Building a Sustainable Rural Healthcare Workforce: Education
Closed State & local contract opportunity Posted
- Solicitation number
- 26RFP-26-09RHT-019
- State
- South Dakota
- Responses due
Opportunity facts
- NIGP code
Opportunity details come from postingboard.esmsolutions.com. Updated .
About this opportunity
The State of South Dakota Department of Health, Division of Healthcare Access, Office of Rural Health and Emergency Services is issuing Request for Proposal #26-09RHT-019 to procure comprehensive rural health education and workforce development services. The procurement seeks qualified organizations to design, implement, and support a statewide rural health education component that expands access to interdisciplinary training and continuing education for rural healthcare professionals, including physicians, nurses, behavioral health providers, community health workers, and emergency medical personnel. Key deliverables and objectives include strengthening rural training pipelines through partnerships with academic institutions, technical colleges, and healthcare systems; enhancing recruitment and retention by aligning education pathways with rural practice needs; and leveraging technology such as virtual learning platforms, tele-education, and simulation-based training. Proposals must address education and training implementation strategies, workforce pipeline development, technology-enabled learning capabilities, and stakeholder engagement with healthcare systems and tribal organizations. The RFP timeline includes offeror questions due by May 13, 2026, responses to questions provided by May 22, 2026, and proposals due no later than 5:00 PM Central Time on June 5, 2026, with an anticipated award decision and contract negotiation scheduled for July 10, 2026. The contract term is anticipated to run from August 1, 2026, through September 30, 2027, with options to renew for three additional one-year increments, though renewal is not automatic. Proposals are limited to 50 pages and must be submitted electronically in Microsoft Word or PDF format to Josie Petersen at Josie.Petersen@state.sd.us.
Eligible respondents include any university, technical college, organization, or business providing educational training to South Dakota's current or future healthcare workforce, including organizations located in urban areas provided they explain how their proposal benefits rural South Dakotans. No specific set-asides for disadvantaged enterprises are mentioned in the available documentation. The total budget allocation available is $3 million for the first year, with multiple awards anticipated and no incumbent vendor restrictions noted. Funding is supported by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) at 100 percent for the first budget period; subsequent funding is subject to change and renewal is not guaranteed. Cost proposals must separately detail personnel costs including salary and fringe benefits with percentage of time allocation, travel and training expenses reimbursed at state per diem rates, and other costs such as supplies, contractual/operating expenses, and administrative fees. Funding cannot be used for new construction or building expansion, though minor renovations related to program goals may be allowable with CMS approval. Selected contractors must submit monthly and annual reports to monitor progress, accomplishments, and challenges, and proposals must not duplicate efforts of the Digital Health Modernization and Technology Grant opportunity.
Opportunity text
The Rural Health Transformation initiative is a statewide effort focused on strengthening rural healthcare systems and improving access to quality care across South Dakota. Through strategic investments, innovative care models, and cross-agency collaboration, Rural Health Transformation is designed to build a more resilient, connected, and sustainable rural health system for communities across the state.
The purpose of this Request for Proposals (RFP) is to solicit qualified organizations to design, implement, and support a comprehensive rural health education and workforce development strategy as part of the Rural Health Transformation Project. This initiative seeks to strengthen South Dakota's rural healthcare system by expanding access to high-quality, evidence-based education, training, and professional development opportunities for current and future healthcare providers.
South Dakota faces persistent rural health challenges, including workforce shortages, limited access to care, and geographic barriers that impact health outcomes. This RFP aims to address these challenges by supporting innovative education and training solutions that build a sustainable, skilled, and locally rooted healthcare workforce with a total budget allotment of $3 million.
Specifically, this RFP will support the development and/or operation of a statewide rural health education component that: • Expands access to interdisciplinary training and continuing education for rural healthcare professionals, including but not limited to physicians, nurses, behavioral health providers, community health workers, and emergency medical personnel • Strengthens rural training pipelines through partnerships with academic institutions, technical colleges, and healthcare systems • Enhances recruitment and retention by aligning education pathways with rural practice needs and providing ongoing professional development opportunities • Leverages technology (e.g., virtual learning platforms, tele-education, simulation) to ensure equitable access to training regardless of geography • Promotes evidence-based practices, leadership development, and care model innovation tailored to rural and frontier settings. • Aligns with the broader goals of the Rural Health Transformation Project to develop the rural workforce, improve access to care, and create sustainable healthcare systems across the state which can be found online at ruralhealthtransformation.sd.gov • Aligns with the Strategic Analysis of South Dakota's Rural Healthcare Programs, 2024, including the Data Analysis Summary, Infographic Summary, and Final Recommendations Report which can be found at https://doh.sd.gov/healthcare-professionals/rural-health/
Offerors may email inquiries concerning this RFP to obtain clarification of requirements. No inquiries will be accepted after the date indicated in the Schedule of Activities. Inquiries must be emailed to Josie Petersen at Josie.Petersen@state.sd.us with subject line RFP# 26-09RHT-019.
The State will respond to offeror's inquiries (if required) via e-mail. In addition, all inquiries and the State's response will be posted on the state's e-procurement system. Offerors may not rely on any other statements, either of a written or oral nature, that alter any specification or other term or condition of this RFP. Offerors will be notified in the same manner as indicated above regarding any modifications to this RFP.
Files
| File | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| Response to Offeror Questions document.pdf | ||
| RFP Document.pdf | ||
| RFP Document.pdf |
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