Request for Proposals

Due Date: May 1st, 2026

Refer Inquiries to: Sarah Dunbar at Sarah.Dunbar@hsg.global

Scope of Services:

The selected ACO partner will assist the organization in participating in the 2027 and subsequent MSSP performance years. The awarded partner will provide comprehensive infrastructure, data analytics, and operational guidance to help the organization meet all MSSP objectives and achieve shared savings. 

Key responsibilities of the ACO partner include:

1. ACO Qualification

   a)Transparency into the ACO structure, past performance, and shared savings

2. Financial Alignment and Transparency

   a)Provide a clearly defined shared savings model and distribution methodology, including any provider-level incentives

3. Technology Stack and Data Capabilities

   a)Data platform support systems used to optimize performance, quality tracking, reporting, and claims analytics

4. Onboarding Plan

   a)Guide the FQHC through the 2027 MSSP enrollment period

   b)Assess TIN participation, projections, and alignment strategies to optimize attribution and shared savings

5. Governance, Compliance and Support Commitments

   a)Plan to maintain engagement with leadership

   b)FQHC participation in ACO governance, steering committees, or advisory groups

6. Other Supportive Services 

   a)Share any other supportive services offered by the ACO (ie, care coordination, gaps closure, etc.)

Submission Details:

All prospective partners must submit a detailed technical proposal demonstrating their ability to deliver the services outlined in the scope. Proposal must be submitted as a PDF document to Sarah.Dunbar@hsg.global by May 1st, 2026. Submission emails are to have the following subject line: MSSP_Partner_RFP_[Organization Name]

The client posting this bid reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to conduct business with any individual, organization, or entity it chooses. No communications, proposal, or document shall be construed as an obligation or commitment to engage in business with any particular party.

Technical Proposal:

This RFP is issued to solicit bids from qualified MSSP ACO partners to support an FQHC's participation in the MSSP program for the upcoming and subsequent performance years. This procurement aims to identify a partner with FQHC experience, capacity, and the technical capability to support the FQHC in its MSSP participation. The technical proposal should reflect a thoughtful, tailored plan to support the transition to a new partnership.

Section 1: ACO Qualifications & Background

Please share the following information, highlighting your ACO's qualifications

1. ACO structure and legal entity type (nonprofit, physician-led, equity-backed, etc.)

2. Single-entity ACO or aggregator model

3. Track participation and number of years in MSSP

4. Experience working with FQHCs in MSSP

5. Number of attributed beneficiaries 

   a)Total assigned

   b)Attribution trend over 3 years

   c)Attribution methodologies (prospective vs retrospective)

6. Identify cohorts and track levels (if applicable)

7. Provider network size and specialties represented

8. Geographic scope of operations

9. Financial Performance

   a)3-5 years of shared savings

   b)Quality scores 

   c)Rebasing impacts on cost of care & shared savings

   d)Regional adjustment sensitivities 

   e)Risk track progression

   f)Risk score trend

Section 2: Financial Alignment and Transparency

Please provide details related to the ACOs:

10. Shared savings distribution methodology and provider incentive programs 

    a) Percent retained by ACO vs participants

2. Forward-looking performance projections

   a)Actuarial support 

   b)Trend analysis, regional adjustment impact, and risk score growth

   c)Coding and billing evaluation

   d)MSSP track progression

3. Benchmarking and rebasing analyses

4. ACO cohorts (if applicable) - group sizes, benchmarks, attribution, expenditures, risk adjustment performance, regional adjustments, etc.

5. Financial transparency

   a)Frequency of financial reporting

   b) Participant-level cost transparency

   c) Reconciliation timeline after CMS settlement

   d) Level of distribution information shared by the ACO

6. Beneficiary incentive programs (if applicable)

Section 3: Technology Stack and Data Capabilities

Please provide details of your ACO's capability to provide:

1. Capabilities in data analytics and population health tools 

2. Aggregating data for multiple core data sources

3. Risk adjustment optimization

   a)Risk adjustment methodology and practices

   b)Provider education model and strategies

   c)Mitigating over-coding risk

4. Detail claims integration and review processes

5. Data sharing cadence, quality reporting timeline, benchmark review, and performance projections

6. EHR integration and single sign-on opportunities 

   a)EHR integration with other platforms

   b)Workflow support through EHR integration

7. Predictive modeling

   a)Predictive modeling practices used

   b)Identification of rising risk

   c)Forecasting capabilities

   d)Leakage analyses 

   e)Post-acute optimization

Section 4: Onboarding Plan

Please provide a comprehensive ACO onboarding plan, including:

1. Timeline and milestones that are required to onboard for the 2027 performance year

2. Step-by-step activities required to onboard the FQHC into the ACO’s MSSP cohort. When should the FQHC partner expect to receive information related to:

   a)TIN assessment 

   b)Cohort integration and cohort details

   c)Agreement timelines 

   d)Risk adjustment projections

   e)Attribution analysis and patient assignment methodology

   f) Compliance alignment

   g)Projections on shared savings for performance year 1 and beyond

   h)Rebasing activities and benchmark changes

3. Roles and responsibilities of the ACO and FQHC staff 

4. Readiness activities to meet CMS submission deadlines and operational benchmarks

5. Change management strategies to optimize workflows and education at the FQHC level

Section 5: Governance, Compliance, and Support Commitments

1. CMS deadline adherence

2. Communication protocols

3. Commitment years outlined in the ACO agreement and renewals

4. Termination clauses

5. Training, education, and support for providers and staff

6. Outline data ownership, access rights, reporting structure, and frequency

7. Ongoing performance improvement framework and quality improvement benchmarking

8. Pathways to resolve any operational or contractual issues

Section 6: Quality Improvement

1. The ACOs' approach to network leakage, care gaps, increased ED use, and inpatient admissions

Section 7: Other Supportive Services

1. Infrastructure for care coordination and chronic care management (ie, shared services)

2. Health-related social needs programs

3. Telehealth and RPM capabilities

4. Potential participation in other CMS models (ACCESS, etc.)

Proposal Requirements and Submission Instructions:

Proposals must include responses to the above requirements. Responses must be submitted in the format outlined below with clear labeling. Any questions related to this RFP can be directed to Sarah.Dunbar@hsg.global

All prospective partners must submit a detailed technical proposal demonstrating their ability to deliver the services outlined in the scope. Proposal must be submitted as a PDF document to Sarah.Dunbar@hsg.global by May 1st, 2026. Submission emails are to have the following subject line: MSSP_Partner_RFP_[Organization Name]

Evaluation Criteria:

The proposal will be evaluated based on technical approach, capabilities, providing experience, and performance to support a FQHC in participating in MSSP.