State of West Virginia · Posted July 22, 2026
Application Due
August 5, 2026
Q&A Deadline
July 27, 2026
The State of West Virginia, through its Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) and Health to Prosperity (HTP) Workforce Catalyst initiative, announces a competitive opportunity for a qualified Third-Party Administrator (TPA) to serve as the fiscal agent and program administrator of the HTP Employer Subsidy Program. The TPA will implement a structured, milestone-based employer incentive model designed to increase workforce participation in rural and high-need areas by subsidizing employer-sponsored health insurance premiums and approved onboarding/support costs for employers hiring net-new employees who are returning from State-approved Return-to-Work (RTW) programs. These employees include individuals with health-related barriers to employment, such as those with histories of substance use disorder (SUD), behavioral health challenges, long-term disability, or chronic unemployment due to health concerns. The TPA will be responsible for: (1) standardized intake, eligibility and net-new hire verification, (2) employer and RTW program validation, (3) performance-based, milestone-linked disbursement of subsidies (at hire, 90 days, and 12 months of retention), (4) robust risk mitigation and compliance protocols, (5) comprehensive tracking, reporting, and integration with the State’s RHTP data spine, and (6) transparent, auditable documentation and controls ensuring that all program funds supplement (not supplant) existing staffing or funding and are not used as match for federal/state funds without explicit approval. Administrative and employer subsidy funds are disbursed in milestone-based tranches tied to progress, employer engagement, and verified employee retention. The program requires rapid operational launch (application portal live within 60 days of contract execution), alignment with RHTP goals, and demonstration of long-term sustainability strategies. Award funding totals $500,000 ($450,000 for employer subsidies and $50,000 for administrative costs), with all funds to be obligated and invoiced through July 31, 2027. Ongoing quantitative and qualitative reporting to the State is mandatory, and program performance is subject to rigorous oversight.
Eligible applicants are organizations with demonstrated capacity to serve as a Third-Party Administrator and fiscal agent for State and/or Federal grants, subsidies, and workforce incentive programs. This includes financial services organizations with grant administration or funding disbursement experience; benefit or subsidy administrators; health plans or insurance administrators with employer-sponsored insurance (ESI) management experience; and other agencies with experience in workforce programs. Applicants should have proven ability to operationalize within 60 days, a record in rural/high-need employer and workforce support, and readiness to administer a milestone-based, data-driven subsidy model to employers hiring individuals from State-approved RTW programs with health-related employment barriers. Operational scalability and sustainability in line with State objectives are required.
Required attachments
WV OASIS Vendor Self Service (VSS) Portal submission (electronic), including all required attachments detailed in the solicitation. Application portal: https://prd311.wvoasis.gov/PRDVSS1X1ERP/Advantage4#solicitation=GFO-0506-2700000000029-1&attachment=Final_GFO_0506_2700000000029_1_WV_ARFP_FORM.PDF
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Application Prep
Application #: RHT-AFA-07-22-2026-HTP Workforce Catalyst
Reference: GFO-0506-2700000000029-1
Program: West Virginia Rural Health Transformation Program (HTP) Workforce Catalyst Employer Subsidy Program
Match: Not required; funds may not be used for match without prior State approval; no supplanting of funds allowed
Performance: From award execution through July 31, 2027 (all funds obligated and invoiced by this date)
Key Dates:
Review Criteria:
Portal: https://dhhr.wv.gov/Administration/Grants/Pages/Open-Funding-Opportunities.aspx
FAQ: https://dhhr.wv.gov/Administration/Grants/Pages/Open-Funding-Opportunities.aspx
Budget Range
Contact
Key Contact
Mike Sheets
mike.sheets@wv.gov
Phone
681-542-4971