INVITATION FOR BIDS

IFB RFx Number: 2026-IFB-052 Mississippi Tobacco Quitline Services

Issue Date: March 23, 2026

CLOSING TIME AND DATE

Bids must be received before:

4:00 pm CST, April 24, 2026

BID COORDINATOR

Patricia Youngblood

Telephone: (601) 576-7954 E-mail: procurement@msdh.ms.gov mailto:procurement@msdh.ms.gov

1. Introduction and Overview

1.1. Purpose and Goals

The Mississippi State Department of Health (hereinafter “MSDH” or “Agency”) has issued this solicitation for the purpose of soliciting sealed bids from qualified Bidders to provide the Agency's needs with the administration of the Mississippi Quitline Services. The Contractor will provide tobacco/nicotine cessation treatment services via telephone and web-based platforms, including provisions for Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT). The goal of this project is to ensure services for nicotine-dependent treatment for all eligible adult residents of Mississippi while meeting evidence-based practices to reduce tobacco use prevalence.

The Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) Office of Tobacco Control issues this Invitation for Bid (IFB) to solicit offers from qualified, experienced, responsible, and financially sound vendors to provide tobacco/nicotine dependence treatment services. These services will include, but may not be limited to, toll-free phone access, interactive web access (website URL and online counseling/coaching capabilities), digital-based cessation services, assessment, intake, support materials, delivery of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), referrals to community-based cessation programs, proactive counseling services for tobacco cessation treatment statewide with toll-free access. It is anticipated that this IFB will be awarded to a single provider.

A copy of this IFB, including all appendices and attachments, and any subsequent amendments, including the Question-and-Answer amendment, if issued, will be posted to the MSDH OpenGov Procurement portal at https://procurement.opengov.com/portal/msdh under the “Active ” projects list. It is the responsibility of all interested Bidders to monitor the website for updates regarding this procurement.

Before the award of any contract, the Bidder will be required to document to MSDH that it has the necessary capabilities to provide the core services specified in this IFB. The Bidder may also be required to provide additional client references, as well as related project experience detail in order to satisfy MSDH that the Bidder is qualified. MSDH may make reasonable investigations, as it deems necessary and proper, to determine the ability of the Bidder to perform the work, and the Bidder shall be required to furnish to MSDH all information that may be requested for this purpose. MSDH reserves the right to reject any bid if the Bidder fails to provide the requested information and/or fails to satisfy MSDH that the Bidder is properly qualified to carry out the obligations of the contract and to complete the work described in this IFB.

1.2. Bid Submission Period

Bids must be submitted electronically through the MSDH OpenGov Procurement portal no later than 4:00 PM Central Standard Time (CST), April 24, 2026. Timely submission of the bid package is the responsibility of the Bidder. Any bid received after the deadline will be considered late, and will be rejected, and will not be considered for award. The Bidder shall be notified as soon as practicable if their bid was rejected and the reason for such rejection.

Failure to submit a bid on the bid form provided will be considered cause for rejection of the bid. Modifications or additions to any portion of the bid document may be cause for rejection of the bid. The MSDH reserves the right to decide, on a case-by-case basis, whether to reject a bid with modifications or additions as non-responsive. MSDH may request the Bidder to withdraw or modify non-responsive portions that do not affect the service’s quality, quantity, price, or delivery.

1.3. Important Dates

NOTE: Adjustments to the schedule may be made as deemed necessary by MSDH.

https://procurement.opengov.com/portal/msdh

1.4. Questions and Answers

Questions must be submitted electronically through the MSDH OpenGov Procurement portal through the "Question & Answer" tab of this project, (RFX 3160007971) - Mississippi Tobacco Quitline Services. Questions must be submitted before 2:00 pm on March 30, 2026, to ensure a response by MSDH. Responses to questions will be posted to the project page on the MSDH OpenGov Procurement portal at https://procurement.opengov.com/portal/msdh. Questions received after the due date and time of questions may be considered for response, although there is no guarantee as to if or when a response will be provided. It is the Bidder’s sole responsibility to regularly monitor the website for amendments and/or announcements concerning this IFB.

1.5. Acknowledgment of Amendments

Should an amendment to the IFB be issued, it will be posted on the Procurement Portal and the MSDH OpenGov Procurement Portal in a manner that all bidders will be able to view. Bidders shall acknowledge receipt of any amendment to the IFB by electronically signing the amendment in the MSDH OpenGov Procurement Portal, or by email.

Should any bidder fail to submit all necessary acknowledgement(s) with its bid, the Agency shall have the sole discretion as to whether to request a bidder to submit the required acknowledgement(s) after the bid submission deadline but prior to issuance of the Notice of Intent to Award. The Agency shall exercise that discretion in a manner that is fair to all bidders. Any bidder who does not provide the Agency acknowledgement(s) of every amendment issued may be deemed non-responsive and not eligible for award.

Bidders are responsible for monitoring both websites for any updates or amendments to the IFB. Each Bidder shall submit a written acknowledgment of every amendment to the MSDH on or before the submission deadline.

1.6. Expenses Incurred in the Procurement Process

All parties participating in the procurement process in regard to this IFB shall bear their own costs of participation, pursuant to Section 1.4.4 of the OPSCR Rules and Regulations. All costs incurred by the Bidder in preparing and delivering its bid, making presentations, and any subsequent time and travel to meet with MSDH regarding its bid shall be borne exclusively at the Bidder’s expense.

1.7. Cancellation of Solicitation or Rejection of Individual Bids

At MSDH’s sole discretion, an IFB may be canceled or any or all responses to the solicitation may be rejected, in whole or in part, when MSDH determines that it is in the Agency’s best interest to do so.

1.8. Registration with Mississippi Secretary of State

By submitting a bid, the Bidder certifies that it is registered to do business in the State of Mississippi as prescribed by Mississippi law and the Mississippi Secretary of State or, if not already registered, that it will do so within five (5) business days of being offered an award. Sole proprietors are not required to register with the Secretary of State.

1.9. Debarment

By submitting a bid, the Bidder certifies that it is not currently debarred from submitting bids for contracts issued by any political subdivision or agency of the State of Mississippi or Federal government and that it is not an agent of a person or entity that is currently debarred from submitting bids for contracts issued by any political subdivision or agency of the State of Mississippi.

1.10. Right to Consider Historical Information

MSDH reserves the right to consider historical information regarding the Bidder, whether gained from the Bidder’s bid, conferences with the Bidder, references, or any other source during the evaluation process. This may include, but is not limited to, information from any state or federal regulatory entity.

1.11. State Approval

It is understood that this contract may require approval by the PPRB. If required and if this contract is not approved by PPRB and/or OPSCR, it is void and no payment shall be made hereunder.

1.12. Property Rights

Property rights do not inure to any Bidder until such time as services have been provided under a legally executed contract. No party responding to this IFB has a legitimate claim of entitlement to be awarded a contract or to the provision of work thereunder. MSDH is under no obligation to award a contract and may terminate a legally executed contract at any time.

1.13. Contract Rights

Contract rights do not vest in any party until a contract is legally executed. MSDH is under no obligation to award a contract following issuance of this IFB.

1.14. Bids as Public Record

If a redacted copy is not submitted, MSDH shall consider the entire Bid to be public record. The redacted copy should identify which section or information has been redacted and the Bidder should provide the specific statutory authority for the exemption. Per Mississippi Code Annotated §25-61-9(7), the type of service to be provided, the price to be paid and the term of the contract cannot be deemed confidential.

The redacted copy shall be considered public record and immediately released, without notification of the Bidder, pursuant to any request under the Mississippi Public Records Act, Miss. Code Ann. §§25-61-1 et seq. and Miss. Code Ann. §79-23-1. Redacted copies shall also be used/released for any reason deemed necessary by MSDH, including, but not limited to, submission to the PPRB, posting to the Transparency Mississippi website, etc.

All documentation submitted in response to this IFB and any subsequent requests for information pertaining to this IFB shall become the property of MSDH and will not be returned to the Bidder.

All information requested is considered important. Failure to provide all requested information and in the required format may result in disqualification of the Bid. MSDH has no obligation to locate or acknowledge any information in the bid that is not presented under the appropriate outline and in the proper location according to the instructions herein.

1.15. Certification of Independent Price Determination

By submitting a bid, the Bidder certifies that the prices submitted in response to the solicitation have been arrived at independently and without any consultation, communication, or agreement with any other Bidder or competitor for the purpose of restricting competition.

1.16. Applicable Law

The contract shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Mississippi, excluding its conflicts of laws provisions, and any litigation with respect thereto shall be brought in the courts of Mississippi.

1.17. Approval

It is understood that if this contract requires approval by the Public Procurement Review Board (“PPRB”) and/or the Department of Finance and Administration Office of Personal Service Contract Review (“OPSCR”), and this contract is not approved by PPRB and/or OPSCR, it is void and no payment shall be made hereunder.

1.18. Availability of Funds

It is expressly understood and agreed that the obligation of MSDH to proceed under this agreement is conditioned upon the appropriation of funds by the Mississippi State Legislature and the receipt of the appropriated funds. If the funds anticipated for the continuing time fulfillment of the agreement are, at any time, not forthcoming or insufficient, regardless of the source of funding, MSDH shall have the right upon ten

(10) business days written notice to Contractor, to terminate this agreement without damage, penalty, cost or expense to the MSDH of any kind whatsoever. The effective date of termination shall be as specified in the notice of termination.

1.19. Compliance with Equal Opportunity in Employment Policy

Contractor understands that the MSDH is an equal opportunity employer and therefore, maintains a policy which prohibits unlawful discrimination based on race, color, creed, sex, age, national origin, physical handicap, disability, genetic information, or any other consideration made unlawful by federal, state, or local laws. All such discrimination is unlawful, and Contractor agrees during the term of the agreement that Contractor will strictly adhere to this policy in its employment practices and provision of services.

1.20. Compliance with Laws

Contractor shall comply with, and all activities under this agreement shall be subject to, all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations, as now existing and as may be amended or modified.

1.21. E-Payment

Contractor agrees to accept all payments in United States currency via the State of Mississippi’s electronic payment and remittance vehicle. The Agency agrees to make payment in accordance with Mississippi “Timely Payments for Purchases by Public Bodies” laws, which generally provide for payment of undisputed amounts by the Agency within forty-five (45) calendar days of receipt of invoice. Mississippi Code Annotated § 31-7-301, et seq.

1.22. E-Verification

If applicable, Contractor represents and warrants that it will ensure its compliance with the Mississippi Employment Protection Act and will register and participate in the status verification system for all newly hired employees. Mississippi Code Annotated §§ 71-11-1 and 71-11-3. Contractor agrees to provide a copy of each verification upon request of the MSDH subject to approval by any agencies of the United States Government.

Contractor further represents and warrants that any person assigned to perform services hereafter meets the employment eligibility requirements of all immigration laws. The breach of this clause may subject Contractor to the following: (1) termination of this contract and exclusion pursuant to Chapter 15 of the Public Procurement Review Board Office of Personal Service Contract Review Rules and Regulations; (2) the loss of any license, permit, certification or other document granted to Contractor by an agency, department, or governmental entity for the right to do business in Mississippi; or (3) both. In the event of such termination, Contractor would also be liable for any additional costs incurred by the Agency due to Contract cancellation or loss of license or permit to do business in the state.

1.23. Offeror's Representation Regarding Contingent Fees

By executing the contract, the Contractor represents that it has not retained any person or agency on a percentage, commission, or other contingent arrangement to secure this contract. If the contractor cannot make such a representation, a full and complete explanation shall be submitted in writing to the Agency prior to contract execution.

1.24. Procurement Regulations

This contract shall be governed by the applicable provisions of the Public Procurement Review Board Office of Personal Service Contract Review Rules and Regulations, a copy of which is available on the Mississippi Department of Finance and Administration’s website (www.dfa.ms.gov). Any bidder or offeror responding to a solicitation for personal and professional services and any contractor doing business with a state Agency is deemed to be on notice of all requirements therein.

1.25. Representation Regarding Gratuties

Contractor represents that it has not, is not, and will not offer, give, or agree to give any employee or former employee of MSDH a gratuity or offer of employment in connection with any approval, disapproval, recommendation, development, or any other action or decision related to the solicitation and resulting contract. Contractor further represents that no employee or former employee of MSDH has or is soliciting, demanding, accepting, or agreeing to accept a gratuity or offer of employment for the reasons previously stated;

any such action by an employee or former employee in the future, if any, will be rejected by contractor.

Contractor further represents that it is in compliance with the Mississippi Ethics in Government laws, codified at Mississippi Code Annotated §§ 25-4-101 through 25-4-121, and has not solicited any employee or former employee to act in violation of said law.

1.26. Required Public Records and Transparency

Upon execution of a contract, the provisions of the contract which contain the personal or professional services provided, the unit prices, the overall price to be paid, and the term of the contract shall not be deemed to be a trade secret or confidential commercial or financial information pursuant to Mississippi Code Annotated § 25- 61-9(7). The contract shall be posted publicly on www.transparency.ms.gov and shall be available for at the Agency for examination, inspection, or reproduction by the public. The Contractor acknowledges and agrees that the MSDH and this contract are subject to the Mississippi Public Records Act of 1983 codified at Mississippi Code Annotated §§ 25-61-1, et seq. and its exceptions, Mississippi Code Annotated § 79-23-1, and the Mississippi Accountability and Transparency Act of 2008, codified at Mississippi Code Annotated §§ 27-104-151, et seq.

https://www.dfa.ms.gov/ https://www.transparency.ms.gov/

1.27. Stop Work Order

The MSDH may, by written order to Contractor at any time, require Contractor to stop all or any part of the work called for by this contract. This order shall be for a period of time specified by the MSDH. Upon receipt of such an order, Contractor shall forthwith comply with its terms and take all reasonable steps to minimize any further cost to the MSDH. Upon expiration of the stop work order, Contractor shall resume providing the services which were subject to the stop work order, unless the MSDH has terminated that part of the agreement or terminated the agreement in its entirety. The MSDH is not liable for payment for services which were not rendered due to the stop work order.

1.28. Termination

Termination for Convenience. The MSDH may, when the interests of the Agency so require, terminate this contract in whole or in part, for the convenience of the Agency. The MSDH shall give written notice of the termination to Contractor specifying the part of the contract terminated and when termination becomes effective. Contractor shall incur no further obligations in connection with the terminated work and on the date set in the notice of termination Contractor will stop work to the extent specified. Contractor shall complete the work not terminated by the notice of termination and may incur obligations as are necessary to do so.

Termination for Default. If the MSDH gives the Contractor a notice that the personal or professional services are being provided in a manner that is deficient, the Contractor shall have thirty (30) days to cure the deficiency. If the Contractor fails to cure the deficiency, the MSDH may terminate the contract for default and the Contractor will be liable for the additional cost to the MSDH to procure the personal and professional services from another source. Termination under this paragraph could result in Contractor being excluded from future contract awards pursuant to Chapter 15 of the Public Procurement Review Board Office of Personal Service Contract Review Rules and Regulations. Any termination wrongly labelled termination for default shall be deemed a termination for convenience.

2. Procurement Methodology

2.1. Restrictions on Communication with MSDH Staff

All Bidder communications regarding this IFB must be directed through the MSDH OpenGov Procurement Portal or to the designated Bid Coordinator. Unauthorized contact regarding the IFB with other employees of the agency may result in the Bidder being disqualified.

2.2. Reconsideration of the Solicitation

Any potential Bidder can request that MSDH reconsider the terms of this solicitation. This reconsideration request can be accomplished by reference to Section 5.2.4. of the Public Procurement Review Board Office of Personal Service Contract Review Rules and Regulations. The potential Bidder shall file any such request within three (3) business days following the date of public notice of the solicitation. The potential Bidder must submit the request by email to the following:

• Bid Coordinator Patricia Youngblood,

• Procurement@msdh.ms.gov

• The Director of the Office of Personal Service Contract Review

It shall be the sole responsibility of the requesting Bidder to ensure the request is received in a timely manner by all required parties. Failure to request reconsideration in compliance with this Section in a timely manner mailto:Procurement@msdh.ms.gov results in the waiver of any claim regarding the terms of the solicitation.

The request shall contain the requesting Bidder’s name, a single contact person, all contact information for the contact person, the RFx number of the solicitation, and the date the IFB was issued. The request shall identify which of the Public Procurement Review Board Office of Personal Service Contract Review Rules and Regulations the requesting Bidder believes to have been violated by the solicitation, as written. The request may not be based on anything other than the solicitation document and the applicable rules and regulations. The Bidder shall not include exhibits with the request. Instead, the requesting Bidder shall clearly identify the section(s) of the solicitation document at issue in its request. The request shall not be supplemented.

2.3. Acceptance of Bids

After receiving the bids, MSDH reserves the right to award the contract based on the terms, conditions, and premises of the IFB and the bid of the selected company without negotiation.

MSDH reserves the right to decide, on a case-by-case basis, whether to reject a bid with modifications or additions as non-responsive. As a precondition to bid acceptance, MSDH may request the bidder to withdraw or modify those portions of the bid deemed non-responsive that do not affect quality, quantity, price, or delivery of the service.

2.4. Minor Informalities and Irregularities

MSDH has the right to waive minor defects or variations of a bid from the exact requirements of the specifications that do not affect the price, quality, quantity, delivery, or performance of the services being procured and if doing so does not create an unfair advantage for any Bidder. If insufficient information is submitted by a Bidder for MSDH to properly evaluate the offer, MSDH has the right to require such additional information as it may deem necessary after the submission deadline, provided that the information requested does not change the price, quality, quantity, delivery, or performance time of the services being procured, and such a request does not create an unfair advantage for any Bidder. (Information requested may include, for example, a copy of business or professional licenses, or a work schedule.)

2.5. Disposition of Bid

The bid submitted by the successful Bidder shall be incorporated into and become part of the resulting contract.

All bids received by MSDH shall upon receipt become and remain the property of MSDH. MSDH shall have the right to use all nonproprietary concepts contained in any bid and this right shall not affect the solicitation or rejection of the bid.

2.6. Modification or Withdrawal of a Bid

Prior to the bid due date, a submitted bid may be withdrawn by submitting a written request for its withdrawal to MSDH, signed by the Bidder. If submitted electronically through the MSDH OpenGov Procurement portal, Bidder may "unsubmit" their bid until the due date and time for bids has passed.

An Bidder may submit an amended bid before the due date for receipt of bids. Such amended bids shall be a complete replacement for a previously submitted bid and shall be clearly identified as such. MSDH shall not merge, collate, or assemble bid materials.

Unless requested by MSDH, no other amendments, revisions, or alterations to bids shall be accepted after the bid due date.

Any submitted bid shall remain a valid bid for 180 calendar days from the bid due date.

2.7. Rejection of Bids

A bid response that includes terms and conditions that do not conform to the terms and conditions specified within this IFB document is subject to rejection as non-responsive. Further, submission of a bid that is not complete and/or unsigned is subject to rejection as non-responsive. MSDH staff reserves the right to permit the Bidder to withdraw nonconforming terms and conditions from its bid response prior to a determination by MSDH staff of non-responsiveness based on the submission of nonconforming terms and conditions. Any bid which is conditioned upon receiving award of both the particular contract being solicited and another Mississippi contract shall be deemed non-responsive and will be rejected.

2.8. Corrections and Clarifications

MSDH reserves the right to request clarifications or corrections to bids. Any bid received which does not meet any of the requirements of this IFB, including clarification or correction requests, may be considered non-responsive and eliminated from further consideration.

2.9. Bid Evaluation

All bids received in response to this IFB by the stated deadline will receive a comprehensive, fair, and impartial evaluation based on the requirements outlined in this IFB. No criteria other than those outlined in this IFB will be used in an evaluation. Only Bidders who are found responsive and responsible will have their bids considered.

The Contract shall be awarded to the Bidder who is responsible and responsive and submitted the lowest cost bid.

All bids will be evaluated based on: (1) whether each bidder was responsive and provided all required information in the format required by the IFB; (2) whether each bidder is responsible and objectively meets the minimum qualifications or other criteria listed in the IFB; and (3) which of the responsive and responsible bidders submitted the lowest overall price.

Responsive Bidder Bidder must submit its bid, including all required attachments and other documents, in a manner that conforms in all material aspects to this IFB as determined by MSDH.

2.10. Basis for Award

The Agency is required to contract with the responsive and responsible vendor(s) who submitted the lowest bid price(s).

2.11. Notice of Intent to Award

The Notice of Intent to Award for this procurement will be made available to the public through posting on the MSDH OpenGov Procurement Portal. All participating Bidders will be notified of MSDH's intent to award a contract and identify the selected Bidder.

The successful vendor is instructed not to begin work, purchase materials, or enter into subcontracts relating to the project or services until execution of the contract.

2.12. Request for Reconsideration of the Intent to Award

An Bidder who responded to an IFB has an opportunity to request that MSDH reconsider its intent to award the contract to specific Bidder(s). Any such request shall be filed with MSDH within three (3) business days following issuance of the Notice of Intent to Award in compliance with Sections 5.6.1, 5.6.1.1, 5.6.1.2 of the OPSCR Rules and Regulations. It shall be the sole responsibility of the requesting Bidder to ensure the request is timely received by all required parties. Failure to timely request reconsideration in compliance with this Section results in waiver of any claim a Bidder may have as to MSDH’s decision to award the contract.

The request shall contain the requesting vendor’s name, a single contact person, all contact information for the contact person, the RFx number of the solicitation, the date the IFB was issued, and the date the Notice of Intent to Award was issued. The request shall identify which of the OPSCR Rules and Regulations and/or the terms of the IFB the requesting Bidder believes were violated by MSDH during the evaluation process, explain the factual basis for the alleged violation(s), and specify how the alleged violation(s) affected the outcome of the procurement. The request shall not be based on anything other than the MSDH Procurement File, the OPSCR Rules and Regulations, and the terms of the IFB. The request shall not be supplemented.

MSDH shall consider the alleged violation and review the Procurement File to determine if such alleged allegation is supported. MSDH shall issue a written determination regarding the alleged violation. This decision shall become part of the Procurement File.

2.13. Notice of Contract Award

Following issuance of the Notice of Intent to Award, successful negotiation of the contract, and approval of the contract by the PPRB and any other required entities, MSDH will make a Notice of Contract Award available to the public.

3. Minimum Qualifications

The vendor must have and be able to provide proof of:

3.1. Prior Experience

Vendor must have been in business and provided goods and/or services similar in requirements and scale to those described in this IFB for a minimum of five (5) years.

3.2. Required Certification, Accreditation, and/or Licenses

Vendor shall provide notarized copies of all valid licenses and certificates required for performance of the work.

The notarized copies shall be delivered to the agency no later than ten days after Vendor receives the Notice of Intent to Award from the agency. Current notarized copies of licenses and certificates shall be provided to the agency within twenty-four hours of demand at any time during the contract term. Vendor must possess and maintain the minimum vendor certifications, accreditations, and/or licensures described in this IFB, by way of illustration and not limitation, the following:

1. registered to do business with the State of Mississippi.

3.3. Financial Stability or Solvency

Vendor must be financially stable or solvent.

3.4. Ability to Perform

The vendor may be required before the award of any contract to show to the complete satisfaction of the agency that it has the necessary facilities, ability, and financial resources to provide the service specified therein in a satisfactory manner. The vendor may also be required to give a past history and references in order to satisfy the agency in regard to the vendor’s qualifications. The agency may make reasonable investigations deemed necessary and proper to determine the ability of the vendor to perform the work, and the vendor shall furnish to the agency all information for this purpose that may be requested. The agency reserves the right to reject any quote if the evidence submitted by, or investigation of, the vendor fails to satisfy the agency that the vendor is properly qualified to carry out the obligations of the contract and to complete the work described therein.

Evaluation of the vendor’s qualifications shall include:

1. the ability, capacity, skill, and financial resources to perform the work or provide the service required;

2. the ability of the bidder to perform the work or provide the service promptly or within the time specified, without delay or interference;

3. the character, integrity, reputation, judgment, experience, and efficiency of the vendor; and,

4. the quality of performance of previous contracts or services.

3.5. Insurance

The Vendor shall ensure that the professional staff and other decision-making staff shall be required to carry professional liability insurance in an amount commensurate with the professional responsibilities and liabilities under the terms of this Solicitation.

The Vendor shall obtain, pay for and keep in force during the Contract period general liability insurance against bodily injury or death in an amount commensurate with the responsibilities and liabilities under the terms of this Solicitation.

4. Scope of Services

4.1. Services to be Performed

The Contractor will administer all services of the Quitline for all eligible residents of the state of Mississippi.

The goal of this project is to provide the following.

GOALS:

1. Providing Nicotine-Dependence Treatment Services for Adult Residents of Mississippi.

2. Monitor/evaluate the impact of Quitline Services and/or the combination of services on supporting increased quit attempts and sustained quits.

STRATEGIES:

1. Support State Quitline Capacity

2. Implement and expand delivery of Tobacco and Dependence Treatment Services, including Quitline and Digital-Based Technologies such as Test and/or Web Services.

A. PURPOSE STATEMENT

The Mississippi Tobacco Quitline (referred to hereafter as the "Quitline") will administer all services of the Quitline for all eligible residents of the state of Mississippi.

The Quitline vendor will maintain compliance with the most current Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Best Practice Standards for Comprehensive Tobacco Control Programs, North American

Quitline Consortium (NAQC), and the Public Health Services (PHS) Clinical Guidelines.

B. STAFF REQUIREMENTS

An FTE Position Client Services Manager will serve as the point of contact for MSDH Office of Adult Health:

Tobacco Control, including budget, treatment services, and issue resolution. The vendor will provide regularly scheduled data reports listed in the SOW. These reports will be utilized to guide strategies around training, collaboration, and planning for referral efforts.

4.2. Deliverables to be Provided

The Contractor will provide:

PROGRAMMATIC TOBACCO CESSATION ACTIVITIES:

Call Volume Management

1a. The Quitline vendor will maintain a minimum rate of 80% of live call answers during the TIPS campaign or other national media campaigns. If there are barriers to achieving this standard, the Office of Adult Health:

Tobacco Control will immediately be notified so that available measures may be employed to ensure that this delivery is met.

Deliverable: Document and submit the live answer rate/numbers, monthly.

1b. The Quitline vendor will ensure adequate staffing to handle the call volume during the contract period. The MSDH Office of Adult Health: Tobacco Control will ensure the promotion of the Quitline vendor via the promotion of the availability of services by its subgrantees and partners.

Deliverable: Document and submit the call volume rate, monthly.

Enrollment Management

2a. The Quitline vendor will monitor and report the number of individuals completing Coach+ Standard enrollment.

Deliverable: Document and submit and submit the number of participants completing Coach+ Standard enrollment, monthly.

2b. The Quitline vendor will monitor and report the number of individuals completing enrollment in the Behavioral Health Cessation Program.

Deliverable: Document and submit and submit the number of participants completing enrollment in the Behavioral Health Cessation Program, monthly.

2c. The Quitline vendor will monitor and report the number of individuals completing enrollment in the Pregnancy Cessation Program.

Deliverable: Document and submit the number of participants completing enrollment in the Pregnancy Cessation Program, monthly.

Web-Based Services

3a. The Quitline vendor will monitor and report the number of website hits and enrollments. Hits are defined as the total number of visits to the URL: www.quitnow.net/MS.

Deliverable: Document and submit and submit the number of website hits, monthly.

3b. The Quitline vendor will monitor and report the number of enrollments via the web. Enrollments are defined as the number of visitors who register for services by completing an intake.

Deliverable: Document and submit the number of participants that enrolled via the web, monthly.

Digital Platform Services:

4a. The Quitline vendor will monitor and report the number of enrollments for Text a Coach services.

Deliverable: Document and submit the number of enrollments into Text a Coach using the Activities dropdown menu in the reporting system, identified by the Office of Adult Health: Tobacco Control, monthly.

4b. The Quitline vendor will monitor and report the number of enrollments for email services.

http://www.quitnow.net/MS

Deliverable: Document and submit the number of enrollments into the email regimen, monthly.

Eligibility:

1. The Quitline vendor will implement the following requirements for participation in the tobacco cessation treatment services:

a. Participants must be 18 years of age or older.

b. Participant must be willing to participate in proactive telephone counseling or digital (chat or text) counseling on a regularly scheduled basis. Pregnant participants must provide medical clearance from their healthcare provider before receipt/utilization of Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) and any approved dosages of NRT.

c. Members are eligible to participate in 2 (two) five-session courses of treatment. Sessions are provided via phone, chat, text, or online group sessions per twelve-month period.

Deliverable: Document and submit the total number of participants engaged in tobacco cessation treatment services, monthly.

Counseling:

1. The Quitline vendor will implement the following protocol for participation in the counseling component of cessation treatment services:

a. Participants in the Quitline vendor services, either telephonic or digital-based, are required to complete an intake to determine eligibility for services.

b. All participants are required to follow scheduled counseling sessions prior to receiving NRT.

c. Participants will complete enrollment (intake and quit plan) and complete their counseling session based on participants’ availability or dependent on their planned quit date.

d. All participants will receive the 'Quit Guide' and other available cessation resources to aid in cessation efforts.

Deliverable: Document and submit the number of unique participants in the counseling component of cessation treatment services, monthly.

2. The Quitline vendor counselors will screen participants for US Veteran status, provide Quitline vendor services to them, and then offer to refer veterans to the Veterans Quitline at 1-855-QUIT-VET (1-855-784-8838) as an additional resource, if needed.

Deliverable: Document and submit the number of veterans screened and offered services, monthly.

3. The Quitline vendor will implement the Tobacco Cessation Behavioral Health Program (TCBHP) to provide better support to tobacco users with mental health conditions. The program design will include:

a. Coach + 7: Tailored Programs (7 Sessions: 5 one-on-one, 2 Coach-led group video options)

b. Coaches who have received additional, extensive training on mental illness and tobacco cessation and who can flex intervention content and tailor the treatment to these participants.

Deliverable: Document and submit the number of unique participants engaging in counseling sessions in the Tobacco Cessation Behavioral Health Program, monthly.

4. The Quitline vendor will implement the Tobacco Cessation Pregnancy Program to provide better support to the Pregnancy Program. The program design will include:

a. Coach + 7: Tailored Programs (7 (Seven) Sessions: 5 (five) one-on-ones, and 2 (two) Coach-led group video options)

Deliverable: Document and submit the number of unique participants engaging in counseling sessions in the Pregnancy Program, monthly.

NICOTINE REPLACEMENT THERAPY (NRT):

The Quitline vendor will implement the following protocol for participation in the Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) component of cessation treatment services:The Quitline vendor will offer NRT, to coincide with the number of counseling sessions (nicotine transdermal patch and/or nicotine polarize gum), per participant; NRT will be delivered in either two-week, four-week, or eight-week increments (or other periods as determined). Any changes to incremental NRT scheduling will be determined via collaboration between the MSDH Office of Adult Health: Tobacco Control and the Quitline vendor based on budget availability.

a. NRT will be delivered to participants through an ordering system with an identified vendor. Projected shipping time for NRT products to participants will be within three (3) to five (5) working days of the order.

b. If medical contraindications are present, counseling may continue while medical clearance is obtained. No NRT will be issued for any caller who presents with contraindications without signed medical consent/clearance from their primary care provider.

c. Participants are required to complete subsequent counseling sessions before the Next round of NRT is ordered. NRT will not be ordered for any participant who does not comply with the counseling sessions or cannot be reached. Staff will make a minimum of (3) three attempts to contact program participants before determining a case to be inactive.

Deliverable: Document and submit the unique number of participants receiving NRT, monthly.

Deliverable: Document and submit the average number of days from NRT order to delivery, monthly.

Promotion/Education:

1. The Quitline vendor will collaborate with the MSDH Office of Adult Health: Tobacco Control to promote cancer treatment centers throughout the state to promote the availability of a no-cost or low-cost Low Dose Computed Tomography scan (LDCT) to eligible individuals with a 20-year pack a day history. A link will be made available on the Quitline vendor website to provide access to the list of eligible centers maintained on and by the American Lung Association’s site http://lungscreen.health.

Deliverable: Document and submit the number of participants screened and referred to Low Dose Computed Tomography scan (LDCT), quarterly.

Referral Portal Administration:

1. The Quitline vendor will offer support for referrals sent via the Online Referral Portal, allowing referring physicians to send referrals through a secure online platform.

Deliverable: Document and submit the number of referrals from the online referral portal, monthly.

2. The Quitline vendor will develop and maintain connections with the Electronic Health Records (EHR) of at least 3 (three) MS Health Care Systems. This will ensure that the Mississippi Tobacco Quitline vendor database will include access to an electronic referral registration option for physicians and nurse practitioners. In addition to the current systems, UMMC and Coastal Family Health Services, 1 (one) onboarding of 1 (one) additional http://lungscreen.health/ system. This will allow the providers to register online to become referring clinicians. The Quitline vendor will maintain the provider’s referral registration portal.

Deliverable: Document and submit the number of connections with EHR and Health Care Systems, monthly.

Success Story:

1. The Quitline vendor will provide a minimum of 1 (one) success story based on activities conducted utilizing tobacco funding from the Office of Adult Health: Tobacco Control. The success story will focus on a system change process that includes but is not limited to, collaborations with disparate populations for education and training, electronic health referrals implementation, E Portal implementation, etc. The success story will be developed per the CDC's Success Story Guidance (available in the Resources folder). Quitline vendor will provide a list of compliments quarterly. If MS identifies a compliment, they would like identified for a future success story, Quitline vendor will reach out to the participant for their consent to develop a success story based on activities. Quitline vendor will be available to provide an interview or update to the SME Communications staff and/or Evaluation staff to support articles for the MSDH Evaluation Team.

Deliverable: No Later than June 1st, Document and submit a copy of a success story.

Sustainability:

1. The Quitline vendor will provide a quarterly Medicaid Report to the Office of Adult Health: Tobacco Control for reimbursement for treatment services (both coaching and pharmacotherapy) for both public (Medicaid) and private insurers (Managed Care Organizations).

Deliverable: Provide Medicaid Report to the Office of Adult Health: Tobacco Control and the evaluators (emailed).

Data Management:

1. The Quitline vendor will meet all data submission requirements outlined in this Scope of Work. Failure to meet these requirements may impact the timely payment of reimbursement requests and the opportunity for future funding.

Deliverable: Upload data submission to the SFTP or other file share medium monthly, as outlined in the Scope of Work.

2. The Quitline vendor will provide updates regarding changes in the status of the database management system to the MSDH Office of Adult Health: Tobacco Control Point of Contact and the Evaluation Team, as they occur.

Deliverable: Document and submit description of any data management changes made, monthly.

3. The Quitline vendor will provide monthly updates to the MSDH Office of Adult Health: Tobacco Control Point of Contact and the Evaluation Team via a secured file share medium.

a. An export of the 'raw,' patient database as a comma-delimited file validated by MSDH for import into existing SPSS templates.

b. Quitline vendor will provide a secure file-transfer platform from which the MSDH Office of Adult Health:

Tobacco Control Point of Contact and the Evaluation Team will retrieve the file. MSDH Office of Adult Health:

Tobacco Control Point of Contact and the Evaluation Team via a secured file share medium.

c. Quitline vendor will provide an updated data dictionary of the provider patient database when revisions are made. This data dictionary will be provided in a human-readable format. (e.g., Microsoft Word or PDF)

Deliverable: Document and submit monthly data exports.

Deliverable: Provide the data dictionary to the MSDH Office of Adult Health: Tobacco Control and the Evaluation Team via email.

Monthly Reporting Requirements:

1. The Quitline vendor client services manager will upload the required reports into the reporting system identified by the Office of Adult Health: Tobacco Control. These reports will be utilized to shape strategies around training, collaboration, and planning for referral efforts. The cumulative monthly online reporting is due every month, on the 15th using the Online Reporting System identified by the Office of Adult Health: Tobacco Control. If the due date falls on a weekend or holiday, reports will be due the next business day. Reports will consist of the following and be reported for the telephone-based program and the web-based program (reported separately). The following information will be reported each month:

a. Aggregate Dashboard Report will contain Summary Service Monthly Report, Digital Based Services Report, and Quitline vendor will provide a report on NRT shipments including dates of request and shipment.

b. Behavioral Health Dashboard Report

c. De-Identified Medicaid Report

d. Referral Report – State Referral Aggregate

e. County Level - State Monthly Update (Interim)

f. Telecom Monthly Report

g. Call Volume Monthly Report

h. Quitline vendor will provide a monthly report that captures Medicaid enrollees, NRT use, and service utilization, including costs. – State Billing Details Report

Deliverable: Document and submit required monthly reports, monthly.

Evaluation:

a. The Quitline vendor will participate in the overall program evaluation efforts as requested by the MSDH Office of Adult Health: Tobacco Control program evaluators.

Deliverable: Document and submit the meeting notes after the meeting(s).

b. The Quitline vendor will compile a report on Quit Rate and Satisfaction Summary Data containing final findings for the Quitline vendor Year 5 Evaluation.

The report will include:

a. A brief overview of evaluation methodology of Definitions of Deliverables

b. Table representing the follow-up survey response rate, tobacco quit rate (respondent and intent-to-treat), tobacco plus electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) quit rate (respondent and intent-to-treat), and satisfaction data.

These outcomes will be reported by service offering:

a. MSQL Phone Program

b. Behavioral Health Program

c. NRT Recipients

d. Pregnancy Program

Deliverable: Document and submit this report monthly.

3. By May 31st, a final, de-identified, individual-level data set (with data dictionary) that contains both the intake and 7-month survey data will be developed for MSQL registrants.

Deliverable: Document and submit the Quit Rate Summary Data and data dictionary report, monthly.

4. The Quitline vendor will administer the Quitline vendor standard, NAQC MDS-compliant 7-month follow-up survey.

Topics to be assessed will include:

a. Overall satisfaction with the program

b. Tobacco quit status

c. Electronic nicotine delivery system (ENDS) use status (last/ever use)

d. Use of medications

e. Whether would recommend the program; why or why not

f. For current tobacco users: tobacco type(s) used in last 30 days; amount, frequency, and time to first cigarette use among cigarette smokers

Deliverable: Provide a copy of the NAQC MDS questions.

Quarterly Reporting:

1. The Quitline vendor will participate in quarterly reviews with the MSDH Office of Adult Health: Tobacco Control Cessation Branch Director. Meetings will be conducted in October, January, April, and June. The focus is to provide the Quitline vendor the opportunity to discuss accomplishments, status or barriers, and solutions for the program. The Quitline vendor may be required to meet more often depending on projects, promotions, or other events as deemed necessary. These meetings will be scheduled by the MSDH Office of Adult Health:

Tobacco Control Cessation Branch Director.

Deliverable: Document and submit the description of each quarterly review meeting in the Activities dropdown in the reporting system identified by the Office of Adult Health: Tobacco Control.

2. The Quitline vendor will collect and provide data for the National Quitline vendor Data Warehouse, quarterly.

Deliverable: Document and submit the data to the Cessation Coordinator.

3. The Quitline vendor will provide a Mississippi Tobacco Quitline Key Performance Indicator (KPI) report.

Deliverable: Provide this report to the MSDH Office of Adult Health: Tobacco Control Cessation Coordinator, quarterly.

Annual Reporting:

1. No Later Than July 31st, the Quitline vendor will provide an annual report covering the entire grant period.

This will include a final status report of detailed activities outlined (suggestion: in format text and graphs etc.)

in the Scope of Work. This report should indicate if activities were met and any barriers to completion.