Specifications include, but are not limited to: 1. Research best practices, conduct reviews of literature, and other sources, gather information from providers, and summarize best practice results in a report to the Agency/DDSD. Areas of research include, but are not limited to the following: a. Service definitions; b. Levels of need for each service; c. Units of services; d. Rate setting employed in other states; e. Geographic adjustments for cost of living; f. Costs that are not allowed; g. Waiver management to utilize existing resources more efficiently; 2. Analyze the effectiveness of the current rate methodology, including but not limited to: a. The impact of the sufficiency of supply of providers in service categories identified by Agency/DDSD; b. The ability of service providers to staff Home and Community Based Services waivers; and; c. The quality of service provided.; 3. Evaluate the number of types of service codes being utilized and make recommendations for simplifying and making service codes more reflective of the level and type of services provided.; 4. Develop a method to assess the quality of services provided and the impact, if any, of rates paid and/or costs to the provider.; 5. Proposed rate methodology shall incentivize service priorities by the Agency/DDSD.; B. PROVIDER CAPACITY: Offeror shall examine and enhance services delivered under both Developmental Disabilities and Mi Via Waiver authorities to better align with the needs of the HCBS populations using increased federal support via the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Home and Community-Based Services Spending Plan. All provider capacity recommendations must comply with Federal and State regulations including the CMS Final Settings Rule and the (ARPA) HCBS Spending Plan.; 1. Conduct provider capacity studies to proactively examine the statewide provider network delivering HCBS waiver services for the DD and MV Waivers.; 2. Conduct provider capacity studies to proactively examine the statewide therapy categories and caseloads.; 3. Collect and review summary level provider and utilization data to assess provider capacity and service utilization for each region across the state.; 4. Provide feedback and recommendations of barriers to expansion of provider network.; 5. Research best practices, conduct reviews of literature, and other sources, gather information from providers, and summarize best practice results in a report to DDSD.; Areas of research include, but are not limited to the following: a. Levels of need for each service; b. Geographic nuances and barriers; c. Waiver management to utilize existing resources more efficiently; d. Location of DD providers and MV Vendors providing services; e. Marketing strategies for recruiting direct support professionals and new provider agencies