Active SLED Opportunity · CALIFORNIA · COUNTY OF SAN MATEO
AI Summary
San Mateo County BHRS requests proposals for Sobering Center Services to provide a 14-bed, 24/7 trauma-informed facility for adults with acute intoxication. The program includes medical and behavioral health screening, harm reduction, case management, and linkage to treatment and support services. Proposers must meet qualifications, submit detailed technical and budget proposals, and comply with evaluation criteria.
San Mateo County Health, Behavioral Health and Recovery Services (BHRS) is seeking proposals from qualified firms (hereinafter referred to as “Proposers”) to provide Sobering Center Services. Proposers must meet the minimum qualifications and requirements as set forth within this Request for Proposal (RFP) and be capable of providing the services identified in the Scope of Work herein. SMC/BHRS expects the successful Proposer(s) to provide the services in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in the Sample Contract.
BHRS provides a continuum of services for children, youth, families, adults and older adults for the prevention, early intervention and treatment of serious mental illness and/or substance use conditions. We are committed to supporting treatment of the whole person to achieve wellness and recovery, and promoting the physical and behavioral health of individuals, families, and communities we serve.
San Mateo County launched its Sobering Center Services in 1992 with StarVista through StarVista’s First Chance Sobering Station program. The 24/7 program provided sobering center services as an alternative to jail or emergency services for individuals transferring from the emergency department, voluntary admissions, and those arrested for driving under the influence (DUI), public intoxication, or drug-related intoxication and offered - substance use assessment, - case management services. StarVista’s Sobering Station also offered linkage to appropriate support and ancillary services including housing shelter services, Alcohol Anonymous (AA), Narcotics Anonymous (NA), Alanon, family counseling, residential and outpatient treatment and mental health counseling.
Since the unexpected closure of StarVista on May 21, 2025, San Mateo County’s sobering center program has been shut down. Because of this, San Mateo County needs to provide a sober center program that is designed and staffed to provide a safe, voluntary, low-barrier, trauma-informed, harm-reduction-oriented, less-than-24-hour setting where adults experiencing acute alcohol and/or drug intoxication can recover safely, be monitored for emergent medical or behavioral health needs, and be connected to substance use, mental health, medical, housing, and other stabilizing services.
If the Evaluation Panel conducts interviews, then the selected highest-ranked Proposer(s) will be invited to participate in the interview process. Proposer will provide an interview/presentation on their proposal. Proposers must be prepared to discuss all aspects of their proposal in detail, including answering technical questions. Proposer is not allowed to alter or amend their proposal during the interview/presentation process. Proposer agrees that the submission of a proposal is permission by Proposer for County to verify all information contained therein. If County believes it necessary, additional information may be requested from Proposer. Failure to comply with any such request may disqualify a Proposer from further consideration.
If interviews are conducted, the Evaluation Panel will score interviews based on the evaluation criteria No. 5 to finalize the scores. However, County reserves the right to waive the interview process and evaluate the Proposals based on the evaluation criteria No. 1 through No. 4.
Where price is not the sole evaluation factor for a solicitation (e.g., in the case of a "best-value" solicitation), five percent (5%) of the total evaluation points otherwise awardable will be added to the proposal score for each Local Business or Local Non-Profit score for evaluation purposes. In the event of a tie between a Local Business or Local Non-Profit and another bidder, the Local Business or Non-Profit shall be awarded the Contract, assuming agreement on other contract terms.
An additional three percent (3%) preference shall be given to a Local Business or Local Non-profit (for a total of eight percent (8%) of total points otherwise awardable) if the proposer is a Small Business or Small Non-Profit, or an additional 5 percent preference (for a total of ten percent (10%) of total points otherwise awardable) if the proposer is a Micro Business or Micro Non-Profit.
As Defined by Chapter 2.89.020 of the San Mateo County Ordinance Code, a “Local Business” means any for-profit business which has its principal place of business, or is headquartered, in San Mateo County. If this designation applies to the proposer, a self-attestation form must be completed and provided with this response.
Please download the below documents, complete, and upload. If this designation is not applicable, please leave blank.
A Non-Profit is defined as a tax-exempt public charity organization (within the meaning of section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code) that is formed for purposes other than making a profit, is exempt from paying federal income taxes on the income generated for their exempt purposes.
As Defined by Chapter 2.89.020 of the San Mateo County Ordinance Code, a “Local Non-Profit" means a tax-exempt public charity organization (within the meaning of section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code) that is formed for purposes other than making a profit, is exempt from paying federal income taxes on the income generated for their exempt purposes, and has its principal place of business, or is headquartered, in San Mateo County. If this designation applies to the proposer, a self-attestation form must be completed and provided with this response.
Please download the below documents, complete, and upload. If this designation is not applicable, please leave blank.
As Defined by Chapter 2.89.020 of the San Mateo County Ordinance Code:
“Small Business” means any business which holds a Small Business Certification awarded by the California Office of Small Business and Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise Services (OSDS).
“Micro Business” means any Small Business certified by the OSDS which is automatically designated by the OSDS as a Micro Business due to gross annual receipts falling below the OSDS-designated dollar amount.
If the above designations apply, please provide the OSDS provided Certification ID.
If this designation is not applicable, please leave blank.
As Defined by Chapter 2.89.020 of the San Mateo County Ordinance Code:
“Small Non-Profit" means a Local Non-Profit with an annual revenue of $1,000,000 to $2,500,000 according to its most recently filed IRS Form 990.
“Micro Non-Profit" means a Local Non-Profit with an annual revenue of less than $1,000,000, according to its most recently filed IRS Form 990.
If the above designations apply, please provide your latest filed IRS form 990. A filing from the last two calendar years is acceptable.
If this designation is not applicable, please leave blank.
Submit a letter of introduction and executive summary of the proposal. The letter must contain:
Submission of the letter will constitute a representation by proposer that it is willing and able to perform the commitments contained in the proposal and has not violated the terms of this RFP.
Include the following:
Describe how the proposer meets the minimum qualifications as set forth in Minimum Qualifications of this RFP.
Submission of the Minimum Qualifications checklist is not a substitute for providing a detailed written response.
Provide an overview of the firm and a brief description of the firm's history, including the following:
Proposer must demonstrate successful prior performance of comparable services stated in this RFP, preferably public sector, and provide a minimum three (3) references for which these types of services have been performed within the past five (5) years.
Proposer to provide reference letters with the following information for reference:
• Company/Cities/Counties Name
• Company/Cities/Counties/Area Where Services are Provided
• Contact Name, Email, Telephone number
• Contract Start and End Date
• Contract Amount
• Brief Description of Services
Table of contents from the organization’s policies and procedures manual covering daily operations and emergency procedures (medical, fire, etc.) listed below. If a policies and procedures manual does not exist, provide a plan and time frame for development.
Recent financial statement prepared by an independent Certified Public Accounting (CPA) firm.
If available, any audits, reviews, or inspection reports completed by a CPA firm, regulatory agency (e.g., Occupational Safety and Health Administration), or other government agency within the last 12 months.
Provide a detailed response regarding the proposed staffing pattern, including any potential challenges and how those challenges will be addressed, for the following:
Provide a detailed response regarding the staffing plan by using the template below. Upload the proposed staffing plan.
Position | Credential/license | FTE | Shift coverage | Launch phase | Full implementation | Primary functions |
Program Director |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Medical Director/Clinical Consultant |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Registered Nurse |
|
|
|
|
|
|
EMT/Health Technician/MA |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Peer/Recovery Specialist |
|
|
|
|
|
|
SUD Counselor/Case Manager |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Safety/De-escalation Staff |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Administrative/Data Staff |
|
|
|
|
|
|
[List additional positions, as needed] |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Provide a detailed response regarding your approach to performing the services detailed in the scope of services and the following questions below, including any potential challenges and how those challenges will be addressed.
Provide a detailed response regarding your approach to meeting the performance objectives and performance measures stated in the RFP, including strategies and activities, and include any potential challenges and how those challenges will be addressed in order to achieve the required objectives and measures.
A. Fee/Budget Proposal - General Overview
The Fee/Budget Proposal should be submitted as a separate MS Excel file from the Technical Proposals detailed in Required Documents.
The County reserves the right to accept other than the lowest priced offer and to reject any proposals that are not responsive to this request.
Proposers must complete the Budget Forms and provide narratives that fully explain and justify all budget items being proposed. The budget is to be completed for a 3-year period and shall be subject to negotiation prior to finalization of a contract.
County anticipates reimbursing the selected Proposer monthly for actual costs of providing the services Fee for Service (FFS), unless otherwise stated, up to the contract not to exceed amount, provided that the costs are allowable in accordance with county, state, and federal regulations.
Applicants may propose one or more payment options, including cost reimbursement, fixed monthly operating payments, start-up payments tied to milestones, per diem/per bed-day, per encounter, performance-based components, or blended arrangements. Any payment structure must include safeguards against duplicate billing and must identify how third-party revenue will offset or complement County payments.
Proposers must submit a detailed funding overview. The County anticipates that the Sobering Center will require braided funding. County BHRS funding may support a portion of start-up and operations. The Contractor shall be responsible for independently pursuing additional funds, including direct contracts or agreements with local law enforcement jurisdictions and MCP(s), and may pursue grants, hospital/community benefit support, philanthropy, opioid settlement-related funds where approved, or other allowable sources.
However, the County reserves the right to negotiate the final payment structure. Any payment structure must include safeguards against duplicate billing and must identify how third-party revenue will offset or complement County payments.
B. Fee/Budget Proposal
Proposers must submit a complete budget and budget narrative using the attached template, Budget Worksheet (Refer to Exhibit & Attachments). Proposer must upload a spreadsheet version with the minimum categories in the attached budget worksheet (template) and the minimum categories listed below. Budgets must include start-up costs, annual operating costs, revenue assumptions, unit costs, and per-bed-day costs for the full 14-bed facility. Applicants must distinguish costs requested from the County from costs expected to be covered by third-party contracts or other revenues.
Budget category | Start-up cost | Annual operating cost | Requested County funds | Other revenue/funding source | Notes/assumptions |
Personnel and benefits | $ | $ | $ | $ |
|
Relief/overtime/temporary staffing | $ | $ | $ | $ |
|
Medical director/clinical consultation | $ | $ | $ | $ |
|
Training and workforce development | $ | $ | $ | $ |
|
Facility improvements/readiness | $ | $ | $ | $ |
|
Furniture, fixtures, and equipment | $ | $ | $ | $ |
|
Technology, phones, EHR/data systems | $ | $ | $ | $ |
|
Food, hydration, hygiene, clothing, linens | $ | $ | $ | $ |
|
Laundry, janitorial, maintenance, pest control | $ | $ | $ | $ |
|
Insurance, licenses, accreditation, permits | $ | $ | $ | $ |
|
Transportation/client supports | $ | $ | $ | $ |
|
Security/safety systems | $ | $ | $ | $ |
|
Administrative/indirect | $ | $ | $ | $ |
|
Total | $ | $ | $ | $ |
|
Update below if needed.
Is there an extension to this agreement?
Modify the extension information below, if needed
How many references are required by the vendor? (Number)
In rare circumstances where there is an expectation that proposers will need to submit trade secrets or other confidential information in order to respond to an RFP.
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.
SamSearch Platform
AI-powered intelligence for the right opportunities, the right leads, and the right time.