BPM054748_ATOD RFA.pdf

EXHIBIT A

STANDARD GRANT AGREEMENT (SGA)

REQUEST FOR APPLICATIONS (RFA)

(COMPETITIVE)

CONTRACT ID NUMBER – BHA25-024 / BPM054748

Issue Date: January 5, 2026

Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug Prevention Centers

NOTICE

A Prospective Applicant that has received this document from the Maryland Department of Health, or that has received this document from a source other than the Contract Officer, and that wishes to assure receipt of any changes or additional materials related to this RFA, should immediately contact the Contract Officer and provide the Prospective Applicant’s name and mailing address so that addenda to the RFA or other communications can be sent to the Prospective Applicant.

04/2025

STATE OF MARYLAND

MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

RFA KEY INFORMATION SUMMARY SHEET

Request for Applications: Alcohol, Tobacco and other Drug Prevention Centers

Application Number: BHA25-024 / BPM054748

RFA Issue Date: January 5, 2026

RFA Issuing Office: Maryland Department of Health Behavioral Health Administration Office of Integrated Wellness and Prevention

Contract Officer: Crystal Hack

Maryland Department of Health Behavioral Health Administration Finance & Procurement Division 55 Wade Avenue, Voc. Rehab. Building Catonsville, MD 21228 Phone: 410-627-6814 e-mail: crystal.hack@maryland.gov

Grant Monitor: Helene Hornum Maryland Department of Health Office of Integrated Prevention and Wellness 55 Wade Ave

Catonsville, MD 21228 Phone Number: (443) 934 - 2811 Fax Number: (410) 402 - 8601 E-mail: helene.hornum1@maryland.gov

Applications are to be sent to: eMaryland Marketplace Only! (See section 1.5) eMMA is an electronic commerce system administered by the Maryland Department of General Services.

In order to receive a Contract award, a Contractor must be registered on eMMA.

Registration is free. Go to Login: eMaryland Marketplace Advantage (eMMA) , click on “Register” to begin the process, and then follow the prompts.

Closing Date and Time: Wednesday January 28, 2026 at 2PM Local Time

Pre-Application Conference: Wednesday January 14, 2026 3:15-4:00pm Local Time

Video call link: meet.google.com/pdc-cwph-tbq

Or dial: (US) +1 240-514-8789 PIN: 953 063 790# mailto:crystal.hack@maryland.gov mailto:helene.hornum1@maryland.gov https://emma.maryland.gov/page.aspx/en/usr/login?ReturnUrl=%2Fpage.aspx%2Fen%2Fbuy%2Fhomepage https://emma.maryland.gov/page.aspx/en/usr/login?ReturnUrl=%2Fpage.aspx%2Fen%2Fbuy%2Fhomepage

SECTION 1 - GENERAL INFORMATION

1.1 Summary Statement

1.1.1 The Maryland Department of Health (MDH) or the Department Behavioral Health Administration, is issuing this Request for Applications (RFA) to identify and engage four (4) colleges or universities in Maryland with an established Alcohol, Tobacco, and other Drug Prevention Center on campus with the capacity and expertise to provide programs and activities that prevent and reduce substance misuse and risk-taking behaviors among college-age students.

1.1.2 It is the State’s intention to obtain services, as specified in this RFA, from an Agreement between the selected Applicants and the State. The anticipated duration of services to be provided under this Agreement is anticipated to be July 1, 2026 - June 30, 2029, with one (1) option year. Option year one (1) will be July 1, 2029 – June 30, 2030 for this grant. The contract period and the option year one (1) award is subject to availability of funding and successful implementation of the services specified in this RFA.

1.1.3 The Department intends to make four (4) awards in total as a result of this RFA. One (1) award will be made in each of the following regions ($159,700 per year for each region listed below):

1.1.3.1 Central (Baltimore City, Baltimore County, Cecil County, Howard County, and Harford County)

1.1.3.2 Eastern (Caroline County, Dorchester County, Kent County, Queen Anne’s County, Somerset County, Talbot County, Wicomico County, and Worcester County)

1.1.3.3 Southern (Anne Arundel County, St. Mary’s County, Calvert County, Charles County, Prince George’s County)

1.1.3.4 Western (Allegany County, Garrett County, Frederick County, Washington County, Carroll County, and Montgomery County)

1.1.4 All awards are subject to availability of funding and successful implementation of the services specified in this RFA. MDH may adjust or cancel your award(s) at any time during the year based on available funding.

In the event of a reduction of funding amount, all awards will be reduced by the same amount. In the event of a cancellation, MDH will provide at least 60 days notice of the change in funding availability.

1.1.5 The Department may make four (4) awards up to a combined total of $2,555,200 as a result of this RFA ($159,700 per year for each of the 4 regions), which includes the one (1) year option to renew. (Note: if this RFA includes options, option amount should be included in the total budget amount).

1.1.6 Applicants, either directly or through their subcontractor(s), must be able to provide all services and meet all of the requirements requested in this Application and the successful Applicants shall remain responsible for performance regardless of subcontractor participation in the work. For each award in each region, the Applicant with the highest overall ranking in each region will be given the right of first refusal to provide the requested services. If that Applicant is unwilling or unable to perform the requested services, the Applicant with the next highest overall ranking in that region will be asked to provide the requested services, and so forth. Each Applicant will have 2 business days to respond to a service request before a request is made to the next subsequent Applicant.

1.1.7 Unless expressly provided by law, Department awards may not be appealed

1.2 Contract Type

The Agreement resulting from this Application shall be a firm fixed price.

1.3 Contract Officer

The sole point of contact in the State for purposes of this Application prior to the award of any Agreement is the Contract Officer at the address listed below:

Crystal Hack

Maryland Department of Health Behavioral Health Administration Finance & Procurement Division 55 Wade Avenue Voc. Rehab. Building Catonsville, MD 21228 Phone: 410-627-6814 e-mail: crystal.hack@maryland.gov

The Department may change the Contract Officer at any time by written notice.

1.4 Grant Monitor

The Grant Monitor is:

Helene Hornum Maryland Department of Health Office of Integrated Prevention and Wellness 55 Wade Avenue

Catonsville, MD 21228 Phone Number: (443) 934 - 2811 Fax Number: (410) 402 - 8601 E-mail: helene.hornum1@maryland.gov

The Department may change the Grant Monitor at any time by written notice.

1.5 eMaryland Marketplace Advantage

Each Applicant is requested to indicate its eMaryland Marketplace Advantage (eMMA) vendor number in the Transmittal Letter (cover letter) submitted at the time of its Application submission to this RFA.

eMMA is an electronic commerce system administered by the Maryland Department of General Services. The RFA and associated materials, the Application and summary of the Pre-Application Conference, Applicant questions and the Contract Officer’s responses, addenda, and other Application-related information will be provided via eMMA.

In order to receive a contract award, a vendor must be registered on eMMA. Registration is free. Go to Login:

eMaryland Marketplace Advantage (eMMA) , click on “Register” to begin the process, and then follow the prompts.

mailto:crystal.hack@maryland.gov mailto:helene.hornum1@maryland.gov https://emma.maryland.gov/page.aspx/en/usr/login?ReturnUrl=%2Fpage.aspx%2Fen%2Fbuy%2Fhomepage

1.6 Questions

Written questions from prospective Applicants will be accepted by the Contract Officer. Questions to the Contract Officer shall be submitted via the eMaryland Marketplace Advantage (eMMA.)

Questions are requested to be submitted at least seven days prior to the Application due date. The Contract Officer, based on the availability of time to research and communicate an answer, shall decide whether an answer can be given before the Application due date.

1.7 Application Due (Closing) Date and Time

Applications must be received in eMMA (eMaryland Marketplace Advantage) no later than 2:00 PM Local Time on January 28, 2026, in order to be considered. Submission date and time is the date and time of arrival in the Contract Officer’s eMMA inbox. Time stamps on outgoing email from Applicants shall not be accepted.

Requests for extension of this time or date will not be granted. Applications received after the due date and time listed in this section will not be considered. Questions regarding this solicitation should be submitted to eMMA only.

Applications may be modified or withdrawn by written notice received by the Contract Officer before the time and date set forth in this section for receipt of the Application. Multiple and/or alternate Applications will not be accepted.

1.8 Award Basis

The Grant shall be awarded to responsible Applicants submitting Applications that have been determined to be the most advantageous to the State, considering price and evaluation factors set forth in this RFA, for providing the activities as specified in this RFA. See RFA Section 5 for further award information.

1.9 Revisions to the RFA

If it becomes necessary to revise this RFA before the due date for Applications, the Department shall endeavor to provide addenda to all prospective Applicants that were sent this RFA or which are otherwise known by the Contract Officer to have obtained this RFA. Addenda made after the due date for Applications will be sent only to those Applicants that submitted a timely Application and that remain under award consideration as of the issuance date of the addenda.

Acknowledgment of the receipt of all addenda to this RFA issued before the Application due date shall be included in the Transmittal Letter accompanying the Applicant’s Project Narrative. Acknowledgement of the receipt of addenda to the RFA issued after the Application due date shall be in the manner specified in the addendum notice. Failure to acknowledge receipt of an addendum does not relieve the Applicant from complying with the terms, additions, deletions, or corrections set forth in the addendum.

1.10 Cancellation

The State reserves the right to cancel this RFA, accept or reject any and all Applications, in whole or in part, received in response to this RFA, waive or permit the cure of minor irregularities, and conduct discussions with all qualified or potentially qualified Offerors in any manner necessary to serve the best interests of the State. The State reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to award a Grant based upon the written Applications received without discussions or negotiations.

In the event a government entity proposes and receives the recommendation for award, the solicitation may be canceled, and the award processed in accordance with COMAR 21.01.03.01.A(4). If the services that are the subject of the RFA are currently being provided under an interagency agreement with a public institution of higher education and the State determines that the services can be provided more cost effectively by the public institution of higher education, then the RFA may be canceled in accordance with Md. Code Ann., State Finance and Procurement Art., § 3- 207(b)(2).

THE REMAINDER OF THIS PAGE IS INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK.

SECTION 2 – MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS

2.1 Applicant Mandatory Requirements

The Applicant must provide proof with its Application that the following Mandatory Requirements have been met:

2.1.1 The Applicant shall be a Social organization as defined per Section 7-402 of the State Finance and

Procurement Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland or a local, state government agency, public college or state university.

2.1.2 For social organization Applicants (not local, state government agency, public college, or state university), the

Applicant must be a nonprofit organization, classified by the IRS as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Applications must include attachments of the following documentation from the applicant:

● Documentation of tax-exempt status of the Applicant or the Applicant’s fiscal sponsor (i.e. IRS tax exempt status determination letter)

2.1.3 The Applicant shall be an accredited higher education institution within Maryland certified by the Middle Stat es Commission on Higher Education. As proof of meeting this requirement, the Applicant shall provide with its application proof of current accreditation issued by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

2.1.4 The Applicant shall have a minimum of 0-2 years of experience in implementing substance use prevention programs. As proof of meeting this requirement, resumes of the project director and any staff who are 100% funded by this project must be included."2.1.4. The Applicant is desired to have at least three (3) years of experience in implementing substance use prevention programs to demonstrate familiarity with evidence-based strategies and SAMHSA’s Strategic Prevention Framework, as well as a deep understanding of campus culture and student risk factors. Candidates with fewer (0-2) years of experience who can demonstrate equivalent knowledge in designing & evaluating prevention programs to appropriately support students, a successful project history reflective of fostering campus & community partnerships, and meeting grant & policy obligations may also be considered. As proof of meeting this requirement, resumes of the project director and any staff who are 100% funded by this project must be included."

2.1.5 Proven history of reaching target populations who are at risk for substance use and misuse.

2.1.6 The applicant shall develop and implement a strategic plan that aligns with the Substance Abuse and

Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) Strategic Prevention Framework. (Please see Section 3.2 for additional details).

2.1.7 The applicant shall align all interventions with SAMHSA’s Center for Substance Use Prevention

Strategies. (Please see Section 3.2 for additional details).

2.1.8 The applicant shall establish/maintain membership in the Maryland Collaborative to Reduce College-Age Drinking and Related Problems.

2.1.9 The applicant must be in good standing with the state of Maryland to obtain an award.

https://www.msche.org/ https://egov.maryland.gov/businessexpress

SECTION 3 – SCOPE OF WORK

3.1 Background and Purpose

The purpose of this RFA is for a university or college to establish and maintain an Alcohol, Tobacco and other Drug

Prevention (ATOD) Center in one (1) of the four (4) regions in Maryland to provide programs and activities that prevent and reduce substance use/misuse and risk-taking behaviors among students. Four (4) different universities or colleges will be selected for an award that covers each of the regions in Maryland which are the: Western region, Central region, Eastern region, and Southern region.

The ATOD Centers apply evidence-based approaches at both the individual level (e.g/ screening and brief intervention) and the environmental level (e.g., strengthening policies to reduce substance misuse) that actively supports, educates, and empowers students to make healthy choices. The ATOD Centers engage students in developing leadership and critical thinking skills that create campus environments supportive of academic success and wellness, resulting in a reduction of student drinking and other substance use. In addition, the ATOD Centers collaborate with agencies and organizations in the community surrounding the campus.

3.2 Scope of Work - Requirements

The Applicant shall:

A. Purpose and Objectives

a. Develop, implement, and evaluate comprehensive strategies to address Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other

Drugs (ATODs) prevention efforts.

b. Align all activities with SAMHSA’s Strategic Prevention Framework (SPF) model and CSAP’s six prevention strategies to ensure effective, data-driven, and culturally responsive approaches.

i. Information Dissemination

ii. Environmental

iii. Prevention Education

iv. Problem ID and Referral

v. Community-based Process

vi. Alternatives B. Key Requirements

a. Development of a Two-Year Strategic Plan (Aligned with SAMHSA’s SPF Model)

● Assessment

○ Conduct a thorough community needs assessment to identify ATOD-related issues, root causes, and risk/protective factors.

○ Utilize data (quantitative and qualitative) to define the scope of the problem, community resources, and service gaps.

● Capacity Building

○ Engage and train key stakeholders, community-based organizations, and diverse populations to enhance readiness.

○ Develop partnerships to support the prevention infrastructure that would include campus organizations or other departments/offices, local health authority, and other colleges/universities. Developing partnerships with community partners in their respective region will be a requirement.

● Planning

○ Develop a two-year strategic plan that includes SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) goals and objectives.

○ Integrate evidence-based and culturally relevant strategies into the plan.

○ Utilize logic models to demonstrate the alignment of activities, outputs, and outcomes.

● Sustainability Planning

○ Include a sustainability plan to ensure the continuation of successful initiatives beyond the grant period.

● The two-year strategic plan shall be produced in a manner determined by the BHA and completed by the end of year one of the award.

b. Implementation of Evidence-Based Programs and Initiatives

i. Within the first three (3) months after the start date of the award, contractors will develop, receive approval for, and begin implementation of a plan for the first year of the contract.

1. The plan shall include evidence-based programs and/or initiatives that align with at least one (1) of the following six (6) SAMHSA CSAP strategies:

a. Information Dissemination: Educate the public and stakeholders on ATOD prevention through targeted campaigns.

b. Prevention Education: Implement structured programs to teach skills and build resilience.

c. Alternatives: Provide healthy, substance-free activities to promote engagement.

d. Problem Identification and Referral: Identify individuals at risk and connect them to appropriate services.

e. Community-Based Processes: Strengthen partnerships and coalitions to coordinate prevention efforts.

f. Environmental Approaches: Develop policies and strategies to reduce risk factors and create supportive environments.

2. The plan shall include a minimum of five (5) performance measures and accompanying benchmarks for each strategy selected.

3. The plan shall include an evaluation section that describes the methods that will be utilized to track outcomes. (Please see section 3.2.D for additional information.)

4. Tailor interventions to meet the specific needs of the population of focus.

5. Ensure program fidelity while allowing for necessary adaptations to increase relevance and effectiveness.

c. Evaluation Methods to Track Outcomes

i. Process Evaluation

1. Monitor and document program activities, participation, and adherence to the strategic plan.

2. Identify and address implementation challenges to ensure program fidelity.

ii. Outcome Evaluation

1. Establish indicators to measure changes in behavior, knowledge, attitudes, and community conditions related to ATOD prevention.

2. Track short-term, intermediate, and long-term outcomes aligned with program objectives.

iii. Data Collection and Reporting

1. Collect and analyze both quantitative and qualitative data using culturally appropriate tools and methods.

2. Submit quarterly progress reports and a final evaluation report detailing successes, challenges, and lessons learned.

iv. Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI)

1. Use evaluation results to refine and improve programs throughout the grant period.

3.2.1 General Requirements

3.2.1.1 The Americans with Disabilities Act: The Americans with Disabilities Act (https:www.ada.gov/) protects qualified individuals with disabilities from discrimination on the basis of disability in services, programs, and activities. Accessibility and inclusion of diverse populations are essential to reduce health disparities for vulnerable populations. Contractors must comply with all ADA requirements in their work to ensure the needs of persons with disabilities and other vulnerable populations are met. This includes, but is not limited to:

● facilities and any venues used for meetings/conferences are accessible;

● requested accommodations are provided in a timely manner; and

● written and printed materials developed in accessible formats (easy to read, large print, etc.), or providing access to alternative formats.

For contracts which include direct patient care or service delivery through a program, the ADA requires entities provide full and equal access for people with disabilities. This includes, but is not limited to:

● reasonable modifications of policies, practices, and procedures;

● effective communication; and

● accessible facilities.

3.2.1.2 The application shall provide in their technical proposal:

A. Transmittal letter B. A project narrative including:

1. Description of applicant’s understanding of substance use and misuse among college students;

2. Description of processes to complete the scope of work;

3. Organizational capacity to complete the scope of work including staff resumes or required qualifications;

C. A work plan (Attachment C) to accomplish all of the deliverables in the Scope of work and shall include goals, key activities/tasks, persons responsible, progress measurement, begin dates and end dates.

D. Three (3) letters of reference from the past five (5) years able to attest to the applicant’s experience with implementing substance use prevention programs/services.

E. The proposal shall demonstrate:

a. At least three (3) years of experience implementing and/or knowledge of substance prevention and misuse.

b. Experience with reaching populations of focus at high risk for substance use and misuse.

F. The proposal shall include a commitment of the contractor to meet (virtually/in-person) with the IPW prevention team:

a. Within two (2) weeks of the Grant award for an initial planning meeting;

b. Quarterly check-in calls; and

c. Bi-annual site visits

G. The proposal shall include a commitment of the contractor to attend any training offered by a BHA provider.

3.2.1.3 Deliverables

A. A detailed strategic plan aligned with SAMHSA’s SPF model and CSAP strategies due within 90 days of the award. This would include a 5 section plan modeled after the 5 step SPF model.

B. Quarterly progress and financial reports. (please see section 3.2.1.4) C. Comprehensive final evaluation report summarizing outcomes, challenges, and sustainability recommendations. (Please see section 3.2.1.4)

3.2.1.4 Reporting

The Department reserves the ability to request monthly data submissions to align with external reporting requirements.

The reports consist of:

A. Monthly

a. Data submitted on a data collection form provided by BHA.

B. Quarterly

a. Progress reports - Narrative that discusses implementation of strategies and evaluation.

b. Universal Reporting Form (must also be submitted to the email address on the form. BHA reserves the right to change the reporting frequency and format and will notify the ATODs no later than 60 days before the close of the quarter for the subsequent reporting period. If reporting deadlines are missed, BHA may place the Award Recipient on a Corrective Action Plan.

c. Quarterly Expenditure Reports (Excel spreadsheet)

d. All of the quarterly reports shall be submitted to bha.prevention@maryland.gov.

C. Annually

A narrative report that includes data on grant outcomes on each of the approved strategies and shall be submitted no later than the 30th day of the month following the close of the fiscal year. The report shall be submitted in a format provided by BHA and emailed to bha.prevention@maryland.gov.

BHA intends to host programmatic meetings to discuss program achievements and opportunities within and across jurisdictions. The ATOD must make staff available to participate in these discussions.

3.3 Invoicing

3.3.1 General

(a) All invoices for services shall be signed by the Grantee and submitted to the Grant Monitor. All invoices shall include the following information:

● Grantee name;

● Remittance address;

● Federal taxpayer identification number (or if sole proprietorship, the individual’s social security number);

● Invoice period;

● Invoice date;

● Invoice number;

● State assigned Contract number;

● State assigned (Blanket) Purchase Order number(s);

● Line item breakdown of how much is charged to each expense line in the approved budget;

● Goods or services provided; and mailto:bha.prevention@maryland.gov

● Amount due.

Invoices submitted without the required information cannot be processed for payment until the Contractor provides the required information.

(b) The Department reserves the right to reduce or withhold Grant payment in the event the Grantee does not provide the Department with all required deliverables within the time frame specified in the Grant or in the event that the Grantee otherwise materially breaches the terms and conditions of the Grant until such time as the Grantee brings itself into full compliance with the Grant. All invoices and expenditure reports must be submitted with approved backup documentation no later than 60 days after the end of each quarter or the invoice will not be processed for payment (unless the grantee has received written approval from the program).

3.3.2 Invoice Submission Schedule

The Grantee shall submit invoices in accordance with the following schedule:

Quarter Period of performance Invoice/Expenditure Report due date

Quarter 1 Invoice/ Expenditure Report

July 1, 2026 – September 30, 2026 Due October 15, 2026

Quarter 2 Invoice/ Expenditure Report

October 1, 2026 – December 31, 2026 Due January 15, 2027

Quarter 3 Invoice/ Expenditure Report

January 1, 2027 – March 31, 2027 Due April 15, 2027

Quarter 4 Invoice/ Expenditure Report

April 1, 2027 – June 30, 2027 Due July 15, 2027

Invoices are due by the last day of the month following the end of each quarter in which services were performed. Invoices shall be submitted to bha-fiscal.invoices@maryland.gov with a copy to bha.prevention@maryland.gov and mdh.ppdoperations@maryland.gov.

mailto:bha-fiscal.invoices@maryland.gov mailto:bha.prevention@maryland.gov mailto:mdh.ppdoperations@maryland.gov

SECTION 4 – APPLICATION FORMAT

4.1 Two Part Submission

Offerors shall submit Applications in separate volumes:

▪ Volume I – Project Narrative

▪ Volume II – Budget Justification/Narrative

4.2 Applications

4.2.1 Applications must be submitted via eMMA (eMaryland Marketplace Advantage) listed on the Key

Information Summary Sheet. The Contract Officer will not accept submission after the date and exact time stated in the Key Information Summary Sheet. The date and time of submission is determined by the date and time of arrival in the Contract Officer eMMA inbox. Time stamps on outgoing email from Applicants shall not be accepted.

4.2.1.1 The email submission subject line shall state the RFA Title and number and either Technical Application or Budget Narrative.

4.2.1.2 Two Part Submission:

A. Technical Application (See 4.3.)

B. Budget Narrative (See 4.4)

4.2.2 Applications will be shown only to State employees, members of the Evaluation Committee, or other persons deemed by the Department to have a legitimate interest in them.

*All information submitted as part of this application is subject to release under the Public Information Act (PIA). If you would like the Maryland Department of Health (MDH) to consider redactions in the event that your application is subject to a PIA request, submit a proposed PIA copy including justifications for each redaction and under what statute that justification is qualified for redaction.

4.3 Volume I – Project Narrative

Note: No pricing information is to be included in the Project Narrative (Volume 1). Pricing information is to be included only in the Budget Justification/Narrative (Volume II).

4.3.1 The Technical Application shall include the following documents and information in the order specified as follows:

4.3.1.1 Transmittal Letter:

● Applicant;

● Application Title and Application Number that the Application is in response to;

● Signature, typed name, and title of an individual authorized to commit the Applicant to its

Application;

● Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN) of the Applicant, or if a single individual, that individual’s Social Security Number (SSN);

● Applicant’s eMMA number;

● Applicant’s MBE certification number (if applicable);

● Applicant’s SBR number (if applicable) – please contact eMMA at 410-767-1492 if you don’t know your number.

4.3.1.2 The Project Narrative shall include the following items below:

A. A description of applicant’s experience and/or understanding of substance use and misuse among college students.

B. A description of processes to complete the scope of work requirements listed in Section 3.2 including the goals, key tasks/activities, person(s) responsible, begin date and end date of proposed project. Discuss any barriers you anticipate encountering and approaches you will use to overcome these barriers.

C. Organizational capacity to complete the scope of work including staff resumes or required qualifications;

D. Program Management - Describe the roles and responsibilities of all program staff such as leadership, service providers, and fiscal staff.

E. Partnerships - Describe the role of partnerships with internal and external partners.

F. Evidence of at least two (3) years of professional experience with governmental agencies, educational institutions, or community organizations.

G. Key Information Chart - The Applicant must complete the following chart and include it as part of the project narrative.

Key information chart

Organization name Jurisdictions/counties served Estimated number of people served by the proposed project Names (or indicate “to be hired”), position title/role, and FTE (% time) of all staff members included in the budget of this grant

Primary contact for this application (name, title, phone number, email address)

Primary fiscal contact for this grant if awarded

Primary programmatic contact for ongoing monitoring of this grant if awarded

Do you acknowledge agreement to meet the American with Disabilities Act Statement in Section 3.2 and meet all requirements? (Yes or No)

4.3.1.3 The application will include the following attachments.

Each attachment should have a title page with the attachment title and organizational name.

A. References - Three (3) letters of reference which confirms the applicant’s capacity to complete the scope of work.

4.3.1.4 Mandatory Requirements Documentation (See Section 2)

4.3.1.5 Applicant Technical Response to RFA Requirements and Proposed Work Plan:

a. The Applicant shall address each Scope of Work requirement (Section 3.2) in its Project Narrative and describe how its proposed services, including the services of any proposed subcontractor(s), will meet or exceed the requirement(s). If the State is seeking Applicant agreement to any requirement(s), the Applicant shall state its agreement or disagreement.

Any paragraph in the Project Narrative that responds to a Scope of Work (Section 3.2) requirement shall include an explanation of how the work will be done. Any exception to a requirement, term, or condition may result in having the Application classified as not reasonably susceptible of being selected for award or the Applicant deemed non-responsive.

b. Applicant shall acknowledge they have read the American with Disabilities Act Statement in Section 3.2 and will meet all requirements.

4.3.1.6 Signed W-9 with Contact Person Names and Phone Number

4.4 Volume II – Budget Narrative

4.4.1 Under separate sealed cover from the Project Narrative and clearly identified in the format identified in

Section 4.2 “Applications,” the Applicant shall submit an original unbound copy of the Budget Narrative.

The Budget Narrative shall contain all price information in the format specified in Exhibit C. The Applicant shall complete the Budget Narrative Form only as provided in the Budget Narrative Form.

4.4.2 The Applicant shall attach to the Budget Form Exhibit B document that details the total cost of the proposed activities. The budget categories may include: Personnel (salary and fringe), Consultants; Travel; Contractual;

Supplies; Operating Costs; and Other project-related costs.

SECTION 5 – EVALUATION COMMITTEE, EVALUATION CRITERIA, AND SELECTION PROCEDURE

5.1 Evaluation Committee

Evaluation of Applications will be performed by a committee established for that purpose and based on the evaluation criteria set forth below. The Evaluation Committee will review Applications, participate in Applicant presentations and discussions, and provide input to the Contract Officer. The Department reserves the right to utilize the services of individuals outside of the established Evaluation Committee for advice and assistance, as deemed appropriate.

5.2 Project Narrative Evaluation Criteria

The criteria to be used to evaluate each Project Narrative listed below (See Section 3.2)

Applications will be evaluated by the Evaluation Committee out of a total score of 100 points. The Application with the highest Total Average Score in each of the four regions (Central, Eastern, Southern, and Western) will be considered for funding. This will be determined by the Evaluation Committee’s scoring.

Rank Evaluation Criteria Corresponding Criteria Question Possible Points

1 Project Design, Methodology, and Alignment with SAMHSA’s Strategic Prevention Framework (SPF) (Purpose & Planning)

Does the Project Narrative propose a clear, comprehensive plan that fully aligns with the five steps of the SAMHSA SPF model, including utilizing logic models to demonstrate alignment of activities, outputs, and expected outcomes?

2 Implementation of Evidence- Based CSAP Strategies and Performance Measurement

Does the plan clearly define evidence-based programs and/or initiatives that align with at least one (1) of the six CSAP strategies, and does it include a minimum of five (5) appropriate performance measures and accompanying benchmarks for each selected strategy?

3 Assessment, Problem Understanding, and Tailoring Interventions

Does the application demonstrate a clear understanding of substance use and misuse among college students (the population of focus), and does the proposed needs assessment and subsequent intervention plan ensure that programs are tailored to meet the specific cultural and demographic needs of the population of focus?

4 Organizational and Personnel Capacity to Execute Scope of Work

Does the proposal demonstrate the requisite three (3) years of experience and/or knowledge of substance prevention and misuse, proven experience with high-risk populations, and does the Organizational Capacity section and staff resumes reflect the necessary qualifications to successfully complete the Scope of Work?

5 Evaluation Plan and Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI)

Does the proposal include a robust Evaluation Plan that specifies methods to conduct both process and outcome evaluations, establishes appropriate indicators to measure changes, and includes a clear strategy for Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) using collected data?

6 Sustainability and Partnership Development

Does the applicant present a credible Sustainability Plan to ensure continuation of successful initiatives beyond the grant period, and a strong plan for Capacity Building through the engagement and training of key stakeholders and community partners?

7 Commitment to Compliance and Reporting Requirements

Does the applicant acknowledge and commit to meeting all required General Requirements (e.g., ADA compliance), Work Plan components, and Reporting obligations, including monthly data, quarterly reports, annual reports, and participation in all required meetings and site visits?

Note: The above criteria are based on the principle that the core programmatic requirements (SPF alignment, specific strategy implementation, and addressing the defined problem) are of highest importance, followed by the capacity to execute the work, and finally, the administrative and long-term sustainability elements.

5.3 Budget Narrative Evaluation Criteria

All Qualified Applicants will be ranked from the lowest (most advantageous) to the highest (least advantageous) based on the rating of the Project Narratives. The Budget Narrative (including the Budget Form and Budget Narrative), will be evaluated based on reasonable cost given the time and effort described in the Project Narrative.

The budget line items must be within the stated guidelines set forth in this RFA and as submitted on Exhibit C – Budget Narrative.

5.4 Selection Procedures

5.4.1 General

The Grant will be awarded in accordance with the Standard Grant Agreement method outlined in the Announcement. The State may determine an Applicant to be non-responsive and/or an Applicant’s Application to be not reasonably susceptible of being selected for award at any time after the initial closing date for receipt of Applications and prior to Grant award. If the State finds an Applicant to be not responsive and/or an Applicant’s Project Narrative to be not reasonably susceptible of being selected for award, that Applicant’s Budget Narrative will be returned if the Budget Narrative is unopened at the time of the determination.

5.4.2 Award Determination

Upon completion of the Project Narrative and Budget Narrative evaluations and rankings, each Applicant will receive an overall ranking. The Contract Officer will recommend award of the Grant to the responsible Applicant that submitted the Application determined to be the most advantageous to the State. In making this most advantageous Application determination, technical factors and financial factors will be weighted equally.

RFA ATTACHMENTS

EXHIBIT B – Budget Form This must be completed and submitted with the Project Narrative in a separate pdf formatted document.

EXHIBIT C – Budget Narrative This form must be completed and submitted with the Budget Form in a separate pdf formatted document from the Project Narrative.

ATTACHMENT A – Standard Grant Agreement “Sample” This is the sample grant agreement used by the Department. It is provided with the RFA for informational purposes and is not required to be submitted at the Application submission time. Upon notification of recommendation for award, a completed standard grant agreement will be sent to the recommended awardee for signature. The recommended awardee must return to the Contract Officer the signed copy of the Standard Grant Agreement within five (5) Business Days after receipt. Upon award, a fully executed copy will be sent to the Grantee.

ATTACHMENT B – RFA Document Checklist Use this checklist to ensure that the required documents for the Project Narrative and Budget Narrative are completed.

ATTACHMENT C – Work Plan Template

EXHIBIT B – BUDGET FORM

BUDGET FORM

The Budget Narrative shall contain all price information in the format specified on these pages. Complete the Budget Form only as provided in the Budget Form format. Do not amend, alter or leave blank any items on the Budget Form.

Failure to adhere to any of these instructions may result in the Budget Narrative being determined non-responsive and rejected by the Department.

Submitted By:

Authorized Signature: ______________________________________ Date: ________________________ Printed Name and Title: __________________________________________________________________ Company Name : ___________________________________________________________________ Company Address: ______________________________________________________________________ Location(s) from which services will be performed (City/State): ___________________________________

FEIN: _________________________________________

eMMA #: ________________________________________ Telephone: (_______) _______-- ____________________ Fax: (_______) _______--____________________ E-mail: _________________________________________

Budget Summary

Line Item Qty Unit Cost Total Cost Salary Fringe Contractual Travel Operating Costs Supplies Other (specify) Other (specify) Other (specify) Other (specify)

TOTAL

Budget cannot exceed $

IDC 15% CAP

EXHIBIT C – BUDGET NARRATIVE

BUDGET NARRATIVE TEMPLATE

(Please submit a separate Narrative for each Budget Period)

Sample Line-Item Justification

Personnel (Preventionist): $15,600

Justification: The Preventionist will be responsible for: conducting project-related relationship-building activities with new and existing partners; developing informational materials for community leaders and the public, including fact sheets and social media posts related to the project topic; coordinating and facilitating monthly project meetings with partners; conducting awareness-building activities within key demographic areas in the community to engage the project target audience; developing and providing professional training at targeted local governmental agencies and private businesses; attending community events relevant to the project and the project’s partners. The Project Coordinator will also attend RISEMD meetings, collect data, conduct evaluation activities, prepare reports, and act as a liaison with the MDH Grant Monitor.

$30/hr x 520 hours = $15,600

ATTACHMENT A – Standard Grant Agreement “SAMPLE”

ORGANIZATIONS RECEIVING APPROPRIATIONS FROM THE STATE

STANDARD GRANT AGREEMENT

This Agreement, which is executed in compliance with Section 7-402 of the State Finance and Procurement Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland, is made this <enter day> day of <month, year> , between the State of Maryland (the “State”), acting through the Maryland Department of Health, (the “Department”), located at <enter MDH Address> and the <grantee name> (the “Grantee” ), located at <grantee address> in <county / city> County, <state, zip> , a Maryland Limited Liability Company / Corporation. .

1. Effective on the date of execution of this Agreement, the State is extending to the Grantee a grant in the amount of <amount in words> Dollars ($ xx,xxx.xx) (the “Grant”), which the Grantee shall use only for the following purposes: <grant purpose>

2. Any expenditure of Grant funds that is not consistent with purposes stated in paragraph 1 may, at the sole discretion of the Department, be disallowed. Should any expenditure be disallowed or should the Grantee violate any of the terms of this Agreement, the State may require repayment to the State Treasury, an offset from any State Grant to the Grantee in the current or succeeding fiscal year, or other appropriate action. The Grantee shall repay to the State any part of the Grant that is not used for the purposes stated in paragraph 1 within 3 months after the date of this Agreement.

3. The Grantee may not sell, lease, exchange, give away, or otherwise transfer or dispose of real or personal property, or any part of or interest in real or personal property, acquired with Grant funds without the prior written consent of the Department. This includes transfer or disposition to a successor on the merger, dissolution, or other termination of the existence of the Grantee. The Grantee shall give the Department written notice at least 30 calendar days before any proposed transfer or disposition. Any proceeds from a permitted transfer or disposition shall be applied to repay to the State a percentage of that portion of the Grant allocable to the particular real or personal property transferred or disposed of, unless the Department and the Grantee agree to other terms and conditions. The percentage shall be equal to the percentage of the unadjusted basis of the property that would remain if the property had been recovery property placed in service after December 31, 1980 and if all allowable deductions had been taken up to the time of disposition under the Accelerated Cost Recovery System (ACRS) specified in the United States Internal Revenue Code, Section 168(b)(1).

4. For any item of real or personal property that is acquired with Grant funds and has an original fair market value of Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000) or more, the Grantee shall, at its own expense, and for the reasonable useful life of that item or for 5 years, whichever is less, obtain and maintain insurance. The insurance shall provide full protection for the Grantee and the State against loss, damage, or destruction of or to the real or personal property. The Grantee shall, on request, provide the Department with satisfactory evidence of its compliance with this requirement.

Proceeds of insurance required by this paragraph shall be applied toward replacement of the real or personal property or toward the partial or total repayment of the State of the Grant, in the sole discretion of the Department.

5. The Grantee may not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or any other characteristic forbidden as a basis for discrimination by applicable laws, and certifies that its Constitution or by-laws contains a non-discrimination clause consistent with the Governor’s Code of Fair practices.

6. The person executing this Agreement on behalf of the Grantee certifies, to the best of that person’s knowledge and belief, that:

A.) Neither the Grantee, nor any of its officers or directors, nor any employee of the Grantee involved in obtaining contracts with or grants from the State or any subdivision of the State, has engaged in collusion with respect to the Grantee’s application for the Grant or this Agreement or has been convicted of bribery, attempted bribery, or conspiracy to bribe under the laws of any state or of the United States;

B.) The Grantee has not employed or retained any person, partnership, corporation, or other entity, other than a bona fide employee or agent working for the Grantee, to solicit or secure the Grant or this Agreement, and the Grantee has not paid or agreed to pay any such entity any fee or other consideration contingent on the making of the Grant or this Agreement; the grantee understands and complies with the Conflicts of Interest provision of the Public Ethics Law, Maryland Code Annotated, General Provisions, Title 5, Subtitle 5.

C.) The Grantee, if incorporated, is registered or qualified in accordance with the Corporations and

Associations Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland, is in good standing, has filed all required annual reports and filing fees with the Department of Assessments and Taxation and all required tax returns and reports with the Comptroller of the Treasury, the Department of Assessments and Taxation, and the Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation, and has paid or arranged for the payment of all taxes due to the State; and

D.) No money has been paid to or promised to be paid to any legislative agent, attorney, or lobbyist for any services rendered in securing the passage of legislation establishing or appropriating funds for the Grant.

E.) Neither the Grantee, nor any of its officers or directors, nor any person substantially involved in the contracting or fund raising activities of the Grantee, is currently suspended or debarred from contracting with the State or any other public entity or subject to debarment under the Code of Maryland Regulations, COMAR 21.08.04.04.

7. Within 60 calendar days after the close of any grant period in which the Grantee receives funds under this Agreement, the Grantee shall provide to the Department an itemized statement of expenditures, showing how the funds were expended for that grant period. In addition, a copy of the statement shall be mailed to the Director, General Accounting Division, Office of the Comptroller of the Treasury, Room 200, Louis L. Goldstein Treasury Building, Annapolis, Maryland 21401. The Grantee shall retain bills of sale or other satisfactory evidence of the acquisition of any real or personal property for at least 3 years after the date of this Agreement. The Department, the Department of Budget and Management, the State Comptroller, and the Legislative Auditor, or any of them, may examine and audit this evidence, on request, at any reasonable time within the retention period.

8. The Grantee shall comply with Section 7-221, 7-402, and 7-403 of the State Finance and Procurement Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland, as applicable.

9. The laws of Maryland shall govern the interpretation and enforcement of this Agreement.

10. This Agreement shall bind the respective successors and assigns of the parties.

11. The Grantee may not sell, transfer, or otherwise assign any of its obligations under this Agreement, or its rights, title, or interest in this Agreement, without the prior written consent of the Department.

12. No amendment to this Agreement is binding unless it is in writing and signed by both parties.

13. The following items are incorporated by reference and made a part of this Agreement .Appendix A & B, Attachment A, B, C, D, E.&F.

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, WITNESS the hands and seals of the parties.

GRANTEE

(Name of Corporation or Association)

By:

. SEAL

Name: .

Title:

DEPARTMENT

Maryland Department of Health.

(Name of Corporation or Association)

By:

SEAL

Name:

Title:

Date:

Date:

APPENDIX A

The Department’s Grant Monitor is: The Grantee’s Grant Monitor is:

<Name and Title of MDH grant monitor> <enter name, title, office, grantee agency, address, <Office> phone number and email > Maryland Department of Health 201 W. Preston Street Baltimore, Maryland 21201 Phone:

Email:

I. BACKGROUND INFORMATION OF AGREEMENT

<Enter background information of the agreement>

II. DUTIES OF THE GRANTEE

SCOPE OF WORK:

<Enter all duties and scopes of work for the grant agreement>

The Remainder of This Page is Left Blank

APPENDIX B (insert revised budget)

Cost Estimate for:

<Name of Project>

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE - <Date of Project>

<Enter Budget>

II. DUTIES OF THE DEPARTMENT

Other than awarding the funds to the for this project …