Vermont

Vermont will allocate a $195M federal RHTP award to support adoption of a shared EMR/EHR platform, improve care coordination, and enhance interoperability among rural hospitals and providers. Subrecipient grant applications are being sought from qualified consortiums. Funded activities will include technology implementation, integration, training, and performance reporting to CMS. Key contacts: Matthew Rockwell ahs.contracts@vermont.gov Event schedule: - Application Posted - 05/20/2026 - ET - www.vermontbusinessregistry.com - Deadline for Questions - 05/27/2026 - ET - Email to ahs.contracts@vermont.gov - Application Deadline - 06/15/2026 - ET - Online Microsoft Form - Anticipated Selection Notifications - 06/29/2026 - ET - Written notice - Grant Commencement - 08/01/2026 - ET - State of Vermont - REVISED STANDARD VERMONT AGENCY OF HUMAN SERVICES PROVISIONS FOR CONTRACTS AND GRANTS - 2025-09-02 - Vermont - Revision date - 2024-12-30 - State of Vermont

This addendum provides clarifications related to the RHTP solicitation for Vermont starting August 1, 2026, including CMS involvement, contract bidding provisions, sustainability plans, and use of proprietary tools. It emphasizes that contractors awarded consulting contracts are not precluded from future RHT-funded opportunities. Event schedule: - Addendum 9 – Outstanding Q&A due to bidders. Q. 18 : What role, if any, does CMS play in reviewing or approving key deliverables (e.g., evaluation framework, Medicaid reimbursement pathway) during Year 1? Answer : CMS does not review agreements, but as RHT is a cooperative agreement, CMS will have some involvement with the implementation, monitoring and overall oversite of Vermont’s overall program at large. Q.29 : We see that the project is intended to go for 14 months beginning , 2026. Can you please explain the State's plan or intent for what happens after the 14 months? Is the project to end, or seek additional funding, or does it become the responsibility of the agencies to continue? Etc. — this is a follow up to our sustainability question Answer : The Rural Health Transformation Program is a 5-year initiative with 5 individual budget periods. Depending on the timeline of the proposed activity, there is potential to seek additional funding in following budget periods. Q. 47 : If a bidder is awarded a consulting contract under this RFP, will that bidder be precluded from bidding on or participating in future RHT-funded service delivery contracts, subgrants, pilot site operations, MIH/CP program recognition as an operating provider, or Medicaid reimbursement for MIH/CP services once a reimbursement pathway is established? Answer : If a bidder is awarded a consulting contract under this RFP, they will not be precluded from bidding or participating in future RHT funding opportunities. Q. 48 : If preclusion applies, does it extend for the duration of the consulting contract only, for the full five -year RHT program period, or beyond? Is preclusion a hard prohibition, or a rebuttable presumption that may be overcome through documented mitigation? Answer : If a bidder is awarded a consulting contract under this RFP, they will not be precluded from bidding or participating in future RHT funding opportunities. - August 1 - Q. 111 : Are subcontractor markups subject to a cap, and must bidders disclose subcontractor-level pricing detail in the proposal or only upon request post-award? Answer : We are not aware of any general caps on subcontractor markup, nor do we see anything specified in your RFP. The price submitted by bidders should incorporate the cost of any subcontractor work. Q. 113 : Page 3 of the RFP prohibits use of funds for supplanting existing State, local, tribal, or private funding for infrastructure or services. If a bidder currently performs related MIH or EMS consulting work under a different funding source, how will the Stat e distinguish allowable new activity from impermissible supplantation? Answer : It will be incumbent on the recipient to demonstrate that the funds will not be used towards supplanting. The recipient will have to incur costs above and beyond what is already currently funded for any existing MIH/EMS consulting work. When a State uses RHT funds to expand an existing pilot program or initiative, the funds may only be applied to the costs associated with the new population, new activities, and new milestones. The original program's programmatic costs, administrative expenses, and activities— those already funded by the State or existing fiduciaries —must continue to be funded by those original sources. Further, States must explain how such funding would build upon current State and Federal programs and initiatives while avoiding duplication. Q. 121: If the contractor uses commercial or proprietary licensed frameworks — such as a copyrighted protocol library, a licensed EMS clinical decision-support tool, or a proprietary training platform — what disclosure is required at proposal stage, and how will such tools be treated under the State ownership provisions of Attachment F? This guidance explains our attachment F (see attached) IP terms. Any objections or modifications to such terms, including and requests that the State transfer or license jointly developed work back to the vendor, should be included as exceptions to the State’s terms in Attachment D or D-1. Q. 143: For out-of-state bidders, does partnering with a Vermont-resident subcontractor for a material portion of the work confer any resident bidder preference status? Answer : No. Resident Bidder status only applies to the Prime Contractor.

This document outlines the detailed scope of work for contractors to support the design, implementation, training, and evaluation of a comprehensive Mobile Integrated Health/Community Paramedicine (MIH/CP) program for Vermont's rural EMS and hospital systems under the RHT Program. Contractors will assist with policy/regulatory development, program design, workforce training, program evaluation, data metrics development, and learning collaborative activities. The work will support Medicaid reimbursement and sustainable EMS transformation aligned with state rural health priorities. Event schedule: - Anticipated Contract Start Date - 08/01/2026 - Contract Completion Date - 09/30/2027

This document introduces Vermont's planned approach to the new CMS Rural Health Transformation Program, outlining goals, funding timelines, and stakeholder engagement. It emphasizes Vermont's readiness and commitment to submitting a strong application for long-term rural health infrastructure investment. Key contacts: AHS.HealthCareReform@vermont.gov Event schedule: - Application Window - Fall 2025 - State Submission Deadline - Early November 2025 - Federal Approval - 12/31/2025 - Funding Begins - 01/2026

This document summarizes FY26 RHTP applications for multiple states. States describe major investments (over $150M each) in maternal and chronic disease care, telehealth, mobile health units, workforce pipelines, and value-based care. Strategies emphasize regionally-coordinated efforts, technology upgrades, expanded clinical rotations, and stronger data sharing to transform rural health delivery.

Vermont submitted its Rural Health Transformation Fund application for federal funding covering 2026-2030. The application focuses on strengthening rural health networks through coordination, technology sharing, workforce support, and affordability. Exact award amounts are yet to be determined by federal review.

Vermont is advancing a statewide rural health transformation strategy under Act 68 of 2025, building on prior community engagement and legislative mandates. Fourteen hospitals are engaged in shared services, care shifts to appropriate settings, analytics, and service line optimization. The state is broadening efforts to include primary care and community provider transformation, aiming for a sustainable, equitable rural health system.

Vermont's rural hospitals are pursuing multifaceted transformation strategies tailored to local needs, with emphasis on cost containment, specialist access, interoperability, and population health. Collaborative purchasing and network approaches are used to help achieve financial sustainability. No explicit funding allocations or award amounts are identified in this strategy document.

The program received an award of approximately $195 million starting December 29, 2025, with a performance period through October 30, 2030. Vermont's Human Services Agency is the lead organization managing the program. The funding includes various administrative supplements and discretionary awards during the early phases of the program. Event schedule: - Period of Performance Start Date - 12/29/2025 - Period of Performance End Date - 10/30/2030

This Q&A provides clarification on an upcoming subrecipient grant opportunity for Vermont healthcare providers to adopt telehealth technology under the Rural Health Transformation Program. It details eligibility, allowable and restricted uses of funds, rural patient thresholds, integration requirements, and sustainability planning. Applicants must submit proposals separately for telehealth and eConsult grants, and must comply with federal and state guidance, including CMS rules and Vermont statutes.

This document is an addendum to the Vermont Rural Health Transformation Program subrecipient grant regarding telehealth technology adoption, specifying corrections and compliance updates.