Digital Health Modernization and Technology Grant Program Consultant

Background
The Rural Health Transformation initiative is a statewide effort by the South Dakota Department of Health aimed at strengthening rural healthcare systems and improving access to quality care across South Dakota.

The initiative focuses on strategic investments, innovative care models, and cross-agency collaboration to build a more resilient and sustainable rural health system.

The South Dakota Health Link (SDHL) is committed to advancing the adoption of Health Information Technology (HIT), Health Information Exchange (HIE), and related technologies among healthcare providers, particularly those serving underserved populations in the state.

The Digital Health Modernization and Technology Grant Program will award funds through a competitive grant process over five years, requiring expert consulting services to manage all aspects of the program.

Work Details
The Consultant will perform various tasks including:
1. Program Planning and Design: Refine Grant Program Guidelines, monitor performance indicators, update documentation templates, and conduct a comprehensive EHR adoption assessment within 120 days.
2. Grant Solicitation and Applicant Support: Manage marketing efforts, develop communication plans, host informational webinars, and provide technical assistance to applicants.
3. Application Review and Award: Recruit and manage a Grant Review Committee, oversee application evaluations, consolidate scores for funding recommendations.
4. Grant Monitoring and Compliance: Conduct onboarding for awardees, track performance against KPIs, manage reporting from grant recipients, assess risks associated with projects.
5. Financial Management and Closeout: Verify invoices against budgets before fund disbursement, maintain financial records of grants, prepare final reports summarizing outcomes.
6. Reporting and Communication: Report directly to SDHL leadership, participate in weekly meetings, submit monthly activity reports detailing progress.

Period of Performance
The contract will be performed over a period of up to 31 months with an option to renew for an additional 12-24 months based on future funding levels.

Place of Performance
The geographic location for performance includes various sites across South Dakota as needed for community engagement events and meetings.

Bidder Requirements
Offerors must submit a Letter of Intent to respond to this RFP. They must not be debarred or suspended from participating in federal or state transactions.

Insurance requirements include commercial general liability insurance with limits of at least $1 million per occurrence, professional liability insurance also at $1 million minimum, business automobile liability insurance at $1 million per accident, and workers' compensation as required by South Dakota law.