1.01Introduction and Program Description

The Department of Health, Division of Public Health, is requesting proposals from eligible applicants to provide evidence-based Parents as Teachers affiliate services for the State of Alaska in SFY2026 through SFY2028. These services are funded and supported through the federal Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) Program, and thus are subject to the associated federal requirements in addition to PAT National model developer requirements. 

As identified in the Alaska MIECHV Needs Assessment in 2020, entities in one of more of the following communities are eligible to apply: 

• Anchorage Census Area
• Bethel Census Area
• Kusilvak Census Area
• Mat-Su Census Area
• Nome Census Area
• North Slope Borough
• Northwest Arctic Borough

Program Services are authorized under 7 AAC 78 Grant Programs. State of Alaska statutes and regulations are accessible at the Department of Law Document Library or through the contact person identified on the cover page of this Request for Proposals (RFP).

The MIECHV Program is authorized by 42 U.S.C. § 711(c) (Title V, § 511(c) of the Social Security Act, as amended) to support the provision of home visiting services to eligible families by states, non-profit organizations serving states, and U.S. jurisdictions. Section 6101 of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 (P.L. 117-328), recently amended Title V, section 511 of the Social Security Act to reauthorize and extend appropriated funding for the MIECHV Program through Federal Fiscal Year 2027.

***Applicants who are already providing home visiting services through existing State of Alaska Department of Health Parents as Teachers Grant Programs are not eligible to apply in response to this solicitation, "Parents as Teachers MIECHV FY26-FY28" for grant program funding. ***

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 and HRSA.

The Parents as Teachers Evidence-Based Home Visiting Model is the comprehensive parent education model used by Parents as Teachers affiliates. The model provides a wide array of services to families with children from prenatal through kindergarten and offers deep insights into early childhood development. Since 1984, the model has been rigorously tested by peer-reviewed studies and shown to produce outstanding results for families.

This evidence-based model is delivered by a global network of affiliates and Parent Educators. Affiliates follow the essential requirements of the model, which provide minimum expectations for program design, infrastructure, and service delivery. There are four dynamic components to the Parents as Teachers model:

• Personal Visits
• Group Connections
• Resource Network
• Child and Caregiver Screening

Together, they form a comprehensive set of services with seven goals/outcomes:

• Increase parent knowledge of early childhood development and improve positive parenting practices
• Provide early detection of developmental delays and connection to services
• Improve parent, child, and family health and well-being
• Prevent child abuse and neglect
• Increase children’s school readiness and success
• Improve family economic well-being
• Strengthen community capacity and connectedness

Awardees will be expected to provide the Parents as Teachers evidence-based model to fidelity by gaining or maintaining affiliate status with Parents as Teachers National, as well as actively pursue or maintain Parents as Teachers blue ribbon status. The PAT National Annual Performance Report (APR) and the outcome of the APR must be shared with the State of Alaska to demonstrate proof of affiliate status annually. For more information, please visit: https://parentsasteachers.org/affiliates/

In addition, Awardees will be expected to meet all MIECHV federal program requirements, as listed in Appendix A. 

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

1.03Program Services/Activities

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

The program uses the Parents as Teachers evidence-based model to deliver parent education services to eligible children, and to their parents and caregivers. Trained parent educators visit homes to support and build on parent and caregiver strengths, while teaching about optimal early childhood developmental learning. Further information regarding the Parents as Teachers National Office Essential Requirements is available at https://parentsasteachers.org/quality-improvement/. 

Successful project proposals will offer all components of the PAT model, which includes:

Personal visits – Individualized, strength-based visits where parent educators focus on child development and parent-child interaction. The training and curriculum, together with the parent educator’s interpersonal and communication skills, bring a valuable service to families and result in measurable impacts. The personal visit goal for families with one or fewer stressors is that 60% receive at least 9 personal visits per year. This is 75% of the PAT National Requirement of 12 annual personal visits. The personal visit goal for families with two or more stressors is that 60% receive at least 18 personal visits per year, or 75% of the PAT National Requirement of 24 personal visits per year.

Resource Connections– Facilitating and supporting families' connections to resources that meet their needs and interests is a key component of the PAT model. PAT affiliates actively foster connections with a variety of community organizations- both as referral sources and resources for the families they serve. Collectively, these connections are called a resource network. An effective resource network closes gaps in services, linking families to needed support.

Group connection events – The group connection component of the PAT model offers opportunities to bring parents together to learn, interact with their children in a setting outside the home and engage with other parents. Intentional planning and facilitation of groups enable families to get to know one another, share common experiences, explore parenting issues and learn about child development. Additionally, quality group connections provide experiences for parents that promote empowerment and leadership.

Screening – Developmental screenings to help parents understand their child’s development, recognize strengths, and identify areas of concern that might suggest the need for follow-up services. Health screenings should include overall health, vision, and hearing screenings performed by healthcare professionals. All programs are required to utilize the following screening tools, in addition to any other PAT National screening requirements: 

• Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ-3 or most recent version provided by the publisher)
• Ages and Stages Questionnaire: Social Emotional 2 (ASQ:SE-2)
• Parenting Interactions with Children: Checklist of Observations Linked to Outcomes (PICCOLO™) or Home Observation Measurement of the Environment (HOME) Inventory
• Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) or Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale
• Hurt, Insulted, Threatened with Harm and Screamed (HITS) Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) screening.

 In response to the RFP, applicant proposals must address or provide the following:

• A copy of the most recent PAT affiliation certificate, or a complete plan to become an affiliate within 6 months of the award. If a program already maintains a blue ribbon status, a copy of that certificate should also be provided. 

• The proposed parent, family, and community gathering activities that link groups of families to local supports and resources, and the ways in which Strengthening Families™ will be incorporated into the project. Strengthening Families is a research-informed, strength-based approach to helping families reduce stress, address risk factors, and promote healthy development by embedding protective factors in programs and communities. For more information, visit http://dhss.alaska.gov/ocs/Pages/families/default.aspx.

• The ways in which the project proposes to link individual families to needed support services. Support services include, but are not limited to, special education; Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) programs; housing authorities; health, dental and mental health programs; other needed social services provided Tribally, by the State, or by the local community.
• Applicants will include a timeline for the initiation of services and project activities in the first state fiscal year, starting July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2027.

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

Applicants agree to comply with all of the additional program requirements and service standards listed above, in addition to PAT affiliate requirements.

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

• 3 Safe & Responsible Individuals, Families & Communities

Department Core Services

• 3.2 Protect Vulnerable Alaskans

Performance Measures

Effectiveness

• Meet the threshold of essential requirements met to uphold Affiliate status
• Submit data necessary to report MIECHV Form 1 in the Solicitation Attachments and Form 2 annually, and Form 4 quarterly (for more information visit MIECHV Data and Continuous Quality Improvement)

Continuous Quality Improvement 

The program must engage in ongoing quality improvement for individual and collective activities. Quality improvement activities should be designed to reflect on the team’s own nursing practices, utilize program performance data, and enhance the program’s quality and outcomes over time. Activities will include participation by the program supervisor and all parent educators and will be led collaboratively with State Women's Children's and Family Health Staff at the State of Alaska Department of Health, Division of Public Health and the PAT State Office.

Quality Improvement Activities must actively work to demonstrate improvements for caregivers and children served in the benchmark areas. The Grantee will demonstrate evidence of work towards making improvements from baseline data measurements. Examples of evidence will include data reported through the PAT reporting system, summaries of chart audits and outcomes of quality improvement work. Activities will include Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) or other tests of change and may involve requesting and participating in technical assistance from state or federal resources. Grantee will provide feedback and input into the Alaska MIECHV CQI Plan which is annually updated for the federal funder.

In addition, the Grantee must actively participate in the PAT National Target Fidelity Project if they are in provisional status at any time. This will occur with the PAT State Office representative. 

Efficiency

Grantees must meet a minimum caseload capacity of 85% based on the funding and FTEs allowed. 

Please note: The Alaska MIECHV program aims to maintain a caseload of 20-24 families per full-time Parent Educator. However, the final number of families per educator will be determined in collaboration with the State of Alaska and the PAT State Office representative, following the PAT Essential Requirements and guidance from PAT National.

The applicant's proposed evaluation plan must 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

The program is designed to meet all PAT National and MIECHV requirements.

Required reporting will include:

1. Cumulative Fiscal Reports - recording overall grant and match expenditures by budget line in GEMS, due quarterly (within 30 days of the end of each reporting period); and

2. Program Reports- recording of monthly program statistics and activities to include training, CQI, referrals and community advisory board updates in the format prescribed by the program and due monthly.

3. PAT National Annual Performance Report (APR) and the outcome of the APR as evaluated by PAT State Office, due as a project deliverable within 5 days upon receiving the results.

4. PAT National Blue Ribbon status - due as a project deliverable within 5 days of receiving certification, if applicable.

5. Visit Tracker Raw Data Report - data collected and exported from the system in a format determined by the Program Manager, due monthly. Note: The Grantee must give ongoing permission for read-only access to Visit Tracker to the State of Alaska MIECHV Data Analyst and CQI Lead. 

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: See Appendix A, Section A.1. 

Service Areas and Communities: Services are solicited to the regions listed above in Section 1.01. However, prioritized consideration will be given to Alaska communities within the identified regions who are currently experiencing a home visiting service desert (excluding Part C- Early Intervention services). 

In response to this RFP, applicants must clearly describe the population targeted by the project, including the area or communities to be served. The target population narrative must identify sub-populations most in need of services, must cite community factors that place the targeted population at risk, and identify other factors considered in the selection of the targeted population. Proposals will be evaluated for compatibility with the program’s intended target population identified in this solicitation.

Each proposer must include a brief needs assessment supporting the need for PAT services in the proposed service area.

1.06Program Funding

Funds available for this program are $390,000 each year for three years. Funding available for this procurement is contingent upon federal awards for the MIECHV program by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). The Department of Health intends to make one or two awards with the available funds. 

Proposed Budget: The applicant must submit a detailed budget proposal for the first fiscal year of the project, covering the period from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026. The budget should align with the program's results-based service delivery and staffing requirements outlined in this RFP. Please refer to the attached guidance from PAT National regarding wage compensation for home visitors. The applicant is strongly encouraged to offer competitive wages to home visitors, taking into account the local cost of living, to help reduce staff turnover.

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.

Due to HRSA funding restrictions, no money from this grant can be used for direct medical/ dental/ mental health, or legal services.

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. 

Applicants will also address the project’s financial sustainability efforts, describing the other agency resources available for the project's continued operations.

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. Indirect costs should not exceed 10%. 

Payment for Services/Grant Income: No fees will be charged for services under this program. 

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 period over which services were provided and the target population served.

2.02Project Staffing

Project staffing must be sufficient to implement the proposed activities to meet program goals and the anticipated outcomes and meet PAT National Office Essential requirements. The minimum qualifications for parent educators are two years’ previous supervised work experience with young children and/or parents, AND a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent degree earned in countries outside the United States. Further information regarding the Parents as Teachers National Office Essential Requirements, including staff requirements, is attached. 

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.

Awarded grantees will be required to provide written notification to the DOH MIECHV Project Director no fewer than 14 business days in advance of any Parent Educator’s planned leave extending beyond 10 business days. Parent Educator resignations and/or terminations must also be reported in writing to the MIECHV Project Director within five (5) business days. This notification must include the agency’s proposed plan to fill the vacant position with an employee having appropriate credentials and experience for the position, along with a budget revision request for reallocation of Personal Services funds.

In response to the RFP, applicant proposals must:

• Provide information about staff-to-family ratios, and the frequency of visitations and group/community activities

• Describe the professional development staff will receive: What will be offered, how often, and to whom? In addition to regularly scheduled staff meetings for program development, suggested professional development topics include: orientation; issues of cultural and individual differences; working with, supporting, and strengthening families; developing family, community, and systems collaborations; fostering positive behavior; impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and trauma; activities aiding cognitive development; reflective supervision; and linking to standards and the Early Learning Guidelines.

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 $1,000,000 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 are required to form a Community Advisory Board. 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.

Additionally, applicant responses must provide information about their Community Advisory Board (CAB), including meeting plans and board participants, and plans to include at least one parent/consumer on the community advisory board. A separate participant board is encouraged but not required. The purpose of a CAB is to ensure community input and involvement, assist with coordination of services and linkages to referrals and serving families in need.

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.

Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA): In accordance with 2 CFR Chapter 1, Part 170 Reporting Sub- Award And Executive Compensation Information, reporting is required of any grant award with federal funding equal to or greater than $30,000. FFATA is intended to hold the federal government accountable for spending decisions. Accountability data is available to the public at U.S. Government spending. Reporting requirements extend to recipients of State-issued awards with federal funds. An Agency Power User must complete the FFATA form under Federal Reporting in the GEMS Agency Administration tab. The report data will reflect the audited figures of the agency's most recently completed fiscal year. The report captures expenses and executive compensation for your agency. More information regarding FFATA requirements can be found at Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act Subaward Reporting System.

Effective April 4th, 2022, the US Federal Government transitioned from the Dun & Bradstreet Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number to a System for Award Management (SAM) generated Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) alpha-numeric value for federal awards management. All grantees receiving awards with federal funds are required to have a UEI. More information regarding this transition can be found on the U.S. General Services Administration.

The Grants Electronic Management System (GEMS) has been updated to include fields for both the DUNS nine-digit number and the UEI twelve-digit alpha-numeric value under the General section of the Agency Administration tab. An Agency Power User must confirm the current UEI number is listed in GEMS. The DUNS number will continue to be displayed in GEMS until further notice.

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.

This program includes federal funding. Please note that as of November 12, 2020 Federal Uniform Guidance 2 CFR 200 requires that agencies be registered on the System for Award Management (SAM) website at System for Award Management (SAM). If an applicant is recommended for award and is not registered on this site, the offered award will not be executed, and funds will not be issued until agency registration is confirmed.

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.

*** Applicants who are already providing home visiting services through existing State of Alaska Department of Health Parents as Teachers Grant Programs are not eligible to apply in response to this solicitation, "Parents as Teachers MIECHV FY26-FY28" for grant program funding. ***

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 3-year period, beginning 7/1/2025 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 3-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.

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:

i. a history of the applicant's compliance with grant requirements, to include records of program performance, on-site program reviews, and prior year audits;

ii. priorities in applicable State health and social services plans;

iii. requirements of applicable State and federal statutes; and

iv. 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