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RFQ-29-2010

Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) INNOVATION COMPONENT

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH

COMMUNITY BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICE OF CONTRACT MANAGEMENT AND COMPLIANCE

1380 HOWARD STREET, SUITE 442 SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94103

CONTACT MAHLET GIRMA

CONTRACT ANALYST (415) 255-3504

Date issued: OCTOBER 26, 2010 E-Question Period: October 26, 2010 – November 5, 2010 Applications Due: 12:00 p.m. November 23, 2010

Request for Qualifications (RFQ)-29-2010

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TABLE OF CONTENTS I. INTRODUCTION AND SCHEDULE ............................................................................................. 3 A. Introduction .............................................................................................................................................. 3 B. Contract Terms .......................................................................................................................................... 3 C. Overview Statement of Need ..................................................................................................................... 3 D. Schedule .................................................................................................................................................... 4 II. INN SERVICE CATEGORIES AND MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS ....................................... 5

A. Mindfulness Training Intervention for Youth and Their Providers .............................................................. 5 B. Peer Education / Advocacy on Self‐Help Movement and Consumer Rights ................................................ 6 C. Peer‐led Hoarding and Cluttering Support Team ......................................................................................... 7 D.     Consumer Self‐Directed Care Pilot ................................................................................................................ 9 E.      INN Program and Fiscal Intermediary ........................................................................................................ 10

III. SUBMISSION DETAILS ................................................................................................................ 11 A. Time and Place of Submission ................................................................................................................... 11 B. Format ...................................................................................................................................................... 12 C. Application Contents ................................................................................................................................ 12 IV. EVALUATION AND SELECTION ................................................................................................ 13 V. E­QUESTIONS ................................................................................................................................ 14 VI. SELECTION PROCESS AND CONTRACT AWARDS/ FUTURE PROJECTS ..................... 15 VII. TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR RECEIPT OF APPLICATIONS ........................................ 15 A. Errors and Omissions in RFQ ..................................................................................................................... 15 B. Inquiries Regarding RFQ ............................................................................................................................ 15 C. Objections to RFQ Terms ........................................................................................................................... 15 D. Change Notices ......................................................................................................................................... 16 E. Term of Application .................................................................................................................................. 16 F. Revision of Application ............................................................................................................................. 16 G. Errors and Omissions in Application .......................................................................................................... 16 H. Financial Responsibility ............................................................................................................................. 16 I. Proposer’s Obligations under the Campaign Reform Ordinance ................................................................. 16 J. Sunshine Ordinance .................................................................................................................................. 17 K. Public Access to Meetings and Records ..................................................................................................... 17 L. Reservations of Rights by the City ............................................................................................................. 18 M. No Waiver ................................................................................................................................................ 18 N. Local Business Enterprise Goals and Outreach ........................................................................................... 18 IIX.    CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS ................................................................................................. 19 IX.     PROTEST PROCEDURES .......................................................................................................... 21

All required forms, are available on paper/hard copy or electronically (in a “zipped” file.)

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I. INTRODUCTION AND SCHEDULE

A. Introduction The Department of Public Health (DPH), Community Behavioral Health Services (CBHS) is issuing a Request for Qualifications (“RFQ”) in search of candidates (“Candidates”) that have experience in five service categories. The degree to which a Candidate meets the minimum qualifications related to each category will be determined through a review process to evaluate the Candidate’s application materials. As a result of this process, Candidates will be listed on a list of eligible candidates (“Qualified Candidates”). The list will be utilized for a period of up to five (5) years to negotiate contracting opportunities as funding availability and service needs are determined. No Candidate shall have any legal or equitable right or obligation to enter into a contract or to perform services as a result of such Candidate’s being identified on the list as a Qualified Candidate. B. Contract Terms Contracts awarded under this RFQ shall have an original term from April 1, 2011 to June 30, 2012. In addition, the City shall have five (5) options to extend the term for a period of one (1) year, for a total 6 years. Options to extend are subject to annual availability of funds and annual satisfactory contractor performance and system needs which the City may exercise in its sole absolute discretion. The maximum term of contracts awarded as a result of this RFQ shall be six years. C. Overview Statement of Need Proposition 63 (known as the Mental Health Services Act or MHSA), passed by California voters in November 2004, provides both a vision and funding to build a mental health system where access is easier, services are more effective, out-of-home and institutional care are reduced and stigma toward those with severe mental illness or serious emotional disturbance no longer exists. MHSA funding provides support for local prevention and early intervention (PEI) programs, capital facilities and technology improvements, and comprehensive community services and supports (CSS) for children, youth, adults and older adults living with serious mental illness. In addition, MHSA provides an opportunity for Counties to “tryout” new approaches that can inform current and future mental health practices/approaches. Counties are required to use 5% of their CSS and PEI allocation to support such Innovation (INN). INN funding must be used to support projects that are “novel and creative mental health practices/approaches that contribute to learning.” Additional details about INN funding can be found in the CA Department of Mental Health INN Guidelines available at the following link http://www.dmh.ca.gov/DMHDocs/docs/notices09/09-02_Enclosure_1.pdf After conducting a community planning process last year, CBHS drafted and submitted to the CA Department of Mental Health a proposal for the INN Component of the San Francisco’s MHSA Three-Year Program and Expenditure Plan. The INN Plan was approved in June 2010. Candidates are strongly encouraged to review and become familiar with San Francisco’s INN Three-Year Program and Expenditures Plan. Projects in the plan that are not included in this RFQ, will be implemented by civil service staff or will be included in future RFQ(s).

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Copies of the INN Plan can be obtained from Mahlet Girma in the CBHS Office of Contract Management and Compliance by calling (415) 255-3504 or can be downloaded at the SFDPH website at: http://www.sfdph.org/dph/comupg/oservices/mentalHlth/MHSA http://www.sfdph.org/dph/comupg/oservices/mentalHlth/MHSA/Innovations/default.asp The following five categories are included in this RFQ.

Mindfulness Based Intervention for Youth and Their Providers: Testing an alternative model of practice in providing services to youth affected by violence and their providers in SFUSD Wellness Centers and DPH Clinics.

Consumer-led Education/Advocacy on Self-help Movement & Consumer Rights:

Developing and testing a consumer-led outreach and education program targeting post-secondary institutions and promoting recovery, wellness, and resilience principles as well as awareness of consumer civil rights, self-help and family advocacy movements.

Peer Led Hoarding and Cluttering Support Team: Developing and testing a peer outreach

and engagement program to provide intervention, support and system navigation for individuals who suffer from hoarding and cluttering behaviors.

Consumer Self-Directed Care (CSDC) Pilot: Supporting the design and implementation of

an emerging service model in which individuals have the flexibility to spend some of the resources allocated for their care in new ways, based on an individualized plan and budget.

INN Program and Fiscal Intermediary: Providing program support, sub-contracting and

fund disbursement for community level projects, planning and programs relating to INN goals and objectives.

D. Schedule The anticipated schedule for creating a list of Qualified Candidates is:

Activity Dates/Times Publication of RFQ October 26, 2010 E-Question Begins 12:00 pm October 26, 2010 E-Question Ends 12:00 pm November 5, 2010 Application Materials Due 12:00 pm Tuesday November 23, 2010 Estimated dates Technical Review

Week of December 6th

Notification of Qualification Week of December 13th Appeal Period (5 bus. days) End of December Contract Development /Health Commission Approval/ Contract Processing & Certification

December 2010 – March 2011

Service Start Date (estimated) April 1st, 2011

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II. INN SERVICE CATEGORIES AND MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS Applicants may respond to one or more of the following service categories: A. Mindfulness Training Intervention for Youth and Their Providers Overview: Many young people are exposed to or are at risk of exposure to many different types of violence including child abuse and neglect, domestic, intimate partner, and community violence. The short term impacts of violence related trauma experienced in adolescence include anxiety, depression, and behavioral health issues. Young people exposed to violence may have lower cognitive functioning, may develop attitudes that justify the use of violence, and may perform poorly in school. Exposure to violence can also leave children and youth behind their peers developmentally, socially, and academically. Without appropriate interventions, youth exposed to violence can experience long-term effects lasting into adulthood. For example, childhood violence exposure has been linked with adult health issues including alcohol and drug abuse, depression, suicide, heart and liver disease, sexually transmitted infections and unintended pregnancies. Providers working with at-risk and violence exposed youth also face a variety of challenges arising from the increasing acuity of the needs of this population. As young people face increasing levels of stress and trauma, the providers working with them are in turn experiencing increased stress levels. Increased and chronic stress has a cascade of negative health repercussions, including immune dysregulation, effects on emotional equilibrium, and effects on short-term memory. Additionally, trauma in young clients can activate unresolved emotional issues in adult providers, or simply become overwhelming. This can result in providers being less willing to or capable of attending to the physical, emotional, and psychological needs of their clients. The benefits of mindfulness training interventions are well documented among adult populations and incarcerated youth populations. This INN project seeks to learn how youth at risk of and who are exposed to violence benefit from an intervention grounded in mindfulness and focused on teaching the necessary skills to build greater focus and attention on self-regulation, emotional competence, and to begin working with the complex trauma that they are carrying. In addition, this project seeks to explore how a mindfulness intervention will support providers to maintain equilibrium and vitality in the face of the intensity of demands made on them by their young clients. Target Population(s): 12-18 year old youth from communities with high rates of violence and crime as well as providers from SFUSD Wellness Centers and DPH clinics that serve violence afflicted communities and schools. Providers may include social workers, therapists, nurses, case managers, and health educators. Contracted Activities may include, but are not limited to the following:

Identifying and sub-contracting with mindfulness training intervention consultants with experience delivering mindfulness training to the target population in schools and/or clinics.

Working in collaboration with SF Wellness Centers and Department of Public Health (DPH) to recruit youth and provider participants with appropriate permissions.

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At a minimum, coordinating the following mindfulness-based interventions and trainings: Two interventions for youth (at 2 different sites) including ten 1 ½ hour intensive

sessions for up to 10 youth with 2 instructors. An intervention for providers including one 6 hour mindfulness-based training

intervention for at least 50 providers with 2 trainers. A mindfulness-based train-the-trainer for youth-serving providers including ten 2 hour

intensive sessions for 10-12 providers with 2 instructors. Designing and implementing an evaluation plan to learn how the mindfulness training

intervention impacts client/caregiver stress and trauma related symptoms including the use of standardized clinical instruments on a pre-post-intervention basis.

Producing a final report summarizing results and outcomes. Disseminate program design, tools, outcomes, and lessons learned to the field in S.F. and

beyond. Minimum Qualifications:

Proven commitment to and experience promoting mindfulness and/or other holistic wellness practices.

Knowledge of mindfulness interventions and impacts of trauma on youth and providers. Proven history of initiating and sustaining successful partnerships with DPH clinics and

SFUSD Wellness Centers. Please provide letters of support from these partners. Proven history recruiting and successfully serving target populations. Identified training provider/consultants or staff with experience conducting mindfulness

training for trauma exposed youth and their providers. Candidates are required to provide letters of commitment from these partners.

Proven capacity and history conducting effective training for youth and health providers, including train-the-trainer events.

Proven experience designing and conducting evaluation activities or proven success evaluating program activities in partnership with another organization or consultant.

Demonstrated capacity to disseminate results, findings and other lessons learned to a broad audience.

B. Peer Education / Advocacy on Self-Help Movement and Consumer Rights Overview: The recovery, wellness, and resilience focus of the Mental Health Service Act (MHSA) has been evolving over many years, largely through the consumer civil rights, self-help and family advocacy movement. Until recently, this perspective has been considered outside the mainstream of the mental health field which has been dominated by the medical model. Admirable advancements in psychopharmacology have helped to make recovery more possible while at simultaneously serving as a tool to reinforce the medical model. As a result, the philosophy behind recovery, wellness and resilience is not always integrated into the curriculum of training programs that offer certificates or degrees in behavioral health, medicine or social work or in the work of on-campus support systems, such as counseling offices, dorm advisors, and disabled student services.

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This INN project intends to develop a consumer-led outreach and education program to raise awareness of principles behind recovery, wellness, and resilience as well as the consumer civil rights, self-help and family advocacy movement. Target Population(s): Postsecondary students who are pursuing certificates and/or degrees in behavioral health, medicine or social work and on-campus student support programs at postsecondary educational institutions in S.F. “Postsecondary institutions” include college, university, and trade schools, vocational schools and career colleges that award academic degrees and/or professional certifications. Contracted Activities: may include, but are not limited to the following:

Developing a classroom-based consumer-led curriculum. Recruiting, training and supporting a cadre of Consumer Educators to develop and deliver the

curriculum to students and faculty as well as to provide technical assistance to on-campus student support services.

Negotiate agreements with the postsecondary institutions, deliver technical assistance to faculty and students and provide a sequence of classes that provide community college, undergraduate and graduate students with academically appropriate instruction on the self-help movement and the recovery model.

Producing and distributing a final report including evaluation results to other counties and professional groups in the mental health, education, and consumer advocacy communities in S.F. and beyond.

Disseminate program design, tools, outcomes, and lessons learned to the field in S.F. and beyond.

Minimum Qualifications:

Proven commitment to principles of recovery, wellness, and resilience as well as the consumer civil rights, self-help and family advocacy movements.

Proven history of initiating and sustaining successful partnerships with postsecondary institutions in S.F. Please provide letters of support from these partners.

Proven experience developing and implementing peer-led education, outreach and/or capacity building programs.

Proven experience designing and conducting evaluation activities or proven success with these activities in partnership with another organization.

Demonstrated capacity to disseminate results, findings and other lessons learned to a broad audience.

C. Peer-led Hoarding and Cluttering Support Team Overview: Compulsive hoarding and cluttering is a serious and treatable behavior that is often related to several mental illnesses including obsessive-compulsive disorder and major depression. It can have significant negative effects on people who struggle with it, along with their families and communities. Compulsive hoarding and cluttering is characterized by the acquisition and retention of overwhelming quantities of objects that do not—to an outsider—seem useful or necessary and that cause the individual significant distress or impairment. Only a small proportion of the 12,000-15,000 San Franciscans with serious hoarding and cluttering

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issues receive any form of treatment and most interventions occur after an eviction proceeding is underway or after the individual is homeless. Failure to address compulsive hoarding in an effective, coordinated way can result in high-cost crisis interventions that do not address the root causes of the problem, and can ultimately fail to prevent eviction or other loss of housing. In 2007, a Task Force on Compulsive Hoarding was created to identify strategies to reduce evictions and improve the quality of life for compulsive hoarders in San Francisco as well as facilitate information exchange among various service providers so as to improve service linkages and coordination. The Task Force developed an in-depth report which outlines eight recommendations for reducing the human and financial costs of compulsive hoarding behaviors. The purpose of this INN project is to support the implementation of Task Force recommendations, beginning with the first recommendation, develop an assessment/crisis team to respond to referrals about hoarding cases and coordinate appropriate next steps to facilitate meaningful, long-term improvement for individuals. CBHS is seeking candidates to facilitate the planning and implementation of a peer-led pilot program designed to promote community and system navigation by and for individuals who suffer from hoarding and cluttering behaviors. The planning and implementation of this work must be done in collaboration with a broad range of stakeholders including, consumers and family members, Adult Protective Services, DPH Environmental Health, Community Behavioral Health Services, property managers, housing advocates, etc.. After the scope and cost of the assessment/crisis team pilot project is determined, it is likely that additional resources will be available to implement other task force recommendations. Target Population(s): Adult and older adult residents in San Francisco suffering from hoarding and cluttering behaviors. Contracted Activities may include, but are not limited to the following:

Facilitating a brief planning process with stakeholders to develop a program design for an assessment/crisis team based on a peer-response model.

Directly or through a sub-contract, recruiting, training and supporting a team of Peer Responders.

Developing and facilitating linkage and referral activities, including convening and facilitating regular meetings of stakeholders, distributing referral tools, conducting outreach and awareness activities, staffing a “single point of contact” referral line, etc.

Designing and implementing an evaluation plan to demonstrate how funded activities impacted client and system outcomes.

Producing a final report summarizing results and outcomes. Disseminate program design, tools, outcomes, and lessons learned to the field in S.F. and

beyond. Minimum Qualifications:

Proven commitment to recovery, wellness, and resilience principles.

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Proven experience working with and on behalf of consumers and family members impacted by Hoarding and Cluttering, including knowledge of the clinical issues effecting this population.

Proven history of initiating and sustaining successful partnerships with providers and city agencies involved in hoarding and cluttering prevention and response activities. Please provide letters of support from these partners.

Proven experience developing and implementing peer-led education, outreach and/or capacity building programs.

Proven experience designing and conducting evaluation activities or proven success conducting evaluation activities with support.

Demonstrated capacity to disseminate results, findings and other lessons learned to a broad audience.

D. Consumer Self-Directed Care Pilot

Overview: A traditional mental health treatment plan is based on an illness model of care that focuses on eliminating symptoms. Problem-oriented rather than strengths-based, it has little to say about recovery. Consumer Self-Direct Care (CSCD) is an emerging approach to the delivery of services to populations with complex health issues including the elderly, physically disabled, and the developmentally disabled. In fact, every state now has some type of self-directed care pilot or a program. However, this model has yet to be tested with behavioral health consumers. Self-directed care starts with the understanding that people should be free to make choices about important aspects of their lives. In self-directed care programs, individuals have the flexibility to spend some of the money allocated for their care in new ways, based on an individualized plan and budget. Efforts are directed to helping consumers achieve what they want in terms of their health and mental health, social and family relationships, civic participation, employment and education. A recovery plan emphasizes use of natural supports (e.g., family and friends) and resources in the community along with the services that are available through the mental health system. Common Key Elements of the CSDC model include:

Voluntary enrollment Built on recovery plans Guided by case managers and/or peer coaches Participants have budget authority for a wide range of goods and services Use of financial manager for A/P, payroll and budget management against approved

expenditures that meet state policy and waiver requirements CBHS is seeking candidates to support the planning and implementation of a self-directed care pilot for behavioral health consumers in San Francisco. Additional information about this model is outlined in A Guide to Self-Directed Care developed by the Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law & UPENN Collaborative on Community Integration available at the following link. http://www.policyarchive.org/handle/10207/bitstreams/17614.pdf Target Population(s): 50-100 adult and older adult consumers (and their family members) of the public behavioral health system in S.F. (CBHS)

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Contracted Activities may include, but are not limited to the following: Supporting CBHS through the development of a Consumer Self-Directed Care Pilot in S.F.

Components of the project that need to be clearly developed include, o The number of consumers and the criteria for participation o Menu of services to be available in the recovery budget o Business rules for making payments o Defined role of Case Managers, Peer Specialist and Peer Trainers o Strategies for coordinating with acute care and hospital providers o Plans for data collection and monitoring consumer satisfaction

During implementation, providing support (as needed) to implement a CSDC Pilot o Training staff and participants in self-directed planning and facilitation. o Provide consumers assistance with the planning process and managing their

individual budgets. o Designing and operating systems that enable consumers of all ages and abilities to:

Serve as employers of their own direct care providers Develop & manage budgets for their own pre-approved covered benefits Purchases approved goods & services needed to maintain independence within the

community Minimum Qualifications:

Proven commitment to recovery, wellness, and resilience principles. Proven experience supporting cities or counties to develop and implement a CSDC pilot.

Please provide contact information for at least three references. Knowledge of the behavioral health field, including proven experience working with and on

behalf of behavioral health consumers and their family members. Proven experience in the delivery of the contracted activities listed above. Proven experience providing money management services to consumers including budget

planning, establishing bank accounts, etc. Proven experience designing and implementing evaluation efforts to demonstrate how

funded activities impacted client and system outcomes.

E. INN Program and Fiscal Intermediary Overview: In an effort to reduce administrative costs, DPH has established a minimum contract requirement of $200,000. As a result, developing contracts for multiple short term pilot INN projects poses a contracting challenge. The INN Intermediary will provide program support and fund disbursement for community level projects and programs relating to INN goals and objectives with budgets below $200,000. Three of those projects are outlined in this RFQ. Additional INN projects will be developed through future community planning efforts, and may include a Community Driven Mini-Grant Program. Target Population(s): Organizations and/or individuals conducting INN work with budgets under $200,000 Contracted Activities may include, but are not limited to the following:

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Providing program support and funding distribution for select projects in this RFQ as well as future INN projects (with budgets under $200,000).

Working closely with CBHS staff to develop RFQs and establish competitive bidding process when required including, recruiting and convening review panel members. Review panels must include members of the MHSA Advisory Committee and oversight from the CBHS Contracts Unit.

Developing subcontracts, MOUs and other agreements as appropriate for selected agencies and/or individuals.

Secure the services of various consultants to support INN goals and objectives and projects, including policy development, program development and evaluation, media, strategic planning and capacity building.

Distributing and monitoring funding based on criteria developed by CBHS, monitoring overall budget, maintaining records, producing financial reports as requested, and undergoing an annual audit.

Working in close collaboration with CBHS and MHSA Advisory Committee throughout the entire process.

Working with DPH program coordinators in the provision of technical assistance such as training and consultation on implementation of scopes of work.

Minimum Qualifications:

Documented experience of agency capacity to comply with CBHS and DPH compliance and fiscal policies, including: agency administration manual; fiscal and personnel policies; cost allocation plans, etc.

Documented experience serving as a fiscal intermediary and program lead for a variety of small to mid scale projects (ranging from $500 to $200,000.)

Documented experience in the implementation/management of competitive processes and identification and contracting for services related to the organization’s operations following DPH requirements.

Documented experience in the selection of recipients and distribution of seed funding to community organizations, collaborations and individuals, with monitoring of related activities and accountability.

Documented experience in the acquisition of the services of consultants as needed to support community organizational and capacity building needs.

Documented experience providing logistical support to community projects, including provision of stipends to participating volunteers and youth.

Proven experience designing, conducting and coordinating evaluation activities.

III. SUBMISSION DETAILS A. Time and Place of Submission

Applications must be received by 12:00 p.m. on November 23, 2010. Postmarks will not be considered in judging the timeliness of submissions. Applications may be delivered in person and left with SFDPH Office of Contracts Management and Compliance (“Contracts Office”), or mailed to:

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Mahlet Girma San Francisco Department of Public Health Office of Contracts Management and Compliance 1380 Howard St., 4th Floor, # 442

San Francisco, CA 94103

** Applications submitted by facsimile, telephone or electronic mail will not be accepted.

Applicants shall submit one (1) original and seven (7) copies of the application, clearly marked “RFQ-29-2010 – CBHS Innovation and the service category applying for”. The original copy of the application must be clearly marked as “Original”.

B. Format a. All submissions must be typewritten on standard recycled paper with an easy to read 12-

point font such as Arial or Times New Roman, one inch margins and double spaced. b. Please print copies double sided to the maximum extent possible and bind with binder

clip or single staple (please note that one double sided page will count as two pages toward proposal page limits). Please do not bind your application with a spiral binding, glued binding or anything similar. No Binders.

c. Please number pages.

C. Application Contents PLEASE NOTE: Candidates may apply for one or more of the service categories. A separate application must be submitted for each category for which the applicant wishes to be considered. Failure to provide any of the following information may result in an application being disqualified. 1. DPH & HRC Forms (see Appendix A)

Applicants should include the following DPH and HRC Forms with their application a. DPH Form # 1 Solicitation & Offer b. DPH Form # 2 Contractual Record Form c. DPH Form # 3 Prospective Contractor Financial Survey Form d. HRC Form 21

2. Letter of Introduction (no more than one page) A one-page letter signed by the person authorized to obligate the proposing agency to perform the commitments contained in the application. The letter should state that the proposing agency is willing and able to perform the commitments contained in the application.

3. Application Narrative (no more than 8 pages TOTAL double spaced). MOUs, letters of

support and partner commitments are not included in the 8 page limit) 1 For this RFQ, these HRC forms are non-applicable; however they still have to be submitted. Please put N/A when submitting all forms except, Form 3: Non Discrimination Affidavit which is required to be filled out.

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Please provide concise responses in the following order: 1. Organization Description. Provide a brief description and history of the organization,

including its mission, priorities and general activities. 2. Relevant Programmatic Accomplishments. Provide a description of organization’s

current and recent programs and projects relevant to the category for which the application is being submitted.

3. Experience working with Target Population(s). Describe previous or current experience working with the target population of the category for which the application is being submitted.

4. Ability to provide Contracted Activities. A. Describe experience conducting the activities listed under contracted activities B. Discuss history of initiating and sustaining successful collaborations with relevant partners. (Please attach MOUs or letter of support and letters of commitment from proposed partners as an appendix outside of the eight (8) page maximum page limit for the narrative) C. Provide a brief description of key personnel you expect to be involved in the project. D. Provide specific examples of experience developing and/or implementing evaluation plans. E. Briefly describe organizational and fiscal capacity to effectively deliver project activities, meet reporting requirements and manage funds

IV. EVALUATION AND SELECTION Applications will be evaluated and scored, using the following criteria, by a selection committee made up of individuals with expertise in the category for which the application is submitted. The City and County intends to evaluate the applications generally in accordance with the criteria itemized below. Only applications scoring 70 or more points on the evaluation/scoring criteria will be entered on an eligible list (“Qualified Candidates”) for funding. Proposers must agree to abide by all DPH policy requirements. The eligible list will be utilized for a period of up to five years to negotiate contracting opportunities as funding availability and service needs are determined. No Candidate shall have any legal or equitable right or obligation to enter into a contract or to perform services as a result of such Candidate’s being identified on the list as a Qualified Candidate. The City and County intends to evaluate the applications generally in accordance with the criteria itemized below. Only applications scoring 70 or more points on the evaluation/scoring criteria will be considered for funding. If RFQ response package is incomplete and/or non-compliant with service category requirements, application will be disqualified.

Application Narrative - Scoring Criteria Letter of introduction (5 points) The description and history of the organization, including the mission, priorities and

activities, is presented in a clear and concise manner. (10 points) The INN category for which the candidate is applying is consistent with the

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organization’s mission, vision, and goals. (10 points) The candidate has experience working effectively with the target population (10

points) The candidate has proven experience conducting the activities listed under contracted

activities. (20 points) The candidate has a history of initiating and sustaining successful collaborations with

relevant partners. (10 points) MOUs or letters of support were submitted. (5 points) Key personnel have appropriate skills and experience. (10 points) The candidate has the capacity to conduct evaluation activities and distribute learning

in S.F., CA and beyond. (10 points) The candidate has capacity to successfully manage funds and fulfill reporting

requirements. (10 points) Total Evaluation/Scoring Criteria Points Possible: 100 Points

Additional Points Available Under the LBE Ordinance: 10 Points Up to ten (10) additional points may be awarded for:

• An LBE; or joint venture between or among LBEs; • A joint venture with LBE participation that equals or exceeds 35.0%, but is under 40.0%; • A joint venture with LBE participation that equals or exceeds 40.0%; and/or • A certified non-profit entity

Total Points Possible with LBE: 110 Points V. E-QUESTIONS

All questions and requests for information must be received by electronic mail, fax and/ or US Mail and will be answered at the end of the E-Question period, by electronic mail, fax and or US Mail to all parties who have requested and received a copy of the RFQ. The questions will be answered by the program staff. This is one opportunity agencies can ask direct programmatic questions of the Department staff. All questions are to be directed to the following e-mail address: mahlet.girma@sfdph.org, or by electronic mail, fax and or US Mail to:

Mahlet Girma, Contract Analyst San Francisco Department of Public Health Office of Contracts Management & Compliance 1380 Howard St., 4th Floor, #442 San Francisco, CA 94103 Phone (415) 255-3504 / Fax (415) 252-3088

E-questions may only be submitted from 12:00 pm on October 26 until 12:00 pm on November 5, 2010. No questions or requests for interpretation will be accepted after the end of E-Question period 12:00 Noon November 5, 2010. If you have further questions regarding the RFQ, please contact Mahlet Girma (415) 255-3504.

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The City will keep a record of all parties who request and receive copies of the RFQ. Any requests for information concerning the RFQ must be in writing, and any substantive replies will be issued as written addenda to all parties who have requested and received a copy of the RFQ from the Department of Public Health. No questions or requests for interpretation will be accepted after 12:00 p.m. on November 5, 2010. If you have further questions regarding the RFQ, please contact Mahlet Girma at (415)255-3504.

VI. SELECTION PROCESS AND CONTRACT AWARDS/ FUTURE PROJECTS As funding availability and service needs are determined, Qualified Candidates may be contacted by the Department regarding negotiations for potential contract awards. Candidates will be contacted according to service category. At that time, a scope of work and budget for current and specific services may be requested. If this negotiation determines that a contract is possible and acceptable, an official contract award will be issued to the Qualified Candidate. The Department reserves the right to award a single contract or multiple contracts to multiple vendors in any one service category directly from the list without any further solicitation. The Department reserves the right to conduct another solicitation process if no respondents from this RFQ are deemed adequately qualified for any current or future project.

VII. TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR RECEIPT OF APPLICATIONS A. Errors and Omissions in RFQ Proposers are responsible for reviewing all portions of this RFQ. Proposers are to promptly notify the Department, in writing, if the proposer discovers any ambiguity, discrepancy, omission, or other error in the RFQ. Any such notification should be directed to the Department promptly after discovery, but in no event later than five working days prior to the date for receipt of applications. Modifications and clarifications will be made by addenda as provided below. B. Inquiries Regarding RFQ All inquiries, verbal or written regarding the RFQ and all oral notifications of an intent to request written modification or clarification of the RFQ, must be directed to:

Mahlet Girma, Contract Analyst San Francisco Department of Public Health Office of Contracts Management & Compliance 1380 Howard St., 4th Floor, #442 San Francisco, CA 94103 Phone (415) 255-3504/ Fax (415) 252-3088 E-mail: mahlet.girma@sfdph.org

C. Objections to RFQ Terms Should a proposer object on any ground to any provision or legal requirement set forth in this RFQ, the proposer must, not more than ten calendar days after the RFQ is issued, provide written notice to the Department setting forth with specificity the grounds for the objection. The failure of a proposer to object in the manner set forth in this paragraph shall constitute a complete and irrevocable waiver of any such objection.

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D. Change Notices The Department may modify the RFQ, prior to the application due date, by issuing Change Notices, which will be posted on the website. The proposer shall be responsible for ensuring that its application reflects any and all Change Notices issued by the Department prior to the application due date regardless of when the application is submitted. Therefore, the City recommends that the proposer consult the website frequently, including shortly before the application due date, to determine if the proposer has downloaded all Change Notices. E. Term of Application Submission of an application signifies that the proposed services and prices are valid for 120 calendar days from the application due date and that the quoted prices are genuine and not the result of collusion or any other anti-competitive activity. F. Revision of Application A proposer may revise an application on the proposer’s own initiative at any time before the deadline for submission of applications. The proposer must submit the revised application in the same manner as the original. A revised application must be received on or before the application due date. In no case will a statement of intent to submit a revised application, or commencement of a revision process, extend the application due date for any proposer.

At any time during the application evaluation process, the Department may require a proposer to provide oral or written clarification of its application. The Department reserves the right to make an award without further clarifications of applications received. G. Errors and Omissions in Application Failure by the Department to object to an error, omission, or deviation in the application will in no way modify the RFQ or excuse the vendor from full compliance with the specifications of the RFQ or any contract awarded pursuant to the RFQ. H. Financial Responsibility The City accepts no financial responsibility for any costs incurred by a firm in responding to this RFQ. Submissions of the RFQ will become the property of the City and may be used by the City in any way deemed appropriate.

I. Proposer’s Obligations under the Campaign Reform Ordinance

Proposers must comply with Section 1.126 of the S.F. Campaign and Governmental Conduct Code, which states:

No person who contracts with the City and County of San Francisco for the rendition of personal services, for the furnishing of any material, supplies or equipment to the City, or for selling any land or building to the City, whenever such transaction would require approval by a City elective officer, or the board on which that City elective officer serves, shall make any contribution to such an officer, or candidates for such an office, or committee controlled by such officer or candidate at any time between commencement of negotiations and the later of either (1) the termination of negotiations for such contract, or (2) three months have elapsed from the date the

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contract is approved by the City elective officer or the board on which that City elective officer serves. If a proposer is negotiating for a contract that must be approved by an elected local officer or the board on which that officer serves, during the negotiation period the proposer is prohibited from making contributions to:

• The officer’s re-election campaign; • A candidate for that officer’s office; • A committee controlled by the officer or candidate.

The negotiation period begins with the first point of contact, either by telephone, in person, or in writing, when a contractor approaches any city officer or employee about a particular contract, or a city officer or employee initiates communication with a potential contractor about a contract. The negotiation period ends when a contract is awarded or not awarded to the contractor. Examples of initial contacts include: (1) a vendor contacts a city officer or employee to promote himself or herself as a candidate for a contract; and (2) a city officer or employee contacts a contractor to propose that the contractor apply for a contract. Inquiries for information about a particular contract, requests for documents relating to a Request for Application, and requests to be placed on a mailing list do not constitute negotiations.

Violation of Section 1.126 may result in the following criminal, civil, or administrative penalties: 1. Criminal. Any person who knowingly or willfully violates section 1.126 is subject to a

fine of up to $5,000 and a jail term of not more than six months, or both. 2. Civil. Any person who intentionally or negligently violates section 1.126 may be held

liable in a civil action brought by the civil prosecutor for an amount up to $5,000. 3. Administrative. Any person who intentionally or negligently violates section 1.126

may be held liable in an administrative proceeding before the Ethics Commission held pursuant to the Charter for an amount up to $5,000 for each violation.

For further information, proposers should contact the San Francisco Ethics Commission at (415) 581-2300. J. Sunshine Ordinance In accordance with S.F. Administrative Code Section 67.24(e), contractors’ bids, responses to RFQs and all other records of communications between the City and persons or firms seeking contracts shall be open to inspection immediately after a contract has been awarded. Nothing in this provision requires the disclosure of a private person’s or organization’s net worth or other proprietary financial data submitted for qualification for a contract or other benefits until and unless that person or organization is awarded the contract or benefit. Information provided which is covered by this paragraph will be made available to the public upon request. K. Public Access to Meetings and Records If a proposer is a non-profit entity that receives a cumulative total per year of at least $250,000 in City funds or City-administered funds and is a non-profit organization as defined in Chapter 12L of the S.F. Administrative Code, the proposer must comply with Chapter 12L. The proposer

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must include in its application (1) a statement describing its efforts to comply with the Chapter 12L provisions regarding public access to proposer’s meetings and records, and (2) a summary of all complaints concerning the proposer’s compliance with Chapter 12L that were filed with the City in the last two years and deemed by the City to be substantiated. The summary shall also describe the disposition of each complaint. If no such complaints were filed, the proposer shall include a statement to that effect. Failure to comply with the reporting requirements of Chapter 12L or material misrepresentation in proposer’s Chapter 12L submissions shall be grounds for rejection of the application and/or termination of any subsequent Agreement reached on the basis of the application.

L. Reservations of Rights by the City The issuance of this RFQ does not constitute an agreement by the City that any contract will actually be entered into by the City. The City expressly reserves the right at any time to:

1. Waive or correct any defect or informality in any response, application, or application procedure;

2. Reject any or all applications; 3. Reissue a Request for Applications; 4. Prior to submission deadline for applications, modify all or any portion of the selection

procedures, including deadlines for accepting responses, the specifications or requirements for any materials, equipment or services to be provided under this RFQ, or the requirements for contents or format of the applications;

5. Procure any materials, equipment or services specified in this RFQ by any other means; or

6. Determine that no project will be pursued.

M. No Waiver No waiver by the City of any provision of this RFQ shall be implied from any failure by the City to recognize or take action on account of any failure by a proposer to observe any provision of this RFQ. N. Local Business Enterprise Goals and Outreach The requirements of the Local Business Enterprise and Non-Discrimination in Contracting Ordinance set forth in Chapter 14B of the San Francisco Administrative Code as it now exists or as it may be amended in the future (collectively the “LBE Ordinance”) shall apply to this RFQ.

1. LBE Participation The City strongly encourages applications from qualified LBEs. Pursuant to Chapter 14B, the following rating discount will be in effect for the award of this project for any proposers who are certified by HRC as a LBE, or joint ventures where the joint venture partners are in the same discipline and have the specific levels of participation as identified below. Certification applications may be obtained by calling HRC at (415) 252-2500. The rating discount applies at each phase of the selection process. The application of the rating discount is as follows:

a. A 10% discount to an LBE; or a joint venture between or among LBEs; or

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b. A 5% discount to a joint venture with LBE participation that equals or exceeds 35%, but is under 40%; or

c. A 7.5% discount to a joint venture with LBE participation that equals or exceeds 40%; or

d. A 10% discount to a certified non-profit entity. If applying for a rating discount as a joint venture: The LBE must be an active partner in the joint venture and perform work, manage the job and take financial risks in proportion to the required level of participation stated in the application, and must be responsible for a clearly defined portion of the work to be performed and share in the ownership, control, management responsibilities, risks, and profits of the joint venture. The portion of the LBE joint venture’s work shall be set forth in detail separately from the work to be performed by the non-LBE joint venture partner. The LBE joint venture’s portion of the contract must be assigned a commercially useful function.

2. HRC Forms to be Submitted with Minimum Agency Requirement 2 a. All applications submitted must include the following Human Rights Commission

(HRC) Forms contained in Appendix A (provided electronically in a “zipped” file.) 1) HRC Contract Participation Form, 2) HRC “Good Faith Outreach” Requirements Form, 3) HRC Non-Discrimination Affidavit, 4) HRC Joint Venture Form (if applicable), and 5) HRC Employment Form. If these forms are not returned with the application, the application may be determined to be non-responsive and may be rejected.

b. The forms should be placed in a separate, sealed envelope labeled HRC Forms.

If you have any questions concerning the HRC Forms, you may call Human Rights Commission at (415) 252-2500.

IIX. CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS A. Standard Contract Provisions The successful proposer will be required to enter into a contract substantially in the form of the Agreement for Professional Services, attached hereto as Appendix C (provided electronically in a “zipped” file.). Failure to timely execute the contract, or to furnish any and all insurance certificates and policy endorsement, surety bonds or other materials required in the contract, shall be deemed an abandonment of a contract offer. The City, in its sole discretion, may select another firm and may proceed against the original selectee for damages. Proposers are urged to pay special attention to the requirements of Administrative Code Chapters 12B and 12C, Nondiscrimination in Contracts and Benefits, (Chapter 12B.2 “Nondiscrimination; Penalties in the Agreement); the Minimum Compensation Ordinance (Chapter 12P.5 “Requiring Minimum Compensation for Covered Employee” in the Agreement); the Health Care Accountability Ordinance (Chapter 12Q.2.9 “Requiring Health Benefits for Covered Employees” in the Agreement); the First Source Hiring Program

2 For this RFQ, these HRC forms are non-applicable; however they still have to be submitted. Please put N/A when submitting all forms, except Form 3: Non Discrimination Affidavit which is required to be filled out.

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(Chapter 83 “First Source Hiring Program” in the Agreement); and applicable conflict of interest laws, as set forth in paragraphs B, C, D, E and F below.

B. Nondiscrimination in Contracts and Benefits The successful proposer will be required to agree to comply fully with and be bound by the provisions of Chapters 12B and 12C of the San Francisco Administrative Code. Generally, Chapter 12B prohibits the City and County of San Francisco from entering into contracts or leases with any entity that discriminates in the provision of benefits between employees with domestic partners and employees with spouses, and/or between the domestic partners and spouses of employees. The Chapter 12C requires nondiscrimination in contracts in public accommodation. Additional information on Chapters 12B and 12C is available on the HRC’s website at www.sfhrc.org

C. Minimum Compensation Ordinance (MCO) The successful proposer will be required to agree to comply fully with and be bound by the provisions of the Minimum Compensation Ordinance (MCO), as set forth in S.F. Administrative Code Chapter 12P. Generally, this Ordinance requires contractors to provide employees covered by the Ordinance who do work funded under the contract with hourly gross compensation and paid and unpaid time off that meet certain minimum requirements. For the contractual requirements of the MCO, see Sec.12P.5 of “Requiring Minimum Compensation for Covered Employee” in the Agreement.

For the amount of hourly gross compensation currently required under the MCO, see www.sfgov.org/olse/mco. Note that this hourly rate may increase on January 1 of each year and that contractors will be required to pay any such increases to covered employees during the term of the contract. Additional information regarding the MCO is available on the web at www.sfgov.org/olse/mco.

D. Health Care Accountability Ordinance (HCAO) The successful proposer will be required to agree to comply fully with and be bound by the provisions of the Health Care Accountability Ordinance (HCAO), as set forth in S.F. Administrative Code Chapter 12Q. Contractors should consult the San Francisco Administrative Code to determine their compliance obligations under this chapter. Additional information regarding the HCAO is available on the web at www.sfgov.org/olse/hcao.

E. First Source Hiring Program (FSHP) If the contract is for more than $50,000, then the First Source Hiring Program (Admin. Code Chapter 83) may apply. Generally, this ordinance requires contractors to notify the First Source Hiring Program of available entry-level jobs and provide the Workforce Development System with the first opportunity to refer qualified individuals for employment. Contractors should consult the San Francisco Administrative Code to determine their compliance obligations under this chapter. Additional information regarding the FSHP is available on the web at www.sfgov.org/moed/fshp.htm and from the First Source Hiring Administrator, (415) 401-4960.

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F. Conflicts of Interest The successful proposer will be required to agree to comply fully with and be bound by the applicable provisions of state and local laws related to conflicts of interest, including Section 15.103 of the City's Charter, Article III, Chapter 2 of City’s Campaign and Governmental Conduct Code, and Section 87100 et seq. and Section 1090 et seq. of the Government Code of the State of California. The successful proposer will be required to acknowledge that it is familiar with these laws; certify that it does not know of any facts that constitute a violation of said provisions; and agree to immediately notify the City if it becomes aware of any such fact during the term of the Agreement. Individuals who will perform work for the City on behalf of the successful proposer might be deemed consultants under state and local conflict of interest laws. If so, such individuals will be required to submit a Statement of Economic Interests, California Fair Political Practices Commission Form 700, to the City within ten calendar days of the City notifying the successful proposer that the City has selected the proposer. IX. PROTEST PROCEDURES A. Protest of Non-Responsiveness Determination Within five (5) working days of the City's issuance of a notice of non-responsiveness, any firm that has submitted a application and believes that the City has incorrectly determined that its application is non-responsive may submit a written notice of protest. Such notice of protest must be received by the City on or before the fifth (5th) working day following the City's issuance of the notice of non-responsiveness. The notice of protest must include a written statement specifying in detail each and every one of the grounds asserted for the protest. The protest must be signed by an individual authorized to represent the proposer, and must cite the law, rule, local ordinance, procedure or RFQ provision on which the protest is based. In addition, the protestor must specify facts and evidence sufficient for the City to determine the validity of the protest.

B. Protest of Contract Award Within five (5) working days of the City's issuance of a notice of intent to award the contract, any firm that has submitted a responsive proposal and believes that the City has incorrectly selected another proposer for award may submit a written notice of protest. Such notice of protest must be received by the City on or before the fifth (5th) working day after the City's issuance of the notice of intent to award.

The notice of protest must include a written statement specifying in detail each and every one of the grounds asserted for the protest. The protest must be signed by an individual authorized to represent the proposer, and must cite the law, rule, local ordinance, procedure or RFQ provision on which the protest is based. In addition, the protestor must specify facts and evidence sufficient for the City to determine the validity of the protest.

C. Delivery of Protests All protests must be received by the due date. If a protest is mailed, the protestor bears the risk of non-delivery within the deadlines specified herein. Protests should be transmitted by a means that will objectively establish the date the City received the protest. Protests or notice of protests made orally (e.g., by telephone) will not be considered. Protests must be delivered to:

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Jacquie Hale, Director Office of Contracts Management and Compliance

San Francisco Department of Public Health

101 Grove, Room 307 San Francisco, CA 94102

Phone (415) 554-2609/ Fax (415) 554-2555 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

------- All required forms, including Appendices “A , B and C, ” are available on paper/hard copy or

electronically (in a separate “zipped” file.)

Appendix A must be completed in order for an applicant to be considered (Appendix B & C are for references only): RFQ-29-2010 Zipped file:

A. DPH Forms: DPH Forms & HRC Attachment 2 B. Standard Forms: Listing and Internet addresses of Forms related to Taxpayer Identification Number and

Certification, to Business Tax Declaration, and to Chapters 12B and 12C, and 14B of the S.F. Administrative Code

C. Agreement for Professional Services (form P-500) – separate document upon request Note: The current DPH Standard Boilerplate “Agreement for Professional Services” (form P-500) can be furnished by the Contracts Office either electronically by email, or a hard copy by mail or pick up.