Jan 7 SFY26 Firefighters Innovative Testing Program Pre-Proposal Slides.pptx.pdf

Maryland Professional and Volunteer Firefighter Innovative Cancer Screening Technologies

PHPA-3661/BPM054629

January 7, 2026

Welcome

A summary of the conference and all questions and answers will be distributed to all prospective applicants known to have received the Request for Applications (RFA). The summary will also be posted on eMaryland Marketplace Advantage (eMMA) after today’s presentation.

Project Background

Addressing Cancer Risk Among Firefighters

Despite a 9% higher risk of developing cancer and a 14% higher risk of dying from cancer, firefighters may not receive cancer screenings outside of the usual screenings recommended for their age groups.

2019: Health-General Article §§13-4001 – 13-4007; Maryland COMAR 10.04.08

• Annual funding for fire departments to procure and administer innovative cancer screening tests that may not be obtained during regular annual physicals or that may not be covered by insurance

Background

Requirements for Application

Application Eligibility (Section 2.1)

• Local fire departments

• Volunteer fire companies, volunteer fire departments

• must be 501(c)(3) or 501(c) (4)

• Counties or other local government entities, if authorized by a local fire department, volunteer fire company, or volunteer fire department.

Health-General Article §§13-4001 – 13-4007; Maryland COMAR 10.04.08:

The county in which a volunteer fire company or department is located shall assist volunteer fire companies in filing applications.

Application Eligibility (Section 2.1 ctd) Fire department/fire company collaborations (Volunteer Firefighter Associations)

• one application

• funding goes to one entity responsible for project activities

• signed letter from authorized Association Board Chair/President

• number of volunteer fire companies/departments represented

AND

• total number of firefighters on whose behalf the Association is applying for grant funding

• signed letter from an authorized representative of each participating fire department/fire company

• attestation of desire to participate

• total number of firefighters in their organization, AND

• how many firefighters from their organization are estimated to participate in the proposed cancer screening

Application Details

Duration of Project Activities

The anticipated duration of services to be provided under this Agreement is April 6, 2026 to June 30, 2026, with no option period.

Amount of Award

There is no pre-determined award amount this year.

Applicants are encouraged to apply for the amount of funding desired to carry out the cancer screening project with their firefighters.

If the Department receives applications for grants totaling more than the amount of grant funds available for this fiscal year, the Department shall award grants to eligible Applicants on a pro rata basis according to the criteria set by the Evaluation Committee.

FIRST: Assemble a Healthcare Team

Section 3.2.3 and the Implementation Preparation Checklist (Attachment H)

Identify healthcare providers who will assist with project activities.

The healthcare team’s role is to:

• help select a cancer screening test or tests

• developing pre- and post-screening counseling protocols and informed consent forms

• oversee or lead blood draws and sample processing

• ensure consultation for positive results

• coordinate referrals to local primary care, diagnostic services, and treatment services, if needed

Applicants should call their local health departments, local hospitals, federally qualified health centers, or their county government administrative offices for help identifying healthcare providers who could partner to organize and implement this cancer screening project.

*Employees and consultants of a testing company may not serve as members of the Applicant’s healthcare team.

SECOND: Identify Cancer Screening Test (3.2.1)

With assistance from the assembled healthcare team, identify an innovative cancer screening test.

Describe the test (and provide supporting documentation):

• claimed accuracy and reliability of the test;

• scientific/clinical evidence supporting the accuracy and reliability;

• the test’s innovative or novel technologies (DNA sequencing, genomics, proteomics, metabolomics, machine learning, artificial intelligence, big data analytics, and other state-of-the-art technology);

• the test’s capability to screen for two or more cancers;

• the cost of the test; and

• whether the test is developed, manufactured, or commercialized by a

Maryland business entity.

THIRD: Identify Firefighters to be Screened (3.2.4) Applications must include:

• Description of the firefighters in your organization

• Numbers of firefighters expected to be screened

• Criteria for selecting who will be screened (who is highest risk?)

Healthcare providers should assist with risk analysis to aid selection of firefighters to be screened.

FOURTH: Create a Work Plan (Section 3.2.2)

Use the Work Plan Template (Attachment I)

Work Plans must include descriptions of plans to:

• recruit participants

• procure the cancer screening tests

• obtain informed consent

• administer the innovative cancer screening tests

• ensure follow up testing and treatment for firefighters who have positive screening test results.

• obtain summary/aggregate results from the testing company

Background and Organizational Capacity (Section 3.2.5) Applications must include description of:

• the local fire department, volunteer fire company, or volunteer fire department that will be the recipient of the grant

• the capacity of the Applicant and partners to carry out the project, including relevant experience and description of key staff, their roles, and intended time commitment.

• the capacity of any subgrantees or partners that the Applicant intends to work with to implement the Project’s activities.

List of Innovative Cancer Screening Services and Additional Testing Materials (Section 3.2.6)

The application must include:

• a list of all the services and additional materials that will be needed to carry out the project and how those will be obtained

• needles, syringes, tourniquets, collection vials, bandaids, centrifuge, coolers for storage/transport, phlebotomists, etc.

Your team’s healthcare providers and your chosen testing company should be able to help identify what items may be needed.

Attestation: Required Cancer Screening Records Retention (Section 3.2.7) Applicants must describe how they will:

• Procure the cancer screening tests solely for the firefighters identified

• Verify the administration of the innovative cancer screening tests by health care providers.

• Maintain an inventory of the innovative cancer screening tests purchased

• Retain all records pertaining to the grant for 3 years from the date the final report is submitted to MDH or longer in case of an audit or litigation until the completion of the audit or litigation.

• Participate in audits as required by MDH.

Attestation: Reporting Requirements (Section 3.2.8) Applicants must describe how they will:

• Maintain and submit accurate financial reports and records

• Submit invoices and financial reports by MDH’s deadlines

• Submit a final invoice for any unbilled expenditures by MDH’s deadline

• Submit refunds of any unexpended funds by MDH’s deadline

Grantees must submit interim reports describing the progress of the grant along with any invoice submitted.

Grantees are also expected to submit a comprehensive final report describing the activities for the entire grant period no later than 45 days after the grant period ends. The comprehensive final report shall include:

• number of individuals screened through the grant

• type of screening test(s) used

• cost of the screening test(s)

• number of cancers detected by the screening test

• types of cancers detected by the screening test

Other Critical Elements of the Application

Applicants must include an attestation to adhere to the Americans with Disabilities Act (Section 3.2.9).

Applicants must submit a Transmittal Letter (Section 4.3.1.1) with:

• Applicant;

• Solicitation Title and Solicitation Number

• Name and title of an individual authorized to commit the Applicant to its Proposal;

• 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.

If not a state or local government agency public college, or state university, Applicants must submit evidence of 501(3)(c) or 501(c)(4) status (see Sections

2.1.2 and 4.3.1.3.

Applicants must submit W-9 (See Section 4.3.1.5)

RFA Attachments

• EXHIBIT A – Budget Form

• Complete and submit with the Budget Narrative (Exhibit B) (also called a Budget Justification) as a file separate from the Project Narrative.

• EXHIBIT B- Budget Narrative

• Complete and submit with the Budget Form (Exhibit A) as a file separate from the Project Narrative.

• EXHIBIT C- Standard Grant Agreement “Sample”

• This is provided for informational purposes. Do not fill out or submit with the Application. Upon notification of recommendation for award, a completed Standard Grant Agreement will be sent to the awardee for signature.

RFA Attachments (continued)

• EXHIBIT D – RFA Document

Checklist

• Use to check that the required documents for the Project Narrative and Budget plus Budget Narrative (Justification) are completed.

• ATTACHMENT H: Implementation Preparation Checklist

• Complete and submit as part of this application

• ATTACHMENT I: Work Plan Template

• Complete and submit as part of this application

Application Details

Other Attachments Review, but do not complete:

• ATTACHMENT A- Conditions of Award

• ATTACHMENT B- Federal Funds

• ATTACHMENT C- Debarment Affirmation

• ATTACHMENT D - Certification Regarding

Environmental Tobacco Smoke

• ATTACHMENT E - Certification Regarding

Lobbying

• ATTACHMENT F- Additional Information

Required for Prevention and Health Promotion Administration Grants

• ATTACHMENT G: COMAR 10.14.08.01 --.08

• ATTACHMENT J: Evaluation Criteria

Weights

Evaluation of the Applications

Evaluation Criteria (Attachment J)

Evaluation Details

Item Section in Scope of Work (Section 3.2) Weight

1 Section 3.2.1 Identification of Valid Cancer Screening Test 0.40

2 Section 3.2.2 Work Plan and Description of Project Implementation 0.30

3 Section 3.2.3 Identification of Healthcare Team & Roles in Implementation Preparation

0.10

4 Section 3.2.4 Identification of Firefighters to be Screened 0.10

5 Section 3.2.5 Background and Description of Organizational Capacity 0.04

6 Section 3.2.6 List of Innovative Cancer Screening Services and Additional Testing Materials

0.02

7 Section 3.2.7 Required Cancer Screening and Record Retention 0.02

8 Section 3.2.8 Reporting Requirements 0.01

9 Section 3.2.9 American Disabilities Act Acknowledgement 0.01

Evaluation and Awards of Funding

If the Department receives applications for grants totaling more than the amount of funds appropriated for the Program for a fiscal year, the Department shall award the grants on a pro rata basis according to the criteria set by the Evaluation Committee.

Evaluation Details

Reporting Dates

First Invoice May 29, 2026

Second (Final) Invoice July 15, 2026

Final Financial Report August 15, 2026

Actual expenditures must be accompanied by adequate documentation.

Invoice Due Dates after Expenditures

Other Important Notes

Please read the entire RFA document carefully. Your understanding of the Program standards and requirements is vital for successful applications.

Explore the web page associated with this firefighter cancer screening program

• See who was awarded grant funding in past years

• View articles about various innovative cancer screening tests

• Access Grant Writing Help slides

• Review the Table of some Innovative Cancer Test Options

Other Important Notes

Explore the MDH Webpage https://health.maryland.gov/phpa/cancer/Pages/Firefighter-Cancer-Screening-Technologies-Program.aspx

All questions should be directed to the MDH Procurement Officer

Email: LiChelle.Lindsey@maryland.gov mailto:LiChelle.Lindsey@maryland.gov