Rural Health Hub Consultant Services

The University of Iowa is seeking qualified suppliers to provide consultant services in support of the Rural Health Hub initiative, a federally funded effort under the CMS Rural Health Transformation Program. The scope encompasses strategic development, outreach, and segmentation across Iowa’s rural healthcare ecosystem, with deliverables including a Hub and Spoke Models Report, a Centralized Coordination Playbook, a Gap Analysis Report, a Metric Development Framework, and an Iowa Rural Partnership Landscape Summary. Suppliers may respond to individual modules or propose integrated solutions, but subcontracting is strongly discouraged and requires prior written approval from both the University and the funding source. Proposals must demonstrate expertise in rural health systems, compliance with CMS flow-down terms, University policies, and federal regulations, including the Anti-Kickback Statute, Fair Packaging and Labeling Act, and Section 508 accessibility standards for all digital materials. All submissions must be made electronically through the eBid portal by June 15, 2026, and must include audited financial statements, detailed implementation timelines, samples of proposed materials, and three client references, with mandatory compliance certifications and disclosure of any potential conflicts of interest. The solicitation emphasizes a best-value trade-off approach for award, weighing technical merit against cost without assigning explicit numerical weights. The contract requires strict adherence to federal financial compliance standards including OMB Circular A-110 and 2 CFR Part 200, with invoices submitted electronically to acntpay@uiowa.edu and referencing purchase order numbers. Contractors must also comply with export control regulations, data privacy laws, and the University’s prohibition on using its name or trademarks without consent. Administrative costs under the CMS program are capped at 10% and cannot be used for construction, telecommunications equipment, or prior expenses. All technology delivered must meet WCAG 2.1 AA accessibility guidelines, and non-compliance may result in cost deductions. The University reserves the right to conduct discussions, request revisions, and negotiate pricing, and the contract includes a Most Favored Nation clause ensuring equitable terms. Performance occurs across the state of Iowa under F.O.B. Destination terms, with acceptance and inspection conducted by the University at its designated facilities. There is no publicly stated contract value, and no specific start or end date is provided beyond the requirement that performance will not extend beyond a date to be specified.