Notice of Intent to Award RFP 26*2483

Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Bureau of Grants and Purchasing, has issued a Notice of Intent to Award RFP 260000002483 for Title II Grant Evaluator services to Altarum Institute of Novi, Michigan, with a November 6, 2026 due date listed on the notice. The notice states that no set-asides were applicable. Altarum Institute and Public Policy Associates LLC were designated as Geographically Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (GDBE) but were not subject to explicit set-aside requirements, and no bidder was identified as a Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Business.

The work is Title II grant evaluation, with Statement of Work emphasis on evaluation planning and OJJDP data systems. The solicitation was posted on SIGMA VSS on August 18, 2026 for a four-week period, with proposals due September 15, 2026. Four vendors submitted proposals. Evaluation was conducted by a Joint Evaluation Committee of four voting members from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services' Juvenile Justice divisions.

The recommended award is $1.09 million for a three-year term with up to two one-year renewal options. Altarum was selected following second-round negotiations. The award recommendation cited its proposed higher number of in-person site visits, staffing aligned with contract requirements, current knowledge of OJJDP systems, and risk mitigation planning. Altarum operates 53 employees in Michigan at an average wage of $63.51 per hour, the highest among competing bidders.

Scoring weighted vendor questions at 10 percent, Statement of Work sections on evaluation planning and OJJDP data systems at 30 percent, project methodology at 25 percent, implementation approach at 25 percent, and subcontractor disclosure at 10 percent. Altarum earned a perfect technical score of 100 points. Public Policy Associates LLC scored 95 and proposed $532,495.53 in second-round pricing. Two other bidders scored 77 each; BluePeak Data Consulting LLC was deemed non-responsive and non-responsible.