Assessments and Recommendations for Agency Transformation

Minnesota Department of Human Services OFFICE OF STRATEGY AND
PERFORMANCE, CHIEF OF STAFF Division
Request for Proposals for a Contractor to provide
Assessments and Recommendations for
Agency Transformation
Date of Publication in SWIFT: March 10, 2026
* Late responses will not be considered.
* As of July 1, 2025, certain terms are unenforceable in state contracts. See Session Laws,
2025 Regular Session, Chapter 39, Article 2, Sec. 45.
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Statement:
This information is available in accessible formats for people with disabilities by
calling 651-431-4945 or by using your preferred relay service. For other information
on disability rights and protections, contact DHS's Americans with Disabilities Act
(ADA) coordinator by calling 651-431-4945.
Minnesota's Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion. The State of Minnesota is committed to
diversity and inclusion in its public procurement process. The goal is to ensure that those providing
goods and services to the State are representative of our Minnesota communities and include
businesses owned by minorities, women, veterans, and those with substantial physical disabilities.
Creating broader opportunities for historically under-represented groups provides for additional
options and greater competition in the marketplace, creates stronger relationships and engagement
within our communities, and fosters economic development and equality.
To further this commitment, the Department of Administration operates a program for Minnesota-
based small businesses owned by minorities, women, veterans, and those with substantial physical
disabilities. For additional information on this program, or to determine eligibility, please call
651.201.2402 or go to https://mn.gov/admin/business/vendor-info/oep/.
SPECIAL NOTICE: This is a request for proposal. It does not obligate the State of Minnesota to award a
contract or complete the proposed program, and the State reserves the right to cancel this solicitation if
it is considered in its best interest.

This Solicitation requires proposals to be submitted through the SWIFT Supplier
Portal. Please note the security changes below that may impact responders
from submitting a timely response.
SWIFT SUPPLIER PORTAL SECURITY CHANGES
There are new security measures that the Minnesota Management and Budget
implemented on October 16, 2022. It is a new multi-factor authentication (MFA) to
enhance the security of the State of Minnesota Supplier Portal. MFA is an
authentication method that requires bidders and suppliers provide two verification
factors to log into the SWIFT Supplier Portal. The goal of MFA is to create a layered
defense that makes it more difficult for unauthorized system access to occur.
For information about these changes, please refer to the SWIFT Supplier Portal
Multi-Factor Authentication FAQ document.
If you have not done so already, please make sure to log into the SWIFT Supplier
Portal as soon as possible to get this authentication set up early so there are no
issues when submitting a response to an RFP.
You are strongly encouraged to set your MFA during business hours of 8:00 A.M.
to 4:00 P.M., Central Time, Monday through Friday. You may experience delay
setting your MFA after hours.

RFP SUMMARY
Important Dates:
RFP Published: March 10, 2026
Questions Due: March 20, 2026
Proposals Due: SWIFT EVENT END (April 17, 2026)
Anticipated Selection of Successful Responder(s): May 15, 2026
Anticipated Start of Contract: TBD
Anticipated End of Contract: TBD
Anticipated Extensions: TBD
State Contact: DHS Reorganization Team, reorganization.dhs@state.mn.us
PT RFP (PT201) i

TABLE OF CONTENTS
RFP Summary ........................................................................................................................ ii
TABLE OF CONTENTS ............................................................................................................. ii
1. Introduction ...................................................................................................................... 1
1.1 Objective of RFP .................................................................................................................................. 1
1.2 Proposal due date ............................................................................................................................... 1
1.3 Background and Context ..................................................................................................................... 1
2. Scope of Work ................................................................................................................... 3
2.1 Overview ............................................................................................................................................. 3
2.2 Categories and Deliverables ............................................................................................................... 3
Category #1: Landscape Analysis .............................................................................................................. 3
Category #2: Stakeholder Engagement .................................................................................................... 4
Category #3: Immediate Improvement Recommendations ...................................................................... 5
Category #4: Transformational Reorganization ....................................................................................... 6
A. Roadmap and Implementation Plan ................................................................................................. 6
B. Change Management and Culture Change ....................................................................................... 7
C. Implementation Support .................................................................................................................. 7
D. Knowledge Transfer and Sustainability ............................................................................................ 8
3. PROPOSAL REQUIREMENTS ............................................................................................. 10
3.1 Proposal Contents ............................................................................................................................. 10
3.2 Technical Proposal Requirements ..................................................................................................... 11
3.3 Required Statements and Forms ...................................................................................................... 12
a. Responder Information and Declarations (Attachment A): ................................ 12
b. Exceptions to Sample Contract and RFP Terms (Attachment B): ....................... 12
c. Human Rights Compliance: ........................................................................... 12
d. Category Selection (Attachment D) ................................................................ 13
e. Cost Proposal (Attachment C) ....................................................................... 13
4. RFP Process ..................................................................................................................... 13
4.1 Responders' Questions ..................................................................................................................... 13
4.2 Proposal Submission ......................................................................................................................... 13
5. Proposal Evaluation and Selection ................................................................................... 14
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5.1 Overview of Evaluation Methodology .............................................................................................. 14
5.2 Evaluation Team ................................................................................................................................ 14
5.3 Evaluation Phases ............................................................................................................................. 14
1. Phase I: Responsiveness and pass/fail requirements ..................................................................... 14
2. Phase II: Evaluation of Technical Requirements of Proposals ........................................................ 15
CATEGORY 1: LANDSCAPE ANALYSIS .................................................................................................. 15
5.4 Contract Negotiations and Unsuccessful Responder Notice ............................................................ 17
6. Required AND UNENFORCEABLE contract Terms and Conditions ...................................... 18
6.1 All Responders must be willing to comply with all state and federal legal requirements regarding
the performance of the contract. ..................................................................................................... 18
6.2 Unenforceable terms .................................................................................................................... 18
7. Solicitation Terms ............................................................................................................ 18
A. Competition in Responding ............................................................................................................... 18
B. Addenda to the RFP ............................................................................................................................ 18
C. Data Security - Foreign Outsourcing of Work is Prohibited ............................................................... 18
D. Preparation Costs. .............................................................................................................................. 19
E. Joint Ventures ..................................................................................................................................... 19
F. Withdrawing Response ....................................................................................................................... 19
G. Rights Reserved .................................................................................................................................. 19
H. Samples and Demonstrations ............................................................................................................. 20
I. Responses are Nonpublic during Evaluation Process .......................................................................... 20
J. Trade Secret Information ..................................................................................................................... 20
K. Conditions of Offer .............................................................................................................................. 20
L. Award .................................................................................................................................................. 20
M. Requirements Prior to Contract Execution ........................................................................................ 21
N. Targeted Group, Economically Disadvantaged Business, Veteran-Owned and Individual Preference
................................................................................................................................................................ 21
O. Reciprocity .......................................................................................................................................... 21
P. Geographical Location of Work .......................................................................................................... 21
APPENDIX A: TECHNICAL PROPOSAL DETAIL ........................................................................ 22
3.2 CATEGORY #1: LANDSCAPE ANALYSIS .......................................................................................... 22
1. Proposed Work Plan: ....................................................................................... 22
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2. Relevant Responder experience (background, qualifications, past similar projects);
Resumes of Lead Responder Staff) ........................................................................ 23
3.2 CATEGORY #2: STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT .............................................................................. 24
1. Proposed Work Plan: ....................................................................................... 24
2. Relevant responder experience (background, qualifications, past similar projects);
Resumes of Lead Responder Staff) ........................................................................ 25
3.2 CATEGORY #3: IMMEDIATE IMPROVEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS ............................................. 26
1. Proposed Work Plan: ....................................................................................... 26
2. Relevant Responder experience (background, qualifications, past similar projects);
Resumes of Lead Responder Staff) ........................................................................ 27
3.2 CATEGORY #4: TRANSFORMATIONAL ORGANIZATION ................................................................ 28
1. Proposed Work Plan: ....................................................................................... 28
CATEGORY 4.A: Roadmap and Implementation Plan ........................................... 28
CATEGORY 4.B: Change Management and Culture Change .................................. 29
CATEGORY 4.C: Implementation Support ........................................................... 29
CATEGORY 4.D: Knowledge Transfer and Sustainability ....................................... 30
2. Relevant responder experience (background, qualifications, past similar projects);
Resumes of Lead Responder Staff) ........................................................................ 30
APPENDIX B: SAMPLE STATE PROFESSIONAL TECHNICAL CONTRACT .................................... 32
ATTACHMENT A: RESPONDER DECLARATIONS ..................................................................... 48
ATTACHMENT B: EXCEPTIONS TO STATE'S TERMS AND CONDITIONS ................................... 50
ATTACHMENT C: COST DETAIL/Proposal .............................................................................. 51
ATTACHMENT D: RFP CATEGORY SUBMISSIONS ................................................................... 53
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1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 Objective of RFP
The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS), through its Office of Strategy & Performance,
Chief of Staff Division (STATE), is seeking proposals from qualified Responders to hire an external
consultant(s) to assess DHS and make long-term recommendations for restructuring the department's
organizational framework, governance, and operating model to more effectively serve as the single state
Medicaid agency as administering other state and federal funds for human services.
This work is intended to support program integrity and anti-fraud efforts as integral, core functions and
ensure that recommendations are implementable, sustainable, and aligned with DHS's workforce,
leadership, and public service operating context. Responders should demonstrate the ability to
integrate organizational design, governance, program integrity, and anti-fraud considerations with
stakeholder engagement and implementation planning appropriate to a large public-sector
agency. STATE may extend the contract up to a total of five (5) years.
1.2 Proposal due date
The official response to this RFP must be submitted and received in SWIFT no later than the Event End
Date and time as set forth in the SWIFT Event Details applicable to this RFP. This RFP does not obligate
the STATE to award a contract or complete the project, and the STATE reserves the right to cancel the
solicitation if it is considered to be in its best interest. All costs incurred in responding to this RFP will be
borne by the Responder.
This RFP provides background information and describes the services desired by the STATE. It delineates
the requirements for this procurement and specifies the contractual conditions required by the STATE.
Although this RFP establishes the basis for Responder Proposals, the detailed obligations and additional
measures of performance will be defined in the final negotiated contract.
1.3 Background and Context
DHS is Minnesota's largest state agency and is the central administrator of many of the state's health
and human services programs. With approximately 2,150 employees and an annual budget of
approximately $20 billion, DHS serves roughly a fifth of the state's population through programs such as
Medical Assistance (Minnesota's Medicaid program) and MinnesotaCare (Minnesota's Basic Health
Plan). The budget breaks down as follows:
* Forecasted programs (includes Medicaid): $22 billion
* Grant programs: $662 million
* Administrative/operations spending: $534 million
Minnesota's human services system operates under a state-supervised, county-administered structure
designed to ensure efficiency while allowing flexibility to meet local needs. The Minnesota legislature
and DHS initiate and design benefits that must ultimately be passed by the legislature. DHS provides
oversight for human services as passed by the legislature and is responsible for compliance with federal
PT RFP (PT201) 1 Rev. 7.3.2024

and state laws. Minnesota and DHS have the dual responsibilities of providing access to quality health
care and social service supports AND ensuring strong program integrity.
In recent years, DHS has experienced significant pressures, including pandemic-era flexibilities,
unwinding Medicaid continuous enrollment, large-scale policy changes, and major agency transitions. In
May 2023, legislation separated DHS into three distinct agencies, resulting in DHS becoming a more
focused payer, policy, and oversight organization. Post transition, DHS continues to operate under
intense operational pressure, including growing caseloads, evolving federal requirements, and
significant IT and data modernization needs with a 2% administrative/operations budget.
Recent fraud allegations have further underscored the importance of strengthening program
integrity and anti-fraud efforts. In response, DHS continues to act aggressively to combat fraud and
strengthen program integrity, including increasing audits, designating services as high-risk, and working
with the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to terminate a program. Recent
actions taken include:
* Identifying 14 high-risk Medicaid services and establishing a Medicaid program
integrity webpage for the public
* Auditing autism service providers, including on-site visits
* Discontinuing the Housing Stabilization Services program
* Establishing a moratorium on adding new service providers in 13 high-risk services
* Developing provisional licensure for autism providers
* Disenrolling inactive providers
* Conducting pre-payment review before fee-for-service payments are made to providers of the
14 high-risk services
On September 17, 2025, Governor Tim Walz signed Executive Order 25-10, directing state agencies to
accelerate their efforts to combat fraud. The order requires DHS to hire an external consultant to assess
the agency and make recommendations to improve its effectiveness as the State's Medicaid agency,
with a focus on program integrity and anti-fraud. As part of the executive order, section 1.g
requires DHS to:
"Hire an external consultant to assess DHS and make recommendations on reorganization to more
effectively serve as the state's Medicaid agency. The consultant's review should focus on program
integrity and anti-fraud efforts, including suggested policies, procedures, system changes, organizational
structure changes, staffing levels, and program integrity considerations that should be part of any state
legislation that proposes to expand or create new covered Medicaid services. The consultant should also
provide guidance how to best utilize partnerships with counties, Tribal Nations, and managed care
organizations to minimize fraud and optimize efficient service delivery."
PT RFP (PT201) Page 2 Rev. 7.9.2024

2. SCOPE OF WORK
2.1 Overview
The services requested in this RFP present an opportunity to align DHS's organizational structure,
governance, and operating model with its evolving role as a focused Medicaid agency that reinforces
accountability, program integrity, and anti-fraud efforts in its service to Minnesotans. Responders
may respond to each Category for which it is interested in providing services and possesses the
requisite expertise. Responders may be eligible for selection in one or more Categories. Additional
information related to each Category is included in Attachment D.
To support effective implementation, Responder's approach for each Category should reflect DHS's
operational realities, including leadership roles, workforce capacity, partner relationships, and
ongoing external pressures. Recommendations should be actionable, sequenced, and supported by
appropriate engagement and communication strategies and should be in support of DHS's dual
responsibilities to providing access to quality health care/social service supports and ensuring
program integrity. The STATE is interested in responses that correspond to the following Categories in
section 2.2.
2.2 Categories and Deliverables
Responders may choose to respond to one or more Categories. DHS reserves the right to engage
with separate Responders for each separate Category.
Responders must submit a complete, standalone proposal package for each Category selected. Each
Category must include its own Technical Proposal, Required Statements, and Cost Proposal.
Combined or cross-referenced Category proposals will be deemed nonresponsive.
Responses to each Category shall account for:
* Current and planned DHS initiatives already underway.
* Existing program integrity and fraud mitigation activities.
* Minnesota's state-supervised, county-administered system.
* Workforce capacity and concurrent change efforts.
* Public accountability, transparency, and trust.
* Partnerships with counties, including County Based Purchasers (CBPs); Tribal Nations;
providers; Managed Care Organizations (MCOs); grantees; and community group partners.
Category #1: Landscape Analysis
The selected Responder will research, analyze, and report on organizational structures and best
practices used by highly functioning, program integrity-focused Medicaid agencies, the federal Centers
for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), other state or federal health programs, and similarly sized
commercial health insurers. The goal of this engagement is to identify actionable strategies that
strengthen DHS's program integrity and anti-fraud operations across all major dimensions, including
policies, processes, staffing, technology, and statutory authority. This Category should optimally be
completed prior to other Categories. Responders should suggest timelines for completion.
PT RFP (PT201) Page 3 Rev. 7.9.2024

Key elements:
* Governance and organizational structure
* Staffing levels, qualifications, and competencies
* Administrative operational overhead
* Processes and workflows for detecting, preventing, and recovering improper payments
* Processes and workflows for provider credentialing and enrollment
* Use of data analytics, artificial intelligence, and risk-based approaches
* Statutory and regulatory frameworks that enable strong program integrity and anti-
fraud performance
* Collaboration and information sharing with internal and external partners
* Performance measurement and continuous quality improvement methods
Required Deliverables for Category #1:
* Environmental Scan and Literature Review: Summarize relevant publications, reports, and
federal/state guidance on program integrity and anti-fraud best practices.
* Benchmarking Analysis: Identify and document models from 5-10 benchmark organizations
that demonstrate high performance in Medicaid or comparable health insurance program
integrity and anti-fraud.
* Best Practices Report: Develop a comprehensive report summarizing findings and
recommendations, organized around policies, processes, staffing, administrative overhead,
structures, and supporting statutes or regulations.
* Presentation and Executive Summary: Deliver an executive briefing summarizing findings and
implementation opportunities for agency leadership.
For more information for preferred technical proposal detail, see APPENDIX A: TECHNICAL PROPOSAL
DETAIL.
Category #2: Stakeholder Engagement
The selected Responder shall engage key internal and external stakeholders and partners to develop a
shared understanding of DHS's program integrity and anti-fraud role, operating environment, and
challenges. Externally, engagement should include counties, including County Based Purchasers
(CBPs); Tribal Nations; providers; Managed Care Organizations (MCOs); grantees; and community
group partners and should identify opportunities to enhance program integrity, anti-fraud,
coordination, and overall operational effectiveness. Activities should promote collaboration,
alignment, and readiness for potential organizational, or process adjustments informed by this
project.
Key elements:
* Stakeholder Engagement and Communication Planning: Develop and implement a structured
plan to identify relevant stakeholders, define engagement objectives, and outline
communication strategies to ensure transparency and participation throughout the effort.
PT RFP (PT201) Page 4 Rev. 7.9.2024