Questions and Answers Document 1.docx

This Addendum will consist of a Questions and Answers document includes relevant vendor questions and Illinois Department of Public Health (DPH) responses prior to the Invitation for Bid (IFB) April 21st Bidder Question Cut-Off date. The State is also attaching a revised IFB solicitation document containing corrections made from the initial posting.

Question: Section 1.1 Overview and Purpose of the provided contract states the Department is currently in year 1 of the 5-year funding cycle. Section 3.1.1 Term of this Contact states the initial term commences “the last dated signature of the Parties” and ending August 31, 2029. Does the vendor have the ability to provide the supplies and/or services required at any point over the full contract period? Will any additional services be required in future years of the contract term?

Answer: The vendor must provide the services and supplies in the first year and annually throughout the project term concluding August 31, 2029. Services will be required as the annual work plan is submitted and approved to the federal funding agency.

Question: Section 1.2 Supplies and/or Services Requested differs from Section 1.3 Milestones and Deliverables. For example, the requirement to provide for an in-depth antibiotic stewardship training (ABT) in section 1.2.7.1.1(c) is not referenced in section 1.3 Milestones and Deliverable. Another example, Section 1.2.7.3.2 (c states “review applications to identify eight (8) hospitals to award funds to initiate and/or expand local behavioral health services in rural communities while Program Area 3 – Population Health/Population Health Education bullet point 4 (page 14) states “The Vendor will provide project funds for nine (9) hospitals to initiate and/or expand local behavioral health services in rural communities. A third example, Section 1.2.7.4.1 states “The vendor must create and administer a rural health EMS assessment while Program Area 4 EMS Statewide Assessment states “vendor will review the 2022 EMS statewide assessment . . .” Also in the area of EMS, section 1.2.7.4.2 “The vendor will review the application and identify ten CAHs and/or their resource hospitals to award funds for education and training programs for local rural EMS personnel while Program Area 4 EMS Education states “Vendor will provide for 15 CAHs and/or their resource hospital awards to fund education and training programs for local rural EMS personnel.”

In summary, there are different deliverables within the contract and between the contract and the workplan. Will a revised contract and/or an addendum be issued to address these identified discrepancies?

Answer: In the event of a conflict between the supplies and services in Section 1.2 and the deliverables/milestones in Section 1.3 and the attached Flex Grant Program Work Plan attachment, the Flex Grant Program Work Plan requirements will prevail. The workplan will be adjusted annually throughout the contract and annual project cycle.

Question: Section 1.1 Overview and Purpose of the contract states on page 2, “The awarded vendor will collaborate with the Center on refining, implementing, and updating the Flex Grant work plan according to HRSA priorities and the needs of the hospitals served by the program, as well as preparing for future changes in the healthcare environment.” How will the changes in project priorities from the Health Resources and Service Administration (HRSA) be incorporated into the milestones and deliverables, and will they be made consistent with the supplies and/or services required in the contract?

Answer: Annual workplans for years 2-5 will be developed by the awarded vendor in collaboration with IDPH and will address HRSA priorities.