ADVA_Veterans_Healthcare_Feasibility_Study_RFP_FINAL.pdf

Alabama Department of

Veterans Affairs

REQUEST

for

PROPOSALS

Feasibility Study of Alabama Veterans Healthcare Needs

October 2026

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INTRODUCTION

The Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs (ADVA) is seeking to contract with a qualified firm to conduct a Feasibility Study relating to Veterans Healthcare Needs. The information will be used to determine the need and cost for future projects, which may include construction of additional State Veterans Homes, additions or renovations to existing State Veterans Homes, and special-needs considerations for populations such as veterans with Dementia/Alzheimer's disease and Women Veterans. ADVA anticipates completion of the core Feasibility Study within 4 to 6 months so that the Department may prepare budgets, apply for federal grants, and pursue Certificate of Need approval, as applicable.

This project would be a two-part process.

Part I:

Collect data concerning veterans’ needs throughout the State. Determine whether the current system meets those needs. If not, develop plans to meet needs. Establish projected geographic areas to reach the greatest number of veterans.

• Demographic analysis of veteran population in regard to age, sex, wartime/peacetime service, special medical needs

• Projected long-range demand for services

• Ranking of geographic areas if new construction is indicated.

• If additional construction to existing state veterans homes, give priority to location as well as identified needs and requirements.

Part II:

Once the project is determined and geographic areas identified, determine resource availability in the surrounding area and the costs associated with construction and operation of the facility. This could be performed in conjunction with an architecture firm.

• Financial costs of construction and equipment - the project must meet Build America-Buy America standards as well as Davis-Bacon Act.

• Determination of resources for specialized employment in geographic area and access to other specialized healthcare services

• Projection of startup costs and ongoing maintenance and operational costs

– 5-year budget

A comprehensive written report outlining the analysis, recommendations, and associated financial impacts to the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs (ADVA) will be provided upon completion of Part I and Part II. Additionally, the selected Supplier will present the findings and recommendations to ADVA as requested.

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BACKGROUND INFORMATION

An estimated 375,000 veterans reside in Alabama. There are 3 VA Medical Centers: Birmingham VA Medical Center (Birmingham, AL), Tuscaloosa VA Medical Center (Tuscaloosa, AL), and the Central Alabama Veterans Health Care System (Montgomery & Tuskegee, AL). The State of Alabama owns and contracts with a private healthcare management company to operate its 5 State Veterans Homes. The first home was opened in 1989 and is located in Alexander City, which is in Central Alabama. It serves 150 veterans with 24-hour skilled nursing care services. The facility is a 4-story building with 90,125 square feet. A dayroom expansion project was completed in 2015. Two other homes were opened in 1995.

The Floyd E. “Tut” Fann State Veterans Home is located in Huntsville which is in the Northeastern portion of the state. The William F. Green State Veterans Home is located in Bay Minette, in the southwestern portion of the State. They both serve 150 veterans with skilled care nursing. They are single-level, and both have 89,381 square feet. Interior renovations were completed at both homes in 2021. The fourth home opened in 2012. The Col. Robert L. Howard State Veterans Home is located in Pell City. The 230,000 square-foot complex is on 27 acres. There are 174 skilled beds and 80 Domiciliary/Assisted Living beds. All rooms are private with private bathrooms. The home was constructed based on a modified version of small house design. The fifth home opened in 2024. The CSM Bennie G. Adkins State Veterans Home is located in Enterprise. The 215,027 square-foot complex is on 108 acres.

There are 174 skilled beds. All rooms are private with private bathrooms. In April 2025, there was a roof fire at the kitchen which required evacuation of the building.

The home suffered some fire damage and extensive water damage. It is scheduled to reopen in September 2026.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Please direct any questions regarding this project in writing to Kim Justice, Executive Director, Alabama State Veterans Homes for the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs. She may be reached by e-mail at kim.justice@va.alabama.gov Reference RFP Feasibility Study in subject line of email.

Questions must be received by October 16, 2026, at 5:00 PM. All questions and answers will be compiled and published to the RFP in Alabama Buys.

All proposals must be uploaded in Alabama Buys by 4:30 p.m. CT on November 5th, 2026, the RFP response close date. It is solely the responsibility of each Offeror to ensure timely delivery of the proposal. Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs and the State of Alabama are not responsible for any costs incurred by the Offeror in preparing or submitting a proposal.

All submissions must include a complete proposal uploaded in Alabama Buys. Electronic submissions are preferred; however, if an offeror is unable to mailto:kim.justice@va.alabama.gov

Page | 3 submit an electronic proposal, requirements for physical submissions are outlined in the RFP Standard Terms and Conditions. Proposals will be considered unacceptable if:

1. Missing information;

2. Faxed;

3. Improperly labeled or addressed; and/or

4. Received after the deadline of submission.

Proposals must include a plan for accomplishing Part I and Part II as stated above. The proposal must include time projections for each phase of the Feasibility Study, cost factors for each phase, identification of key personnel, and examples of similar work performed. Suppliers must demonstrate a minimum of three (3) years of relevant experience conducting comparable feasibility studies, healthcare needs assessments, long-term care studies, demographic or demand forecasting, facility planning, healthcare construction analysis, or similar engagements. The Supplier or proposed project team must also demonstrate relevant experience with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs State Home Construction Grant Program and Certificate of Need processes. Such experience may have been gained in Alabama or other U.S. jurisdictions, as applicable.

ORAL PRESENTATIONS, DISCUSSIONS, AND BEST AND FINAL

OFFER

Following the initial evaluation and scoring of written proposals, ADVA may request oral presentations or conduct interviews with Suppliers whose proposals are determined to be reasonably susceptible of consideration for award. Any oral presentation or interview will be used to support and clarify the Supplier's written proposal and is not a bid opening.

ADVA may accept a Supplier's initial proposal for award or may enter into discussions with one or more Suppliers whose proposals are reasonably susceptible of consideration for award. Discussions may address the proposed approach, scope, schedule, staffing, deliverables, and fees. At the conclusion of discussions, ADVA may permit or request a Best and Final Offer (BAFO) in the manner and form prescribed by ADVA and the Division of Procurement. By submitting a proposal, each Supplier agrees to the conditions and requirements stated in this RFP.

CONTRACT TERM

The resulting contract is anticipated to have a term of twenty-four (24) months from the effective date of the contract. ADVA expects the core Feasibility Study and associated report to be completed within 4 to 6 months. The remaining contract period may be used for presentations, clarifications, follow-up analysis, or other work within the awarded scope as authorized by ADVA. No renewal option is anticipated.

NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD AND CONTRACT AWARD

After completion of the evaluation process, including any presentations, discussions, or Best and Final Offers, the Division of Procurement will issue the Notice of Intent to Award in accordance with applicable procurement procedures.

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The recommended award will be submitted to the Chief Procurement Officer (CPO) for approval. Final contract award is subject to all required State approvals.

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EVALUATION RUBRIC

ADVA will evaluate responsive proposals using the following 100-point rubric. The evaluation emphasizes methodology, relevant healthcare and State Veterans Home expertise, project management, cost and value, and the usefulness of the final Feasibility Study to ADVA.

Veterans Healthcare Needs Feasibility Study

Evaluation Criterion Points Assessment

1. Understanding of ADVA's Needs and Project Objectives

Demonstrates understanding of Alabama's veteran population, existing State Veterans Homes, current healthcare system, specialized populations, geographic access, and ADVA's need to use the study for planning, budgeting, grants, and Certificate of Need purposes.

2. Part I – Data Collection, Demographic & Needs Analysis Methodology

Quality and completeness of methodology for demographic analysis by age, sex, wartime/peacetime service, medical/special needs; assessment of whether current services meet needs; identification of service gaps; reliable data sources; and long-range demand projections.

3. Part I - Geographic & Facility Planning Methodology

Methodology for identifying and ranking geographic areas; determining whether new construction is warranted; evaluating additions/renovations to existing State Veterans Homes; defining ranking criteria; and connecting locations to identified veteran needs.

4. Part II - Resource, Construction & Operational Analysis

Methodology for estimating construction/equipment costs, evaluating local workforce availability and specialized healthcare resources, estimating startup costs, and developing a credible five-year operating and maintenance budget. Addresses Build America, Buy America, and Davis-Bacon requirements.

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Evaluation Criterion Points Assessment

5. Relevant Firm & Project Team Experience

Supplier must demonstrate a minimum of three (3) years of relevant experience conducting comparable feasibility studies, healthcare needs assessments, long-term care studies, demographic/demand forecasting, facility planning, healthcare construction analysis, or similar engagements. Evaluators will also consider the qualifications, roles, and responsibilities of key personnel.

6. VA State Home Construction Grant & Certificate of Need Experience

Depth and relevance of the Supplier's or proposed project team's experience with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs State Home Construction Grant Program, federal requirements applicable to State Veterans Homes, and Certificate of Need processes.

Experience may have been gained in Alabama or other U.S. jurisdictions, as applicable.

7. Project Management, Schedule & Ability to Meet ADVA Timeline

Clear work plan for Parts I and II, milestones, deliverables, staffing, coordination with ADVA and any architectural partners, and demonstrated ability to deliver the completed study within ADVA's requested 4–6 month timeframe.

8. Cost Proposal & Value 20

Clearly identifies costs for Part I and Part II and explains assumptions and anticipated expenses. Evaluate reasonableness and value in relation to the proposed scope and level of effort—not simply lowest price.

9. Quality of Proposed Deliverables & Presentation

Proposed final report is comprehensive, understandable, decision-oriented, and suitable for ADVA budgeting, capital planning, federal grant applications, and Certificate of Need activities. Includes an effective approach for presenting findings to ADVA.

TOTAL 100