Development of Healthcare Affordability Standards

The Minnesota Department of Health is requesting proposals to develop healthcare affordability standards, calculate Minnesota's performance against those standards, and report findings to guide affordability policy development, with proposals due September 14, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. Central Time and questions due August 31, 2026. Certified targeted group, economically disadvantaged, and veteran-owned businesses are eligible for up to 120 preference points; small businesses qualifying under Minnesota's Small Business Procurement Program (minority-owned, women-owned, disability-owned, veteran-owned, service-disabled veteran-owned, or located in economically disadvantaged counties) are encouraged to pursue this opportunity.

The scope encompasses eight primary tasks: conducting a kickoff meeting and workplan; engaging the Health Care Affordability Advisory Task Force in October 2026 to discuss standards purpose and scope; developing up to three options for affordability standards; facilitating up to three virtual meetings of a Technical Panel composed of health economics experts; finalizing specifications for advisory and provider/payer task force review; calculating Minnesota's performance against final standards and equipping MDH to maintain calculations; producing external-facing communication tools including fact sheets and reports; and providing ad hoc analytical support. Work products must be delivered in editable formats, comply with WCAG 2.1 Level AA and Section 508 accessibility standards, and disclose any artificial intelligence use prior to implementation. All storage and processing must occur within United States borders; subcontractors are subject to the same restriction. MDH will provide access to the Minnesota All Payer Claims Database and other health data sources.

The anticipated contract term runs from October 2026 through December 2027, with an option to extend up to an additional three and one-half years in increments determined by the State. Tasks One through Seven are structured as deliverables-based; Task Eight operates as time and materials at the State's discretion. Evaluation occurs on a 1,000-point scale: work plan (200 points), methodology (100 points), qualifications and experience (300 points), work sample (100 points), and cost detail (300 points). Evaluation and selection are anticipated by September 30, 2026. Proposals must be submitted through the SWIFT Supplier Portal. Responders must provide a personnel list identifying individuals performing work, their job titles, and maximum hourly rates. The contractor must carry Commercial General Liability, Professional Liability/Errors and Omissions, and Network Security and Privacy Liability Insurance each at $2 million per occurrence or claim.