Doula Workforce Advancement Program

The South Dakota Department of Health is issuing a Request for Proposals (RFP #26-09RHT-014) for the Doula Workforce Advancement Program under the Rural Health Transformation initiative, with the primary objective of strengthening rural healthcare systems and improving maternal health outcomes. This procurement seeks to fund organizations that will grow and diversify the doula workforce, provide training and certification assistance, and integrate doulas into existing maternity care teams, with particular emphasis on increasing access to doula services in rural, frontier, tribal, and underserved communities to reduce maternal health disparities. Proposals must demonstrate detailed organizational capacity, qualified personnel, and comprehensive project management approaches. Applicants are required to submit a Letter of Intent by March 13, 2026, and complete proposals are due by April 9, 2026 at 5:00 PM CDT. The State will make multiple awards with an anticipated contract period of June 1, 2026 through October 30, 2027, with options for three additional one-year renewals at the State's discretion. Cost proposals must include detailed budget allocations for personnel (salary and fringe benefits), supplies, travel, training, technology, and other costs, with indirect costs capped at 6.3% of the total contract amount. The award decision is anticipated for May 15, 2026, followed by contract negotiation, and the State reserves the right to negotiate with successive offerors ranked by technical merit.

The RFP document does not explicitly identify set-aside designations or restrictions limiting organizational types, though the emphasis on serving rural, frontier, tribal, and underserved communities suggests preference for organizations with established relationships and experience in these areas. No incumbent vendors or current contractors are listed in the available documentation. The budget structure is organized as a 17-month initial period with funding anticipated to remain similar through budget periods one through three and taper in periods four and five; however, future budget period funding amounts have not yet been awarded by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services through the Rural Health Transformation Project. Applicants may propose financially scalable initiatives as awards may be less than the maximum amount requested, and all costs related to service provision must be included in cost proposals. Inquiries regarding the RFP must be submitted to Shelby Kommes at Shelby.Kommes@state.sd.us with the subject line "RFP # 26-09RHT-014" prior to the deadline specified in the Schedule of Activities, and no inquiries will be accepted after that deadline.