PUBLIC NOTICE REGARDING
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

Heritage Area Agency on Aging is seeking applications from any non-profit agency or private organization to provide and/or expand home and community based services to individuals, age 60 and older, in Benton, Cedar, Iowa, Johnson, Jones, Linn and/or Washington counties.  Heritage is issuing a request for proposal (RFP) to obtain service provider(s) for home and community based services in the region.  This announcement and delay of RFP timeline is out of our traditional sequence due to changes with the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services realignment and Older Americans Act revised regulations.

The agency will award contracts for up to a three year period.  Applications are for the period of July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2029, with an annual update. A Letter of Intent to Submit RFP is required and due by Monday, February 26, 2025 by 4pm to kelliot@kirkwood.edu.  The RFP application documents and invitation to technical assistance sessions will be sent to those that submit such letter.  A Zoom meeting will be offered on Wednesday, January 15, 2025 at 9am to explain this process and review timelines.  The meeting can be accessed at https://kirkwood.zoom.us/j/96858788436 or by phone at (301) 715- 8592 or (305) 224-1968 (US Toll), Meeting ID: 968 5878 8436.

Heritage is issuing a request for proposal (RFP) to obtain a service provider(s) that can demonstrate the ability to provide quality services through the utilization of a cost effective and efficiently managed service delivery system.  Proposals are being accepted that serve the entire seven county Heritage region or individual communities or counties. 

Services delivered through Heritage funding are required to meet all federal and state obligations of the proposed service, including the Older Americans Act of 1965 (revised), funding source(s) and Heritage contractual terms.

In fiscal year 2025, Heritage Area Agency on Aging funded the following services through the RFP process:  congregate meals, home delivered meals, adult day health services, assisted and standard transportation, chore, legal services, and respite services.  (An updated taxonomy/listing of services and their definitions open for consideration during the FY 2027 - 2029 RFP process will be released with the RFP documents on January 6, 2026.)

The Letter of Intent to Submit RFP (due 2/26/25) should include the following information:  Agency Name, Location, Contact Name, Contact Email, Contact Phone, and Service(s) and Service Areas intended to RFP.

During the period of February 26, 2025 through February 2026 technical assistance will be offered to all bidders in regards to contractual requirements, state and federal regulations to be eligible for funding and other compliance matters.  These dates and times will be provided to those that submit a Letter of Intent.  Submitting a Letter of Intent does not require an organization/agency to apply.  Assistance in understanding the directions for preparing the application will be offered at these informational meetings and frequently asked questions will be posted on the Heritage website.  More information on the process and the opportunity to ask clarifying questions will be described in detail with the release of the RFP packet in January 2026.

The FY 27-29 RFP application and supporting documentation for the July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2029 contract period will be due in February 2026.