Q&A - RFA IBEH 2026000182.docx

Request for Applications Colorado Prevail Program

2026000182 March 20, 2026

1. Is there a match requirement? The Budget Instructions mention a match requirement but there is no corresponding line on the worksheet.

Answer: There is no mandatory match requirement for this RFA. Any references to matching funds in the budget instructions are informational only. Applicants may include cost-sharing contributions if applicable, but they are not required and will not impact responsiveness or scoring.

2. What constitutes a joint partnership? Is a county that subcontracts with a non-profit to provide case management considered a joint partnership?

Answer: A joint partnership is defined as a formal agreement between the applicant and another eligible entity (local government agency, nonprofit, or judicial/law enforcement partner) to collaboratively deliver program services. A county subcontracting with a nonprofit to provide case management can constitute a partnership if there is an executed MOU or partnership agreement clearly delineating roles, responsibilities, and reporting expectations. Refer to Exhibit G – Applicant Eligibility Type for documentation requirements.

3. RFA: Please define outreach and direct program services under Other Allowable Uses on page 6 of 21.

Answer:

Outreach: Activities designed to identify and engage participants eligible for diversion services, including community events, stakeholder engagement, and referral network development.

Direct Program Services: Services provided directly to participants, such as case management, counseling, skill-building sessions, and supportive services that align with program goals described in Exhibit A (SOW Sections 3.1–3.4).

4. RFA: Under Youth and Transitioned Aged Adults (13-20) Specific Experience (20%), please explain “The same applies here” at the end of item ii.

Answer: “The same applies here” indicates that the requirements and scoring criteria described for adult populations in item i also apply to youth and transitioned-aged adults. This includes prior experience delivering services to these populations and demonstrated outcomes in behavioral health diversion programs.

5. Exhibit A: Are all individuals with prior felonies ineligible or should the word “or” be deleted from 3.4.3. to say, “Those who have been convicted of any felony (or deleted) child abuse charges are ineligible to be in the program” making only felony child abuse an exclusion?

Answer: All individuals convicted of any felony child abuse charges, sexual offenses, homicide, or attempted homicide are ineligible to participate. The wording in Exhibit A (3.4.3) is intentional. For other felony types not listed, sites may exercise discretion on eligibility determination. This approach aligns with PREVAIL program purpose and Exhibit A (3.4.3).

6. 3 case manager positions are listed in the pay range table. Are we limited to 3 case managers and a supervisor or can there be more case managers?

Answer: Applicants may propose additional case manager positions if justified in the program design and budget. The pay range table provides guidance. All proposed positions must be justified in the staffing plan.

Staffing levels should also be reasonable and proportional to the anticipated number of clients served. For example, applicants should consider how many clients each case manager can effectively support when determining the number of positions needed.

7. Is pay below the minimum listed in the table allowable to reflect regional rates for the positions?

Answer: Proposals may propose pay rates below the minimum listed, but rates must remain competitive and compliant with local employment laws. BHA may request clarification to ensure proposed salaries support program effectiveness and staff retention.

8. Are positions not listed on the table in 3.22.1.1 of the Statement of Work permitted?

Answer: Yes. Applicants may propose additional positions not listed in the SOW if necessary for program operations. Justify these positions in the staffing plan and budget narrative.

9. If county government partners with the district attorney is that considered a partnership for the purposes of this grant?

Answer: Yes. A county partnering with the district attorney qualifies as a partnership if an executed MOU or partnership agreement is provided, as required under Exhibit G – Applicant Eligibility Type.

10. If county government partners with the sheriff’s office is that considered a partnership for the purposes of this grant?

Answer: Yes. Partnerships with law enforcement agencies, including the sheriff’s office, are acceptable if documented with an executed MOU.

11. Do you want the subcontractor budget broken down into line items under the subaward?

Answer: Yes. The subaward budget should be detailed to show anticipated costs, including personnel, fringe, and direct program costs. This ensures transparency and alignment with Colorado procurement standards.

12. How do we access the BHA’s Fidelity Implementation Plan Guide referenced in Exhibit A?

Answer: The BHA’s Fidelity Implementation Plan Guide — referenced in Exhibit A (Statement of Work) as the resource to support fidelity to the PREVAIL model — will be added to RFA 2026000182 as Exhibit H. This document provides guidance on fidelity expectations and how the PREVAIL model should be implemented with fidelity standards in alignment with BHA guidance. Applicants may reference Exhibit H when describing program fidelity strategies in their proposals.

13. Our procurement process requires us to put new contracts out for bid meaning we cannot name our case management partner and their email in our proposal. How do we address this and still qualify as a partnership?

Answer: Applicants must complete and submit Exhibit G – Mandatory Requirements and Eligibility Certification, which demonstrates eligibility, legal authority, and regulatory compliance. In addition, applicants should complete the Grant Application Workbook (Exhibit B), including the section for partner information, to describe their intended joint collaboration or partnership. If a formal MOU or subcontractor cannot be identified at the time of application due to procurement rules, applicants may describe their partnership strategy in Exhibit B and indicate that a formal agreement or MOU will be executed once the procurement process is complete. BHA will review your proposed approach for compliance with partnership requirements while considering procurement constraints.

14. The pay bands listed in the RFP and SOW are significantly below than the current compensation ranges used. Because we conduct annual competitive pay analyses to maintain both internal pay equity and competitiveness with the Denver Metro labor market, lowering salaries would risk creating pay inequities within our organization and would make it difficult to retain or recruit qualified personnel. Is there any flexibility in the stated personnel pay bands?

Answer: Personnel pay bands provided in the RFA and Statement of Work are intended as guidance to support consistent budgeting across applicants. Applicants may propose compensation outside of these ranges when justified by local market conditions and organizational pay structures.

All proposed personnel costs, however, must be reasonable, necessary, and directly tied to program activities, and must fit within the maximum award amounts and budget requirements outlined in the RFA. BHA will evaluate proposed salaries as part of the overall budget review and may require adjustments to ensure costs are appropriate and aligned with program expectations.

15. Are the personnel pay bands static for the duration of the 5-year period, or would contract extensions in years 2–5 allow for renegotiation to incorporate an estimated 3–5% annual COLA adjustment?

Answer: Pay bands are guidance for the initial award. Contract extensions may allow negotiation for cost-of-living adjustments (COLA) in years 2–5, subject to BHA approval.

16. Our current diversion team consists of two staff members, and one of our case workers is responsible for data entry and reporting. Would it be acceptable for us to identify her role in the budget as “Caseworker/Data” to reflect her combined responsibilities, and if so, would it be appropriate to use the "Data" pay band? We do not have a dedicated data manager for this program.

Answer: Yes. Applicants may combine roles in the staffing plan and budget. Use the pay band that most closely aligns with primary responsibilities, and provide a justification for combined duties.

17. Can the joint application be used to fund additional case managers, peers, or navigator/outreach workers?

Answer: Yes, a joint application may include funding for additional staff, such as case managers, peers, or navigator/outreach workers, if justified by the program design and budget narrative. Applicants should ensure that the majority of staff and program funding supports core PREVAIL program services, particularly case management, to maintain fidelity to the model.

Roles and responsibilities for each partner must be clearly documented in the staffing plan and in any executed MOUs or partnership agreements (Exhibit G). BHA does not prescribe how positions must be allocated among partners, but all proposed staffing must align with program goals, operational feasibility, and PREVAIL standards.

18. A single application allows a ceiling request of $475,000 but with the joint application ceiling of $650,000, can this be distributed to be more for the main applicant?

Answer: Applicants may propose staffing and budget allocations for both single and joint applications within the maximum award amounts ($475,000 for a single applicant; $650,000 for a joint application). Applicants determine how funds are distributed among program staff, partners, and roles, provided that:

· The total budget does not exceed the applicable ceiling.

· All proposed allocations support the implementation of the PREVAIL program as described in Exhibit A (SOW).

· For joint applications, the roles, responsibilities, and associated costs for each partner are clearly documented in the budget narrative and any executed MOUs or partnership agreements.

Applicants are encouraged to structure their budgets in a way that ensures program fidelity, operational feasibility, and alignment with PREVAIL program goals.

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