Rural Health Transformation Funding Evaluation Consulting

1 STATE OF TENNESSEE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH REQUEST FOR INFORMATION FOR RURAL HEALTH TRANSFORMATION FUNDING EVALUATION CONSULTING RFI # 34320- 17926 April 2 , 2026 1. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE: The State of Tennessee, Department of Public Health (TDH) issues this Request for Information (“RFI”) to identify qualified evaluation consultants with federal and state experience capable of designing and implementing a rigorous, mixed‐ methods program evaluation for the Rural Health Transformation Fund (RHTF). We appreciate your input and participation in this process . 2. BACKGROUND: The State of Tennessee, Department of Health, is seeking information from qualified consultants to support the evaluation of the Rural Health Transformation Funding Program (RHTF), a multi -year statewide initiative funded through the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Tennessee’s RHTF strategy builds upon existing statewide efforts spanning maternal and child health, access to care, technology infrastructure and innovation, workforce development, and community -driven health improvement across all 89 counties and 6 Metros. The Program’s purpose is to ensure that every Tennessean, regardless of geography, can receive better care, closer to home . Through this initiative, Tennessee will invest in projects that:

• Make Rural Tennessee Healthy Again: Promote rural health innovation, prevention, and

chronic disease management through evidence- based, outcomes -driven interventions.

• Support Sustainable Access: Strengthen long- term rural care access points by enhancing

efficiency, collaboration, and operational sustainability among healthcare providers and regional systems.

• Develop the Rural Workforce: Expand and retain a high- skilled healthcare workforce

through training, apprenticeships, residencies, and leadership programs in rural and underserved areas.

• Advance Innovative Care Models: Encourage flexible, patient -centered care approaches

and payment mechanisms that reward quality, coordination, and cost reduction.

• Foster Technology Innovation: Modernize rural health infrastructure with digital health

tools, interoperability solutions, and cybersecurity enhancements that expand access to telehealth and data sharing. The Department seeks expert consultation to assist in the strategic design, implementation, analysis, and dissemination of a statewide comprehensive, mixed- methods evaluation that assesses programmatic fidelity, organizational learning, outcomes, impacts, and system transformation across 17 interconnected initiatives. The consultant will also assist in ensuring alignment with federal requirements under 2 CFR 200 as well as the Rural Health Transformation Funding Program , adherence to strict federal program evaluation compliance standards of equity, fairness, and methodological rigor, as outlined by OPM guidance and CDC frameworks across state and local entities. This engagement will help Tennessee build a resilient, sustainable, and data- driven rural health ecosystem that delivers measurable results and lasting community benefit. 3. COMMUNICATIONS : 3.1. Please submit your response to this RFI to: Simeon Ayton Central Procurement Office Tennessee Tower, 3rd Floor 312 Rosa L. Parks Ave., Nashville, TN 37243 615-532-0110 Simeon.Ayton@tn.gov 3.2. Please feel free to contact the Central Procurement Office with any questions regarding this RFI. The main point of contact will be: Simeon Ayton Central Procurement Office Tennessee Tower, 3rd Floor 312 Rosa L. Parks Ave., Nashville, TN 37243 615-532-0110 Simeon.Ayton@tn.gov 3.3. Please reference RFI # 34320- 17926 with all communications to this RFI. 4. RFI SCHEDULE OF EVENTS: EVENT TIME (Central Time Zone) DATE (all dates are State business days) 1. RFI Issued April 2 , 2026 2. RFI Response Deadline 2:00 PM April 17 , 2026 5. GENERAL INFORMATION: 5.1. Please note that responding to this RFI is not a prerequisite for responding to any future solicitations related to this project and a response to this RFI will not create any contract rights. Responses to this RFI will become property of the State. 5.2. The information gathered during this RFI is part of an ongoing procurement. In order to prevent an unfair advantage among potential respondents, the RFI responses will not be available until after the completion of evaluation of any responses, proposals , or bids resulting from a Request for Qualifications, Request for Proposals, Invitation to Bid or other procurement method. In the event that the state chooses not to go further in the procurement process and responses are never evaluated, the responses to the procurement including the responses to the RFI, will be considered confidential by the State. 5.3. The State reserves the right to request Oral Presentations from select Respondents. 5.4. The State will not pay for any costs associated with responding to this RFI. 5.5. A Respondent’s total response to the items in Section Six (6) must not exceed fifteen (15) pages including the cover page and any supplemental pages. 6. INFORMATIONAL FORM S: The State is requesting the following informat ion from all interested parties. Please fill out the following forms : RFI # 34320- 17926 TECHNICAL INFORMATIONAL FORM 1. RESPONDENT LEGAL ENTITY NAME: 2. RESPONDENT CONTACT PERSON: Name, Title: Address: Phone Number: Email: 3. Describe your firm’s experience designing, implementing, and managing large- scale, complex, multi -partner, multi -year evaluation projects, particularly those supported by federal or state grants, including experience with federal reporting requirements, stakeholder coordination, and performance monitoring. 4. Explain your strategy for helping states design data- driven evaluation frameworks that link project performance metrics to state and federal reporting requirements and program outcomes . 5. Provide details on your firm’s ability to develop contextual understanding of the various social, cultural, and political landscapes. 6. What experience or relationships does your firm have with organizations, interest groups, or communities in Tennessee? If none, please describe your approach to building trusted partnerships and engaging community members and interest groups in this area. 7. Describe your approach for indicator development and refinement (process, outcome, impact, equity metrics), instrument validation, and data quality assurance. 8. Explain your firm’s experience with community engagement and participatory methods, including how you integrate diverse stakeholder input in shaping evaluation questions, instruments, interpretation, and recommendations. 9. Describe your approaches for data collection, data governance, and your capability to integrate state administrative data (Medicaid, Vital Records, etc.) while safeguarding PHI. 10. Describe your experience developing or supporting evaluation activities that assess financial integrity, efficiency, estimating return on investment (ROI), and cost analyses of project specific and broader economic benefits. 11. Describe your firm’s experience evaluating complex systems transformation efforts. What frameworks, methods, or approaches do you use to assess systems -level change (e.g., policy, practice, resource flows, relationships, and mental models) across multiple initiatives and partners? 12. Provide examples of developing or supporting monitoring dashboards or performance tracking tools to assess impact and ensure continuous improvement. 13. What experience does your firm have facilitating multi -source data analysis and triangulation and translating findings into clear, actionable narratives and reports that resonate with multiple audiences, including policymakers, program leaders, and communi ty stakeholders? 14. Describe your firm’s project management methodology for ensuring timely deliverables, communication, and compliance within a complex, multi -agency funded program. 15. Explain your firm’s approach to facilitating meetings, collaborating, and coordinating with evaluation and program leads , and other staff throughout the grant lifecycle. COST INFORMATIONAL FORM 1. Describe what pricing units you typically utilize for similar services or goods (e.g., per hour, each, etc.) 2. Describe the typical price range for similar services or goods ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS 1. Please provide input on alternative approaches or additional things to consider that might benefit the State: