South Dakota eSM Solutions Posting Board · Posted July 22, 2026
Application Due
September 4, 2026
Q&A Deadline
August 4, 2026
The Rural Health Transformation initiative is a statewide effort focused on strengthening rural healthcare systems and improving access to quality care across South Dakota. Through strategic investments, innovative care models, and cross-agency collaboration, this initiative is designed to build a more resilient, connected, and sustainable rural health system. This RFP solicits proposals from qualified healthcare organizations, facilities, and eligible entities to implement strategies for recruiting, deploying, and retaining a sustainable rural healthcare workforce across rural, underserved, and frontier communities. The State intends to fund and partner with multiple entities to operationalize coordinated, outcomes-driven workforce solutions addressing critical staffing shortages, maldistribution of licensed professionals, high turnover rates, and reliance on temporary staffing. The program supports recruitment and retention through incentive-based five-year service commitment agreements, robust monthly and annual tracking and reporting, and sustainability plans to maintain workforce gains beyond the initial contract. Key requirements include cross-sector stakeholder engagement, clear alignment with South Dakota's Rural Health Transformation strategic priorities, and adherence to state/federal eligibility and non-discrimination provisions. Funding may not be used for new construction (minor renovations allowed with CMS approval), ongoing salary supplantation, duplicative digital health projects, research, lobbying, or independent research and development. Anticipated initial contract period is October 1, 2026 – July 31, 2027, with up to three additional one-year renewals, subject to continued CMS funding. Issuing office: Division of Healthcare Access, Office of Rural Health and Emergency Services, South Dakota Department of Health (RFP #26-09RHT-024). Contact: Josie Petersen (Josie.Petersen@state.sd.us).
Eligible applicants are licensed healthcare facilities, dental clinics, or healthcare clinics providing healthcare services to rural South Dakota citizens. Applicants located in urban areas may apply if proposals directly benefit rural South Dakotans. Applicants must comply with South Dakota state procurement eligibility and must not be debarred or suspended. Contracted or locum tenens providers are not eligible for retention incentives. Providers currently participating in state loan repayment programs with existing service commitments are not eligible for financial retention incentives. Entities ultimately owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by foreign nationals from China, Iran, North Korea, Russia, Cuba, or Venezuela are not eligible.
Required attachments
Submit proposals by email to Josie.Petersen@state.sd.us, signed by an authorized officer, with subject line: Proposal for RFP #26-09RHT-024. Proposals must not exceed 50 pages. Cost proposal must be a separate, clearly-labeled document.
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Application Prep
Application #: RFP #26-09RHT-024
Reference: 26RFP-26-09RHT-024
Program: Rural Health Transformation Project
Match: None required
Performance: October 1, 2026 – July 31, 2027 (with option to renew for 3 additional one-year periods)
Key Dates:
Review Criteria:
Portal: https://doh.sd.gov/healthcare-professionals/rural-health/
FAQ: https://postingboard.esmsolutions.com/3444a404-3818-494f-84c5-2a850acd7779/eventDetail/19896
Budget Range
Contact
Josie Petersen
Josie.Petersen@state.sd.us