Training for Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) Workforce

State of New Hampshire
Department of Health and Human Services
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
FOR
Training for Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) Workforce
RFP-2027-DBH-14-TRAIN
RELEASE DATE: March 20, 2026

New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services
Training for Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) Workforce
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. PURPOSE AND OVERVIEW 3
2. STATEMENT OF WORK 6
3. SOLICITATION RESPONSE EVALUATION 8
4. SOLICITATION RESPONSE PROCESS 10
5. SOLICITATION RESPONSE SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS 12
6. SOLICITATION RESPONSE REQUIREMENTS 12
7. ADDITIONAL TERMS AND REQUIREMENTS 13
8. COMPLIANCE 17
9. APPENDICES TO THIS SOLICITATION 19
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New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services
Training for Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) Workforce
1. PURPOSE AND OVERVIEW
Introduction
The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services, Division for Behavioral
Health, is seeking proposals from qualified vendors to provide competency and skills-based
professional development training for the Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) Continuum of Care
(CoC) and problem gambling prevention workforce. The goal is to enhance statewide capacity
in trauma-informed practices, risk mitigation, prevention, treatment, recovery supports, and
emerging issues such as suicide prevention and stimulant use disorder.
Qualified Vendors must be able to provide a high-quality competency and skills-based training
program that addresses the needs of the State's prevention, early intervention, treatment, and
recovery supports workforce.
The Department anticipates awarding one (1) contract for the services in this solicitation.
Key Information
The information in the table below is as anticipated by the Department and is subject to
change. Agreements are contingent upon the availability of funds, and/or approval by the
Governor and Executive Council.
Contract Effective Date Upon Governor and Executive Council approval
Contract End Date June 30, 2027
Renewal Options The Department may extend contracted services for up to two (2)
additional years.
Funding Source The Department anticipates using Federal and General funds for
the resulting contract.
Assistance Listing Number 93.959
Award Name Substance Use Prevention,
Treatment, and Recovery Services
Block Grant
Match Requirements Cost Reimbursement
Point of Contact Corey R. Nachman, Contract Specialist
Corey.R.Nachman@dhhs.nh.gov
603-271-9341
From the date of release of this solicitation until an award is made and announced regarding the
selection of a Vendor, all communication with personnel employed by or under contract with the
Department regarding this solicitation is prohibited unless first approved by the Point of Contact
listed above. Department employees have been directed not to hold conferences and/or
discussions concerning this solicitation with any potential contractor during the selection process,
unless otherwise authorized by the Point of Contact. Vendors may be disqualified for violating
this restriction on communications.
Interested vendors must read this entire solicitation and submit the required documents
in the specified manner. Vendors are responsible for reviewing the most updated
information related to this solicitation before submitting responses.
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New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services
Training for Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) Workforce
Procurement Timetable
All times are according to Eastern Time. The Department reserves the right to modify
these dates and times at its sole discretion.
Item Action Date
1. S olicitation Released 3/20/2026
Letter of Intent Submission Deadline
2. 3/27/2026
(optional)
3/27/2026
3. V endor Questions Submission Deadline
12:00PM - Noon
Department Response to Questions
4. 4/17/2026
Published
5/1/2026
5. V endor Solicitation Response Due Date
12:00PM - Noon
Background
1.4.1. New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services, Division for
Behavioral Health
The mission of the NH Department of Health and Human Services (Department) is to join
communities and families in providing opportunities for citizens to achieve health and
independence. The Division for Behavioral Health (DBH) contributes to this mission, in part, by
providing resources that develop, support, and deliver substance misuse prevention, early
intervention, life-saving interventions, treatment and recovery support services that are integrated
with primary and behavioral health care.
The Department envisions a statewide system of prevention, early intervention, treatment and
recovery supports that meets the needs of individuals and families misusing substances and/or
experiencing substance use disorders (SUD). This system should integrate mental and physical
health services and community agencies to address the social determinants of health for all
individuals receiving services.
The mission of the Governor's Commission on Addiction, Treatment, and Prevention
(Commission) is to significantly reduce alcohol and other drug problems and their behavioral,
health and social consequences for the citizens of New Hampshire. The Commission supports
this mission by advising the Governor and Legislature on the delivery of effective and coordinated
substance misuse prevention, early intervention, life-saving interventions, treatment, and
recovery services.
1.4.2. Objective
New Hampshire, like many other states, is struggling with a lack of workforce capacity to provide
needed AOD prevention, problem gambling prevention, early-intervention, treatment, and
recovery support services.
The continued improvement and transformation of the AOD CoC system, and it's integration with
primary and behavioral healthcare, depend on having a workforce that is sufficient in size and
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New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services
Training for Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) Workforce
adequately trained and supported to meet the needs of individuals who seek SUD services. The
knowledge required to deliver effective AOD services has also increased dramatically in recent
years.
To address these challenges, the Department works closely with the Commission and their
respective Taskforces. In 2019, the Commission, in partnership with service providers and other
key stakeholders, identified data-driven priorities to comprehensively address NH's addiction
crisis. This updated five-year strategic plan provides a framework to move NH forward in a
direction that creates an outcomes-based approach that continues to build on well-coordinated
efforts across the CoC system. More information on the Commission and the five-year strategic
plan is available in the following link: SFY23-SFY27 State Action Plan Strengthening Our
Response Together.
1.4.3. Covered Populations
The NH AOD CoC and problem gambling prevention workforce.
Terminology
Alcohol and Other Drug Continuum of Care System - A full spectrum of substance
misuse prevention, early intervention, treatment and recovery supports services that are
integrated with primary care and mental health and align with the Department's efforts
to establish whole-person-centered and community-owned systems of care.
eLearning - Education which utilizes electronic technologies to access educational
curriculum outside of a traditional classroom. For the purposes of this solicitation, this
can include synchronous and asynchronous learning opportunities either blended or fully
utilizing technology.
Governor's Commission on Addiction, Treatment and Prevention - The
Commission was established to serve in an advisory capacity to the Governor and the
General Court regarding the delivery of effective and coordinated alcohol and drug
misuse prevention, problem gambling prevention, and treatment using a public health
informed approach to address addiction and recovery services throughout the state.
More information is available at: Chapter 12-J The Governor's Commission on Addiction,
Treatment, and Prevention.
Learning Management Systems - A learning management system (LMS) is a software
application for administration, documentation, tracking, reporting, and delivery of
educational courses, training programs, or learning and development programs.
Gambling - Risking something of value, usually money, on the outcome of an event
decided at least partially by chance. More information is available at: Gambling
Problems: An Introduction For Behavioral Health Services Providers.
State Opioid Response Grant - A federal grant through the Substance Abuse and
Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) that addresses the opioid crisis.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration - The agency within
the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that leads public health efforts to
advance the behavioral health of the nation.
Workforce - A wide range of professionals who come into contact with individuals with
alcohol and other drug issues as part of their work; including, but not limited to AOD
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New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services
Training for Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) Workforce
specialists such as Master Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselors, Licensed Alcohol
and Drug Counselors, Certified Recovery Support Workers, Certified Prevention
Specialists, and Licensed Mental Health Professionals who have demonstrated
competency in treatment of substance use disorders and other professions such as
health, mental health, corrections, education, and human service providers.
2. STATEMENT OF WORK
Scope of Services- See Appendix A - Scope of Services
Mandatory Questions
2.2.1. In response to this solicitation, Vendor(s) must respond to the Mandatory
Questions below, utilizing Appendix E Technical Responses to Mandatory
Questions.
Q1 - Describe your organization's plan to deliver the required training suites (alcohol
and other drug misuse prevention, problem gambling prevention, trauma informed
best practices, intervention, treatment including for co-occurring mental health
disorders, risk mitigation, recovery, and emerging issues) including how you will
meet the minimum annual training requirements. Provide a workplan and
summarize your organization's experience administering multi-component
training programs that include both in person and eLearning opportunities.
Q2 - Explain your approach to quality improvement. Describe how you will collect and
analyze training evaluations and survey responses (i.e. required annual Workforce
training needs survey) and how you will apply the results to continuous quality
improvement, train-the-trainer programming, and overall training effectiveness.
Describe how you will collaborate with the Department to support emerging
initiatives and adjust content as needed.
Q3 - Explain how your proposed use of information technology infrastructure will allow
you to provide the entire scope of services. Describe your proposed web presence
and how it will be maintained. Explain the features of the proposed Learning
Management System and how it supports registration, continuing education,
tracking, and reporting. Include your process for administering and tracking
scholarship opportunities, including research, marketing, application
management, and awards.
Q4 - Provide your sustainability plan, including whether training fees will be charged,
the proposed fee schedule, and how collected fees will be used and reported to
enhance the program. Describe your organization's capacity to perform the full
scope of work, including an organizational chart, staffing plan including
designated Training Director, FTEs, qualifications, and relevant specialized
training of key personnel (to be included in Appendix F - Program Staff List).
Finance
2.3.1. Payment for services shall be made on an accrual basis and shall correspond
to revenue recognized by the selected Vendor in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles (GAAP). Payments shall be issued on a monthly
basis based on approved line-item budgets incorporated into the resulting
contract. The amount payable by the Department shall be reduced by any
revenue earned and recognized by the Vendor as a result of providing the
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New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services
Training for Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) Workforce
services under the contract.
2.3.2. The selected Vendor must complete and submit monthly invoices using a form
satisfactory to the Department to initiate and request payment in accordance
with the terms of the resulting contract.
2.3.3. The Contractor may collect registration fees from training participants for
training expenses, this excludes participants attending the Initial Training on
Addiction and Recovery and the Families and Addiction quarterly trainings. Prior
to implementation, the Contractor shall submit the proposed registration fee
schedule to the Department for review and written approval. All revenue
recognized from the collection of registration fees affiliated with providing the
services under the contract shall be applied against the expenses incurred,
resulting in the net amount payable.
2.3.4. The indirect rate for any portion of federal funds in the resulting contract(s) will
be applied in accordance with 2 CFR 200.414. Any portion of non-federal
funding, including General Funds or other non-federal funds, in the resulting
contract(s) may be subject to an indirect rate cap of 15% or, if applicable, the
selected Vendor's federal Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA),
whichever is lower.
Remainder of this page intentionally left blank.
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New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services
Training for Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) Workforce
3. SOLICITATION RESPONSE EVALUATION
The Department will evaluate responses from Vendors based upon the criteria and
standards contained in this solicitation and by applying the points as set forth below,
which will be used to determine the overall highest scoring Vendor(s). Vendors are
advised that this is not a low-cost award.
TECHNICAL RESPONSE POSSIBLE SCORE
Workplan/Experience (Q1) 275 Points
Quality Improvement (Q2) 145 Points
LMS/IT Infrastructure (Q3) 130 Points
Sustainability/Capacity (Q4) 150 Points
Technical Response - Total Possible Score 700 Points
COST PROPOSAL POSSIBLE SCORE
Vendor Budget Narrative Evaluation (See 3.3 below) 50 Points
Vendor Cost (see formula below) 250 Points
Cost Proposal - Total Possible Score 300 Points
MAXIMUM POSSIBLE SCORE 1000 Points
Preliminary Scoring of Technical Responses
3.2.1. The Department will establish an evaluation team. The evaluation team will
review the Technical Proposal and provide a preliminary score. Should a
Vendor fail to achieve a minimum of 400 points during the preliminary scoring,
it will receive no further consideration from the evaluation team and the Vendor's
Cost Proposal will remain unopened.
Scoring of Technical Proposals
3.3.1. Vendor Technical Responses will be scored based on the following criteria:
Question 1 0-91 Points 92-183 Points 184-275 Points
Vendor does not include Vendor includes some detail Vendor includes necessary
sufficient detail in description in description of how services detail in description of how
of how services will be will be conducted but some services will be conducted
conducted, and most requirements are not and most or all requirements
requirements are not sufficiently addressed. are sufficiently addressed.
sufficiently addressed. Vendor's work plan contains Vendor's work plan contains
Vendor's work plan does not some required detail and required detail and mostly or
contain required detail/align somewhat aligns with fully aligns with solicitation
with solicitation requirements. solicitation requirements. requirements. Vendor
Vendor experience is not Vendor experience experience is fully
provided or is not well somewhat provided/demonstrated and
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New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services
Training for Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) Workforce
demonstrated. provided/demonstrated or includes relevant details.
lacks some detail.
Question 2 0-48 Points 49-97 Points 98-145 Points
Vendor does not demonstrate Vendor somewhat Vendor mostly or fully
quality improvement process demonstrates quality demonstrates quality
necessary to perform scope improvement process improvement process
of services/meet solicitation necessary to perform scope necessary to perform scope
requirements. of services/meet solicitation of services/meet solicitation
requirements. requirements.
Question 3 0-43 Points 44-87 Points 88-130 Points
Vendor does not fully explain Vendor somewhat explains Vendor mostly or fully
how website/LMS will how website/LMS will explains how website/LMS
perform in relation to the perform in relation to the will perform in relation to the
scope of services/meet scope of services/meet scope of services/meet
solicitation requirements.IT solicitation requirements. IT solicitation requirements. IT
infrastructure is not fully infrastructure is somewhat infrastructure is mostly or
explained. explained. fully explained.
Question 4 0-50 Points 51-100 Points 101-150 Points
Vendor does not include Vendor includes some detail Vendor includes necessary
sufficient detail in description in description of how services detail in description of how
of how services will be will be sustainable. Vendor services will be sustainable.
sustainable. Vendor capacity capacity is somewhat Vendor capacity is fully
is not provided or is not well provided/demonstrated or provided/demonstrated and
demonstrated. lacks some detail. includes relevant details.
Scoring of Cost Proposals
3.4.1. Vendor Cost Narrative Evaluation: The Vendor(s) must:
3.4.1.1. Complete Appendix G, Cost Sheet for each State Fiscal Year (July 1
through June 30).
3.4.1.1.1. Include a Budget Narrative explaining the specific line-item costs
included in Appendix G, Cost Sheet and the direct relationship to
meeting the objectives of this solicitation. The Cost Sheet with
Narrative will be scored based on the following criteria:
0-16 Points 17-32 Points 33-50 Points
Relationship of costs
Relationship of costs relative
relative to the proposed Relationship of costs relative to
to the proposed services is
services is not understood. the proposed services is
mostly or fully understood.
Costs do not directly align somewhat understood. Costs
Costs mostly or fully align
with objectives, somewhat align with objectives
directly with objectives and
requirements, and/or and proposed services of the
proposed services of the
proposed services of the RFP.
RFP.
RFP.
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New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services
Training for Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) Workforce
3.4.2. Vendor Total Cost: The following formula will be used to assign points for
Vendor Proposed Cost:
Vendor's Cost Score = (Lowest Total Proposed Cost / Vendor's Total
Proposed Cost) x Maximum Number of Points for Vendor Cost.
For the purpose of this formula, the lowest proposed cost is defined as the
lowest total cost proposed by a Vendor in Appendix G, Cost Sheet, that
has not been disqualified and received the minimum allowable points
during preliminary scoring of technical responses as specified above.
Fractions of points will be rounded up to the nearest whole number of
points.
*Example:
* Vendor A proposes $100,000
* Vendor B proposes $200,000
* Maximum Number of Points for Vendor Cost = 250 points.
Vendor B Cost Score:
($100,000/$200,000) x 250 = 125 Points
Rights of the Department in Evaluating Solicitation Responses
3.5.1. The Department reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to:
3.5.1.1. Make independent investigations in evaluating solicitation responses;
3.5.1.2. Request additional information to clarify elements of a proposal;
3.5.1.3. Waive minor or immaterial deviations from the solicitation and
contract requirements, if determined to be in the best interest of the
State;
3.5.1.4. Omit any planned evaluation step if, in the Department's view, the
step is not needed;
3.5.1.5. Reject any and all solicitation responses in whole or in part at any
time; and
3.5.1.6. Open contract discussions with the second highest scoring vendor
and so on, if the Department is unable to reach an agreement on
contract terms with the highest scoring vendor(s).
4. SOLICITATION RESPONSE PROCESS
Letter of Intent
4.1.1. A Letter of Intent to submit a response to this solicitation is optional.
4.1.2. Receipt of the Letter of Intent by Department will be required to receive
electronic notification of any addenda published to amend this solicitation.
4.1.3. The Letter of Intent must be transmitted by email to the Contract Specialist
identified in Subsection 1.2 and include the name, telephone number, mailing
address and email address of the Vendor's designated contact as specified in
Appendix D, Transmittal Letter and Vendor Information. Notwithstanding the
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