Professional Services for Development of Comprehensive Statewide Health Plan

Background

The Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) has issued this Request for Proposals (RFP) to obtain sealed competitive proposals from qualified vendors for the development and publication of the Mississippi Comprehensive State Health Plan (MCSHP). The goal is to create a data-driven, forward-looking assessment of the health of Mississippians and the capacity, structure, and projected needs of the State’s public health and healthcare systems. This plan will serve as a foundational resource for MSDH and other stakeholders, aligning with their mission to protect and advance the health, well-being, and safety of everyone in Mississippi. The project is supported by a financial assistance award from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) totaling approximately $205 million.

Work Details

The contractor will be responsible for several key tasks: 1. Develop a comprehensive planning framework that includes a strategic roadmap with milestones; 2. Conduct a statewide health status assessment covering population health outcomes, public health infrastructure, healthcare facilities, workforce availability, and rural healthcare challenges; 3. Integrate statutory and regulatory health planning requirements into the MCSHP; 4. Assess alignment with CMS program objectives; 5. Facilitate stakeholder engagement to gather input on proposed plan elements; 6. Draft, finalize, and publish the MCSHP including supporting materials such as executive summaries and graphics. Deliverables include a project work plan within 20 days of contract execution, a statewide health status report due within 150 days, an annotated outline by October 31, 2026, and a final comprehensive plan by July 14, 2027.

Period of Performance

The initial period of performance is four years, tentatively starting on July 2, 2026, and ending on September 30, 2027. The Agency reserves the right to renew the contract for one additional year at its discretion.

Place of Performance

Work may be performed remotely with periodic in-person meetings required in Mississippi as directed by MSDH.

Bidder Requirements

Vendors must have at least five years of experience in statewide or multi-jurisdictional health planning or comparable large-scale initiatives. They must demonstrate experience with CMS programs and rural healthcare systems. A multidisciplinary team with expertise in public health analysis, healthcare delivery systems planning, stakeholder engagement, and data analysis is required. Vendors must also provide documentation proving their qualifications and experience.