The Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) is continuing to advance the procurement process for Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP), and this week released an important funding opportunity process update.

The Department shared a set of resources for organizations interested in seeking or being notified of RHTP funding (“vendors”) and announced a March 11 vendor information webinar to share information with those interested in upcoming RHTP Request for Proposals (RFPs).

DPHHS encourages all interested organziations, including hospitals, to review or complete registration in the State of Montana’s procurement system, eMACS, in preparation for participation in upcoming and future RHTP funding opportunities. Reviewing or completing eMACS registration in advance also allows you to receive notifications when RHTP funding opportunities are released. Prepartion should include:

1. Register your organization in eMACS. Review the RHTP Interested Vendor Checklist, which provides instructions on how to verify whether your facility is already registered in eMACS; register your organization if you are not currently registered; and review and select the appropriate commodity codes to receive email notifications for relevant funding opportunities.
2. Commodity code guidance. When setting up an eMACS account, you will be prompted to select commodity codes. If your organization already has an eMACS account, you can review and update your commodity codes by navigating to: Manage Business Profile → Business Details.
   1. There is an RHTP-specific commodity code: 2620 – Health Related: Rural Health Transformation Program
   2. Additional codes that may be relevant include: All 2600 series codes – Health Related; All 5700 series codes – Mental Health; and 3907 – Professional Services: Community Development Block Grant Programs
   3. A full list of commodity codes can be found here.
3. Register for and attend RHTP Vendor Webinar. DPHHS will also host a vendor webinar to provide updates and guidance to parties interested in funding opportunities through the RHTP procurement process. The webinar will be held Wednesday, March 11, 10:00am-12:00pm. Register here.