NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD.pdf

This is a Notice of Intent to Award issued by the Mississippi Division of Medicaid for the position of Administrator of Agency Appeals and Hearings under RFA #20260609 and RFX #3150006876. The Division solicited applications for this administrative position and received four responsive and responsible applications from Amanda Heard, Carol Redield Mims, Terri Bennett, and Valerie Henry. A committee of three Division employees evaluated all applicants, and the Division intends to award the contract to Terri Bennett. The initial contract term is one year commencing August 5, 2026, with automatic annual renewals unless either party provides written notice of termination. The position requires supervision of five to eight employees responsible for reviewing appeals, coordinating hearings, and serving as hearing officers, with work performed 20 to 40 hours per week at the Division's Central Office in Jackson, Mississippi.

The compensation for this position is $50.00 per hour, with the Division providing FICA contributions and other legally required payments. The Division retains sole discretion to adjust the hourly rate based on the Administrator's performance and fund availability, with adjustments capped at the rise in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) since the most recent adjustment. The position requires a minimum bachelor's degree from an accredited institution, five years of direct management experience, and relevant experience with administrative appeals and hearings in a government agency, preferably Mississippi state government. The selected candidate, Terri Bennett, will be responsible for managing contracts with outside legal counsel and external vendors.