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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 27, 2026
CONTACT: Baylee.Watts@dss.mo.gov
Missouri Announces Invitation for Bid for Vital Rural Hospital Repairs
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — The Missouri Department of Social Services’ (DSS) Rural Health Transformation Office (RHTO) is preparing to release an Invitation for Bid (IFB) for the Strategic Minor Renovations program, a key initiative under the state’s ToRCH (Transformation of Rural Community Health) Care model.
This program provides critical funding to rural hospitals to ensure facility safety, preserve essential services, and modernize aging infrastructure. Year 1 funding totals $30,478,702.17, with potential for further funding the following years.
The IFB focuses on stabilizing hospitals where a loss of service would severely impact the community. Unlike broad expansion grants, this funding is strictly dedicated to immediate safety, access, and service preservation.
Eligible projects may include, but are not limited to:
1. Life-Safety and Code Compliance Improvements: Fire suppression and alarm systems, emergency generators and electrical upgrades, structural repairs, and circulation improvements.
2. Critical Clinical Space Remediation: HVAC, infection-control upgrades, and emergency department or inpatient unit renovations.
3. Essential Equipment and Infrastructure Replacement: Replacing end-of-life fixed equipment vital to patient safety.
Eligible projects do not include service line expansions, new program development, or discretionary enhancements unrelated to immediate safety or access preservation.
Applicants must be licensed Missouri hospitals (including Critical Access and safety-net facilities) that demonstrate financial stress or serve areas with limited alternative care.
Applicants must provide evidence of readiness—such as quotes, permits, or design materials—showing the project can begin within one month of approval. Projects must demonstrate sustained impact and improved stability without added burden.
DSS intends to fund a diverse portfolio of projects, ranging in size and type, to ensure broad impact across the state.
Eligible rural hospitals should begin identifying priority minor renovation needs, gathering project scope and cost information, and confirming project readiness
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Final dates for the Pre-Proposal Tele-conference and application due date will be published in the IFB
Interested hospitals and partners should watch for the formal IFB release. In addition to the Strategic Minor Renovations awards, two additional renovation funding opportunities will be announced later this year.
For Rural Health Transformation Program updates and announcements, subscribe here.
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The Rural Health Transformation Program information provided by the Missouri Department of Social Services is supported by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $216,276,817.66, with 100 percent funded by CMS/HHS. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement by, CMS/HHS, or the U.S. Government.
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