RFA #20707 - Treat, Cure & Eliminate HCV- Comp B

The New York State Department of Health AIDS Institute, Division of HIV and Hepatitis Health Care, Bureau of Hepatitis Health Care and Epidemiology has released Request for Applications (RFA) #20707, titled Treat, Cure and Eliminate: Advancing Health Equity Among People Living with Hepatitis C. Component B of this procurement focuses on supporting low-threshold models of hepatitis C treatment in non-traditional health care settings accessed by people who inject drugs. This funding opportunity is aligned with the state’s broader initiative to eliminate hepatitis C as a public health concern by 2030. It recognizes the significant barriers that people who inject drugs face in traditional medical settings due to stigma, competing health and social care needs, and lack of accessible treatment, and aims to expand models of care that meet people where they are. Component B will fund not-for-profit community-based organizations, Article 28 licensed health care facilities, and New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS)-certified opioid treatment programs that can provide hepatitis C treatment in community-based or otherwise non-traditional health care settings. Examples of eligible service sites include syringe exchange programs, drug user health hubs, homeless shelters, and mobile vans. Funded programs must provide hepatitis C screening, navigation, treatment initiation, and treatment adherence support in settings that people who inject drugs already access. Awardees are expected to dedicate resources to client engagement, addressing social determinants of health, and reducing barriers to treatment completion. The program also requires funded applicants to employ persons with lived hepatitis C experience to provide support. A total of $1,896,000 annually is available under Component B, with up to six awards expected statewide. Each award may not exceed $316,000 annually. The program period will run from July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2031, contingent upon annual state appropriations and satisfactory performance. Programs may subcontract up to 60% of the work, but the lead applicant will remain responsible for contract activities and reporting. Programs will be evaluated on outcomes including increased linkage to care, initiation of treatment, completion of treatment, and cure among people who inject drugs. Applicants must be prequalified in the Statewide Financial System and meet eligibility requirements specific to Component B. Eligible applicants include not-for-profit 501(c)(3) community-based organizations such as syringe exchange programs, drug user health hubs, and homeless shelters that provide or have capacity to provide hepatitis C treatment. Government entities, not-for-profit Article 28 licensed health care organizations, or public benefit corporations may also apply if they are proposing treatment in a non-traditional setting. OASAS-certified opioid treatment programs may apply if they served at least 250 unique clients in 2024 and currently provide or have the capacity to provide hepatitis C treatment. Applicants previously funded under other nurse care coordination initiatives for hepatitis C are not eligible. A signed Hepatitis C Treatment Attestation must be included with the application, and where applicable, Memorandums of Understanding from non-traditional settings must also be provided. Applications must be submitted via the New York State Statewide Financial System as a single PDF document no larger than 20MB. Required attachments include a Statement of Assurances, Hepatitis C Treatment Attestation, Memorandums of Understanding for non-traditional sites (if applicable), staffing plan, social determinants of health plan, and client engagement strategies. Key dates are as follows: release date September 25, 2025; questions due October 9, 2025 at 4:00 PM ET; questions and responses posted on or about October 28, 2025; and application deadline November 18, 2025 at 4:00 PM ET. No applicant conference or letter of intent is required. Applications submitted late will not be reviewed. The designated contact for this funding opportunity is Colleen Flanigan, RN, MS, Bureau of Hepatitis Health Care and Epidemiology, New York State Department of Health/AIDS Institute. She can be reached at hepatabc@health.ny.gov. Technical questions related to submission must be directed to the Statewide Financial System Help Desk. Funded organizations will be expected to participate in Hepatitis C Assistance Program activities, submit client-level data into the AIDS Institute Reporting System (AIRS), and provide monthly narrative and statistical reports. Programs must also adhere to New York State AIDS Institute standards on health equity, data reporting, subcontracting, MWBE participation, and health literacy. Ultimately, Component B aims to create accessible pathways to hepatitis C treatment for people who inject drugs and reduce health disparities that prevent this population from achieving cure.

Submit early, ensure single PDF under 20MB, include MOUs and attestations, maintain SFS prequalification