Virginia RHTP: Provider Interoperability — Where Connection Meets Care

Summary

the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) 'CareIQ' initiative under a CMS award, provides approximately $14 million for rural Virginia health care providers to modernize digital health care infrastructure. The program supports implementation-ready projects that strengthen network capacity, expand adoption of certified Electronic Health Record (EHR) systems (aligned with ONC/ASTP and CMS Health Technology Ecosystem criteria), improve cybersecurity readiness, and enable electronic health data exchange. Supported funds may be used for upgrades and investments in EHRs, network infrastructure, cybersecurity, and compliant data exchange frameworks. All funded projects must be able to launch upon award, with applicants required to demonstrate completed planning, secured organizational commitment, designated key personnel, and formalized partner roles where applicable. Subrecipients must track and report standardized performance metrics for their funded technology area (e.g., network performance, EHR implementation, cybersecurity findings, data exchange connections), and submit monthly financial reports, quarterly progress updates, and final evaluation data for state and federal oversight. Compliance with 2 CFR Part 200, CMS and state program terms, and active SAM.gov registration is mandatory. Sustainability plans and rigorous documentation are required. Eligibility is based on physical presence in or demonstrated service to FORHP-defined rural Virginia communities. Partnerships must be formalized if proposed. Individual award amounts will vary according to project scope within the total allocation.

Eligibility

Eligible applicants must be legally organized entities in good standing, capable of receiving and administering federal subaward funds, including nonprofits, governmental units, Tribal entities, hospitals/health systems, independent practices, free/hybrid/charitable clinics, federally qualified health centers (FQHCs), rural health clinics (RHCs), educational institutions, or health care associations. Applicants must hold active SAM.gov registration with a current Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and no active exclusions or debarments. Applicants must be physically located in, or provide direct services to, rural Virginia communities as defined by the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy (FORHP)—see Appendix A of the RFA for designated localities. State agencies may apply when permitted by the RFA. Applicants excluded from federal funding are ineligible. Formalized partnerships, when relevant, require signed letters of support or MOUs specifying roles and levels of effort.

Requirements Checklist

• Applications must be submitted online via the designated Application Submission Form by the published deadline. Required materials include: application cover page (completed online); project narrative divided into Sections A–H (with strict page/format limits per RFA), detailed budget and budget narrative using the VHCF template, resumes for key programmatic staff, signed letters of support or MOUs for formal partners, most recent audited financial statements or federal single audit, documentation of active SAM.gov registration and debarment certification (screenshot acceptable), and adverse action disclosures. Applicants must address all narrative sections, not omit or combine them. Projects must be implementation-ready; applications not meeting requirements will not be reviewed.

Required attachments

• SAM.gov registration confirmation (screenshot)
• Valid UEI documentation
• Project narrative (sections A–H, PDF, page limits, formatting requirements per RFA)
• Detailed budget and budget narrative (VHCF template, PDF)
• Key programmatic staff resumes
• Letters of support or memorandum of understanding (if applicable; signed by organizational leader; specify role and level of effort)
• Most recent audited financial statements or federal single audit
• Adverse action disclosures

Submission Instructions

Online submission portal (Application Submission Form): https://www.vhcf.org/apply-for-provider-interoperability-fund/

Source Documents

What changed

Status, deadline, award, and content changes RCJ has recorded for this opportunity, newest first.

1. Status changedSep 2, 2026

   Closed

   Open

2. ClosedSep 2, 2026
3. Status changedAug 11, 2026

   APPROVED

   PENDING