Center for Social Innovation
Bringing Recovery Supports to Scale Technical Assistance Center Strategy (BRSS TACS)
Request for Capabilities Statements from Potential Subcontractors for
2016 Peer Education Efforts Regarding the Implementation and Support of the
Affordable Care Act (ACA)
Deadline for Submitting Capabilities Statements: January 22, 2016 8:00 p.m. EST
SCHEDULE
December 14, 2015
Request for Capabilities Statements Released
January 7, 2016
Written Intent to Submit (optional)
January 22, 2016
Capabilities Statements received by 8:00 p.m. EST
February 22, 2016
Subcontractors Notified
March 1 – August 31, 2016
Period of Performance for Subcontracted Projects
March 4, 2016
Subcontract Kick-off Conference Call
SUMMARY
The Center for Social Innovation (C4) has been contracted by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health
Services Administration (SAMHSA) to operate the Bringing Recovery Supports to Scale Technical
Assistance Center Strategy (BRSS TACS). C4 is currently requesting capabilities statements from PeerRun/Recovery Community Organizations (PRO/RCOs) to carry out activities in support of Affordable
Care Act (ACA) implementation efforts in the state, district, territory, or federally recognized American
Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) tribal jurisdiction in which they operate.
The overall purpose of the subcontracts is to increase Peer-Run Organizations/Recovery Community
Organizations’ (PRO/RCOs) knowledge of and participation in health care activities initiated by the ACA
in the state, district, territory or federally recognized American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) tribal
jurisdiction within which they operate. Subcontractors will engage with existing networks or, where
appropriate, form new networks to increase knowledge of health care policies and the changes these are
bringing about in the health care systems in their state, district, territory or federally recognized American
Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) tribal jurisdiction. Networks can include PRO/RCOs, service and
healthcare providers, governmental agencies, and other entities that contribute to or benefit from the
implementation of the Affordable Care Act. The collaboration on this initiative may begin with two or
more PRO/RCOs deciding to submit joint rather than competing capabilities statements. Subcontractors
can select from one of the following two activities:
1.
Develop and disseminate a guide to Affordable Care Act implementation efforts undertaken by
PRO/RCOs, state, territorial, or tribal governmental entities, medical and social service
providers, and others in the subcontractor’s state, territory, or federally recognized American
Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) tribal jurisdiction. The guide may be in hard copy form,
function as an interactive, web-based resource, or include a combination of both approaches.
Regardless of format, the guide will include information on how efforts to implement and
Request for Capabilities Statement - 2016 BRSS TACS Peer Health Reform Efforts
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Request for Capabilities Statements
support the Affordable Care Act address the needs of individuals with mental and substance
use disorders. This includes describing outreach and enrollment strategies that focus
specifically on these individuals. Projects may also provide an index of resources to help those
who are enrolled access health care and supportive services.
2.
In states or territories that have expanded Medicaid eligibility under the ACA, subcontractors
have the option of foregrounding the impact this is having on the lives of individuals with
mental and substance use disorders. Education materials on Medicaid expansion may be in
hard copy form, function as an interactive, web-based resource, or include a combination of
both approaches. The Medicaid guide will contain information on resources and tools to assist
individuals enroll in Medicaid programs. Subcontractors will find it useful to provide
information on state Medicaid waivers and changes to reimbursement and other payment
mechanisms that facilitate the integration of care and increase access to medical and behavioral
health care and recovery supports, including peer support services. For example, the permember fee paid to some health homes has increased opportunities for peer specialists,
recovery coaches, and others to join interdisciplinary care teams.
The following are among the topics and concerns to be addressed in both of these activities:
a) Changing health insurance enrollment rates within the state, district, territory, or tribal
jurisdiction. Include information on the percentage or number of individuals with behavioral
health needs who remain uninsured and provide data regarding the barriers these individuals face
to obtaining coverage and accessing care.
b) Eligibility and enrollment assistance available to consumers as they apply for and choose new
insurance through the state or federal marketplace or determine their eligibility for and enroll in
Medicaid programs. Navigators, in-person assistance personnel, certified application counselors
or insurance agents and brokers are among those who provide such assistance.
c) Strategies and tools to ensure that individuals take the requisite steps to keep or change their
plans, beginning with ensuring individuals understand the terms of their coverage, such as
premium obligations, co-pays, and so forth. Individuals should also be helped to anticipate and,
if possible, avoid a phenomenon called “churn,” which is the cycling of individuals or families
into and out of coverage. Churning is typically caused by a change in eligibility status as a result
of fluctuations in income, loss of a job, or changes in family circumstance, such as pregnancy. At
low-income levels, employment is particularly unstable, leading to high levels of churn among
that population. Preventing or mitigating the effects of churn is especially important to those with
behavioral health disorders as they may often be in situations of inconsistent coverage at higher
rates than the general population. A related task is helping individuals avoid disenrollment from
insurance coverage altogether. Disenrollment may be caused by a number of issues, including
failures to complete paperwork, housing instability, or income volatility.
d) Resources to facilitate the path from coverage to care. This assistance is provided to help people
with coverage obtained either through the marketplace or Medicaid understand the terms of their
coverage and connect to primary care and the preventive services that are right for them.
Information should also be provided on barriers encountered when accessing care and how those
are addressed. Information on the 2008 Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act should
also be included, to emphasize how adherence is monitored and the steps to be taken to address
reported inequities in access to care between behavioral health and any of the other categories of
Essential Health Benefits.
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Request for Capabilities Statements
All subcontractors must also develop and implement a strategy to share information about health care
with RCO/PROs and allied organizations. This can include convening webinars, hosting conference calls,
and working with individual organizations or a network of organizations. These educational and planning
sessions may include an overview of the Affordable Care Act implementation and support guide
developed by subcontractor and how it is to be used. Subcontractors may find it useful to develop case
studies that illustrate how individuals and organizations navigate or are affected by the health care
process. When sharing information, subcontractors should indicate how RCO/PROs might contribute to
the state, district, territory, or tribal jurisdiction’s ongoing health care implementation processes,
including participating in health care efforts undertaken by networks of organizations.
These activities are in support of C4’s efforts to bring recovery-oriented policies, practices, and
infrastructure developments to scale within the context of health care.
Up to six (6) subcontracts in the amount of $40,000 each will be made by C4 to PRO/RCOs in
states, Territories and Tribal Jurisdictions.
ELIGIBILITY
SAMHSA and C4 are seeking PRO/RCOs to carry out this project. More specifically, potential
subcontractors are nonprofit entities that meet the following requirements:
 The organization must be led and run by consumers/peers/people in recovery who are dedicated
to recovery-oriented transformation of systems and services.
 The majority of the organization’s board of directors or advisory board must identify as
consumers/peers/people in recovery. The Board of Directors or Advisory Board must have been
in operation for at least six months before the date of issuance of this subcontract announcement.
NOTE: If the subcontractor does not have the infrastructure in place to accept funds and provide
adequate financial oversight, it is permitted to identify a fiscal agent who will provide
these financial services. In such circumstances, it is not necessary for the majority of the fiscal
agent’s board of directors or advisory board to identify as consumers/peers/people in recovery.
 The organization must be dedicated to providing education on recovery and promoting recovery
for people with mental health and/or substance use conditions.
 The organization has demonstrated knowledge of and experience with the implementation and
support of the Affordable Care Act. This experience may include: partnering with state,
territorial, or tribal governmental entities to share information about the legislation; assisting with
eligibility determination, enrollment, and treatment access; contributing to policy and program
planning initiatives, etc.
To be eligible to receive a subcontract, the organization must complete and attach to the capability
statement the Certificate of Eligibility that indicates that the applicant meets all eligibility requirements.
This Certificate of Eligibility can be found in ATTACHMENT B, on page 8.
The statutory authority for this program prohibits the funding of for-profit agencies.
Please Note: Organizations that received subcontracts under the 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2015 BRSS
TACS Peer Health Care Education initiatives are eligible and encouraged to submit capabilities
statements for this round of subcontracts.
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Request for Capabilities Statements
CAPABILITIES STATEMENT
A capability statement describes: 1) A PRO/RCO’s capacity to fulfill the subcontract activities; and, 2)
The steps that will be taken to accomplish these goals within the specified time period. Every state,
territory, and tribal jurisdiction is different. In proposing how to address the subcontract activities,
capabilities statements will reflect the conditions and characteristics specific to the state, territory, or
federally recognized American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) tribal jurisdiction in which the
subcontractor operates. Territories and organizations in federally recognized American Indian/Alaska
Native (AI/AN) tribal jurisdictions are especially encouraged to participate.
A strong capabilities statement will generally include the following information in 4-6 pages:
(a) A brief summary of the status of health care implementation in the state, district, territory or
tribal jurisdiction, including how the PRO/RCO has participated in the process to date.
(b) A description of the PRO/RCO’s governance, organizational and management structure,
including fiscal management. This description will reflect the eligibility criteria listed on page
3.
(c) A listing of previous health care-related projects or coordinated education efforts undertaken
with PRO/RCOs, or community- or governmental organizations in the state, district, territory,
or tribal jurisdiction.
(d) Identification of which of the two requested activities the PRO/RCO intends to carry out and
a summary of how the project will be implemented within the six-month project period. For
example, a highly qualified potential subcontractor would demonstrate the capacity to carry
out the project by clearly identifying: i) steps to be taken according to clearly laid-out
timeline; ii) specific deliverables to be produced with anticipated delivery dates; iii) how the
sub-contract budget will be apportioned to cover personnel, supplies, and other eligible costs
(see ATTACHMENT C, page 9).
(e) An affirmation of the prospective subcontractor’s willingness to participate in learning
community activities with other subcontractors. The subcontractors will meet four times
during the subcontract period by conference call and in virtual meeting rooms for
presentations by health care experts who will share resources and information specific to their
health care education projects. Subcontractors will also participate in the BRSS TACS expert
panel on health care and recovery scheduled for Spring 2016. Participants in the expert panel
will convene for a series of plenary and breakout sessions over the two days to address topics
ranging from insurance exchange enrollment strategies for individuals with behavioral health
needs to mechanisms for challenging violations of the parity requirements instituted by the
Affordable Care Act.
Funding is not available for:

Direct mental health or substance use treatment, services, or care

Any activity that violates local, state, or federal laws or the terms of SAMHSA’s contract with C4
for the operation of the BRSS TACS project

Payment for professional services not directly related to the proposed project activities

Costs for the creation of new organizations and fundraising
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Request for Capabilities Statements

Indirect costs or institutional overhead (indirect costs are those not readily identifiable with a
particular cost objective but necessary to the general operation of a nonprofit organization and the
conduct of the activities it performs)

Subcontractors may not pass the funds to another organization that will execute the proposed
project. However, if a subcontractor does not have the infrastructure in place to accept funds and
provide adequate financial oversight, it is permitted to identify a fiscal agent who will provide
these financial services. Subcontractors may enter into subcontracts with organizations and
individuals to conduct specific activities that support the overall project. These subcontracts will
need to be reviewed and approved by the C4 and SAMHSA

Lobbying activities

Travel or lodging expenses including mileage and other ground transportation, not directly related
to the project staff’s planning, implementation, and administrative oversight of this project.
(Examples of non-allowable travel and lodging expenses include those associated with
conferences or training sessions not directly related to this subcontract.)

Expenses related to meetings, conferences, or events. This includes rental for meeting space at
hotels, conference centers, or any other venue. Subcontractors are strongly encouraged to use
technology to provide educational and training events.

The provision of food and/or beverages

To supplant funding for programs or activities that are currently funded
REVIEW PROCESS
C4 will review and assess the capabilities statements and provide a listing of the most highly qualified
organizations to SAMHSA. Reviewers will consider an organizations’ capabilities to carry out the goals
of the project, including past experience with the implementation and support of the Affordable Care Act,
the ability to connect with organizations across the state, territory, or federally recognized American
Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) tribal jurisdiction, and the commitment to sustaining the key elements of
the project beyond the subcontract period. SAMHSA representatives will review and recommend the 6
PRO/RCOs to receive subcontracts. In addition to reviewing organizations’ capabilities to carry out the
goals of the project, SAMHSA will seek a balance of mental health and substance use disorders recovery
organizations, as well as geographical diversity across the Public Health Service Public Health Regions
http://www.hhs.gov/about/regionmap.html. Those organizations chosen to receive a subcontract will be
notified no later than February 22, 2016.
SUBCONTRACT ADMINISTRATION
The Center for Social Innovation (C4) will administer funds as fixed-price subcontracts to the six (6)
organizations chosen to carry out the work. The period of performance is six months, beginning on
March 1, 2016 and ending on August 31, 2016.
Funds will be divided into two payments over the course of the project period, with 60% ($24,000) of the
funds disbursed after the subcontractor signs the subcontract, develops the final workplan, and submits an
invoice. Reporting, communication, and deliverable requirements as outlined in the subcontract must be
met to qualify for the second payment, which will be for the remaining 40% ($16,000) of the funds.
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Request for Capabilities Statements
There will be three deliverables: (1) At the beginning of the project period, a workplan detailing project
goals, primary activities and key benchmarks; (2) Midway through the project period, an interim report
describing progress made toward accomplishing the project goals and initial project outcomes; (3) At the
end of the project period, a final report describing accomplishments, lessons learned, and sustainability
plans. These plans will include details on which partners will help disseminate the guide and how they
will do so, efforts to implement recommendations, if relevant, and mechanisms to ensure that the
education materials or guide will be updated and revised in order to ensure they remain relevant and
accurate resource beyond the subcontract period. The final report will also include an appendix
containing project materials, such as a copy of the guide developed by the subcontractor to Affordable
Care Act implementation efforts undertaken in the subcontractor’s jurisdiction, tools to assist with
enrollment and retention activities, training and dissemination materials, and a strategic plan for ongoing
health care-related activities within an organization or across a network of organizations, etc.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUBMITTING CAPABILITIES STATEMENTS
An optional e-mail stating the intent to submit a capabilities statement can be sent by January 7, 2016, to
Rebecca Stouff at rstouff@center4si.com.
Submit capabilities statements by email (preferred method) or mail (overnight courier or US Postal
Service). Faxed capability statements will not be accepted. Email capabilities statements to Rebecca
Stouff at rstouff@center4si.com.
If submitting by mail, provide one original and six copies of the capabilities statement. Mail application
packages to:
Rebecca Stouff
Center for Social Innovation
200 Reservoir Street, Suite 202
Needham, MA 02494
Capabilities statements must be in 12-point Times New Roman font with one-inch document margins.
The completed cover sheet (see ATTACHMENT A, page 7), signed Certificate of Eligibility (see
ATTACHMENT B, page 8), and budget (see ATTACHMENT C, page 9) must be submitted with the
capabilities statement.
Capabilities statements must be received no later than 8:00pm Eastern Standard Time (EST) on January
22, 2016. Please do not send additional materials, such as videotapes, educational materials, or other
back-up documentation. They will not be reviewed and cannot be returned.
Capabilities statements received after 8:00 pm EST/5:00 pm PST, January 22, 2016 will not be
accepted or reviewed.
CONTACT INFORMATION
You may send questions via email to Rebecca Stouff at rstouff@center4si.com or you may call
(781) 247-1752.
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Request for Capabilities Statements
ATTACHMENT A
2016 BRSS TACS Peer Education Efforts Regarding the Implementation and Support of the
Affordable Care Act
Please review the checklist below and indicate that the required items accompany the capabilities statement.
Check List
o
o
o
Completed Cover Sheet (Attachment A)
Signed Certificate of Eligibility (Attachment B)
Budget (Attachment C)
Organization Information
FULL NAME OF ORGANIZATION:
o
Capabilities statement follows guidelines:
o 4–6 single-spaced pages
o 12-point Times New Roman font
o 1-inch margins
Key Personnel Information
AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE
Signing Authority and Contact for Notices
NAME:
FEDERAL EIN #:
TITLE:
ADDRESS:
ADDRESS:
DIRECT PHONE #:
DIRECT PHONE #:
E-MAIL:
KEY PERSONNEL
Essential for the work performed under
subcontract
NAME:
TITLE:
ADDRESS:
FAX #: (optional)
DIRECT PHONE #:
Please provide a brief statement of work that includes the primary goal and summary of planned activities
described in the capabilities statement.
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Request for Capabilities Statements
ATTACHMENT B
2016 BRSS TACS Peer Education Efforts Regarding the Implementation and Support of the
Affordable Care Act
Certificate of Eligibility
An authorized representative of the organization submitting the capabilities statement must complete and
sign this certificate. The signed certificate must accompany the capabilities statement.
I certify the following:

The lead organization named in the capabilities statement is a nonprofit Peer-Run
Organization/Recovery Community Organization (PRO/RCO) led and operated by
consumers/peers/people in recovery and is dedicated to recovery-oriented transformation of
systems and services. Note: Peer-Run Organizations/Recovery Community Organizations are
fully independent, separate and autonomous from other mental health agencies, with the
authority and responsibility for all oversight and decision making on governance, finance,
personnel, policy, and program issues. PRO/RCOs are organizations comprised of and led
primarily by people in recovery. These organizations directly provide recovery support services.
PRO/RCOs are independent organizations with nonprofit status that share three core principles:
recovery vision, authenticity of voice, and accountability to the recovery community.

The named organization has a Board of Directors or Advisory Board that includes meaningful
representation of consumers/peers/people in recovery. Ideally, at least 50% of board members
will identify as consumers/peers/people in recovery.

The consumers/peers/people in recovery on the Board of Directors or Advisory Board are
individuals who have lived experience of mental health and/or substance use conditions and are in
recovery.

The Board of Directors or Advisory Board has been in operation for at least six months before the
date of issuance of this request for Capabilities Statements.

The named organization will take an active role in the fiscal management and oversight of the
subcontract. This includes working closely with a designated fiscal agent if the organization is
currently not able to provide those services.
An authorized representative of the named organization must sign and date this form to certify that the
aforementioned statements are accurate.
___________________________________________
Type or print name
__________________________
Title
____________________________________________ _________________________
Signature
Date
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Request for Capabilities Statements
ATTACHMENT C
2016 Peer Education Efforts Regarding the Implementation and Support of the
Affordable Care Act
Budget Instructions
Please include direct personnel and operating expenses in your budget. You may use the budget format of
your choice or you can enter budget elements into the table below.
Personnel: Provide the name and title of each individual staff member involved in the project. Include a
brief description of the individual’s responsibilities with an estimated hourly rate and the number of hours
the individual will work on this project. You may group staff together according to roles, such as
administrative assistants, educators, and peer outreach specialists. List the total budget allocated for
personnel.
Operating Expenses: List direct expenses relevant to the project, such as printing, telephone, and
Internet services. Include a brief breakdown of the expenses, including relevance to project work, and
unit and/or monthly costs. List the total budget allocated to operation expenses. NOTE: Do not include
indirect expenses related to the general operation of your organization. Funds cannot be use to cover:
conference travel and/or lodging expenses; expenses related to meetings, conferences, or events; and the
provision of food and/or beverages. See page 4-5 of the request guidelines for a complete list of expenses
that cannot be covered with subcontract funds.
Personnel Expenses
Name
Responsibilities
Hours/FTE
Expenses
Project Director
Staff Positions:
1.
2.
3.
Total Personnel Expenses
Operating Expenses
Purpose
Unit Costs
Expenses
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Total Other Direct Expenses
Total Expenses
2016 BRSS TACS Peer Affordable Care Act Education Efforts
$40,000
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