Development of a Needs and Readiness Assessment and Vendor RFP to Modernize Ten Community Mental Health Centers Via Selection and Adoption of a Common Electronic Health Record (EHR) Platform

Summary

GO-NORTH Initiative 4 (Technology): NHCBHA, funded through the Rural Health Transformation (RHT) Federal program, seeks a vendor to conduct an IT needs and readiness assessment and develop a vendor RFP to modernize ten New Hampshire Community Mental Health Centers via a common Electronic Health Record (EHR) platform. This assessment will drive standardization, interoperability, and sustainability in behavioral health IT infrastructure statewide. The initiative aims to position all ten CMHCs for future Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) certification, improved clinical and financial operations, centralized service delivery, and compliance with Medicaid-heavy payer requirements. The selected vendor will assess current infrastructure, workflows, revenue cycle management, and readiness for digital transformation, ultimately supporting the selection and contracting of an EHR vendor. The work emphasizes long-term sustainability, security, and efficiency while supporting the diverse functional needs of all CMHCs.

Eligibility

Qualified vendors must have substantial experience in multi-entity IT assessment and EHR implementation, including work in behavioral health or CCBHC environments, interoperability, security/privacy/compliance, revenue-cycle management, cost-based budgeting, and stakeholder alignment. Vendors must demonstrate a track record in multi-organization, healthcare technology modernization projects, and familiarity with Medicaid billing and CCBHC requirements.

Requirements Checklist

• The selected vendor will: (1) conduct an IT needs and readiness assessment across ten CMHCs, (2) develop the EHR vendor procurement RFP, and (3) support RFP management, vendor selection, and contracting. The response must include: an executive summary; responses to all technical qualifications per RFP Section 2.0; team member roles and responsibilities; conflict-of-interest attestation; a detailed assessment workplan, timeline, and staffing plan; a communication plan involving HCS/NHCBHA/GO-NORTH; and a cost proposal. The proposal is limited to 15 pages before attachments. While the scope primarily covers Stages 1–3, vendors may optionally describe their capacity for Stage 4 implementation. All responses must detail how the vendor will address the needs of CMHCs, including those with developmental disabilities and acquired brain disorder service lines.