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Solicitation (Request for Proposals)
National Family Caregiver Support

Solicitation (Request for Proposals)
National Family Caregiver Support

STATE OF ALASKA
Department of Health
Senior and Disabilities Services
State of Alaska - Department of Health and Social Services Seal
Request for Proposals
National Family Caregiver Support
For FY 2024
Grants and Contracts

NOTICE:  Proposals will ONLY be accepted through GEMS. Applicants are responsible for reviewing the GEMS homepage at https://gems.dhss.alaska.gov/ for details regarding agency registration and availability of technical assistance. Log into GEMS through myAlaska, https://my.alaska.gov/Welcome.aspx, to begin the application process. Once you are logged into GEMS, guidance and instruction are available in the Documents tab and from the film strip icon. Applicants are responsible for monitoring GEMS or the State Online Public Notices site for any changes or amendments that may be issued regarding this solicitation.

Relay Alaska provides assisted communication services at 711 or 1-800-770-8973 from a TTY phone, and at 1-800-770-8255 from a voice phone.


Proposal due date: April 21, 2023, 3:59 PM
Deadline for written inquiries: April 11, 2023, 3:59 PM
Project Period Begins: July 01, 2023
CONTACT PERSON: Jason Smith
PHONE: (907)465-8507
EMAIL: jason.smith2@alaska.gov

Table of Contents

Online Posting Summary

The Department of Health, Division of Senior and Disabilities Services, seeks proposals from eligible applicants to provide services through the National Family Caregiver Support Program.

A Pre-Proposal Teleconference will be held on March 29, 2023, from 10 AM to 11AM. To participate in the meeting, please dial 1-800-315-6338 and enter access code 54281# when prompted.  

Amendments

Amendment 1: Summary of Pre-Proposal Teleconference and Summary of Written Inquires through March 30, 20233/31/2023

Explanation:

The purpose of this amendment is to provide the Summary of the Pre-Proposal Teleconference held on March 29, 2023, and the Summary of Written Inquires. Please see attachment title Amendment 1 FY24 NFCS Summary of Pre-Proposal Teleconference and Summary of Written Inquires through March 30, 2023.  

Amendment Text:

Amendment 1 serves to provide a summary of the pre-proposal teleconference and the written inquires received through March 30, 2023.

Amendment 2: Summary of Written Inquiries through April 7, 2023 and Extension of Deadline Date to April 21, 20234/13/2023

Explanation:

The purpose of this amendment is to provide the Summary of Written Inquiries received through April 7, 2023 and to extend the due date from April 17, 2023, to April 21, 2023.  

Amendment Text:

Amendment 2 serves to add the Summary of Written Inquiries received through April 7, 2023 as well as extend the response deadline date to April 21, 2023. 

Amendment 3: Summary of Written Inquiries from April 7, 2023 through April 11, 20234/14/2023

Explanation:

The purpose of this amendment is to provide the Summary of Written Inquiries received from April 7, 2023 through April 11, 2023.

Amendment Text:

Amendment 3 serves to add the Summary of Written Inquiries received from April 7, 2023 through April 11, 2023. 

Section 1 - Grant Program Information

1.01Introduction and Program Description

The Department of Health, Division of Senior and Disabilities Services, is requesting proposals from eligible applicants to provide National Family Caregiver Support services for the State of Alaska in FY2024 through FY2026. Program Services are authorized under 7 AAC 78 Grant Programs. Additional governing statutes are AS 47.05.010 (16) and (17) Duties of the Department; AS 47.65 Service Programs for Older Alaskans and Other Adults; Title III E of the Older Americans Act. 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 National Family Caregiver Support Program (NFCSP) was established by the 2000 enactment of the Older Americans Act. The program funds a range of supports that assist family and informal caregivers to care for their loved ones at home for as long as possible. 

Families are the major provider of long-term care, but research has shown that caregiving exacts a heavy emotional, physical, and financial toll. Many caregivers who work and provide care experience conflicts between these responsibilities. Family caregivers spend an average of 25 hours per week providing care. Regardless of employment status, unpaid caregivers report that positive activities in their respective daily lives are reduced by 27% because of their caregiving responsibilities.  Seventy four percent of caregivers of program clients report that services enabled them to provide care longer than would have been possible otherwise. Eighty eight percent of caregivers reported that services helped them to be a better caregiver and nearly sixty two percent of caregivers indicated that without the services they received, the care recipient would be living in a nursing home.

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. 

Goal:

Caregivers participating in the program will maintain optimum health and well-being to continue providing care for their loved ones in the home for as long as possible.

Anticipated Outcomes:

  1. Increase or maintain the number of family caregivers receiving NFCSP service
  2. Increase or maintain the number of caregivers caring for individuals with Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders
  3. Caregivers report satisfaction with NFCSP services
  4. Caregivers maintain NFCSP services helped them continue care

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

1.03Program Services/Activities

The NFCSP provides a system of support options that connect caregivers to the resources necessary to reduce the strain of caregiving. Studies have shown that these services can reduce caregiver depression, anxiety, and stress, and enable them to provide care longer, thereby avoiding or delaying the need for costly institutional care.

Family caregivers need information, assistance, counseling, training, and respite to continue caring for their loved one(s) at home. States are called upon to work in partnership with local community service providers to provide the five basic services for family caregivers:

  • Information to caregivers about available services
  • Assistance to caregivers in gaining access to the services
  • Individual counseling, organization of support groups and caregiver training
  • Respite care to enable caregivers to be temporarily relieved from their caregiver responsibilities
  • Supplemental services, on a limited basis, to complement care provided by caregivers

For more detailed definitions, review the Older Americans Act of 1965 Document.

Applicants must describe the proposed activities that support the goals and outcomes of the project. 

Service Delivery Activities and Reporting Standards

In addition to the narrative description, applicants must attach the intake and assessment tools used for assessing caregivers receiving registered services. The intent of an assessment is to measure the caregiver’s stress, burden, coping and family context. 

If new applicant or if new services are being proposed, applicants will upload a timeline for the initiation of services and project activities. 

Planned Services and Expenditures

Applicants must submit a Planned Services and Expenditures form using the template provided in section 4.04 question 3. The PSE indicates which program is being proposed and identifies the communities, services, and expenditures by service category.

Logic Model Development

In support of project planning and evaluation, the applicant will complete a Logic Model using the Template provided in section 4.04 question 2. The Logic Model document includes the goal and outcomes anticipated for this program, as well as the effectiveness and efficiency measures to be tracked by the grantee. Applicants must identify the available resources, proposed activities, and projected outputs, including metrics, applicable to the proposed project. 

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

Service Documentation

  1. Develop log forms to collect necessary attendance information for training, support groups or other family caregiver program public events.
  2. Document caregiver progress notes as necessary.

The NFCSP consists of registered and unregistered services, each requiring a different set of demographics and characteristics to be collected on the caregiver and the individual(s) for whom they are caring. Applicants shall refer to the attachment, FY24 DOH NFCSP Service Matrix, for detailed descriptions of all the service types. Services proposed to be offered under a subcontract and services proposed under the family caregiver to elders program that are offered statewide must be indicated as such on the planned services and expenditure form. 

Caregiver Records

  1. Maintain a caregiver file that includes information listed above under “forms, intake, assessment and documentation.”
  2. Develop an audit schedule for caregiver records.

Caregiver Survey of Services

Develop and conduct an annual survey providing caregivers the opportunity to evaluate and give feedback about NFCSP services received.

Caregiver Complaint and Grievance Procedure

Develop a client complaint and grievance procedure that includes what steps are taken to investigate and resolve client complaints about services, making sure the process includes situations that require reporting critical incidents, and harm to vulnerable adults.

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

1.2  Provide Quality of Life in a Safe Living Environment for Alaskans

Department Objectives

1.2.2  Increase the number of older Alaskans who live safely in their communities

Efficiency Performance Measure

  • Cost to provide services with grant funds per recipient

Effectiveness Performance Measures

  • Number of caregivers who receive services
  • Number of caregivers caring for individual with ADRD

In addition to the Effectiveness and Efficiency Performance Measures required by the Department, the applicant will be responsible for reporting to the Division of Senior and Disabilities Services additional Performance Measures specific to the grant program shown below. 

Additional Performance Measures

  • Number of caregivers caring for an individual with 2 or more ADLs
  • Number of caregivers surveyed
  • Number of caregivers who report they can continue care due to NFCSP services

Grant Reporting

Required reporting will include:

  1. Monthly data entry into SDS online database
  2. Cumulative Fiscal Reports recording overall grant and match expenditures by budget line
  3. CFR2- service numbers and units are reported by service type and expenditures are reported by services. Cost per service unit is calculated.
  4. Biannual Progress Report

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:

  1. A Family Caregiver, is an adult providing informal unpaid care to an older adult(s) or to an individual of any age with Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders.
    1. Priority will be given to older adult caregivers with greatest economic and/or social need.
  2. An Older Relative Caregiver is a caregiver who is age 55 or older; who lives with, is the primary caregiver for and is providing informal, unpaid care to a child, or a relative with a disability, by blood, marriage, or adoption.
    1. In the case of a child, the caregiver is a grandparent, step grandparent or other relative (other than the parent) by blood, marriage, or adoption; and has a legal relationship to the child, or is raising the child informally.
    2. In the case of a caregiver for an individual with a disability, is the parent, grandparent, or other relative by blood, marriage, or adoption, of the individual with a disability.
    3. Priority shall be given to:
      1. To caregivers who are older individuals with greatest social need, and older individuals with greatest economic need (with particular attention to low-income older individuals); and
      2. To older relative caregivers of children with severe disabilities, or individuals with disabilities who have severe disabilities.
    4. The term “greatest social need” refers to a need caused by:
      1. Physical and mental disabilities
      2. Language barriers
      3. Cultural, social, or geographic isolation, including isolation caused by racial, ethnic status that-
        1. restricts the ability of an individual to perform normal daily tasks; or
        2. threatens the capacity of the individual to live independently.

Service Areas and Communities: This a statewide program with the emphasis toward providing services in underserved communities through local providers. Applicants are encouraged to provide services to as many communities as possible. Applicants will identify communities they propose to serve on the Planned Services and Expenditures form.

1.06Program Funding

Funds available for this program are anticipated at $1,295,368 in NFCSP funding annually for the full duration of the RFP. 

Proposals using evidence-based programming will be looked upon more favorably. Examples of evidence-based programs include Resources for Enhancing Alzheimer’s Caregiver Health (REACH), Benjamin Rose Institute (BRI) Care Consultation and Tailored Caregiver Assessment & Referral (TCare). In a community where there is more than one provider proposing to serve under the NFCSP grant, providers are encouraged to do Memorandum of Agreements defining which type of service each agency will provide. This funding may not be used to supplant existing programs funded through alternative sources that provide essentially the same service(s) to caregivers. Recommendations for award will pay particular attention in making sure services are dispersed across the state as equitably as possible to reach the target populations and priorities for services of the RFP.  

Three types of caregiver programs will be funded. Applicants proposing to provide multiple types of programs MUST submit separate proposals for each. 

  1. Caregivers serving elderly individuals - multiple programs may be funded.
  2. Grandparents and other elderly individuals serving children - 1 statewide program will be funded an amount not exceeding 10% of the total funding amount annually.
  3. Legal assistance to caregivers - 1 statewide program will be funded, with state recognized credentials to provide statewide legal services to both target populations, an amount not exceeding 5% of the total funding amount annually.

Match Requirement:  The budget must include matching funds equal to 10.00% 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 award.
  • Medicaid: includes Medicaid which is not Grant Income, as well as other third-party receipts)

Proposed Budget: The applicant must submit a proposed budget for the first fiscal year of the project. The proposed budget detail and narrative, (including required match), will support the program's 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 10% 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.

Section 2 - Applicant Qualifications

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.

Resumes (and/or 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 $750,000 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 DOH 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 
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.

Section 3 - General Instructions for Proposal Submission

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.

If this grant program includes Federal funding, effective 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.

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 7/1/2023 through 6/30/2026. 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:
    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.

Section 4 - Submission Requirements/Evaluation Criteria

If applicable, please provide a response in the text box (or the requested document) of each question below. 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.

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).

1. Applicant is eligible per 7 AAC 78.030.
Evaluation Criteria Points
a. Applicant is eligible per Alaska Administrative Code 7 AAC 78.030.

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

Response & Organizational Documentation

1. If applying as a non-profit organization, confirm non-profit status is documented.
Evaluation Criteria Points
a. The agency is listed as a non-profit in good standing on the State's corporation database, confirmed at State Corporation Database and/or
b. The agency’s current 501(c)(3) status is confirmed on the Exempt Organizations page, accessible at IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search.
c. If a non-profit subsidiary of a non-profit corporation, a verifying letter from the parent non-profit agency is uploaded to the applicant's agency GEMS record (under General in the Agency Administration tab). The parent corporation must meet criteria a and/or b.
2. If applying as a Federally recognized tribal entity, upload the signed Resolution for Tribal Entities using the template provided below. Confirm the following criteria are met.
The following document needs to be completed and submitted: FY24 NFCS WOSI.pdf
Evaluation Criteria Points
a.

The applicant is a recognized Alaska Native entity as verified by the Federal Register at Federal Register. If a tribal consortium, all members are recognized Alaska Native entities.

b. A Resolution, completed on the provided form, is uploaded in the space provided. If a tribal consortium, a Resolution from each member tribe is uploaded as a single file.
3. If applying as a government entity, confirm the following criterion is met.
Evaluation Criteria Points
a. The applicant is another State Agency, such as the University; a political subdivision such as a city or municipality, verified at Local Boundary Commission ; or an REAA under AS 14.08.031 verified at Department of Education Alaska School Map.
4. Confirm 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.
Evaluation Criteria Points
a. The applicant agency nor its principals are barred from receiving federal assistance as verified in the federal System for Awards Management at System for Award Management (SAM).
5. Electronically sign the State Grant Assurances form.
Evaluation Criteria Points
a. State Grant Assurances form is signed by an individual authorized to enter into legal agreements on behalf of the applicant agency.
6. Electronically sign the Federal Grant Assurances form. This program receives federal funds. Confirm the following criteria are met.
Evaluation Criteria Points
a. The Federal Assurance and Certification form is electronically signed by an individual authorized to enter into legal agreements on behalf of the applicant.
b. The applicant agency GEMS record, under General in the Agency Administration tab, contains the agency's DUNS number.
c. The required Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA) information, located under the Federal Reporting section of the Agency Administration tab, has been provided for the agency's most recently completed fiscal year. This task can only be completed by an Agency Power User.
7. Confirm the following information is provided at the Agency Administration tab. These tasks must be completed by a Power User. If the information is found to be incomplete or not current, there may be delay in execution of any offered award.
Evaluation Criteria Points
a. The General section contains a current governing board roster. The roster includes terms of each seat and contact information outside the applicant agency for one or more officers.
b. The Other Funding section contains a record for each source of agency operating funds. The record includes funds applied for under this solicitation. This is part of the pre-award risk assessment required under Uniform Guidance 2 CFR 200.
c. The General section contains a State of Alaska business license number, verified at Alaska Business Licenses Search.
d. All agency contact records are up to date, including Head of Agency, Primary Contact, and Head of Financial Operations.
e. The applicant’s agency record contains the Agency Fiscal Year Start Date.
f. The applicant's agency GEMS record contains a current Federally Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement. If lapsed, the agreement is uploaded with written confirmation from the negotiating agency that the rate is valid until a new agreement is approved.

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

1. Previous recipients of DOH awards will confirm the following criteria pertaining to past performance and compliance are met. This is part of the pre-award risk assessment required under Uniform Guidance 2 CFR 200. All other applicants will mark Complete without confirming.
Evaluation Criteria Points
a. Fiscal, narrative, and data reporting in prior years has been complete and timely.
b. Required State and Federal Single Audits have been submitted, verified at Division of Finance, State Single Audit. Any prior year audit exceptions have been resolved, verified by the Finance and Management Services Audit Section contact identified at Finance and Management Services Audit Contact.
c.

Activities in prior year(s) demonstrate effective delivery of services. DOH review may include documentation such as performance reports, audit reports, grant records, site visits, etc.

d. Agency historically maintains required standards. Verification may include, though is not limited to, quality assurance reviews, licensing, and certifications.

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

1. Describe the proposed project in the text box below, identifying the ways in which it will achieve the program goals and anticipated outcomes stated in this RFP.
Evaluation Criteria Points
a. The description demonstrates a thorough understanding of program goals and outcomes, and clearly identifies the ways in which they will be achieved. 120
2. In the text box below, list the proposed activities, describe the activities align with program intent. In the upload field below, provide the project's completed Logic Model, including resources, activities and outputs with metrics.  
The following document needs to be completed and submitted: FY24 DOH NFCSP Logic Model.docx
Evaluation Criteria Points
a. The described activities are well developed, reasonable and supportive of program intent. 100
b.

The applicant's Logic Model identifies project resources, activities, and projected outcomes that meet program intent.

80
3.

If new applicant or if new services are being proposed, applicants will upload a timeline for the initiation of services and project activities.

Evaluation Criteria Points
a.

New applicants have uploaded timeline that meets program intent.

4. In the upload field below, upload a completed Planned Services and Expenditures form. 
The following document needs to be completed and submitted: FY24 DOH NFCSP Planned Services and Expenditures.xlsx
Evaluation Criteria Points
a.

The completed Planned Services and Expenditures form is uploaded and meets program intent. 

100
5. In the text box below, describe the target population and service area(s) of the proposed project.
Evaluation Criteria Points
a. The description clearly identifies the proposed target population and service area and meets the intent of the services solicited. 80
6. Provide the proposed Base Budget for the first year of the project. Include detail and supporting narrative as shown in the DOH Grant Budget Preparation Guidelines (Documents tab). Confirm the following criteria are met.
Evaluation Criteria Points
a. The budget narrative is complete and mutually consistent with the budget detail.
b. Cost line items are allowable under 7 AAC 78.160 and are compliant with stated program requirements.
c. Travel costs are consistent with 7 AAC 78.160(h) and (i), and with any program requirements or limitations identified in the solicitation.
d. Equipment costs and subcontract costs are allowed by the program and consistent with 7 AAC 78.280.
e. Indirect costs are fully compliant with rates and exemptions of the agency's current Federally Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement, uploaded in the General section of the Agency Administration tab.
f. The budget supports the proposed project and program intent, and the project appears achievable with demonstrated resources. 80
g. Costs are reasonable and substantiated in the narrative. 40
h. The proposed budget narrative clearly describes any necessary allocation of resources among target populations or service areas. 40
i.

Proposed sources of 10% Required Match are identified in the budget narrative as well as in the Matching Fund Source table located near the beginning of the application. All proposed sources of matching funds are eligible, and the level of match is met.

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

1. In the text box below, describe the agency's previous experience in providing services the same as, or similar to, those proposed. Clearly identify the time period over which services were provided and the population served. This is part of the pre-award risk assessment required under Uniform Guidance 2 CFR 200.
Evaluation Criteria Points
a. The applicant's previous experience providing the same or similar services demonstrates the resources and capacity needed to provide the solicited program services. Note: DHSS staff review will also include DHSS documentation such as prior year performance reports, audit reports, site visits, etc. as noted in Subsection 4.03. 60
2. In the text box below, describe the proposed project's program and administrative staffing needs. Scan the following documents as a single file and upload in the space provided below: 1) Position descriptions for key project positions 2) Resumes and professional credentials for position holders 3) Resumes of administrative staff providing supervision, fiscal, reporting, and management needs. This is part of the pre-award risk assessment required under Uniform Guidance 2 CFR 200.
Evaluation Criteria Points
a. Staff providing services are qualified and competent as demonstrated by the uploaded position descriptions, resumes, and professional credentials. 100
b. Staffing levels are sufficient to support the requirements of the proposed project and compliant with all identified program mandates. 80
c. Position descriptions support the intent of the RFP and the project proposed. 60
d. Administrative staff is qualified as demonstrated by the resumes provided. 80
e. Administrative capacity demonstrates capability to meet management and reporting needs. 80
3. In the text box below, describe the procedures that will be used to protect client confidentiality.
Evaluation Criteria Points
a. The applicant's description identifies the procedures necessary to protect client confidentiality compliant with State and Federal standards. 100
4. In the text box below, describe the service delivery facilities and locations and the ways in which access to services will enhance project success.
Evaluation Criteria Points
a. The facilities described are safe and appropriate to the purpose of the program. 60
b. Access to the locations will enhance delivery of services to the targeted populations. 60

4.06Demonstration of Support/Coordination of Service

1. In the upload field below, provide a single-file scan of documented community support for the proposed project.
Evaluation Criteria Points
a. Appropriate documentation of support is provided from each community in which the applicant proposes to provide services. 60
2. In the text box below, describe the ways in which the project planning process involved the public and potential service recipients.
Evaluation Criteria Points
a. The applicant’s description demonstrates the involvement of the public and potential recipients of services in planning the project proposed. 40
3. In the text box below, describe partnerships or collaborations necessary to the proposed project. In the upload field below, provide a single-file scan documenting existing partnerships and collaborations specific to the proposed project.  Providers are encouraged to do Memorandum of Agreements defining which type of service each agency will provide. 
Evaluation Criteria Points
a.

Partnerships and collaborations necessary for the effective delivery of services are well described. Evidence specific to the proposed project is provided.  Memorandum of Agreements defining which type of service each agency will provide. 

60

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