Request for Applications for 988 New Hampshire Suicide and Crisis Lifeline

2026-11-03

The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services , Division for Behavioral Health (“ Department ”) is seeking responses to this Request for Applications (" Solicitation " or " RFP ") from qualified Vendors to operate and maintain a 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (“ Lifeline ”) in NH , which provides free and confidential support and resources to individuals who are experiencing behavioral health - related distress or suicidal crisis via call , chat , or text 24 hours a day , 7 days a week , 365 days per year (“ 24 / 7 / 365 ”). Qualified Vendors must :  Be an accredited NH 988 Lifeline Center no later than 60 days prior to September 29 , 2026 ; o If a Vendor is in pursuit of their NH 988 Lifeline Center accreditation , the Vendor must provide detailed information regarding what step in the accreditation process the Vendor is at , when the Vendor anticipates receiving accreditation , and how the Vendor will ensure accreditation is received no later than 60 days prior to September 29 , 2026 .  Have expertise engaging individuals in crisis to assess levels of risk and needs , deliver crisis de - escalation services , and coordinate connections to additional supports based on the assessment and preferences of the individual in crisis ;  Meet and maintain the minimum application requirements of being a National 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline center specified in Appendix I , “ 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline Minimum Standards for Crisis Contact Centers Applying to Join the 988 Network ”;  Comply with and maintain Appendix A - 1 , “ The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline Network Agreement ” ( Network Agreement ) with Vibrant Emotional Health Inc ., the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration ’ s ( SAMHSA ) identified Administrator of the National 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline ;  Have the ability to respond to and assist approximately 13 , 000 individuals annually via phone , text , and / or chat . See Appendix H , Vibrant State Metrics , NH988 Center Data ;  Ensure Lifeline services are fully operational by September 30 , 2026 , through coordination with the Department and Vibrant Emotional Health , Inc .; and  Be located in and provide services from within the contiguous United States .

New Hampshire

2026-04-28