RFP - Inmate Medical Services

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

Comprehensive Correctional Healthcare

Worth County Board of Commissioners

July 15, 2026

Request For Proposals

Comprehensive Correctional Healthcare for Worth County Jail

Sealed proposals will be accepted at the Worth County Board of Commissioners Office until Tuesday, August 11, 2026, at 2 p.m. at which time the proposals will be publicly opened and read aloud. Proposals must be in a sealed envelope plainly marked "Sealed Proposal-Comprehensive Correctional Healthcare for Worth County Jail" and addressed to the County Clerk, Angela Harrah at 201 N. Main St., Suite 30 Sylvester, Ga 31791. Proposals will not be accepted after the called time.

Questions may be directed to Sheriff Don Whitaker 229-776-8211

The County reserves the right to reject any or all proposals when it is determined that the rejection of one or more of the proposals is in the best interest of the County. It is the policy of the County to promote equal opportunity regardless of race, color, religion, sex, familiar status, handicap, or national origin.

Thank you for your interest in doing business with Worth County.

The Worth County Jail is seeking quotes for a Comprehensive Correctional Healthcare Provider for the new Jail facility which has an expected completion date of September 2026. The Facility is located at 310 S. Isabella Street; Sylvester, Ga 31791. This facility average population is 90-100 with a maximum capacity will be 160 inmates. The following are specifications that the Worth County Jail will expect from any Comprehensive Correctional Healthcare Provider seeking to submit a proposal. SEALED proposals are due by Tuesday, August 11, 2026 by 2:00 p.m. Please submit One (1) Original and Five (5) Copies and Flash Drive

Proposals should be submitted to:

Worth County Clerk, Angela Harrah

201 N Main Street, Suite 30

Sylvester, Ga 31791

Questions concerning this Request for Proposals should be directed via email Sheriff Don Whitaker, no later than, July 28, 2026 by noon

Mandatory Pre-bid Tour: July 24, 2026 at 10:00am

Proposal due: August 11, 2026 by 2:00 p.m.

The awarding authority for the contract is the Worth County Board of Commissioners.

Contract Term: The initial contract term shall be one (1) year, commencing on the date services begin upon the opening of the new Worth County Detention Facility. Because the facility's opening is dependent upon construction completion, licensing, and operational readiness, the County reserves the right to modify the service commencement date as necessary. The successful proposer will receive written notice of the official start date at least thirty (30) to sixty (60) days prior to the required operational start date, unless otherwise mutually agreed upon by the parties. Upon successful performance and mutual written agreement of the Worth County Sheriff and the selected Comprehensive Correctional Healthcare Provider, the contract may be renewed for up to two (2) additional one-year terms.

This contract can be terminated by either party with a 90-day written notice.

COST PROPOSAL MUST BE SUBMITTED IN A SEPARATELY SEALED ENVELOPE

Issued: July 15, 2026

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Section 1 Introduction and Background

Section 2 Facility Information

Section 3 Scope of Services

Section 4 Staffing Requirements

Section 5 Electronic Medical Records

Section 6 Compensation and Financial Model

Section 7 Performance Standards and Reporting

Section 8 Financial Reporting and Transparency

Section 9 Proposal Requirements and Evaluation

Section 10 Contract Terms and Conditions

Section 11 Procurement Process

Section 12 Required Forms and Certifications

Exhibit A Staffing Plan Template

Exhibit A-1 Staffing Budgeted Salary Schedule

Exhibit B Dental and Specialty Service Tier Schedule

Exhibit C Cost Proposal Summary

SECTION 1 INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND

1.1 Purpose

The Worth County Sheriff's Office (hereinafter "the County" or "the Agency") is issuing this Request for Proposals (RFP) to solicit proposals from qualified vendors to provide comprehensive correctional healthcare services for the new Worth County Jail. The County seeks a contractor capable of delivering high-quality, cost-effective medical, dental, behavioral health, and pharmacy services to the incarcerated population in a manner that is consistent with constitutional standards, applicable law, and recognized correctional healthcare best practices.

1.2 Background

The Worth County Sheriff's Office is responsible for the administration and operation of the Worth County Jail. The facility operates under the authority of the Worth County Sheriff and houses individuals at various stages of the criminal justice process. The Sheriff or his designee retains full authority over the facility and all personnel operating within it.

1.3 Personnel Security Requirements

All on-site correctional healthcare provider employees must be approved by the Worth County Sheriff or his designee prior to commencing work at the facility. As a condition of employment at the Worth County Jail, all Contractor personnel shall:

Complete a background clearance conducted by the Worth County Jail prior to beginning work at the facility

Comply with all jail policies and procedures throughout the term of the contract

Immediately report to the Jail Administrator or his designee any incident, or suspicion of any event, that may affect the safety and security of the facility

The Sheriff or his designee reserves the right to request the removal of any Contractor employee from the facility at any time without stating cause. The Contractor shall comply with any such request immediately and arrange for qualified replacement coverage.

SECTION 2 FACILITY INFORMATION

2.1 Facility Overview

The Worth County Jail currently houses an average daily population (ADP) of approximately 90-100 inmates. The successful vendor will provide comprehensive healthcare services for all incarcerated individuals, regardless of housing assignment or custody status. The County reserves the right to modify inmate populations and housing configurations throughout the contract term.

2.2 Facility Access and Operations

The Contractor shall coordinate with the Jail Administrator regarding clinical space, scheduling, access protocols, and any operational constraints. The Contractor shall integrate clinical operations seamlessly with facility security procedures and shall not take any action that compromises the safety, security, or orderly management of the facility.

2.3 Community Partnerships

The Contractor shall demonstrate active partnerships with community organizations and service providers to support continuity of care upon release. Required partnerships include, but are not limited to:

Local hospitals and emergency care facilities

Public health departments

Behavioral health providers

Community mental health organizations

Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs)

Veterans organizations

Reentry programs

Substance use treatment providers

SECTION 3 SCOPE OF SERVICES

The successful proposer shall provide complete correctional healthcare services for all inmates housed at the Worth County Jail, including but not limited to the services described below.

Medical Services

The Contractor shall provide comprehensive medical services including:

Intake receiving screening

Comprehensive health assessments

Sick call

Chronic disease management

Provider clinics

Emergency medical response

Infirmary services

Infection prevention

Women's health services

Geriatric care

Specialty care coordination

Medical discharge planning

Dental Services

The Contractor shall provide dental services including:

Dental screening

Emergency dental care

Extractions

Preventive treatment

Routine dental clinics

Oral health education

The Contractor shall identify an off-site dentist and negotiate service agreements as necessary to ensure continuity of dental care.

Behavioral Health Services

The Contractor shall provide behavioral health services including:

Mental health assessments

Psychiatric evaluations

Medication management

Crisis intervention

Suicide prevention and watch management

Individual and group counseling

Substance use treatment

Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT)

Reentry planning

Pharmacy Services

The Contractor shall provide complete pharmacy management including:

Medication procurement and formulary management

Medication administration and electronic prescribing

Controlled substance accountability and DEA compliance

Medication reconciliation and pharmacy utilization review

The Contractor shall identify all pharmacy vendors and purchasing agreements and disclose same to the County prior to contract execution.

Off-Site Medical Management

The Contractor shall coordinate and actively manage all off-site medical services using evidence-based utilization management practices, including:

Emergency Room services and hospital admissions

Specialty consultations and surgery

Diagnostic imaging

Dialysis and oncology services

Transportation coordination

Case management and discharge planning

SECTION 4 STAFFING REQUIREMENTS

4.1 General Requirements

The Contractor shall provide all personnel necessary to operate the medical department at the Worth County Jail. All staff shall hold current, valid licenses and certifications applicable to their respective disciplines and shall comply with all Georgia licensing requirements. All personnel are subject to the background clearance requirements described in Section 1.3.

4.2 Minimum Staffing Positions

At a minimum, proposals shall include staffing plans for the following positions:

Medical Director: Physician/NP/PA

Licensed Practical Nurses

Behavioral Health Professionals

Psychiatrist

4.3 Staffing Plan Submission Requirements

Each proposal shall include the following staffing documentation:

Organizational chart

Staffing matrix and shift coverage schedule

Vacancy contingency plan

Recruitment and retention strategy

Relief staffing plan

Key personnel resumes

SECTION 5 ELECTRONIC MEDICAL RECORDS

5.1 EMR System Requirements

The Contractor shall provide and maintain an Electronic Medical Record (EMR) system capable of supporting all clinical operations at the Worth County Jail. The EMR system shall include, at minimum:

Medical, behavioral health, and dental documentation

Electronic Medication Administration Record (eMAR)

Medication verification and electronic prescribing

Laboratory integration

Utilization management module

Reporting dashboards

Audit trails and electronic signatures

5.2 Records Ownership

The County shall retain ownership of all inmate medical records. Upon termination or expiration of the contract, the Contractor shall transfer all medical records and data to the County or its designee within 30 days in a mutually agreed-upon format. The Contractor shall not retain, withhold, or restrict access to inmate records for any reason.

SECTION 6 COMPENSATION AND FINANCIAL MODEL

6.1 Management Fee Structure

The County shall compensate the Contractor through a fixed annual management fee covering all administrative, clinical oversight, and operational services described herein. The management fee shall not include pass-through expenditures as defined in Section 6.2.

6.2 Pass-Through Expenditures

Pass-through expenditures are actual costs incurred on behalf of the County for direct patient care services not covered by the management fee. These include, but are not limited to:

Pharmaceutical and medical supply costs

Off-site specialty care and hospital services

Laboratory and diagnostic imaging

Durable medical equipment

All pass-through costs require supporting documentation and are subject to open-book audit as described in Section 6.5.

6.3 Staffing Cost Treatment

All clinical and administrative staffing costs are embedded within the management fee. The Staffing Plan (Exhibit A) and the Budgeted Salary Schedule (Exhibit A-1) must be submitted as part of the Cost Proposal to allow the County to verify the staffing assumptions underlying the management fee.

6.4 Annual Price Adjustment

The management fee may be adjusted annually, beginning in contract year two, by an amount not to exceed the lesser of: 3%, or (b) the percentage change in the Consumer Price Index - All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) for the prior 12-month period, as published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Any adjustment requires 90 days written notice and written County approval.

6.5 Open-Book Accounting Requirements

As a condition of the management fee model, the Contractor shall:

Maintain a separate accounting cost center for County services

Provide monthly itemized invoices with supporting documentation for all pass-through expenditures

Permit the County, or its designee, to audit all financial records related to this contract upon 5 business days notice

Disclose all GPO rebates, volume discounts, and manufacturer payments related to formulary items; any such savings shall reduce the County's pass-through cost

Submit an annual independent financial audit or agreed-upon procedures report within 120 days of each contract year end

SECTION 7 PERFORMANCE STANDARDS AND REPORTING

7.1 Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Contractor performance shall be evaluated against the following minimum KPI targets. The County may revise targets annually by mutual written agreement. Failure to meet any KPI threshold will result in application of the corresponding withhold percentage against the monthly management fee.

7.2 Monthly Clinical Reporting

The Contractor shall submit monthly reports to the County's Contract Administrator including, at minimum, the following clinical metrics:

Intake screenings completed

Sick call volume and response times

Chronic care encounters

Provider visits

Dental visits

Mental health encounters

Suicide watches and attempts

Hospital admissions

Emergency Room utilization

Infectious disease monitoring

7.3 Utilization Management Reporting

The Contractor shall provide real-time reporting for:

Current hospital census

Pending referrals and specialty appointments

High-cost cases

Off-site utilization and hospital length of stay

Top diagnoses and readmissions

7.4 Pharmacy Reporting

Monthly pharmacy reporting shall include:

Medication utilization and verification

eMAR compliance

Medication refusals

Controlled substance accountability

Pharmacy expenditures

7.5 Additional Required Reports

The Contractor shall also submit the following:

Quarterly Financial Report - Management fee reconciliation, pass-through costs by category, variance analysis vs. budget, performance withhold calculation

Annual Program Report - Quality improvement initiatives, formulary review, mortality review summary, recommendations for program improvements

Incident Reports - Any reportable event (inmate death, serious injury, suicide attempt, hospital admission) within 24 hours of occurrence

SECTION 8 FINANCIAL REPORTING AND TRANSPARENCY

8.1 Monthly Financial Reports

The County requires complete financial transparency. Monthly financial reports shall identify actual expenditures by category including:

Management Fee Components

Administrative expenses

Corporate overhead

Insurance

Executive management

Recruitment costs

Staffing

Salaries, overtime, and benefits

Temporary staffing costs

Pharmacy

Medication costs and dispensing fees

Specialty medications

On-Site Services

Medical supplies and laboratory

Equipment

Medical waste and office supplies

Off-Site Medical

Emergency Room and hospitalization

Specialists and diagnostics

Transportation

8.2 Budget Accountability

The Contractor shall submit monthly reports comparing budgeted expenditures to actual expenditures, including variances, year-to-date performance, and forecasted annual expenditures. Reports shall clearly explain all material budget variances. Bundled or pooled reporting will not satisfy this requirement.

8.3 Operational Transparency

County representatives shall have unrestricted access to all operational reports. The Contractor shall provide executive reports reflecting:

Clinical performance and quality indicators

Financial performance and performance metrics

Staffing levels and vacancy rates

Pharmacy and hospital utilization

SECTION 9 PROPOSAL REQUIREMENTS AND EVALUATION

9.1 Proposal Format

Proposals shall be submitted in the following sequence and clearly tabbed/labeled:

1. Cover Letter- Signed by an authorized officer; confirms acceptance of contract terms and pricing validity period of 180 days.

2. Executive Summary- Not to exceed 3 pages; overview of the proposer's approach, differentiating qualifications, and management fee model understanding.

3. Organizational Qualifications- Company history, ownership, organizational chart, financial stability (audited financials for most recent 2 years or equivalent), and litigation/regulatory history.

4. Experience and References- Minimum 3 current correctional health contracts of comparable scope (facility size, services, ADP); reference contact information; relevant accreditation history.

5. Technical Approach- Detailed description of services to be provided, transition plan, EMR/technology platform, utilization management program, pharmacy management approach.

6. Staffing Plan (Exhibit A)- Proposed FTE schedule by position, shift coverage matrix, recruitment and retention strategy, key personnel resumes.

7. Service Tier Schedule (Exhibit B)- Dental and specialty service tiers with clinical criteria.

8. Quality and Compliance Plan- Approach to NCCHC/ACA compliance, QI program, mortality review process, grievance process.

9. Cost Proposal- Management fee breakdown per Section 6.1; pass-through markup schedule per Section 6.2; staffing cost detail. MUST BE SUBMITTED IN A SEPARATELY SEALED ENVELOPE LABELED 'COST PROPOSAL.'

10. Required Attachments- Licenses, certifications, insurance certificates, executed non-collusion affidavit, executed conflict of interest disclosure.

SECTION 10 CONTRACT TERMS AND CONDITIONS

10.1 Term

The anticipated contract term shall consist of three (3) initial one-year terms, with two (2) optional one-year renewals. Renewals are subject to satisfactory performance, mutual agreement, and County appropriation of funds. The initial term shall commence on the date services begin as established in the executed contract.

10.2 Insurance Requirements

The Contractor shall maintain the following minimum insurance coverage throughout the contract term and shall provide the County with certificates of insurance naming the County as an additional insured prior to commencement of services:

Commercial General Liability: $1,000,000 per occurrence / $3,000,000 aggregate

Professional Liability (Medical Malpractice): $1,000,000 per occurrence / $3,000,000 aggregate

Workers' Compensation: Statutory limits

Employer's Liability: $500,000 per occurrence

Cyber / Privacy Liability: $2,000,000 per occurrence

Umbrella / Excess Liability: $5,000,000 per occurrence

10.3 Indemnification

The Contractor shall indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the County, the Worth County Sheriff's Office, its officers, employees, and agents from and against any and all claims, damages, losses, and expenses, including reasonable attorneys' fees, arising out of or resulting from the Contractor's negligent or wrongful acts or omissions in the performance of services under this contract. The County shall retain liability for actions arising solely from County policy decisions independent of clinical recommendations.

10.4 Subcontracting

The Contractor may subcontract specialty services (e.g., laboratory, radiology, specialty physician groups) subject to prior written County approval. All subcontractors must meet the same credentialing, licensure, and insurance requirements applicable to the Contractor. The Contractor remains fully responsible for all subcontractor performance.

10.5 Transition

The Contractor shall be prepared to commence full operations within 60 days of contract execution. The Contractor shall provide a written transition plan addressing: staffing recruitment timeline, EMR data migration, formulary establishment, credentialing, and coordination with the outgoing provider. The Contractor shall cooperate in good faith with any successor contractor at end of term.

10.6 Termination

Termination for Convenience: The County may terminate this contract for any reason upon 90 days written notice.

Termination for Cause: The County may terminate immediately upon written notice if Contractor fails to remedy a material breach within 30 days of written notice of such breach, or immediately if patient safety is at risk.

Termination for Non-Performance: Three or more consecutive months of failure to meet KPI thresholds constitutes a material breach.

10.7 Governing Law and Dispute Resolution

This contract shall be governed by the laws of the State of Georgia. Any dispute not resolved by good faith negotiation within 30 days shall be submitted to non-binding mediation before resort to litigation. Venue for any legal proceedings shall be in Worth County, Georgia.

10.8 HIPAA and Data Security

The Contractor shall execute a Business Associate Agreement (BAA) with the County prior to commencement of services. The Contractor shall maintain policies and procedures to safeguard Protected Health Information (PHI) in compliance with HIPAA/HITECH. All breach notifications shall comply with applicable law and shall be reported to the County within 24 hours of discovery.

SECTION 11 PROCUREMENT PROCESS

11.1 Procurement Timeline

11.2 Questions and Addenda

All questions regarding this RFP must be submitted in writing to the Procurement Contact listed on the cover page no later than the Questions Deadline. Verbal questions will not be answered. Responses to all timely submitted questions will be issued as a written addendum to all registered proposers. Only written addenda issued by the County shall modify this RFP.

11.3 Pre-Proposal Conference

A pre-proposal conference will be held at Worth County Jail on the date specified on the cover page. Attendance is mandatory. Questions raised at the conference will be addressed through a subsequent written addendum.

11.4 Proposal Submission

Proposals must be received by the County no later than the date and time specified on the cover page. Late proposals will be rejected.

Submit one (1) original, clearly labeled 'ORIGINAL'; four (4) printed copies labeled 'COPY'; and one (1) electronic copy on USB drive or via secure file transfer link.

The Cost Proposal must be submitted in a separately sealed envelope clearly labeled 'COST PROPOSAL - [Proposer Name] - DO NOT OPEN WITH TECHNICAL PROPOSAL.'

Proposals shall be sealed and clearly marked on the outside: CORRECTIONAL HEALTHCARE SERVICES - DO NOT OPEN BEFORE August 11, 2026 at 2 pm.'

11.5 Rights Reserved

The County reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to: accept or reject any or all proposals; waive minor informalities or irregularities; request additional information from any proposer; cancel or modify this RFP at any time; award to multiple vendors or no vendor; conduct negotiations with one or more proposers; and award based on the overall best value to the County. Proposers assume all costs of proposal preparation. This RFP does not constitute a commitment to award a contract.

SECTION 12 REQUIRED FORMS AND CERTIFICATIONS

12.1 Proposer Identification

Proposers shall complete the following identifying information as part of their submitted proposal:

Proposer's Company Name: _____________________________________________________________

Name of Proposer's Contact: ___________________________________________________________

Proposer's Address: __________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Proposer's Phone Number: _____________________________________________________________

Proposer's Email: ____________________________________________________________________

12.2 Non-Collusion Affidavit

The undersigned, being duly sworn, deposes and certifies that the proposal submitted is genuine and not made in the interest of, or on behalf of, any undisclosed person or entity; that the proposer has not colluded, conspired, or agreed with any other proposer or person to submit a collusive or sham proposal; and that the prices and terms of the proposal have not been disclosed to any other proposer or competitor.

Authorized Signature: ___________________________________ Date: ________________

Printed Name: __________________________________________ Title: ________________

Company Name: _________________________________________

12.3 Conflict of Interest Disclosure

Proposer certifies that, to the best of its knowledge, no employee, officer, or director of the Proposer's organization, and no immediate family member thereof, is currently employed by or serves as an elected or appointed official of the County, and that no such relationship exists that could constitute a conflict of interest, EXCEPT as disclosed below:

Disclosure (if none, state 'None'): ______________________________________________________________________

Authorized Signature: ___________________________________ Date: ________________

12.4 Acknowledgment of Addenda

Proposer acknowledges receipt of the following addenda issued by the County:

Addendum No. ______ Date: ____________ Addendum No. ______ Date: ____________

Addendum No. ______ Date: ____________ Addendum No. ______ Date: ____________

If no addenda were issued, indicate: [ ] No addenda received.

EXHIBIT A STAFFING PLAN TEMPLATE

Proposers shall complete and submit this exhibit as part of their proposal. Provide the information requested for each proposed clinical and administrative position. All FTE counts and hours must be consistent with the shift coverage matrix submitted in the Technical Approach.

EXHIBIT A-1 STAFFING BUDGETED SALARY SCHEDULE

Proposers shall complete the following salary schedule for all proposed positions. Budgeted salary figures must align with the management fee cost assumptions submitted in Exhibit C. Salaries listed represent full-time equivalent annual compensation inclusive of base pay only; benefits, payroll taxes, and overhead are accounted for separately in the management fee breakdown.

Note: Sample figures below are provided as a reference benchmark only. Proposers must replace all figures with their own proposed compensation schedule.

* Year 2 and Year 3 totals reflect CPI-U adjustment assumption per Section 6.4. Proposers should indicate their assumed annual escalation rate in the Cost Proposal narrative.

EXHIBIT B DENTAL AND SPECIALTY SERVICE TIER SCHEDULE

Proposers shall describe the service tiers to be provided and the clinical criteria governing each tier. The County expects dental services to be provided in accordance with NCCHC Standard P-E-07 or equivalent.

EXHIBIT C COST PROPOSAL SUMMARY

Submit in Separately Sealed Envelope - See Section 11.4

Proposer Name: _____________________________________________________________

RFP: Comprehensive Correctional Healthcare | Worth County Sheriff's Office

Proposer acknowledges that all cost figures are firm and binding for a period of 180 days from the proposal submission deadline, and that the management fee includes all staffing, administrative, and operational costs as described in the Technical Approach and Staffing Plan.

Authorized Signature: ___________________________________ Date: ________________

Printed Name: __________________________________________ Title: ________________

Company Name: _________________________________________