1.01Introduction and Program Description

The Department of Health (DOH or Department), Division of Behavioral Health (DBH), is requesting proposals from eligible applicants to provide Recidivism Reduction services for the State of Alaska for partial year FY2025 through FY2027 for the Mat-Su Borough. Program Services are authorized under 7 AAC 78 Grant Programs. Additional governing statutes are 7AAC 78 - Grant Programs, 620 Community Mental Health Services Act, and 47.37 Uniform Alcoholism and Intoxication Treatment Act. State of Alaska statutes and regulations are accessible at Department of Law Document Library or through the contact person identified on the cover page of this Request for Proposals (RFP).

The intent of the Division of Behavioral Health’s Recidivism Reduction program is to address high recidivism rates by utilizing evidence-based best practices to increase access to treatment and transitional supports for formerly incarcerated individuals.

DBH's Recidivism Reduction Program is a comprehensive initiative aimed at reducing recidivism rates among individuals transitioning from incarceration to the community. Through a combination of case management, utilization of evidence-based LSI-R assessments, and collaboration with the Department of Corrections (DOC) and community partnerships, the reentry program strives to enhance successful reintegration and promote long-term positive outcomes for reentrants.

Case Management: The core component of our program is individualized and evidence-based case management. Reentry case managers work closely with participants to address their specific needs and challenges as they navigate the reentry process. Case managers provide comprehensive support, including assistance with housing, employment, education, substance abuse treatment, mental health services, and access to crucial resources. Case managers guide participants towards self-sufficiency and being productive members of their community.

LSI-R Score: To tailor case management efforts effectively the DBH reentry case managers utilize, the Level of Service Inventory-Revised (LSI-R) scoring system. This assessment tool helps determine the appropriate level of case management intensity required for each individual based on their risk level and criminogenic needs. By aligning case management resources accordingly, case managers can optimize their support and intervention strategies, ultimately reducing the likelihood of recidivism.

Strengthening Community Partnerships: DBH recognizes the importance of collaboration and community engagement in successful reentry efforts. The hybrid position of Reentry Community Coordination and Case Manager will actively support and collaborate with local reentry coalitions, bolstering community partnerships and ensuring a comprehensive network of support for reentrants. Through shared resources, information exchange, and coordinated services, will support a seamless transition and sustainable support system for individuals leaving correctional facilities.

By implementing this combination of focused case management, the utilization of the LSI-R score, and collaborative partnerships, DBH's Recidivism Reduction Program has been designed to address the complex needs of reentrants effectively. Our goal is to provide individuals with the tools, support, and opportunities necessary to break the cycle of recidivism, promote successful reintegration, and contribute positively to their communities.

It is essential for case managers to work closely with the Department of Corrections (DOC) to ensure a smooth reintegration process. However, given the variations in operations between different DOC facilities and Field Probation Offices, collaboration may be challenging at times. In such cases, if the lack of access to facilities or disengagement from field probation offices hinders collaboration with DOC, the grantee will have the flexibility to develop and implement a program tailored to their community's unique needs that aligns with the program’s intent, goals, and anticipated outcomes. This flexibility allows the grantee to create an effective reentry program that maximizes the chances of successful community integration for individuals reentering society after incarceration.

Applicants must propose to provide Reentry Case Management services in the Mat-Su Valley and must have a Department of Corrections facility located in their service area, at least one of which must be Goose Creek Correctional Complex (GCCC).

Reentry Case Management - A Case Manager position to:

• Coordinate pre-release planning efforts, including in-reaches, and participant in-takes whenever possible.
• Provide the following case management services to individuals releasing or already released from a DOC facility:
  • Assistance enrolling in Medicaid, SNAP Benefits, and other entitlements a reentrant might be entitled to.
  • Referrals to substance use treatment, mental health treatment, including medications assisted therapy.
  • Either directly provide assistance for transitional housing or linkage to community resources that can provide housing assistance.
  • Assist reentrants with job readiness and employment support services,
  • Assist reentrants with establishing primary health care provider,
  • Ensure all reentrants have access to peer and recovery support services,
  • Provide life skills training to reentrants as needed,
  • Verify upon enrollment in the DBH reentry program, that all program participants have the following: birth certificates, social security card, and a valid state ID. Case managers will make intensive efforts to assist reentrants who do not have these items including paying associated fees (not including fines or court imposed restitution cost), requesting out of state documents if needed, and accompanying reentrants to the DMV or local Social Security Administration offices if needed. Documentation of any efforts made, and status updates will be logged in a client’s file every 30 days until the participant has official copies of their Birth Certificate, State ID, and Social Security card.

1.02Program Goals and Anticipated Outcomes

The proposed project must demonstrate a thorough understanding and support of the grant program goals and outcomes anticipated by the Department.

The overarching goals of the Recidivism Reduction grants are to:

1. Promote public safety by reducing the threat of harm to persons, families, and their property by reducing recidivism.
2. Increase the success rates of returning citizens who transition from prison by fostering effective, evidence- based risk and need management and treatment by enhancing and expanding access to transitional community supports.

Additional goals specific to the Reentry Case Manager are:

1. Development of individualize reentry case plan for all program participants within 10 days of enrollment that addresses the following areas: housing, employment, any needed mental health services, substance abuse treatment, and primary healthcare. 
2. Ensuring that all program participants have official copies of their birth certificate, social security card, and State ID within 60 days of release.
3. Ensuring that all eligible program participants have applied for Medicaid and other government entitlements they maybe be eligible for within 10 days of program enrollment.
4. Supporting evidence-based practices, including matching the amount and level of transitional services to the risk of recidivism based on the Level of Service Inventory - Revised (LSI-R) risk assessment score, as provided by DOC or comparable assessment for federal reentrants.
5. Supporting DOC's efforts in pre-release planning by coordinating in-reaches and in-person client intakes whenever access to correctional facilities is granted by DOC.
6. Developing an individualized discharge plan for all successful program participants to ensure they have access to any needed on-going support services once discharged from the DBH reentry program. 

Anticipated Outcomes for all Recidivism Reduction grants are:

1. Successful reintegration: Helping individuals navigate and overcome barriers to successfully reintegrate into society after incarceration.
2. Reduced recidivism: Supporting individuals in maintaining lawful behavior and reducing the likelihood of reoffending. 
3. Increased access to resources: Connecting individuals with essential services like housing, employment, healthcare, education, and substance abuse treatment to promote stability and self-sufficiency.
4. Improved social support: Enhancing individuals' support systems by fostering positive relationships with family, friends, mentors, and community organizations.
5. Enhanced life skills: Assisting individuals in developing skills such as decision-making, problem-solving, communication, and financial management to promote personal growth and empowerment.
6. Strengthened community collaboration: Facilitating partnerships between reentry case managers, law enforcement, community organizations, and service providers to create a supportive network for individuals transitioning from incarceration.
7. Increased awareness and adherence to legal requirements: Supporting individuals to understand and comply with probation or parole conditions, court orders, and other legal obligations.
8. Improved mental health and well-being: Promoting individuals' mental and emotional well-being through access to counseling, therapy, and other mental health services.
9. Enhanced employability: Assisting individuals in acquiring job skills, vocational training, and employment opportunities to increase their chances of meaningful employment.

Projects must meet or exceed anticipated minimum outcomes described in this RFP.

1.03Program Services/Activities

Applicants must agree to adhere to the program requirements and service standards, including those specified in the Reentry Case Management Standard Operating Procedures Version 2.1 (attachment 1) Applicants must describe the proposed activities that support the goals and outcomes (Section 1.2) to be employed in the project.

Applicants will upload a timeline for the initiation of services and project activities, which will begin January 1, 2025. In addition, applicants must include projected timelines of services and project activities for years two and three including sustainability focused activities. Timelines should be complete and include actual dates and identify what position or roll will be responsible for any action items.

Applicants are encouraged to use the following format in their proposal:

• Goal: Ensuring that all program participants have official copies of their birth certificate, social security card, and State ID within 60 days of release.
• Proposed activities: Describe how your agency will accomplish this goal.

Applicant proposals must describe the ways in which the project aligns with program intent (Section 1.1). The submitted project proposal will identify agency resources available to the project; describe project activities; and clearly state the project’s anticipated goals, outputs, and outcomes. 

Applicants are encouraged to use the following format in their proposal:

• Agency Resources: List the agency’s current resources.
• Project activities: What specific services will you offer to reentrants. 
• Anticipated goals: What are the overall goals of the proposed project.
• Anticipated outputs: Examples of outputs could include the number of in-reaches conducted, the amount of educational materials distributed, or the number of individuals enrolled. These are examples, your proposal does not need to use these specific outputs.
• Anticipated outcomes: Examples of outcomes could include improved knowledge or skills of participants, increased awareness in the community, changes in behavior or attitudes, or improved quality of life for the target population.

Applicants agree to comply with the following additional program requirements and service standards.

• Attend monthly case management teleconferences.
• Attend the annual recidivism reduction conference.
• Enter new enrollments and discharges into AKAIMS within 5 business days. 
• Grantees may utilize any electronic records system, file system, or AKAIMS to log client encounters and referrals as long as the program manger is able to view the records during site visits or upon request. Grantees are not required to log referral information into AKAIMS or pull a quarterly report from AKAIMS.
• The following items must be uploaded to AKAIMS for every client enrolled within in 5 days of completion: The DBH Reentry Intake Form, Phase 1, 2, 3 transition plans developed by the case manager, and discharge plan. Examples of each form is included in RFP for review.
• Notify the DBH Program Manager if a case manager is unavailable for more than five days and provide the program manager with a propose plan for case coverage during the case manager’s absence.

1.04Program Evaluation Requirements and Reporting

Results Based Budgeting Framework

Results based budgeting provides a framework in which allocated resources support, and are justified by, a set of outputs and expected results. Within this framework, actual performance and achieved outcomes are measured by objective performance measures.

Projects are required to align with program objectives expressing Department priorities and core services. Projects will use performance measures to evaluate progress toward meaningful outcomes, and to initiate data collection and reporting consistent with Department priorities.

The Department Priorities, Core Services, Objectives, and Performance Measures of Effectiveness and Efficiency for this program are:

Department Priorities

• 1 Health & Wellness Across the Life Span

Department Core Services

• 1.1 Protect and Promote the Health of Alaskans
• 1.2 Provide Quality of Life in a Safe Living Environment for Alaskans

Department Objectives

• 1.1.3 Decrease Substance Abuse and Dependency
• 1.2.4 Increases Number of Alaskans with Behavioral Health Issues who Report Improvement in Key Life Domains

Performances Measures

Reentry Case Manager

• Cost per person served (grant expenditures/ total # served)
• Number of participants newly enrolled in Medicaid or other health insurance.
• Number of clients who have some type of health insurance on the last day of the month.
• Number of clients who obtained a State ID.
• Number of clients who have: State ID, Birth Certificate, and Social Security card.
• Number of clients who had a petition to revoke probation (PTRPs) filed or who were charged with a new crime.
• Number of clients remanded.
• Number of clients enrolled in the reentry program during the quarter.
• Number of clients in transitional housing.
• Number of clients in permanent housing.
• Total number of program participants.

The applicant's proposed evaluation plan will incorporate the performance measures of effectiveness and efficiency identified above. Applicants can propose additional performance measures for evaluating the project’s progress in achieving results supportive of program goals and outcomes. (The applicant's evaluation plan must include indicators and data gathering strategies that will be used.)

Grant Reporting

Required reporting will include:

1. Cumulative Fiscal Reports recording overall grant and match expenditures by budget line; and
2. Program Reports in the format prescribed by the program.
3. Submission of a monthly report by the 5th of each month unless the 5th of the month falls on a weekend or holiday, then reports are due the next business day.

1.05Target Population and Service Area

Applicants must clearly describe the population targeted by the project, including the area or communities that will be served. Proposals will be evaluated for compatibility with the program’s intended target population identified in this solicitation.

Target Population: The target population for the solicited services is individuals who are within 90 days of release from a DOC facility and are medium to high-risk felony offenders or high-risk misdemeanant offenders based on DOC's Level of Service Inventory-Revised (LSI-R) risk assessment or a comparable type of assessment.

Service Areas and Communities: The Matu-Su Valley and surrounding area, including the Goose Creek Correctional Complex.

1.06Program Funding

Funds available for this program are anticipated to total $100,000 per fiscal year for one (1) project. Total estimated funding for the two-and-a-half-year duration is $300,000.

Match Requirement: The budget must include matching funds equal to 25.00% of the proposed Department funds. Calculate required match with the following formula.

Total Requested Grant Award x Required Match Percentage = Required Match

Federal grant funds may not be used to match federal funds awarded through this grant program, and State grant funds may not be used to match State funds awarded through this grant program.

Eligible sources of matching funds include:

• Local Cash: local sources, including local tax receipts, municipal revenue sharing, cash donations
• Local In-Kind:  donated items of value for which the applicant incurs no cost, including volunteer labor and donations of supplies, equipment, space
• Other Sources:  government and non-government grant awards, third party receipts, direct receipts such as gaming or sales of goods
• Grant Income: earnings anticipated as a result of this project proposal receiving award, and Medicaid reimbursements if award of this grant is required for the applicant to bill Medicaid for awarded services
• Medicaid: includes Medicaid which is not Grant Income, as well as other third-party receipts

Proposed Budget: The applicant must submit a budget proposal for the first partial fiscal year of the project (January 1, 2025 through June 30, 2025). The proposed budget detail and narrative, (including required match), will support the program's results-based service delivery and staffing requirements stated in this RFP.

The proposed budget will be fully compliant with the limitations described in this RFP, and those detailed in 7 AAC 78.160 (Costs). Regulations are provided under the GEMS Documents tab.

Resources specific to budgeting are also available under the GEMS Documents tab. The Department's Grant Budget Preparation Guidelines provide information and guidance about budget lines, cost detail groupings, and narrative requirements. Grantee User Manual Part I provides detailed instructions for entering a budget proposal in the chapter "Responding to a Solicitation."

Other Agency Funding: Prior to submitting a proposal, applicants are required to list all other agency funding received and applied for. This task must be completed by an Agency Power User in the Other Funding section of the Agency Administration tab. This is part of the pre-award risk assessment required under Uniform Guidance 2 CFR 200.

Indirect Costs: If the proposed budget includes indirect costs, 7 AAC 78.160(p) requires a copy of the agency's current federally approved Indirect Cost Rate Agreement. The agreement is to be uploaded in the Agency Administration tab. Lapsed agreements can be used if uploaded with the negotiating federal agency's written approval to continue using the rate until a new agreement is negotiated. If an agency has never entered into a federally approved Indirect Cost Rate Agreement or no longer has a federally approved agreement in place, the recently updated Federal Uniform Guidance 2 CFR 200 now allows that agency to budget the 15% De Minimis.

Payment for Services/Grant Income: If applicable to the services proposed in response to this solicitation, awarded grantees will have a Medicaid Provider Number or apply to obtain one, and will make reasonable effort to bill all eligible services to Medicaid and any other available sources of payment before seeking grant support for delivery of the proposed services. Department funds are the payer of last resort.

In the applicant’s proposed budget, anticipated receipts and expenditures for all grant income must be evident in the detail and narrative. Fiscal reports for awarded income generating projects will include the receipts and expenditure of all grant income.

2.01Agency Experience

Proposal evaluation will include consideration of the applicant’s history of compliance with service and grant requirements, and previous experience in providing the same or similar services. Evaluation may include Department site reviews, program audits, and confirmation of the successful resolution of any findings. This is part of the pre-award risk assessment required under Uniform Guidance 2 CFR 200.

The applicant must describe previous experience providing services the same or similar to those proposed. The description must clearly identify the time period over which services were provided and the target population served.

2.02Project Staffing

Project staffing must be sufficient to implement the proposed activities in order to meet program goals and the anticipated outcomes.

Employees and any sub-contractor employees of the Recidivism Reduction program cannot currently be on furlough, electronic monitoring, probation, or parole supervision by the Department of Corrections. Successful grantees will need to register with New Alaska Background Check System (NABCS) and are required to submit applications for all employees in direct contact with the service recipients and/or the recipients' personal or financial records.

Resumes, position descriptions and professional credentials for key project personnel must be uploaded as part of the response. This is part of the pre-award risk assessment required under Uniform Guidance 2 CFR 200.

2.03Administrative, Management, and Facility Requirements

The applicant must demonstrate the agency's sustainable fiscal and administrative capacity. Executive, administrative, and financial staff must be qualified, as indicated by the resumes of position holders uploaded as an element of the proposal. This is part of the pre-award risk assessment required under Uniform Guidance 2 CFR 200.

1. The applicant must ensure procedures are in place to protect client confidentiality compliant with State and federal standards.
2. The applicant must ensure its most recent financial audit was submitted to the appropriate state office (see Audit Requirements below), and any findings identified have been resolved.

Awarded proposers will be required to submit additional agency information if the agency GEMS record is not current.

Audit Requirements:

Federal Requirements: Agencies spending $1,000,000 or more total Federal Financial Assistance in the agency fiscal year may be required to comply with conditions of the Single Audit Act of 1984, P.L. 98-502, as amended by the Single Audit Act Amendments of 1996, P.L. 104-156, and as defined in 2 CFR 200.

State Requirements: Agencies spending $750,000 or more total State Financial Assistance in the agency fiscal year are required to comply with the conditions of 2 AAC 45.010-090. The current regulations may be viewed at the State of Alaska, Department of Law website, Department of Law Document Library, or copies may be obtained from the contact identified on the cover page of the RFP.

Information on State and Federal Single Audit Acts compliance may be obtained from:

State Single Audit Coordinator
Department of Administration
Division of Finance
PO Box 110204
Juneau, AK 99811-0204
Telephone: (907) 465-4666
Fax: (907) 465-2169

Department of Health Program Audit Requirements: All DHSS grantees are subject to the requirements of 7 AAC 78.230. If awarded, agencies which are not required to file State Single Audits under 2 AAC 45.010 must ensure a fiscal audit of the agency operations under the grant program is performed by an independent, licensed, certified public accountant at least once every two years and submitted to:

State of Alaska Department of Health and Social Services
Finance and Management Services
Audit Section
PO Box 110602
Juneau, AK  99811-0602
Telephone: (907) 465-3120

Facility, Service Access, and Safety:

1. The applicant must address potential safety concerns for clients and staff in the management of services proposed in response to this RFP.
2. The applicant should describe client accessibility to services and the way in which that will enhance project success.
3. All applicants for Department grants should have a written plan for emergency response and recovery that provides for potential safety concerns and the safe evacuation of clients and staff. This plan is mandatory for agencies providing residential and/or critical care services as noted in the State Grant Assurances.

2.04Support/Coordination of Services

Applicants must demonstrate the proposed project has the necessary support and coordination for the successful delivery of services. The proposal must address the following:

1. Community support where services are proposed;
2. Involvement of the public and potential service recipients in the planning process;
3. Partnerships and collaborations specific to the proposed project; and
4. Coordination with necessary referring agencies and the role of each described.

3.01Eligibility

Applicants must be eligible to apply under 7 AAC 78.030 (Eligible Applicants). Eligible applicants are state agencies; political subdivisions of the state such as cities, organized boroughs, and Regional Educational Attendance Areas; nonprofit organizations and consortia of nonprofits; and Alaska Native entities. As follows, eligibility will be verified by Grants and Contracts.

1. Political subdivisions of the state and Regional Educational Attendance Areas will be verified by State records.
2. Eligible nonprofits are listed in the State's database of registered nonprofit entities or the US Internal Revenue Service's register of tax-exempt organizations. Nonprofit subsidiaries of nonprofit corporations must also provide a letter from the parent organization confirming nonprofit status.
3. Alaska Native entities as defined in 7 AAC 78.950(1) must submit, with the application, a legally binding resolution waiving the entity's sovereign immunity to suit through the duration of the program, identified in RFP Subsection 3.05. The resolution must be authorized in compliance with the tribe's constitution, either by the tribal council or by majority vote of the tribal membership. The required template is provided at Subsection 4.02, Other Technical Requirements.

Applicant agency GEMS records must contain the agency's current State of Alaska Business License number, and a current governing board roster which includes titles, contact information, and terms of office for each seat. The roster must include emergency contact information outside the applicant agency for one or more officers.

Grants and Contracts will verify neither the applicant agency nor its principals are presently debarred, suspended, proposed for debarment, declared ineligible, or voluntarily excluded from receiving grant assistance from any State or federal department or agency. If an agency or its principals are excluded from receiving grant assistance, the proposal may not be considered.

Applicants who have had a contract or grant to help produce this RFP are not eligible to apply and any submitted proposal will not be considered.

3.02Acceptance of Terms

By submitting a proposal, an applicant accepts all terms and conditions of this RFP including all identified attachments and guidelines, 7 AAC 78, and any other applicable statutes and regulations. Copies of these may be accessed through the contact person identified on the cover page or through the web address(es) identified in this RFP.

If a grant is awarded, this RFP and the applicant’s proposal become part of the grant agreement. The applicant will be bound by the provisions contained in the awarded proposal unless the Department agrees that specific parts of the proposal are not part of the agreement.

Proposals and other materials submitted in response to this RFP become the property of the State and may be returned only if the State allows. Proposals are public documents and may be inspected or copied by anyone after grants have been awarded.

3.03Inquiries

Applicants should immediately review this RFP for defects and questionable or confusing content. Questions that can be answered by directing the applicant to a specific section in the RFP may be answered verbally by the contact person identified on the RFP cover page. Questions that cannot be answered by directing an applicant to a specific section of the RFP may be declared substantive. The applicant will be directed to submit the question in writing to the contact person at the email address on the cover page no later than the Deadline for Written Inquiries, also identified on the cover page. This will allow issuance of any necessary amendments and/or clarifications to all prospective applicants.

Applicants are responsible for monitoring GEMS or the State’s Online Public Notices website (Online Public Notices) for any clarifications or amendments that may be issued regarding this solicitation.

Proposals will not be accepted after 3:59 PM prevailing local time on the due date identified on the cover page.

3.04Proposal Costs and Content

The Department will not be responsible for any expenses incurred by the applicant prior to the authorized grant performance period. All costs of responding to this RFP are the responsibility of the applicant.

The applicant is responsible for the content of the proposal.

3.05Duration

This RFP is for a two-and-a-half-year period, beginning 1/1/2025 through 6/30/2027. At the discretion of the Department, a project funded under this RFP may be considered for continued funding in subsequent program year(s). The annual decision to continue funding for the subsequent year(s) of the two-and-a-half-year grant cycle is based on the following general conditions:

1. the Department's judgment that there is a continued need for the grant project service;
2. the grantee's satisfactory performance during the previous grant year;
3. the availability of sufficient grant program funds, and whether continuation of the financing is consistent with public health and welfare; and
4. the ability of the grantee and the Department to agree on any adjustments in payments or service.

Applicants will submit a budget proposal for year one of the grant only. Funding in each subsequent year will require submission and approval of documents needed to update service plans, evaluation measures, and budgets. Grants and Contracts will notify grantees of specific submission requirements necessary to qualify for consideration of continued funding.

This RFP is for partial fiscal year FY2025, 1/1/2025 through 6/30/2027.

3.06Proposal Review

Following the deadline for receipt of proposals, no revisions will be accepted unless provided in response to a request from the contact person named in this RFP. Proposals will be reviewed as follows:

1. Proposals will be evaluated in a manner that will avoid disclosure of contents before notices of grant award have been issued.
2. Department of Health staff will evaluate each proposal for minimum responsiveness and other technical requirements and eliminate nonresponsive proposals from consideration.
3. Using the criteria set out in this RFP and 7 AAC 78.100 (Criteria for Review of Proposals), Department staff will evaluate each responsive proposal. Scores for each criterion will be based solely on the response to the associated question. Points will not be earned if the information was provided in response to another question in Section 4. Department staff will also review relevant departmental documentation regarding the applicant. Staff recommendations regarding awards and levels of funding will include consideration of the following:
   1. a history of the applicant's compliance with grant requirements, to include records of program performance, on-site program reviews, and prior year audits;
   2. priorities in applicable State health and social services plans;
   3. requirements of applicable State and federal statutes; and
   4. municipal ordinances or regulations applicable to the grant program.

If there are multiple responsive proposals for which there is insufficient money to fully fund, or supplementary expertise is deemed necessary to the review of proposed services, the Department may appoint a Proposal Evaluation Committee (PEC) as an additional advisory body. PEC members will initially evaluate proposals, independently of other committee members. As a committee the PEC will meet in a closed session (7 AAC 78.090 Review of Proposals) to further review proposals and develop recommendations. Scores will be assigned based on the applicant's response to each individual question and the associated criteria. Applicants will not earn points for a given question based on a response to another question in the RFP. The PEC review will include discussion of each proposal’s merits. PEC recommendations will rank proposals in priority order and include approval or disapproval for award, modifications to the proposed project, and special compliance conditions.

All staff advisory recommendations and, if applicable, those of the PEC, and all review materials will be submitted for consideration by the Division Director, who will make recommendations to the Commissioner of the Department of Health or the Commissioner's designee.

3.07Final Decision Authority

Recommendations are advisory only, including those from any PEC that may be held. The final decision to approve or disapprove award, the amount of each award, and whether to impose special conditions or modifications rests with the Commissioner or Commissioner's designee.

NOTE: The final decision may include additional considerations, such as a lack or duplication of services in certain locations, or alternative services that may be available; a critical need for services by vulnerable populations; and matters of health, life and safety. The Department has the responsibility to ensure public monies are utilized in a manner that protects the interests of the people of the State and retains the right to make final awards that ensure responsible distribution of grant funds.

3.08Notification of Grant Award and Appeals

Within fifteen (15) days after the decision regarding grant awards, applicants will be notified of the final funding decisions, and, if awarded, any conditions of award or modifications. Following any necessary negotiations for revisions to the proposed budget and scope of services, successful applicants will be issued a grant agreement. This formal agreement will contain specific performance and reporting requirements consistent with Department policy and procedure and 7 AAC 78.

Per 7 AAC 78.305 (Request for Appeal), an applicant may appeal a final grant award decision. Requests for hearing must be addressed to the Commissioner and received in writing at the address below within 15 days after the applicant receives notification of the decision. The request must contain the reasons for the appeal and must cite the law, regulation, or terms of the grant upon which the appeal is based.

With a copy to the contact identified on the solicitation cover page, send appeal to:

Heidi Hedberg, Commissioner
Department of Health
3601 C Street, Suite 902
Anchorage, Alaska 99503-5923

3.09Cancellation of the RFP/Termination of Award

Contingent upon funding appropriations and the Governor's approval, the Department may fund proposals from eligible applicants. The Department may withdraw this RFP at any time and reserves the right to refrain from making an award when such action is deemed to be in the best interest of the State. Funds awarded for a grant as a result of this RFP may be withheld and the grant terminated by written notice from the State to the grantee at any time for violation by the grantee of any terms or conditions of the grant award, or when such action is deemed to be in the best interest of the State.

4.01Minimum Responsiveness Criterion per 78.100(2)(A)

Proposals that fail to meet the minimum responsiveness requirements below will be eliminated from consideration per 7 AAC 78.090(b)(2).

4.02Other Technical Requirements per 7 AAC 78.060, 78.090(b) and 78.100

Response & Organizational Documentation

4.03History of Compliance with Grant Requirements per 7 AAC 78.100(2)(B)

4.04Questions and Criteria Related to Program Policy, Goals, Outcomes, and Activities

4.05Applicant Qualifications - Criteria Relating to Personnel, Management, and Facilities

4.06Demonstration of Support/Coordination of Service