Pre-Solicitation Conference Questions and Answers
Question: If a person is living in therapeutic housing but they have to be hospitalized, how is that handled?
Answer: If they are discharged from the facility the placement ends.
Question: If we have to administer laboratory testing for psychiatric care, does that need to be a subcontractor?
Answer: There is a project code in the Statement of Work for Laboratory Studies and Report.
Question: For urinalysis how do we test and obtain results?
Answer: We do not solicit for UAs, so if a vendor wishes to collect and test a UA as part of delivering services, they would do so through other resources.
Question: If we are an existing BPA do we have to submit references?
Answer: No if you are presently a vendor you do not have to give references. For new RFP submissions references are required.
Question: In looking at the Project Codes and EMQs, is the expectation that we are able to deliver all services? What am I applying for?
Answer: No, not all services. The RFPs will be posted that specify the services for which we are soliciting, and the applicant specifies which RPF they are submitting in response to.
Question: If we are a big organization with different levels of care and locations are we considered one vendor or is each location or level of care a vendor?
Answer: Please see the RFP on the website and the catchment areas and the specific BPAs for which we are seeking a vendor.
Question: If we are a returning vendor and if we bid for a new BPA do we submit a new RFP?
Answer: Yes, current BPAs end on 9/30/24 so an existing vendor would need to submit a new RFP.
Question: If we are working with an individual and we discover something new, clinically speaking, about the person (for example a Substance Use Disorder is disclosed in mental health treatment), what do we do?
Answer: The vendor can make a clinical recommendation to the officer. The officer can refer to services.
Question: Can we charge for a no-show?
Answer: No. Please see the RFP and Statement of Work for how to handle no-shows.
Question: Is Telehealth approved?
Answer: Telehealth may be delivered but the officer must approve. Under the BPA telehealth cannot be used in lieu of in-person treatment for the convenience of the therapist or the individual.
Question: What if they have insurance?
Answer: For Pretrial Services cases, if the person is under BPA treatment, the USPTSO requires that they remain under BPA vs. transition to insurance. For Post-Conviction cases, the USPO prefers that the provider transition the person to private or state-funded insurance when benefits are in place.
Question: Are you contracting throughout the state of PA?
Answer: The RFP is for ED/PA. Please see RFP and catchment areas on the websites.
Question: Are you contracting for bilingual services?
Answer: Please see the RFP for services being sought.
Question: Is there a requirement that the therapist go to Court?
Answer: The SOW does explain that testimony could be required. There are specialty treatment courts in ED/PA for which we welcome and encourage therapists to attend if an individual is in the program.
Question: Is the psychiatric evaluation considered a “forensic” evaluation or the purposes of determining competency, malingering?
Answer: No, the RFP and SOW explain the services required under the project codes for psychiatric care and any deliverables.
Questions: Where do I find the catchment areas? Are you looking for services in the northern part of the district?
Answer: Please see the websites and RFPs.