Independent Third-Party Contractor Services to Conduct Two DHHS Program Studies

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
Office of State Budget & Management
Request for Proposal #: 13-OSBM2331226410
Independent Third-Party Contractor Services to Conduct
Two DHHS Program Studies
Date of Issue: August 25, 2026
Proposal Opening Date: September 17, 2026
At 2:00 PM ET
Direct all inquiries concerning this RFP to:
Meredith Swartz
Purchasing Officer
Email: Meredith.swartz@doa.nc.gov
Phone: 984-236-0083

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
Request for Proposal #
13-OSBM2331226410
______________________________________________________
For internal State agency processing, including tabulation of proposals, provide your company's eVP (Electronic Vendor
Portal) Number. Pursuant to G.S. 132-1.10(b) this identification number shall not be released to the public. This page
will be removed and shredded, or otherwise kept confidential, before the procurement file is made available for
public inspection.
This page shall be filled out and returned with your proposal.
Failure to do so may subject your proposal to rejection.
___________________________________________________
Vendor Name
______________________________
Vendor eVP#
Note: For a contract to be awarded to you, your company (you) must be a North Carolina registered
Vendor in good standing. You must enter the Vendor number assigned through eVP (Electronic Vendor
Portal). If you do not have a Vendor number, register at
https://evp.nc.gov/SignIn
Ver: 11/2025

Proposal Number: 13-OSBM2331226410 Vendor: __________________________________________
STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
Office of State Budget & Management
Refer ALL Inquiries regarding this RFP to the Request for Proposal #: 13-OSBM2331226410
Procurement Lead through the Message Board in the Proposals will be publicly opened: September 17, 2026 @ 2:00PM
Sourcing Tool. See section 2.6 for details.
Using Agency: Office of State Budget Management Commodity No. and Description:
Requisition No.: 2331226410 801016 Project monitoring and evaluation
EXECUTION
In compliance with this Request for Proposals (RFP), and subject to all the conditions herein, the undersigned Vendor offers and agrees to furnish
and deliver any or all items upon which prices are bid, at the prices set opposite each item within the time specified herein.
By executing this proposal, the undersigned Vendor understands that false certification is a Class I felony and certifies that:
this proposal is submitted competitively and without collusion (G.S. 143-54),
none of its officers, directors, or owners of an unincorporated business entity has been convicted of any violations of Chapter 78A of
the General Statutes, the Securities Act of 1933, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (G.S. 143-59.2), and
it is not an ineligible Vendor as set forth in G.S. 143-59.1.
Furthermore, by executing this proposal, the undersigned certifies to the best of Vendor's knowledge and belief, that:
it and its principals are not presently debarred, suspended, proposed for debarment, declared ineligible or voluntarily excluded from
covered transactions by any Federal or State department or agency.
As required by G.S. 143-48.5, the undersigned Vendor certifies that it, and each of its sub-Contractors for any Contract awarded as a result of this
RFP, complies with the requirements of Article 2 of Chapter 64 of the NC General Statutes, including the requirement for each employer with
more than 25 employees in North Carolina to verify the work authorization of its employees through the federal E-Verify system.
As required by Executive Order 24 (2017), the undersigned Vendor certifies will comply with all Federal and State requirements concerning fair
employment and that it does not and will not discriminate, harass, or retaliate against any employee in connection with performance of any
Contract arising from this solicitation.
G.S. 133-32 and Executive Order 24 (2009) prohibit the offer to, or acceptance by, any State Employee associated with the preparing plans,
specifications, estimates for public contracts; or awarding or administering public contracts; or inspecting or supervising delivery of the public
contract of any gift from anyone with a contract with the State, or from any person seeking to do business with the State. By execution of this
response to the RFP, the undersigned certifies, for Vendor's entire organization and its employees or agents, that Vendor is not aware that any
such gift has been offered, accepted, or promised by any employees of your organization.
By executing this bid, Vendor certifies that it has read and agreed to the INSTRUCTION TO VENDORS and the NORTH CAROLINA GENERAL TERMS
AND CONDITIONS incorporated herein. These documents can be accessed from the Ariba Sourcing Tool.
Failure to execute/sign proposal prior to submittal may render proposal invalid and it MAY BE REJECTED. Late proposals shall
not be accepted.
COMPLETE/FORMAL NAME OF VENDOR:
STREET ADDRESS: P.O. BOX: ZIP:
CITY & STATE & ZIP: TELEPHONE NUMBER: TOLL FREE TEL. NO:
PRINCIPAL PLACE OF BUSINESS ADDRESS IF DIFFERENT FROM ABOVE (SEE INSTRUCTIONS TO VENDORS ITEM #21):
PRINT NAME & TITLE OF PERSON SIGNING ON BEHALF OF VENDOR:
VENDOR'S AUTHORIZED SIGNATURE*: DATE: EMAIL:
Ver: 11/2025 1

Proposal Number: 13-OSBM2331226410 Vendor: __________________________________________
VALIDITY PERIOD
Offer shall be valid for at least one-hundred twenty (120) days from date of bid opening, unless otherwise stated here: ______ days, or if
extended by mutual agreement of the parties in writing. Any withdrawal of this offer shall be made in writing, effective upon receipt by the
agency issuing this RFP.
ACCEPTANCE OF PROPOSAL
If your proposal is accepted, all provisions of this RFP, along with the written results of any negotiations, shall constitute the written agreement
between the parties ("Contract"). The NORTH CAROLINA GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS are incorporated herein and shall apply. Depending
upon the Goods or Services being offered, other terms and conditions may apply, as mutually agreed.
FOR STATE USE ONLY: Offer accepted and Contract awarded this________ day of __________, 20____, as indicated on
The attached certification, by ____________________________________________________________________.
(Authorized Representative of the Office of State Budget & Management)
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Proposal Number: 13-OSBM2331226410 Vendor: __________________________________________
Contents
1.0 PURPOSE AND BACKGROUND .............................................................................................. 5
1.1 CONTRACT TERM.................................................................................................................... 5
2.0 GENERAL INFORMATION ........................................................................................................ 5
2.1 REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL DOCUMENT .............................................................................. 5
2.2 E-PROCUREMENT FEE ........................................................................................................... 5
2.3 NOTICE TO VENDORS REGARDING RFP TERMS AND CONDITIONS ............................... 5
2.4 RFP SCHEDULE ....................................................................................................................... 6
2.5 PROPOSAL QUESTIONS......................................................................................................... 6
2.6 PROPOSAL SUBMITTAL ......................................................................................................... 6
2.7 PROPOSAL CONTENTS .......................................................................................................... 7
2.8 ALTERNATE PROPOSALS...................................................................................................... 8
2.9 DEFINITIONS, ACRONYMS, AND ABBREVIATIONS ............................................................. 8
3.0 METHOD OF AWARD AND PROPOSAL EVALUATION PROCESS ....................................... 9
3.1 METHOD OF AWARD............................................................................................................... 9
3.2 CONFIDENTIALITY AND PROHIBITED COMMUNICATIONS DURING EVALUATION ........ 9
3.3 PROPOSAL EVALUATION PROCESS .................................................................................... 9
3.4 EVALUATION CRITERIA ........................................................................................................ 10
3.5 PERFORMANCE OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES .............................................................. 11
3.6 INTERPRETATION OF TERMS AND PHRASES ................................................................... 11
4.0 REQUIREMENTS ..................................................................................................................... 11
4.1 PRICING .................................................................................................................................. 11
4.2 FINANCIAL STABILITY .......................................................................................................... 11
4.3 VENDOR EXPERIENCE ......................................................................................................... 12
4.4 VENDOR QUALIFICATIONS .................................................................................................. 13
4.5 REFERENCES ........................................................................................................................ 13
4.6 BACKGROUND CHECKS ...................................................................................................... 14
4.7 PERSONNEL .......................................................................................................................... 14
4.8 VENDOR'S REPRESENTATIONS .......................................................................................... 14
4.9 AGENCY INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS MODIFICATION .................................................. 14
4.10 SUBCONTRACTORS ............................................................................................................. 14
4.11 SECRETARY OF STATE REGISTRATION ............................................................................ 14
5.0 SPECIFICATIONS AND SCOPE OF WORK ........................................................................... 15
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Proposal Number: 13-OSBM2331226410 Vendor: __________________________________________
5.1 STUDY ON DIVISION OF STATE OPERATED HEALTHCARE FACILITIES AND LME/MCOs
(STUDY #1) ......................................................................................................................................... 15
5.2 STUDY ON STATE ADMINISTRATION OF MANDATED SOCIAL SERVICES (STUDY #2)18\
5.3 PROJECT ORGANIZTION......................................................................................20
5.4 TECHNICAL APPROACH ....................................................................................................... 21
6.0 CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION .............................................................................................. 21
6.1 CONTRACT MANAGER AND CUSTOMER SERVICE ................................................................ 21
6.2 INVOICES ..................................................................................................................................... 21
6.3 POST AWARD BUSINESS REVIEW MEETINGS ........................................................................ 22
6.4 CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT ................................................................................................... 22
6.5 PERIODIC MONTHLY REPORTS ................................................................................................ 22
6.6 ACCEPTANCE OF WORK ........................................................................................................... 22
6.7 TRANSITION ASSISTANCE ........................................................................................................ 24
6.8 DISPUTE RESOLUTION .............................................................................................................. 24
6.9 CONTRACT CHANGES ............................................................................................................... 24
6.10 ATTACHMENTS ......................................................................................................................... 24
ATTACHMENT A: PRICING FORM ................................................................................................... 26
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Proposal Number: 13-OSBM2331226410 Vendor: __________________________________________
1.0 PURPOSE AND BACKGROUND
The Office of State Budget Management (OSBM) seeks proposals from qualified Vendors to conduct independent studies of two
(2) DHHS programs as required by the NC General Assembly.
The studies will evaluate (1) the Division of State Operated Healthcare Facilities (DSOFH) and local management entities/managed
care organizations (LME/MCOs) as required by Session Law 2026-41, Section 9L.2 (also referred to as "Study #1"), and (2) State
Administration of Mandated Social Services as required by Session Law 2026-1, Section 3F.2 (also referred to as "Study #2").
This Request for Proposals (RFP) covers services for both studies. Vendors may submit a proposal for Study #1, Study #2 or both
studies. Vendors shall clearly identify the study or studies they wish to be considered and shall satisfy all proposal requirements
applicable to each study for which they submit a proposal.
The intent of this solicitation is to award an Agency Specific Contract.
1.1 CONTRACT TERM
The Contract shall have an initial term of one (1) year, beginning on the date of final Contract execution (the "Effective Date") or
November 19, 2026, whichever is later. The Vendor shall begin work under the Contract within five (5) business days of the Effective
Date.
Proposals shall be submitted in accordance with the terms and conditions of this RFP and any addenda issued hereto.
2.0 GENERAL INFORMATION
2.1 REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL DOCUMENT
This RFP is comprised of the base RFP document, any attachments, and any addenda released before Contract award, which are
incorporated herein by reference.
2.2 E-PROCUREMENT FEE
ATTENTION: This is an NC eProcurement solicitation facilitated by the Ariba Network. The E-Procurement fee may apply to this
solicitation. See the paragraph entitled ELECTRONIC PROCUREMENT of the North Carolina General Terms and Conditions.
General information on the E-Procurement Services can be found at: http://eprocurement.nc.gov/.
What is the Ariba Network?
The Ariba Network is a web-based platform that serves as a connection point for buyers and Vendors. Vendors can log in to the
Ariba Network to view purchase orders, respond to electronic requests for quotes, participate in Sourcing Events, and collaborate
with buyers on contract documents.
For training on how to use the Sourcing Tool to view solicitations, submit questions, develop responses, upload documents, and
submit offers to the State, Vendors should go to the following site:
http://eprocurement.nc.gov/training/vendor-training.
2.3 NOTICE TO VENDORS REGARDING RFP TERMS AND CONDITIONS
It shall be the Vendor's responsibility to read the Instructions to Vendors, the North Carolina General Terms and Conditions, all
relevant exhibits and attachments, and any other components made a part of this RFP and comply with all requirements and
specifications herein. Vendors are also responsible for obtaining and complying with all Addenda and other changes that may be
issued in connection with this RFP.
If Vendors have questions, issues, regarding any component of this RFP, those must be submitted as questions in accordance with
the instructions in the PROPOSAL QUESTIONS Section. If the State determines that any changes will be made as a result of the
questions asked, then such decisions will be communicated in the form of an RFP addendum. The State may also elect to leave
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Proposal Number: 13-OSBM2331226410 Vendor: __________________________________________
open the possibility for later negotiation of specific provisions of the Contract that have been addressed during the question-and-
answer period, prior to contract award.
Other than through the process of negotiation under 01 NCAC 05B.0503, the State rejects and will not be required to evaluate or
consider any additional or modified terms and conditions submitted with Vendor's proposal or otherwise. This applies to any
language appearing in or attached to the document as part of the Vendor's proposal that purports to vary any terms and conditions
or Vendors' instructions herein or to render the proposal non-binding or subject to further negotiation. Vendor's proposal shall
constitute a firm offer that shall be held open for the period required herein ("Validity Period" above).
The State may exercise in its discretion to consider Vendor proposed modifications. By execution and delivery of this RFP
Response, the Vendor agrees that any additional or modified terms and conditions, whether submitted purposely or
inadvertently, shall have no force or effect, and will be disregarded unless expressly agreed upon through negotiations and
incorporated by way of a Best and Final Offer (BAFO). Noncompliance with, or any attempt to alter or delete, this paragraph
shall constitute sufficient grounds to reject Vendor's proposal as nonresponsive.
2.4 RFP SCHEDULE
The table below shows the intended schedule for this RFP. The State will make every effort to adhere to this schedule.
Event Responsibility Date and Time
Issue RFP State August 25, 2026
Submit Written Questions Vendor September 1, 2026
Provide Response to Questions State September 3, 2026
Submit Proposals Vendor September 17, 2026, 2PM ET
Contract Award State November 13, 2026
Contract Effective Date Agency CM/Vendor November 19, 2026
The Department of Administration will be conducting live bid openings over Microsoft Teams conference call. Below is the call-in
information for this procurement's bid opening scheduled for 09/17/2026 at 2PM EDT.
[insert teams link and call in number and conference ID here]
2.5 PROPOSAL QUESTIONS
Upon review of the RFP documents, Vendors may have questions to clarify or interpret the RFP in order to submit the best proposal
possible. To accommodate the Proposal Questions process, Vendors shall submit any such questions by the "Submit Written
Questions" date and time provided in the RFP SCHEDULE Section above, unless modified by Addendum.
Questions related to the content of the solicitation, or the procurement process should be directed to the person on the title page
of this document via the Sourcing Tool's message board by the date and time specified in the RFP SCHEDULE Section of this RFP.
Vendors will enter "RFP # 13-OSBM2331226410 - Questions" as the subject of the message. Question submittals should include
a reference to the applicable RFP section. This is the only manner in which questions will be received.
Questions or issues related to using the Sourcing Tool itself can be directed to the North Carolina eProcurement Help Desk at 888-
211-7440, Option 2. Help Desk representatives are available Monday through Friday from 7:30 AM ET to 5:00 PM ET.
Questions received prior to the submission deadline date, the State's response, and any additional terms deemed necessary by
the State will be posted in the Sourcing Tool in the form of an addendum and shall become an Addendum to this RFP. No
information, instruction or advice provided orally or informally by any State personnel, whether made in response to a question
or otherwise in connection with this RFP, shall be considered authoritative or binding. Vendors shall rely only on written material
contained in the RFP and an addendum to this RFP.
2.6 PROPOSAL SUBMITTAL
IMPORTANT NOTE: This is an absolute requirement. Late bids, regardless of cause, will not be opened or considered, and will be
automatically disqualified from further consideration. Vendor shall bear the sole risk of late submission due to unintended or
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Proposal Number: 13-OSBM2331226410 Vendor: __________________________________________
unanticipated delay. It is the Vendor's sole responsibility to ensure its proposal has been received as described in this RFP by the
specified time and date of opening. Failure to submit a proposal in strict accordance with instructions provided shall constitute
sufficient cause to reject a Vendor's proposal(s). Solicitation responses are subject to Sealed Bidding requirements.
Vendor's proposals for this procurement must be submitted through the Sourcing Tool. For training on how to use the Sourcing
Tool to view solicitations, submit questions, develop responses, upload documents, and submit offers to the State, Vendors should
go to the following site: https://eprocurement.nc.gov/training/vendor-trainingQuestions or issues related to using the Sourcing
Tool itself can be directed to the North Carolina eProcurement Help Desk at 888-211-7440, Option 2. Help Desk representatives
are available Monday through Friday from 7:30 AM EST to 5:00 PM EST.
Tips for Using the Sourcing Tool
1. Vendors should review available training and confirm that they are able to access the Sourcing Event, enter responses,
and upload files well in advance of the date and time response are due to allow sufficient time to seek assistance from
the North Carolina eProcurement Help Desk.
2. Vendors may submit their responses early to make sure there are no issues and then submit a revised response any time
prior to the response due date and time. The State will only review the most recent response.
3. Vendors should respond to all relevant sections of the Sourcing Event. Certain questions or items are required in order to
submit a response and are denoted with an asterisk. The Sourcing Tool will not allow a response to be submitted unless
all required items are completed. The Sourcing Tool will provide error messages to help identify any required information
that is missing when response is submitted.
4. Simply saving your response in the Sourcing Tool is not the same as submitting your response to the State. Vendors should
make sure they complete the submission process and receive a message that their response was successfully submitted.
5. Only Proposals submitted through the Content Section of the Ariba Sourcing Event will be considered. Proposals
submitted through the Message Board will not be accepted or considered for award.
Vendors may bid on services for one or both studies; Vendors should clearly indicate if they wish to be considered for one or both
studies and must complete all requirements for the study or studies for which they would like to be considered
If confidential and proprietary information is included in the proposal, also submit one (1) signed, REDACTED copy of the proposal.
Such information may include trade secrets defined by N.C. Gen. Stat. 66-152 and other information exempted from the Public
Records Act pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. 132- 1.2. Vendor may designate information, Products, Services or appropriate portions
of its response as confidential, consistent with and to the extent permitted under the statutes and rules set forth above. By so
redacting any page, or portion of a page, the Vendor warrants that it has formed a good faith opinion, having received such
necessary or proper review by counsel and other knowledgeable advisors, that the portions determined to be confidential and
proprietary and redacted as such, meet the requirements of the Rules and Statutes set forth above. However, under no
circumstances shall price information be designated as confidential.
If the Vendor does not provide a redacted version of the proposal with its proposal submission, the Department may release an
unredacted version if a record request is received.
2.7 PROPOSAL CONTENTS
Vendors shall provide responses to all questions and complete all attachments for this RFP that require the Vendor to provide
information and upload them to the Sourcing Event in the Sourcing Tool. Vendor may not be able to submit its response in the
Sourcing Tool unless all required items are addressed. Vendors shall provide authorized signatures where requested. Failure to
provide all required items, or Vendor's submission of incomplete items, may result in the State rejecting Vendor's proposal, in the
State's sole discretion.
Vendor shall include the following items and attachments in the Sourcing Tool:
1) Cover Letter, which must contain the following: (i)a statement that confirms that the proposer has read the RFP in its entirety,
including all links, and all Addenda released in conjunction with the RFP; (ii) a statement that the Vendor agrees to perform in
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Proposal Number: 13-OSBM2331226410 Vendor: __________________________________________
accordance with the scope of work, requirements, and specifications contained herein; and (iii) Vendor's agreement to comply
with all instructions, terms and conditions, and attachments.
2) Title Page: Include the company name, address, phone number and authorized representative along with the Proposal
Number.
3) Completed and signed version of all EXECUTION PAGES, along with the body of the RFP.
4) Signed receipt pages of any addenda released in conjunction with this RFP, if required to be returned.
5) Vendor's Proposal Response to sections 4.3 VENDOR EXPERIENCE, 4.4 VENDOR QUALIFICATIONS, 5.3 TECHNICAL APPROACH
a) Proposals for section 5.1 And 5.2 have a maximum page limit of 35 pages each.
b) The paragraph settings must be no less than single spacing, and the font must not be smaller than 10pt.
6) Completed version of ATTACHMENT A: PRICING
7) Completed and signed version of ATTACHMENT D: CUSTOMER REFERENCE FORM
8) Completed and signed version of ATTACHMENT E: LOCATION OF WORKERS UTILIZED BY VENDOR
9) Completed and signed version of ATTACHMENT F: CERTIFICATION OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
2.8 ALTERNATE PROPOSALS
Unless provided otherwise in this RFP, Vendor may submit alternate proposals for various methods or levels of Service(s), or that
propose different options. Alternate proposals must specifically identify the RFP requirements and advantage(s) addressed by the
alternate proposal. Each proposal must be for a specific set of Services and must include specific pricing. Each proposal must be
complete and independent of other proposals offered. If a Vendor chooses to respond with various offerings, Vendor shall follow
the specific instructions for uploading Alternate Proposals in the Sourcing Tool.
2.9 DEFINITIONS, ACRONYMS, AND ABBREVIATIONS
Relevant definitions for this RFP are provided in 01 NCAC 05A .0112 and in the Instructions to Vendors found in the Sourcing Tool,
which are incorporated herein by this reference.
The following definitions, acronyms, and abbreviations are also relevant to this RFP:
a) CFAC: Consumer and Family Advisory Committee
b) CPS: Child Protective Services
c) DHHS: the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services
d) DSS: the county Departments of Social Services
e) DHB: Division of Health Benefits
f) DMH/DD/SUS: Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Use Services
g) DOA: the North Carolina Department of Administration - Administrative Procurement Office
h) DSOHF: Division of State-Operated Healthcare Facilities of DHHS
i) I/DD: Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities
j) LME/MCOs: Local Management Entities/Managed Care Organizations
k) NC DSS: North Carolina Division of Social Services
l) NCFAST: North Carolina Families Accessing Services and Technology
m) NCID: North Carolina Identity Management
n) OSBM: North Carolina Office of State Budget and Management
o) SNAP: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
p) STUDY #1: Study on Division of State Operated Healthcare Facilities and Local Management Entities/Managed Care
Organizations
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