Central Regional Health Authority (Central Health) is administering this RFP on behalf of the Newfoundland and Labrador Centre for Health Information (NLCHI) under the direction of the Department of Health and Community Services to submit proposals for a Bridge the gapp – Virtual Agent Solution. This will be in accordance with the specifications and requirements set out in this RFP, as well as the Public Procurement Act.
Bridge the gapp (BTG) is a website based on the WordPress content management system. It is designed with and for citizens to deliver information on mental health and addictions resources. BTG plays an important part in the day-to-day dissemination of information regarding the resources citizens can use to combat mental health and addictions issues. BTG offers self-help resources, links to local services, and allows the user to share their own personal stories. BTG has a vast collection of information, which is continuously growing, and sometimes it may be difficult for a user to find all the available information which will meet their needs. As well, NL will be implementing a Stepped Care program for mental health and addictions with plans to incorporate it into BTG. The intention of eMH&A program is to further enhance the ability to navigate BTG and locate the most appropriate resources by introducing a Virtual Agent (VA).
The purpose of this RFP is to find a partner with the tools and ability to implement a VA for the Newfoundland & Labrador (NL) instance of the BTG website. Although the focus of this RFP is the NL BTG instance, BTG is currently available to provinces in Atlantic Canada with plans to further expand into other provinces and territories. NLCHI is searching for a partner who is aligned with our short and long term goals for a VA solution.