QUESTION AND ANSWER#3 connector entity.pdf

QUESTION AND ANSWER # 3

Connector Entity FY27 (eMMA # BPM054975)

Question#18:

I wanted to reach out again and see if FQHCs are eligible to apply for this opportunity?

Answer: Are Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) eligible to apply for the RFA?

Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) are eligible to apply for the RFA provided they accept all forms of insurance, including Medicaid, and deliver services in a manner that does not result in steering or the appearance of steering. Applicants must demonstrate compliance with all program requirements related to consumer choice, neutrality, and non-discrimination.

Question#19: The Key Information Summary Sheet Page 2 of the RFA indicates that all applications must be submitted to emma.maryland.gov under Solicitation Number BPM054700 .

Section VII. Application Instructions FY 2027 on page 25 indicates that all submissions must be submitted electronically via email to the point of contact described in the Request for Grant Applications. The subject line of the email shall state “RFA #22-01 Connector Entity Program Grants.” We are aware that an amendment was discussed at the Pre-proposal Conference but are adding this to the list of questions as the amendment has not been released prior to the deadline to submit questions. Please confirm the required submission process.

Answer: The amendment has been posted for this question however, to further clarify: The nonresponse form and the “Intent to respond” forms can be submitted via email as both forms are not mandatory but rather an asked from MHBE for informational purposes only. There is also a new eMMA # BPM054975 that you MUST USE to submit your application and all supporting documentation.

Question: #20 The Key Information Summary Sheet Page 2 of the RFA indicates that “Multiple or alternate Applications will not be accepted”. Please clarify

Answer: Clarification on “Multiple or Alternate Applications Will Not Be Accepted” The statement that “Multiple or alternate Applications will not be accepted” means that an applicant organization may submit only one application per region and may not submit multiple versions or alternative proposals for the same region.

Applicants may apply for more than one region, provided that each application is submitted separately, complete, and specific to the region applied for, and complies with all RFA requirements.

Question: #21 Page 8, under section B. Regions, the map and corresponding key indicates that there are six (6) Regions as follows:

a. West: Garrett, Allegany, Washington, Frederick, Carroll

b. Capital North, Montgomery

c. South: PG County

d. Central: Baltimore City, Baltimore County, Howard, Anne Arundel

e. Lower Shore: Queen Anne’s, Talbot, Caroline, Dorchester, Wicomico, Somerset, Worcester

f. Upper Shore/Southern: Charles, St. Mary’s, Calvert, Cecil, Harford and Kent

It was introduced during the Pre-proposal Conference that there may be 7 unique regions. We are seeking confirmation that there are indeed 6 regions available to apply for under this RFA.

Answer: Confirmation of the Number of Regions At this time, the Connector Entity Program Grants FY 2027 RFA authorizes six

(6) regions as outlined on Page 8 of the RFA.

While the possibility of seven regions was discussed during the Pre-proposal Conference, no amendment has been issued to modify the regional structure.

Applicants should prepare and submit applications based on the six (6) regions identified in the current RFA

Question: #22 On page 18, the Enrollment Targets table shows in the “Counties” column, that both the Lower Shore and Upper Eastern Shore/Southern Regions each share Queen Anne’s, Caroline, Talbot and Dorchester counties. Charles, Calvert and St. Mary’s counties are not listed.

Please confirm that the Upper Shore/Southern Region includes Harford, Cecil, Kent, Charles, Calvert and St. Mary’s?

Answer: Clarification of County Assignments for the Upper Shore/Southern Region The Department acknowledges the inconsistencies in the Enrollment Targets table on Page 18.

The Upper Shore/Southern Region includes the following counties:

Harford Cecil Kent Charles Calvert St. Mary’s

Queen Anne’s, Caroline, Talbot, and Dorchester counties are part of the Lower Shore Region and should not be considered part of the Upper Shore/Southern Region.

An amendment will be issued to correct the Enrollment Targets table to accurately reflect county assignments. The identified discrepancy does not change the targets for each region.