Enhancing Blueprint Transformation Network Capacity: Workforce Support and System Development through Learning Collabs

Background

The Agency of Human Services, Department of Vermont Health Access has received a Rural Health Transformation (RHT) grant of $195 million in Year One of a five-year opportunity. The goal of this grant is to strengthen rural health networks, enhance technology and shared operations, and improve the rural health workforce to ensure that Vermonters receive timely and affordable care. This Request for Proposal (RFP) seeks to establish Advanced Primary Care Learning Collaboratives aimed at supporting primary care practices in implementing evidence-based approaches to improve clinical outcomes and enhance team-based care.

Work Details

The contractor will design, organize, and administer two Advanced Primary Care Learning Collaboratives focusing on: 1. Hypertension Prevention and Control Collaborative: This will involve improving detection, treatment, and control of hypertension through evidence-based protocols, accurate blood pressure measurement, population health management, patient self-management support, medication adherence strategies, team-based approaches to managing hypertension, and integrating e-Consults and Remote Patient Monitoring. 2. Primary Care Mental Health and Substance Use Intervention Collaborative: This will focus on strengthening primary care capacity to address mental health and substance use disorders through screening for depression and anxiety, brief interventions, effective medication management approaches, integration into primary care teams, referral processes for higher-acuity patients, collaborative care approaches, and the use of e-Consults and Remote Patient Monitoring. The contractor will also provide planning oversight for the collaboratives which include structured learning sessions with expert guidance from Clinical Champions.

Period of Performance

The contract period is anticipated to begin on August 1, 2026, and extend through September 30, 2027. Year 1 funds must be fully spent by September 30, 2027. Contracts may be extended for up to four one-year optional periods with State and CMS approval.

Place of Performance

The services will be performed in Vermont as part of the initiative to enhance rural health networks.

Bidder Requirements

Bidders must comply with minimum qualifications as specified in the RFP. They must also be registered with the Vermont Secretary of State’s office and obtain a Contractor’s Business Account Number issued by the Vermont Department of Taxes. Bidders are required to adhere to worker classification compliance requirements if bid amounts exceed $250,000.00.