DOH58071 BHIW National DPP Employer Coverage Technical Assistance_ RFP.pdf

DOH58071

RFP Solicitation Template Request Rev. 6.2025

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP)

The Ohio Department of Health (ODH) is soliciting proposals for professional services.

1. PROJECT INFORMATION:

1.1. Project Title: National Diabetes Prevention Program (National DPP) Employer Coverage

Technical Assistance

1.2. Solicitation Posting Date: 08/26/2025

1.3. Inquiry Start Date: 8/26/2025

1.4. Inquiry End Date: 09/22/2025 at 3 p.m. All questions must be submitted via Ohio Buys.

Questions received after this date will not receive a response.

1.5. Solicitation End Date: 9/30/2025 at 3 p.m. All required application components must be received by this date. Submissions must be submitted via Ohio Buys. Each application component must be clearly labeled.

1.6. Project Background:

The Diabetes Prevention and Management Program (DPMP) in the Bureau of Health

Improvement and Wellness at the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) received a cooperative agreement from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to fund diabetes prevention and management activities. Ohio has a rich history of working in chronic diseases under various cooperative agreements from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, most recently Improving the Health of Americans Through Prevention and Management of

Diabetes and Heart Disease and Stroke (DP-18-1815).

Chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and many cancers are among the most common, costly, and preventable of all health problems in both the United States and Ohio.

Chronic disease is associated with reduced quality of life, poor health outcomes, increased healthcare needs, and higher healthcare costs. In 2020, Ohio ranked among the worst in the country for diabetes (40th) and cardiovascular deaths (38th). Ohio Vital Statistics data show that diabetes was the 8th leading cause of death in 2022, accounting for 4,263 deaths.

According to 2022 data from the Ohio Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), Ohio adults have a significantly higher prevalence of diabetes (13.2%), heart disease (8.4%), and stroke (4.3%), compared with the U.S. prevalence. More than 1 in 3 adult Ohioans have obesity

(38.1%), high blood pressure (35.6%), and high cholesterol (35.5%), and 11.8 percent of Ohio adults have been diagnosed with prediabetes.

The burden of diabetes disproportionately impacts certain populations in Ohio. The estimated prevalence of diabetes is significantly higher among populations with the lowest income and lowest education. In addition, chronic disease mortality rates by race/ethnicity indicate that Black people have higher death rates of diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and kidney disease, compared with other racial groups. There are also marked geographic disparities in Ohio. In 2022, the diabetes and heart disease death rates in the 32-county

Appalachian region of Ohio were higher than in the non-Appalachian counties. Other groups of

Ohio adults with a significantly higher prevalence of diabetes include those with disabilities, veterans, those aged 65 and older, and those who report poor mental health. In addition, adults aged 65 and older and adults with disabilities have a disproportionally high prevalence of prediabetes.

The goal of the ODH DPMP is to support implementation of evidence-based strategies and interventions to decrease risk for type 2 diabetes among adults with prediabetes, and improve self-care practices, quality of care, and early detection of complications among people with diabetes in Ohio and among selected priority populations to achieve improved health outcomes and reduce health disparities.

1.7. Project Objective:

The objective of this project is to increase availability of the National DPP lifestyle intervention as a covered health benefit for employees and covered dependents at high risk for type 2 diabetes. To accomplish this, ODH will contract with a vendor that will provide technical assistance to employers and health plans to: 1) pilot the National DPP for their employees and/or covered beneficiaries, and 2) work toward adding the National DPP as a covered medical benefit.

The vendor will work with employers and health plans in one or more of the selected counties: Adams, Allen, Ashtabula, Athens, Clark, Coshocton, Cuyahoga, Fayette, Franklin, Gallia, Guernsey, Hamilton, Harrison, Highland, Jackson, Jefferson, Lawrence, Lorain, Lucas, Mahoning, Marion, Meigs, Montgomery, Morgan, Muskingum, Pike, Richland, Ross, Scioto, and Vinton.

1.8. Projected Estimated Budget: $150,000 Not to Exceed Per Contract Period

1.9. Project Award: One (1) Award

1.10. Anticipated Project Period: 11/1/2025 – 06/29/2027

ODH reserves the right to execute multiple agreements with awarded provider to fulfill the entire project period, subject to and contingent on the discretionary decision of the Ohio

General Assembly to appropriate funds (if needed) for the biennium, satisfactory performance of the awarded providers and the needs of the Ohio Department of Health

1.11. Agreement Term: 11/01/2025-06/30/2027 with optional renewal term as described in section

1.12.

1.12. Renewal Terms: Optional 12-month renewal available through 06/29/2028, dependent on available funding and need for services.

At the sole option of ODH, ODH may extend this Contract past the initial Agreement Term for a period of ninety (90) days. Renewal terms may be exercised by mutual agreement between the

Contractor and ODH. The cumulative time of all mutual renewals may not exceed one (1) additional year and are subject to and contingent upon the discretionary decision of the Ohio

General Assembly to appropriate funds for this project in each new biennium. If any renewal is exercised, a new contract will be issued at the beginning of the new biennium. ODH may evaluate whether a renewal is appropriate considering the satisfactory performance of the Contractor and the future and continuing needs of ODH’s Programs.

2. PROJECT REQUIREMENTS: Offeror(s) must meet the following mandatory requirements to be considered for evaluation.

2.1. Contractor Experience Requirement:

2.1.1. Offeror(s) must provide documented evidence of company history, years in business, number of employees, financial stability and capacity to do the work.

2.1.2. Offeror(s) must provide documented evidence the company has in place the personnel, internal procedures, and other resources to ensure successful performance and contract compliance.

2.1.3. Offeror(s) must provide documented evidence of previous experience and expertise in providing a minimum of three (3) previous projects, similar in size and complexity in the previous five (5) years. These projects must be of similar size, scope, and nature, and demonstrate the company’s ability to assess employee/employer needs, conduct outreach to interested employees/employer, and collect pre and post program data. Examples of previous projects may include other pilot projects or implementation of new wellness programs or benefits.

2.1.4. Offeror(s) must provide a letter of support that demonstrates leadership understanding of the scope of this project and commitment to the project objectives.

2.1.5. Offeror(s) must provide evidence they are located in or able to serve employers and/or health plans in one or more of the following counties: Adams, Allen, Ashtabula, Athens, Clark, Coshocton, Cuyahoga, Fayette, Franklin, Gallia, Guernsey, Hamilton, Harrison, Highland, Jackson, Jefferson, Lawrence, Lorain, Lucas, Mahoning, Marion, Meigs, Montgomery, Morgan, Muskingum, Pike, Richland, Ross, Scioto, and Vinton.

2.1.6. Offeror(s) must demonstrate capacity to provide technical assistance and support to employers and health plans to increase coverage of the National DPP as a medical or wellness benefit.

2.1.7. Offeror(s) must demonstrate experience working with employers and health plans on coverage of the National DPP as a medical or wellness benefit.

2.2. Candidate Expertise Requirement:

2.2.1. Offeror(s) must provide a staffing plan that identifies all key personnel required to do the project and their responsibilities on the project. The staffing plan must have the following information:

2.2.1.1. A matrix matching each key team member to the staffing requirements in this RFP.

2.2.1.2. A contingency plan that shows the ability to add more staff if needed to ensure meeting the project’s deliverables and due dates.

2.2.1.3. A statement and chart that clearly indicates the time commitment of the proposed work team to the Project and any other non-related work during the term of the Contract.

2.2.2. Candidates proposed to be on the project team shall possess the following combined experience and expertise:

2.2.2.1. Provide documented evidence of a minimum of three (3) years managing projects of similar size and scope.

2.2.2.2. Provide documented evidence of a minimum of three (3) years providing technical assistance and/or maintaining partnerships with employers and health plans.

2.2.2.3. Provide documented evidence of experience using data to drive benefit decisions in project implementation.

2.2.2.4. Document knowledge about the National DPP and the Diabetes Prevention

Recognition Program standards.

2.2.2.5. Document knowledge about billing public and private payers for the National DPP.

2.2.2.6. Document knowledge about how health insurance policy decisions are made at the employer and health plan.

2.3. Notice of Award Requirements: N/A

2.4. Mandatory Licenses &/or Certifications Required: N/A

3. SCOPE OF WORK AND DELIVERABLES:

3.1. Scope of Work:

SCOPE OF WORK

3.1.1

Offeror will host and participate in monthly conference calls with Ohio Department of Health (ODH) staff.

Communicate with ODH staff monthly regarding the progress and status of each deliverable, successes, barriers, technical assistance (TA) needs and data collection.

a. Submit a monthly progress report, including but not limited to, a detailed description of progress and status of each deliverable, TA needs, barriers, and successes.

b. All progress reports should be submitted no later than two (2) days prior to each scheduled monthly conference call.

3.1.2

Offeror will conduct an employer market analysis to identify self-funded employers within the vendor’s county or region that may be potential partners for the project. For each employer, the market analysis should include, but is not limited to:

a. Employer name.

b. Number of employees/beneficiaries.

c. Employer industry (e.g., government, construction, education, manufacturing, etc.).

d. Employee retention rates (if applicable).

e. Health insurance plan.

f. Existing wellness program offerings.

g. Number or percentage of employees with diabetes, if available.

h. Details about any previous conversations the vendor had with the employer or health plan about DPP coverage. If so, what was the outcome of the conversations? Was the employer or health plan interested? What were potential barriers or roadblocks?

3.1.3

Offeror will participate in community conversations with employers and health plans identified in the employer market analysis. The conversations should focus on the benefits of offering the National DPP as a covered medical benefit and can also serve as an outreach/recruitment tool for the project. These conversations could take place at existing meetings in the community, or the vendor could convene their own meeting with employers and health plans.

3.1.4 As an outcome of the community conversations, vendor will hold initial one-on-one meetings with 3 – 5 self-funded employers who are interested in participating in the pilot.

3.1.5

Offeror will submit memorandums of understanding (MOU) for 2 self-funded employers who were selected to pilot coverage for the National DPP for 1 year. The MOU should include, but is not limited to:

a. An overview of the project.

b. Project expectations for participating employers (e.g., reporting requirements, meeting attendance, participation in ODH evaluation, expectation that the employer work toward covering the National DPP as a medical benefit at the end of the pilot, etc.).

c. Leadership support from participating employers (e.g., signatures from CEO, CMO, Human Resources Officer).

d. Health plan support, if applicable.

Compensation for participating employers is at the discretion of the vendor. Costs for up to 75 employees per employer to participate in the pilot can be covered by this project.

3.1.6

In conjunction with the participating employers, their health plans, and partnering National DPP organizations, offeror will develop a work plan for each participating employer that outlines the steps the employer will take to:

a. Implement a pilot of the National DPP (e.g., explore program delivery options, assess employee needs/interests, establish pilot program enrollment and retention goals, identify eligible employees, conduct outreach to eligible employees and enroll them in the program, collect data and evaluate the pilot, etc.).

b. Analyze pilot program data to evaluate program implementation and inform coverage decisions.

c. Work with their health plan and organization leadership to add the National DPP as a covered medical benefit (e.g., build leadership support, design the medical benefit, etc.) once the pilot is complete.

Each work plan should be unique to the participating employer and should contain site specific information.

3.1.7

Offeror will provide technical assistance (TA) to the participating employers to support the execution of work plan activities. TA may be provided in-person or virtually, as a group or individually. Submit a monthly TA log that includes, but is not limited to:

a. A description of group and/or individual technical assistance provided to the participating employers, health plans, and partnering National DPP organizations that month.

b. Name of employer, health plan, or partner requesting assistance.

c. Date of technical assistance.

3.1.8

Offeror will submit quarterly work plan updates for each participating employer. The updates should include, but are not limited to:

a. A written description of work done over the past quarter to achieve the steps outlined in the work plan.

b. Successes and barriers experienced over the quarter.

c. Training, resources, or technical assistance needs.

3.1.9

Offeror will submit quarterly data reports for each participating employer that includes, but is not limited to, the following data points:

a. # of employees identified as eligible for the pilot, total and broken down by demographics

b. # of eligible employees referred to the program, total and broken down by demographics.

c. # of eligible employees enrolled in the program, total and broken down by demographics.

d. # of eligible employees that complete the program, total and broken down by demographics

(completion according to the most recent Diabetes Prevention Recognition Program Standards).

e. # of sessions attended by eligible employees.

f. # of eligible employees that achieve risk reduction (according to the most recent Diabetes

Prevention Recognition Program Standards).

g. # of DPP claims submitted to health plan (if applicable).

h. Amount ($) of reimbursement received from health plan (if applicable).

Quarterly Breakouts:

July – September 2026 data due 11/1/2026.

October – December 2026 data due 2/1/2027.

January – March 2027 data due 5/1/2027.

3.1.10 Offeror will submit an Annual Project Summary Report that summarizes all work performed under this contract, including accomplishments, challenges, lessons learned, data, TA provided and progress on activities.

3.2. Deliverables and Due Dates:

DELIVERABLES DUE DATE

3.2.1 Participate in monthly conference calls with ODH staff and submit written monthly progress reports no later than 2 business days prior to each scheduled monthly conference call.

Within 30 days after contract execution.

3.2.2

Submit an employer market analysis to identify self-funded employers within the vendor’s county or region that may be potential partners for the project. For each employer, the market analysis should include, but is not limited to:

a. Employer name.

b. Number of employees/beneficiaries.

c. Employer industry (e.g., government, construction, education, manufacturing, etc.).

d. Employee retention rates (if applicable).

e. Health insurance plan.

f. Existing wellness program offerings.

g. Number or percentage of employees with diabetes, if available

h. Details about any previous conversations the vendor had with the employer or health plan about DPP coverage. What was the outcome of the conversations? Was the employer or health plan interested? What were potential barriers or roadblocks?

Within 60 days after contract execution.

3.2.3

Participate in community conversations with employers and health plans identified in the employer market analysis and submit meeting notes that outline who was present at the meeting, what was discussed, and next steps. If multiple meetings are held, meeting notes should be compiled into a single report.

Within 5 months after contract execution.

3.2.4

Hold initial one-on-one meetings with 3 – 5 self-funded employers who are interested in participating in the pilot and submit meeting notes that outline who was present at the meeting, what was discussed, and next steps. Compile meeting notes into a single report.

Within 7 months after contract execution.

3.2.5

Submit memorandums of understanding (MOU) from 2 self-funded employers to pilot the National DPP for 1 year. The MOU should include, but is not limited to:

a. An overview of the project.

b. Project expectations for participating employers (e.g., reporting requirements, meeting attendance, participation in ODH evaluation, expectation that the employer work toward covering

6/29/26 the National DPP as a medical benefit at the end of the pilot, etc.).

c. Leadership support from participating employers (e.g., signatures from CEO, CMO, Human Resources Officer).

d. Health plan support, if applicable.

3.2.6

In conjunction with the participating employers, their health plans, and partnering National DPP organizations, develop a work plan for each participating employer that outlines the steps the employer will take to:

a. Implement a pilot of the National DPP (e.g., explore program delivery options, assess employee needs/interests, establish pilot program enrollment and retention goals, identify eligible employees, conduct outreach to eligible employees and enroll them in the program, collect data and evaluate the pilot, etc.).

b. Analyze pilot program data to evaluate program implementation and inform coverage decisions.

c. Work with their health plan and organization leadership to add the National DPP as a covered medical benefit (e.g., build leadership support, design the medical benefit, etc.) once the pilot is complete.

Each work plan should be unique to the participating employer and should contain site specific information.

6/29/26

3.2.7

Submit a monthly technical assistance (TA) log that should include, but is not limited to:

a. A description of group and/or individual technical assistance provided to the participating employers, health plans, and partnering National DPP organizations that month.

b. Name of employer, health plan, or partner requesting assistance.

c. Date of technical assistance.

7/31/26, and monthly thereafter.

3.2.8

Submit quarterly work plan updates for each participating employer. The updates should include, but are not limited to:

a. A written description of work done over the past quarter to achieve the steps outlined in the work plan.

b. Successes and barriers experienced over the quarter.

c. Training, resources, or technical assistance needs.

9/30/26, and quarterly thereafter.

3.2.9

Submit quarterly data reports that includes, but is not limited to, the following data points for each participating employer:

a. # of employees identified as eligible for the pilot, total and broken down by demographics

b. # of eligible employees referred to the program, total and broken down by demographics.

11/1/26, and quarterly thereafter

c. # of eligible employees enrolled in the program, total and broken down by demographics.

d. # of eligible employees that complete the program, total and broken down by demographics (completion according to the most recent Diabetes Prevention Recognition Program Standards).

e. # of sessions attended by eligible employees.

f. # of eligible employees that achieve risk reduction (according to the most recent Diabetes Prevention Recognition Program Standards).

g. # of DPP claims submitted to health plan (if applicable).

h. Amount ($) of reimbursement received from health plan (if applicable).

Quarterly Breakouts:

July – September 2026 data due 11/1/2026.

October – December 2026 data due 2/1/2027 January – March 2027 data due 5/1/2027.

3.2.10 Submit an Annual Project Summary Report that summarizes all work performed under this contract, including accomplishments, challenges, lessons learned, data, TA provided and progress on activities.

6/29/26, and annually thereafter.

4. TECHNICAL EVALUATION CRITERION:

CONTRACTOR PROFILE WEIGHT

4.1 Offeror provides documented evidence of company history, years in business, number of employees, financial stability, and capacity to do the work. 2

4.2 Offeror provided documented evidence the company has in place the personnel, internal procedures, and other resources to ensure successful performance and contract compliance.

4.3

Offeror provided documented evidence of previous experience and expertise in providing a minimum of three (3) previous projects, similar in size and complexity in the previous five (5) years. These projects must be of similar size, scope, and nature, and demonstrate the company’s ability to assess employee/employer needs, conduct outreach to interested employees/employer, and collect pre and post program data. Examples of previous projects may include other pilot projects or implementation of new wellness programs or benefits.

4.4 Offeror submits a letter of support that demonstrates leadership understanding of the scope of this project and commitment to the project objectives.

4.5

Located in or able to serve employers and/or health plans in one or more of the following counties: Adams, Allen, Ashtabula, Athens, Clark, Coshocton, Cuyahoga, Fayette, Franklin, Gallia, Guernsey, Hamilton, Harrison, Highland, Jackson, Jefferson, Lawrence, Lorain, Lucas, Mahoning, Marion, Meigs, Montgomery, Morgan, Muskingum, Pike, Richland, Ross, Scioto, and Vinton.

4.6 Offeror demonstrated capacity to provide technical assistance and support to employers and health plans to increase coverage of the National DPP as a medical or wellness benefit.

4.7 Offer demonstrated experience working with employers and health plans on coverage of the National DPP as a medical or wellness benefit. 5

STAFFING PLAN (PERSONNEL PROFILE) WEIGHT

4.5

Provide a staffing plan that identifies all key personnel required to do the project and their responsibilities on the project. The staffing plan must have the following information:

1. A matrix matching each key team member to the staffing requirements in this RFP.

2. A contingency plan that shows the ability to add more staff if needed to ensure meeting the project’s due dates.

3. A statement and chart that clearly indicates the time commitment of the proposed work team to the Project and any other non-related work during the term of the Contract.

4.6

Offeror proposed to be on the project team shall possess the following combined experience and expertise:

1. Provide documented evidence of a minimum of three (3) years managing projects of similar size and scope.

2. Provide documented evidence of a minimum of three (3) years providing technical assistance and/or maintaining partnerships with employers and health plans.

3. Provide documented evidence of experience using data to drive benefit decisions in project implementation.

4. Document knowledge about the National DPP and the Diabetes Prevention Recognition Program standards.

5. Document knowledge about billing public and private payers for the National DPP.

6. Document knowledge about how health insurance policy decisions are made at the employer and health plan.

WORK PLAN WEIGHT

4.8

Offeror demonstrated in their proposal the ability to participate in monthly conference calls with ODH staff and submit written monthly progress reports no later than 2 business days prior to each scheduled monthly conference call.

4.9 Offeror demonstrated in their proposal the ability to submit an Employer Market Analysis. 5

4.10 Offeror demonstrated in their proposal the ability to participate in community conversations with employers and health plans and submit meeting notes.

4.11 Offeror demonstrated in their proposal the ability to hold one-on-one meetings with interested employers and submit meeting notes. 5

4.12 Offeror demonstrated in their proposal the ability to submit memorandums of understanding from 2 employers. 10

4.13

Offeror demonstrated in their proposal ability to develop a work plan for each participating employer that outlines the steps the employer will take to: 1) implement a pilot of the National DPP, 2) analyze pilot program data to inform coverage decisions, and 3) work with their health plan and organization leadership to add the National DPP as a covered medical benefit.

4.14 Offeror demonstrated in their proposal the ability to submit a monthly technical assistance log. 10

4.15 Offeror demonstrated in their proposal the ability to submit quarterly work plan updates for each participating employer. 5

4.16 Offeror demonstrated in their proposal the ability to submit quarterly data reports for each participating employer. 10

4.17 Offeror demonstrated in their proposal the ability to submit an annual report summarizing all work performed under this contract. 5

TOTAL 100

5. PROPOSAL SCORING

CRITERIA MAXIMUM

ALLOWABLE POINTS

Technical Proposal

Cost Proposal

MBE Set -Aside 50

Total