The New York State Justice Center for the Protection of People with Special Needs has released the Surrogate Decision-Making Committee (SDMC) Program Request for Proposals (RFP JUS01-SDMC-2025), seeking not-for-profit providers to administer the SDMC program across six distinct regions in New York State. Issued on June 18, 2025, the program aims to support vulnerable individuals who lack the capacity to make informed medical decisions and have no legally authorized surrogate. The program provides an alternative to the court system for obtaining consent for non-emergency major medical treatment and end-of-life decisions through quasi-judicial panel hearings managed by regional contractors in coordination with the Justice Center.
The SDMC program was initially established in 1988 and is guided by state regulations including 14 NYCRR Part 710 and the NYS Mental Hygiene Law Article 80. It targets individuals receiving services from the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) or certain programs under the Office of Mental Health (OMH). Contractors are responsible for coordinating and conducting SDMC hearings within a maximum of 14 days for standard cases or 7 days for expedited cases. Hearings are mostly conducted online but may occur in person when necessary. Each hearing involves a three- or four-person panel of trained volunteers assessing capacity, surrogate availability, and the individual’s best interest.
Applicants must be not-for-profit organizations prequalified through the Statewide Financial System (SFS) and registered with a Supplier ID. Applications must be submitted through SFS by July 23, 2025, at 5:00 PM ET. Prior to submission, applicants may submit written questions to jc.sm.contracts@justicecenter.ny.gov by June 26, 2025. Answers will be posted around June 30, 2025. Contracts awarded through this process will run from November 1, 2025, through October 31, 2030.
The available funding for the first year totals $627,000, with regional allocations ranging from $48,000 to $148,000 depending on the expected case volume. There are no specific MWBE or SDVOB subcontracting goals; however, applicants are encouraged to make good faith efforts in promoting participation from these entities. Contractors must assign specific titles to staff including Program Coordinator, Backup Program Coordinator, and Administrative Liaison. Required equipment includes laptops, smartphones, video-conferencing capabilities, and secure document management systems.
The application process includes a detailed technical response (accounting for 80% of the score) and a financial assessment (accounting for 20%). Evaluation criteria include organizational background, integration of SDMC services, geographic readiness, and technical support infrastructure. Proposals scoring below 65 points may be deemed ineligible. Notifications of awards and non-awards will be sent following evaluation, with contracts becoming effective upon approval from the NYS Attorney General and the Office of the State Comptroller.
Submit two days early to avoid SFS errors; use only designated staff titles in budget
