RHT Fund Evaluation Consulting – Request for Information

State of Tennessee Department of Health · Posted April 2, 2026

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Application Due

April 17, 2026

64 days ago

Summary

the rural health workforce, and modernizing health infrastructure in all 89 counties and 6 metro areas. This RFI seeks input on evaluation methodologies, federal compliance, data integration, stakeholder engagement, and impact assessment frameworks. The State of Tennessee Department of Health is seeking information from qualified evaluation consultants to support a rigorous, mixed-methods program evaluation of the RHT Funding Program (RHTF). Consultants should have federal and state experience and be capable of designing, implementing, analyzing, and disseminating statewide evaluations aligned with federal compliance standards. This RFI is intended to gather input and capabilities to inform future procurement for this statewide, multi-year initiative aimed at improving rural health, workforce, and system transformation. The Tennessee Department of Health is seeking information from qualified evaluation consultants experienced in federal and state program evaluations. The consultant will assist in designing and implementing a comprehensive, mixed-methods evaluation of the RHT Fund (RHTF), a CMS-funded initiative targeting rural health improvement, access, workforce, innovation, and infrastructure across Tennessee. This RFI aims to identify interested parties and strategies for rigorous, equity-driven evaluation compliant with federal standards. The Tennessee Department of Health is seeking information from qualified evaluation consultants with federal and state experience to design and implement a rigorous, mixed-methods program evaluation for the RHT Fund (RHTF), a CMS-funded statewide initiative. The engagement aims to assess program fidelity, impacts, and system transformation across 17 interconnected initiatives, ensuring alignment with federal evaluation standards and compliance under 2 CFR 200. Respondents with strong backgrounds in complex, multi-partner health evaluations, stakeholder engagement, and data integration are encouraged to respond.

Eligibility

Qualified evaluation consultants with federal and state experience capable of conducting large-scale, mixed-methods program evaluations; experience with federal (e.g., 2 CFR 200) compliance required. Qualified evaluation consultants with federal and state experience in large-scale program evaluation; organizations capable of designing and implementing rigorous, mixed-methods evaluations compliant with federal standards. Qualified evaluation consultants with federal and state experience capable of designing and implementing rigorous, mixed-methods program evaluations. Past experience with federal and state grants, reporting, and rural or health system transformation evaluations preferred. Qualified evaluation consultants with federal and state experience capable of supporting large-scale, rigorous, mixed-methods program evaluation for statewide funding initiatives; no limitation to Tennessee-based organizations, but relevant experience or relationships with Tennessee stakeholders preferred.

Requirements Checklist

Provide firm experience designing and managing complex evaluation projects—especially those supported by federal or state grants and requiring 2 CFR 200 compliance. Describe your approach to rigorous, mixed-methods evaluation of multi-component programs. Explain your understanding of social and cultural contexts in rural health, Tennessee partnerships, and local engagement strategies. Clarify your methods for developing evaluation indicators, assuring data quality and validation, integrating with state data systems, and supporting federal reporting. Detail financial and economic analysis capabilities, experience with dashboard/performance monitoring, project management, grant compliance methodology, participatory evaluation methods, and collaboration/facilitation processes. Include a discussion of additional considerations, alternative approaches, and a price range or pricing model.
Submit completed technical informational forms describing relevant experience, capabilities, and approaches.
Provide cost information describing typical price units and ranges for similar services.
Ensure response does not exceed fifteen (15) pages, including cover and supplemental pages.
Respond in alignment with federal requirements (2 CFR 200), equity, and CDC frameworks.
Submit Technical Informational Form detailing experience, strategies, and approach on prescribed questions.
Submit Cost Informational Form outlining typical pricing units and price ranges.
Limit response to fifteen (15) pages including cover page and supplements.
Respond via email or address to Central Procurement Office contact.
Provide a completed Technical Informational Form addressing organizational experience, evaluation strategy, community relationships, data capabilities, engagement methods, and project management approaches.
Provide cost/pricing information as described in the Cost Informational Form.
Submissions limited to 15 pages including cover and supplemental pages.
Reference RFI # 34320-17926 in all communications.

Required attachments

Technical Informational Form
Cost Informational Form

Application Prep

Reference: RFI # 34320-17926

Program: RHT Fund (RHTF) Evaluation Consulting Archived as support document under 9c89701d-df3c-419f-ae39-802822f1ab1e on 2026-05-21T16:37:37.321Z

Performance: Not specified (multi-year initiative, per background section)

Key Dates:

RFI Issued: 2026-04-02
RFI Response Deadline: 2026-04-17 2:00 PM Central Time
This is a Request for Information (RFI) to inform a future procurement; responding is not a prerequisite nor does it guarantee participation in a future RFP or contract. No contract rights are created by responding.

Review Criteria:

Respondents are asked to address firm experience in large-scale program evaluation, federal compliance (including 2 CFR 200), use of data-driven frameworks, experience with dashboard development, community engagement, data systems integration, and pricing considerations.
Admin override: created from document via Extract Opp.
This is an RFI and not a contract solicitation; responding is not a prerequisite for future solicitations. Budget and period of performance details are not included. The RFI is for evaluation consulting services, not direct rural health program funding.

Portal: https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/generalservices/documents/cpo/rfp-updates/34320-17926/RFI_34320-17926.pdf

Contact

Simeon Ayton, Central Procurement Office, 615-532-0110, Simeon.Ayton@tn.gov

Simeon Ayton, Central Procurement Office, Tennessee Tower, 3rd Floor, 312 Rosa L. Parks Ave., Nashville, TN 37243, 615-532-0110, Simeon.Ayton@tn.gov

Simeon Ayton, Central Procurement Office, 312 Rosa L. Parks Ave., Nashville, TN 37243, 615-532-0110, Simeon.Ayton@tn.gov

AddedMay 19, 2026

UpdatedMay 21, 2026

Confidence95/100

RHT Fund Evaluation Consulting – Request for Information

Summary

Eligibility

Requirements Checklist

Submission Instructions

Source Documents