1.01Introduction and Program Description

The Department of Health, Division of Behavioral Health, is requesting proposals from eligible applicants to provide Positive Pathways for Alaska Recovery: Expanding Contingency Management services for the State of Alaska in FY2026 through FY2027. Program Services are authorized under 7 AAC 78 Grant Programs. Additional governing statutes are 7AAC 78 - Grant Programs, AS 47.30.475 Grant-in-Aid Program, AS 47.30.520-620 Community Mental Health Services Act, AS 47.30.655-.915, 7AAC 70 Behavioral Health Services, 7AAC 135 Medicaid Coverage for Behavioral Health Services, AS 47.37 Uniform Alcoholism and Intoxication Treatment Act, 7 AAC 10.930 Request for a Variance, 7 AAC 138 1115 Substance Use Disorder Waiver Services, 7 AAC 139 Behavioral Health 1115 Waiver Services. 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 State of Alaska, through the Department of Health’s Division of Behavioral Health, invites proposals from eligible applicants to deliver Positive Pathways for Alaska Recovery: Expanding Contingency Management services for FY2026 through FY2027. In response to the escalating crisis of stimulant and opioid use disorders and the disproportionate impact on high-need, underserved communities, this program is designed to expand evidence-based Contingency Management (CM) interventions statewide. Contingency Management is defined by Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) as a behavioral intervention that provides immediate, tangible rewards when a person demonstrates a verified positive behavior, such as a negative drug test or consistent attendance, to reinforce and support behavior change. 

Building on the proven effectiveness of CM in promoting abstinence, enhancing treatment engagement, and reducing overdose fatalities, this initiative leverages a comprehensive implementation model that includes:

Robust Technical Assistance: Technical assistance will be provided in partnership with the University of Washington (UW) and the University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA). UW will lead training, coaching, and fidelity monitoring to ensure alignment with SAMHSA’s guidance, while UAA will support agency readiness, pre-planning, program evaluation, and over time provide training to sustain implementation. 

Enhanced Incentive Structure: In alignment with the updated guidelines from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the allowable annual incentive per client has been increased from $75 to $750. This change aims to provide more substantial reinforcement for verified recovery behaviors, including abstinence, treatment attendance, and medication adherence.

Integrated and Sustainable Service Delivery: Proposals must demonstrate an ability to integrate CM within existing treatment frameworks while ensuring long-term sustainability through dedicated staffing (e.g., a designated .07-.10 FTE for program oversight) and data-driven evaluation practices.

This Request for Proposals (RFP) calls for innovative, high-fidelity implementations of CM that are tailored to the unique needs of Alaska’s diverse populations. The program seeks to not only address immediate treatment gaps but also establish a replicable model for enduring improvements in behavioral health outcomes across the state.

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 Positive Pathways for Alaska Recovery: Expanding Contingency Management (CM) program is designed to expand the availability of CM services across Alaska by equipping treatment agencies with the training, tools, and oversight needed to implement CM with fidelity. The program aims to increase treatment engagement, reduce stimulant and co-occurring substance use, and ultimately lower overdose deaths through the use of evidence-based CM interventions. CM will be integrated into four treatment programs and will provide immediate, tangible rewards for verified behavioral improvements such as abstinence, consistent treatment attendance, and medication adherence. Key anticipated outcomes include: 

1. Strengthened internal capacity for sustainable CM delivery: Participating agencies will develop the internal structures needed to implement CM effectively. This includes establishing staffing roles, workflows, policies, procedures, and documentation practices that support CM integration and long-term sustainability within existing treatment models. 
2. Evaluation readiness and enhanced workforce competence: Agencies will build capacity to participate in required evaluation activities by developing reliable data collection and reporting processes. Staff will complete CM training and demonstrate the ability to deliver CM with fidelity using evidence-based tools approved by the Division. 
3. Improved treatment adherence and retention: As CM is implemented, agencies will demonstrate measurable improvement in client adherence to scheduled services and overall retention in care during the first year of CM service delivery.
4. Reduced stimulant use and improved clinical outcomes: Clients participating in CM-supported services will demonstrate reductions in stimulant use and increased treatment completion rates, contributing to improved long-term recovery outcomes. 

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

1.03Program Services/Activities

The Positive Pathways for Alaska Recovery (PPAR) initiative is designed to support the integration of Contingency Management (CM) into participating treatment programs using a phased, evidence-informed approach. The program emphasizes high-fidelity implementation and long-term sustainability through a structured sequence of activities that includes initial planning and staff training, launch of CM services, continued technical assistance and fidelity monitoring, evaluation and reporting, and sustainability planning to support continuation beyond the grant period. 

Applicants must clearly describe how the proposed project will implement CM services consistent with the purpose and intent of this grant program. Projects must demonstrate the capacity to integrate evidence-based CM practices into existing treatment models and to participate fully in required training, evaluation, oversight, and sustainability activities. 

Track Structure and Technical Assistance 

The program includes two participation tracks based on agency readiness: the Implementation-Ready Track and the Readiness Development Track. Track assignment determines the type and level of technical assistance an agency will receive. Track selection does not affect the amount of funding awarded. All funded agencies will receive the same award amount regardless of track. 

Technical assistance will be delivered through existing contracts between the Division of Behavioral Health and the University of Washington (UW) and the University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA). Grantees are not required to establish contractual agreements with UW or UAA. Instead, grantees will participate in planning, training, coaching, and fidelity activities provided through these agreements. The Division will confirm each agency’s appropriate track assignment based on proposal content, readiness indicators, and identified technical assistance needs. 

Readiness Definition 

For the purposes of this program, readiness refers to an agency’s current capacity to implement CM with structured support. This includes having basic clinical staffing, supervisory structure, documentation systems, and organizational stability necessary to participate in CM training, planning, and implementation activities. The Division uses readiness information only to determine the appropriate technical assistance pathway for each agency. 

Agencies that demonstrate higher readiness for immediate CM implementation will receive technical assistance from the University of Washington (UW), which focuses on implementation, coaching, and fidelity monitoring. Agencies that need additional preparation time will receive technical assistance from the University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA), which focuses on readiness building, foundational training, and capacity development. Readiness affects only the type of technical assistance an agency receives and does not affect eligibility for award or the amount of funding provided. 

Required Program Services and Activities 

CM Planning, Design, and Integration 

Agencies will collaborate with the Division and technical assistance partners to design and integrate CM into their existing treatment framework. This includes identifying target behaviors, reinforcement schedules, verification methods, and establishing policies, procedures, documentation practices, and secure storage protocols that support CM implementation. 

Workforce Development and Staff Training 

Agencies must identify staff who will participate in CM planning, delivery, documentation, and supervision. Each agency must designate a CM Champion responsible for coordinating CM implementation activities, supporting staff adherence to CM procedures, and serving as the primary point of contact for training and technical assistance. Identified staff, including the CM Champion, will complete required CM training delivered by UW and/or UAA and will demonstrate the ability to deliver CM with fidelity using validated tools approved by the Division. Agencies must also develop onboarding processes to ensure ongoing staff competence.

Program Implementation and Service Delivery 

Agencies will implement CM services that provide immediate, tangible reinforcers for verified behavioral improvements such as abstinence, consistent treatment attendance, and medication adherence. Implementation must follow evidence-based CM models and meet program, documentation, and compliance standards. 

Fidelity, Quality Assurance, and Oversight 

Agencies will participate in structured fidelity monitoring activities, including supervision, documentation review, periodic fidelity assessments, and ongoing consultation with UW and UAA. Agencies must maintain internal oversight systems that ensure CM is delivered consistently and with integrity. 

Evaluation Participation and Reporting 

Agencies will collect and submit required performance data, including CM participation, adherence, retention, treatment completion, and other indicators. Agencies must participate in evaluation activities using tools and processes approved by the Division and submit required reports according to established timelines. 

Cross-Site Learning and Coordination

All funded agencies will participate in quarterly virtual meetings facilitated by the Division that support cross-site learning, peer connection, and alignment with emerging guidance and best practices in CM implementation. 

Sustainability Planning 

Agencies will develop sustainability strategies that support continuation of CM practices beyond the grant period. Applicants are not required to submit a full sustainability plan at the time of application. Instead, applicants must upload a one-page Sustainability Plan Narrative outlining initial ideas for sustaining CM, with the understanding that UW or UAA will support the development of a comprehensive sustainability plan during the project period. 

Applicants will upload a timeline for the initiation of services and project activities. The timeline must describe the resources available to the project, outline the specific CM activities to be delivered, and clearly state the project’s anticipated goals, outputs, and outcomes in alignment with the intent of this program. 

Eligibility & Compliance 

The applicant must comply with all applicable federal and state protections for patient rights, including HIPAA, 42 CFR Part 2, and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Patient Access

The applicant must develop policies and workflows that will ensure timely access to CM once implementation begins, including procedures for integrating CM into individualized treatment plans developed or approved by a licensed provider. This includes identifying strategies to support geographically accessible services (such as telehealth, satellite locations, or flexible scheduling) that will reduce barriers to participation during implementation, and ensuring grant funds are used only for services addressing opioid or stimulant misuse. If an opioid or stimulant misuse concern (current or historical) exists concurrently with other substance use, all substance use issues may be addressed. Individuals with no history of opioid or stimulant misuse are not eligible to receive services funded under this award.

Reducing Exclusion

The applicant must implement inclusive service standards that reduce barriers to care. Applicants must be responsive to all individuals, honoring diverse norms, values, beliefs, and language needs, and ensure services are accessible by offering translation or interpretation support when necessary and by adopting approaches that strengthen relationships and meet the needs of a diverse population. Applicants must prioritize populations at highest risk for overdose death, including individuals who are or have been justice-involved, those who use substances intravenously, underserved individuals, and pregnant or postpartum individuals within the first 12 months after delivery.

Applicant proposals must describe the ways in which the project aligns with program intent. 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 agree to comply with the following additional program requirements and service standards:

All applicants must follow 2026 Grant Programs and Service Standards (Attachment 1).

1.04Program Evaluation Requirements and Reporting

Results Based Accountability (RBA) Framework

This grant uses the Results-Based Accountability (RBA) framework to measure CM program performance and impact. RBA is a simple, common-sense approach that focuses on three core questions:

1. How much did we do? (Quantity of services)
   1. Track the number of individuals enrolled in CM services.
   2. Report service encounters, CM activity type (attendance- vs. abstinence-based), incentive distribution, and participation outcomes (number completing or discontinuing CM).
   3. Report required SUPRT data elements.
2. How well did we do it? (Quality of services)
   1. Assess timeliness and appropriateness of CM service delivery, including readiness, workflow, and EHR documentation.
   2. Track improvements in fidelity to CM models (e.g., consistent delivery, structured reinforcement schedules) supported by UW/UAA coaching.
   3. Report on staff training, implementation of evidence-based CM components, and integration into existing treatment.
3. Is anyone better off? (Impact on client outcomes)
   1. By June 30, 2027, demonstrate less than or equal to ½ standard deviation improvement in client adherence and retention (30/60/90 days) compared to baseline.
   2. By June 30, 2027, demonstrate less than or equal to ½ standard deviation reduction in stimulant use (UDS results, engagement, completion).
   3. Present client-centered outcome data and/or narrative examples when applicable.

Grant Reporting

Applicants awarded funding will be expected to collect and report quantitative and qualitative data demonstrating progress in the areas defined by the RBA framework.

Performance monitoring includes:

• Documentation in AKAIMS or DBH-approved EHR
• Participation in evaluation activities aligned with the CDC Program Evaluation Framework (e.g., defining the program, collecting data, interpreting findings, and using results for improvement) 
• Quarterly reporting 

The applicant’s evaluation plan must incorporate the performance measures above. Applicants may propose additional measures aligned with program goals. 

Required reporting will include:

1. Cumulative Fiscal Reports recording overall grant and match expenditures by budget line; and
2. Quarterly Program & Narrative Reports in the format prescribed by the division. These must include:
   1. Implementation updates 
   2. Emerging challenges and solutions 
   3. Progress toward CM integration and sustainability 
   4. Attendance at required TA meetings (e.g., quarterly fidelity sessions) 
   5. Participant data: 
      1. Number of unique individuals receiving CM services 
      2. Type and focus of CM services (prize-based/voucher-based, abstinence/attendance) 
      3. Average incentive amount per participant 
      4. Number of participants who discontinued CM services for an unplanned reason 
      5. Number of participants who completed CM treatment 

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 includes adults (18+) with stimulant use disorders and co-occurring substance use disorders who are actively engaged in treatment services at selected provider sites. These individuals may benefit from Contingency Management (CM) interventions to support treatment adherence, retention, and overall recovery outcomes.

Service Areas and Communities: The service areas and communities requested for the services solicited are statewide, with priority given to treatment providers demonstrating capacity to integrate CM into existing services. Resource allocation will consider provider readiness and community need, including areas with higher prevalence of stimulant use and treatment demand.

1.06Program Funding

Funds available for this program are anticipated to total $125,000 during the initial 6-month budget period (February 18 – June 30, 2026), or approximately $31,250 per agency. 

In Fiscal Year 2027 (July 1, 2026–June 30, 2027), program funding will increase to $175,000 total (roughly $43,750 per agency). This increase is based on the expectation of expanded service delivery, including growth in CM enrollments, improved treatment retention, stronger completion outcomes, and enhanced evaluation and fidelity monitoring capacity. 

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. 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.

Funding must be used for:

• CM participant incentives and necessary supplies to reinforce positive behavioral changes (prize items, or vouchers). Incentives must align with SAMHSA’s CM guidance and will be subject to DBH approval.
• A CM Champion (approximately 0.07–0.10 FTE, based on an estimated $7,500 annual allocation) will dedicate an estimated 2.5–4 hours per week to overseeing CM program implementation, fidelity monitoring, and coordination with UW technical assistance (TA).
• Staff training and organizational development activities to support the integration and sustainability of CM. Depending on site readiness, this may include direct implementation training and fidelity monitoring, or readiness-focused activities such as workforce development, supervision structures, documentation systems, policy development, and evaluation preparation. 
• Urine analysis (UA) testing necessary to support CM fidelity when not billable to Medicaid (including when appeals for additional coverage are denied) or other payers. 

Funding Restrictions:

The following restrictions apply as outlined by the SAMHSA:

• Food may be included as a necessary expense for participants receiving SAMHSA-funded mental and/or substance use disorder prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery support services, not to exceed $10.00 per person per day.
• Funds may not be used to make direct payments to individuals to enter treatment or continue to participate in prevention or treatment services (See 42 U.S.C. 1320a-7b). 

Recipients must also comply with SAMHSAs Standards for Financial Management and Standard Funding Restrictions in Section H of the Application Guide.  Grantees may not:

• Pay for promotional items including, but not limited to, clothing and commemorative items, such as pens, mugs/cups, folders/folios, lanyards, and conference bags. (45 CFR 75.421(e)(3)) 
• Purchase, procure, or distribute pipes or cylindrical objects intended to be used to smoke or inhale illegal scheduled substances. 
• Pay for housing other than recovery housing, which includes application fees and security deposits.  
• General Provisions under Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act Public Law 117-328, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023, Division H, Title V, Section 526, notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, no funds appropriated in this Act shall be used to purchase sterile needles or syringes for the hypodermic injection of any illegal drug. Provided, that such limitation does not apply to the use of funds for elements of a program other than making such purchases if the relevant state or local health department, in consultation with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, determines that the state or local jurisdiction, as applicable, is experiencing, or is at risk for, a significant increase in hepatitis infections or an HIV outbreak due to injection drug use, and such program is operating in accordance with state and local law.
• Salary Limitation: Congress limits the direct salary for individuals under all federal grant and cooperative agreement awards not to exceed Executive Level II pay. The Executive Level II pay amount is an individual’s base salary exclusive of fringe and any income that an individual may be permitted to earn outside of the duties to your organization. The salary limitation does not apply to consultants 38 but does apply to subrecipients under a SAMHSA award or cooperative agreement. Note that these or other salary limitations will apply in future fiscal years, as required by law. The current salary limitation can be found in the most recent SAMHSA Standard Terms and Conditions.

SAMHSA Unified Performance Reporting Tool (SUPRT) Data Collection Incentives

Sub-recipients may provide non-cash incentives valued at up to $30 per individual for participation in required SUPRT follow-up interviews. Incentives may be offered for each completed follow-up interview to support federal reporting compliance. Allowable amounts are set by SAMHSA and may change if updated funding or policy guidance is issued.

Contingency Management (CM) Limitations

CM participants may not receive more than $750 in total contingencies per budget period to ensure compliance with funding limitations. Participants may not be enrolled in more than one program offering CM incentives at the same time. These guidelines ensure the integrity of incentive-based treatment approaches and promote the fair and equitable distribution of resources.

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. Affirmation must be provided that the agency has the financial strength and capacity to manage grants and verifies capacity to implement funds if received. 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.

Applicants must identify key personnel necessary to implement CM services. At minimum, the proposal will designate:

• A Project Director, listed in GEMS as the primary contact for the award; and
• A Contingency Management (CM) Champion responsible for coordinating CM implementation, technical assistance participation, and fidelity activities.

One individual may serve in both roles if qualified.

In alignment with SAMHSA’s CM guidelines, all staff delivering CM services must be a licensed clinician or Certified Chemical Dependency Counselor (CDC), complete at least six (6) hours of CM-specific training and participate in required competency and fidelity support activities (e.g., skills-based coaching, observation, or documentation review) to ensure consistent delivery of the CM model. Documentation of qualifications completed CM training, and participation in competency activities must be kept on file and made available to DBH upon request.

Resumes 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. Applicant must include the staff turnover rate for the past two years. 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 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

Because Contingency Management (CM) depends on consistent participation and verified behaviors, coordination with referral sources is essential. Referral partners help identify eligible clients, support engagement, and reinforce treatment adherence.

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. 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.

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 17-month period, beginning 2/18/2026 through 6/30/2028. 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-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 FY2026, 2/18/2026 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