An RFP is more than a procurement formality. It’s a strategic document that helps employers clearly define their goals, evaluate potential partners objectively, and ensure alignment of expectations. In the context of health centers, where services range from primary care to mental health and chronic disease management, the RFP process ensures you’re comparing apples to apples.
Without an RFP, employers risk selecting a partner based on cost alone—overlooking critical factors like clinical quality, patient experience, data transparency, and integration with existing benefits.
A well-structured Health Center RFP (Request for Proposal) ensures clarity for both the issuing organization and responding vendors. Below is a basic outline for a Health Center RFP, organized for clarity, completeness, and ease of evaluation:
Purpose of the RFP
Background on the issuing organization
Goals for the health center (e.g., cost savings, access to care, employee well-being)
Primary care
Preventive care
Urgent/acute care
Occupational health services
Chronic condition management
Wellness and health education
Mental health and behavioral health
Pharmacy and medication dispensing
Virtual care/telehealth services
Pediatric care (if applicable)
Eligible users (e.g., employees, dependents, retirees)
Estimated covered lives and demographics
Anticipated clinic utilization
Desired hours of operation
Location or facility details
Equipment and technology expectations
Staffing model (suggested FTEs, qualifications)
Anticipated clinic opening date
Project timeline
Transition support (if applicable)
Construction or buildout roles
Marketing and communication expectations
EMR requirements
Integration with existing systems (e.g., claims, wellness platforms)
Reporting expectations (utilization, outcomes, ROI, patient satisfaction)
Key performance indicators (KPIs)
Service level expectations
Patient satisfaction benchmarks
Clinical quality metrics
Proposal format and organization
Submission deadline and delivery instructions
Required forms and certifications
Evaluation criteria and scoring methodology
Contact information for questions
Insurance and liability requirements
HIPAA and data security compliance
Terms and conditions
Sample agreement (if available)
Claims or utilization data (for tailoring services)
Facility floor plans (if a space is provided)
FAQs or glossary of terms
Submission checklist
Skipping or rushing the RFP process can lead to misaligned partnerships, underutilized services, and missed opportunities for cost savings and improved health outcomes. According to the National Business Group on Health, employers who take a strategic approach to vendor selection are more likely to see measurable ROI from their health and wellness programs (Business Group on Health, 2022).
A successful RFP process starts with the right internal team. Include stakeholders from Human Resources, benefits, finance, and operations. Their diverse perspectives will help ensure the selected partner meets both employee needs and organizational goals.
Think of the RFP as your blueprint for success. It sets the tone for the partnership and ensures that both parties are aligned in their goals from day one. In the next post, we’ll dive into what to include in your RFP to get the most meaningful responses.
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