Request for RFP Exemption for the procurement of professional services related to the development of a Comprehensive Statewide Health Plan.

The Mississippi Department of Health is seeking professional services to develop a Comprehensive Statewide Health Plan through a solicitation exempt from formal RFP procedures, identified by solicitation number 1301-26-R-RFPR-00004, posted on May 8, 2026, with proposals due by June 4, 2026. The contract, classified under NAICS code 923120 and targeted at SLED governments, requires a firm fixed price arrangement and will be awarded using a trade-off methodology that balances cost and technical merit, explicitly excluding LPTA. The scope centers on planning and analysis activities including statewide health status and systems assessments, integration of statutory and regulatory requirements, stakeholder engagement, data integration and analysis, and drafting a final Comprehensive State Health Plan aligned with federal CMS guidelines and Mississippi law. Key deliverables include a detailed workplan, assessment reports, planning memoranda, and quarterly progress updates, all requiring written approval from MSDH before progressing to subsequent phases. The contract has an initial period of performance of approximately 15 months, beginning around July 2, 2026, with an option to extend for an additional year at the agency’s discretion, though work may be performed remotely with occasional in-person meetings required within Mississippi. Proposers must demonstrate qualifications and experience in public health, health systems, workforce analysis, and data integration, with key personnel specifically identified and resumés submitted. A compliance phase enforces mandatory requirements—failure to meet any “must,” “shall,” or “will” obligation results in automatic disqualification. Offerors must provide audited financial statements, professional and general liability insurance, and certification of business registration with the Mississippi Secretary of State, with sole proprietors exempt. Organizational conflicts of interest must be disclosed, including any affiliations with MSDH employees or board members, and vendors cannot have offered or received gratuities or contingent fees. The proposal must include an RFP Statement of Compliance and Exceptions form, stakeholder engagement and data analysis plans, and resumes, submitted electronically via the OpenGov portal in PDF, Word, or Excel without password protection. Evaluation is weighted toward cost at 35%, with the remainder distributed among project understanding, firm qualifications, key personnel credentials, stakeholder engagement, and data integration plans. All contract information, including pricing, will be published on transparency.ms.gov under Mississippi’s Public Records Act, and payments will be processed electronically by MSDH via the state’s accounting system.