Navigator Organization Grants Fiscal Year 2027

The contract provides funding under the Navigator Organization Grants Fiscal Year 2027 to support nonprofit and organizational entities in delivering in-person and virtual health insurance assistance to Vermont residents through the Vermont Health Connect program. Services include guiding individuals and small businesses through enrollment in Qualified Health Plans, Medicaid, and Dr. Dynasaur; educating consumers on health insurance terms such as deductibles, copays, and coinsurance; referring clients to consumer assistance offices, Veterans’ Programs, YouFirst, and 3SquaresVT; and ensuring all assistance is provided exclusively by certified Navigators. Grantees must operate in compliance with culturally and linguistically appropriate standards, deliver services in a fair and impartial manner, and adhere to strict conflict of interest requirements, including written attestations, ongoing disclosure of affiliations, and a prohibition against receiving compensation from health insurance issuers. The period of performance spans from July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027, with key milestones including Navigator training from July to October 2026 and the 2027 Open Enrollment period from November 1, 2026, to January 15, 2027. Applicants may request up to $40,000 in grant funding, with budget proposals required to detail staffing costs, technology, travel, administrative expenses, and other allowable costs aligned with Vermont’s official guidelines. Payment is made monthly based on actual expenditures incurred, with no upfront or pre-payments permitted, and grantees must submit a completed W-9 and designate a payment address. All proposals must be submitted electronically by June 4, 2026, via email to the designated state address, with no faxed or hard copy submissions accepted. The selection process is based on responsiveness to identified needs and the extent to which statewide coverage for Navigator services is achieved, with final award decisions made by the Commissioner of the Department of Vermont Health Access based on the best interest of the state. Grantees must comply with applicable federal regulations including 2 C.F.R. Parts 180 and 3000, HIPAA Privacy and Security Rules, Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and state-specific data security and indemnification requirements. Contractors are responsible for full indemnification of the state against any losses arising from data breaches and must maintain ADP systems, physical premises, and financial records available for audit at all times. Additional requirements include bi-annual program