Specifications include, but are not limited to: The California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS), Mental Health Services Division (MHSD), is soliciting proposals from firms that are able to successfully perform the services of a Federally required Medicaid External Quality Review Organization (EQRO). The role of the EQRO under this RFP is to conduct, in accordance with Title 42, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Subpart E—Quality Measurement and Improvement, External Quality Review (i.e. sub-sections 438.310 - 438.370) annual, independent reviews of the quality, timeliness and access to Medi-Cal Specialty Mental Health Services (SMHS) provided to DHCS by contracted Medi-Cal SMHS mental health plans. States’ External Quality Reviews (EQRs) must: (1) assess adherence of Medicaid managed care plans with the requirements of Title 42, CFR, Part 438, Subpart E—Quality Measurement Improvement, External Quality Review (i.e. sub-sections 438.310 – 438.270); and ) (2) utilize the Federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) most recent EQRO Protocols, in accordance with Title 42, CFR Section 438.352. State law also requires an EQR of county mental health plans (MHPs) in accordance with Welfare and Institutions Code (W&I) Code, Section 13702.5. There are fifty-six (56) Medi-Cal MHPs contracted with DHCS to provide covered SMHS to Medi-Cal beneficiaries under the provisions of Title XIX of the Federal Social Security Act. Beneficiaries must meet medical necessity criteria in a manner consistent with the beneficiary’s mental health treatment needs and goals, and as documented in the beneficiary’s treatment plan. These county MHPs provide Medi-Cal SMHS in all jurisdictions throughout California’s fifty-eight (58) counties (two MHPs are comprised of two counties each, Placer/Sierra and Sutter/Yuba). The county Medi-Cal MHPs are authorized to provide these services through a 1915(b) waiver approved by CMS.