Telepsychiatry Service Providers

The County of San Benito, hereinafter referred to as "County", invites responses to a Request for Proposals to provide San Benito County through the Behavioral Health Department, is seeking to solicit and award a multi-year contract to the best qualified responsible service provider for Telepsychiatry Services. Telemedicine is the process of providing health care from a distance through technology, often using videoconferencing. Telepsychiatry, a subset of telemedicine, involves providing a range of services including psychiatric evaluations, therapy, patient education, and medication management. Telepsychiatry helps meet patients’ needs for convenient, affordable, and readily accessible mental health services. No facilities will be provided for the Proposer under this proposal. All office space will be the responsibility of the Proposer. In order to better serve its clients, the San Benito County Behavioral Health department desires to contract 2.5 F.T.E. (full time employee) providers for telepsychiatry services to serve the Behavioral Health Department. This Agreement shall be subject to any restrictions, limitations, and/or conditions imposed by County or state or federal funding sources that may in any way affect the fiscal provisions of, or funding for this Agreement. This Agreement is also contingent upon sufficient funds being made available by County, state, or federal funding sources for the term of the Agreement. If the federal or state governments reduce financial participation in the Medi-Cal program, County agrees to meet with Contractor to discuss renegotiating the services required by this Agreement. Funding is provided by fiscal year. For purposes of this Agreement, the fiscal year begins July 1 and ends the following June 30. Any unspent fiscal year appropriation does not roll over and is not available for services provided in subsequent years. The County will select the proposal that presents the best value and is most advantageous to the County and the public. Accordingly, the County may not necessarily award the proposer with the lowest price proposal if doing so would not be in the overall best interest of the County. The County reserves the right to expand or reduce the proposed scope of work during the contract negotiations based on budget constraints and to award to a single or multiple proposers. .

San Benito County has a population of approximate 67,000 residents, inclusive of two incorporated cities, the City of Hollister, and the City of San Juan Bautista.  The County is located 30 minutes of Monterey Bay and 45 minutes south of San Jose, and is a General Law County that operates under a County Board of Supervisors, a County Administrative Officer, and elected and appointed Department Heads.

Background

The proposed period of the contract is 3 years.

Project Details

• Reference ID: BH26-005
• Department: Behavioral Health
• Department Head: Dana Edgull (Behavioral Health Director)

Important Dates

• Questions Due: 2026-04-15T00:00:00.000Z
• Answers Posted By: 2026-04-22T00:00:00.000Z

Evaluation Criteria

• Evaluate Proposal Submission and Financials (1 pts) —

  Phase I is a pass/fail evaluation of submission completeness (“responsiveness”) and the financial viability of the Proposer. Contract Analyst will conduct a pass/fail analysis of (a) each submitted proposal package for completeness and (b) the financial stability of each Proposer based upon the Financial Report submitted.

   Upon completion of its analysis, Contract Analyst will forward the qualified proposals submitted by Proposers who passed Phase I to the Evaluation Committee.

• Experience and Qualifications (40 pts) —
  • Describe experience providing psychiatric/therapy services in public behavioral health settings
  • Describe experience in rural communities (if applicable), and telehealth environments.
  • Identify population and capacity to be served adult vs child/youth capacity.
  • Identify ability to provide bilingual services (English/Spanish).
• Comprehensive Service Model (40 pts) —
  • Describe proposed staffing, availability (days/hours), expected appointment capacity, and clinical coverage approach.
  • Describe proposed onboarding steps and timeline from notice of award to going live, including credentialing, background checks (if required), technology setup, EHR access/training
  • Describe compliance approach, documentation standards, quality assurance, incident reporting, and participation in Count quality improvement processes and audits.
  • Proposer demonstrates ability to serve diverse populations.
• Innovation and Use of Evidence-Based Practices (20 pts) —
  • A documented history implementing evidence-based practices including client engagement, and motivational enhancement, as well as participation in training and technical assistance to further incorporate evidence- based practices.
  • Innovations that reduce barriers and increase effectiveness of treatment.
• Budget Narrative /Financial Review (100 pts) —
  • The financial feasibility and sustainability of the proposed program.
  • Provide cost narrative for 2.5 FTE providers.
  • Proposers must submit a rate schedule that includes fully loaded rates (inclusive of overhead, administration, and any platform costs).
  • Proposals should specify: Hourly and/or per-encounter rates, as applicable; Any minimum hour requirements (if any).
    

  In determining the amount proposed by each proposer, the County shall disregard the mathematical errors in addition, subtraction, multiplication and division that appear obvious on the face of the proposal.

   

Submission Requirements

• Business Name (required) —

  Please enter the name of your business, and DBA (if applicable) 

• Federal Tax ID Number (required) —

  Enter your Federal Tax ID Number

• Cover Letter (required) —

  The proposal must be submitted with a cover letter describing the proposer’s interest and commitment to the proposed project.  The letter must contain:

  • Name, title and contact information (email, phone, and address) for representative of proposer that is responsible for communication related to this RFP.
  • Name, title, contact information, and signature of person authorized to obligate firm to perform the commitment contained in the proposal.

  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.  The person authorized by the proposer to negotiate a contract with the County must sign the cover letter.

• Technical (required) —

  This section shall provide the proposer’s detailed information regarding the firm's technical capabilities.  The response should show:

  Quality, comprehensiveness, and clarity in the submitted response

  Statement of company's understanding of the work to be performed and the company's ability to carry out the specified scope of work.

  Any relevant details regarding Company's proposed project approach, communication plan, methodology and quality assurance/quality control plans.

• Project Approach (required) —

  This section should correlate to the Scope of Work.  Proposer should give a short summary describing how it will perform the relevant work. 

• Firm Qualifications/Team Member Qualifications and Experience*/ (required) —

  Attach information regarding background and qualifications, including the following:

  Firm Experience:

  • A brief description of the proposer.
  • Specify the firm's experience in performing similar work with other public agencies, completing work on schedule and pursuant to budget. 
    • A description of not more than three (3) projects similar in size and scope conducted by the proposer, including the client, reference and telephone numbers, primary staff members involved, budget, schedule, and project summary.  Descriptions should be limited to one (1) page for each project.
    • If subcontractors are anticipated, identify them (if known) and provide information on how they will be used.

  Team Member Experience

  Proposer shall provide the qualifications and experience of the key team member(s) that will work on the project. Emphasize the specific qualifications and experience from projects similar to this project for the key team members. Key team members are expected to be committed for the duration of the project. 

• Agency References (required) —

  Please download the below documents, complete, and upload.

  The Offeror shall provide the (3) references of government agencies and or firms for whom they have provided similar services during the last three (3) years. Please use Provided Attachment, complete, and upload.

• Budget Narrative/ Fee Proposal (required) —

  The Fee Proposal should be submitted as a separate PDF file from any other responses, and shall be uploaded here. 

  The County reserves the right to accept other than the lowest priced offer. 

• Additional/Supplemental Information (Optional) —

  Additional/supplemental information beyond what has been requested may be added here if the Proposer feels that such information may be helpful to the County in its decision making process. 

• County Contract (required) —

  Proposer should review the County of San Benito's Standard Contract and any Special Terms provided. If the Proposer makes qualifications to the standard contract, those qualifications must be identified and uploaded here along with suggested modifications to the contract. [Note: Scope of Work and Budget Detail and Payment Provisions for the contract, will be finalized during the contract negotiation process.] If the proposer makes no qualifications to the Standard Contract or any additional terms provided, including any additional attachments or exhibits, then it shall be deemed that the Proposer accepts all terms without reservation or any qualifications. 

• Review of Contract (required) —

  Review of Contract

  I have reviewed the County of San Benito's Standard Contract and any Special Terms provided.  If I check "Yes" below, I have accepted the contract's standard terms and conditions (to the extent currently drafted) without qualifications. 

  If I check "No", it means I have suggestions or changes to the proposed contract. 

  [Note: Scope of Work and Budget Detail and Payment Provisions for the contract, will be finalized during the contract negotiation process.]

• Suggested changes to contract (required) —

  You have indicated that you have suggested changes to the draft contract.  If so, those qualifications must be identified and listed along with suggested modifications to the contract and uploaded here. 

• Non-Collusion Declaration (Required for all RFP's) (required) —

  Non-Collusion Declaration Pursuant to Public Contract Code Sec. 7106

  The undersigned declares:  I am the authorized representative of the party making the foregoing proposal.

  The proposal is not made in the interest of, or on behalf of, any undisclosed person, partnership, company, association, organization, or corporation. The proposal is genuine and not collusive or sham. The proposer has not directly or indirectly induced or solicited, colluded, conspired, connived or agreed with, any other proposer to put in a false or sham proposal, or or refrain from submitting a proposal. The proposer has not in any manner, directly or indirectly, sought by agreement, communication, or conference with anyone to fix the submittal of the proposer or any other proposer, or to fix any overhead, profit, or cost element of the proposal, or of that of any other proposer.  All statements contained in the proposal are true. The proposer has not, directly or indirectly, submitted his or her proposal or any breakdown thereof, or the contents thereof, or divulged information or data relative thereto, to any corporation, partnership, company association, organization, or any other party or entity to effectuate a collusive or sham proposal, and has not paid, and will not pay, any person or entity for such purpose.

  Any person executing this declaration on behalf of a proposer that is a corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company, limited liability partnership, or any other entity, hereby represents that he or she has full power to execute, and does execute, this declaration on behalf of the bidder.

  I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of California that the foregoing is true and correct.

• Disclosure of Criminal and Civil Proceedings* (required) —

  Describe all ongoing and past civil and criminal proceedings within the last 10 years. Indicate the status of current proceeding and the outcome of closed or completed actions. Also, describe, if any, how the outcome of actions impacted company business operations.

  Note: if no civil and criminal proceedings within the last 10 years, please indicate that there are none.

• Drug-Free Workplace Certification* (required) —
  The contractor or grant recipient named on this proposal hereby certifies compliance with Government Code Section 8355 in matters relating to providing a drug-free workplace. The contractor will:

  1. Publish a statement notifying employees that unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensation, possession, or use of a controlled substance is prohibited and specifying actions to be taken against employees for violations, as required by Government Code Section 8355(a).

  2. Establish a Drug-Free Awareness Program as required by Government Code Section 8355(b), to inform employees about all of the following: 

  1. The dangers of drug abuse in the workplace
  2. The person's or organization's policy of maintaining a drug-free workplace
  3. Any available counseling, rehabilitation and employee assistance programs
  4. Penalties that may be imposed upon employees for drug abuse violations

  3. Provide, as required by Government Code Section 8355(c), that every employee who works on the proposed contract or grant:

  1. Will receive a copy of the company's drug-free policy statement
  2. Will agree to abide by the terms of the company's statement as a condition of employment on the contract or grant

  CERTIFICATION

  I, the official submitting this proposal, hereby swear that I am duly authorized legally to bind the contractor or grant recipient to the above described certification. I am fully aware that this Certification, executed on the date of proposal submittal and in the County below, is made under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of California.

  Please confirm

  *Response required
• San Benito County Reservations* (required) —

  County of San Benito Hereby Reserves the Following Rights:

  The County of San Benito reserves the right to make an award in whole or in part or any varying combination of the following requirements that will be in the best interest of the County, and not necessarily to the lowest Contractor. The intended award of Contract shall be made to the highest rated Proposer based on the evaluation criteria stated within the RFP.

  Right of Rejection

  The County reserves the right to reject any and all proposals, or to cancel this RFP in part or in its entirety.

  The County reserves the right to waive any variances in proposals provided such action is in the best interest of the County.

  The County reserves the right to amend this RFP at any time.  The County also reserves the right to cancel or reissue the RFP at its sole discretion. 

   Any proposal received which does not meet the stated prerequisites of this RFP  may be considered to be non-responsive, and may be rejected. The County may reject any proposal that does not comply with all of the terms, conditions, and performance requirements as stated within the RFP.

  The County reserves the right to cancel any award and re-solicit proposals for services herein specified due to the increased or added costs, if in its opinion increased prices are greater than those of the general market.

  The County reserves the right to cancel any award and re-solicit in the event services cannot commence with ten (10) days after the specified date for start of work, or in compliance with the start date as set forth in the contract as agreed on between the parties.

  The County reserves the right to reject any and all proposals considered not to be in the best interest of the County.

  The County reserves the right to waive any and all minor irregularities in proposals.

  The County reserves the right to reduce or increase any specification, in whole or in part due to changes in budget allocations. 

  I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of California that I have read the above reservations as stated by the County of San Benito. 

• Debarment Certification* (required) —

  By submitting a bid/offer/proposal/quote to the County of San Benito, under penalty of perjury, I, the Proposer, hereby certify that the Prospective Contractor and/or its officers, directors, and employees:

  1. Are not currently excluded, debarred, or otherwise ineligible to participate in a federally funded program
  2. Have not been convicted of a criminal offense related to the provision of federally funded items or services nor has been previously excluded, debarred, or otherwise declared ineligible to participate in any federally funded programs, and
  3. Are not, to the best of its knowledge, under investigation or otherwise aware of any circumstances which may result in contractor being excluded from participation in federally funded programs.

  This representation shall be an ongoing representation during the term of any contract awarded to the Prospective Contractor. If awarded a contract, Prospective Contractor hereby commits to immediately notify the County of any change in the status of the representations set forth in this Form.

  Prospective Contractor authorizes the County to independently verify its suspension and debarment status.

  Prospective Contractors are cautioned that making a false certification may subject the certifier to criminal prosecution or administrative sanctions.

  I certify that I am authorized by the company named above to respond to this request.

• Certification of Compliance* (required) —

  The proposer does hereby make certification and assurance of the Proposer’s compliance with:

  The laws of the County of San Benito:

  https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/sanbenitocounty/latest/overview

  Title VI of the federal Civil Rights Act of 1964:
  https://www.justice.gov/crt/fcs/TitleVI-Overview

  Title IX of the federal Education Amendments Act of 1972:
  https://www.justice.gov/crt/title-ix-education-amendments-1972

  The Equal Employment Opportunity Act and the regulations issued thereunder by the federal government:
  https://www.justice.gov/jmd/hr-order-doj12001-part-4-equal-employment-opportunity

  The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and the regulations issued thereunder by the federal government:
  https://www.ada.gov/pubs/adastatute08.htm

  All contract employees performing services and/or work as a result of this solicitation must have documented legal authority to work in the United States of America,

  The condition that the submitted proposal was independently arrived at, without collusion, under penalty of perjury; and,  

  The condition that no amount shall be paid directly or indirectly to an employee or official of the County of San Benito as wages, compensation, or gifts in exchange for acting as an officer, agent, employee, subcontractor, or consultant to the Proposer in connection with the Procurement under this RFP.

  Further, by signing below, I certify under penalty of perjury that the information provided in the submitted proposal is true and correct to the best of my knowledge. I will update the above information as needed. I further, if selected, this company will conform to all Federal, State, and local laws covering the work provided. I understand the submission of this application does not guarantee use as a vendor/contractor for the County. I understand the County reservation of rights in the RFP. 

• Description of Project/Scope of Work For TITLE PAGE (required) —

  THIS IS A SHORT TITLE .  Only a few words long, to be placed in the title page

   

• Provide a brief scope of work (1-2 paragraphs for summary) (required) —

  Provide a brief scope of work (1-2 paragraphs for summary) (Longer than the title, but not a detailed scope of work)

• Insert Detailed Scope of Work Here: (required) —

  Insert Detailed Scope of Work Here:  

• Number of Years for Contract (required) —

  Number of Years for Contract

• Number of One Year Extensions (If None Indicate 0) (required) —

  Number of One Year Extensions (If None Indicate 0)

Questions & Answers