256835 Community Health Center

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) Bureau of Community Health and Prevention is issuing a Request for Response (RFR) #256835 to establish a master agreement contract with multiple Community Health Centers (CHCs), including Federally Qualified Health Centers and Hospital Licensed Health Centers. The procurement seeks providers to deliver comprehensive community health services that explicitly exclude direct patient care. Specific required services include community outreach, health needs assessment, workforce development, quality improvement initiatives, racial equity training, and public health systems integration. The RFR targets organizations that can demonstrate expertise in community health engagement and system-level improvements. Responses are due by June 30, 2035 at 4:00 PM EST, with an anticipated contract start date of February 3, 2025. The contract term is 10 years and 6 months with no renewal options. Evaluation criteria are referenced in Section D1 of the RFR document, which can be found on the COMMBUYS procurement platform. Applicants must complete a comprehensive CHC Application form and provide detailed organizational information to be considered for prequalification.

This procurement includes a mandatory 1% Supplier Diversity Program (SDP) participation requirement, creating opportunities for diverse vendors. Eligible applicants must meet specific legal definitions, including being a Community Health Center as defined by 42 U.S.C. section 254(b) or a Hospital Licensed Health Center. The estimated total procurement value is $100 million over the full contract term, with an estimated annual value of $10 million. The compensation structure will be cost reimbursement-based, with fee-for-service arrangements explicitly prohibited. For projects valued at $150,000 or greater, DPH bureaus must seek quotes from qualified vendors through COMMBUYS, with some exceptions for vendors pre-named in grant applications. The contract will utilize federal funding and is structured as a rate contract without a maximum obligation amount. Prequalification through this process does not guarantee specific engagements or funding, but serves as a preliminary screening mechanism for potential future opportunities.