Enhancing Sustainable EMS, EMS Workforce, Infrastructure, etc.

The South Dakota Department of Health (DOH), Division of Healthcare Access, Office of Rural Health and Emergency Services, is requesting proposals to support the Enhancing Sustainable Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Initiative under the Rural Health Transformation (RHT) Project. Up to $8,000,000 in funding is available for this Federal Fiscal Year.
This initiative is designed to strengthen and sustain EMS systems across South Dakota by enhancing system capacity, coordination, and performance to ensure reliable and timely emergency medical services statewide. It aligns with the broader goals of the Rural Health Transformation (RHT) Project to expand access to care, strengthen the healthcare workforce, and advance innovation in healthcare delivery.
This RFP is intended to support competitive project-based funding awards for EMS system transformation initiatives. Depending on the nature of the awarded project, selected applicants may enter into a professional services contract, grant agreement, or other state-approved funding agreement with the South Dakota Department of Health.
Eligible applicants may apply for one or more of the following components and must clearly identify the area(s) addressed in their proposal:
A. (3.1) Workforce Development, Leadership, and EMS System Sustainability B. (3.2) Specialized Equipment and Technology Integration C. (3.3) Regional EMS Coordination, Shared Resources, and Integrated Dispatch Systems D. (3.4) Clinical Quality Improvement and EMS Performance Oversight
If your project primarily focuses on… Apply under… Workforce training/recruitment 3.1 Technology/EHR/telemedicine 3.2 Dispatch/shared operations 3.3 CQI/performance benchmarking 3.4
Additional details are provided in the Scope of Work section beginning on page 9.
Eligible applicants may include organizations and entities with demonstrated experience, expertise, or operational responsibility related to Emergency Medical Services (EMS), rural healthcare delivery, public safety, workforce development, healthcare technology integration, clinical quality improvement, or regional emergency response coordination. Eligible applicants may include, but are not limited to:
􀁸 South Dakota licensed ambulance services 􀁸 South Dakota Tribal governments, Tribal EMS agencies, or Tribal healthcare organizations 􀁸 South Dakota hospitals, health systems, and critical access hospitals 􀁸 South Dakota public safety agencies, emergency communications centers, and dispatch organizations 􀁸 Educational institutions, technical colleges, universities, and EMS training programs 􀁸 Local governments and governmental entities 􀁸 Nonprofit organizations with relevant EMS, healthcare, workforce, or public health expertise 􀁸 Healthcare technology vendors and interoperability partners 􀁸 Consultants or organizations with demonstrated expertise in EMS system development, clinical quality improvement, workforce development, healthcare integration, operational coordination, or EMS sustainability initiatives
The South Dakota Department of Health reserves the right to determine applicant eligibility and the appropriateness of proposed project activities based on alignment with the goals and objectives of this RFP.
Offerors may email inquiries concerning this RFP to obtain clarification of requirements. No inquiries will be accepted after the date and time indicated in the Schedule of Activities. Inquiries must be emailed to Lance Iversen at: DOHEMSGrants@state.sd.us with the subject line "RFP #: 26-09RHT-023"
In addition, applicants may join one of our Technical Assistance calls to hear Program details and ask questions. These Technical Assistance calls will be held on the following dates:
􀁸 Friday, June 5th, 2026, at noon (12:00 pm) CT 􀁸 Friday, June 12th, 2026, at noon (12:00 pm) CT
To register for one of the Technical Assistance calls please visit: https://forms.office.com/g/AABs6W3Hmy. A calendar invitation with webinar details will be sent to the email address you provide.
Questions submitted through the chat during the Technical Assistance webinars will be documented and posted as Questions and Answers (Q & A) on the State's e-procurement system.
The State may respond to offeror inquiries (if required) via email; however, all inquiries, responses, and any modifications to this RFP will be posted on the State's e-procurement system for this RFP. Offerors may not rely on any written or oral statements that are not formally issued through these official channels and that alter the specifications, terms, or conditions of this RFP.