# Request for Proposals: Needs Assessment and Design Proposal for a Potential Rural Telehealth Services Center (RTSC) in Minnesota The Minnesota Department of Health, through the federally funded Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP), seeks qualified vendors to conduct a comprehensive needs assessment and develop a design proposal for a potential Rural Telehealth Services Center (RTSC) or alternative telehealth models in Minnesota. The initiative aims to address gaps and fragmentation affecting rural healthcare providers, emergency medical services, and communities, with a focus on better linkages among providers and patients. The assessment will identify service, technological, regulatory, and workforce barriers, followed by a design proposal outlining options for a Minnesota-based RTSC or alternative solutions that coordinate and support regional telehealth needs. Deliverables include a detailed project work plan, project management with regular progress check-ins, an interim needs assessment at six months, a final report, and a summary presentation of findings and recommendations. Preference is given to vendors with substantial experience in rural healthcare needs assessment, coalition development, and Minnesota's telehealth landscape. The project is 100% funded by CMS/HHS under Minnesota’s RHTP award, with an anticipated contract period from September 2026 through September 2027, and possible extension for one year. ## Key facts - Status: Closed - Type: RFP - Issued by: Minnesota Department of Health (Minnesota) - Posted: 2026-08-14 - Questions due: 2026-09-02 - Application due: 2026-09-14 - Eligible applicants: For-profit entity, Non-profit entity, Consultant, Vendor, Health System Partner - How to apply: All responses must be submitted through the Minnesota SWIFT Supplier Portal (https://mn.gov/supplier). Email, fax, and printed responses will not be accepted. Multi-factor authentication is required for portal access. - Funding source: Rural Health Transformation Program (CMS) - Official source: https://www.health.state.mn.us/facilities/ruralhealth/ruraltrans/docs/teleservicesrfp.pdf ## Eligibility Eligible applicants are for-profit and not-for-profit entities located in Minnesota—or with documented expertise and familiarity with Minnesota’s health care telehealth landscape—that demonstrate extensive experience in: (1) conducting needs assessments or program evaluations of healthcare-related programs (at least two prior projects), (2) developing resources to support rural health care, (3) designing coalition or organizational structures for health service delivery, (4) supporting or evaluating Minnesota-based healthcare or telehealth programs, and (5) having sufficient capacity and infrastructure to complete the described deliverables. ## Requirements • Develop a comprehensive work plan and schedule for all project activities. • Participate in project management activities, including kick-off (within 5 days of contract), monthly check-ins, and written progress reports. • Conduct a needs assessment identifying gaps, challenges, and opportunities for rural telehealth in Minnesota, using approved methods and engaging stakeholders. • Produce an interim needs assessment report at six months for review and feedback. • Develop a design proposal for a Rural Telehealth Services Center or alternative models based on assessment findings, including options for operational structure, governance, partnership pathways, and legal/regulatory compliance. • Produce a final report and a summary presentation describing recommendations and actionable steps. • Ensure all findings and recommendations align with state and federal laws, licensure requirements, and healthcare organizational policies. • Provide clear, deliverable-based cost and hourly-rate breakdowns. ## Required attachments - Attachment A: Responder Declarations - Attachment B: Exceptions to State's Terms and Conditions - Attachment C: Cost Detail - Attachment D: Responder Form – Workforce and Equal Pay Declaration - Attachment E: Work Samples ## Application package and source documents - [MN - 2025 - Open Request for Proposal: Rural Telehealth Services Center Needs Assessment and Design Proposal](https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/api/documents/a0e1221c-0be2-4f95-9fbf-30a04ff82df3/file) - [MN - 2026 - Request for Proposals: Needs Assessment and Design Proposal for a Potential Rural Telehealth Services Center (RTSC) in Minnesota (Rural Telehealth Services Center Needs Assessment RFP)](https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/api/documents/6499034d-2e55-43ca-93e0-96bec676e342/file) (primary) — official: https://www.health.state.mn.us/facilities/ruralhealth/ruraltrans/docs/teleservicesrfp.pdf - [MN - 2026 - RFP Attachments: Rural Telehealth Services (Rural Telehealth Services RFP Attachments)](https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/api/documents/39c8869c-bcba-4031-8e03-9447ae9a6591/file) — official: https://www.health.state.mn.us/facilities/ruralhealth/ruraltrans/docs/teleservicesattch.pdf - [MN - 2026 - Cost Proposal: Rural Telehealth Services (Rural Telehealth Services Cost Proposal)](https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/api/documents/f5c481f8-9e2c-4cbe-9310-251b4a260d8d/file) — official: https://www.health.state.mn.us/facilities/ruralhealth/ruraltrans/docs/teleservicescost.pdf - [MN - 2026 - Sample Contract: Technical Assistance for Rural Health Care Entities in Support of Community & Clinical Linkages (PDF) (Minnesota RHTP Sample Contract)](https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/api/documents/8c2c84bd-a1c9-423d-8a39-fb30d70b6a35/file) — official: https://www.health.state.mn.us/facilities/ruralhealth/ruraltrans/docs/tasamplecont.pdf More Minnesota RHTP activity: https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/states/mn (markdown: https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/states/mn.md) --- Source: Rural Care Journey (RCJ), https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/opportunities/request-for-proposals-needs-assessment-and-design-proposal-for-a-potential-rural--e33eaea741 — data as of 2026-09-15. Cite the RCJ page for the summary and the linked official source for authoritative terms, deadlines, and amounts.