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570785 - FY25 RFP 58825012 for Syndemic Prevention Outreach and Testing Services (SPOTS)
Funding Opportunity Details
HIV, STI and Hepatitis Services
Final Application Deadline: Sep 17, 2024 4:00 PM
Status Closed
Posted Date Jul 23, 2024 10:32 AM
Award Amount RangeNo Limit - No Limit
Project Dates 01/01/2025 - 12/31/2027
Award Announcement Date 10/22/2024
Categorical Area
Recurring Opportunity
Program Officer John McMullen
Phone (515) 416-8565 x
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
Request for Proposal (RFP) #58825012 issued by Iowa Health and Human Services (the Agency) solicits applications from qualified applicants to provide prevention services, testing services, linkage to medical care and support services, community outreach and engagement in response to the syndemic of HIV, viral hepatitis, and sexually transmitted infections (STI) in Iowa.
The Agency works actively to address health inequities in Iowa. Health equity is defined as supporting opportunities for every individual to live the healthiest life possible by elimination of barriers related to the social determinants of health (SDOH). SDOH are defined as environmental, social, economic and other conditions which impact health.The Syndemic Prevention Outreach and Testing Services (SPOTS) program centers health equity by prioritizing meaningful engagement of people in communities disproportionately impacted by HIV, STIs, and viral hepatitis. The scope of services, work plan goals and objectives, prioritized populations, and funding formula utilized within this RFP are based on regional incidence data, community feedback, and recent strategic planning to address Iowa’s HIV, STI and viral hepatitis syndemic. The planning was done in partnership with service providers and representatives of prioritized populations, including Black/African American/African persons and Hispanic/Latino persons born in and outside of the United States, men who have sex with men (MSM), and people who inject drugs (PWID). Successful applicants will prioritize the delivery of health promotion, outreach and community engagement activities, and prevention and testing services to populations that experience barriers to prevention and care services.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
RFP Issued
July 23, 2024
Written Questions and Responses
Round 1 Questions Due:
Responses Posted By:
August 6, 2024
August 13, 2024
Round 2 Questions Due:
Responses Posted By:
August 20, 2024
August 27, 2024
Final Questions Due:
Responses Posted By:
September 3, 2024
September 10, 2024
Applications Due
September 17, 2024, by 4:00 pm Local Iowa Time
Post Notice of Intent to Award
October 22, 2024
| Description | File Name | Type | Size | Upload Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A - RFP#58825012 Syndemic Prevention Outreach and Testing Services. | A - RFP58825012 Syndemic Prevention Outreach and Testing Services.docx.pdf | 573 KB | 07/22/2024 12:34 PM | |
| B. New System Login Process for All Users | B. New System Login Process For All Users.pdf | 89 KB | 07/16/2024 03:22 PM | |
| C. HHS Application Instructions Guidance New IG | C. HHS Application Instructions_Guidance New IG.pdf | 2 MB | 07/16/2024 03:23 PM | |
| D. FY25 Syndemic Prevention Outreach and Testing Services Draft Contract. | D. FY25 Syndemic Prevention Outreach and Testing Services Draft Contract.docx.pdf | 339 KB | 07/22/2024 12:35 PM | |
| E. Syndemic Prevention Outreach and Testing Services Application Draft Score Tool | E. Syndemic Prevention Outreach and Testing Services Application Draft Score Tool.docx.pdf | 109 KB | 07/22/2024 12:38 PM | |
| F - Funding Table and HIV Testing Minimum Targets. | F - Funding Table and HIV Testing Minimum Targets.pdf | 338 KB | 07/22/2024 12:39 PM | |
| G - Service Criteria and Prioritized Populations | G - Service Criteria and Prioritized Populations.pdf | 138 KB | 07/22/2024 12:39 PM | |
| H. Syndemic Prevention Outreach and Testing Services (SPOTS) Work Plan Template update 08-21-2024 | H. Syndemic Prevention Outreach and Testing Services SPOTS Work Plan Template update 08-21-2024.docx | docx | 44 KB | 08/21/2024 03:57 PM |
| I - Client Assessment Form (example). | I - Client Assessment Form example.pdf | 285 KB | 07/22/2024 12:40 PM | |
| J - Minor Consent Form (example). | J - Minor Consent Form example.pdf | 113 KB | 07/22/2024 12:41 PM | |
| K. RFP58825012 Amendment 1 | K. RFP58825012 Amendment 1.pdf | 110 KB | 08/08/2024 08:02 AM | |
| L. RFP58825012 Amendment 2 | L. RFP58825012 Amendment 2.pdf | 177 KB | 08/21/2024 03:57 PM | |
| M. RFP58825012 Amendment 3 | M. RFP58825012 Amendment 3 1.pdf | 13 KB | 10/16/2024 04:25 PM |
Website Links
| Description | Link |
|---|---|
| A. General Terms and Contingent Terms | https://hhs.iowa.gov/contract-terms |
| B. CDC Division of HIV Prevention Strategic Plan Supplement | https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/division-of-hiv-prevention/strategic-plan/dhp-cross-cutting-focus-areas-and-the-strategic-framework.html. |
| C. Stop HIV Iowa plan | https://www.stophiviowaplan.org/read-the-plan |
| D. 2022 End of Year HIV Surveillance Report | https://publications.iowa.gov/47082/1/2022%20HIV%20End%20of%20Year%20Report_final%20edits.pdf |
| E. 2022 End of Year HCV Surveillance Report | https://publications.iowa.gov/47084/1/HCV%20End%20of%20Year%20Report-2022_FINAL.pdf |
| F. 2021-2025 National Viral Hepatitis Strategic Plan | https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/Viral-Hepatitis-National-Strategic-Plan-2021-2025.pdf |
| Submitted Date | Question | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| Aug 5, 2024 10:44 AM | Can you apply to cover a county that was moved outside of your service region that your agency historically covered? e.g. Wapello | Referring to section 1.05 of this RFP on page 6, “Applicants will select a proposed service delivery area consisting of counties within a single service region”. Applicants must limit the proposed service area under this RFP to counties within the service region in which the applicant’s agency/organization is located. |
| Aug 5, 2024 10:45 AM | PWID assessment does not have an option to decline Hep B testing. Would not capturing this data point go against the site? The RFP workplan goal is 100% of people who have injected drugs in the last five years will be screened for Hep B; however, personal choice is still at play when taking a harm reduction approach and the assessment does not have a no, declined option. | Referring to Attachment H, SPOTS Work Plan Template, Goal 3 Objective 1 states “100% of individual who report injection drug use in the preceding 12 month period will be offered screening for hepatitis B virus (HBV) surface antigen AND 100% of those testing positive for HBV surface antigen will be referred to medical care.” Attachment I, Client Assessment Form (Example), is intended as an example for this RFP. The final approved client assessment will be updated to reflect required service delivery components prior to the start of the project period. |
| Aug 5, 2024 10:45 AM | PWID assessment does not have an option to decline or not provide SUD or OUD screening and the RFP workplan goal is 100% of people who have injected drugs in the last five years will be screened for SUD or OUD. Is declining not a data point that should be captured? We often conduct testing inside a residential rehab facility. This level of service would not be applicable in this environment. Would this non captured data point go against the site meeting their goal? | Referring to Attachment H, SPOTS Work Plan Template, Goal 3 Objective 2 states “100% of individual who report injection drug use in the preceding 12 month period will be offered substance use disorder (SUD) and opioid use disorder (OUD) screening AND 100% of those with a positive screening result will be offered a referral to SUD or OUD treatment.” Attachment I, Client Assessment Form (Example), is intended as an example for this RFP. The final approved client assessment will be updated to reflect required service delivery components prior to the start of the project period. |
| Aug 5, 2024 10:45 AM | RFP work plan states 100% of individuals with a positive rapid HIV need confirmatory testing. Our site has experienced 3 cases YTD where individuals are previously diagnosed, and new to the county. Ryan White only requires a rapid result to get them engaged with services. How would this data be captured and as it stands would this count against the site meeting their goal? | Attachment H, SPOTS Work Plan Template, Goal 2 Objective 2 rationale/measure states that “By December 31, 2025, APHIRM data will demonstrate that 100% of clients with reactive rapid HIV test results were provided confirmatory testing”; Should extenuating circumstances arise during the project period as you describe, funded agencies will be expected to work with the Agency to document, communicate, and resolve these issues on a case-by-case basis. |
| Aug 5, 2024 10:45 AM | The local Free Medical Clinic no longer provide Hepatitis Vaccines. Our agency is looking into expanding our adult vaccination capacity now that we cannot subcontract with them. In the meantime, we would only be able to refer folks to locations with associated costs to the Hep A and B vaccines. Is this acceptable? | If an applicant agency does not have the capacity to provide immunization services for hepatitis A/B, it is acceptable to refer individuals to another provider for these services. |
| Aug 5, 2024 10:46 AM | Our site has developed a branding utilizing the previous RFP name “Integrated Testing Services” would we be able to continue this branding, or could we create branding for the program that would not be SPOTS, as this acronym is harder for the public to understand | Awarded agencies will be allowed to brand local service delivery in accordance with agency policies, practices, and priorities. The name of the funding opportunity is in no way intended to be a required brand for funded programs during implementation. |
| Aug 6, 2024 2:26 PM | “Applicants will provide services supported by this RFP to all individuals presenting for services within the approved Service Delivery Area…regardless of the individual’s reported residence.” For clarification, any agency applying for Category A: Clinic-based Services with Local County Outreach, which has a sexual health clinic, must provide all services (i.e., STI testing) no matter what county the client resides in as long as they live in the service region? | In relation to whichever category of funding an applicant pursues, within the scope of that category, all services supported by this RFP must be provided to all individuals presenting for services with a complete absence of residency requirements (not limited to the county, service area, service region, or state). For Category A applicants, this means that all supported services in the primary clinic location AND in outreach settings must be available without residency requirements. For Category B applicants, this means that all supported services provided in proposed outreach settings must be available without residency requirements. |
| Aug 6, 2024 2:27 PM | Local health departments with a sexual health clinic that apply for Category B are not required to provide services to individuals outside of the primary county, and services are only offered during outreach locations. Is this correct? | In relation to whichever category of funding an applicant pursues, within the scope of that category, all services supported by this RFP must be provided to all individuals presenting for services with a complete absence of residency requirements (not limited to the county, service area, service region, or state). For Category A applicants, this means that all supported services in the primary clinic location AND in outreach settings must be available without residency requirements. For Category B applicants, this means that all supported services provided in proposed outreach settings must be available without residency requirements. |
| Aug 6, 2024 3:42 PM | Goal 4 Objective 1 asks about our protocol for assessing a client's immunization status and administering/documenting the vaccine. Goal 4 Objective 2 - asks for the same information, along with referring for immunization services. If we plan on being the one to offer/administer the vaccines, do we need to complete this objective? | There is a typographical error in Attachment H – Syndemic Prevention Outreach and Testing Services (SPOTS) Work Plan Template. An Amendment is being issued 8/08/24 to correct the error and remove Goal 4 Objective 2. Please disregard Goal 4 Objective 2. |
| Aug 12, 2024 4:19 PM | The SPOTS workplan template page one is locked so I cannot check Category A or add counties under the service delivery area. Page two onward works just fine as I am allowed to type in those boxes. Please advise. | There is a formatting problem in Attachment H – Syndemic Prevention Outreach and Testing Services (SPOTS) Work Plan Template which may prevent applicants from editing required tables. Amendment 2 to this RFP was posted 8/22/24 to correct the formatting. Please download and complete the revised copy of Attachment H if it has not been completed due to formatting issues. |
| Aug 13, 2024 12:24 PM | This is an FYI only. I have been working on the template in Iowa Grants for the SPOTS RFP. Several spots throughout the workplan document have been locked from editing. I have needed to go into the developer on my Microsoft 365 ribbon, click properties and then unclick the blue box to write in my narrative portions. Just a FYI incase others have issues. | There is a formatting problem in Attachment H – Syndemic Prevention Outreach and Testing Services (SPOTS) Work Plan Template which may prevent applicants from editing required tables. Amendment 2 to this RFP was posted 8/22/24 to correct the formatting. Please download and complete the revised copy of Attachment H if it has not been completed due to formatting issues. |
| Aug 28, 2024 9:31 AM | Can more than one site "claim" the same external county? | More than one applicant may apply for funding to serve the same county as part of the applicant’s proposed service delivery area. Final service area awards will be determined in the review process. |
| Aug 28, 2024 9:35 AM | I want to make sure I am understanding correctly: If we choose Boone county (for example), if we do outreach and are able to test 27 people for HIV, we will get $17,324.00? That could be at one outreach event, or numerous throughout the year? And that would be in addition to the base category A amount of $101,000? | Successful Category A applicants will be awarded $101,700.00 in base funding plus the value associated with the home county in attachment F – Funding Table and HIV Testing Minimum Targets. If an applicant is awarded funding for Boone County as an external county, the applicant will be awarded $17,324.00 and performance will be evaluated based on the minimum test target of 27 for Boone County. This RFP does not define a required frequency of outreach events in external counties. |
| Aug 29, 2024 3:22 PM | To whom is reading this... Normally there is a budget template attached to the funding opportunity. I do not see one posted. Can you direct me to how you would like the budget formatted or where it is located? | Applicants should enter proposed budget amounts and associated narrative justification into the Line Item Budget component of the application within Iowa Grants. |