Produce Prescription Program

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment is requesting proposals for expansion of produce prescription programs across rural Colorado, with proposals due July 28, 2026 at 2:00 PM Mountain Time via BidNet Direct and a mandatory requirement that the offeror be a Colorado-based nonprofit organization.

The scope requires the prime contractor to conduct needs assessments at four rural food banks, establish produce prescription programs with standard operating procedures, coordinate relationships between food banks and healthcare providers, and integrate Colorado-grown produce into program delivery. Deliverables include signed food bank partnership agreements, infrastructure and equipment needs assessments, quarterly progress reports, and a final program impact report. The contractor must hire full-time staff to manage fund distribution and ensure nutrition education reaches program participants. No grant funds may be used for direct food procurement; capital budgets are strictly allocated to cold storage, food preparation, delivery equipment, and infrastructure. The program targets food-insecure individuals with diet-related chronic diseases including prediabetes, diabetes, cancer, and cardiovascular disease, as well as pregnant or postpartum individuals.

The offeror must demonstrate experience providing training and technical assistance to food banks, coordinating produce prescription programs between food banks and rural health clinics, and integrating local agriculture and food systems. The mandatory pass-fail requirements filter on nonprofit status, Colorado location, and capacity to execute subawares with organizations having existing rural infrastructure.

The annual budget is approximately $710,000, with a total five-year budget not expected to exceed $3.55 million unless additional funding becomes available. Funding derives from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment's Rural Health Transformation Program. The initial contract term runs October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027, with renewal options for up to four additional one-year periods not to exceed five years total.

Evaluation criteria include mandatory requirements, executive summary, demonstrated experience and qualifications, work plan, cost reasonableness, and references. Written questions are due July 9, 2026 at 2:00 PM; answers will be published by July 14. The evaluation period is scheduled for the week of August 3, with an estimated contract effective date of October 1, 2026. All responding offerors must register with Colorado Vendor Self Service prior to award.