Mississippi

Mississippi has been awarded $205 million as the first budget period of a historic five-year Rural Health Transformation Program grant, part of a major federal investment in rural healthcare. The state is launching multiple initiatives including workforce expansion, technology advancement, telehealth, and infrastructure improvement to transform care delivery across rural communities. Application opportunities for specific initiatives are now open or forthcoming, pending final program details.

This document supports the Mississippi HIE Procurement Design consultant RFP and details the procurement requirements for health information technology development. No awards or sub-recipient allocations are stated. Event schedule: - Application Opens: , 2026 at 2pm CST - July 15 - 5pm - Download the WEI Notice of Funding Opportunity - Deadline to Apply: , 2026 at 5pm CST - August 17 - Download the WEI Notice of Funding Opportunity - Application Opens: , 2026 at 2pm CST - July 15 - 5pm - Download the PES-EmPATH Notice of Funding Opportunity - Deadline to Apply: , 2026 at 5pm CST - August 17 - Download the PES-EmPATH Notice of Funding Opportunity - Deadline to Submit: , 2026 at 10 am CST - July 24 - Download the EMS Capacity Assessment RFP - Deadline to Apply: , 2026 at 12pm - July 15 - 12pm - Download the TAPS Notice of Funding Opportunity - Deadline to Apply: , 2026 at 12pm - July 15 - 12pm - Download the HTAM Notice of Funding Opportunity - Deadline to Apply: , 2026 at 12pm - July 15 - Download the BRIDGE Notice of Funding Opportunity

Event schedule: - Applicant Questions Mississippi Telehealth Hub Connectivity, Equipment & Education Grant Program (TCE) Because RHTP funding is currently structured as a one-year award period, Mississippi strongly encourages applicants to propose phased or scalable projects that can achieve meaningful implementation milestones within the available funding timeframe. Applicants should ensure that Phase I activities are completed by , 2027, and clearly identify how the proposed scope can operate independently or support future expansion if additional funding becomes available. See RFA for more details. 1. Executive Summary Purpose: The purpose of Section 1 of the application is to provide the grant evaluation team with a concise overview of the project and reference key values that appear in Sections 2 – 5. 1.1 Project Snapshot Project Name: ____________________________________________________________ Requested Amount (note: funds must be expended by the subrecipient by July 31, 2027) : $___________________ Program Objective Alignment (check all that apply):  S trengthens rural healthcare by increasing virtual care access,  S upporting providers in adopting telehealth, and  Exploring innovative payment models Telehealth Education (Provider & Patient Outreach) 1.2 Short Executive Narrative (500-word limit) Summarize the snapshot above and present a clear high-level overview of why the project is needed and how it will advance the goals of the TCE Program. 8 - July 31 - 2. Project Description Complete Sections 2A – 2D. Use objective, applicant-reported values and upload supporting documentation where available. 2A. Need and Intended Outcomes 2A.1 Need Summary (350-word limit) Instructions: Provide a short need summary describing the specific need or needs to be addressed through the proposed investment. Please note projects may be subject to state regulations governing certification of need requirements. 2A.2 Quantified Need Indicators (provide at least 1) Instructions: Provide at least one quantified need indicator. Examples of quantified indicators: wait time, appointment backlog, capacity utilization, travel distance, equipment downtime, etc. Need indicator Baseline value Baseline time Why this indicates a care Upload Supporting (name) period gap (1 sentence) Documentation ☐ ☐ ☐ 2A.3 Intended Outcomes (provide at least 2) Instructions: Provide at least two intended outcomes. Outcome Baseline Target / expected Timeframe How measured (data Upload (measurable) change source) Supporting Documentation ☐ ☐ ☐ 2B. How the Investment Addresses the Need Instructions: List the major components of the investment and map each component to the need indicator(s) and intended outcomes(s) above. 9 - 2D. Challenges, Risks, and Barriers Instructions: Provide at least two challenges, obstacles, or risks that may affect achievement of the intended outcomes. Each risk must include an owner and mitigation steps. Risk category Risk description Mitigation Owner (role/title) When addressed (1 – 2 sentences) (1 – 2 sentences) (phase/date range) 3. Implementation Instructions: Provide a detailed workplan with tasks, milestones, procurement steps, approvals, and dates. Identify responsible parties. Include planned obligation timing. (Note: funds must be expended by the subrecipient by , 2027 ) 3A. Implementation Workplan and Timeline For each row, first select an activity: • Planning; • Procurement; • Configuration/Integration; • Launch; • Closeout. Applicants are expected to use each phase at least once. You may use each activity multiple times (multiple rows per activity are expected). Then list the milestone/task and deliverable for that activity (one milestone/task per row) and include Responsible Party (role/title) and the Start Date and End Date for each milestone/task. If the row involves procurement, complete Procurement Method and Procurement Step; otherwise enter N/A. 12 - July 31 - 4B. Non-Duplication of Funding (500-word limit) Explain how the proposed expenditures do not duplicate other existing funding sources. If any portion is supported by another source, identify the source and describe how costs are separated. 4C. Cost Estimate Basis and Assumptions (500-word limit) Describe the basis for estimates (quotes, internal estimates, prior purchases, market comparisons). Upload supporting documentation. 5. Evaluation Instructions: Provide measures and describe how you will collect, verify, track, and report data related to performance metrics for the proposed project. Identify the owner and cadence. Include at least one implementation and one outcome measure where appropriate. By submitting the application, the applicant certifies that they will provide monthly progress reports and any additional required reporting. 5.1 Measures Table Measure Type Data Baseline (or Target / Responsible Collection (Implementation/ Source how baseline expected Owner frequency Outcome) will be change (role/title) established) 15 - Because RHTP funding is currently structured as a one-year award period, Mississippi strongly encourages applicants to propose phased or scalable projects that can achieve meaningful implementation milestones within the available funding timeframe. Applicants should ensure that Phase I activities are completed by , 2027, and clearly identify how the proposed scope can operate independently or support future expansion if additional funding becomes available. Activity Milestone Deliverable Responsible Procurement Procurement Start End / Task Party Method Step Date Date (role/title) (if (if applicable) applicable) Example Procure Executed Procurement $ Formal ad 09/2026 10/2026 Procurement software contract officer and bid evaluation contract execution 3A.2 Planned Obligation For each procured component, identify the obligation method and planned obligation timing (date or days post-award). Applicants are not expected to have executed contracts at application time; this is a planning field. DO NOT NAME SPECIFIC VENDOR NAMES IN THIS APPLICATION. Procured Obligation Method (Contract / Purchase Planned Obligation Timing Component Order / Direct Cost / Other) (date or days post-award) Example: Clinical Purchase Order Within 90 days post award Equipment 3B. Project Management and Readiness Instructions: Assign owners for each management area. If a dedicated project manager will be used (internal or contracted), identify them. If external vendors/partners are involved, describe their roles and note ‘ Vendor TBD ’ . DO NOT NAME SPECIFIC VENDOR NAMES IN THIS APPLICATION. Management Area Owner (name or role/title) Scope Schedule Budget Approvals / decision authority Reporting 13 - July 31 - 4B. Non-Duplication of Funding (500-word limit) Explain how the proposed expenditures do not duplicate other existing funding sources. If any portion is supported by another source, identify the source and describe how costs are separated. 4C. Cost Estimate Basis and Assumptions (500-word limit) Describe the basis for estimates (quotes, internal estimates, prior purchases, market comparisons). Upload supporting documentation. 5. Evaluation Instructions: Provide measures and describe how you will collect, verify, track, and report data related to performance metrics for the proposed project. Identify the owner and cadence. Include at least one implementation and one outcome measure where appropriate. By submitting the application, the applicant certifies that they will provide monthly progress reports and any additional required reporting. 5.1 Measures Table Measure Type Data Baseline (or Target / Responsible Collection (Implementation/ Source how baseline expected Owner frequency Outcome) will be change (role/title) established) 15 - 3C. Sustainability Plan Instructions: Address each category below. If a category does not apply, enter N/A. Topic Addressed? Plan (1 – 2 sentences) How will you ensure Required completion by , 2027? Maintenance (includes factors ☐ Yes ☐ No such as cost to maintain the investment long term and any replacement costs) Staffing ☐ Yes ☐ No Operations (includes overall ☐ Yes ☐ No operations as well as patient satisfaction and experience) Reimbursement / revenue ☐ Yes ☐ No strategy ☐ N/A Partnerships (if applicable) ☐ Yes ☐ No ☐ N/A Sustainability owner (role/title): _____________________________________________________________________________________ 4. Budget Narrative Instructions: Complete sections 4A – 4C. This section is required for completeness/responsiveness. Please provide reasonable estimates related to the budget for your proposed project. Use brief narrative and cite assumptions. Please highlight the amounts that be will applied to indirect and/or administrative costs. 4A. Alignment to Project Scope and Activities (500-word limit) Explain how each major budget category supports the proposed project scope, implementation of tasks, and intended outcomes. Please highlight the amounts that be will applied to indirect and/or administrative costs. 14 - July 31 - 4B. Non-Duplication of Funding (500-word limit) Explain how the proposed expenditures do not duplicate other existing funding sources. If any portion is supported by another source, identify the source and describe how costs are separated. 4C. Cost Estimate Basis and Assumptions (500-word limit) Describe the basis for estimates (quotes, internal estimates, prior purchases, market comparisons). Upload supporting documentation. 5. Evaluation Instructions: Provide measures and describe how you will collect, verify, track, and report data related to performance metrics for the proposed project. Identify the owner and cadence. Include at least one implementation and one outcome measure where appropriate. By submitting the application, the applicant certifies that they will provide monthly progress reports and any additional required reporting. 5.1 Measures Table Measure Type Data Baseline (or Target / Responsible Collection (Implementation/ Source how baseline expected Owner frequency Outcome) will be change (role/title) established) 15

This FAQ guidance addresses applicant eligibility, allowable costs, service obligation requirements, scoring, and program-specific questions for the Mississippi RHTP Workforce Expansion Initiative (WEI). The WEI provides $16.8 million for workforce recruitment, retention, training, preceptor expansion, and related rural health workforce strategies. Key features include a five-year rural service commitment for supported stipends/bonuses, flexible support for a wide range of allied health professions, and no defined cap on awards except for the total available budget. Event schedule: - Application Deadline - Performance Period End - 07/31/2027

Event Schedule

1. First hospital funding opportunity release - 06/15/2026 - MS RHTP website

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