REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP) Telehealth/Therapy Services for Clinical Counseling North Slope Borough School District (NSBSD) Issue Date: October 8th, 2025 Proposal Due Date: October 22nd, 2025 Contact: Director of Student Services Email: Michael.hautala@nsbsd.org Phone: 907-852-9651 I. INTRODUCTION The North Slope Borough School District (NSBSD), headquartered in Utqiaġvik, Alaska, serves approximately 1,800 students across eight village schools and three Utqiaġvik schools, located in some of the most remote communities in Alaska. To ensure equitable access to high-quality mental health services, NSBSD is seeking proposals from qualified providers to deliver telehealth and teletherapy clinical counseling services to support the social, emotional, and behavioral well-being of all students. The District aims to establish a partnership with an experienced organization or practitioner capable of providing culturally responsive, trauma-informed, and student-centered counseling services through secure telehealth platforms. II. PURPOSE & OBJECTIVES The purpose of this RFP is to select a telehealth provider who can expand access to mental and behavioral health services for all NSBSD students through virtual counseling sessions, assessments, and intervention supports. Objectives include: * Ensuring consistent access to licensed mental health professionals across all NSBSD schools. * Providing early intervention and ongoing clinical counseling for students in need of emotional or behavioral support. * Reducing barriers to care related to geographic isolation and staffing shortages. * Supporting the overall mental wellness and resilience of NSBSD students. III. SCOPE OF SERVICES The selected provider shall deliver the following telehealth clinical counseling services in accordance with state and federal laws, including FERPA and HIPAA: A. Individual and Group Counseling * Provide confidential, evidence-based therapy for students experiencing social, emotional, or behavioral challenges. * Offer both short-term and ongoing support aligned with school counseling and intervention frameworks. * Conduct virtual sessions through a secure, encrypted telehealth platform. * Provide services as required under a student's Individual Education Program (IEP). B. Crisis Intervention and Support * Respond to referrals for students in crisis and coordinate care with school and district staff. * Provide virtual crisis counseling and safety planning as appropriate. * Maintain clear communication with school-based teams regarding follow-up and next steps. C. Consultation and Collaboration * Partner with school counselors, social workers, and administrators to support student success. * Participate in multidisciplinary meetings and share relevant updates, respecting confidentiality. * Provide resources and consultation to staff and families as needed. * Participate in IEP team meetings. * Provide supervision of local social worker clinical hours. D. Documentation and Compliance * Maintain accurate, timely, and confidential records in compliance with FERPA and HIPAA. * Provide monthly reports summarizing services delivered and general trends (de-identified). * Participate in audits or reviews as requested by the District. E. Technology and Accessibility * Use a secure telehealth platform accessible on district devices. * Ensure services can be delivered reliably across rural Alaskan bandwidth conditions. * Provide training or orientation to school staff as needed to support service access. IV. PROVIDER QUALIFICATIONS * Licensed clinical counselors, psychologists, or social workers (LPC, LMFT, LCSW, or equivalent). * At least three (3) years of experience providing clinical mental health services to K–12 students. * Experience delivering services via telehealth platforms. * Demonstrated ability to deliver culturally responsive and trauma-informed care. * Compliance with Alaska state licensure and telehealth regulations. V. PROPOSAL REQUIREMENTS 1. Company Profile: Background, ownership, and relevant experience serving K–12 populations. 2. Staff Qualifications: Licensure, credentials, and clinical specialties. 3. Service Delivery Plan: Description of telehealth platform, scheduling, communication protocols, and data security. 4. Cost Proposal: Detailed rate structure (hourly, per-session, or per-student basis). 5. References: Minimum of three (3) school district or educational agency clients. 6. Reporting and Documentation Samples: Examples of de-identified session summaries or progress reports. 7. Compliance Statement: Confirmation of adherence to FERPA, HIPAA, and Alaska telehealth regulations. VI. EVALUATION CRITERIA Proposals will be evaluated based on: Criteria Weight Provider experience and qualifications 30% Service delivery approach and technology 25% Cost proposal and value 20% References and demonstrated success 15% Proposal completeness and responsiveness 10% VII. CONTRACT TERMS The initial contract term will be one (1) year, ending 6/30/2026, with the option to renew annually for up to four (4) additional years based on performance, continued need, and funding availability. VIII. SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS Proposals must be submitted electronically in PDF format to: Michael Hautala Director of Student Services North Slope Borough School District Email: Michael.Hautala@nsbsd.org Subject Line: RFP – Telehealth/Therapy Clinical Counseling Services Deadline: 10/22/2025 by 4:00pm AKST Late proposals will not be considered. VIII. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION NSBSD reserves the right to reject any or all proposals, waive irregularities, and negotiate with the most qualified vendors. Questions regarding this RFP must be submitted in writing to Michael Hautala by 10/15/2025. Addenda and responses to questions will be posted on the District's website at https://www.nsbsd.org/en-US/requests-for-proposals-bids-71b836f6 Pub: Oct. 12, 15, 19, 22/2025