BB27-100, Rural Health Transformation Program

Project Description: Issuing Procurement Unit: State of Utah Division of Purchasing
Conducting Procurement Unit: The Department of Health and Human Services
Professional Services Requested: The Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) is a five-year federally funded initiative from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) designed to modernize and strengthen health systems within rural communities. In November 2025, the Utah Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), acting as the state’s lead agency, submitted a stakeholder-informed application to CMS. Consequently, Utah was awarded $195.7 million in federal funding for Year 1. While the program is anticipated to run through 2030, continued annual funding is contingent upon program outcomes, the availability of funds, and CMS discretion.
Utah’s RHTP framework is built upon four strategic pillars: Making Rural Utahns Healthy, Workforce Development, Innovation and Access, and Technology Innovation. These pillars are operationalized through 24 key activities divided into seven integrated initiatives: PATH, RISE, SHIFT, FAST, LIFT, SUPPORT, and LINCS. These initiatives and activities aim to unite rural stakeholders to transform rural healthcare delivery, strengthen patient-centered care, and drive measurable improvements in health, coordination, and financial sustainability across rural Utah. A network of partners including other State Agencies, community groups, private sector entities, and academia will implement a series of discrete activities within this framework, in 25 of Utah’s 29 counties (excluding Salt Lake, Utah, Davis and Weber).
In strict alignment with the fiscal stewardship principles of Utah House Joint Resolution 101 (H.J.R. 101), Joint Resolution on Federal Funds, RHTP initiatives must prioritize non-recurring upgrades and transition program operations into self-sustaining, market-driven structures that create no ongoing financial obligations or permanent liabilities for the State of Utah.
As a core requirement of this funding, Utah must rigorously monitor and evaluate the effectiveness and impact of these initiatives across Utah’s RHTP five-year program to ensure the program benefits rural Utahn’s health status and health service access. The RHTP Monitoring and Evaluation Contract will provide critical analytical support, evaluating whether the program achieved the intended outcomes, assessing the impact of the seven initiatives, evaluating innovative pilot activities, and monitoring performance to drive course corrections to maximize impact.
As part of Public Law 119 21, the United States Congress established the $50 billion RHT Program to help rural communities reimagine their health care delivery systems and improve health outcomes. Congress authorized the Administrator of CMS to provide funding to States to invest in at least three uses of funds as described in the use of funds section and in statute. This program addresses longstanding health-care challenges facing rural communities. Therefore, funding will be focused on promoting innovation, strategic partnerships, infrastructure development, and workforce investment to support rural population health care innovations and new access points to promote preventative health and address root causes of disease.
The Utah Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) was designated by Governor Cox as the lead agency for Utah’s RHTP. Utah’s program must be implemented in alignment with the fiscal stewardship principles of Utah House Joint Resolution 101 (H.J.R. 101), Joint Resolution on Federal Funds, prioritizing non-recurring upgrades with the ability to transition program operations into self-sustaining, market-driven structures that create no ongoing financial obligations or permanent liabilities for the State of Utah. Utah’s RHTP will cover Utah’s 25 statutory rural and frontier counties as defined under Utah State Code §26B-4-701.
Funding must be obligated by October 30, 2026. An executed contract constitutes a funding obligation.
Length of Contract: Five Years
The purpose of this RFSQ is to obtain statements of qualifications from companies. The intent is to award a contract under Utah Procurement Code 63G-6a Part 15 for the purchase of Design Professional Service Providers and Consultants. The vendor with the highest- ranking will be selected to negotiate a contract at compensation determined to be fair and reasonable. If fair and reasonable compensation, contract requirements, and contract documents cannot be agreed upon with the highest ranked vendor, the state may proceed with negotiations with the next highest ranked vendor. Do NOT include pricing when you submit your qualifications.