any tools or guides to ensure the staffing is sufficient? If yes, what current tools are in use? Is the County open to vendor-developed tools to help manage staffing levels?
A: A staffing analysis developed through the use of the National Institute of Corrections workbook.
Q (Electronic Medical Records (EMR)): Will the County allow for secure off-site cloud-based backup?
A: Yes.
Q (Electronic Medical Records (EMR)): What mobile devices and peripherals are currently in use at the facility?
A: Laptops on roll carts are used in the housing units.
Q (Risk Management): How many medical malpractice and/or civil rights lawsuits have been filed against the jail's healthcare provider related to the services rendered at the facility in the past five (5) years?
A: If not named in the suit, the County would not be privy to this information.
Q (Risk Management): Please provide the current status of the DOJ Consent Decree.
A: There are no DOJ Consent Decrees for the detention center.
Q (Scope of Services Section 1): Please identify the specific materials the County requires the Vendor to furnish.
A: The County does not prescribe specific materials for use under this solicitation, as Offerors are expected to determine and propose the materials necessary to effectively perform the required services in accordance with the scope of work and applicable industry standards.
Q (Scope of Services Section 1): For each required material the County requires the Vendor to furnish, please provide the County’s current estimated annual usage or purchase volume.
A: The County does not maintain or provide historical data regarding the volume of materials used. Offerors should rely on their professional expertise and experience to estimate material types and quantities necessary to meet the requirements of this solicitation.
Q (Scope of Services Section 1): Please specify the types of equipment the County expects the Vendor to supply in support of Medical Health and Mental Health Services.
A: The County does not prescribe specific equipment for use under this solicitation, as Offerors are expected to determine and propose the equipment necessary to effectively perform the required services in accordance with the scope of work and applicable industry standards.
Q (Scope of Services Section 1): Given the materials under Scope of Services section 1 may involve unknown utilization levels and third‑party providers, how does the County expect proposers to structure a all-inclusive pricing matrix that accounts for variable and potentially unlimited materials and equipment?
A: Offerors should rely on their professional expertise and experience to estimate the costs necessary to meet the requirements of this solicitation. Offerors may incorporate reasonable aumptions in developing their pricing proposals, however, any such assumptions should be clearly identified in the cost proposal.
Q (Scope of Services Section 1): Does the County prefer pricing to be submitted on a detailed line-item basis (like the amended pharmaceutical procurement), or should proposers include these costs as part of an annual allowance or inclusive service fee?
A: The all-inclusive pricing model is intended to ensure consistency in evaluation across Offerors. Offerors may incorporate various pricing structures, provided that such are clearly identified and transparently presented. Any assumptions used in developing pricing should also be clearly stated. The County will evaluate submissions based on the completeness, transparency, and reasonableness of the proposed pricing.
Q (Scope of Services Section 1): To determine the all-inclusive costs, can the County provide 5 year historical utilization and cost data for hospitalization, medical specialty services, emergency medical care, and emergency ambulance services for the last 5 years?
A: The all-inclusive pricing model is intended to ensure consistency in evaluation across Offerors. Offerors may incorporate various pricing structures, provided that such are clearly identified and transparently presented. Any assumptions used in developing pricing should also be clearly stated. The County will evaluate submissions based on the completeness, transparency, and reasonableness of the proposed pricing.
Q (Section 1-A Services): Are there any minimum, maximum, or not‑to‑exceed dollar thresholds the County expects proposers to use when developing pricing?
A: Offerors may incorporate various pricing elements within their pricing structure, provided that such elements are clearly identified and transparently presented. Any assumptions used in developing pricing should also be clearly stated.
Q (Section 1-A Services): Does the County prefer services to be priced using a detailed line‑item methodology (like the amended pharmaceutical procurement), or should proposers include these costs within an annual allowance, capitation, or all‑inclusive service rate?
A: The all-inclusive pricing model is intended to ensure consistency in evaluation across Offerors. Offerors may incorporate various pricing structures, provided that such are clearly identified and transparently presented. Any assumptions used in developing pricing should also be clearly stated. The County will evaluate submissions based on the completeness, transparency, and reasonableness of the proposed pricing.
Q (Section 1-A Services): Given services may involve unknown utilization levels and third‑party providers, how does the County expect proposers to structure a all-inclusive pricing matrix that accounts for variable and potentially unlimited medically necessary services?
A: Offerors should rely on their professional expertise to determine and propose the pricing structure necessary to effectively perform the required services in accordance with the scope of work and applicable industry standards.
Q (Section 1. Specialty Services): Can the County provide 5 year historical utilization and cost data for specialty clinic visits, including associated laboratory tests, supplies, and diagnostic imaging services?
A: The most recent fiscal year cost data has been provided in Appendix A Stats- revised. This is the only information available at this time.
Q (Section 1. Specialty Services): Are there any minimum, maximum, or not to exceed dollar thresholds that the County expects proposers to consider when developing pricing?
A: Offerors may incorporate various pricing elements within their pricing structure, provided that such elements are clearly identified and transparently presented. Any assumptions used in developing pricing should also be clearly stated.
Q (Section 1. Specialty Services): Given the potentially variable and unknown volume of Specialty Medical Services provided by third party vendors, how does the County expect proposers to structure a all-inclusive pricing matrix that appropriately accounts for these services?
A: Offerors should rely on their professional expertise to determine and propose the pricing structure necessary to effectively perform the required services in accordance with the scope of work and applicable industry standards.
Q (Section K. Ancillary Services): The County currently provides hazardous and contaminated medical waste removal and disposal services. Does the County intend to continue providing these services under the new contract, or will full responsibility transfer to the Vendor?
A: The desire is for the awarded vendor to provide these services under the new contract.
Q (Section 1. Specialty Services): Does the County require the Vendor to submit a list of excluded Specialty Services similar to the exclusions identified under Section K, Ancillary Services?
A: Offerors may identify any exclusions to their proposed pricing; however, such exclusions must be clearly and affirmatively stated, specific in nature, and presented in a manner that maintains full transparency. Exclusions should not be used to omit costs that are reasonably necessary to perform the scope of work. The County expects that the proposed pricing reflects a comprehensive approach to delivering the required services. Any exclusions identified will be carefully reviewed to ensure they do not materially impact the completeness or comparability of proposals.
Q (Section K. Ancillary Services): Can the County provide 5 year historical cost data for hazardous materials and medical waste removal and disposal services to assist proposers in developing accurate pricing?
A: In FY25 the County spent approximately $12,000. In FY26, the projected spending is $15,000. This is the only information currently available.
Q (Section K. Ancillary Services): Section K. Ancillary Services and Section IV. Personnel Requirement conflict for waste disposal services, is this to be shared on a 50/50 basis between the Contractor and the County. Please clarify how this cost‑sharing arrangement is to be applied, including which specific services and expenses are subject to the shared cost and how billing and reimbursement will be administered.
A: The desire is for the awarded vendor to provide these services under the new contract.
Q (Section N Pharmaceuticals): Can the County provide 5 year historical pharmaceutical expenditure data, including annual costs and major cost drivers, to assist proposers with pricing development?
A: The pharmaceutical spending is provided in Appendix A Stats- revised. This is the only information available at this time.
Q (Section N Pharmaceuticals): Can the County provide copies or summaries of the two most recent State pharmacy inspection reports applicable to the current program?
A: No.
Q (Section N Pharmaceuticals): Are there any minimum, maximum, or not‑to‑exceed dollar thresholds that the County expects proposers to consider when pricing pharmaceuticals services?
A: Offerors may incorporate various pricing elements within their pricing structure, provided that such elements are clearly identified and transparently presented. Any assumptions used in developing pricing should also be clearly stated.
Q (Section N Pharmaceuticals): Given the potentially unlimited and variable nature of pharmaceutical utilization, how does the County expect the Vendor to structure a pricing matrix for all-inclusive pharmaceuticals that may include unknown future medications?
A: The all-inclusive pricing model is intended to ensure consistency in evaluation across Offerors. Offerors may incorporate various pricing structures, provided that such are clearly identified and transparently presented. Any assumptions used in developing pricing should also be clearly stated. The County will evaluate submissions based on the completeness, transparency, and reasonableness of the proposed pricing.
Q (Section N Pharmaceuticals): Can the County provide the contact information for the current local pharmaceutical provider that supplies medications?
A: Diamond Pharmacy
Q (Section N Pharmaceuticals): Please identify the specific medical supplies the County requires the Vendor to provide.
A: The County does not prescribe specific medical supplies for use under this solicitation, as Offerors are expected to determine and propose the materials necessary to effectively perform the required services in accordance with the scope of work and applicable industry standards.
Q (Section N Pharmaceuticals): For each required medical supply, can the County provide 5 year historical annual purchase quantities or estimated usage volumes?
A: Offerors should rely on their professional expertise and experience to estimate material types and quantities necessary to meet the requirements of this solicitation.
Q (Section N Pharmaceuticals): Does the County prefer pharmaceutical and medical supply pricing to be submitted on a detailed line‑item basis (such as the amended pharmaceutical procurement), or should these costs be incorporated into an annual allowance or all‑inclusive rate?
A: See Addendum 1.
Q (Section IV. Personnel Requirements): Vendor is responsible for the cost of Hep C and blood factor medications for the detainee population. Would these medications be excluded from the pharmaceutical procurement in Section N and priced separately under Section IV?
A: Hep C and blood factor medications should be included in the pharmaceuticals and priced per Addendum 1.
Q (Section IV. Personnel Requirements): Would a line-item proposal for Hep C and blood factor medication like the amended pharmaceutical procurement be an option or an annual allowance?
A: Yes, the Offeror may propose a line-item pricing model for Hepatitis C and blood factor medications, aligned with the amended pharmaceutical procurement approach, for the County’s consideration.
Q (Section VI. D-A Financial Requirements): #1 duplicates the requirements outlined in Section III. Scope of Services, Section 1. Please clarify whether the County intends these requirements to be cumulative or simply restated, and whether any additional scope or pricing expectations apply under this Section.
A: The information is restated.
Q (Section IV. Personnel Requirements): #3 duplicates the requirements outlined in Section 1‑A. Please confirm whether the intent is to restate responsibility for these services or if additional requirements or pricing considerations apply under this section.
A: The information is restated.
Q (Section VI. D-A Financial Requirements): Please clarify the types and quantities of prosthetic devices the County anticipates may be required and any historical cost data available. Additionally, would the County accept pricing for prosthetics as a separate line‑item allowance rather than an all‑inclusive cost?
A: Prosthetic limb extensions are not allowed in the facility.
Q (Section VI. D-A Financial Requirements): Please clarify whether reimbursement for long‑distance telephone charges apply to official business calls (such as communications with pharmacies, hospitals, or medical providers). Additionally, does the County have the capability to require and administer passcodes or access controls for long‑distance calls placed from medical area?
A: The County will pay for telephone service for official business calls.
Q (Section VI. D-A Financial Requirements): #8 duplicates the requirements outlined in Section K, Ancillary Services, for which clarification has already been requested. Please confirm whether these requirements are duplicative or if additional obligations are intended under this Section.
A: The desire is for the awarded vendor to provide hazardous/contaminated/medical waste disposal services under the new contract.
Q (1.2 Timeline): Given the complexity and volume of RFI questions submitted, is the County considering an extension of the bid submission due date?
A: See Addendum #2.
Q (Section IV. Personnel Requirements): Does the County house juvenile detainees, and if so, what is the current average daily population (ADP)?
A: See revised Appedix A.
Q (General): Would the County consider, at a minimum, a one-week extension to the proposal deadline? With questions due on April 3 and proposals currently due on April 13, many vendors may plan to submit proposals by April 10. An extension would provide adequate time to review responses to submitted questions, some of which may impact proposal content, and enable vendors to prepare more thorough and thoughtful submissions.
A: See Addendum #2.
SLED stands for State, Local, and Education. These are solicitations issued by state governments, counties, cities, school districts, utilities, and higher education institutions — as opposed to federal agencies.
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