Direct Care Worker Rate and Wage Analysis

Proposal Number: 65-03252026-EMB Vendor: __________________________________________
STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill for
The North Carolina Center on the Workforce for Health
Request for Proposal #: 65-03252026-EMB
Direct Care Worker Wage and Rate Analysis
Date of Issue: March 25, 2026
Proposal Opening Date: May 6, 2026
At 2:00 PM ET
Direct all inquiries concerning this RFP to:
Edward (Ted) M. Bohlin
Contingent Workforce Program Manager
Email: bohlin@ad.unc.edu
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Proposal Number: 65-03252026-EMB Vendor: __________________________________________
STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
Request for Proposal #
65-03252026-EMB
______________________________________________________
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#
______________________________
North Carolina Secretary of State vendor identification number
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://vendor.ncgov.com/vendor/login
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Proposal Number: 65-03252026-EMB Vendor: __________________________________________
STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Refer ALL Inquiries regarding this RFP to: Request for Proposal #: 65-03252026-EMB
Ted Bohlin Proposals will be publicly opened: via Zoom - May 6, 2026 2:00 EDT
Using Agency: UNC - Chapel Hill Commodity No. and Description: UNC00054 Consultant Fees -
Academic/Res
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 University 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 University, or from any person seeking to do business with the University. 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 proposal, Vendor certifies that it has read and agreed to the INSTRUCTION TO VENDORS and the UNIVERSITY NORTH CAROLINA
OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHAPEL HILL GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR SERVICES incorporated herein. These documents can be
accessed from the ATTACHMENTS page within this document.
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:
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Proposal Number: 65-03252026-EMB Vendor: __________________________________________
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: FAX NUMBER:
VENDOR'S AUTHORIZED SIGNATURE*: DATE: EMAIL:
VALIDITY PERIOD
Offer shall be valid for at least sixty 60 days from date of bid opening, unless otherwise stated here 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 University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill)
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Proposal Number: 65-03252026-EMB Vendor: __________________________________________
Contents
1.0 PURPOSE AND BACKGROUND .............................................................................................. 8
1.1 CONTRACT TERM ......................................................................................................................... 9
2.0 GENERAL INFORMATION ........................................................................................................ 9
2.1 REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL DOCUMENT .............................................................................. 9
2.2 NOTICE TO VENDORS REGARDING RFP TERMS AND CONDITIONS ............................... 9
2.3 RFP SCHEDULE ..................................................................................................................... 10
2.4 PROPOSAL QUESTIONS....................................................................................................... 10
2.5 PROPOSAL SUBMITTAL ....................................................................................................... 10
2.6 PROPOSAL CONTENTS ........................................................................................................ 11
2.7 ALTERNATE PROPOSALS.................................................................................................... 11
2.8 DEFINITIONS, ACRONYMS, AND ABBREVIATIONS ........................................................... 12
3.0 METHOD OF AWARD AND PROPOSAL EVALUATION PROCESS ..................................... 13
3.1 METHOD OF AWARD............................................................................................................. 13
3.2 CONFIDENTIALITY AND PROHIBITED COMMUNICATIONS DURING EVALUATION ...... 14
3.3 PROPOSAL EVALUATION PROCESS .................................................................................. 14
3.4 EVALUATION CRITERIA ........................................................................................................ 14
3.5 PERFORMANCE OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES .............................................................. 15
3.6 INTERPRETATION OF TERMS AND PHRASES ................................................................... 16
4.0 REQUIREMENTS ..................................................................................................................... 16
4.1 PRICING .................................................................................................................................. 16
4.2 INVOICES ................................................................................................................................ 16
4.3 FINANCIAL STABILITY .......................................................................................................... 17
4.4 HUB PARTICIPATION ............................................................................................................ 17
4.5 VENDOR EXPERIENCE ......................................................................................................... 17
4.6 REFERENCES ........................................................................................................................ 18
4.7 BACKGROUND CHECKS ...................................................................................................... 18
4.8 PERSONNEL .......................................................................................................................... 18
4.9 VENDOR'S REPRESENTATIONS .......................................................................................... 18
4.10 QUESTIONS TO VENDORS ................................................................................................... 19
4.11 AGENCY INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS MODIFICATION .................................................. 19
4.12 LOBBYING ACTIVITY CERTIFICATION FOR FEDERAL GRANTS ..................................... 19
5.0 SPECIFICATIONS AND SCOPE OF WORK ........................................................................... 19
5.1 GENERAL ............................................................................................................................... 19
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Proposal Number: 65-03252026-EMB Vendor: __________________________________________
5.2 SPECIFICATIONS ................................................................................................................... 19
5.3 TASKS/DELIVERABLES ........................................................................................................ 20
PART A: ANALYZE FUTURE STATE NEEDS AND CURRENT STATE REALITIES ...................... 20
Section A-1: Analysis of NC's Future Service Delivery Landscape State ........................................... 20
Section A-2: Analysis of NC's Current Service Delivery Landscape ................................................... 20
Section A-3: Analysis of NC's Current Direct Care Worker Wage and Compensation Landscape .... 20
Section A-4: Analysis of Comparison Jobs .......................................................................................... 21
Section A-5: Analysis of Current Service Payment Rates, Rate Structure and Rate-Setting Logic .... 21
PART B: RECOMMENDED ACTIONS TO BETTER MEET CURRENT DEMAND AND SUFFICIENTLY
PREPARE FOR FUTURE DEMANDS .................................................................................... 21
Section B-1: Recommended Adjustments to Direct Care Wages to Address Current Shortages ...... 21
Section B-2: Recommended Adjustments to Related Current Rates to Address Current Workforce Shortages
22
Section B-3: Identify Long-Term Forecasting Model to Ensure Direct Care Workforce Wages and
Compensation Remain Competitive Moving Forward ............................................................. 22
Section B-4: Analysis of Implementation Considerations .................................................................... 23
Section B-5: Evaluate the Fiscal Impact of Recommendations ........................................................... 23
Section B-6: Parameters for Vendor Data Collection .......................................................................... 23
PART C: SUPPLEMENTAL, OPTIONAL DELIVERABLES ................................................................ 24
Section C-1: Examination of Service Utilization due to Workforce Shortages .................................... 24
Section C-2: Evaluate Economic Impact ............................................................................................ 24
Section C-3: Evaluate Health Impact ................................................................................................... 24
PART D: FINAL REPORT AND RELATED ACTIVITY ........................................................................ 24
5.4 PROJECT ORGANIZATION ................................................................................................... 25
5.5 TECHNICAL APPROACH ....................................................................................................... 25
6.0 CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION .............................................................................................. 25
6.1 CONTRACT MANAGER AND CUSTOMER SERVICE .......................................................... 26
6.2 POST AWARD PROJECT REVIEW MEETINGS ................................................................... 26
6.3 CONTINOUS IMPROVEMENT ................................................................................................ 26
6.4 PERIODIC MONTHLY STATUS REPORTS ........................................................................... 26
6.5 ACCEPTANCE OF WORK ...................................................................................................... 27
6.6 FAITHFUL PERFORMANCE .................................................................................................. 27
6.7 TRANSITION ASSISTANCE ................................................................................................... 27
6.8 DISPUTE RESOLUTION ......................................................................................................... 27
6.9 CONTRACT CHANGES .......................................................................................................... 28
7.0 ATTACHMENTS ....................................................................................................................... 29
ATTACHMENT A: PRICING FORM ..................................................................................................... 29
ATTACHMENT B: INSTRUCTIONS TO VENDORS............................................................................ 30
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Proposal Number: 65-03252026-EMB Vendor: __________________________________________
ATTACHMENT C: THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHAPEL HILL GENERAL TERMS &
CONDITIONS FOR SERVICES ................................................................................................ 30
ATTACHMENT D: HUB SUPPLEMENTAL VENDOR INFORMATION .............................................. 31
ATTACHMENT E: CUSTOMER REFERENCE FORM ........................................................................ 31
ATTACHMENT F: LOCATION OF WORKERS UTILIZED BY VENDOR ............................................ 31
ATTACHMENT G: CERTIFICATION OF FINANCIAL CONDITION .................................................... 31
LOBBYING ACTIVITY CERTIFICATION FOR FEDERAL GRANTS .................................................. 31
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Proposal Number: 65-03252026-EMB Vendor: __________________________________________
1.0 PURPOSE AND BACKGROUND
The North Carolina Center on the Workforce for Health ("the Center") provides a forum for health employers, workers,
educators, regulators, policymakers, and others throughout North Carolina to address today's health workforce shortages and
plan for the future. The Center was conceptualized by the NC Area Health Education Centers ("NC AHEC"), the NC Institute of
Medicine ("NCIOM") and the UNC Sheps Center for Health Services and launched in 2023. The Center is part of the NC AHEC
Program, which is administered through the University of North Carolina School of Medicine.
Purpose of Procurement
North Carolina's ability to provide quality, responsive services to older adults and people with disabilities hinges on a strong and
appropriately compensated direct care workforce. According to PHI, the median wage for direct care workers in NC is $16.31 an
hour and varies by setting.1
Direct care workers in NC work in a range of settings, providing services funded under disparate rate methodologies.
Further, direct care workers in different settings may be comparably credentialed or perform similar job functions, yet
experience wage disparities, based on service rate methodology.
Despite recent advancements, direct care worker wages in NC continue to lag behind those performing comparable jobs.
Consistent with the national experience, NC is now experiencing a direct care workforce crisis, with a projected 207,100 job
openings between 2022 and 2032, according to PHI data.2 The exponential growth of NC's older adult population-including
aging caregivers and direct care workers-adds mounting pressure to this existing crisis.
While competitive direct care worker wages will not, by themselves, resolve this worker shortage, competitive wages are
essential to maximize labor participation in the LTSS sector.
In 2023, under the directive of Executive Order 280, the NC Department of Health and Human Services ("NC DHHS") and the NC
Department of Commerce, launched the Caregiving Workforce Strategic Leadership Council ("the Council). In its culminating
report, Investing in North Carolina's Caregiving Workforce, the Council established the need to "conduct a comprehensive wage
analysis to identify and address wage discrepancies within the direct care workforce and explore innovative approaches, such as
tying wages to reimbursement rates, to ensure fair compensation for direct care workers." NC DHHS tasked the North Carolina
Center on the Workforce for Health ("the Center") with facilitating implementation of Council recommendations and provided
funding for the Center to advance recommendations related to the direct care workforce, including developing a comprehensive
wage and rate analysis.
The Center anticipates that this wage and rate analysis ("the Analysis") will serve as the foundation for the following policy
outcomes:
1. Current Medicaid and state-funded rates within the scope of this Analysis are competitive with market rates and result
in competitive wages for direct care workers while also covering the required programmatic and administrative costs of
implementing the service; and
2. Direct care wages and related rates within the scope of this Analysis are responsive to the future, forecasted growth of
NC's older adult population and the corresponding growth in NC's Long-Term Services and Supports ("LTSS").
The Center seeks a Vendor ("Vendor") with strong and demonstrated capacity to conduct the Analysis described above, adhering
to the requirements set forth in this RFP and integrating methodologies proposed by the Vendor.
1 PHI. "Workforce Data Center." Last modified September 2025 https://www.phinational.org/policy-research/workforce-data-
center/#states=37&var=Wage+Trends
2 PHI. "Direct Care Workforce State Index, North Carolina State Profile, https://www.phinational.org/state/north-carolina/
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Proposal Number: 65-03252026-EMB Vendor: __________________________________________
General Anticipated Approach:
NC DHHS has contracted with the Center, via the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill ("the University") to manage the
procurement process for selecting a vendor to perform the Analysis activities, as specified in this Request for Proposals ("RFP")
document. The selected vendor will contract with the University, with the Center providing management and oversight of the
Vendor's activities and deliverables.
The Direct Care Workforce Wage and Rate Analysis Advisory Committee ("the Advisory Committee"), comprised of
representatives from the Center, NC DHHS and other relevant parties, will advise the Center on Vendor selection and provide
subsequent oversight of Vendor activities.
The Center anticipates service providers, related trade associations, worker advocates and individuals with lived experience will
be engaged throughout the Analysis development and will be key contributors to the Vendor's work.
The intent of this solicitation is to award an Agency Contract.
1.1 CONTRACT TERM
The Contract shall have an initial term of twelve (12) months, beginning on the date of final Contract execution (the "Effective
Date") or June 1, 2026, whichever is later. The Vendor shall begin work under the Contract within five (5) business days of the
Effective Date.
At the end of the Contract's initial term, the University shall have the option, in its sole discretion, to renew the Contract on the
same terms and conditions for up to one additional eight (8) month term. The University will give the Vendor written notice of its
intent to exercise each option no later than thirty (30) days before the end of the Contract's then-current term. In addition to any
optional renewal terms, and with the Vendor's concurrence, the University reserves the right to extend the Contract after the
last active term.
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 NOTICE TO VENDORS REGARDING RFP TERMS AND CONDITIONS
It shall be the Vendor's responsibility to read the Instructions to Vendors, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 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 or 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 University 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 University may also elect
to leave 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 University 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
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Proposal Number: 65-03252026-EMB Vendor: __________________________________________
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 University may exercise 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 negotiation 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.
2.3 RFP SCHEDULE
The table below shows the intended schedule for this RFP. The University will make every effort to adhere to this schedule.
Event Responsibility Date and Time
Issue RFP University March 25, 2026
Hold Pre-Proposal Meeting/Site Visit University NONE
Submit Written Questions Vendor By 5:00pm EDT, April 6, 2026
Provide Response to Questions University TBD
Submit Proposals Vendor 1:00pm EDT, May 6, 2026
Public Bid Opening University Via Zoom 2:00pm EDT, May 6, 2026
Contract Award University TBD
2.4 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.
Written questions shall be emailed to Ted Bohlin, bohlin@ad.unc.edu by the date and time specified above. Vendors should
enter "RFP # [RFP Number]: Questions" as the subject for the email. Question submittals should include a reference to the
applicable RFP section and be submitted in the format shown below:
Reference Vendor Question
RFP Section, Page Number Vendor question ...?
Questions received prior to the submission deadline date, the University's response, and any additional terms deemed necessary
by the University will be posted in the form of an addendum to the electronic Vendor Portal (eVP), https://evp.nc.gov, and shall
become an Addendum to this RFP. No information, instruction or advice provided orally or informally by any University
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.
2.5 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
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. The time and date of receipt will be marked on each proposal when received. Any proposal
or portion thereof received after the proposal deadline will be rejected.
eVP
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