Q & As for BPM043845_5.2.24.docx

Q + A’s for Interoperability Program for Behavioral Health Providers

BPM043845/BHA24-026

1) How much funding is available and how many awards are anticipated?

The range of funding available is a total of $3.5 million. The Department intends to make multiple awards. The number of behavioral health providers selected for each program track will depend on the number of applications received and funding availability. The Department has predetermined incentive amounts for each milestone completed in the chosen program track.

2) What are allowable costs?

Any award associated with this RFA is limited to the availability of funds in Fiscal Year 2025 and the authority to appropriate those funds. Spending is restricted to line items in the approved budget in order to fulfill the requirements of the approved program work plan. Grant award money cannot be used for the following:

1. Duplication of services immediately available through state or federal government;

2. Market research, advertising (unless public service related to grant program) or other promotional expenses;

3. Expenses made prior to the approval of a proposal or unreasonable expenditures will not be reimbursed.

4. Purchase of food.

For the purposes of this RFA the Applicant shall submit a budget that addresses the organization’s financial feasibility to sustain the EHR beyond the initial investment made through this award.

3) Our primary question is whether or not there is an opportunity to sole source this effort? If so, what would be the best next steps to initiate that process?

A forthcoming RFA will competitively bid for technical assistance for the Interoperability Program for Behavioral Health Providers.

4) Will there be a pre-bidder’s conference?

No.

5) What is the anticipated start and end date, if awarded. Do awarded funds have to be spent by a firm end date?

The award period is July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025.

6) Metrics: Are the metrics expected to be implemented throughout the whole organization (inpatient, outpatient, community based treatment, substance use disorder outpatient, etc.), or is it only required in specific program areas?

Applicants must be able to report on at least one of the metrics as it relates to programming. The metrics come from the 2024 Core Set of Adult Health Care Quality Measures for Medicaid (Adult Core Set).

· Initiation and Engagement of Substance Use Disorder Treatment (IET-AD)

· Use of Pharmacotherapy for Opioid Use Disorder (OUD-AD)

· Follow-Up After Emergency Department Visit for Substance Use: Age 18 and Older (FUA-AD)

7) When did the Maryland legislature allocate funding for the RFA?

The Moore-Miller Administration allocated funding for investments through the Behavioral Health Administration.

8) Are you anticipating more than one award?

The Department intends to make multiple awards.

9) Can you help me understand why there is only a two week turnaround on submitting an application for this solicitation?

The original start date for the project was June 1, 2024. The Department took the timeline into consideration and decided to extend the application due date to May 14, 2024, which also required the project start date to be moved. The current project start date is July 1, 2024.

10) Can you provide guidance on which track, if any, is the appropriate track for out EHR need?

The vendor has to decide which track they are seeking funding to support.