Williamson Health board issues RFP for potential change in ownership; Kaufman Hall to manage review
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Summary
Williamson Health trustees say a request-for-proposal has gone to vetted organizations as part of a broader strategic review; the board emphasized that the RFP is only one pathway and that outside communications with bidders are restricted to Kaufman Hall.
Williamson Health trustees announced on Oct. 13 that the health system has issued a request for proposals (RFP) to qualified organizations as part of a strategic planning process that includes, among other options, potential change of ownership.
Phil Mazuca, Williamson Health CEO, told the county commission that Kaufman Hall is managing the RFP process and that the board expects the first round of responses before the end of the year. He said the board also continues to pursue options for remaining independent and that the RFP represents only one pathway under consideration. “The RFP is merely one potential pathway being explored,” Mazuca said.
Mazuca and hospital staff also warned the commission about unauthorized outreach: the hospital reported an online and phone survey circulating in the community that is not part of the official process and therefore runs contrary to the RFP’s stated rules. “Any attempts to unduly influence the process will be considered during our evaluation process,” Mazuca said, asking commissioners to direct interested parties to Kaufman Hall representatives rather than to the hospital’s management team, staff, medical staff, commissioners or other community leaders.
The trustees’ process allows responses from any qualified organization that meets RFP requirements. When asked whether the RFP distribution is limited to organizations selected by the hospital, Mazuca said any qualified organization may receive and respond to the RFP.
Hospital staff said they expect a limited public update timeline because of the procurement confidentiality necessary for a formal RFP: “We expect the first round of responses before the end of the year. As such, we likely won’t have another update until sometime in 2026,” Mazuca told the commission.
The board also asked the commission and the community to refrain from direct communications with potential bidders and to forward questions to Kaufman Hall. The hospital said all interested parties responding to the RFP agreed to the process condition that communications be handled through Kaufman Hall as the board’s point of contact.
Ending: Williamson Health will return to the public and to local officials with further public updates as the RFP process and any subsequent evaluation proceed; the board said it will continue to pursue independent options in parallel and asked for community patience while the confidential procurement process runs its course.
