Academy of Peer Services

The New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH) has released a Request for Proposals (RFP) to operate and maintain the Academy of Peer Services (APS), a digital education and training platform supporting the professional development of peer support specialists across New York. Since its launch in 2014, APS has offered a self-directed online curriculum supporting the New York Certified Peer Specialist (NYCPS) and NYCPS-P certifications, providing essential core training, elective coursework, and continuing education units (CEUs). The platform serves thousands of learners each term and is a critical component of New York's efforts to advance a competent, credentialed peer support workforce. The grant seeks one qualified entity to assume full operational responsibility for APS. This includes hosting, maintaining, and enhancing the platform; developing and updating course content in collaboration with OMH; and supporting a virtual learning community. The selected vendor must also provide learner assistance, monitor system performance, deliver regular reports to OMH, and implement a responsive helpdesk system. The grantee will also convene an advisory board composed of certified peer support specialists to guide content development and ensure alignment with peer support values and workforce needs. The total award is $576,000 annually for five years, contingent on state appropriations. Applicants must propose a full implementation and staffing plan, including dedicated roles such as Engagement Manager, Project Manager, Training/Testing Lead, and Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) with demonstrated experience in peer-led values, trauma-informed practice, and virtual LMS management. Preference will be given to applicants demonstrating strong DEIB practices, prior LMS implementation experience, and familiarity with adult learning models and peer support certification frameworks. Eligible applicants include colleges and universities located in New York, New Jersey, or Connecticut. Not-for-profits must be prequalified in the New York State Statewide Financial System (SFS) before submitting. All proposals must be submitted through the SFS portal. Required materials include a completed proposal template and a separate budget template. Submission of a workplan is not required at this stage. Required certifications include policies addressing sexual harassment prevention and gender-based violence in the workplace. The proposal deadline is January 15, 2026, by 2:00 PM EST. Questions are due by December 9, 2025, with responses posted by December 23, 2025. Award notification is expected by February 11, 2026, with the anticipated contract start date on April 1, 2026. This RFP is expected to recur annually, with future cycles likely beginning in November each year. Applicants are encouraged to begin submission processes early to accommodate SFS requirements and avoid technical issues that could disqualify submissions.

Submit early due to SFS system constraints; begin prequalification process at least 5 business days in advance; ensure PDF labeling is exact; combine attachments as instructed.