Community based research RFR.01.14.2021.docx

Community-Engaged Research to Explore Impacts of Casinos in Massachusetts

Bid BD-21-1068-1700-1-57792

Key Procurement Dates Date

Background The Massachusetts Gaming Commission is responsible for the creation of a fair, transparent, and participatory process for implementing the expanded gaming law passed by the Legislature and signed by the Governor in November, 2011. In creating that process, the commission will strive to ensure that its decision-making and regulatory systems engender the confidence of the public and participants, and that they provide the greatest possible economic development benefits and revenues to the people of the Commonwealth, reduce to the maximum extent possible the potentially negative or unintended consequences of the new legislation, and allow an appropriate return on investment for gaming providers that assures the operation of casino-resorts of the highest quality.

The Gaming Act requires that the commission establish an “annual research agenda” in order to understand the effects of expanded gaming in the Commonwealth. Section 71 of Chapter 23K of the Massachusetts General Laws directs the commission, with the advice of the Gaming Policy Advisory Committee, to develop an annual research agenda in order to understand the social and economic effects of expanding gaming in the commonwealth and to obtain scientific information relative to the neuroscience, psychology, sociology, epidemiology and etiology of gambling. For a full text of the Gaming Act please visit http://massgaming.com/about/expanded-gaming-act/ Objectives The objective of community-engaged research procured through this RFR is to more deeply understand and address the impact of the introduction of casino gambling in Massachusetts’s communities and inform programs, services and strategies to prevent and mitigate gambling related harm. The specific research topic or question should be developed by the community through a community driven process. Examples of topics include but are not limited to the relationship of casino gambling with social determinants of health, such as poverty, education, housing, and employment.

We suggest researchers think expansively about survey methods, qualitative research approaches, community engagement strategies that promote racial and health equity and other creative ways to assess the social and/or economic impact of introducing casino gambling in the community.

Building on existing efforts The research topic or question proposed by the applicants should seek to build upon the existing body of work.

· In 2013, the commission engaged a team at the University of Massachusetts Amherst to conduct a comprehensive, multi-year study of the Social and Economic Impacts of Gambling in Massachusetts (SEIGMA) to understand the impacts of expanded gaming in the State. The study established baselines for many social and economic variables that may be affected by expanded gaming[footnoteRef:1]. [1: https://massgaming.com/about/research-agenda/ ]

· There are several community-engaged projects that have been completed or are currently underway. The complete library of gaming research reports and publications can be found on the research page of the MGC website: https://massgaming.com/about/research-agenda/

· The Massachusetts Department of Public Health Office of Problem Gambling Services[footnoteRef:2] has initiated several strategies to address problem gambling and explore the relationships between problem gambling, social determinants of health, and other health concerns. Reports on regional and community planning processes are available on the Office’s website. [2: https://www.mass.gov/orgs/office-of-problem-gambling-services ]

Community-based participatory research Team composition and the overall approach to the project should consider the principles of community-based participatory research (CBPR). CBPR focuses on social, structural, and physical environmental inequities through the active involvement of community members, organizational representatives, and researchers in all aspects of the research process. Partners contribute their expertise to enhance understanding of a given phenomenon and integrate the knowledge gained with action to benefit the community involved. CBPR shows promise as an approach that can be used to work toward the reduction of health disparities.[footnoteRef:3] [3: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2774214/ ]

Qualified applicants

· The commission will prioritize research proposals from applicants in host and surrounding communities where casinos exist.

· Non-Governmental organizations, Universities and colleges and Governmental organizations are all welcome to apply.

· All applicants must possess an in-depth understanding and working relationship with the population(s) and/or community being studied.

· Experience and understanding of health and racial equity and how to incorporate these principles in the research process.

Team composition The commission encourages a collaborative approach with cross-sectional representation, multi-disciplinary approach. Applicants should seek to build a research team that includes representation from the following:

· Community members/residents,

· Community-based service providers, agencies, or assemblies of people with a common focus;

· Local public health agencies or institutes, and;

· Academic researchers Funding

· Approximately $100,000 is available for the period to begin March 1, 2021 to June 30, 2021. It’s anticipated that additional funding will be available in subsequent years.

· Applicants may propose a multi-year project.

· The MGC anticipates that three to five projects will receive funding.

· Applicants should understand that fiscal constraints to fund the project may require flexibility in the scope of work. Course corrections are also common in research. Initial findings may suggest improved methods or recommended directions and require flexibility in the full scope of work. The commission and selected contractor may negotiate a change in any element of the proposed work, which results in lower costs or a more cost-effective or better value than was presented in the contractor’s original proposal.

Evaluation criteria The following evaluation criteria will be considered in determining the successful applicant(s).

· Contribution to Massachusetts/Impact: The findings of this research will be important in filling in the gaps of existing research, expanding understanding of social and economic impacts of expanded gaming and/or determining appropriate prevention, intervention, treatment and recovery supports strategies to mitigate the harm of expanded gaming in Massachusetts to the maximum extent possible.

· Methodology: The commission will consider the strength and feasibility of the proposed strategy, the methodology, and the analysis in accomplishing the objectives.

· Cost Effectiveness and Scalability: While the Commission does not establish a maximum budget for the project, the efficiency of the project in the context of the work proposed will be considered. Additionally, the commission may ask the applicant to propose an alternative scope of work based on fiscal constraints of the commission.

· Collaboration and Knowledge of the Community: The successful applicant will build a team that leverages the strengths of a range of partnerships and expertise with demonstrated knowledge of community engagement strategies Additionally, the applicant will demonstrated knowledge of promoting health and racial equity in the engagement of community members.

· Build Upon Existing Research and Community Engagement Efforts: The successful applicant will present a research plan that considers the existing body of research and community engagement efforts conducted in Massachusetts and seeks to build upon it.

· Knowledge Translation and Exchange: The findings from this research are intended to provide maximum benefit to people, policy and practice. The applicant will have a plan to ensure the research reaches the right people and is clearly understood.

· Diversity: The successful applicant will illustrate a commitment to diversity illustrated through composition of research team and/or participants, partnerships, and or use of certified diverse vendors/subcontractors on the project, etc. Applicants should seek to build a diverse research team that includes racial/ethnic and gender representation from the following: Community members/residents, Community-based service providers, agencies, or assemblies of people with a common focus; Local public health agencies or institutes, and; Academic researchers.

Application content

1. Project Summary One-half page maximum The Project Summary must contain a summary of the proposed activity suitable for dissemination to the public. It should be a self-contained description of the project and should contain a statement of objectives and methods to be employed. It should be informative to other persons working in the same or related fields and insofar as possible understandable to a scientifically or technically literate lay reader. This Summary must not include any proprietary/confidential information.

2. Specific Aims One-half page maximum State concisely the goals of the proposed research. Summarize the potential impacts that the results of the proposed project will exert on Massachusetts and the research field(s) involved. Describe how the proposed research will build upon or contribute to the existing research efforts being carried out through the SEIGMA study led by the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.

3. Research Strategy Four page maximum Describe the research strategy considering the instructions provided below. Cite published experimental details in the Research Strategy section and provide the full reference in the Bibliography.

· Approach: Describe the overall strategy, methodology, and analyses to be used to accomplish the specific aims of the project.

· Significance: Explain the importance of the topic or question that the proposed project addresses.

· Innovation: Describe any new or novel theoretical concepts, approaches or methodologies to be used.

· Protection of Human Subjects: If applicable, summarize you plan to protect human subjects and obtain IRB approval.

4. Collaboration and Knowledge of the Community One page maximum Describe the organization’s mission and how it is positioned to carry out the proposed research project. Describe the organizations relationship and understanding of the community with whom the study will take place.

5. Knowledge Translation and Exchange One page maximum Describe how an answer to the question or insight on the topic may impact or influence policy or practice. Describe a plan to share information with the community and or use it to inform policy or practice.

6. Diversity One page maximum Provide a brief summary describing the members of the research team and specific roles. If this information isn’t known, describe a plan assure team is diverse.

7. Subcontractor description (if applicable) Describe in detail any work to be performed by subcontractors. Include their gambling research experience, work with selected population subgroups, and letters of agreement for this work. Specify contracted expenditures in the budget justification and plans.

Budget guidelines and justification

1. Provide a budget plan following the template in Appendix A.

2. Applicant may propose a multi-year plan and budget

3. Include activities after the report is final related to knowledge translation and exchange.

4. Provide a budget narrative justification for each cost category.

5. The maximum indirect rate is 20%

Costs Costs that are not specifically identified in the applicant’s response, and accepted by MGC as part of a contract, will not be compensated under any contract awarded pursuant to this RFR. The Commonwealth will not be responsible for any costs or expenses incurred by applicants responding to this RFR.

Data ownership All data, collected for or produced by participants, contractors, or other entities subject to an eventual Agreement under this RFR will be the property of the Commonwealth and can only be released and/or published with permission from the State according to a Data User Agreement. Limited, initial exclusive use of data collected for this RFR is negotiable.

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