Direct Caregiver Flexibility Training Program - New York

Direct Caregiver Flexibility Training Program - New York is sponsored by New York State Department of Health (DOH) Office of Aging and Long-Term Care (OALTC). This Request for Applications (RFA 20422) is for a workforce initiative to establish more centralized training options for individuals interested in serving in direct caregiving roles, specifically home health aides (HHA) and certified nurse aides (CNA).

# New York State Department of Health Office of Aging and Long-Term Care Center for Regulatory and Policy Initiatives # Request for Applications # Direct Caregiver Flexibility > To apply for this RFA, eligible applicants must be prequalified in the New York State Statewide Financial System (SFS), if not exempt and must submit an application via SFS.

Multiple regions can be applied for, but each region will require a separate application. # Release Date: December 3, 2024 # Questions Due: December 17, 2024, by 4:00 PM # Updates Posted (on or about): January 7, 2025, by 4:00 PM # Applications Due: January 21, 2025, by 4:00 PM # NYSDOH Contact Name & Address: Carol Rodat # Special Advisor to Office of Aging and # New York State Department of Health # Telephone: 518-402-0990 # DCF.

Grant@health. ny. gov RFA# 20422 - Direct Caregiver Flexibility I.

Introduction....................................................................................................................................... 3 A. Background/Intent ...............................................................................................................

3 B. Available Funding ............................................................................................................... 5 II.

Who May Apply ............................................................................................................................... 6 III. Project Narrative/Work Plan Outcomes ...........................................................................................

6 A. Direct Care Training Centers ............................................................................................... 6 B.

Direct Caregiver Support Hubs ........................................................................................... 9 IV. Administrative Requirements .........................................................................................................

11 A. Issuing Agency .................................................................................................................. 11 B.

Question and Answer Phase .............................................................................................. 11 C. Letter of Interest ................................................................................................................

13 D. Applicant Conference ........................................................................................................ 13 E.

How to file an Application ................................................................................................ 13 F. Department of Health’s Reserved Rights ..........................................................................

14 G. Term of Contract................................................................................................................ 16 H.

Payment & Reporting Requirements of Grant Awardees.................................................. 16 I. Procurement Requirements ................................................................................................

17 J. Assurances of No Conflicts of Interest and/or Other Detrimental Effects ........................ 18 K.

Minority & Woman-Owned Business Enterprise Requirements....................................... 18 L. Vendor Identification Number ...........................................................................................

20 M. Vendor Responsibility Questionnaire ................................................................................ 20 N.

Vendor Prequalification for Not-for-Profits ...................................................................... 21 O. General Specifications .......................................................................................................

22 V. Completing the Application............................................................................................................ 23 A.

Application Format/Content .............................................................................................. 23 B. Freedom of Information Law.............................................................................................

28 C. Review & Award Process .................................................................................................. 28 VI.

Attachments ....................................................................................................................................

31 RFA# 20422 - Direct Caregiver Flexibility The Office of Aging and Long-Term Care (“OALTC”) within the Department of Health (“DOH”), is responsible for the development and implementation of programs that address the community and facility-based long-term service and support needs of New Yorkers.

Long term care services and supports are heavily dependent upon the availability of a health care workforce, especially the direct care workers – Personal Care Aides (“PCAs”), Home Health Aides (“HHAs”), and Certified Nursing Assistants (“CNAs”), sometimes referred to as “direct care workers” who provide care to people of all ages as well as those living with disabilities. New York is projected to have 5.

3 million residents over age 60 by 2030, and seventy percent (70%) of individuals over age 65 are likely to need some form of long-term care over the course of their lifetimes, placing direct care workers in high demand, and challenging the State to make these jobs as attractive as possible.

In addition to increasing the direct care workforce to meet current and anticipated demand, the State understands the need to support efforts to offer better training and job opportunities to attract people into the field.

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the need for flexibility for long term care workers to move across care settings and titles to ensure that providers could identify and deploy trained workers in a timely and efficient manner.

The intent of this Request for Applications (“RFA”) is to fund up to $19,000,000 per year for five (5) years for Direct Caregiver Training Centers along with the Direct Caregiver Support Hub component to support the training program. Individuals starting an entry level job in healthcare often encounter obstacles that impact their ability to thrive in a healthcare career.

Attaining training and certification needed for jobs in long term and/or community-based care such as a Personal Care Aide (“PCA”), Home Health Aide (“HHA”), and Certified Nurse Aide (“CNA") is fragmented. PCA and HHA training programs are usually separate from CNA training programs.

Training programs are offered by providers licensed by the Department of Health (“DOH”) as well as those approved by the State Education Department (“SED”) which are offered in secondary, post-secondary and adult education settings. Currently, there is no universal, easy way to access a list of all training programs in NYS, which makes it difficult for individuals to find available training opportunities in any region of the State.

The costs and time commitments for these programs vary, and it can be difficult for trainees to move easily between training programs.

The purpose of this Request for Applications (RFA) is to create a more uniform and centralized “training and support system” for direct care workers in the ten (10) Economic Development Regions (“EDR”) as defined in Table 1 below: Economic Development Regions 1 Capital Region Albany, Columbia, Greene, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, Warren, 2 Central New York Cayuga , Cortland, Madison, Onondaga, Oswego RFA# 20422 - Direct Caregiver Flexibility 3 Finger Lakes Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Orleans, Seneca, Wayne, Wyoming, Yates 4 Long Island Nassau, Suffolk 5 Mid-Hudson Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan, Ulster, Westchester 6 New York City Bronx, Kings, Manhattan, Queens, Richmond 7 Mohawk Valley Fulton, Herkimer, Oneida, Otsego, Montgomery, Schoharie 8 North Country Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Hamilton, Jefferson, Lewis, St.

Lawrence, 9 Southern Tier Broome, Chemung, Chenango, Delaware, Schuyler, Steuben, Tioga, Tompkins 10 Western New York Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Niagara Direct Caregiver Flexibility Training Centers The Department is seeking the establishment of at least one (1) Direct Care Training Center. (hereinafter, “Training Center”) in each of the ten (10) Economic Development Regions (“EDR”) of the State as listed in Table 1 .

At the time of application, applicants must be an approved DOH or SED training program, provide a copy of training certificate approval letter from DOH or SED (Attachment 8, see Bid factor 1d), and may provide a mix of in-person and distance education trainings if already approved to do so as is the case with approved hybrid home care training programs.

Applicants can apply for more than one region, but each region applied for will require a separate application . Applicants can submit no more than one application per region. Direct Caregiver Training Centers are intended to concentrate the direct caregiver training opportunities into a regional Center to increase the pipeline of individuals trained and able to work in direct care jobs.

Applicants that do not currently offer all three trainings (PCA, HHA, CNA) may be able to accomplish this through subcontracts with approved training programs that can supplement the Center’s training so that all three titles can be included.

In addition, Training Centers are expected to be able to provide or make available the Alternative Competency Demonstration (“ACD”) for those who can demonstrate prior experience as in the case of Personal Care Aides or Home Health Aides whose certification has lapsed due to not working a skilled case in the prior 24 months. Providing ACD can be done through a contract with a provider approved for ACD.

Direct Caregiver Training Centers must: • Engage in community outreach to identify potential trainees; • Provide free training to all trainees in any of the three training types (PCA, HHA, CNA); • Provide a stipend to trainees for the time the individual is in training; • Provide reimbursement to trainees for the cost of travel to and from the Training Center for the period of training; • Provide trainees with information about all direct caregiver titles (PCA, HHA, and CNA) including, but not limited to: Job Duties, Salary ranges, Training opportunities, and Training requirements; • Provide trainees the opportunity to select and complete training for any of the provided titles (PCA, HHA, and CNA); • Provide trainees with a list of employers and employment opportunities for each direct caregiver RFA# 20422 - Direct Caregiver Flexibility • Ensure that the trainees have the appropriate certificates to allow employment once they have successfully completed the training and related tests; Direct Caregiver Training Centers cannot require an employment agreement between a specific organization and a trainee as a condition of providing free training.

Direct Caregiver Support Hubs Direct Caregiver Support Hubs (hereinafter, “Support Hub”) are intended to function as the workforce development branch to the Direct Caregiver Training Centers, assisting with the outreach and providing the case management needed to motivate and encourage individuals to connect to training, successfully complete the training, envision a future in long-term and community-based care, and be able to address work-life challenges that can serve as barriers to employment.

The Support Hub will assist in providing the essential foundation that many individuals need to commit to the time needed for training, and to interview for and begin employment. The Support Hub will receive referrals from the Direct Caregiver Training Center to provide remediation, mentoring, and support for potential trainees before, during and after training as needed.

Support Hubs must provide and address the following but are not limited to the following: • Assessment of individual’s needs, • Mentorship and Supervision, and • Language and Cultural Barriers The overall goal of a Support Hubs is to offer support to both potential trainees referred by the Direct Caregiver Training Centers and existing certified PCA, HHA and CNAs in hopes that it may lead to improved job satisfaction, better patient care, and a more efficient healthcare system.

Up to $18,775,000 in funding (Years 1-2) and $19,000,000 in funding (Years 3-5) is available to support programs the Direct Caregiver Flexibility Training Centers and the Direct Caregiver Support Hub branch of the programs funding this RFA.

The funding is broken down per region as listed in Table 2 below: Economic Development Regions Maximum Maximum Award Annually (per award) Years 3-5: Maximum Award Annually (per award) > Albany ,Columbia, Greene , > Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, Warren, Washington 2 $816,304 $826,08 7RFA# 20422 - Direct Caregiver Flexibility > Cayuga ,Cortland ,Madison , > Genesee ,Livingston ,Monroe , > Ontario, Orleans, Seneca, Wayne, Wyoming, Yates > Dutchess ,Orange ,Putnam , > Rockland, Sullivan, Ulster, Westchester > Bronx, Kings, Manhattan , > Fulton ,Herkimer, Oneida, > Otsego ,Montgomery, Schoharie > Clinton, Essex, Franklin, > Hamilton, Jefferson, Lewis, St.

Lawrence > Broome, Chemung ,Chenango , > Delaware, Schuyler, Steuben, Tioga, Tompkins > Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Niagara Minimum Eligibility Requirements: • Applicant must be prequalified in the New York State Statewide Financial System (SFS), if not exempt, on the date and time Applications in response to this Request for Applications (RFA) are due as specified in the “Key Dates” set forth on the Cover Page of this RFA.

o New York State Department of Health licensed Article 28 facility approved CNA training program; or o New York State Department of Health licensed Article 36 organization approved PCA and HHA training program; or o State Education Department (SED) approved PCA, HHA or CNA training program. # III. Project Narrative/Work Plan Outcomes A.

Direct Care Training Centers Funded Applicants (Grantees) who provide training programs selected as Direct Care Training Centers are required to: • Conduct in-person free training programs in a single or various locations throughout the region to ensure adequate access to training throughout the EDR. o Trainings must be offered for completion and certification for PCA, HHA or CNA.

o Scrubs, approved textbooks, and other learning materials must be provided free of charge to trainees. RFA# 20422 - Direct Caregiver Flexibility o Training schedules must be posted on the training center’s website (but not limited to) and adhered to. o Training Centers must use approved instructors recognized by the state agency that granted the approval (i.e., Department of Health, State Education Department).

o Offer the opportunity to complete the Alternative Competency Demonstration (“ACD”) to exempt qualified individuals from required basic training for Personal Care Aide. ACD for Home Health Aides whose certification has lapsed must be made available if requested by a trainee. ACD must be offered directly, or the Direct Caregiver Training Center may partner with an approved training program that agrees to provide ACD to students.

o Provide stipends to trainees for time in class ( minimum wage x classroom hours). o Provide trainees reimbursement for travel to and from trainings for mileage or fares (i.e., bus/train/subway). Must follow the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) per • Provide trainees with a list of PCA, HHA and CNA job openings in the EDR, updated for the duration of the contract.

o This list must be kept current (updated monthly). o Must be listed on the contractor’s website*. *Note, the list may include the agency or facility that operates the training center, however, the applicant cannot require a student to work for an employer associated with the Training Center • Students must be made aware of and provided the full range of job choices within a given region commensurate with the level of training achieved.

• Provide community outreach to potential trainees, notifying them of the training opportunities. • Develop a career map outlining possible/potential career paths including time commitment, certification, license and educational requirements, and potential payrates/salary.

• Develop policies and practices to encourage students’ completion, inclusive of referral for remediation or, if necessary, provision of job readiness and benefits counseling needed to complete training programs which can be addressed through the Direct Caregiver Support Hub. PCA and HHA Training Programs: • Provide information about CNA Training Programs in the EDR and the benefits of additional training programs.

• Connect individuals who would like the option of working in a nursing home or hospital setting to CNA approved Training Programs within the EDR to receive the additional training. • Ensure Prometric testing if they are not currently approved to offer CNA training.

• Must partner with at least two nursing homes with approved CNA training programs that agree to enter students into CNA training and provide the stipends for time in training and travel as well as the scrubs, textbooks, learning materials, and supplies.

• CNA Training programs must have partnered with at least one additional nursing home that agrees to enter students into CNA training in the event the nursing home’s CNA Training program is temporarily suspended. • Provide information about PCA/HHA Training Programs in the EDR and the benefits and flexibility of additional training programs.

• Connect individuals who would like the option of working in home care to approved PCA/HHA RFA# 20422 - Direct Caregiver Flexibility Training Programs within the EDR to receive the additional training required. This training must be free to the student and accompanied by the stipend for time in class, the travel stipend and the scrubs, textbook, learning materials and supplies.

Outreach potential individuals entering or reentering the workforce: • Identify target communities and organizations and market the presence and services of the Direct Caregiver Training Center o Develop a list of communities identified for outreach within the EDR. o List organizations that will be contacted to promote the services of the Direct Caregiver Training Center.

• Ongoing outreach with target communities and organizations to encourage career development in healthcare (i.e., individuals returning to work, displaced workers and/or disconnected youth), notifying them of training opportunities as a PCA, HHA or CNA. • Ongoing outreach with target communities and organizations to make them aware of the opportunity for free training, a job in long-term care, and a career path.

Network with schools and social service organizations that intersect with individuals who want and need to work. Mentorship, Supervision, and Support o Pair new aides with experienced mentors for guidance and support. This may include mentorship programs and professional development workshops.

o Conduct check-ins to provide feedback and address concerns. o Support career advancement by creating/providing a clear career pathway with opportunities for advancement. o Offer support for further education and training required for higher-level positions.

o Schedule meetings (virtual and in person) to provide updates on upcoming trainings and personal development sessions to keep individuals informed. Monthly Direct Care Training Center Reporting Awarded Direct Care Training Centers are required to submit monthly narrative and quantitative reports to DOH and to Empire State Development.

All numbers provided must include numbers for the reporting period and cumulative numbers for the current contract year. 1. Describe any delays, challenges, or barriers/obstacles impacting program success.

2. Describe plans to address identified problems. 3.

Number of stipends distributed and value per stipend per trainee. 4. Number of travel reimbursements distributed and value of reimbursement per trainee.

5. Number of trainees referred for support services which may include but are not limited to: case management, English as a Second Language (“ESL”) training, resume preparation, legal services, childcare referral, employment supports, remediation or other transitional services RFA# 20422 - Direct Caregiver Flexibility through the Support Hub.

If support services are provided directly by the Training Center, identify number of trainees receiving supports through this component of the program. 1. Number of individuals enrolled/registered in the program by direct care training type (PCA, HHA, CNA) 2.

Number of individuals that completed the program by type of certification. 3. Number of individuals who have secured employment since completing the program and certification in desired direct caregiver title (i.e., PCA, HHA, CNA).

a. If no individuals have been placed into employment, explain why. 4.

Number of individuals to date known to have advanced in their careers since completing the program (ex. received promotions, wage increases, etc.). 5.

Demographic information on the OSOS Intake Form (i.e., age, race, gender, educational attainment) on the population served as willingly provided by the trainee. One Stop Operating System (OSOS) Intake Form: Awardees must provide the State with completed OSOS Intake Form ( Attachment 2 ) for all trainees/participants. This form includes the trainee’s name, address, DOB, SSN, citizenship, gender and email address for all trainees.

This form includes a series of questions that the Awardee is required to ask but the participant is not required to answer. This includes Demographic Data (ethnic heritage, race) Education, Employment Status and Veterans Status. The form must be signed by the participant.

Empire State Development (“ESD”) Trainee Information Form: Awardees must provide the State with completed Empire State Development Trainee Information Forms (Attachment 3 ) for all trainees/participants. This form requires the following information to be completed: • Training Information: duration of training, completion, credential earned.

• Placement Information: employment after training, where hired, FT or PT, hourly wage, and updates as to whether the person is hired within 6 months, and if not, barriers preventing placement. • Wage and Retention Data: whether the individual trainee is employed at 3 months, 6 months, 12 months and after 12 months, plus wage at the 12-month point. B.

Direct Caregiver Support Hubs Direct Care Support Hubs, a branch of the Direct Caregiver Training Centers, are designed to address the needs of individuals wishing to enter the long-term care workforce who may need case management, educational remediation or mentoring to ensure completion of the training and readiness for employment.

Direct Caregiver Support Hubs are intended to function as the workforce development branch of the Direct Caregiver Training Centers, assisting with the outreach and providing the case management needed to motivate and encourage individuals to connect to training, provide remediation for successful completion of the training, envision a future in long-term care, and be able to address work-life RFA# 20422 - Direct Caregiver Flexibility challenges that can serve as barriers to employment.

The Awarded Direct Caregiver Support Hub will provide the essential foundation that many individuals need to commit the time needed for training, and to interview for and begin employment.

This includes but is not limited to the following: Assessment of individual needs: • Offer case management services including: o Assessment tools for educational remediation o Referrals to additional education for skills and/or language (e.g., English as a Second Language training) o Assessment tools for support services, including public benefits (e.g., WIC, SNAP) o Provide referrals to public and other benefits (e.g., childcare) • Emotional and Mental Health Support: o Offer, provide and/or refer individuals to counseling services and mental health resources as needed.

o Encourage aides to provide feedback on their working conditions and support needs. • Financial and Legal Support: o Aid individuals with referral as needed for legal and financial issues related to employment. o Address financial constraints individuals may face associated with the cost of additional training, certification exams, for aides looking to advance.

o Offer knowledge of and support in obtaining insurances (health care, unemployment), WIC, disability and other benefits not offered by employers for these positions. o Develop information to assist clients in choosing training and career path, inclusive of amount of time needed to complete the training, testing required and settings in which the training and certification are needed for employment.

These materials must provide information to assist clients in the identification of a career path in healthcare. o Counsel potential trainees to access additional free trainings within the region, inclusive of opportunities close to their residence. o Assist individuals to access free trainings, develop an understanding of the types of trainings, and about the healthcare entities that hire direct care workers.

o Help individuals navigate training and education requirements such as completing a formal training programs, passing a competency exam, and completing a certain number of supervised clinical hours.

o Provide professional development resources and activities for workforce development such as offering ongoing professional and career development opportunities past initial training programs, including but not limited to ongoing education opportunities. o Assist individuals with resume preparation.

Address Language and Cultural Barriers For non-native speakers or individuals from different cultural backgrounds, language proficiency and RFA# 20422 - Direct Caregiver Flexibility cultural adaptation can be hurdles. o Develop a program to assist these individuals overcome these hurdles, including referrals to English as a Second Language (“ESL”) training in the area.

Monthly Support Hub Component Reporting Support Hubs are required to submit monthly narrative reports to DOH describing progress with: The reports must include: • Number of individuals referred and assisted; • Number of individuals connected to public benefits; • Number of individuals for whom educational remediation was provided; • Number of individuals referred to ESL training; • Number of individuals in direct caregiver jobs who received support services; and • Types of support services provided and indicate whether provided directly or through referral.

A Training Center Applicant may subcontract components of the Caregiver Support Hub Work Plan to be performed by the Applicant pursuant to the terms of its Application. If known, the Applicant is expected to state in their Application the specific components to be performed through subcontracts as well as the names of the subcontractors. Grantees will need to name subcontractors prior to reimbursement.

Applicants should note that the lead organization (that is, the successful Applicant, as Contractor) will have overall responsibility for all Contract activities, including those performed by subcontractors and will be the primary contact for the NYSDOH. All subcontractors and subcontracts will be required to be approved by the Department of Health. # IV.

Administrative Requirements This RFA is issued by the New York State Department of Health (hereinafter referred to as NYSDOH, or the Department), Office of Aging and Long-Term Care. The Department is responsible for the requirements specified herein and for the evaluation of all Applications. See, Section V.

C. (Review and Award Process). B.

Question and Answer Phase All substantive questions by Applicants with respect to any aspect of the RFA must be submitted in writing to Carol Rodat, NYSDOH, Office of Aging and Long-Term Care , at the following email address: DCF. Grant@health. ny.

gov . This includes Minority and Woman Owned Business Enterprise (MWBE) Requirements questions and related forms. See, Section IV.

K (Minority & Woman-Owned Business Enterprise Requirements). Questions of a technical nature related to formatting or other minor details related to preparation of an Application may also be addressed in writing to the email address noted above. Questions are of a technical nature if they are limited to how to prepare your Application (e.g., formatting) rather than relating to the substance of the Application .

To the degree possible, each question submitted by a potential Applicant pursuant to the terms of this RFA should cite the RFA section and paragraph to which it refers. Written questions will be accepted RFA# 20422 - Direct Caregiver Flexibility until the date posted on the Cover Page of this RFA. Some helpful links for questions of a technical nature are below.

Questions regarding specific opportunities or Applications should be directed to the NYSDOH contact listed on the cover of this RFA. • On-Demand Statewide Financial System Training Videos: On-demand training focused on using the new grants management features in SFS is available by logging in to the SFS Vendor Portal and clicking the SFS Coach icon available on the homepage. Additional questions?

Contact the SFS Help Desk listed below: • Statewide Financial System Technical Support Help Desk Phone: 1-877-737-4185 toll-free / 518-457-7737 Hours: Monday thru Friday 8am to 8pm Email: helpdesk@sfs. ny. gov (Application Completion & Policy) • Grants Management Team Email: grantsmanagement@its.

ny. gov Hours: Monday thru Friday 8am to 4pm Prospective Applicants must submit all requests for clarifications of, or exceptions or changes to, the terms, conditions or provisions of this RFA or the Master Contract for Grants during the Question and Answer Phase, which will end on the “Questions Due” date specified on the Cover Page of this RFA.

An Applicant must clearly indicate the clarification, exception or change in the RFA or the Master Contract for Grants the Applicant is requesting. All questions, answers, and requests for clarification, exception or change will be published by the Department at SFS Public Portal Homepage to ensure equal access and knowledge by all prospective Applicants, on or about the date specified on the Cover Page of this RFA.

This RFA has been posted on the NYS Statewide Financial System website at: SFS Public Portal Homepage and additionally, via a link provided on the Department's public website at: https://www. health. ny.

gov/funding/ . Questions and answers, as well as any updates, addendums to, and/or other modifications of this RFA, will be posted on these websites. All such questions and answers, updates, addendums to, and other modifications to this RFA will be posted by the date identified on the Cover Page of this RFA under “Key Dates” .

All Questions must be received by the date and time specified on the Cover Page of this RFA, under “Key Dates”, opposite the heading “Questions Due”. All questions submitted by email should state the RFA Title and Number set forth on the Cover Page ( RFA# 20422 - Direct Caregiver Flexibility ) in the subject line of the email. RFA# 20422 - Direct Caregiver Flexibility A Letter of Interest is not requested for this project.

An Applicant Conference will not be held for this project. E. How to file an Application Applications must be submitted online via the Statewide Financial System by the date and time posted on the Cover Page of this RFA under the heading “Key Dates”.

more detailed “Statewide Financial System: Vendor User Guide” available in the documents section under Training & Guidance; For Grant Applicants located in SFS Coach. Training webinars are also provided by the Grants Management Team. Dates and times for webinar instruction can be located at the following web address: Live Webinars | Grants Management (ny.

gov) To submit an Application an Applicant must: 2. Click the Grant Management Tile. Next, Click the Bid Event Search tile.

3. Enter the applicable search criteria in the Search Criteria Fields. Locate an opportunity; search by Funding Agency (DOH01) or enter the Grant Opportunity name into the Search by Grant Opportunity field: Direct Caregiver Flexibility.

You can also filter search by Status such as “available” which filters to include only the bid events that are published and open for potential bid response. 4. Click on “Search” button to initiate the search.

5. Click on Event ID link to initiate a bid response. 6.

Please review the Grantee User Manual found in SFS Coach for additional steps on how to respond to various types of Bid Events. Once the Application is complete, a prospective Applicant is strongly encouraged to submit their Application at least 48 hours prior to the Application’s due date and time specified on the Cover Page of this RFA.

This will allow sufficient opportunity for the Applicant to obtain assistance and take corrective action should there be a technical issue with the submission process. Failure to leave adequate time to address issues identified during this process may jeopardize an Applicant’s ability to submit their Application.

Both NYSDOH, SFS, and Grants Management staff are available to answer an Applicant’s technical questions and provide technical assistance prior to the Application due date and time. Contact information for the Grants Management Staff and SFS is available under Section IV. B.

(Question and Answer Phase) of this RFA. PLEASE NOTE: Although NYSDOH and the Grants Management staff will do their best to address concerns that are identified less than 48 hours prior to the due date and time for the submission of an RFA# 20422 - Direct Caregiver Flexibility Application, there is no guarantee that they will be resolved in time for the Application to be submitted on time and, therefore, considered for funding.

During the Application process, please pay particular attention to the following: • Only individuals with the role of “Bid Response Submitter” can submit an Application on behalf of an Applicant. • Prior to submission, the Statewide Financial System will automatically initiate a global error checking process to protect against an incomplete Application.

An Applicant may need to attend to certain parts of the Application prior to being able to submit the Application successfully. An Applicant must be sure to allow time after pressing the submit button to clean up any global errors that may arise. (Vendor User Guide).

• Applicants should use numbers, letters, and underscores when naming their uploaded files. There cannot be any special characters in the uploaded file name. Also, be aware of the restriction on file size (20 MB) when uploading documents.

Applicants should ensure that any attachments uploaded with their application are not “protected” or “pass-worded” documents. The Applicant’s Delegated Administrator is able to assign, modify, remove roles for the applicant in SFS. Please see SFS Vendor Portal Access Reference Guide, SFS_Vendor_Portal_Access_Reference_Guide.

pdf (ny. gov) , for additional information on