How to bid on outpatient substance use, sex offender, and mental health services for the Bureau of Prisons

What the agency is buying and why a vendor would care

The Federal Bureau of Prisons is looking for community-based outpatient services in Rapid City, South Dakota. These services include substance use disorder treatment, sex offender treatment, and mental health services for adults in custody. This is a significant opportunity for small businesses in the healthcare and social assistance sector.

The contract is structured with a one-year base period, estimated to start December 1, 2026, and includes four additional one-year option periods. This offers a potential long-term engagement for the successful vendor.

Key dates and what happens at the deadline

The solicitation was published on September 8, 2026. All quotes are due by October 8, 2026, at 2:00 PM ET. This is a firm deadline, and late submissions are typically not considered.

The government anticipates awarding this indefinite-delivery contract on December 1, 2026. The award will go to the responsible offeror whose quote is most advantageous to the government, based on the evaluation criteria in the solicitation.

Who this opportunity suits

This opportunity is specifically set aside for small business concerns. The relevant NAICS code is 621420, which covers outpatient mental health and substance abuse centers, with a small business size standard of $19,000,000. Firms specializing in these types of community-based outpatient services are well-suited.

The contract requires the provision of a range of services, including individual and group counseling, intake screenings and assessments, treatment planning, psychiatric evaluations, and medication monitoring. Vendors should have established capabilities in these areas.

How to respond

This is a Request for Quotation (RFQ), and a separate written solicitation will not be issued. To access the full details and prepare your quote, you need to view the original source document on the portal.

Clicking the 'View original source' link will take you to the opportunity. If the first click leads to the portal's homepage, click it again to go directly to the bid. You may need to create a free account to view all documents, though this is not always required.

Practical tips for preparing a competitive response

Carefully review all listed services and their guaranteed minimum and estimated maximum units for the base year and all option years. Ensure your quote clearly addresses your capacity to meet these service demands.

Since this is a combined synopsis/solicitation, all necessary information for submitting a quote should be contained within the document. Pay close attention to any specific instructions for formatting your quote, required attachments, and submission methods.

Familiarize yourself with the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) provisions and clauses incorporated by reference. These can be accessed electronically at www.acquisition.gov. Understanding these regulations is crucial for compliance.