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645585 - FY26 RFP PHTHORC26008 for Center of Excellence
Funding Opportunity Details
Healthy Hometowns
Final Application Deadline: Jan 5, 2026 4:00 PM
Status Closed
Posted Date Dec 19, 2025 7:32 AM
Award Amount RangeNot Applicable
Project Dates 02/15/2026 - 09/30/2031
Award Announcement Date 01/27/2026
Categorical Area
Recurring Opportunity No
Program Officer Julie Jones
Phone (515) 242-5934 x
Email julie.jones@hhs.iowa.gov
Description
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It is the responsibility of the Applicant to review all Attachments listed below for additional details regarding this Funding Opportunity.
The issuance of this Funding Opportunity in no way constitutes a commitment by Iowa HHS to award a contract.
Excerpts from the RFP:
Purpose
The purpose of this Request for Proposal (RFP) #PHTHORC26008 is to solicit applications that will enable the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (referred to as Agency) to select the most qualified applicants to establish Centers of Excellence that serve as hubs within a hub-and-spoke model of care, designed to strengthen regional health networks, improve care coordination, and expand access to high-quality, integrated healthcare for rural Iowans. These hub-and-spoke models must be developed in the areas of maternal health, mental/behavioral health, specialty care, and/or chronic disease management. Centers of Excellence will function as regional hubs that specialize in targeted areas of medicine, leverage shared resources and technology, and collaborate with surrounding healthcare providers, public health agencies, and community-based organizations (spokes) to deliver comprehensive, patient-centered care. This model promotes innovation and collaboration across systems, improving access to specialty, preventive, and social care services in rural communities where such services are currently limited. This work implements a portion of the Hometown Connections initiative of the Iowa Healthy Hometowns Project, funded through the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ Rural Health Transformation Program, opportunity #: CMS-RHT-26-001.
Schedule of Important Dates (All times and dates listed are local Iowa time.
The table below lists critical dates in the application and contract award process. Contractors are encouraged to review the entire RFP for detailed information about events, dates, times and sites.
EVENT
DATE
RFP Issued
December 8, 2025
Written Questions and Responses
Round 1 Questions Due:
Responses Posted By:
December 10, 2025
December 12, 2025
Final Questions Due:
Responses Posted By:
December 17, 2025
December 19, 2025
Applications Due
January 5, 2026
by 4:00 PM Local Iowa Time
Post Notice of Intent to Award
On or around January 27, 2026
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Attachments
| Description | File Name | Type | Size | Upload Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A. RFP PHTHORC26008 Centers of Excellence | A. RFP PHTHORC26008 Centers of Excellence.pdf | 409 KB | 12/08/2025 01:33 PM | |
| B. Attachment B Work Plan Formatting Specifications | B. Attachment B Work Plan Formatting Specifications.pdf | 99 KB | 12/08/2025 01:33 PM | |
| C. HHS Application Instructions Guidance (IowaGrants) | C. HHS Application Instructions Guidance IowaGrants.pdf | 2 MB | 12/05/2025 01:54 PM | |
| D. Centers of Excellence Draft Contract | D. Centers of Excellence Draft Contract.pdf | 302 KB | 12/08/2025 01:34 PM |
Website links
| Description | Link |
|---|---|
| A. IowaGrants Registration and Login Instructions | https://dom.iowa.gov/state-government/grant-management |
| B. General Terms and Contingent Terms | https://hhs.iowa.gov/initiatives/contract-terms |
| Submitted Date | Question | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| Dec 10, 2025 1:31 PM | Can an applicant be physically located in an urban site but serving four or more rural counties? Would this applicant be eligible to apply for this RFP? | The Agency will follow all funding restrictions and requirements provided from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services for the Rural Health Transformation Program, opportunity #: CMS-RHT-26-001. The Agency anticipates receiving these terms on or around December 31, 2025. Continue to monitor Iowagrants.gov for any RFP amendments. The Agency anticipates that an applicant physically located in an urban area may be eligible to apply for this RFP, provided that the proposed service delivery region includes four or more contiguous rural counties or rural portions of counties in Iowa. The applicant must demonstrate a physical presence and service delivery capacity within the rural counties identified in the application, in alignment with Section 1.04 of the RFP. |
| Dec 10, 2025 2:20 PM | We have a partnership between two hospitals working together to bring radiation oncology treatment to southcentral Iowa. Should we apply for these funds under one name/application or should we apply separately? Are we able to apply for the same project within multiple areas and let the reviewers decide in which category it best fits/is most competitive? Will there be additional opportunities posted under Combat Cancer (Cancer Specific Health Hubs), Health Information Exchange or Community Care Mobile per the webinar information provided last week? | Applicants engaged in a formal partnership to deliver services collaboratively should submit a single application under one lead entity. If the radiation oncology services are being offered jointly through the partnership, the application should reflect the shared scope of work and include documentation of the partnership, and / or subcontracts as applicable. The Agency may release additional funding opportunities and applicants are encouraged to monitor IowaGrants.gov for updates and new postings. |
| Dec 10, 2025 3:08 PM | Under B: Deliverables items #3 a Complete a comprehensive Regional Community Needs Assessment for the proposed service region. Is it the expectation that this regional needs assessment is included in the application or is this a deliverable after the award? If included in the application - can it focus only one area - or does it include all of the 5 primary focus areas? | Applicants are expected to include a comprehensive Regional Community Needs Assessment as part of the initial application submission. This assessment should address the proposed service region and include analysis of relevant health data, infrastructure, service gaps, and population needs. While the assessment may emphasize the applicant’s selected primary focus area (e.g., cancer, maternal health), it should also demonstrate awareness of broader regional health needs across the five focus areas outlined in the RFP. The assessment will be reviewed and updated annually as part of ongoing contract deliverables. |
| Dec 10, 2025 3:18 PM | Can an eligible health system applicant partner with a technology or care coordination vendor to fulfill partnership development, data sharing, and community-coordination functions required in the scope of work? | The Agency will follow all funding restrictions and requirements provided from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services for the Rural Health Transformation Program, opportunity #: CMS-RHT-26-001. The Agency anticipates receiving these terms on or around December 31, 2025. Continue to monitor Iowagrants.gov for any RFP amendments. The Agency anticipates that eligible applicants may partner with technology or care coordination vendors to support the implementation of partnership development, data sharing, and community coordination functions. All proposed subcontractors must be identified in the application and will be subject to Agency approval, as outlined in Section 1.18 of the RFP. |
| Dec 10, 2025 3:19 PM | Are data platforms and technology licensing fees allowable as direct costs when they directly support the hub-and-spoke care coordination model? | The Agency will follow all funding restrictions and requirements provided from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services for the Rural Health Transformation Program, opportunity #: CMS-RHT-26-001. The Agency anticipates receiving these terms on or around December 31, 2025. Continue to monitor Iowagrants.gov for any RFP amendments. The Agency anticipates some data platforms and technology licensing fees will be allowable as direct costs if they directly support the implementation and operation of the hub-and-spoke care coordination model. These costs will be subject to Agency approval. These costs must be clearly justified in the budget and identified as either administrative or non-administrative, in accordance with Section 2.04 of the RFP. |
| Dec 10, 2025 3:19 PM | What level of participation is required to meet the Iowa HIE requirement? | Applicants are expected to participate in the Iowa Health Information Exchange (HIE) in a manner that supports care coordination, timely referrals, and data sharing across hub-and-spoke partners. While the RFP does not specify a minimum threshold for HIE participation, applicants must describe in their application how they will utilize HIE to enhance service delivery and improve patient outcomes. Participation should be sufficient to meet the goals of integrated care outlined in the RFP. Signed participation agreements with the state's HIE vendor will be mandatory. |
| Dec 10, 2025 3:24 PM | Once selected, are Centers for Excellence able to determine what technologies or vendors they will contract with to execute the goals of the grant? | The Agency will follow all funding restrictions and requirements provided from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services for the Rural Health Transformation Program, opportunity #: CMS-RHT-26-001. The Agency anticipates receiving these terms on or around December 31, 2025. Continue to monitor Iowagrants.gov for any RFP amendments. The Agency anticipates that the Centers of Excellence may determine the technologies or vendors they will contract with to support the goals of the grant. All plans for subcontractors and technology solutions must be described in the application and will be subject to Agency approval, as outlined in Section 1.18 of the RFP. Applicants should include a clear plan for vendor selection and implementation. Signed participation agreements and participation with the state's HIE vendor will be mandatory. |
| Dec 10, 2025 3:52 PM | Can the spokes of the hubs be within the same health system as the hub, or must they be in separate systems? | The Agency will follow all funding restrictions and requirements provided from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services for the Rural Health Transformation Program, opportunity #: CMS-RHT-26-001. The Agency anticipates receiving these terms on or around December 31, 2025. Continue to monitor Iowagrants.gov for any RFP amendments. The Agency anticipates that spokes may be within the same health system as the hub. However, applicants must describe how their proposed model will expand access and meet the needs of populations beyond the current system. The Agency encourages innovative partnerships, including cross-system collaboration, to strengthen regional care networks and improve service delivery. |
| Dec 10, 2025 4:13 PM | What is the funding differential between Center of Excellence, Health Hubs, and Best & Brightest overlap? Can there be overlap between proposals? | Refer to Section 1.03 for the eligibility criteria for this RFP. Monitor https://hhs.iowa.gov/initiatives/rural-health-transformation-rht and iowagrants.gov for information regarding future funding opportunities. |
| Dec 10, 2025 4:13 PM | Can an urban hospital participate as a regional hub across multiple rural regions, or must each application be tied to a single defined service region? | The Agency will follow all funding restrictions and requirements provided from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services for the Rural Health Transformation Program, opportunity #: CMS-RHT-26-001. The Agency anticipates receiving these terms on or around December 31, 2025. Continue to monitor Iowagrants.gov for any RFP amendments. The Agency anticipates that each application must be tied to a single, clearly defined service region consisting of four or more contiguous rural counties or rural portions of counties. While an urban hospital may participate as a regional hub, each application must specify one distinct service region and demonstrate how the proposed Center of Excellence will serve that region. |
| Dec 10, 2025 4:13 PM | How does the Agency define “lead applicant” versus a major partner in cases where the urban hospital is supporting multiple rural hospitals? | The lead applicant is the entity that submits the application and assumes responsibility for all obligations of the contract terms and conditions as well as the implementation of the project, including fiscal and administrative oversight. Major partners may contribute significantly to the project but are not the primary contracting entity. The lead applicant must be clearly identified in the application and must meet the eligibility requirements outlined in Section 1.03 of the RFP. |
| Dec 10, 2025 4:14 PM | If rural hospitals apply as the lead hub, may an urban hospital be included as a formal partner across multiple separate applications? | The Agency will follow all funding restrictions and requirements provided from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services for the Rural Health Transformation Program, opportunity #: CMS-RHT-26-001. The Agency anticipates receiving these terms on or around December 31, 2025. Continue to monitor Iowagrants.gov for any RFP amendments. The Agency anticipates that an urban hospital may be included as a formal partner in multiple separate applications, provided that each application meets the eligibility and service region requirements and demonstrates how the urban hospital will support the rural service area proposed. |
| Dec 10, 2025 4:14 PM | If rural hospitals apply as the lead hub, may an urban hospital be included as a formal partner across multiple separate applications? | The Agency will follow all funding restrictions and requirements provided from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services for the Rural Health Transformation Program, opportunity #: CMS-RHT-26-001. The Agency anticipates receiving these terms on or around December 31, 2025. Continue to monitor Iowagrants.gov for any RFP amendments. The Agency anticipates that an urban hospital may be included as a formal partner in multiple separate applications, provided that each application meets the eligibility and service region requirements and demonstrates how the urban hospital will support the rural service area proposed. |
| Dec 10, 2025 4:14 PM | Are there limits on how many RFP submissions can include the same urban hospital as a partner or subcontractor? | The Agency will follow all funding restrictions and requirements provided from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services for the Rural Health Transformation Program, opportunity #: CMS-RHT-26-001. The Agency anticipates receiving these terms on or around December 31, 2025. Continue to monitor Iowagrants.gov for any RFP amendments. The Agency anticipates that there will be no limits on the number of RFP submissions that may include the same urban hospital as a partner or subcontractor. However, each application must independently meet the eligibility and scope requirements outlined in the RFP. |
| Dec 10, 2025 4:14 PM | How does the Agency view partnerships between unaffiliated systems, and are there expectations for cross-system consortium hub? | The Agency will follow all funding restrictions and requirements provided from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services for the Rural Health Transformation Program, opportunity #: CMS-RHT-26-001. The Agency anticipates receiving these terms on or around December 31, 2025. Continue to monitor Iowagrants.gov for any RFP amendments. The Agency strongly encourages innovative partnerships between unaffiliated systems. Cross-system collaboration is a key goal of the Centers of Excellence program and aligns with the Healthy Hometowns initiative. Applicants should demonstrate how their proposed project will leverage shared resources, improve care coordination, and expand access to services across systems. |
| Dec 10, 2025 4:14 PM | Can a Center of Excellence propose multiple clinical focus areas if the region demonstrates overlapping needs? | Yes, a Center of Excellence may propose multiple clinical focus areas if the proposed service region demonstrates overlapping needs. Applicants must clearly justify the selection of each focus area and describe how the Centers of Excellence will address those needs through integrated service delivery. At least one focus area must meet the eligibility criteria as described within RFP Section 2.03, Scope of Work. |
| Dec 10, 2025 4:14 PM | Are there expectations for minimum service volumes or staffing requirements for the designated focus area? | There are no specific minimum expectations for service volumes. Applicants should describe anticipated service volumes in their application based on regional needs. Staffing must be sufficient to implement the project as described in the RFP. At a minimum, applicants must identify a Project Program Manager and any additional staff who will be involved in the project. |
| Dec 10, 2025 4:15 PM | Can the Agency clarify allowable vs unallowable expenses related to clinical outreach, rotating specialty clinics, or tele-specialty programs? | The Agency will follow all funding restrictions and requirements provided from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services for the Rural Health Transformation Program, opportunity #: CMS-RHT-26-001. The Agency anticipates receiving these terms on or around December 31, 2025. Continue to monitor Iowagrants.gov for any RFP amendments. The Agency anticipates that expenses related to clinical outreach, rotating specialty clinics, and tele-specialty programs will be allowable if they directly support the implementation of the Center of Excellence and are included in the approved budget. These may be categorized under direct costs such as staffing, travel, equipment, or other project-related expenses. However, all costs must comply with the restrictions outlined in Section 2.04 of the RFP. Notably, expenses for new construction, major renovations, or broadband infrastructure are unallowable. Applicants must clearly identify whether proposed costs are administrative or non-administrative and ensure total administrative costs do not exceed 10% of the budget. |
| Dec 10, 2025 4:15 PM | Is workforce pipeline development (students, residents, fellows, rural rotations) considered an allowable cost within staffing or ‘other’ categories? | The Agency will follow all funding restrictions and requirements provided from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services for the Rural Health Transformation Program, opportunity #: CMS-RHT-26-001. The Agency anticipates receiving these terms on or around December 31, 2025. Continue to monitor Iowagrants.gov for any RFP amendments. The Agency anticipates that allowable staff for this project may include students, residents, fellows, and rural rotations as long as these salaries are paid directly to the employee. Funds shall not be provided for student loan repayment or to educational institutions for the placement of their students. |
| Dec 10, 2025 4:15 PM | How will the Agency evaluation the strength of partnership agreements – structure, commitments, shared resources, governance, or financial alignment? | Refer to Section 4 of the RFP for evaluation criteria of applications. Applicants may include executed agreements, letters of support, and descriptions of coordinated strategies to strengthen hospital networks and improve care coordination. |
| Dec 10, 2025 4:15 PM | What documentation is required to demonstrate cross-system collaboration? | Refer to Section 4 of the RFP for evaluation criteria. 'Applicants must submit written narrative describing the nature and scope of cross-system collaboration. Supporting documentation may include letters of support, formal partnership agreements, memoranda of understanding, and other materials that demonstrate shared service delivery, resource sharing, and coordinated care strategies across unaffiliated systems. |
| Dec 10, 2025 4:15 PM | Can applicant incorporate formal education (rural training tracks, on-site preceptorship, etc.) as part of its workforce sustainability strategy? | The Agency will follow all funding restrictions and requirements provided from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services for the Rural Health Transformation Program, opportunity #: CMS-RHT-26-001. The Agency anticipates receiving these terms on or around December 31, 2025. Continue to monitor Iowagrants.gov for any RFP amendments. The Agency anticipates that allowable staff for this project may include students, residents, fellows, and rural rotations as long as these salaries are paid directly to the employee. Funds shall not be provided for student loan repayment or to educational institutions for the placement of their students. |
| Dec 10, 2025 4:15 PM | Are there expectations for minimum FTE allocations for project management, clinical leadership, or specialty care staffing within the Center of Excellence? | No, the Agency does not prescribe minimum FTE allocations for project management, clinical leadership, or specialty care staffing. However, staffing must be sufficient to implement the project as described in the application. At a minimum, applicants must identify a Project Program Manager and any additional staff involved in the project. Staffing plans should reflect the scope and complexity of the proposed Center of Excellence. |
| Dec 10, 2025 4:15 PM | Will the Agency provide standardized data collection tools or performance measure templates to ensure consistency across all Centers of Excellence? | The Agency will follow all funding restrictions and requirements provided from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services for the Rural Health Transformation Program, opportunity #: CMS-RHT-26-001. The Agency anticipates receiving these terms on or around December 31, 2025. Continue to monitor Iowagrants.gov for any RFP amendments.' If any required reporting tools will be used, the Agency anticipates providing notice of this at the time of contract issuance. |
| Dec 11, 2025 12:40 PM | Are pharmacy networks eligible to apply for a Center of Excellence grant? | Eligible applicants for the Center of Excellence grant must be health systems or healthcare facilities and organizations representing health systems and facilities, as defined in Section 1.03 of the RFP. Health systems are considered facility-based provider organizations, including public or essential hospitals, federally qualified health centers, integrated delivery systems, and community-based organizations. Pharmacy networks may be eligible to apply if they meet the definition of a health system or healthcare facility and can demonstrate the capacity to serve as a regional hub within a hub-and-spoke model of care. Applicants must also meet all other eligibility requirements outlined in the RFP, including service delivery in four or more contiguous rural counties or rural portions of counties. The proposed Center of Excellence must offer comprehensive services that align with the integrated care model described in the RFP. |
| Dec 12, 2025 11:40 AM | We have a partnership between two hospitals working together to bring radiation oncology treatment to southcentral Iowa. Should we apply for these funds under one name/application or should we apply separately? Are we able to apply for the same project within multiple areas and let the reviewers decide in which category it best fits/is most competitive? Will there be additional opportunities posted under Combat Cancer (Cancer Specific Health Hubs), Health Information Exchange or Community Care Mobile per the webinar information provided last week? | Applicants engaged in a formal partnership to deliver services collaboratively should submit a single application under one lead entity. If the radiation oncology services are being offered jointly through the partnership, the application should reflect the shared scope of work and include documentation of the partnership, and / or subcontracts as applicable.
The Agency encourages applicants to monitor IowaGrants.gov for updates and any new opportunities. |
| Dec 12, 2025 3:45 PM | Can a health system submit one application and include multiple eligible entities? | 'Yes, a health system may submit one application that includes multiple eligible entities, provided that the application clearly identifies a lead applicant responsible for all contractual obligations and project implementation. The lead applicant must meet the eligibility requirements outlined in Section 1.03 of the RFP and must assume fiscal and administrative oversight for the proposed Center of Excellence. All participating entities should be described in the application, and formal partnership agreements or subcontracts must be included as applicable. The application must demonstrate how the collaboration among entities will support the goals of the program and strengthen regional care networks. |
| Dec 12, 2025 4:30 PM | In reference to 1.03 Eligibility Requirements: We are a Certified Behavioral Health Clinic and Community Mental Health Center which is not affiliated with a health system. Are we eligible to apply for these funds? | Certified Behavioral Health Clinics and Community Mental Health Centers may be eligible to apply for this funding opportunity if they meet the definition of a healthcare facility or an organization representing health systems and facilities, as outlined in Section 1.03 of the RFP. Affiliation with a larger health system is not a requirement for eligibility. Applicants must demonstrate the capacity to serve as a regional hub within a hub-and-spoke model of care and meet all other eligibility criteria, including service delivery in four or more contiguous rural counties or rural portions of counties. The application must also describe how the proposed Center of Excellence will improve access to integrated healthcare services for rural Iowans. |
| Dec 15, 2025 11:04 AM | Can a county be in more than one center of excellence: ie: a rural county has 2 hospitals and one is designated as a center of excellence and the other wishes to join a neighboring county | Yes, a rural county may be included in more than one Center of Excellence application, provided that each application meets the eligibility and service region requirements outlined in the RFP. The Agency encourages innovative and collaborative approaches to regional care delivery. Applicants must clearly describe the proposed service region and justify the inclusion of each county based on healthcare needs and readiness. If multiple Centers of Excellence include the same county, each application must demonstrate distinct service delivery strategies and coordination mechanisms to avoid duplication and ensure effective use of resources. |
| Dec 16, 2025 3:46 PM | Can you apply for more than one specialty CoE in the same region (e.g. Maternal health and Behavioral health)? | Yes, applicants may propose more than one specialty focus area within the same Center of Excellence if the proposed service region demonstrates overlapping needs. As outlined in Section 2.03 of the RFP, applicants must clearly justify the selection of each focus area and describe how the Center of Excellence will address those needs through integrated service delivery. |
| Dec 17, 2025 2:07 PM | Within the application timeline, how might Centers for Independent Living identify which regional health care providers intend to apply as “HUBs” and are seeking “Spoke” partners to support their efforts in rural Iowa? | Applicants seeking to serve as "Spoke" partners are encouraged to proactively reach out to local hospitals, health systems, and community organizations within eligible rural counties to explore partnership opportunities. |
| Dec 17, 2025 2:08 PM | What level of funding is available for a Center for Independent Living that would serve as a “Spoke” partner supporting a regional health care provider HUB? | Funding under this RFP is awarded to the lead applicant designated as the "Hub". The level of funding allocated to a "Spoke" partner will be determined by the applicant and reflected in the proposed budget submitted with the application, in alignment with Section 1.18 of the RFP. |
| Dec 17, 2025 2:08 PM | May grant funds be used to support the physical location of a HUB/Spoke-sponsored Care Coordinator, such as leasing space within a coworking facility or community center under the auspices of a Center for Independent Living? | The Agency will follow all funding restrictions and requirements provided from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services for the Rural Health Transformation Program, opportunity #: CMS-RHT-26-001. The Agency anticipates receiving these terms on or around December 31, 2025. Continue to monitor IowaGrants.gov for any RFP amendments. The Agency anticipates that leasing space for staff, will not be allowable. All costs must comply with the restrictions outlined in Section 2.04 of the RFP. |
| Dec 17, 2025 2:15 PM | If a rural hospital submits an application under a “doing business as” (DBA) name that is affiliated with a larger health system, does this exclude the parent health system from submitting a separate Centers of Excellence application? | The Agency will follow all funding restrictions and requirements provided from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services for the Rural Health Transformation Program, opportunity #: CMS-RHT-26-001. The Agency anticipates receiving these terms on or around December 31, 2025. Continue to monitor IowaGrants.gov for any RFP amendments. The Agency anticipates that submission of an application by a rural hospital under a DBA name does not automatically exclude the parent health system from submitting a separate application. Each application must meet the eligibility requirements outlined in Section 1.03 of the RFP and propose a distinct service region. Applicants should ensure that applications do not duplicate efforts within the same service region and that each application demonstrates a clear plan for implementing the hub-and-spoke model. |
| Dec 17, 2025 2:15 PM | Is a single health system permitted to submit multiple Centers of Excellence applications through different affiliated or subsidiary entities? | The Agency will follow all funding restrictions and requirements provided from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services for the Rural Health Transformation Program, opportunity #: CMS-RHT-26-001. The Agency anticipates receiving these terms on or around December 31, 2025. Continue to monitor IowaGrants.gov for any RFP amendments. The Agency anticipates that a single health system may submit multiple applications through different affiliated or subsidiary entities, provided that each application meets the eligibility requirements outlined in Section 1.03 of the RFP and proposes a distinct service region. Each application must demonstrate how the proposed Center of Excellence will implement a hub-and-spoke model and expand access to care for rural Iowans without duplicating efforts within the same service region. |
| Dec 17, 2025 3:02 PM | Good afternoon, Do all portions of the 4 contiguous counties need to be approved for Rural Health funds, and does the applicant physical location need to be in the eligible area? | The Agency will follow all funding restrictions and requirements provided from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services for the Rural Health Transformation Program, opportunity #: CMS-RHT-26-001. The Agency anticipates receiving these terms on or around December 31, 2025. Continue to monitor IowaGrants.gov for any RFP amendments. The Agency anticipates that the proposed service delivery region must include four or more contiguous rural counties or rural portions of counties in Iowa. It is not required that every portion of each county be designated as rural. The applicant’s physical location does not need to be in a rural area; however, the applicant must demonstrate a physical presence and service delivery capacity within the rural counties identified in the application, in alignment with Section 1.04 of the RFP. |
| Dec 17, 2025 3:06 PM | Are you able to provide more information about the "special conditions" referenced in the contract language, specifically around what the proposed insurance limits are? | Refer to Attachment D, Centers of Excellence Sample Draft Contract, Section 1.8, Insurance Certificate. |
| Dec 17, 2025 3:07 PM | There have been several executive actions at the federal level around affirmative action and we're curious as to what, if any, impact this will have on requiring a formal affirmative action plan plan as noted in Section 2.12.4.1? | The Agency will follow all funding restrictions and requirements provided from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services for the Rural Health Transformation Program, opportunity #: CMS-RHT-26-001. The Agency anticipates receiving these terms on or around December 31, 2025. Continue to monitor Iowagrants.gov for any RFP amendments. The Agency will follow all Applicable Law. All such Applicable Law is incorporated into this Contract as of the effective date of the Applicable Law. |