Public Health Epidemiology, Evaluation and Other Public Health Services

The Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) has issued Request for Proposal RFP25004876 seeking qualified Institutions of Higher Education to enhance the Department's public health epidemiological and evaluation capacity. The procurement aims to support the development and facilitation of resources for public health programs, projects, and services through comprehensive epidemiological analyses and evaluation methodologies. Prospective vendors must submit separate technical and cost proposals electronically through the Ocean State Procures system by November 27, 2024, at 10:00 AM EST, with a vendor Q&A period running from October 30, 2024, to November 13, 2024. The initial contract period will commence approximately in January 2025 for one year, with potential renewal options for up to four additional 12-month periods contingent upon vendor performance and funding availability. Proposals will be evaluated by a technical evaluation committee using criteria that assess technical merit, cost competitiveness, and Minority/Women/Disability Business Enterprise (ISBE) participation rates, with cost proposals scored proportionally and the lowest-cost proposal receiving maximum points.

The procurement includes specific set-aside designations and restrictions requiring vendors to be Institutions of Higher Education and mandating various insurance coverages, including $1M liability insurance, workers compensation, automobile liability, $2M professional liability, and $5M information technology cyber/privacy coverage. Vendors must demonstrate ISBE participation, with scoring based on proposed utilization rates of Minority, Women, and Disability Business Enterprises. Strict electronic submission requirements are in place, with no proposals accepted via email, mail, fax, or hand delivery. Vendors must be registered in Ocean State Procures to submit proposals and receive potential awards, and must comply with affirmative action requirements and state regulations regarding business practices and ethics. While no specific total contract value is disclosed in the documentation, the procurement represents a significant opportunity for higher education institutions specialized in public health research, analysis, and program development to support Rhode Island's public health infrastructure, specifically within Providence County.