The Delaware Department of Correction is asking vendors to submit bids to provide medical services for the prison population.
DOC started the bid process on Wednesday, Nov. 18.
The request for proposals (RFP) will allow the option of multiple vendors so potential vendors will be able to bid to provide a portion of services, such as mental health services, substance abuse services or prescription drugs, among others as well as to bid on the entire contract.
Another change will be to allow the option for a "shared risk" model, with DOC agreeing to bear the risk of certain costs in certain categories.
The Department of Corrections spent significant time exploring alternative solutions to the way it contracts for medical services, DOC Commissioner Carl Danberg said.
"We expect this flexibility, and the increased competition it is expected to provide, will foster improved medical care and cost savings," he said. “We believe this alternative will allow for large and small service providers to bid on the areas that fall within their specialization."
The DOC consulted with numerous sources to design the new contract structure, which is based upon best practices from other states and interviews conducted with medical experts from around the country.
The RFP is available at doc.delaware.gov.
