ADDENDUM I - RFP #27-3-PH Doulas Services (Q&A).pdf

This is Addendum I to RFP #27-3-PH for Doulas Services issued by Cumberland County Public Health Department in North Carolina, containing clarifications to the original solicitation through a question-and-answer format. The RFP seeks proposals for birth doula services with proposals due September 8, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. EST. The County anticipates awarding contracts to two eligible organizations and will evaluate submissions on a 100-point scale based on Statement of Need, Project Description and Implementation Plan, Data Collection and Evaluation, Equity Impact, Collaboration and Coordination, Experience and Organizational Capacity, and Budget and Budget Narrative. Selected awardees must employ or contract with two certified birth doulas to provide continuous labor support to at least 30 clients annually with capacity for up to 8 additional clients, maintain specified contact intervals with clients during pregnancy and up to 12 months postpartum, conduct informational webinars, and address maternal mortality and severe maternal morbidity through evidence-based doula support targeting underserved populations. Applicant agencies must be physically located in Cumberland County, demonstrate at least three years of experience providing doula services, and employ or contract with doulas certified by accredited organizations such as DONA International or the National Doula Certification Board. The contract period runs from January 1, 2027 through December 31, 2027, with potential continuation subject to annual appropriation.

The County will award up to $95,000 per funded organization for the one-year contract period, disbursed monthly upon receipt of approved invoices with no cost sharing or matching funds required. Applicants must complete training on health equity and social determinants of health and comply with Iran Divestment Act restrictions, E-Verify requirements, and divestment requirements regarding companies that boycott Israel. Proposals must include two letters of commitment or support and a two-year budget using the County's template. The project narrative must not exceed 10 pages except for the budget narrative and letters of support; however, Addendum I clarifies that supporting data charts, pie charts, and graphs may be placed in an appendix or referenced via links within the narrative page limit rather than expanding the page count. Informational webinars were scheduled for August 6 and August 10, 2026, with written questions due August 14, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. EST.