2027-0904RFP_Apr_20_26_solicitation_doc.pdf

This is a Request for Proposal (RFP) solicitation issued by the Connecticut Department of Public Health seeking one organization to develop, administer, and serve as the fiduciary for a statewide Respite and Extended Services program supporting children and youth with special health care needs (CYSHCN). The program will provide information about and assistance with accessing and funding respite services, extended services, and support services to supplement the Department's existing CYSHCN program and Connecticut Medical Home Initiative. Key activities include assisting caregivers in accessing and funding respite and extended services, enrolling CYSHCN in the CHMI Program, facilitating health insurance acquisition, and disseminating program information. The solicitation opened April 16, 2026, at 12:45 PM EDT with proposals due May 27, 2026, at 12:00 PM EDT. A letter of intent is due by May 4, 2026, and the question deadline is also May 4, 2026, with answers released May 13, 2026. No bidders conference will be held. The contract will commence July 1, 2026, and run through June 30, 2031, consisting of an initial three-year term with two optional one-year extensions, contingent upon fund availability and satisfactory program performance. The target date for proposer selection is June 15, 2026.

The total funding available is up to $2,057,765 for the entire five-year period, sourced from the State of Connecticut Children's Health Initiative, with annual review and continuation based on demonstrated performance outcomes. Extended services funding supports medically necessary goods and services at rates not exceeding Medicaid/HUSKY payment levels for families with incomes at or below 400 percent of the federal poverty level. Respite services are capped at $500 per enrolled family per funding period. All vendors are eligible to respond regardless of disadvantaged enterprise status, and no set-aside designations are specified. No incumbent vendors or current contractors are identified in the solicitation materials. Eligible proposers must be duly formed business entities with at least one physical office location in Connecticut and must demonstrate experience serving CYSHCN, evaluating special health care needs, providing culturally appropriate caregiver education, working with insurance companies, and collaborating with community-based organizations. Proposals must not exceed 25 pages excluding appendices and required forms and must include detailed organizational information, staffing plans with resumes, comprehensive work plans using SMART objectives, itemized budgets with justifications, quality improvement plans, and recent audited financial statements demonstrating financial stability.