RFP #26-87847 Att I - Pre-proposal Networking Form (DSN).docx

This is a Pre-Proposal Networking Form submitted by Diversified Services Network, Inc. for RFP #26-87847, issued by the State of Indiana Department of Administration on behalf of the Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA). The RFP seeks an External Quality Review Organization (EQRO) to evaluate quality, timeliness, and access to healthcare services under Indiana's four Medicaid managed care programs: Hoosier Healthwise, Healthy Indiana Plan, Hoosier Care Connect, and Indiana PathWays for Aging Program. The EQRO must perform mandatory activities including performance measure validation, performance improvement project validation, MCO compliance reviews, and network adequacy validation, along with seven optional EQR activities as directed by FSSA. Proposals are due August 26, 2026 at 3:00 PM ET, with a pre-proposal conference scheduled for July 30, 2026 in Indianapolis (offered in-person and virtually). Written questions are due August 5, 2026, with responses posted by August 12. Evaluation begins September 1, with potential oral presentations on September 7 and award recommendation targeted for September 22. The contract term is four years from execution with two optional one-year renewal periods, extending the potential total to six years.

The contractor must be NCQA-certified for HEDIS and CAHPS activities and employ NCQA-certified HEDIS Compliance Auditors. The cost proposal is scored on a 30-point scale using a normalization formula favoring the lowest cost, with all costs captured in a four-year bid amount including position titles and hourly billable rates. An Indiana Veteran Owned Small Business (IVOSB) subcontractor goal of 3% of total bid amount is scored up to 6 points, and an additional 5 points are available for Indiana businesses qualifying under the Buy Indiana Initiative. Total evaluation is 90 points maximum (91 with bonus), including 50 points for management assessment and quality. The contractor must maintain HIPAA compliance under a Business Associate Agreement, comply with Indiana IT security policies, utilize U.S.-based data centers with encryption and role-based access controls, and undergo SOC 2 audits. Liquidated damages are assessed at $1,000 per day for late or incomplete deliverables, with a 10% payment withhold pending quarterly performance verification. All respondents must complete the Indiana Economic Impact Form and must not have had a state contract terminated for failure to perform within the last two calendar years.