Rape Prevention and Education Request for Applications FFY 2026-2027

The Rape Prevention and Education (RPE) Program for FY 2026–2027 is a federal grant opportunity administered by the Mississippi State Department of Health through the Office of Interpersonal Violence to implement primary prevention strategies aimed at reducing sexual violence across the state. Authorized under the Violence Against Women Act and grounded in a public health approach using the social-ecological model, the program seeks to address root causes and systemic inequities that contribute to sexual violence by strengthening protective factors and mitigating risk factors within communities. The solicitation, numbered 2027-RPE-RFA-109, was posted on May 26, 2026, with a strict application deadline of June 19, 2026, at 5:00 PM CST, and submissions must be made exclusively through the OpenGov Procurement portal; no fax, mail, or hand-delivered applications will be accepted. The total federal funding available is $444,986, comprising $429,382 in direct costs and $15,604 in indirect costs, with a period of performance spanning from February 1, 2024, to January 31, 2029, indicating a multi-year award structure despite the single-year funding amount. Applicants must hold a valid Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and be registered in SAM.gov, and must certify they are not debarred, suspended, or otherwise excluded from federal programs. The evaluation is point-based and uses a best-value trade-off approach, weighting Organizational Overview and Quality of Application equally at 20 points each, with the Budget factor carrying an implied but unspecified weight; applications are judged on completeness, clarity, alignment with program goals, and adherence to federal compliance standards including 2 CFR Part 200. Applicants must submit a comprehensive work plan, detailed budget narrative, W-9 form, and documentation of prior federal grant experience, and must disclose any affiliations with MSDH personnel, ownership interests exceeding $5,000, prior contract terminations for default, criminal convictions, or audit findings—failure to provide full disclosure on any of these matters renders an application non-responsive. The Mississippi State Department of Health retains full authority for inspection, acceptance, and award determination, with all performance and reporting responsibilities centered at its Jackson, MS headquarters, and grantees must maintain robust financial systems capable of tracking funds, supporting audits, and ensuring accurate performance