1. What is CommunityCares and why is Contexture running an RFP now?
CommunityCares is Arizona’s statewide closed‑loop referral platform, administered by Contexture on behalf of the state of Arizona. As stewards of public funds, Contexture periodically surveys the market to ensure the platform continues to meet evolving community needs; the upcoming procurement cycle evaluates the current vendor (Unite Us) and alternatives.
2. What are the high‑level dates for this procurement?
a. Community engagement Quarter 1, 2026,
b. RFP publication around Quarter 2/Quarter 3 2026,
c. Proposals due Quarter 3 2026,
d. Vendor announcement late Quarter 3 2026.
3. When will the RFP be published, and how long will responses be accepted?
The working timeline targets RFP finalization in quarter 2 of 2026 with a submission window through late quarter 2 of 2026 (Dates may be adjusted slightly.)
4. What happens before the RFP is issued?
Contexture will run a structured community engagement to gather input on desired features, integrations, and support needs; the RFI will be published in alignment with community feedback gathered throughout the community engagement sessions.
5. How can my organization provide feedback before the RFP?
Join one of two statewide virtual sessions or three regional in‑person sessions, information here:
a. Two Virtual Sessions (Open Statewide)
i. Monday, January 26, 2026 | 12:00-1:30 PM
Register via Microsoft Teams
ii. Wednesday, February 11, 2026 | 12:30 PM – 2:00 PM
Register via Microsoft Teams
b. Three Regional In-Person Sessions
i. Southern Region (Tucson)
Wednesday, January 21, 2026 | 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Pima County Library
101 N. Stone Ave., Tucson, AZ 85701 | Register Here
ii. Central Region (Phoenix)
Tuesday, February 3, 2026 | 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM
Ability360
5025–5031 Washington St., Phoenix, AZ 85034 | Register Here
iii. Northern Region (Cottonwood)
Monday, February 23, 2026 | 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM
Steps to Recovery
637 N. Main St., Cottonwood, AZ 86326 | Register Here
6. What kinds of feedback is Contexture seeking in engagement sessions?
Contexture is seeking feedback on information including but not limited to:
- What aspects of the CommunityCares platform are currently working well for your organization or community?
- What areas of the platform could be improved to better support your workflows and outcomes?
- Are there any features or functionalities you wish the platform had that would enhance your ability to serve your clients or partners?
- If future access to the platform is limited to AHCCCS members, what potential impacts or disruptions do you foresee in your workflows or service delivery?
- What kind of platform support (technical, training, onboarding, etc.) are you currently receiving that is working well?
- What additional support would be helpful to improve your experience with the platform?
- What types of data do you currently have access to through the platform that is valuable to your work?
- Are there specific types of data or reporting capabilities you wish you had better access to through the platform?
- What EHR/vendor integrations are important to you?
- What integration/interoperability functionality is desired?
- What privacy/ security standards are important to you?
- Which resource guide information is the most helpful to your work?
- Duplication of data entry for referrals can be an issue. How frequently and in what circumstance do you find yourself duplicating data entry?
- Do you have the information you need to make informed decisions about your clients when you receive a referral? Which additional data would you like to have?
- Which of the reporting features of the UU platform meet your needs? Which reporting features do you wish you could have?
- What has been the biggest hurdle/barrier to your organization’s utilization of CommunityCares
7. Will the feedback directly shape the RFP requirements?
Yes. The RFP will incorporate community input and strategic goals; responses will be scored against fit to community needs, budget, and the ability to meet requirements.
8. What is the proposal review and selection timeline?
Proposal evaluation begins immediately after the submission deadline, with selection and contracting steps targeted by late quarter 2, 2026, and public announcement in quarter 3, 2026.
9. If a new vendor is selected, what is the migration timeline?
Migration and implementation planning would begin after the vendor announcement and continue through July 22, 2027, the targeted go‑live. Training, technical setup, and onboarding are part of this phase.
10. Will the current vendor (Unite Us) remain in place during any transition?
Yes. If a change occurs, Contexture will finalize a transition plan and coordinate contract obligations to ensure continuity of service for partners during the final year prior to the new go‑live.
11. How should current CommunityCares users prepare?
Participate in engagement sessions, share workflow needs and reporting priorities, and monitor updates via the procurement communications listserv and the communitycaresRFP@contexture.org inbox. Until notified otherwise, no platform changes are anticipated.
12. Where can potential bidders and partners send questions?
Please direct general procurement questions to communitycaresRFP@contexture.org
13. Will there be opportunities for broader public input beyond scheduled sessions?
Yes. Contexture is accepting written feedback from community stakeholders. More information on this opportunity to submit written feedback can be found here: Request for Community Feedback
14. How will updates be shared with external stakeholders?
Contexture will use a partner listserv, direct emails to key groups, published session calendars/links, and official announcements at major milestones (RFP publication, selection, and vendor announcement), aligned to the timeline.
