In this update:
- Federal Opportunities
- AHRQ Issues NOFO for State-Based Healthcare Extension Cooperatives
- HHS Launches KidneyX Sustainability Prize
- NYS and NYC Opportunities
- NYC DOHMH Releases Concept Report on PEP Telemedicine Line
- NYC DHS Issues RFP for the Operation of the Jamaica Residence Shelter in Queens
Federal Opportunities
AHRQ Issues NOFO for State-Based Healthcare Extension Cooperatives
On September 9th, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) issued a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to establish state-based Healthcare Extension Cooperatives. These Cooperatives are meant to accelerate the implementation and dissemination of patient-centered outcomes research (PCOR) across the country while supporting state efforts on health care payment and delivery reform. AHRQ plans to award grants of up to $25 million to 15 state-based Cooperatives. Contracts will last for five years.
Cooperatives will:
- Engage key stakeholders such as Medicaid managed care organizations, clinicians and staff, and patients/caregivers who receive care from safety-net health care delivery organizations and are members of uninsured and/or medically underserved populations;
- Work with health care policy, payment, community, care delivery, and research organizations to build their capacity to implement patient-centered, evidence-based health care delivery improvements;
- Conduct evaluations; and
- Provide the support structure to ensure activities are integrated and aligned.
The initial focus of the program will be on behavioral health. Eligible applicants include not-for-profit and for-profit organizations.
The announcement is available here. The Request for Applications (RFA) is available here.
HHS Launches KidneyX Sustainability Prize
On September 12th, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) launched the Kidney Innovation Accelerator (KidneyX) Sustainability Prize. This $7.25 million challenge aims to reduce the resource demands of maintenance dialysis, including water and power. Resource shortages, including those spurred by climate disasters, can immediately impact patient access to dialysis, spurring HHS to fund the research and development of next-generation solutions for less resource-intensive dialysis options. HHS may award up to seven applicants that will each receive an equal share of up to $7.25 million.
The announcement is available here. Interested participants must submit solution summaries and technical proposals by October 30th.
NYS and NYC Opportunities
NYC DOHMH Releases Concept Report on PEP Telemedicine Line
On September 24th, the New York City (NYC) Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) released a Concept Report outlining a forthcoming Request for Proposals (RFP) for the Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) Telemedicine Line – On Call Clinical Service Program. Through this opportunity, DOHMH is seeking a clinical program to establish and maintain a 24-hour PEP telemedicine line/on call clinical service program that will provide immediate access to initial emergency PEP medications free of charge, link PEP-eligible individuals to providers, and increase awareness and education of prevention strategies.
Eligible applicants are Article 28-licensed clinical providers that have experience providing PEP for non-occupational exposures through telemedicine. Applicants should have experience providing medication through a virtual patient-provider-pharmacy arrangement where the initial triage and prescribing occur by telephone and the clinical site has a business agreement with a pharmacy, allowing for medication to be dispensed and billed to a specific funding source.
DOHMH anticipates awarding one contract with $750,000 in annual funding through this RFP. Contracts will last for six years, starting July 1, 2026. DOHMH anticipates releasing the RFP in summer 2025, with the award announced in late fall 2025.
The Concept Report is available here. Written comments may be submitted to RFI@health.nyc.gov with “PEP Telehealth CP Comments” in the subject line through November 8th. DOHMH will host a virtual meeting for interested providers on October 2ndat 2pm, during which the provider community may provide feedback and input on the Concept Report. Providers interested in attending the virtual meeting should send the attendee name(s) and email address(es) to the email address above with “PEP Telehealth Provider RSVP” in the subject line.
NYC DHS Issues RFP for the Operation of the Jamaica Residence Shelter in Queens
On September 13th, the NYC Department of Homeless Services (DHS) released an RFP seeking a qualified vendor to operate the Jamaica Residence shelter – a 60-unit, City-owned residence in Queens for adult families. Adult family shelters provide temporary housing and social services to homeless adult families until permanent housing alternatives become available. Social services, assistance in seeking permanent housing, employment support, and linkages to medical and behavioral health services are provided on-site and/or through linkages with other community-based programs.
Eligible applicants are not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organizations with at least three years of experience providing social services to vulnerable populations, operating residences that include adult families, and operating homeless and/or low-income housing programs. The payment structure will be line-item budget reimbursement. DOHMH will award one contract with over $21 million in total funding over the five-year program.
The RFP may be accessed here. Applications are due on October 17th.