Ryan White Part A Planning Council Support

The purpose of this RFP is to procure independent Planning Council support services for the New Haven & Fairfield Counties EMA Planning Council.

The selected contractor will provide administrative, technical, and logistical support to enable the Planning Council to perform its federally mandated responsibilities.

This initial contract is for a 7-month period August 1, 2026 -February 28,2027, which is not to exceed $35,000. We intend to enter into two additional one-year contracts beginning on March 1, 2027.

The Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program Part A provides federal funding to Eligible Metropolitan Areas (EMAs) to support a comprehensive system of care for low-income people living with HIV.

The New Haven & Fairfield Counties EMA receives funding through the Health Resources and Services Administration HIV/AIDS Bureau (HRSA HAB).

Under the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Extension Act and subsequent reauthorizations, jurisdictions receiving Part A funds must maintain a Planning Council responsible for community-based planning and decision-making related to HIV services.

Planning Council responsibilities are outlined in Section 2602(b)(4) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. §300ff-12) and include:

• Determining service priorities
• Allocating Part A resources
• Developing a comprehensive plan for HIV services
• Assessing service needs
• Establishing methods for obtaining community input

Federal legislation and guidance from the Health Resources and Services Administration require that the Planning Council maintain independence from the Part A recipient (i.e., City of New Haven Health Department) regarding planning and decision-making activities.

Consistent with HRSA HAB Policy and Ryan White legislative provisions , the contractor must:

• Provide support to the Planning Council and its committees, not the Part A recipient
• Ensure Planning Council decision-making authority remains independent
• Avoid conflicts of interest related to funding allocation decisions
• Maintain clear operational separation between recipient administrative functions and Planning Council planning functions

The contractor will coordinate with the recipient for administrative purposes but must prioritize the Planning Council’s legislative responsibilities