INTERM HEALTH SERVICES DIRECTOR (OPEN UNTIL FILLED)

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS:

INTERIM HEALTH SERVICES DIRECTOR (CONSULTANT)

Issue Date: July 16, 2026

Proposals should be submitted by email to Stetson Herrera, Human Resources Director, to: [email protected], with a copy to [email protected].   Proposals are due by Monday, August 17 at 5:00 p.m. MDT. 

Alamo Navajo School Board Inc. (“ANSBI”) is a New Mexico non-profit corporation and Navajo Nation tribal organization that provides services to the Alamo Navajo Community in Alamo, New Mexico, a satellite of the Navajo Nation.  Through its Health Services Division, ANSBI operates the Alamo Navajo Health Center (“Health Center”) pursuant to a self determination contract and annual funding agreement (“AFA”) with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Indian Health Service (“IHS”), under Title I of the Indian Self Determination and Education Assistance Act, P.L. 93-638 (the “ISDEAA”).  Services provided by the Health Center include Comprehensive Ambulatory Medical Care, Dental, Community Outreach, Medical Laboratory, Nutrition, Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, Environmental Health, and Behavioral Health and Counseling services.

Pursuant to this Request for Proposals (“RFP”), ANSBI is soliciting proposals from consultants (“Contractors”) meeting at least the minimum requirements enumerated herein to serve as an Interim Health Services Director for the Health Center for an initial 13-week (approximately 3-month) term, to carry out the scope of work as provided herein.  Services shall be delivered in a manner that is compliant with applicable federal, state, and Navajo Nation laws, and respectful of tribal sovereignty, customs, and community values.   The selected Contractor shall work under the general direction of the Health Services Committee of the ANSBI Board of Trustees (“Board”), in coordination with the General Services Director.

Proposals shall be evaluated in accordance with the Navajo Business Opportunity Act, 5 N.N.C. § 201 et seq., as amended (“NBOA”). Preference will be given to qualified Contractors certified as Priority #1 or Priority # 2 on the most recent Source List kept by the Navajo Nation Division of Economic Development, Business Regulatory Department, meeting the minimum qualifications enumerated herein.

1. Scope of Services.

The selected Contractor shall provide the following and related executive management services for the Health Center (the “Services”) as directed by the Health Services Committee of the Board and coordinated with the General Services Director:

1. Assist the Health Center in maintaining stable operations while transitioning to new leadership, including ensuring continuity of day-to-day administrative functions;
2. In coordination with the Chief Medical Officer (“CMO”), assess the Health Center’s current management structure and operational needs, identifying leadership gaps, and recommending improvements to the Health Center’s organizational structure, procedures, policies, etc.;
3. Spearhead provider recruitment efforts in coordination with Human Resources;
4. Help resolve and address any negative audit findings with respect to the Health Center, as applicable;
5. Participate in contract negotiations with IHS;
6. Develop a transition plan for long-term management, and, with assistance from the Human Resources Director and CMO, oversee the recruitment, evaluation, and selection of a new Health Services Director, which may include: 
   1. Coaching, mentoring, and leadership development of a current staff member to fill the position; or
   2. Recruiting a qualified consultant to serve as a Health Services Director for a longer-term engagement, or extending the Contractor’s engagement; or
   3. Finding a permanent Health Services Director to serve under a term employment contract;
7. Oversee and assist with grant applications, ensuring all deadlines are met. 
8. Provide oral and/or written status reports and recommendations to the Health Services Committee of the Board throughout the engagement. 

• Minimum Qualifications.

1. Education. Master's degree in Health Administration (MHA), Public Health (MPH), Business Administration (MBA), Healthcare Management, Nursing, Public Administration, or a closely related field. A doctorate or clinical professional degree (M.D., D.O., D.N.P., Pharm.D., or equivalent) is preferred but not required.
2. Executive Healthcare Leadership Experience. Minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible executive or senior management experience in the administration of healthcare organizations, including at least five (5) years serving as a chief executive officer, executive director, clinic director, chief operating officer, or equivalent senior leadership position.
3. Tribal Healthcare Experience. Demonstrated experience managing a healthcare facility operated by IHS or a federally recognized Indian Tribe or Tribal organization under the ISDEAA.
4. Indian Health Service Knowledge. Extensive knowledge of Indian Health Service programs, policies, funding methodologies, regulations, and operational requirements, including experience negotiating or administering funding agreements and contracts or compacts under the ISDEAA.  
5. Operational Management Experience. Demonstrated experience overseeing the day-to-day operations of an ambulatory health center or outpatient clinic, or equivalent, including responsibility for clinical support operations, administration, finance, compliance, quality improvement, risk management, and patient access.
6. Healthcare Administration Expertise. Experience implementing operational improvements, policy development, performance management systems, and process improvement initiatives that improve efficiency, compliance, and patient care.
7. Human Resources Leadership. Demonstrated experience working collaboratively with Human Resources departments in recruiting, interviewing, hiring, onboarding, evaluating, and retaining providers and other healthcare personnel.
8. Leadership Development Experience. Demonstrated success mentoring, coaching, and developing healthcare leaders, including preparing assistant directors, department managers, or similar personnel for executive leadership responsibilities.
9. Grant Administration Experience. Demonstrated experience preparing, reviewing, or administering federal and state healthcare grant applications, including familiarity with Indian Health Service competitive funding opportunities and the Special Diabetes Program or comparable federal grant programs.
10. Government Relations Experience. Experience serving as the primary liaison with federal agencies, Tribal governments, governing boards, and external stakeholders on healthcare operations, funding, regulatory compliance, and strategic initiatives.
11. Healthcare Regulatory Knowledge. Thorough knowledge of applicable federal healthcare laws and regulations, including HIPAA, Medicare and Medicaid requirements, HRSA and IHS program requirements, quality assurance standards, credentialing, and applicable accreditation standards.
12. Financial Management Experience. Demonstrated experience developing and managing healthcare operating budgets, financial reporting, revenue cycle oversight, third-party reimbursement, and maximizing available federal healthcare funding.
13. Policy Development Experience. Experience drafting and implementing healthcare operational policies, administrative procedures, governance recommendations, and organizational best practices.
14. Communication Skills. Excellent written and oral communication skills, demonstrated ability to build collaborative relationships with Tribal leadership, governing boards, healthcare providers, employees, patients, community stakeholders, and federal officials.
15. Problem-Solving Ability. Proven ability to stabilize healthcare operations during periods of organizational transition while maintaining continuity of patient care and regulatory compliance.
16. Professional Reputation. Demonstrated record of integrity, professionalism, ethical leadership, and successful executive performance within Tribal healthcare or comparable public healthcare organizations.
17. Availability. Ability to devote sufficient time during the initial 13-week engagement to provide consistent on-site leadership, supplemented by remote availability as needed, and to assist in ensuring a smooth transition to permanent leadership.

1. Form of Contract; Term

The selected Contractor will enter into ANSBI’s standard form of consulting agreement, as an independent contractor.  The agreement will be governed by Navajo Nation law and will be for a 13-week (approximately 3-month) term, extendable by agreement of the Parties in writing.  Contractor fees shall be invoiced on a 1/4 hour basis, to be paid monthly within fifteen (15) business days of submittal (if not objected to by ANSBI).  The selected Contractor will be required to indemnify ANSBI for Contractor’s negligence and intentional malfeasance, up to the limits of Contractor’s professional liability and/or general commercial liability insurance ($1 million occurrence, $2 million aggregate).  For the sake of any doubt, Contractor’s liability shall not be limited by contract amount (e.g., by payments made under the contract over a one-year period, etc.).  ANSBI will remain responsible for its own negligence and intentional wrongful conduct; however, as a tribal organization under the ISDEAA, ANSBI is covered by the Federal Tort Claims Act and is unable to and shall not indemnify Contractor. 

1. Cost Proposal and Budget

The Cost Proposal and Budget provided by Contractors shall be based on 40 hours per week for a 13-week term (approximately 3 months), including the hourly fee for Contractor and anticipated expenses, which may include reasonable travel and miscellaneous expenses.   Travel and expenses shall not exceed GSA limits.  Cost proposals must also include applicable sales or gross receipts tax.  Services provided to ANSBI on the Navajo Nation are subject to the 6% Navajo Nation Sales Tax, and are not subject to state gross receipts tax, sales tax, or equivalent taxes.  Cost Proposals and Budget must state a Total Contract Amount for the 13-week (approximately 3-month) term.  Cost Proposals are required to comply with the foregoing in order to be standardized for comparison purposes.  Actual time spent by Contractor may vary depending on the time necessary to meet the Scope of Work.

1. Submission of Proposal

1. Proposals should be submitted by email to Stetson Herrera, Human Resources Director, to: [email protected], with a copy to [email protected]. Proposals are due by Monday, July 27, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. MDT.  Late proposals will be accepted in the sole discretion of ANSBI.  Contractors should indicate in the subject line “RFP: Interim Health Services Director (Consultant),” note “Priority One” or “Priority Two” in the subject line, as applicable, and should attach their proposal and cost proposal to the email as separate pdfs.   The full name and address of the Contractor must be provided in the body of the email.

1. Prices as stated in the Cost Proposal and Budget must be complete and shall include all associated costs, including taxes.

1. Proposals shall constitute a “firm offer” for a period of 30 days and may not be amended or withdrawn after submittal, unless such amendment or withdrawal is received by the due date and time for Proposal submissions.

1. A Proposal from a Contractor that has demonstrated a lack of integrity, including without limitation any Contractor that is currently debarred, suspended or otherwise lawfully prohibited or disqualified from any public procurement activity shall be rejected in ANSBI’s sole discretion.

1. If the Contractor has ever been debarred, suspended, or otherwise lawfully precluded from participating in any public procurement activity, including being disapproved as a subcontractor with any federal, Navajo, state, or local government, or if any such preclusion from participation from any public procurement activity is currently pending, the Contractor must fully explain the circumstances relating to the preclusion or proposed preclusion in the Proposal. The Contractor shall include a letter with its Proposal setting forth the name and address of the governmental unit, the effective date of the suspension or debarment, the duration of the suspension or debarment, and the relevant circumstances relating to the suspension or debarment. If a suspension or debarment is currently pending, a detailed description of all relevant circumstances including the details enumerated above must be provided. Any such preclusion or pending preclusion shall be grounds for a finding that the Proposal is nonresponsive.

1. By submitting a Proposal, Contractor represents that it, its officers, directors, employees, and agents, are not under investigation, debarred, or otherwise disqualified from working at government funded health programs or receiving reimbursements from the federal or state government for services provided through ANSBI.

1. Notwithstanding any other provision of this RFP, ANSBI reserves the right to, in its sole and exclusive discretion:

1. Waive or decline to waive any minor informality;
2. Reject any and all Proposals or portions thereof;

• Cancel the RFP at any time without prior notice; or

1. Withhold the selection of a Contractor for any reason it may determine in the best interest of ANSBI.

• Evaluation

ANSBI will establish a confidential Maximum Feasible Price (MFP) prior to opening any Proposals. This internal benchmark will be used solely for evaluation purposes and will not be disclosed to any Contractor or third party (except Business Regulatory Department at the Proposal opening, as applicable) before or during the RFP process. Proposals will be evaluated and opened in compliance with the NBOA, including 5 N.N.C. § 206(D).

• The Proposals of Contractors certified as Priority #1 businesses (as defined by 5 N.N.C. § 205(A)(1)) will be opened first. Price will be one factor, but not the definitive factor, in selection. The job will be awarded to the most Responsible and Responsive Priority #1 Contractor, as those terms are defined in the NBOA, as amended, provided that such Contractor’s Cost Proposal and Budget is less than or equal to MFP. If no Priority # 1 Contractor’s Cost Proposal and Budget is at or below MFP, ANSBI may negotiate with one or more Responsible and Responsive Priority #1 Contractors, in its sole discretion, to attempt to agree on a Cost Proposal and Budget at or below MFP.

• If negotiation, if any, is unsuccessful, or there are no Responsible and Responsive Priority #1 businesses, the Proposals of Contractors certified as Priority #2 businesses (as defined by 5 N.N.C. § 205(A)(2)) will be opened second. Price will be one factor, but not the definitive factor, in selection. The job will be awarded to the most Responsible and Responsive Priority #2 Contractor, as those terms are defined in the NBOA, as amended, provided that such Contractor’s Cost Proposal and Budget is at or below MFP. If no Priority #2 Contractor’s Cost Proposal and Budget is at or below MFP, ANSBI may negotiate with one or more Responsible and Responsive Priority #2 Contractors, in its sole discretion, to attempt to agree on a Cost Proposal and Budget at or below MFP.

• If negotiation, if any, is unsuccessful, or there are no Responsible and Responsive Priority #2 Contractors, the Proposals of non-priority Contractors will be opened last. Price will be one factor, but not the definitive factor, in selection. The job will be awarded to the most Responsible and Responsive non-priority Contractor, as those terms are defined in the NBOA, as amended, provided that such Contractor’s Cost Proposal and Budget is at or below MFP. If no non-priority Contractor’s Cost Proposal and Budget is at or below MFP, ANSBI may negotiate with one or more Responsible and Responsive non-priority Contractors, in its sole discretion, to attempt to agree on a Cost Proposal and Budget at or below MFP.

• If negotiation, if any, is unsuccessful, or there are no Responsible and Responsive non- priority Contractors, ANSBI may issue a new solicitation, in accordance with the NBOA.

“Responsible Offeror,” as defined in the NBOA, as amended, means a Contractor “who has the capability in all respects to perform fully the Contract requirements noted in the Solicitation, and the integrity and reliability that will assure good faith performance.” 5 N.N.C. § 202(Z).

“Responsive Offeror,” as defined in the NBOA, as amended, means a Contractor “who has submitted a Bid, Proposal, Statement of Qualification, or Quotation that conforms in all material respects to the requirements of the respective Solicitation.” 5 N.N.C. § 202(AA).

In determining whether Contractor is a “Responsible Offeror,” ANSBI will consider Contractor’s past and current performance in rendering services to ANSBI and its other clients, as determined through reference checks.

Any questions regarding this RFP should be directed to: [email protected], at least two business days in advance of the due date and time for Proposals.  Any responses to inquiries or questions will be sent out to all Contractors that requested the RFP. 

End of RFP