Updated Response to Offeror Questions.doc
DOC document 45 KB Posted
- Attached to
- Host Organization for Rural Health Forward
- Solicitation number
- 26RFP-26-09RHT-007
- Issued by
- Harding County, South Dakota
About this file
This document is a Questions and Answers response issued by the South Dakota Department of Health, Division of Family & Community Health, regarding RFP No. 26-09RHT-007 for the Rural Health Forward initiative. The RFP seeks a South Dakota-based organization to develop, implement, maintain, and host a statewide training and resource hub designed to strengthen rural healthcare systems and address professional development gaps. Key deliverables include conducting a statewide needs assessment, implementing or adapting a secure learning management platform, developing evidence-based curriculum and continuing education courses, and establishing a data governance and evaluation plan. The initiative aims to train 200 healthcare professionals in Year 1 and 500 by the end of the grant period, with a target of achieving a 25% increase in continuing education completions compared to baseline and 85% participant satisfaction rates. The Letter of Intent was due March 13, 2026, with proposals due April 17, 2026, at 5:00 PM CST. An award decision and contract negotiation are anticipated for July 1, 2026. The initial contract term is two years with renewal opportunities for up to three additional years, structured around Stage-Gate checkpoints tied to payment milestones.
Budget Period 1 runs from December 29, 2025, through October 30, 2026, with four additional budget periods extending through October 30, 2030. The RFP does not establish a maximum award value; instead, each applicant must propose a budget aligned with project scope, with the final award potentially being less than the amount proposed. All costs including third-party software licenses, hosting, and maintenance must be included in the cost proposal. The funding source is the Rural Health Transformation Program supported by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Eligible applicants include South Dakota State University and the University of South Dakota, despite language regarding independent contractor status. Preference is given to South Dakota-based organizations, though this is not a formal requirement. The contractor should propose the approach for the training hub platform that best meets project needs and long-term sustainability, and must include a long-term sustainability plan for ongoing maintenance and support after the grant concludes.
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Other files
| File | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| Response to Offeror Questions.doc | DOC document | |
| 3rd Updated Response to Offeror Questions document.doc | DOC document | |
| BIT Attachment 1 ITSP.pdf | ||
| Contractor Security Acknowledgement Form 2022 BIT Attachment 2.docx | DOCX document | |
| RFP Document.docx | DOCX document | |
| BIT Attachment 1 ITSP.pdf | ||
| RFP Document.docx | DOCX document | |
| Updated Response to Offeror Questions.doc | DOC document | |
| Contractor Security Acknowledgement Form 2022 BIT Attachment 2.docx | DOCX document | |
| Response to Offeror Questions.doc | DOC document | |
| BIT Attachment 1 ITSP.pdf | ||
| RFP Document.docx | DOCX document | |
| Contractor Security Acknowledgement Form 2022 BIT Attachment 2.docx | DOCX document |
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Text version
Department Of Health, Division of Family & Community Health
RFP No. 26-09RHT-007 State of South Dakota 600 East Capitol Ave Pierre, SD 57501 605-773-4476
Rural Health Forward Date: March 27, 2026 Subject: Questions and Answers for RFP No. 26-09RHT-007 In accordance with the subject Request for Proposal (RFP), the following are answers to questions which have been submitted prior to March 27, 2026. These questions are for informational purposes only; they do not alter the requirements specified within the RFP. Any changes to the RFP will be accomplished by the Office of Procurement Management through the use of an addendum.
1. Question: What is the indirect cost rate?
Answer: It is the indirect cost rate of the organization.
2. Question: Under Section 2.7, it says “While performing services under this Agreement, the Contractor is an independent contractor and not an officer, agent, or employee of the State of South Dakota,” would this mean USD or SDSU is not eligible to apply? The language in the Central Bid Exchange of ‘invitation only’ also made me pause.
Answer: Yes, SDSU and USD are eligible to apply. The clause in the RFP is just indicating that they will not become a state employee. If selected as the winning proposal, there would be a contractual relationship established to carry out the work.
3. Question: Whether “Year 1” performance targets are expected to be achieved by the end of Budget Period 1 (October 30, 2026), or whether Year 1 is defined as the first 12 months following contract execution or go-live date?
Answer: This will be tied to budget period 1. The first year of funding must be obligated this year and expended by 09/30/2027.
4. Question: Whether Gate 0 (Statewide Needs Assessment) must be fully completed and approved prior to development of the initial 10 CE courses, or whether preliminary curriculum development may occur in parallel with the needs assessment process, such that we create 10 courses that are known needs and then (after Gate 0 approval) develop additional based on needs identified in the assessment process?
Answer: Working in parallel would be allowed under the assumption that all parties agree before moving forward with the 10 courses.
5. Question: Additional question on the RFP 3.4 ‘Content Development, Partnerships, and Credentialing’ section’. The goal of demonstrating a ≥25% increase in continuing education completions compared to baseline, we were curious about how “baseline” is defined. For example, would it be the time period of engagement of ≥50 healthcare professionals during the planning phase, or the end of year 1 (training of ≥200 healthcare professionals)?
Answer: Baseline will be established as part of the statewide needs assessment that needs to be completed at Stage Gate 0.
6. Question: Can the State clarify whether the contractor is expected to assess training needs and develop recommended curriculum, or if there are predefined curriculum areas the training hub should align to?
Answer: The selected contractor is expected to conduct a statewide needs assessment and based on those findings, develop a recommended curriculum and delivery plan.
7. Question: If specific curriculum areas are expected, can the State provide additional detail on priority topics, frameworks, or required content areas?
Answer: The selected contractor is expected to conduct a statewide needs assessment and based on those findings, develop a recommended curriculum and delivery plan.
8. Question: Can the State clarify whether partnering with a South Dakota-based organization is a formal requirement or a preference?
Answer: Preference.
9. Question: Can the State clarify whether the training hub is expected to be a fully custom-built platform or a configuration of an existing learning management system?
Answer: The contractor should recommend the approach they believe best meets the project’s needs, goals, and long-term sustainability considerations.
10. Question: Can the State clarify the expected scope and duration of ongoing maintenance and support for the training hub following implementation?
Answer: The State expects the vendor to propose a long-term sustainability plan, including ongoing maintenance and support after RHT concludes.
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