job

Preferred Vendor Program Consultant [RFP]

Proposal Due Date: September 18, 2026
Anticipated Start: November 2026
Engagement Location: Remote

1. RFP Overview

The Association for Community Affiliated Plans (ACAP) seeks proposals from qualified consultants to support the ACAP Preferred Vendor Program. The selected consultant will represent the program to prospective and current vendors, support vendor recruitment and onboarding activities, coordinate program operations, and contribute to revenue growth planning and reporting. The anticipated engagement start date is November 2026, and the work may be performed remotely. ACAP expects the selected consultant to possess strong verbal, organizational, written, and interpersonal skills; to work independently in a fast-paced environment; and to exercise judgment and discretion in supporting ACAP’s vendor-facing activities.

2. Organizational Background

ACAP is a national trade association representing nonprofit and community-based Safety Net Health Plans. ACAP plans collectively serve more than 30 million individuals enrolled in Medicaid, Medicare, Marketplace, and other public health coverage programs.
ACAP’s mission is to strengthen not-for-profit Safety Net Health Plans in their work to improve the health and well-being of people with limited resources or significant health needs.

3. Engagement Scope

The successful proposer will provide consulting support across two primary workstreams: Preferred Vendor Program marketing and development, and Preferred Vendor Program revenue growth. ACAP expects the consultant to function as a professional representative of the Preferred Vendor Program in interactions with vendors, member health plans, ACAP staff, and ACAP leadership. Expectation for the engagement effort is 15 hours per week on average.

4. Consultant Responsibilities and Deliverables

4.1 Preferred Vendor Program Marketing and Development

  • Respond to inquiries about the Preferred Vendor Program from prospective vendors by email and virtual calls, including follow-up and related queries.
  • Serve as primary contact for potential Preferred Vendors throughout the approval process.
  • Coordinate the Preferred Vendor Program application, approval, and contracting process in collaboration with ACAP’s Accounting and Vendor Relations Analyst and ACAP leadership.
  • Support recruitment for virtual Vendor Showcases.
  • Coordinate the Vendor Portal query process, including health plan queries and vendor responses through the Preferred Vendor bulletin board or similar channels.
  • Develop and update Preferred Vendor Program benefits and sponsorship opportunities.
  • Develop recruiting materials, including communications and collateral materials.
  • Perform outreach to leads generated by ACAP staff.
  • Coordinate with ACAP leadership to develop Strategic Ally arrangements.
  • Develop virtual Preferred Vendor Showcase topics and timelines.
  • Address vendor inquiries and resolve concerns in a timely manner.
  • Coordinate new Preferred Vendor onboarding with ACAP’s Accounting and Vendor Relations Analyst.
  • Update the Preferred Vendor database with contacts and activities.
  • Maintain applicable Preferred Vendor Program procedures.
  • Represent ACAP professionally and effectively in all interactions with vendors and member health plans.

4.2 Revenue Growth

  • Develop and recommend new sponsorship opportunities aligned with industry trends.
  • Manage and participate in the annual strategic planning and budget development process with ACAP’s Accounting and Vendor Relations Analyst and ACAP leadership.
  • Prepare agendas, program recommendations, reports, and other supporting materials for planning and leadership discussions.
  • Manage monthly meetings with ACAP leadership, including agenda development and program updates.
  • Develop and deliver regular reports, including engagement metrics and program outcomes.

5. Qualifications and Experience

ACAP invites proposals from consultants or consulting firms with demonstrated experience relevant to health plan operations, plan-related services, business development, or association management.

  • Five to seven years of relevant health plan or plan-related experience, or equivalent experience that demonstrates the ability to perform the scope successfully.
  • Experience with health plan operations or business development.
  • Strong familiarity with Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and Word.
  • Knowledge of Medicaid, Medicare Advantage, CHIP, the Affordable Care Act, or related public coverage programs is preferred.
  • Prior work with associations or health plans is preferred.
  • Strong writing, interpersonal, and communications skills.
  • Ability to work independently, exercise judgment and discretion, and operate effectively under general supervision.

5.1 Consultant Expectations

The selected consultant will be expected to support ACAP’s mission, vision, and values through excellence and competence, collaboration, innovation, professional demeanor, accountability, and ownership.

6. Proposal Submission Requirements

Proposals should be concise, complete, and responsive to the requirements in this RFP. Proposers should include the following sections:

  1. Cover letter including the legal name of proposer, primary contact name/title/email/phone/business address, and interest in the engagement.
  2. Executive summary describing the proposer’s understanding of ACAP’s needs and proposed approach.
  3. Relevant experience with health plans, plan-related organizations, business development, vendor engagement, or associations.
  4. Proposed staffing, including names, roles, resumes or biographies, and availability of personnel who would perform the work, if applicable.
  5. Work plan describing how the proposer would support the scope, manage communications, track activities, develop materials, and report progress.
  6. Examples of relevant work products, such as recruiting collateral, sponsorship materials, program reports, engagement dashboards, or meeting materials, where available and appropriate.
  7. Compensation proposal, including hourly rates, retainer structure, fixed-fee approach, or other proposed pricing methodology.
  8. References from comparable engagements, preferably involving health plans, associations, health care vendors, or public coverage programs.
  9. Disclosures of any actual or potential conflicts of interest.

7. Evaluation and Selection Criteria

ACAP may evaluate proposals based on the criteria below. ACAP reserves the right to consider other relevant factors and to request clarifications, interviews, or additional materials from proposers.

Relevant experience: Depth of experience with health plan operations, business development, vendor programs, associations, Medicaid, Medicare Advantage, CHIP, ACA-related work, or similar health care environments.
Approach and work plan: Quality, practicality, and completeness of the proposed approach to marketing, development, onboarding, coordination, reporting, and revenue-growth support.
Communications and writing: Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly with vendors, health plans, leadership, and internal stakeholders.
Independence and judgment: Ability to manage work under general supervision, exercise discretion, and represent ACAP professionally.
Price and value: Reasonableness of proposed compensation relative to experience, approach, and anticipated value.
References and work samples: Strength and relevance of references and illustrative work products.

8. Contracting, Compensation, and Administrative Terms

  • Compensation will be commensurate with work experience, proposed scope, and final negotiated terms.
  • The selected consultant will report to the Vice President for Quality and Operations or another ACAP-designated point of contact.
  • The engagement is anticipated to begin in November 2026 and may be performed remotely.
  • The selected consultant must comply with applicable confidentiality, conflict-of-interest, data handling, and administrative requirements established by ACAP.
  • ACAP may amend, cancel, or reissue this RFP; reject any or all proposals; waive informalities; or negotiate with one or more proposers at its discretion.

9. Questions and Communications

All proposals should be submitted in writing to Enrique Martinez-Vidal, Vice Present for Quality and Operations (emartinez-vidal@communityplans.net) by September 18, 2026. Please include “Preferred Vendor Program Consultant” in the Subject line. No phone calls, please.

10. Attachments

Attachment A: Proposal Checklist
☐ Cover letter
☐ Executive summary
☐ Relevant experience
☐ Proposed staffing and biographies/resumes
☐ Work plan and approach
☐ Work samples, if available
☐ Compensation proposal
☐ References
☐ Conflict-of-interest disclosures

ACAP is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, sex, religion, or national origin.