657027 - FY27 RFP FWBPECA27001 for Thrive Iowa
Funding Opportunity Details
HHS - FWBP - Early Intervention and Support
Final Application Deadline: Apr 10, 2026 4:00 PM
Status Closed
Posted Date Feb 20, 2026 9:43 AM
Award Amount RangeNot Applicable
Project Dates 07/01/2026 - 06/30/2030
Award Announcement Date 05/08/2026
Categorical Area
Recurring Opportunity No
Program Officer Kyle Welander
Phone (515) 369-2803 x
Email [email protected]
Description
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) # FWBPECA27001 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 serve as the backbone organization(s) for the Thrive Iowa initiative. Thrive Iowa is a community-led initiative to move families from crisis to career utilizing the collective impact model with support from Restore Hope. The initiative’s overarching goals include family stability in 13 areas of Social Determinants of Health with an emphasis on family preservation and prevention of child welfare crisis. The initiative provides training, collaborative case management, and technical support to create sustainable, impactful changes in each participating site.
Schedule of Important Dates (All times and dates listed are local Iowa time.)
The following dates are set forth for informational purposes. The Agency reserves the right to change them.
EVENT
DATE
48-hour TSB Posting
February 18, 2026
RFP Issued
February 20, 2026
Applicant’s Conference
February 27, 2026
Written Questions and Responses
Questions Due:
Responses Posted By:
March 16, 2026
March 27, 2026
Applications Due
April 10, 2026 by 4:00 PM Central Standard Time (CST)
Post Notice of Intent to Award
On or around May 8, 2026
Attachments
| Description | File Name | Type | Size | Upload Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A- RFP #FWBPECA27001 Thrive Iowa | A- RFP FWBPECA27001 Thrive Iowa.pdf | 390 KB | 02/19/2026 08:07 AM | |
| B- Application Instructions IowaGrants | B- Application Instructions IowaGrants.pdf | 2 MB | 02/19/2026 08:16 AM | |
| C- Thrive Draft Contract | C- Thrive Draft Contract.pdf | 288 KB | 02/19/2026 08:15 AM | |
| D- Thrive Draft Score Tool | D- Thrive Draft Score Tool.pdf | 92 KB | 02/19/2026 08:14 AM | |
| E- Behavioral Health District Map | E- Behavioral Health District Map.pdf | 343 KB | 02/19/2026 08:18 AM | |
| F- Coordinator Expectations | F- Coordinator Expectations.pdf | 87 KB | 02/19/2026 08:19 AM | |
| G- Navigator Expectations | G- Navigator Expectations.pdf | 89 KB | 02/19/2026 08:20 AM | |
| H- Standards | H- Standards.pdf | 4 MB | 02/19/2026 08:20 AM | |
| I- FAQ | I- FAQ.pdf | 167 KB | 02/19/2026 08:21 AM | |
| J- Amendment 1 to Attachment A-Thrive RFP FWBPECA27001 | J- Amendment 1 to Attachment A-Thrive RFP FWBPECA27001.pdf | 123 KB | 02/23/2026 01:29 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Feb 20, 2026 12:15 PM | Can you please share more information regarding the Applicant Conference that is scheduled for 2/27? Thank you! | The RFP was amended to remove the applicant’s conference. |
| Feb 23, 2026 1:20 PM | In District 2 what does 2-3 contiguous counties mean for eligibility criteria? Do the awardee serve the entire District 2? | The term “contiguous” means that counties are in acute physical contact along a boundary. In District 2, applicants may apply to serve any 2-3 contiguous counties within the district. Backbone organizations serve only the counties outlined in their application. In District 2, the selected backbone organization will serve 2-3 contiguous counties, not the entire district. |
| Mar 9, 2026 2:45 PM | Must the Coordinator position be 100% dedicated to the Thrive project or can a portion of time be dedicated to another project offered by the same agency? | The Thrive Coordinator position requires that 100% of a full-time position is dedicated to the role. |
| Mar 10, 2026 2:49 PM | What are the preferred qualifications for education and/or experience for the Thrive Navigator? | Awarded applicants can select their own preferred qualifications for education and/or experience for Thrive Navigator positions. HHS does not have preferred requirements for the Navigator position. |
| Mar 10, 2026 3:03 PM | Our organization has a NICRA which includes a provisional indirect cost rate that will expire just prior to the launch of Thrive Iowa. Due to cuts in personnel at the cognizant agency and a backlog of workload, the federal agency is behind on renewal applications and an updated NICRA has not yet been received, despite updated cost allocation proposals submitted 12/2024 and 02/2026. Our organization is in possession of a communication from the cognizant federal agency substantiating these circumstances and will gladly provide such with the grant application if desired. | Noted, thank you. |
| Mar 10, 2026 3:13 PM | Is the date noted in Section 1.06 E - Release of Names of Applicants intended to be April 20, 2026? | Yes, the date should be April 20, 2026. |
| Mar 11, 2026 5:20 PM | Navigator and Coordinator is full time position, full time can be 35 to 40 hours? | The Navigator and Coordinator positions are full-time, 40 hours per week. |
| Mar 13, 2026 9:18 AM | A) What funds will be used for staff equipment? The RFQ mentions that Thrive funds may not be used. Are laptops considered equipment? B) Historical data pulled from Iowa's Family Investment Program Monthly Participation Reports 2025 show some areas identified as areas to be served average at fewer than 100 families/cases per month. For example, Clarke, Decatur, and Wayne county average 22 cases per month. If a contractor chooses to serve this area, will DHS adjust caseload goals? How many new families does each service area receive per month? C) It is understood that staff should not work from home. Can community spaces, for example, local libraries, be utilized to serve as office with set office hours? We believe in a boots on the ground approach and understand that this population may have transportation issues. D) Is there a specific budget form to be utilized? E) Is the expectation of 50 Community Alliance members participating in CA meetings for every meeting or over the span of the contract? | A) Section 2.02 Definitions describes equipment as any single item with a cost or value of $5,000 or more with an anticipated useful life of one year or more. Since laptops do not meet that definition, they are not considered equipment. Laptop computers can be included in the budget per instructions in Section 2.04(C) Other. B) Thrive Iowa Participants are not required to receive FIP cash assistance. Caseload size for each Thrive Iowa Navigator is 50-75 participants. All participants must be TANF eligible as defined in Section 2.02(B). C) Thrive Iowa Navigators may meet with participants in public spaces as long as confidentiality can be maintained, however, backbone organizations are also expected to provide office space. D) Yes, the budget form in Iowa Grants is required. E) An average of 50 Community Alliance members is expected to participate in each meeting throughout the course of the contract year. |
| Mar 16, 2026 1:56 PM | How long does a client stay on a Navigators case load. It appears that participation is voluntary by the client in this program, if they do not regularly attend meetings with their navigator, are they dropped from the program? | On average, participant length of stay is 10-12 months. Participants are discharged if an assessment is more than 120 days overdue. |
| Mar 16, 2026 2:02 PM | If there is a vacancy in the navigator role, are Coordinators allowed to perform those duties or who would perform those duties during a vacancy. | Yes, the Coordinator can temporarily carry a caseload. The applicant may also identify other staff within their organization to become trained Primary Providers to serve participants in the event of a Navigator vacancy. |
| Mar 16, 2026 4:59 PM | A) Do contractors budget for laptops, printers/scanners, and items such as office chairs? B) Are there already any work spaces provided? Or do contractors budget for renting workspaces? C) Are there any foreseen overnight trainings, conferences, meetings that contractors must take into account when preparing the budgets? | A) Supplies are allowable expenses. Supplies or materials that are used by multiple programs need to be billed according to the approved cost allocation plan or approved indirect rate. B) Applicants are responsible for providing workspaces for the Thrive Coordinator and Navigators. C) Attachment C: Draft Contract 1.3 Scope of Work outlines the required meetings including attendance at quarterly in-person Thrive Coordinator meetings (in-state) and one-time out-of-state travel. |