RFP - Traditional Healer

GRAND TRAVERSE BAND OF OTTAWA AND CHIPPEWA INDIANS

Traditional Healer

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

GTB 2023-027

August 16, 2023 Contact:

Kathy Tahtinen, Department Manager 2605 N West Bay Shore Dr Peshawbestown, MI 49682-9275

GRAND TRAVERSE BAND OF OTTAWA AND CHIPPEWA INDIANS

Traditional Healer

GTB 2023-027

Request for Proposals SUMMARY

Date: August 16, 2023

Offers due by: September 1, 2023

To: Prospective Bidders

Subject: Request for Proposals

1 Request for Bid

1.1 Summary

The Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians (GTB, Grand Traverse Band) is requesting bid proposals from adult individual(s) for Traditional Healing Services for Benzie, Leelanau, Grand Traverse, Antrim, Manistee, and Charlevoix counties (service area). Services will be provided in-person on an agreed upon rotating basis at the following locations: Peshawbestown: 2300 Stallman Road Peshawbestown, MI;

Benzie: 7282 Hoadley Road Benzonia, MI;

Charlevoix: 10085 Wa-Ba-Noong Mi-Kuh East Jordan, MI; and

Traverse City: 845 Business Park Drive Traverse City, MI.

Additionally, the Traditional Healer(s) will conduct sweat lodge ceremonies and other agreed upon traditional ceremonies during the course of the scheduled day(s).

1.2 Intent

GTB intends to select the qualifying vendor on the basis of qualifications, ability, relevant experience, references, cost, required abilities and trainings, insurance, and other pertinent factors. The vendor must self-attest they have all required abilities and trainings that are required for the scope of work.

1.3 Bidder Requirements

Each Bidder to this RFP is expected to fully inform themselves on all aspects of the work required to be performed.

1.4 Qualifications of Bidder

The Vendor, through their written proposal and interview, will be required to self-attest and/or provide evidence of ability, trainings, and experience to undertake the specified objectives/duties in this Request for Proposal.

1.5 Acceptance of Offer

Acceptance of a proposal will occur only when a contract is executed. Traditional Healer(s) must pass a background check after the execution of the contract and before conducting any services.

2 Project Overview

2.1 Project Site

The Traditional Healer(s) will provide services through the Behavioral Health Services Department (BHS) located at each of the following offices:

Peshawbestown: 2300 Stallman Road Peshawbestown, MI;

Benzie: 7282 Hoadley Road Benzonia, MI;

Charlevoix: 10085 Wa-Ba-Noong Mi-Kuh East Jordan, MI;

Traverse City: 845 Business Park Drive Traverse City, MI.

Home visits and/or as-needed off-site visits could be arranged as mutually agreeable between the Traditional Healer(s) and the BHS representative(s).

2.2 Project Description

GTB BHS will provide, free of charge, Traditional Healer services to members who are seeking traditional healing service. Traditional Healer services will be provided in-person on an agreed upon rotating basis, on agreed upon days and times, and available to members living in the services area. Additionally, the Traditional Healer(s) will conduct sweat lodge ceremonies and other agreed upon traditional ceremonies during the course of the scheduled day(s).

2.3 Project Location(s)

Peshawbestown: 2300 Stallman Road Peshawbestown, MI;

Benzie: 7282 Hoadley Road Benzonia, MI;

Charlevoix: 10085 Wa-Ba-Noong Mi-Kuh East Jordan, MI;

Traverse City: 845 Business Park Drive Traverse City, MI

2.4 Typical Hours

The typical office schedule will offer appointments on agreed upon weekday(s) between 8:30am- 4:30pm, with flexible times to be mutually arranged based on community home visits, sweat lodge and other ceremonies conducted off-site and/or after hours.

2.5 Contract dates

The contract performance dates are from October 1, 2023, to September 30, 2024.

2.6 Inclement Weather, Emergencies, and Cancelations

Every effort will be made to avoid and/or reduce unexpected weather, emergencies, or other cancelations. In the event that BHS cancels a scheduled day with less than five (5) days' notice,

the daily rate will be paid as agreed. In the event that BHS cancels a scheduled day with more than five (5) days' notice, every effort will be made to reschedule that day within 30 days.

In the event that the Traditional Healer(s) cancels a scheduled day with less than five (5) days' notice, no payment will be made for that day. In the event that the Traditional Healer(s) cancels a scheduled day with more than five (5) days' notice, every effort will be made to reschedule that day within 30 days.

2.7 Scope of Services

GTB BHS is looking to contract with one or more Traditional Healer(s) who will provide healing services to clients of all ages. Services will include the provision of traditional medicines, spiritual guidance, naming/colors/clans, traditional teachings, ceremonies, etc. The Traditional Healer(s) will conduct sweat lodge ceremonies and other agreed upon traditional ceremonies during the course of the scheduled day(s). Additionally, the Traditional Healer(s) will answer question, offer knowledge and expertise regarding tradition, ceremonies, and cultural inquiries and questions from GTB BHS staff.

2.8 What GTB provides

GTB and/or BHS will provide a dedicated room for Traditional Healing services during the agreed upon days at the agreed upon site locations. BHS will provide a representative(s) who will arrange appointments and greet members coming in for services. BHS will provide insight and information available for any off-site or home visit. GTB will allow for traditional and ceremonial activities within the scope of work during the agreed upon days of services at the agreed upon site locations.

2.9 Invoicing and Payment

Invoices shall be submitted to a BHS representative for processing. Invoices may be submitted no more than twice per month but not less than once per month, after all services for that invoice time period have been rendered. Payment shall be made by EFT or check following approval of an invoice. Approved invoices may take up to two weeks before payment is issued, not to exceed 30 days. The final invoice for the contract term shall be submitted within seven (7) calendar days of the conclusion of the contract.

All inquiries regarding payment shall be directed to the Office of Management and Budget.

2.10 Safety Pre-Cautions

Due to COVID-19 and other health issues, the follow safety guidelines need to be adhered to:

1. Follow all CDC and state laws and guidelines to avoid the spread of COVID-19.
2. Follow all current GTB COVID-19 requirements

The Traditional Healer(s) agree to conduct all services and ceremonies in a manner to reduce all reasonable risk of harm to persons or property.

1. When conducting services off-site and/or after business hours, the Traditional Healer(s) will maintain contact with a designated BHS representative prior to and after services are concluded, or within a reasonable amount of time
2. When conducting services on-site and/or after business hours, the Traditional Healer(s) will have the appropriate GTB Public Safety contact information readily available to report a crime or other emergency
3. The Traditional Healer(s) agrees to report all suspected or known risks or incidents to a BHS representative and/or Public Safety

2.11 Member Waiver and Attendance

The Traditional Healer(s) will make every effort to have members seeking services sign a release of liability waiver prior to receiving services or participating in sweat lodge or other traditional ceremonies. Furthermore, the Traditional Healer(s) will make every effort to provide quantitative data with the number of members served, and any demographic details requested by BHS.

2.12 Confidentiality

All members, services, contacts, observations, and the like, will be treated with the upmost level of confidentiality pursuant to GTB Policies, Behavioral Health Department Policies, Code of Federal Regulations 42 Part 2, and the Health Insurance Portability Accountability Act Privacy Rule.

3 Submission Requirements

3.1 General Bid Form

Each vendor/person shall sign the bid summary sheet giving vendor's name, address and status, that is, whether an individual, partnership or corporation. Vendors shall be qualified in the type of work which is included in this request for bids.

Bids are solicited only from those who will start work promptly after award is made. GTB reserves the right to accept any bid or to reject any or all bids; also, to waive defects or informalities in bids should it deem it in the best interest of GTB to do so. Vendors should submit a bid or electronic copy containing:

1. Bid Summary Sheet (attached below).
2. A statement regarding professional qualifications, services trained in/for and a brief description of experience in providing these
3. At least (3) professional
4. A statement of hourly or daily rates; this rate shall be all-inclusive of all hourly or daily rates and all other associated
5. Copy of non-expired, valid State Identification and Tribal
6. W-9.
7. Liability

Each vendor/person interested in providing Traditional Healer(s) services must submit a Qualification of Bidders letter containing your name, contact information, list of the services trained in/for and a brief description of experience in providing these services, adding additional pages if necessary.

Bidder must also submit a price quote for a minimum of one eight (8) hour day per week, two weeks per month, for no less than 24 to 25 weeks per year for half-time service contract, up to and including a maximum of two eight (8) hour days per week, two weeks per month, for no less than 24 to 25 weeks per year for a full-time service contract.

Services will be provided a minimum of one day in a week, approximately two days per month for half-time service contracts, up to and including a maximum of two days in a week, two weeks per month (approximately four days per month) for a full-time service contract.

3.2 Evaluation Procedure

Proposals will be evaluated by a committee of GTB staff based upon skills, training, past experiences, the committee interview, and bid amount. GTB reserves the right to accept one vendor for the services required, or to accept multiple bids for half-time service requirement from different vendors to meet the maximum full-time service requirement of the scope of work.

3.3 Offer Submission Deadline

To be considered, a bid package must be received by the BHS at the address shown below or by email by 11:59pm local time on September 1, 2023. Bids received after this deadline will not be accepted unless no qualified bids are received by the deadline, then the deadline can be extended at management's discretion until qualified bids are received.

3.4 Offer Submission Timeline

September 1, 2023 – Bids Due

September 5, 2023-September 8, 2023 – Interviews Conducted

September 11, 2023-September 15, 2023 – Contract Execution

September 20, 2023-September 27, 2023 – Tribal Council Approval

September 28, 2023-September 30, 2023 – Begin Background Check

3.5 Offer Submission

Submit bids to the following address:

Kathy Tahtinen, MPA, CNP GTB Behavioral Health Services 2605 N West Bay Shore Dr Peshawbestown, MI 49682

Or email bid to: kathy.tahtinen@gtb-nsn.gov

3.6 Inquiries

All questions relating to this RFP, including all questions relating to clarifications or modifications of this RFP can be submitted the below:

Kathy Tahtinen 231-534-7255

kathy.tahtinen@gtb-nsn.gov

4 Additional Requirements

4.1 Cancellation of Contract

The contract generated by this RFP may be cancelled by GTB for noncompliance with specifications, inability to perform the contracting requirements, or continued safety hazards. The cancellation notification shall state the cause or reason for the cancellation. Such cancellation would be at no charge to GTB other than for work authorized and completed at the

time of termination.

4.2 Native American/Alaskan Indian

Native American/Alaskan Indian preference applies; Bidders shall submit proof of Native American Indian status along with their bid.

4.3 Safety at Service Site(s)

Vendor shall be responsible for any injury, damage or loss to all public and private property caused directly, in whole or in part, by themselves, their employees or agents, or anyone directly or indirectly employed by them or anyone for whole acts any one of them may be responsible. The vendor shall comply with all applicable laws and codes bearing on the safety of persons or property of their protection, from injury, damage, or loss. Vendor is responsible for the means, methods, and sequence of work and all safety aspects of this work. To the maximum extent permitted by law, Vendor agrees to indemnify, hold harmless, and defend Owner and Owner's Agents from and against any and all claims or damages arising from Vendor's performance of this agreement, as well as acts committed during the course of this agreement by any of Vendor's officers, employees, guests, invitees, and those doing business with Vendor.

4.4 Background and Drug Test Requirements

Vendor must be able to pass a background check conducted by GTB. Vendor assures that do not have a criminal background which would indicate that they could present a threat to adolescents, elders, or staff. Acceptable criminal background is no felony arrests or convictions within five years, no pattern of misdemeanors (three or more) within five years, no violent crime conviction within five years, and no criminal sexual conduct conviction at any point. The Managing Agent may terminate this contract if this provision is violated. Vendor certification regarding criminal background included in attachments.

GTB reserves the right to request a drug test prior to entering into a contract, or at any time there is an accident or injury sustained during the normal course of the scope of work and/or during the normal hours of service.

4.5 Insurance

The Vendor is required to provide and maintain insurance at all times during the agreement as provided by Michigan law. The insurance shall be contracted with a company licensed to do business in the State of Michigan setting forth the limits and coverage, shall be furnished to the Purchasing Agent before execution of a contract. Vendor(s) may send a copy of the required insurances with their proposal, but the execution of the contract cannot begin, nor can work contained in the RFP commence until insurance verification forms are on file at the GTB offices. Any policy change shall be reported to GTB within ten (10) business days, and certificate forwarded to GTB. By signing a contract generated by the RFP, the vendor understands that neither

they nor their employees, third party participants, or helpers are covered by any GTB insurance policy.

The policy shall contain endorsements stating that at least a 10-day notice will be given to GTB prior to termination or any change in the policy. Should any required insurance be cancelled, materially reduced or expired, all activities under this service order shall immediately cease until substitute insurance in compliance with all requirements hereof has been procured and evidence thereof presented to GTB.

Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians Qualification of Bidders

This statement will provide information which will enable GTB to evaluate your qualifications regarding the requirements of this Request for Proposal. Please complete this form in its entirety

Name of Person:

Contact Phone:

Contact E-mail:

Number of Years providing Traditional Healer services:

Types of ceremonies trained to perform:

Description of experience as a Traditional Healer:

Price Quote (specify half-time service or full-time service):

References, include name of organization, contact person, and daytime phone number:

1.

2.

3.

By submitting this bid for Traditional Healer Services, I self-attest that I am qualified to perform the scope of work required.

Signed by:

Current Openings for RFP Traditional Healer Jobs at Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians