DFA, on behalf of the Office of the Governor, issues this Request for Qualifications for Professional Accounting, Auditing, Third Party Administration and Consulting Services for Oversight and Compliance for the Rural Health Transformation Program.

The Mississippi Department of Finance and Administration (DFA), acting on behalf of the Office of the Governor, has issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) seeking professional accounting, auditing, third party administration, and consulting services to support oversight and compliance for the Rural Health Transformation (RHT) Program. This solicitation, posted on December 12, 2025, requires qualified firms to demonstrate at least ten years of relevant government accounting and federally funded healthcare consulting experience, maintain appropriate insurance, and show no conflicts of interest. The contractor will be responsible for key program activities including policy development, beneficiary eligibility verification, application processing, coordination with federal and state agencies such as HHS, CMS, and Treasury, fraud detection, audit support, and financial reporting in compliance with federal grant regulations, particularly 2 CFR Part 200. The contract term extends for seven years from a to-be-determined start date with annual renewals, and performance will be statewide within Mississippi, emphasizing a close partnership with state and federal stakeholders to ensure proper stewardship of rural healthcare transformation funds. Evaluation of proposals places significant weight on demonstrated technical expertise in federal grant compliance and consulting for federally funded healthcare programs, with a total of 45 out of 50 points allocated to experience-based criteria. A smaller portion of the score (5 points) reflects price competitiveness based on submitted hourly rates. The award process applies a trade-off methodology prioritizing technical merit alongside cost reasonableness rather than strictly lowest price. Key contractual requirements include audit rights by federal and state authorities, confidentiality obligations, compliance with domestic sourcing preferences and environmental standards for recovered materials, and adherence to Mississippi public records laws. Payment flows through the state's electronic systems, and invoices must include appropriate supporting documentation. While no specific clauses follow the standard FAR numbering, the contract embeds essential operational and compliance provisions reflecting federal grant conditions. Proposals, limited to ten pages addressing minimum qualifications and submitted electronically by January 5, 2026, must include a rate sheet and representations and certifications, though respondent-specific certification data is not publicly available. Overall, this contract seeks a seasoned partner capable of navigating complex federal regulations and facilitating effective oversight of a major rural healthcare initiative within Mississippi.