RFA 67-212, Addendum 2.pdf

Addendum to RFA# 67-212

Long-Term Care Quality Investment Program

Date: September 23, 2026

Addendum Number: 2

Addendum Changes:

This addendum is to provide answers to all questions per the RFA Potential Applicant letter.

1. May an entity that is still in the process of establishing a new CNA school, and is not yet fully registered as a legal entity or an active Commonwealth vendor, apply to RFA #67‑212 using a business plan as documentation?

Answer 1: No. Applicants must already meet all eligibility requirements at the time of application submission, including being an established and registered legal entity, being an active SAP vendor, and meeting the facility definitions outlined in the RFA on pg. 16. A proposed business plan or an entity that has not yet completed required registrations is not eligible to apply.

2. Does eligibility for RFA #67‑212 require that a facility be classified as a rural provider according to the Rural Health Grants Eligibility Analyzer tool?

Answer 2: No, eligibility is not limited only to projects identified through the Rural Health Grants Eligibility Analyzer. Eligible locations include:

• Any facility located in counties with class sizes 4–8.

• Any facility located in counties with class sizes 2A and 3 within a census tract that is a Rural Health Area.

• Any facility located in counties with class sizes 2A and 3 that contain a census tract designated as a Rural Health Area and serve residents who live in a census tract that is a Rural Health Area.

Applicants must meet all other eligibility requirements outlined in the RFA pgs. 15- 16, including facility type, required registrations, and attestation criteria. Rural designation is one factor but not the sole determinant of eligibility.

3. May grant funds awarded under RFA #67‑212 be used for exterior improvements to a residence, such as painting, staining, repairing walkways or driveways, or creating outdoor visiting areas like gazebos?

Answer 3: No, general exterior beautification or property improvements — including painting, staining, and repairs to driveways or walkways — are not allowable uses of funds under RFA #67‑212. Funding may only be used for activities that fall within the specific workforce and infrastructure tracks defined in the RFA.

However, yes, an outdoor visitation space such as a gazebo may be allowable under Track 6.A if it is clearly intended to support resident visitation during isolation periods and aligns with infection‑control‑focused communal or visitation space upgrades.

Any such project must meet all requirements outlined in the RFA for Track 6.A. on

pg. 11.

4. What types of applicants are eligible to apply under RFA #67‑212, and are nonprofit organizations that provide respite care considered long‑term care facilities for the purposes of this funding opportunity?

Answer 4: Eligible applicants must meet the long‑term care facility definitions outlined in the RFA, which include Skilled Nursing Facilities, Personal Care Homes, Assisted Living Residences, and Intermediate Care Facilities. Only entities that meet one of these defined facility types, along with all required registration and attestation criteria, are eligible to apply. Nonprofit organizations that provide respite care do not meet the definition of a long‑term care facility for this RFA and are therefore not eligible unless they are licensed and classified as one of the defined facility types.

5. For rural eligibility under Section C.1.d of RFA #67‑212, must a facility’s specific street address return as rural in the HRSA Rural Health Eligibility tool, or can eligibility be established based on the county classification or by serving residents who live in rural‑designated census tracts?

Answer 5: A facility’s specific street address does not need to return as rural in the HRSA tool to be eligible. Rural eligibility may be established in any of the following ways::

• The facility is located in a county with class sizes 4–8.

• The facility is located in a county with class sizes 2A or 3 within a census tract designated as a Rural Health Area.

• The facility is located in a county with class sizes 2A or 3 that contains at least one Rural Health Area census tract and serves residents who live in a Rural Health Area census tract.

Facilities meeting any of these criteria, along with all other eligibility requirements in the RFA, are eligible to apply.

6. If a facility does not meet the rural provider requirement described in the RFA, can it still submit an application?

Answer 6: See answers 2 and 5

7. May funding under Track 4.B (Internet Access / Wi‑Fi) be used for electrical infrastructure improvements when such upgrades are necessary to support expanded internet or Wi‑Fi connectivity?

Answer 7: Yes. Electrical infrastructure improvements may be included only when they are directly required to enable or support the installation or enhancement of internet or Wi‑Fi connectivity under Track 4.B. All costs must be clearly tied to the eligible intervention and necessary for its implementation as described in the RFA on

pg. 10.

8. Does the rural health provider requirement in RFA #67‑212 mean that only designated rural facilities are eligible to apply, or is rural designation simply one criterion considered among otherwise eligible facilities?

Answer 8: See answers 2 and 5

9. May a facility that does not qualify as rural under the HRSA Rural Health Eligibility criteria still apply for QIP funding under RFA #67‑212?

Answer 9: See answers 2 and 5

10. Must providers be designated as rural under the federal rural eligibility definition in order to apply to the Long‑Term Care Quality Investment Program?

Answer 10: See answers 2 and 5

11. Is the Long‑Term Care Quality Investment Program limited only to projects that qualify under the Rural Health Grants Eligibility Analyzer, and does the rural‑provider requirement mean this RFA is part of the Rural Health Transformation Program?

Answer 11: See answers 2 and 5

12. Is the Long‑Term Care Quality Investment Program only available to rural providers?

Answer 12: See answers 2 and 5

13. Page 15, Section C.1.d of the RFA states that applicants must demonstrate that the applying facility is a rural provider. Is this accurate, and does this requirement apply to all applicants?

Answer 13: See answers 2 and 5.

14. Is rural designation a mandatory eligibility requirement under RFA #67‑212, and must the facility’s physical address itself qualify as rural in the HRSA Rural Health Grants Eligibility Analyzer? If a Personal Care Home does not receive a rural designation for its address, is it ineligible to apply?

Answer 14: See answers 2 and 5.

15. Is a PACE program eligible to apply under RFA #67‑212 if it does not meet the definition of a Long‑Term Care Facility and does not have licensed beds as referenced in the application?

Answer 15: No. PACE programs are not eligible to apply under RFA #67‑212.

Eligibility is limited to facilities that meet the long‑term care facility definitions outlined in the RFA on pg. 16, which include Skilled Nursing Facilities, Personal Care Homes, Assisted Living Residences, and Intermediate Care Facilities. Programs or centers that do not meet one of these definitions and do not operate licensed beds are not eligible to apply.

16. Is the Long‑Term Care Quality Investment Program application only for rural facilities?

Answer 16: See answers 2 and 5.

17. Does the Department provide any mechanism for vendors or potential implementation partners to connect with eligible facilities applying under RFA #67‑212, such as a vendor list, networking process, or other way for vendors to make their availability known?

Answer 17: No. The Department does not provide a vendor list, matchmaking process, or networking mechanism for vendors to connect with applicants. Facilities are responsible for independently identifying, selecting, and obtaining quotes from vendors that meet their needs for eligible interventions. Vendors may communicate their services directly to facilities; however, the Department does not facilitate or endorse vendor–facility connections.

18. The announcement page states that $2.75 million is available for the program, while the RFA states that approximately $12 million will be distributed. What is the correct total amount of funding available under RFA #67‑212?

Answer 18: As stated in Part One, Section A of the RFA on pg. 5, the Long‑Term Care Quality Investment Program will distribute approximately $12 million over the duration of the funding period, not in a single year. External announcement pages may reference subsets of available funding; the approximate amount listed in the RFA is subject to availability of funding.

19. Is the Long‑Term Care Quality Investment Program grant only available to facilities that are considered rural?

Answer 19: See answers 2 and 5.

20. If a long‑term care facility receives funding under the Quality Investment Program and contracts with an external organization to provide workforce training, leadership development, implementation support, wellness programming, or technology assistance, would that organization be considered a vendor/contractor or a subrecipient, and are those services allowable uses of grant funds?

Answer 20: An external organization providing services such as training, leadership development, implementation support, wellness programming, or technology assistance to an applying facility would be treated as a vendor/contractor, not a subrecipient. These services are an allowable use of grant funds only if they directly support an intervention that is eligible under the specific track selected in the facility’s application and comply with all procurement, documentation, and allowable‑cost requirements.

21. Are new furnaces, including additions such as dehumidifying systems or UV systems for air quality, eligible for funding under RFA #67‑212?

Under Track 6.A (Upgrade communal/visitation spaces), would an exit or entrance ramp be considered an eligible improvement?

Would replacement of a 20‑year‑old water softener be considered an allowable expense under Track 6.A or another infrastructure category?

Answer 21.a: No. Replacement or upgrade of furnaces or HVAC systems, including dehumidifiers or UV air‑quality components, is not an allowable use of funds under any Track in RFA #67‑212. These items fall outside the defined intervention categories and cannot be funded.

Answer 21.b: Yes, an entrance or exit ramp may be allowable under Track 6.A only if it is clearly and directly tied to improving resident visitation safety, accessibility, or infection‑control‑related movement during visitation or isolation periods. The improvement must align with the purpose of communal or visitation space upgrades.

Answer 21.c: No. Replacement or upgrade of a water softener is considered general facility maintenance and is not an allowable expense under any Track. Track 6 interventions must directly support resident visitation, movement, satisfaction, or care as defined in the RFA on pg. 11, and water‑system equipment does not meet those criteria.

22. May an applicant apply for funding in more than one category under RFA #67‑212?

For example, may a facility apply for Track 2 (clinical and non‑clinical training) in the Workforce Development category and also apply for Track 6 (call bell system and resident movement/mobility equipment) in the Infrastructure category?

Answer 22: Yes. Applicants may apply for funding in more than one category and may select multiple tracks with a maximum amount awarded of $2,500 per bed, up to $250,000 per facility as noted on pg. 13 of the RFA, provided each selected track is included in the application and all requirements for each track are met. Facilities may request funding for both Workforce Development (e.g., Track 2) and Infrastructure (e.g., Track 6) within a single application. Tracks cannot be combined, and each must be applied for separately with its own required documentation.

23. Section C.1(d) states that applicants must demonstrate rural provider eligibility using the HRSA Rural Health Eligibility Tool. Is rural eligibility mandatory for all applicants, or may non‑rural facilities also apply?

Answer 23: See answers 2 and 5.

24. 1. Under Track 6.B (Resident Movement/Mobility Equipment), would overhead lift systems (ceiling‑mounted patient lifts) be considered an eligible expense?

2. The RFA notes that Administrative/Indirect Costs cannot be increased via a budget revision, suggesting they may be allowable. However, the budget template does not contain a line item for these costs. How should applicants budget and report Administrative/Indirect Costs?

Answer 24.a: Yes. Ceiling‑mounted overhead lift systems may be considered allowable under Track 6.B, provided the equipment directly supports resident movement, transfer, or mobility needs. All eligibility requirements for Track 6.B per

pg. 11 of the RFA must be met, including submission of required quotes.

Answer 24.b: Administrative/Indirect Costs are not allowable under this RFA. All requested funds must be tied directly to allowable intervention‑specific expenses within the selected tracks, using the budget template provided. The Grant Payment Provisions, included in the RFA as Exhibit C, are standard payment provisions.

25. Are facility upgrades such as replacing carpet with LVT flooring, replacing fabric communal‑area furniture with leather/wipeable furniture, and improving hallway lighting eligible for funding under Track 6A (Enhanced Visitation/Communal Spaces)? Additionally, are grab bars eligible under Track 6B–D (Resident Support & Satisfaction)?

Answer 25: Yes. Under Track 6A, upgrades to communal and visitation spaces are eligible when they improve infection control, environmental cleanliness, or resident safety. The RFA as noted on pg. 11 permits funding for interventions that enhance communal areas, as described in Track 6.A (“Upgrade communal/visitation spaces to improve infection control, including adding barriers for separation”).

Replacing carpet with LVT flooring (for improved sanitation), replacing fabric furniture with leather/wipeable materials (for improved disinfection), and upgrading dim hallway lighting to brighter LED lighting (for improved visibility and resident safety) are all considered permissible Track 6A upgrades, provided the required vendor quote is submitted.

Under Track 6B, resident movement and mobility supports are explicitly eligible (“Purchase of resident movement equipment such as transfer lifts, sliding boards/sheets, gait belts, walking aids”).

New grab bars, which directly support resident mobility, stability, and safety, fall within the intent of Track 6.B–D and are allowable as long as they meet the Track’s documentation and quote requirements.

26. May an organization submit more than one application under a single applicant resource account when applying for RFA #67‑212? If the organization operates multiple facilities (e.g., a Skilled Nursing Facility and a Personal Care Home), must each facility create its own applicant resource account?

Answer 26: No, however this is preferred. It is preferred that each application be submitted under a resource account that corresponds to the specific licensed facility submitting the application, if possible. Because RFA #67‑212 requires the application to be submitted under the facility’s unique SAP vendor profile and licensure information, organizations operating multiple facilities should use separate resource accounts when submitting multiple applications, if possible. If a second facility (e.g., a Personal Care Home) intends to submit its own application, that facility must submit an application under its own licensure and SAP vendor number.

27. How does a Personal Care Home determine rural eligibility for RFA #67‑212?

Specifically, may a Personal Care Home located in Philadelphia apply if it qualifies under the federal rural definition, and what documentation must be provided to demonstrate rural status?

Answer 27: See answers 2 and 5

28. Are Skilled Nursing Facilities that previously received funding through the Rural Health Transformation Program or the Rapid Response Stabilization Program eligible to apply for RFA #67‑212?

Answer 28: Yes. Prior receipt of Rural Health Transformation Program funding or Rapid Response Stabilization Program payments does not disqualify a Skilled Nursing Facility from applying for RFA #67‑212. Applicants remain eligible provided they meet all requirements outlined in the RFA, including rural provider qualification, active SAP vendor registration, and compliance with all attestation and application instructions. RFA #67‑212 does not restrict participation based on involvement in prior state‑funded programs.

29. May a Skilled Nursing Facility applying under Track 3 (Nurse Aide Training) use grant funds to establish a new Pennsylvania Department of Education‑approved Nurse Aide Training and Competency Evaluation Program (NATCEP) at the facility?

If so, what start‑up and operating costs are allowable, and how should a newly established NATCEP document the required “invoice” for certification tuition?

Answer 29: Yes. A Skilled Nursing Facility may use Track 3 funding to support participation in a Pennsylvania Department of Education‑approved Nurse Aide Training and Competency Evaluation Program, including establishing a new facility‑based NATCEP, provided that all Track 3 requirements are met. Track 3 allows up to $5,000 per trainee for eligible training expenses, including tuition, staff time, and required training supports.

Allowable costs for establishing and operating a new NATCEP may include instructor compensation, curriculum development aligned with PDE requirements, state approval fees, textbooks, training equipment, supplies, and other costs necessary to deliver the approved course. Student‑level expenses such as tuition, paid training time, travel, and childcare are allowable within Track 3’s funding structure.

For the required “invoice” documentation, a newly established facility‑based NATCEP may submit its internal program invoice reflecting the cost of certification tuition and related training expenses. This invoice must clearly itemize allowable Track 3 costs and correspond to the PDE‑approved program delivered by the facility.

30. Is rural provider status required for all Tracks under RFA #67‑212?

Answer 30: See answers 2 and 5

31. Are Personal Assistance Services (PAS) or home healthcare agencies eligible to apply for RFA #67‑212, or is eligibility limited to nursing homes, personal care homes, assisted living facilities, and intermediate care facilities?

Answer 31: No. Personal Assistance Services (PAS) providers and home healthcare agencies are not eligible to apply for RFA #67‑212. The RFA defines eligible applicants specifically as Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNFs), Personal Care Homes (PCHs), Assisted Living Facilities (ALFs), and Intermediate Care Facilities (ICFs).

These licensed long‑term care facility types are the only settings authorized to receive funding under the Long‑Term Care Quality Investment Program. Agencies that provide home‑based or community‑based services, including PAS providers, do not meet the facility‑based eligibility definitions outlined in the RFA on pg. 16.

32. May a facility that does not qualify as rural under the HRSA Rural Health Eligibility Tool still apply for RFA #67‑212? Is there any flexibility allowing non‑rural facilities to participate?

Answer 32: See answers 2 and 5

33. For rural eligibility under Part One, Section C.1.d of RFA #67‑212, must the specific facility address qualify as rural in the HRSA Rural Health Eligibility Tool, or may eligibility be based on county‑level rural designation, service area characteristics, or other geographic indicators?

Answer 33: See answers 2 and 5

34. Are urban nursing homes eligible to apply for RFA #67‑212? If urban facilities are eligible, may they be granted access to the application portal?

Answer 34: Yes, see answers 2 and 5

35. Are county‑owned nursing homes eligible to apply for RFA #67‑212?

Answer 35: Yes. County‑owned nursing homes may apply for RFA #67‑212 provided they meet all program eligibility requirements, including verification of rural‑provider status using the HRSA Rural Health Eligibility Tool, active SAP vendor registration, and completion of all required attestations. The RFA does not exclude county‑owned facilities; eligibility is determined by rural status and facility type (SNF, PCH, ALF, or ICF), not ownership structure.

36. If an organization operates multiple licensed facilities on one campus (such as a Skilled Nursing Facility, a Personal Care Home, and a Memory Care Personal Care facility), may one application be submitted for the entire campus, or must each licensed facility submit its own separate application under RFA #67‑212?

Answer 36: Each licensed facility must submit its own separate application. RFA #67‑212 specifies on pg. 1 that funding is awarded per facility license number, up to $250,000 per facility, and eligibility is determined based on the facility’s unique licensure and SAP vendor information. Because each component of a continuing care campus (SNF, PCH, Memory Care PCH, etc.) has different license numbers and facility identifiers, they must apply individually and cannot combine multiple facilities into a single campus‑wide application.

37. The RFA describes rural status in two places: Part One, Section C.1.d states that applicants must qualify as a rural provider using the HRSA Rural Health Eligibility Tool, while Part One, Section B.2 lists rural or geographic status as an evaluation factor. Is rural status a mandatory eligibility requirement or simply one evaluation factor among others?

Answer 37: See answers 2 and 5; this is a threshold requirement that must be met for an application to be accepted. Rural status appearing again in Section B.2 as an evaluation factor does not replace or override the mandatory eligibility requirement; it is considered only after eligibility is established. Facilities that do not qualify as rural per the answer set forth in responses 2 and 5, are not eligible to apply, regardless of evaluation factors such as Social Vulnerability Index, Medicaid utilization, medically underserved status, or Health Professional Shortage Area designation.

38. Did you have to attend the pre-application webinar on 9/9/26 in order to apply?

Answer 38: No, attendance was not required to apply. As noted in the RFA on pg. 1 verified attendance is used as part of the evaluation process for award.

39. 1.Track 6.A – Communal / Visitation Space Upgrade: Can funding under this track include: Installation of a mini-split HVAC system to convert a sun porch into a year-round visitation/telehealth space; Replacement of flooring in dining/communal areas for infection control and safety; Replacement of dining furniture to improve cleanability, accessibility, and safety?

2. Track 6.B – Resident Movement / Mobility Equipment: Do permanently installed stair‑chair lifts qualify as allowable mobility support devices?

3. Track 4.A and 4.D – Telehealth and Virtual‑Visit Technology: May computers, peripherals, and software be included when dedicated to resident telehealth, virtual‑provider visits, or resident care coordination?

4. Vendor Selection & Quotations Before Award. Is obtaining quotes or selecting a preferred vendor before the award allowed, provided no binding agreement is signed?

5. If an applicant submitted SAP Vendor registration but The Commonwealth has not yet issued the number by the deadline, can the application still be considered? Is there a procedure for escalation?

Answer 39.a: Yes. Track 6.A allows upgrades of communal or visitation spaces to improve infection control and safety. The RFA states that 6.A supports “upgrade of communal/visitation spaces to improve infection control, including adding barriers for separation.” The proposed activities directly support this purpose: Installing a mini‑split system to make a visitation/telehealth space usable year‑round, replacing flooring for cleanability and safety, and Replacing furniture with wipeable, safe materials.

All are allowable if a vendor quote is submitted (required for Track 6.A).

Answer 39.b: Yes. Track 6.B allows purchase of resident movement equipment such as transfer lifts, sliding boards/sheets, gait belts, walking aids.” Permanently installed stair‑chair lifts are materially similar in purpose: they directly assist resident mobility, improve access to multiple floors, and Enhance safety. Therefore, they are allowable under Track 6.B, including equipment and installation costs, provided a required vendor quote is included.

Answer 39.c: Yes. Track 4.A includes telehealth kiosks and related equipment (carts, tablets, laptops, monitors, headphones). Track 4.D includes software and equipment for virtual provider or family visits. Computers, webcams, microphones, peripherals, and software clearly fall within these categories when used for telehealth and care coordination. A quote is required for both Tracks 4.A and 4.D.

Answer 39.d: Yes. The RFA requires vendor quotes to be obtained in advance for Tracks 4.A, 4.B, 4.C, 4.D, 5, 6.A, 6.B, 6.C, and 6.D. The RFA prohibits the following:

starting the work, signing a binding agreement, incurring costs, or purchasing equipment prior to the authorized grant period. Obtaining quotes and identifying preferred vendors is required and fully permissible.

Answer 39.d: No — the SAP vendor number must be active by the time of application submission for the application to be considered. The RFA states on pg.

6: “Applicants who do not provide an active (not flagged for deletion) SAP vendor number on their application will not be considered for award.” There is no documented exception or escalation procedure in the RFA.

40. 1. Evidence of “Identified Facility Need” for Technology Interventions?

Answer 40.a: This question is too broad to be answered. There is no indication of the current level of understanding or what is in need of elaboration.

40.2. Required or Preferred Outcome Measures for Technology Interventions?

Answer 40.b: This question is too broad to be answered. There is no indication of the current level of understanding or what is in need of elaboration.

40.3. Whether a Technology Intervention Must Be Facility‑Wide or May Target a Pilot Population?

Answer 40.c: The RFA does not require technology interventions to be facility‑wide.

It requires alignment with a facility need, readiness to implement, and measurable results. Applicants may propose: A facility‑wide deployment, or defined pilot population with a subset of residents. This is permissible so long as the intervention is clearly justified, the pilot population is well‑defined, and performance measures can be collected and evaluated. The Department’s evaluation criteria noted on RFA starting on pg. 12 (e.g., alignment with needs, readiness, measurable quality improvement) support targeted pilots where the need is concentrated.

41. Does home health qualify?

Answer 41: Eligibility depends solely on whether the entity is licensed as one of the facility types specified in the RFA and meets all mandatory program requirements, including rural‑provider status. The RFA on pg. 16 defines eligible applicants strictly as: Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNFs), Personal Care Homes (PCHs), Assisted Living Facilities (ALFs) and Intermediate Care Facilities (ICFs).

42. Are separate applications required for different facility types under the same ownership umbrella?

Answer 42: Yes. Each separate level of care and physical location, including Skilled Nursing, Personal Care, Assisted Living Facility, and Intermediate Care Facility, must submit a separate application corresponding to the applicable license number.

43. Are there infrastructure asks that don’t have funding caps? Are the maximum award amounts listed for technology and infrastructure per item or all together?

Can we combine an entity’s types of cares to get to 100 beds for the max potential ask?

Are the “eligible projects” listed the only projects we can ask for?

Do facility resilience projects have a cap?

Answer 43.a: No. All infrastructure interventions listed in Tracks 4, 5, and 6 have clearly defined maximum allowable funding limits in the RFA.

Answer 43.b: Maximum award amounts are per intervention item, not cumulative across the entire category. Each track (4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, 5, 6A–6D) lists its own maximum allowable amount and must be budgeted individually, with required quotes for items.

Answer 43.c: No. Award calculations are based on each licensed facility separately, tied to its own license number. Per pg. 1 of the RFA, Facilities must submit one application per licensed location and level of care, meaning beds cannot be combined across SNF, PCH, ALF, or ICF licenses to increase the bed count used for determining maximum potential award. Maximum possible award is capped at $2,500 per bed, up to $250,000 per facility, applied individually per licensed facility.

Answer 43.d: Yes. Funding requests must align with the defined intervention options and track descriptions listed in the RFA; those are the only eligible project categories. However, there is flexibility within each track for facilities to propose specific programs, vendors, or approaches, if they fit the intent, requirements, and allowable activities of the track.

Answer 43.e: Yes. Facility resilience upgrades fall under infrastructure tracks (e.g., call bell systems, Wi-Fi improvements, communal space upgrades), and each has a listed maximum funding limit. There is no general “resilience” category outside these specific track caps.

44. Do the following certifications qualify under Track 1: Leadership and Nursing Home Administrator Training, specifically under the Billing and Coding Certifications category? Certified Management Accountant (CMA), Revenue Cycle Management Specialist (RCMS), Certified in Healthcare Compliance (CHC) and Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS)

Answer 44: Under Track 1: Leadership and Nursing Home Administrator Training, the RFA specifies that eligible activities include management upskilling and “Billing and Coding Certifications.” The RFA provides Certified Billing and Coding Training as an example but does not restrict facilities to only the example listed. CMA, CBCS, RCMS, and CHC qualify under Track 1 because they strengthen billing, compliance, and administrative leadership functions consistent with the RFA.

45. I’m currently on a payment plan for taxes that are due will that exclude me from being eligible?

Can the money be used for a required DEP water sanitation improvement?

Can the money be used for air‑conditioning filtration units?

Can it be used to pay employees during training?

Can it be paid as bonus money for employees?

Can it be used as bonus money for administrators?

Answer 45.a: A clear CRP check is a requirement for award, as per Management Directive 215.09.

Answer 45.b: No. DEP water or sanitation infrastructure projects are not included in any allowable Track. All infrastructure funding must fall within Tracks 4, 5, or 6 only (technology, EHR, resident support).

Answer 45.c: No. General building repairs like flooring, painting, wall replacements, etc., are not allowable. Track 6A allows upgrades of communal/visitation spaces, but only for infection-control‑related modifications (barriers, layout adjustments).

Answer 45.d: Yes. The following tracks provide funding for staff time during training:

Track 1 (Leadership/NHA), Track 2 (Clinical & Non‑clinical Skills), and Track 3 (Nursing Assistants). Each includes an allocation for staff time, usually covering 50% of time/travel/childcare.

Answer 45.e: Yes, but only within Tracks 2 and 3, and only as retention bonuses tied to training completion. Requirements found on RFA pgs. 7-9, include: The facility must match 50% of the bonus and the employee must commit to one year of post‑training employment. These bonuses cannot be general performance bonuses.

Answer 45.f: As noted on RFA pgs. 7-9, Administrators may receive bonuses only if they are participating in eligible training under Track 1 or Track 2, and the bonus meets the retention incentive rules (50% match + 1‑year employment obligation).

General administrator bonuses not tied to training are not allowable.

46. 1.Track 2 Eligible Trainings – Is this intended to be an exhaustive List or examples only?

https://www.pa.gov/content/dam/copapwp-pagov/en/oa/documents/policies/md/200/215_9.pdf https://www.pa.gov/content/dam/copapwp-pagov/en/oa/documents/policies/md/200/215_9.pdf

2. We understand that facilities utilizing funding for retention bonuses must provide a minimum 50% employer match. For Intermediate Care Facilities (ICFs), can the facility-funded matching portion be included as an allowable cost on the annual cost report, assuming it is otherwise consistent with applicable cost reporting rules?

3. Conflicting Application Opening Date vs. Submission Deadline: The eMarketplace solicitation page appears to indicate that the solicitation opens at 7:01 a.m. on October 1, 2026, while the application submission deadline is listed as 7:00 a.m. on October 1, 2026. Could you please confirm the correct application opening date and submission deadline for RFA #67-212? The dates shown on the solicitation page appear to conflict with one another.

Answer 46.a: The trainings listed in the webinar (dementia care, wound care, phlebotomy, IV insertion, medication administration, nutrition, environmental services, CPHQ, etc.) are examples only, not an exhaustive list. The RFA provides flexibility within Track 2 for facilities to propose additional training programs, provided they meet the following criteria: The training must directly support clinical or non‑clinical skills enhancement, must align with quality improvement, workforce development, or facility operational needs, and must be consistent with Track 2’s intent to build staff competencies relevant to resident care and facility operations.

Facilities may propose alternative programs as long as they clearly justify alignment with Track 2 objectives.

Answer 46.b: The facility-funded 50% match for retention incentives may be included as an allowable cost on the ICF cost report, if the expense is otherwise allowable under applicable cost-reporting regulations. The RFA does not restrict how facilities account for the required employer‑match portion outside of grant compliance. It only requires the match to be provided and tracked.

Answer 46.c: The dates shown on the eMarketplace page are correct. The Solicitation Due Time (7:00 a.m.) is the application submission deadline, meaning all applications must be received on or before 7:00 a.m. ET on October 1, 2026.

The Solicitation Opening Time (7:01 a.m.) reflects the time at which the applications will begin to be opened and reviewed.

47. For multiple ICFs using one shared Electronic Health Record (EHR) system, must a separate application be submitted for each ICF?

Are there special instructions for shared projects across multiple ICFs?

Answer 47.a: Yes. Each licensed Intermediate Care Facility (ICF) must submit its own separate application, even if they plan to use a single centralized EHR system.

The RFA per pg. 1 requires that each application corresponds to the facility’s unique license number and budget eligibility. Shared systems do not change the requirement for one application per licensed facility.

Answer 47.b: No, a separate process does not exist for multi‑facility shared projects.

Facilities may use the same vendor quote and the same underlying justification narrative, but each facility must upload its own copy and tailor its Exhibit proposal to describe how the shared system will benefit that specific licensed location. The Department will evaluate each facility’s application independently.

48. 1.Track 4D – Are ongoing service/subscription/monitoring fees for resident wearables eligible?

48.2. Track 6D – CLIA Waiver Requirement (Shared vs. Individual Facility): Track 6D:

PCR Point-of-Care Testing Unit: Must each facility maintain its own CLIA Waiver, or may a facility utilize the CLIA Waiver of a nearby affiliated facility that performs testing services on its behalf? If permitted, would the facility still be eligible to request funding for PCR testing equipment?

Answer 48.a: Yes. Under Track 4D, facilities may request funding for ongoing service, subscription, or monitoring fees associated with resident wearable technology as long as those fees are required for the equipment or software to function and are part of the vendor quote submitted with the application.

Answer 48.b: . No response can be provided to this statement.

49. 1. Rural Eligibility Requirement – Is it mandatory for all applicants?

2. Track 6B – Are overhead lift systems (ceiling‑mounted patient lifts) eligible?

Answer 49.a: See answers 2 and 5

Answer 49.b: See answer 24.a

50.1. Meaning of the asterisk () in Track 4 Table Header (“Example Course Option”).

2. Voice enabled documentation software: Track 4.D or Track 5?

Answer 50.a: We cannot provide a response to this statement.

Answer 50.b: Voice‑enabled documentation software may fall under Track 4.D if standalone, or Track 5 if EHR‑integrated.

51. Does the Department have a mechanism for vendors or potential implementation partners to connect with eligible facilities that may be seeking solutions or quotes for their applications? For example, is there a vendor/resource list, applicant networking process, or other way for interested vendors to make their availability known to prospective applicants?

Answer 51: No.

52. Is there a recording of the conference that we can view, or another way for our organization to satisfy this requirement and remain eligible to submit an application by the October 1 deadline?

Answer 52: The Department does not have a recording available for the conference.

However, the full webinar slide deck has been posted on the RFA webpage for applicants to review. Applicants who did not attend the live session remain fully eligible to apply by the October 1 deadline. The only distinction is that attendance at the live webinar is one of the scored elements in the evaluation process; therefore, applicants who did not participate will not receive credit for that criterion but are otherwise unaffected in their ability to submit a complete and competitive application.

*Except as clarified and amended by this Addendum, the terms, conditions, specifications, and instructions of the RFA and any previous addenda, remain as originally written.