The South Dakota Department of Health, Division of Healthcare Access, Office of Rural Health and Emergency Services is requesting proposals to support the Enhancing Sustainable Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Initiative under the Rural Health Transformation (RHT) Project. Up to $8,000,000 in funding is available for Federal Fiscal Year 2026. This program supports transformation of EMS systems in rural, frontier, and Tribal communities statewide through workforce development, specialized technology and equipment, regional coordination, and clinical quality improvement. Eligible applicants include a range of EMS, public health, healthcare, education, government, and nonprofit entities with relevant operational experience and expertise. Contracts may include professional services, grant agreements, or state-approved funding instruments. The anticipated contract period is August 5, 2026 – July 31, 2027, with up to three one-year renewal options pending future funding.
Eligibility
Eligible applicants must demonstrate relevant experience, expertise, or operational responsibility in Emergency Medical Services (EMS), rural healthcare delivery, public safety, workforce development, healthcare technology integration, clinical quality improvement, or regional emergency response coordination. Applicants may include South Dakota licensed ambulance services, Tribal governments/EMS agencies/healthcare organizations, hospitals, health systems, critical access hospitals, public safety agencies, emergency communications centers/dispatch, educational institutions, EMS training programs, local governments, nonprofit organizations, healthcare technology vendors/interoperability partners, and consultants or organizations with relevant EMS expertise. South Dakota Department of Health reserves the right to determine eligibility and appropriateness of project activities.
South Dakota licensed ambulance servicesSouth Dakota Tribal governments, Tribal EMS agencies, or Tribal healthcare organizationsSouth Dakota hospitals, health systems, and critical access hospitals
South Dakota public safety agencies, emergency communications centers, and dispatch organizations
Educational institutions, technical colleges, universities, and EMS training programs
Local governments and governmental entities
Nonprofit organizations with relevant EMS, healthcare, workforce, or public health expertise
Healthcare technology vendors and interoperability partners
Consultants or organizations with demonstrated expertise in EMS system development, clinical quality improvement, workforce development, healthcare integration, operational coordination, or EMS sustainability initiatives
Requirements Checklist
Solicitation number: 26RFP-26-09RHT-023
Required attachments
Completed and signed proposal cover form (RFP first page)
Executive summary (1-2 pages)
Detailed project narrative (point-by-point response to RFP requirements)
Cost proposal (submitted as separate file, see Section 7.0)
Itemized budget with justification
Letters of support or partnership, if applicable
Resumes or bios for key personnel, if applicable
Disclosure of other RHT funding (Section 5.1)
Other documentation as required in RFP Section 5.0
Submission Instructions
Submit PDF or Word proposals by email to DOHEMSGrants@state.sd.us by July 17, 2026, 5:00 PM CT. Proposals must be signed by an authorized officer and follow format requirements in Section 5.0 of RFP. Cost proposal must be submitted as a separate file.
Source Documents
Primary: 1Supporting: 1
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RFPPDF
Additional files
PDF
Application Prep
Application #: 26-09RHT-023
Reference: 26-09RHT-023
Program: Rural Health Transformation (RHT) Project
Match: Not required; 100% CMS/HHS funded per Stevens Amendment
Performance: August 5, 2026 – July 31, 2027; option to renew for 3 additional one-year periods
Key Dates:
RFP Publication: 2026-06-01
Offeror Questions Due: 2026-06-15
Responses to Questions: 2026-06-26
Proposal Submission Due: 2026-07-17
Anticipated Award Decision: 2026-08-05
Contract Start: 2026-08-05
Contract End: 2027-07-31
Review Criteria:
Specialized expertise, capabilities, and technical competence
Resources available (including specialized services)
Record of past performance (quality, cost, administration)
Familiarity and availability to project locale
Proposed project management techniques
Ability and history in handling special constraints