Behavioral Health Firms-Save Lives Now Initiative

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REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
FOR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH FIRMS - SAVE LIVES NOW INITIATIVE
Solicitation # 2026RFP5-BHSLN
1 S. Memorial Drive, Suite 1600
St. Louis, MO 63102
August 24, 2026

Request for Proposals
For
Behavioral Health Firms - Save Lives Now Initiative
East-West Gateway Council of Governments (the Council) is seeking proposals from a behavioral health
firm(s) to serve as Lead Behavioral Health Partner(s) for the Save Lives Now Initiative.
Submittals are due no later than 1:00 p.m. local time on September 18, 2026 to the following address:
"Solicitation # 2026RFP5-BHSLN"
c/o Ms. Leah Watkins
Sr. Manager of Contracts & Grants
East-West Gateway Council of Governments
1 S. Memorial Drive, Suite 1600
St. Louis, MO 63102-2451
Section III contains the formatting, content, and other requirements for a submittal. Unless otherwise
due to extenuating circumstances and approved by the Council in advance, any submittals received
after the date and time listed above will be rejected and returned unopened.
2026 Behavioral Health Firms RFP
Solicitation # 2026RFP5-BHSLN
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Table of Contents Page 3 of 34
Section Page
I. Introduction & Background 4
II. Scope of Work 6
III. Submittal Requirements 10
IV. Evaluation & Selection Procedures 16
V. General Items 24
VI. Nondiscrimination Requirements 27
VII. D/S/W/MBE Participation & Equal Opportunity 28
VIII. Protest Procedures 31
IX. Inquiries & Submission Information 32
Attachments*
A Price Proposal
B Firm Information
C Affirmative Action Checklist
D Contract Terms & Conditions Comments
E RFP Minimum Requirements Checklist
F D/S/W/MBE Participation Form
G Letter of Intent to Perform as a D/S/W/MBE
*Fillable / savable version of the attachments can be found on the Council's website at www.ewgateway.org/about-us/what-we-do/doing-
business-with-ewg/contracting-opportunities/
Appendices**
1 Evaluation Criteria & Factors
2 Draft Contract Terms & Conditions
3 Conflicts of Interest Policy
4 Firm Responsibility Questionnaire
5 FAQs - Submittal Requirements
**Appendices are available on the Council's website at www.ewgateway.org/about-us/what-we-do/doing-business-with-ewg/contracting-
opportunities/
2026 Behavioral Health Firms RFP
Solicitation # 2026RFP5-BHSLN
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I. Introduction & Background Page 4 of 34
(a) Background
East-West Gateway Council of Governments (the Council) is the Metropolitan Planning Organization and
Council of Governments for the St. Louis bi-state region, and serves as the fiscal agent and
administrative backbone for the Council's Save Lives Now (SLN) initiative-a regional gun violence
reduction effort coordinating community-based organizations (CBOs), behavioral health providers, street
outreach and focused deterrence partners, law enforcement, and other implementation partners across
the St. Louis region.
SLN implements evidence-based interventions-including cognitive behavioral theory (CBT), focused
deterrence, and community-based violence intervention (CVI) strategies-to reduce firearm violence
among adults at the highest risk of involvement in, or victimization by, urban violence. The Council is
issuing this solicitation to procure one or more qualified behavioral health firms to serve as the Lead
Behavioral Health Partner(s) for Save Lives Now. The selected firm(s) will function as the clinical
coordination partner(s) responsible for ensuring timely access to behavioral health assessment, crisis
response, stabilization services, treatment, and care coordination for eligible participants referred
through Save Lives Now.
The Council recognizes that participants may require varying levels of behavioral health support and that
no single provider is expected to deliver every clinical service or maintain unlimited service capacity.
Accordingly, respondents may propose coordinated service delivery models that combine direct clinical
services with established referral partnerships, subcontracting arrangements, or other collaborative
approaches.
Regardless of the proposed model, the awarded firm shall remain responsible for participant navigation,
timely access to services, continuity of care, communication with referring Save Lives Now partners,
documentation, reporting, and fulfillment of all contractual deliverables.
The intent of this solicitation is to establish a coordinated behavioral health access system that
complements Save Lives Now's community-based violence intervention model by ensuring participants
receive clinically appropriate services through warm handoffs, active care coordination, and low-barrier
engagement.
The Council received a grant award from the St. Louis Mental Health Board (MHB) in May 2026 for the
"Save Lives Now - A Behavioral Health Bridge for Adults at Highest Risk of Violence" initiative, and this
project is 100% funded through the grant award.
(b) Service Area and Participant Eligibility
Consistent with MHB funding requirements for this project, all services funded under the resulting
contract shall be limited to individuals whose primary residence is within the City of St. Louis. The
selected provider shall deliver services, maintain records, and submit reports in a manner that
distinguishes City of St. Louis residents from non-City participants and ensures that only eligible City
residents are included in billed services and reported outputs and outcomes.
Programs and services supported by the Community Mental Health Fund for this project are limited to
adult residents of the City of St. Louis, ages 18 and older.
2026 Behavioral Health Firms RFP
Solicitation # 2026RFP5-BHSLN
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II. Scope of Work Page 5 of 34
A. General Scope of Work
The Council requires one or more qualified behavioral health firms to serve as the Lead Behavioral
Health Partner(s) for Save Lives Now. The selected firm(s) shall establish, coordinate, and maintain a
behavioral health response process capable of providing timely assessment, crisis intervention,
behavioral health consultation, treatment, referral coordination, and ongoing clinical support for eligible
participants referred through Save Lives Now. The Council anticipates a modest participant volume, no
more than 60 participants, during the contract period, with referrals originating through street outreach,
focused deterrence, post-shooting crisis response, and warm handoffs from Save Lives Now partners.
Respondents should describe how their proposed service model can accommodate fluctuations in
referral volume while maintaining timely participant access and continuity of care.
Services may be delivered directly by the awarded firm or through qualified partner organizations,
referral agreements, subcontracting arrangements, or other coordinated service models. The awarded
firm shall remain accountable for ensuring timely participant access, active care coordination, continuity
of care, quality assurance, documentation, reporting, and fulfillment of all contractual obligations.
The tasks described below provide a generalized scope of work for the project. A responding firm's
submittal must, at a minimum, address the tasks described below. The tasks reflect the minimum
number of broad elements that will be included in the detailed plan created for the project. It is possible
that the final plan will include more detail or other, more specific sub-elements.
Each responding firm is encouraged to identify other key elements that it expects may be an important
part of the project and describe its approach to addressing those elements.
Task #1 - Referral Intake, Screening and Clinical Assessment
The awarded firm shall establish and maintain an intake, screening, triage, and clinical assessment
process for participants referred by authorized Save Lives Now partners. Assessments may be conducted
directly by the awarded firm or coordinated through qualified behavioral health partners, provided the
awarded firm remains responsible for ensuring timely completion and appropriate participant
navigation. The firm shall determine participant needs, level of acuity, service readiness, safety
concerns, and appropriate next steps for treatment, crisis response, or referral.
Task #1 Deliverables
Referral intake protocol
Clinical screening and assessment procedures
Documentation of completed intake and assessment activities in approved format
2026 Behavioral Health Firms RFP
Solicitation # 2026RFP5-BHSLN
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II. Scope of Work Page 6 of 34
Task #2 - Crisis Response and Stabilization Support
The awarded firm shall establish and maintain a coordinated behavioral health crisis response process
capable of responding to requests from authorized Save Lives Now partners, including community-based
organizations, street outreach teams, law enforcement partners, and focused deterrence partners.
The responding firm shall ensure that each crisis referral receives timely clinical triage, consultation, and
access to appropriate behavioral health services based upon participant need and clinical urgency.
Crisis response may be delivered directly by the awarded firm or coordinated through qualified
behavioral health partners. Regardless of the delivery model, the awarded firm shall remain responsible
for:
* receiving and triaging requests;
* determining the appropriate level of response;
* coordinating timely clinical intervention;
* facilitating warm handoffs;
* ensuring continuity of care;
* documenting response activities; and
* communicating appropriately with referring Save Lives Now partners
Task #2 Deliverables
Crisis response coverage and response protocol, including referral and activation pathways for
authorized SLN partners
Documentation of crisis response encounters, requesting partner type, response disposition, and
follow-up actions in approved format
Monthly summary of crisis response requests, response activity, and service volume in approved
format
Task #3 - Ongoing Behavioral Health Services
The awarded firm shall function as the coordinating behavioral health partner for Save Lives Now
participants requiring ongoing behavioral health services.
Clinical services may be delivered directly by the awarded firm or through qualified referral partners
when specialized services are required, provider capacity is limited, participant preference indicates
another provider is more appropriate, or another firm can provide more timely access to care.
The awarded firm shall remain responsible for participant navigation, appointment coordination, warm
handoffs, follow-up, continuity of care, and communication with referring Save Lives Now partners, as
appropriate.
2026 Behavioral Health Firms RFP
Solicitation # 2026RFP5-BHSLN
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II. Scope of Work Page 7 of 34
Task #3 Deliverables
Description of service delivery model
Treatment planning and care coordination procedures
Monthly reporting on service utilization and participant engagement in approved format
Task #4 - Consultation, Warm Handoffs, and Coordination
The awarded firm shall serve as the primary behavioral health coordination partner for Save Lives Now
by supporting participant transitions between outreach, crisis response, assessment, treatment,
recovery supports, and other behavioral health resources.
The provider shall maintain procedures that promote closed-loop referrals, preserve trusted community
relationships, reduce barriers to treatment, and verify whether participants successfully access
recommended services.
Task #4 Deliverables
Warm handoff, consultation, and partner coordination protocol
Documentation of referrals received, referrals accepted, appointments offered, completed
linkages, and follow-up status
Documentation of consultation support provided to SLN partners, including law enforcement,
street outreach, and CBO partners, as requested and in approved format
Task #5 - Reporting and Coordinating
The awarded firm shall participate in periodic coordination meetings with the SLN Director, Council staff,
and other designated partners. The awarded firm shall cooperate with and support process and
outcome evaluation activities related to the project, including providing requested program data,
participating in evaluation activities, and assisting with efforts to assess implementation and participant
outcomes. The provider shall furnish invoices, service summaries, and reports necessary to support
contract monitoring, internal review, and MHB reporting requirements.
Outcome evaluation activities
Monthly service summary reports in approved format
Additional reports, as needed
Invoices in approved format
2026 Behavioral Health Firms RFP
Solicitation # 2026RFP5-BHSLN
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II. Scope of Work Page 8 of 34
Response Standards
The awarded firm shall meet the following minimum response standards for participants referred
through Save Lives Now:
* Referral acknowledgement: Acknowledge receipt of all non-urgent referrals from authorized
SLN partners within one (1) business day of receipt (e.g., phone, secure email, or EHR message);
* Routine assessment scheduling: Offer an initial clinical assessment appointment within seven (7)
calendar days for non-urgent referrals, subject to participant availability;
* Crisis triage: For crisis referrals that do not involve an active shooting or imminent life-
threatening emergency, initiate clinical triage (phone or virtual contact) within two (2) hours of
referral during business hours, and as soon as practicable for referrals received outside business
hours; and
* Post-shooting response: When requested by authorized SLN partners following a shooting
involving an SLN participant or immediate family member, initiate contact with the referring
partner within one (1) hour during business hours to determine the appropriate level of
behavioral health response and attempt initial participant outreach within 24 hours, unless
safety conditions or partner guidance require a different timeline.
B. Service Model Expectations
The Council expects proposals to reflect a low-threshold, participant-centered service model
appropriate for adults exposed to chronic trauma, violence, instability, and system distrust. Proposals
should demonstrate the ability to meet participants where they are and deliver care in ways that reduce
barriers related to rigid scheduling, transportation, stigma, formal intake processes, and distrust of
institutions.
The preferred service model includes the following:
* demonstrated ability to coordinate services across a network of behavioral health providers
while maintaining accountability for participant access and continuity of care;
* trauma-informed and culturally responsive care;
* flexible scheduling and rapid response capability;
* ability to provide services in clinical, community-based, field-based, mobile, or telehealth
settings, as appropriate;
* experience with adults impacted by violence, justice system involvement, substance use, or
acute behavioral health instability; and
* ability to coordinate effectively with CBOs, outreach teams, and other non-clinical trusted
messengers
2026 Behavioral Health Firms RFP
Solicitation # 2026RFP5-BHSLN
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II. Scope of Work Page 9 of 34
The Council recognizes that eligible participants may require varying levels of behavioral health support
and that no single firm is expected to provide every behavioral health service or maintain unlimited
clinical capacity. Accordingly, respondents are encouraged to propose coordinated service delivery
models that leverage both internal clinical resources and qualified referral partners to ensure timely
access to appropriate care.
Under the proposed model, the awarded firm shall serve as the Lead Behavioral Health Partner and shall
remain responsible for coordinating participant access to services, regardless of whether services are
delivered directly or through qualified partner firms.
At a minimum, proposals should describe how the responding firm will:
* receive and triage referrals;
* determine the most appropriate level of care;
* provide services directly when appropriate;
* coordinate timely referrals when another provider is better suited or more readily available;
* facilitate warm handoffs and closed-loop referrals;
* maintain communication with referring Save Lives Now partners; and
* ensure continuity of care through participant follow-up and care coordination
The Council will evaluate proposed service delivery models based upon their ability to provide timely,
participant-centered access to clinically appropriate services while maintaining accountability for
coordination, documentation, and overall participant outcomes.
C. Period of Performance
The anticipated initial period of performance for the resulting contract is November 2, 2026 through
June 30, 2027. Subject to continued funding availability from the Saint Louis Mental Health Board,
satisfactory performance, and Council approval, the contract may be renewed for up to two additional
one-year terms to align with the FY27-29 grant cycle.
2026 Behavioral Health Firms RFP
Solicitation # 2026RFP5-BHSLN
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III. Submittal Requirements Page 10 of 34
A. Formatting & Other Requirements
Submittals must conform to the following parameters*:
Page # No more than 25 pages, exclusive of the required attachments
Page Size 8.5" X 11"
Page Orientation Portrait, Landscape, or Both
Margins 1"
Font Size Not less than 11 point font
Font Type No requirement
*The submittal requirements listed above do not apply to work samples OR to the Attachments (forms).
Each responding firm must provide both printed and electronic copies of its submittal, including
attachments and work samples. In addition to the parameters noted above, the submittal must adhere
to the requirements described below for both the print and electronic versions.
Print Version - Submittal w/ Attachments A through G included*
# of Copies 8
Tabbing Divide with tabs, organized in accordance with the outline provided in Part B below
Binding No binder clips, paper clips, etc. (can use spiral binding, comb binding, etc.)
*Note that the work samples may NOT be included as part of the printed submittal but must be submitted as separate
documents. Attachments A through G are required in BOTH printed and electronic format.
Print Version - Work Samples*
# of Copies Not required
Tabbing Not required
Binding Not required
*Note that the work samples may NOT be included as part of the printed submittal but must be submitted as separate
documents.
Electronic Versions
Submittal + Attachments 1 copy in *.pdf format
Attachment A 1 copy in *.xls or *.xlsx format
Work Samples Not required
Storage Format 1 external storage device (e.g. USB flash drive)
2026 Behavioral Health Firms RFP
Solicitation # 2026RFP5-BHSLN
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