Evaluation of Vermont’s Rural Healthcare Transformation (RHT) Program

The State of Vermont, through the Agency of Human Services, is seeking one or more contractors to design, implement, and deploy a comprehensive evaluation of its Rural Healthcare Transformation (RHT) Program, with deliverables spanning a 14-month initial performance period from August 1, 2026, to September 30, 2027. The contract, solicited under number 73790 under NAICS code 541720, requires the contractor to develop technical specifications, collect and integrate data from disparate sources including claims, clinical, survey, and electronic reporting systems via secure SFTP, and establish statewide and county-level metrics to assess impact across five major initiatives. Key deliverables include quarterly progress reports, an annual program report with mid-course correction recommendations, and a public-facing interactive dashboard built using tools like Tableau or Power BI that must comply with Section 508 and WCAG 2.1 Level AA accessibility standards. A final transition package must include cleaned datasets, source code, scripts, dashboard files, and methodology documentation to ensure continuity for future evaluators. The contractor must also provide ad hoc communication products up to a specified cost cap, and the contract includes options for three additional 12-month and one 10-month renewal periods. Proposals must be submitted as a single, digitally searchable PDF under 40 MB by June 12, 2026, via email to the designated state contact, with strict compliance to page limits: a two-page executive summary, a 15-page narrative, and other required forms excluded from the 25-page total. Evaluation will be based on technical approach (35%), qualifications and staffing (25%), and budget realism (15%), with the remaining 25% unaccounted for in the rubric. Bidders must include a signed Certificate of Compliance addressing lobbying disclosures under 31 U.S.C. 1352, climate change practices aligned with Executive Order 05-16, and socioeconomic certifications. Key personnel, including the Project Director and Lead Quantitative Analyst, cannot be substituted without prior written approval, and any replacement must meet or exceed the original qualifications. The contractor must implement NIST SP 800-53 and FIPS 200 security safeguards, indemnify the State against data breaches, maintain professional liability insurance, and comply with non-discrimination laws including Title VI and Section 504. All data and deliverables are subject