New York State Department of Health, Division of Public Health Infrastructure

Local Health Department Health Equity Contractor

Date of Issue:  07/09/2025

Question-and-Answer Period Closing Date: 07/23/2025

Question-and-Answer Document Posted: 07/30/2025

Applications Due Date/Time: 08/11/2025 11:59PM

Overview:

The Office of Public Health (OPH), Division of Public Health Infrastructure (DPHI) is seeking proposals from qualified consultants to support Local Health Departments (LHDs), hospitals, and community-based partners in implementing the 2025-2030 State Health Improvement Plan (SHIP) and Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP). New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) has adopted focus areas from Healthy People 2030 which aims to improve public health by addressing economic stability, social and community context, neighborhood and built environment, healthcare access and quality and education access and quality. This is a shift from previous iterations of the New York State Prevention Agenda, as the focus has been primarily on health conditions which involved the health care, public health and community health communities in implementing evidenced-based interventions to reduce the prevalence of health conditions identified in the State Health Assessment (SHA) as priority focus areas for the State. The new iteration encourages LHDs, hospitals and community-based partners to engage with organizations that are addressing social drivers/social determinants of health to contribute to the selection and implementation of evidence-based interventions to be implemented throughout the State.

The selected contractor will provide comprehensive technical assistance, program coordination, community engagement, partnership development, and capacity-building to help LHDs and hospitals develop and execute strategies that align with the 2025-2030 Prevention Agenda priorities- that every individual in New York State (NYS) has the opportunity, regardless of background or circumstances, to attain their highest level of health across the lifespan. 

The selected contractor will work in partnership with New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH), LHDs and hospitals across the state to:

• Facilitate partnerships and collaborations between LHDs and hospitals and community-based organizations to align efforts in addressing social and economic issues that impact health.
• Enhance local capacity to assess and address optimal health.
• Provide technical assistances to LHDs and hospitals in developing, implementing and evaluating their 2025-2030 Prevention Agenda strategies.
• Support data collection and reporting to track progress and ensure accountability.
• Develop interventions and training materials to standardize best practices across NYS.

Funding: 

The total funding available for one contractor is four hundred thousand dollars ($400,000.00) for a two-year period with an anticipated start date of September 1, 2025, and end November 30, 2025. The selected contractor will receive funding in accordance with an approved budget and work plan. Subject to the contingencies set forth below, the total funding will be allocated as follows: 

An award will be made to the highest scoring applicant. 

This is a cost-reimbursable contract, where the DOH agree to pay for allowable costs incurred by the selected contractor to complete the activities within the contract period. 

The contract resulting from this RFA will be for a 3-month terms. The anticipated start date of contract is September 1, 2025. However, depending on the funding source, the initial contract term could be for a shorter time period. Health Research Inc. awards may be renewed through November 30, 2026, based on satisfactory performance and availability of funds. Health Research, Inc. reserves the right to revise the award amount as necessary due to changes in the availability of funding. 

Description:  

The Division of Public Health Infrastructure will fund one organizations who will be expected to provide technical assistance, capacity building, and contributor engagement to support LHDs, and hospitals in implement their 2025-2030 Prevention Agenda priorities. This includes assisting LHDs and hospitals in assessing contributing partner engagement and partnerships addressing health inequities, developing and evaluating Prevention Agenda strategies and facilitating training sessions to enhance staff foundational capabilities. The selected contractor will also create best practice guidelines to standardize interventions across New York State, foster collaboration between LHDs, hospitals, and CBOs to align efforts with addressing factors that impact health, ensuring a coordinated approach to improving public health outcomes. By strengthening partnerships and supporting data collection and reporting, the contractor will help track progress, maximize resources, and enhance the overall effectiveness of the Prevention Agenda’s implementation. 

This Request for Applications seeks a contractor to implement the comprehensive work plan (included) that supports LHDs, hospitals, and community partners with implementing the 2025-2030 Prevention Agenda priorities throughout New York State.  

A key responsibility includes establishing and facilitating regional and statewide partnerships through structured forums that support the exchange of best practices, align efforts across sectors, and drive collective action on public health goals. This includes convening contributing partners and creating neutral spaces for collaboration to promote economic stability, improve access to quality healthcare, enhance educational opportunities, and strengthen social and community support systems. 

• Facilitating Strategic Partnerships 
  Establish and strengthen collaboration among LHDs, hospitals, government agencies, healthcare providers, policymakers, and community-based organizations to align with the 2025–2030 State Health Improvement Plan. 

• Providing Technical Assistance and Training 
  Deliver tailored technical assistance and at least quarterly training sessions on health equity, data-driven strategies, social determinants of health (SDOH), and evidence-based interventions. Conduct regional needs assessments to inform training topics and approaches. 

• Developing Capacity-Building Resources 
  Create, maintain, and refine standardized training materials, best practice guides, fact sheets, and other resources. Develop an accessible online resource hub to support Prevention Agenda contributors across the state. 

• Supporting CHA/CHIP Implementation 
  Assist LHDs, hospitals, and CBOs in aligning their Community Health Assessments and Community Health Improvement Plans with Prevention Agenda priorities. Provide troubleshooting support and facilitate peer-learning opportunities. 

• Promoting Collaboration and Shared Learning 
   Coordinate and lead quarterly regional stakeholder meetings and structured engagement forums (e.g., workshops, advisory groups) to foster collaboration, share implementation strategies, and highlight lessons learned. 

• Monitoring Progress and Sharing Data 
  Track interventions, partnership engagement, and implementation challenges. Summarize key findings and provide feedback on data sources to inform SHIP and CHIP goals. Ensure transparency and responsiveness to NYSDOH data-sharing requirements. 

• Reporting and Communication 
  Submit timely progress reports, monthly expenditure vouchers, signed attendance sheets, and other required deliverables. Maintain ongoing communication with NYSDOH and remain responsive to inquiries and emerging needs. 

Scope of Work 

The selected contractor will provide services to LHDs and hospitals across New York State, ensuring tailored support based on regional needs.  

• Central
• Capital District
• Metropolitan
• Western

Minimum Eligibility Requirements: 

All applicants must meet the following Minimum Eligibility Requirements: 

• Applicant must be a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) community-based organization, or an academic institution
• An independent entity that is not a subsidiary of, or otherwise controlled by, any other entity and
• Applicant must have a New York State Employer Identification Number (EIN)

Applications submitted by applicants that fail to meet the minimum eligibility criteria will not be reviewed.

Eligible applicants must demonstrate a minimum of five (5) years addressing the following: 

• Demonstrated experience in public health program implementation, providing technical assistance on health improvement initiatives and/or community health planning.
• Proven track record of working with LHDs, hospitals, CBOs and or government agencies on collaborative health improvement initiatives.
• Experience in developing and providing tailored technical assistance and training to state and/or local government and/or hospitals.
• Demonstrated experience facilitating cross-sector partnerships in public health, health equity and or community development initiatives.
• Experience supporting state and/or local government and/or hospitals participating in organizational change management and/or systems transformation to advance health equity through program and health care service delivery.
• Capacity to gather, analyze, and summarize data to inform and drive planning and strategy
• Experience creating, maintain and refining standardizing training materials, guides and toolkits.
• Strong facilitation skills and ability to promote collaboration and shared learning among diverse groups.
• Ability to conduct work across NYS, including virtual meetings and stakeholder engagement. 
• Dedicated resources for project management, host meetings in-person and virtually and report out progress in meeting workplan deliverables.

For applications to be considered and scored, applicants must provide all of the following sections of the application: 

1. Letter of Commitment from Executive Director or Chief Executive Officer
2. Organizational Capability and Program Readiness
3. Completed Program Design/Work Plan
4. Budget with Justification

Note: If applying as an individual, please note that consultant payments will be considered taxable income. Consultants will need to complete a W-9 form for HRI.  The W-9 form is a commonly used form from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) that provides HRI with information needed to pay the consultant, such as the consultant’s name, address, and Social Security Number (SSN). Information from the form is used by the IRS to estimate how much taxes consultants (or independent contractors) will need to pay. 

Application Process:

Applications will be submitted online in Apply®. To apply for this funding, please first create a login in Apply® and then complete the application questions in the Apply® form. Applications are due by August 11, 2025, 11:59PM.

Application steps:
1. Begin application process in Apply®.
2. Create a login in Apply®.
3. Respond to the application questions and submit in Apply® by August 11, 2025, 11:59 PM.

To contract with HRI and receive funds under this funding opportunity, organizations are required to have a SAM.gov Unique Entity ID (UEI) number. If you do not already have a UEI, please visit SAM.gov | Home to get a Unique Entity ID number. Obtaining a UEI number may take several weeks, so it is best to begin the process now. This will ensure that if you are selected for this funding opportunity, there will not be a delay in the contracting process.

Question-and-Answer Period:

The Question-and-Answer period allows applicants to ask for clarifications about the application process or funding opportunity. Submit questions to the Community Engagement and Outreach Unit by July 23, 2025 11:59 PM. Answers to all questions will be posted on the HRI Funding Opportunities page https://www.healthresearch.org/funding-opportunities/ on July 30, 2025. Note: During this Question-and-Answer Period, questions submitted by applicants will not be answered individually.

Review Process:

Applications meeting the minimum eligibility requirements will be reviewed and evaluated competitively by a panel convened by New York State Department of Health staff using an objective rating system reflective of the required items specified for each component. The highest scoring applicant will be selected. 

The total maximum score any application can receive is 100 points. 

Five (5) bonus points will be given to organizations who have not received funding from 

NYSDOH or HRI in the past. In the event of a tie score, preference will be given to the applicant with the highest score for question 2 and 5.

An email will be sent from dphi@health.ny.gov to let applicants know if they have been selected or not selected for this opportunity. Once award notices have been sent, applicants may request a debriefing of their application (whether their application was selected or not selected). Please note the debriefing will be limited only to the organization’s application and will not include any discussion of other applications. Requests must be received no later than fifteen (15) business days from the date of award or non-award announcement via email. To request a debriefing, please send an email to dphi@health.ny.gov. In the subject line, please write: Debriefing Request

Application Process and Questions:

Applications and supporting documentation must be received in SM Apply© by the date and time posted on the cover sheet of this RFA. Late applications will not be accepted. 

This funding requires that you have a federal Employer Identification Number (EIN) and a Unique Entity Identification (UEI) number (through Sam.gov). The selected applicant must be the recipient of this contract (cannot use an umbrella organization or fiscal agent).

Applications will not be accepted via fax or e-mail.

*It is the applicant’s responsibility to see that applications are submitted in SM Apply© prior to the date and time specified above. Late applications due to documentable delay by the carrier may be considered at HRI’s discretion.

Applications meeting the minimum eligibility requirements will be reviewed and evaluated competitively by a panel convened by the Division of Public Health Infrastructure using an objective rating system (applicant questions below) reflective of the required items specified for each component. An application that does not meet the minimum eligibility requirements will not be evaluated. The applicant with the highest acceptable score will be selected. 

Application Questions (Max 100 Points)

Organization Name:
Organization EIN number (enter N/A if you are unsure or do not have one):
Legal Entity Name (if different than organization name)
SAM.gov UEI#:
Mailing address (including Zip+4):
Primary Contact Name:
Primary Contact Email:
Primary Contact Phone Number:
Secondary Contact Name:
Secondary Contact Email:
Secondary Contact Phone Number:
Signatory Name:

Applicant Organization (30 points)

1. Has the organization contracted with or received funding from NYSDOH or HRI? (5 bonus points if never received funding) 

2. Describe the organization’s mission (5 points)

3. Please provide a specific example of a time when the organization implemented a state-wide public health program and or initiatives. (10 points)

4. Please describe a specific example of a time when the organization successfully organized and facilitated collaborations and or partnerships between multiple partners with different and varying priorities? Describe the challenges faced and what specific actions taken to ensure alignment and productive engagement. (10 points)

5. Upload a letter of commitment from the Executive Director or Chief Executive Officer in the organization showing their ability to perform the tasks. The letter must include a clear description of: (5 points)

              a. Organizational capability and program readiness to start the work

              b. Description of the organizations experience providing state-wide services and supports. Include examples and five years of experience 

              c. Ability to complete scope of work as described in the work plan 

Program Summary (55 points)

6. Please provide a specific example of when your organization provided technical assistance or training to state entities, local health departments and or similar organizations. How did the organizations tailor their approach to meet the diverse needs of all involved? (10 points)

7. Describe a time the organization developed training materials, or standardized resources to support public health initiatives. How did the organization ensure these materials were effective, accessible and widely adopted? (5 points)

8. Please share an example of when the organization helped align a program or initiative with broader strategic priorities (e.g. state health improvement plans, equity goals, federal/state mandates). What steps did the organization take to ensure consistency and prevent duplication of efforts? (10 points)

9. Describe the organizations experience collecting and analyzing public health or healthcare data to inform decision-making. Please provide a specific example, including the purpose, data source, methods, and how the insights were used to guide action. (10 points) 

10. Share an example of a time when the organization prepared reports for government agencies or large organizations. How did you ensure accuracy, timeliness, and compliance with reporting requirements? (10 points)

11. Describe a significant challenge the organization faced while implementing a public health or community program. What steps did the organization take to address the challenge, and what was the outcome? (10 points)

Budget and Justification (15 points)

12. Complete and upload a budget in SM Apply© assuming a September 1, 2025[SA1][GL2] start date and November 30, 2025 end date using the Budget Form Excel file. (5 points)  

13. Applicants should detail all Personal Services expenses for the program related to this project, including a brief description of duties supported by this contract. (5 points)  

14. Detail all expenses on the Supplies, Travel, and Equipment, Miscellaneous, and Subcontracts and Admin tabs on the Budget Form Excel file reflect the Scope of Work. Administrative costs (capped at 10% MTDC) should be in line-item detail; lump sum administrative costs or rates will not be considered. NYSDOH/HRI may require a reduction in administrative costs for funded applicants if costs are not justified. (5 points)  

Additional Information

Please note that prior to submitting the application you will need to register and create an account in APPLY.

^[1] Cost substantiation refers to determining what costs are associated with supporting the proposed project.  

^[2] A culturally competent program will be a program that acknowledges and validates people’s cultural backgrounds; tailors the delivery to meet social, cultural, and linguistic needs; honors and respects beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors of their community(ies); and incorporates cultural values at the levels of policy, administration, and practice.

^[3] The total amount of this award is $47,946; however, there are seven (7) set deliverables that all awardees must complete which will account for $17,946. These set deliverables are described in the Scope of Work section and should not be included in your response to this question. 

^[4] Cost substantiation refers to determining what costs are associated with supporting the proposed project.