PHPA 2720 RFA Faith-Based Partnerships for Menthol Tobacco Use in African American_Black Populations 04252024.pdf

REQUEST FOR APPLICATIONS (RFA)

STANDARD GRANT AGREEMENT (SGA)

(COMPETITIVE)

PROCUREMENT ID NUMBER – PHPA 2720/BPM043906

Issue Date: April 25, 2024

Community Interventions through Faith-based Organizations:

Addressing Menthol Tobacco Use Inequities in African

American/Black Communities

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 Procurement Officer, and that wishes to assure receipt of any changes or additional materials related to this RFA, should immediately contact the

Procurement 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.

09/2021

STATE OF MARYLAND

MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

RFA KEY INFORMATION SUMMARY SHEET

Request for Applications: Community Interventions Through Faith-based

Organizations: Addressing Menthol Tobacco Use

Inequities in African American/Black Communities

Solicitation Number: PHPA 2720/BPM043906

RFA Issue Date: April 25, 2024

RFA Issuing Office: Maryland Department of Health

Center for Tobacco Prevention and Control

Procurement Officer: Li’Chelle Lindsey

201 West Preston Street

Baltimore, MD 21201

410-767-5621

LiChelle.Lindsey@Maryland.gov

Grant Monitor: Kelsey Holmes

Center for Tobacco Prevention and Control

201 West Preston Street, 3rd Floor - Tobacco

Baltimore, MD 21201

Questions due date: May 17, 2024

Applications are to be sent to: eMaryland Marketplace Advantage (eMMA)

(https://emma.maryland.gov/page.aspx/en/usr/login?Return

Url=%2fpage.aspx%2fen%2fbuy%2fhomepage). For questions and/or technical assistance, please contact emma.helpdesk@maryland.gov. In addition, you may visit https://procurement.maryland.gov for additional information.

Pre-Application Conference: May 13, 2024, from 10:30 – 11:30 AM EST, Link To

Conference on eMMA

Closing Date and Time: May 24, 2024, by 2:00 PM EST Local Time mailto:LiChelle.Lindsey@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 mailto:emma.helpdesk@maryland.gov https://procurement.maryland.gov/

SECTION 1 - GENERAL INFORMATION

1.1 Summary Statement

1.1.1 The Maryland Department of Health (MDH or the Department), Center for Tobacco Prevention and Control (CTPC), is issuing this Request for Applications (RFA) to provide innovative approaches at the community level to decrease the use of menthol tobacco products in the state of

Maryland with the focus on populations experiencing the greatest menthol tobacco use inequities.

Projects supported by this funding opportunity must be planned and implemented using community level best and promising practices. Applicants must be faith-based organizations or work with faith-based organizations with the majority of the participating community identifying as part of the African American/Black population.

1.1.2 It is the Department’s intention to obtain services, as specified in this RFA, from an Agreement between the selected Applicant and the Department. The anticipated duration of services to be provided under this Agreement is July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2025, with an option to renew the contract for three additional option years (July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026, July 1, 2026, to June

30, 2027, and July 1, 2027, to June 30, 2028). All future year awards are subject to availability of funding and successful implementation of the services specified in this RFA.

1.1.3 The Department intends to make up to two (2) awards as a result of this RFA. The annual amount per award will be up to, but will not exceed $150,000, in Year (1) and $150,000 per option year per Successful Applicant as a result of this RFA.

Year (1) = July 1, 2024 - June 30, 2025, = maximum of $150,000 Option Year (1) = July 1, 2025 - June 30, 2026, = maximum of $150,000 Option Year (2) = July 1, 2026 - June 30, 2027, = maximum of $150,000

Option Year (3) = July 1, 2027 - June 30, 2028, = maximum of $150,000

1.1.4 Applicants, either directly or through their subcontractor(s), must be able to provide all services and meet all the requirements requested in this solicitation and the successful Applicant shall remain responsible for performance regardless of subcontractor participation in the work. The

Department will choose the two highest overall ranked applications based on the evaluation criteria set forth in this RFA (see Section 5 for evaluation criteria) to offer an award.

1.2 Contract Type

1.2.1 The Agreement resulting from this solicitation shall be a Fixed Price Contract.

1.3 Procurement Officer

1.3.1 The sole point of contact in the Department for purposes of this solicitation prior to the award of any Agreement is the Procurement Officer at the address listed below:

Li’Chelle Lindsey

Procurement Officer

Operations Unit, Prevention and Health Promotion

Maryland Department of Health

410-767-5621

LiChelle.Lindsey@Maryland.gov

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

1.4 Grant Monitor

1.4.1 The Grant Monitor is:

Kelsey Holmes

Maryland Department of Health

Center for Tobacco Prevention and Control

201 West Preston Street, 3rd Floor - Tobacco

Baltimore, MD 21201

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

1.5 eMaryland Marketplace Advantage

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

1.5.2 eMMA is an electronic commerce system administered by the Maryland Department of General

Services. The RFA and associated materials, the solicitation and summary of the Pre-Proposal

Conference, Applicant questions and the Procurement Officer’s responses, addenda, and other solicitation-related information will be provided via eMMA.

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

Go to https://procurement.maryland.gov/, click on “Register” to begin the process, and then follow the prompts.

1.6 Questions

1.6.1 Written questions from prospective Applicants will be accepted by the Procurement Officer.

Questions to the Procurement Officer shall be submitted via e-mail to the following e-mail address: LiChelle.Lindsey@maryland.gov. Please identify in the subject line the Solicitation

Number and Title.

1.6.2 Questions are requested to be submitted no later than the due date indicated on the RFA Key

Information Summary Sheet. The Procurement 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

1.7.1 Applications, in the number and form set forth in Section 4.2 “Applications' ' must be received by file:///C:/Users/llindsey/Downloads/LiChelle.Lindsey@Maryland.gov https://procurement.maryland.gov/ file:///C:/Users/llindsey/Downloads/LiChelle.Lindsey@maryland.gov the Procurement Officer, in eMaryland Marketplace (eMMA), no later than 2:00 pm EST Local

Time on May 24, 2024, in order to be considered.

1.7.2 Requests for an 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 directed (By e-mail only, no phone calls will be accepted) to the

Procurement Officer.

1.7.3 Applications may be modified or withdrawn by written notice received by the Procurement

Officer before the time and date set forth in this section for receipt of Application. Multiple and/or alternate Applications will not be accepted.

1.8 Award Basis

1.8.1 The Grant shall be awarded to responsible Applicants submitting Applications that have been determined to be the most advantageous to the Department, 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

1.9.1 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 Procurement Officer to have obtained this RFA.

1.9.2 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 Cancellations

1.10.1 The Department 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 Department. The Department reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to award a Grant based upon the written Applications received without discussions or negotiations.

1.10.2 In the event a government entity proposes and receives the recommendation for award, the procurement 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 Department 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:

REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION: 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 CTPC has determined that a history of working for the tobacco industry presents a conflict of interest with respect to the delivery of services. Therefore, the Applicant shall not currently provide services to an entity that is a part of the tobacco industry, as either a manufacturer of tobacco products or a distributor thereof and shall not have provided such services to such an entity since November 1998. The Successful Applicant is prohibited from performing services for the tobacco industry or related entity throughout the entire term of the Contract resulting from this RFA. In addition, the Applicant shall not currently accept funds or donation, monetary or in-kind, from the tobacco industry. The Successful Applicant is prohibited from accepting funds and donations from the tobacco industry for the duration of this funding period. As proof of meeting this requirement the Applicant shall submit:

REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION: Submit Conflict of Interest Affidavit Services Performed for Tobacco Industry in Appendix (see Attachment I).

2.1.4 All Applicants must be physically based in Maryland.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION: As proof of this requirement, the Applicant shall provide their physical address in Maryland on their transmittal letter.

SECTION 3 – SCOPE OF WORK

3.1 Background and Purpose

General Background. The Center for Tobacco Prevention and Control (CTPC) oversees a comprehensive statewide tobacco control program. The structure of CTPC is based upon the five core components outlined in the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Best Practices for Comprehensive Tobacco Control Programs: (1) State and Community Interventions, (2)

Mass-Reach Health Communication Interventions, (3) Cessation Interventions, (4) Surveillance and Evaluation, and (5) Infrastructure, Administration and Management. The overall goals for

CTPC are aligned with CDC Best Practices, and include:

• Prevent initiation among youth and young adults;

• Promote quitting among adults and youth;

• Eliminate exposure to secondhand smoke; and

• Advance health equity by identifying and eliminating commercial tobacco product-related inequities and disparities.1

To reach its goals, Maryland has created an infrastructure that encompasses:

• The Maryland Tobacco Quitline, 1-800-QUIT-NOW, a free evidence-based telephone, web, and text counseling service to help tobacco users quit

(www.smokingstopshere.com);

• Health system initiatives that implement tobacco use screening systems integrated into electronic medical records, provision of system level training, promotion of hospital policies that provide and support patient tobacco dependence services;

• Local health departments tobacco control program in each of Maryland’s 24 major political jurisdictions;

• Community-based initiatives;

• Health communications activities;

• Network of statewide supporters and partners; and

• Two statewide resources centers;

o Legal Resource Center for Public Health Policy (LRC;

http://www.law.unmaryland.edu/programs/publichealth/index.html), and o Maryland Tobacco Control Resource Center (Maryland TCRC).

RFA Aim: CTPC seeks to advance health equity through strategic faith-based partnerships and community engagement by addressing menthol tobacco use inequities and ingrained social norms due to predatory tobacco product marketing, which has disproportionately led to significantly higher rates of menthol tobacco use in the African American/Black communities in Maryland.

Menthol Tobacco Use. Menthol reduces the harshness of tobacco and enhances the negative impacts of nicotine on the brain, making menthol tobacco products easier to start, more addictive, and harder to quit.2 From 1980 to 2018, an estimated 10.1 million people started smoking in the

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Best Practices for Comprehensive Tobacco Control Programs. Office on Smoking and Health, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, 2014. Accessed 10 October 2023 at https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/stateandcommunity/guides/pdfs/2014/comprehensive.pdf.

2 Food and Drug Administration, FDA Proposes Rules Prohibiting Menthol Cigarettes and Flavored Cigars to Prevent Youth Initiation, Significantly Reduce Tobacco-Related Disease and Death, 27 June 2022, Food and Drug Administration, accessed on 1 September 2023 at http://www.smokingstopshere.com/ http://www.law.unmaryland.edu/programs/publichealth/index.html https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/stateandcommunity/guides/pdfs/2014/comprehensive.pdf

U.S. because of menthol cigarettes, with an estimated 378,000 people who died prematurely.3

Menthol-flavored tobacco products are aggressively and disproportionately marketed to Black

Americans, low-income populations, lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and queer populations, youth, and women.4 In Maryland, over half (53.5%) of adults who smoke everyday reported they usually smoked menthol cigarettes, with the greatest disparities of menthol tobacco users persisting among Black Americans (91.1%).5 While African Americans have been diagnosed with lung/bronchus cancer at lower rates than White Americans, African Americans have higher mortality rates than White Americans in Maryland.6 Additionally, smoking is a major contributor to the three leading causes of death including heart disease, cancer, and stroke among African

Americans.7

Health Equity. The Maryland Department of Health’s mission includes protecting, promoting, and improving the health and well-being of all Marylanders, while giving special attention to populations experiencing health disparities. As noted on the CDC’s website “Health Disparities

Related to Commercial Tobacco and Advancing Health Equity,” http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/health-equity/index.htm, the elimination of health disparities requires an understanding of how disparities are related to tobacco use and the factors which cause them, such as the pressures of discrimination, poverty, and other social conditions that can increase tobacco use.

CTPC Health Equity Commitment Statement.

The Center for Tobacco Prevention and Control (CTPC) is committed to identifying tobacco related health disparities, addressing the systemic barriers (inclusive of historically perpetuated structural racism) and social determinants of health that result in health inequities. CTPC commits to support policy change and evidence-based practices that promote inclusive tobacco prevention and cessation treatment services; develop funding opportunities that create partnerships to build capacity with community and faith-based organizations, local health departments, coalitions, educational institutions, health care providers and other interested partners; and empower

Marylanders in obtaining their healthiest life possible, free from the harms of tobacco.

Evidence-Based Culturally Appropriate Interventions Tailored for Community Needs.

Based on the CDC Best Practices for Health Equity in Tobacco Prevention and Control User

Guide, community level interventions and organizations are able to influence local organizations, networks, and systems.8 CTPC is choosing a community level approach that reaches the community through faith-based organizations to increase engagement and mobilization that has been shown to be effective in addressing community members in their environment and can positively change health behaviors.8 In addition to population level policy changes that would include the ban of menthol and all flavored tobacco product sales, the CDC also recommends https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-proposes-rules-prohibiting-menthol-cigarettes-and-flavored-cigars-prevent-youth-initiation.

Le TTT, Mendez D. An Estimation of the Harm of Menthol Cigarettes in the United States from 1980 to 2018. Tob Control. 2021;0: 1–

5.doi:10.1136/tobaccocontrol-2020-056256.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Menthol Smoking and Related , Health Disparities, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, accessed on 1September 2022 at https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/basic_information/menthol/related-health-disparities.html.

Center for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC). (n.d.). 2021 BRFSS Survey Data. 2021 BRFSS Survey Data and Documentation.

Maryland Department of Health: Cigarette Restitution Fund Program, Cancer Prevention, Education, Screening and Treatment Program, 2021

CRF Cancer Report https://health.maryland.gov/phpa/cancer/Documents/_FINAL.pdf. Accessed 18 Apr. 2023.

“Tobacco Use in the African American Community.” Truth Initiative, accessed on 18 April 2023 at https://truthinitiative.org/research-resources/targeted-communities/tobacco-use-African- American-community.

http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/health-equity/index.htm https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-proposes-rules-prohibiting-menthol-cigarettes-and-flavored-cigars-prevent-youth-initiation https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-proposes-rules-prohibiting-menthol-cigarettes-and-flavored-cigars-prevent-youth-initiation https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/basic_information/menthol/related-health-disparities.html https://health.maryland.gov/phpa/cancer/Documents/_FINAL.pdf.%20Accessed%2018%20Apr.%202023.

https://truthinitiative.org/research-resources/targeted-communities/tobacco-use-African-%20American-community https://truthinitiative.org/research-resources/targeted-communities/tobacco-use-African-%20American-community fairly and equitably implementing evidence-based population level strategies that include but are not limited to:

1. Developing educational initiatives that describe targeted tobacco industry marketing tactics and warn about the risks of tobacco product use, including menthol products;

2. Ensuring that all people who use tobacco products have access to evidence-based quitting resources, including counseling and medication through the Maryland Tobacco Quitline.

Additionally, to help individuals successfully quit, ensure the use of culturally tailored cessation messages to better reach individuals who use menthol tobacco products (see

Attachment J for community level evidence-based tobacco prevention and cessation examples); and

3. Ensure community participation and engagement to mobilize the community from within to take action to live tobacco free.

Purpose. Maryland has significantly high and disproportionate inequities regarding menthol tobacco use among the African American/Black population, and while the U.S. Food and Drug

Administration (FDA) proposed new tobacco product standards to ban menthol in cigarettes and cigars, a lengthy federal process and potential tobacco industry litigation may delay this ban and leave the public unprotected for years to come. The African American/Black community will be the focus in this project to enhance support for populations disproportionately affected by tobacco use guided by CDC’s Health Equity in Tobacco Prevention and Control and 2021 Behavioral

Risk Factor Surveillance data for Maryland.5 The African American/Black population were identified as having the highest disparity of menthol tobacco use among everyday cigarette users.8

As part of this project, the Department is dedicating funding towards menthol tobacco-free living initiatives at the community level through partnerships with faith-based organizations. Faith-based organizations are often significant institutions in the African American/Black community, and faith-based organizations can positively influence the health of the African American/Black community and youth alike.9

The Department is issuing this solicitation for the purposes of reducing the number of menthol tobacco users in Maryland through faith-based organizations in the African American/Black communities to:

• Raise awareness about predatory marketing of tobacco products;

• Educate and increase access to evidence-based tobacco cessation treatment services;

• Encourage non-tobacco users in African American/Black communities to remain tobacco free through community outreach, education, and increased access to resources; and

• Build capacity and mobilize communities to address inequities.

It will be expected that Applicants discuss how the proposed plan addresses at-risk and disenfranchised populations.

Note: The use of the term “tobacco” used throughout this RFA refers to commercial tobacco, defined as tobacco that is sold by the tobacco industry, including cigarettes, vape or e-cigarettes, chewing tobacco, cigars and other products that contain addictive nicotine. Commercial tobacco use is distinct from sacred tobacco used by some American Indian cultures.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Best Practices User Guide: Health Equity in Tobacco Prevention and Control. Atlanta: U.S.

Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Office on Smoking and Health, 2015.

African American Faith Communities Mental Health Project. (n.d.). https://www.aafcproject.org/african-american-faith-communities-mental-health-project https://www.aafcproject.org/african-american-faith-communities-mental-health-project https://www.aafcproject.org/african-american-faith-communities-mental-health-project

3.2 Scope of Work - Requirements

3.2.1 General Requirements. Applicants shall address the general requirements in their project narrative.

3.2.2 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.

REQUIRED STATEMENT: Applicant acknowledges to meet the American with Disabilities

Act Statement in the RFA and will meet all requirements.

3.2.3 Meetings.

3.2.3.1 Annual Kick-Off Meeting. For Year (1), within one (1) business week of the award letter sent from the Grant Monitor, Successful Applicants shall attend and participate in an award kick-off meeting with CTPC staff to review and finalize the project Work

Plan, timeline, reporting and invoice expectations, and technical assistance needed.

For each Option Year pending award, the annual kick-off meeting will be scheduled by CTPC within one week of the date of each year’s award letter to the Successful

Applicant to review the same. The Applicant shall submit their statement of agreement to attend Annual Kick-off meetings.

3.2.3.2 Bi-Weekly Meetings. Successful Applicants shall attend bi-weekly (every other week) meetings (virtually with at least one in person meeting each awarded year) with the Grant Monitor and other key CTPC staff to discuss relevant project updates and to receive technical assistance, as requested. Additional in-person and/or virtual meetings may be scheduled as necessary.

3.2.3.3 Local Health Department Coalition Meetings. Successful Applicants may be asked to attend one or more Maryland Local Health Department tobacco/cancer coalition meetings to share project experiences and progress throughout the project, and to gain additional insight into community needs related to tobacco use in a specific Maryland jurisdiction.

3.2.3.4 Site Visits. Successful Applicants will participate fully in CTPC Quality Improvement and technical assistance activities, and site visits. Site visits may include interviews with staff, review of fiscal and project records, monitoring and risk assessment needs, review of inventory purchased using CTPC project funds, and observation of program activities, events, and staff. Successful Applicants shall expect at least one site visit over the course of all funded years pending award approval for each year.

REQUIRED STATEMENT: Applicant agrees to attend annual kick-off meetings, bi-weekly meetings, coalitions meetings, and site visits and plan to utilize what is learned to raise awareness among faith-based partners, community leaders, key stakeholders, decision makers, and the priority population and community of focus.

3.2.4 Training. CTPC will organize training opportunities to support the selected grantees throughout the project period. Training will equip the Successful Applicant in foundational knowledge around the harms of menthol tobacco use, historical predatory marketing and impacts on the community as a result; and provide additional resources to support engagement with faith-based organizations, the community of focus, decision makers, and other key partners. The Applicant shall provide a statement of agreement to accept CTPC initial training to support foundational knowledge and plan to utilize what is learned to raise awareness among faith-based partners, community leaders, key stakeholders, decision makers and the priority population. Additional guidance on trainings will be provided by CTPC through technical assistance throughout the award.

REQUIRED STATEMENT: Applicant agrees to participate fully in CTPC Quality

Improvement and technical assistance activities.

3.2.5 Inclusivity. Successful Applicants are expected to implement strategies and policies that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion of all communities including Maryland's LGBTQ+ populations.

REQUIRED STATEMENT: Applicant acknowledges and agrees to implement strategies and policies that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion of all communities.

3.2.6 Organizational Capacity. Include information on the capability of the organization to complete their proposed project.

1. Provide a brief description of the organization including its mission and vision statements and if they are a faith-based organization, or another type of organization (example:

university).

2. Describe how long the organization has been established.

3. The Applicant shall (1) identify and describe key staff on the proposed project, and (2) within the staff identified, the Applicant shall identify a “Grant Manager” who will be directly responsible for project coordination, tracking the progress, budget monitoring, reporting, invoicing, and collaborating/meeting with the Grant Monitor.

A. Existing Staff. If existing staff will be used in the project, describe experience key staff have in carrying out similar activities, their role on the proposed project, and what percentage of the staff time will be dedicated to this project on a weekly basis/Full Time

Equivalent (FTE). Include bios for all staff members with a role on the project in the application’s Appendix. Lived experience is also valued. Explain how existing staff relate to their community.

B. New Staff. If new staff will be hired for the project, include a description of the job role in the Appendix for all to-be-hired positions that lists minimum qualifications (i.e., job experience, education, etc.), essential job duties, and expected Full Time Equivalency

(FTE) as a grant in the Appendix. (see Attachment J for a definition of FTE).

4. Describe the organization’s experience in community-based outreach and health initiatives and managing grant-funded projects.

A. Describe any experience working on tobacco prevention and cessation. If the applicant does not have experience working on tobacco prevention and cessation, describe other public health initiatives experiences or other experiences or skills that will be applicable to the proposed project.

B. Describe the organization’s experience in implementing and receiving past or current grant funded projects.

C. How does the organization manage invoicing, reporting, and/or subcontracting?

D. What was the highest budget the organization has managed?

E. If the Applicant does not have grant management experience, describe how the organization will manage the grant and any transferable skills from previous efforts that will aid in the grant management process.

5. Describe the organization’s ability to administratively support the project coordination/management of the agreement including data tracking, meeting bi-weekly, invoicing and submission of reports.

6. Describe any existing community resources that would be an asset to the proposed project.

The Applicant or proposed partner must already have an existing relationship or experience with the community resource. For example, if an Applicant proposes to educate youth on the harms of tobacco and a faith-based partner has a youth group that is part of the African

American/Black community, this would be an existing community resource.

3.2.7 Priority Population(s). The specified priority population for this RFA is African

American/Black communities who are affected by menthol tobacco related health inequities.

3.2.7.1 Community of Focus. The Applicant shall select a community of focus that meets the requirements of the priority population of this RFA. A county or a congregation etc. is a specific community of focus. An example community of focus is the congregations (83% of whom identify as African American) of Star Church, Stripes Mosque, and Eagle youth group all located in Startown, Maryland. The community of focus will remain the focus for all funded years unless approval is granted by the Grant Monitor to make a change.

See Attachment J - Writing Guidance for more information on priority population and communities of focus.

3.2.7.2 Partnerships. Partnerships will increase the impact and populations served by this funding as well as strengthen the capacity development of the selected community. Even if the applicant is a faith-based organization, they must also partner with other faith-based organizations to meet the requirements of this funding announcement. The specified partner parameters are the project must be delivered directly through or in partnership with a minimum of three faith-based organizations with the majority of the participating community identifying as part of the African American/Black population.

Applicants shall describe their chosen specific community of focus.

• State the specific community of focus and why they meet the requirements of this funding opportunity (how they are affected by menthol tobacco related health inequities).

• Describe the organization’s understanding of the priority population and community of focus using data (such as poverty rates, education, tobacco use rates, and demographics) and/or knowledge gained from working directly with the priority population and community. (See Attachment J - Writing Guidance for data resources)

• Describe the organization's history of working with the priority population and community of focus.

o Applicants who are not faith-based organizations shall describe and have at least three years’ experience collaborating with faith-based organizations directly to support public health efforts.

o To be eligible for funding, the Applicant must demonstrate their commitment and show proof of their ability to partner with and mobilize (to assemble and make ready for action) faith-based organizations and successfully implement this project.

o Applicants are encouraged to partner with organizations who serve the same communities of focus to submit a joint application. However, if a joint application is submitted, an identified lead organization must be stated to ensure procurement, administrative and fiscal pathways for the funded project (the lead organization identified will be responsible for all reporting and invoicing).

3.2.8 Project Description. The Applicant shall describe their plan to address menthol tobacco use within the community of focus. The Applicant shall describe how their proposed services, including the services of any proposed subcontractor(s), will meet or exceed the requirement(s).

Please be specific with:

• The overall goal of the proposed project that encompass all project years;

• How the proposed objectives meet the needs of the community of focus and the RFA aim

(see section 3.1) (discuss how the proposed plan addresses at-risk and disenfranchised populations);

• The recruitment strategy on how to solicit faith-based partnerships to work on this project;

• The minimum number of faith-based partnerships you intend to engage (it is expected that faith-based applicants shall partner with at least two other faith-based organizations to expand their scope of reach);

• How will the proposed project support capacity building with the community, faith-based partners, and or the Applicant organization (trainings, leadership development, resource development, and information sharing etc.,) (see Exhibit B for more information on training requirements);

• What outcomes are anticipated as a result of implementing the proposed strategies and activities with partners; and

• How to evaluate strategies using process and outcome indicators? (See Attachment J for more information on process and outcome indicators)

3.2.8.1 Year (1). The Applicant must have at least four SMART objectives.

During Year (1), Successful Applicants shall ensure committed partners and a complete a community action plan. The first SMART objective shall result in a minimum of three faith-based partners with signed letters of commitment stating that they are partnering for Year (1) and any additional option years. If the Applicant is a faith-based organization, then they will need at least two additional faith-based partners. If the

Applicant is not a faith-based organization, then they will need at least three faith-based partners. The second objective shall result in the identified project leaders and/or community facilitators receiving training in tobacco harms, community action planning facilitation, and community mobilization. CTPC will provide an overview of tobacco harms education, but it is expected that the identified members will seek to learn more about how menthol tobacco affects their community specifically. The third objective shall result in the education of all community partners receiving training on the harms of tobacco and community mobilization. CTPC will provide technical assistance with these trainings. The fourth objective shall result in a community developed action plan that answers the question, “How will menthol tobacco use among the African

American/Black community be addressed through faith-based partners in Maryland within the next three years?” It is the intention that committed partners support action plan development therefore letters of commitment should be received prior to beginning the action plan. A first full draft of the community action plan will be due to CTPC by

February 1, 2025.

In the remining time of Year (1), Successful Applicants will begin their action plan they developed. Applicants shall also describe any known activities, such as attending community meetings, that they will incorporate into their action plan for Year (1).

Year (1) performance measures will include:

Objective Performance Measure

1 • The number of signed letters of commitment from partners.

2 • The number of trainings held for Project Leaders and/or Community

Facilitators on the topics of tobacco harms, community mobilization, and community action planning facilitation.

• The knowledge change obtained by Project Leaders and/or

Community Facilitators during the trainings of tobacco harms, community mobilization, and community action planning facilitation.

• The number of Project Leaders and/or Community Facilitators participants trained on tobacco harms, community mobilization, and community action planning facilitation.

3 • The number of trainings held for community partners on the topics of tobacco harms and community mobilization.

• The knowledge change obtained by community partners during the trainings of tobacco harms and community mobilization.

• The number of community partner participants trained on tobacco harms and community mobilization.

4 • Completed community action plan answering “How will menthol tobacco use among the African American/Black community be addressed through faith-based partners in Maryland within the next three years;” for the remainder of Year (1) and all option years.

3.2.8.2 Option Year (1), Option Year (2), and Option Year (3). The Applicant shall provide a general proposed summary of strategies and activities in narrative form. It is understood that the specific activities and direction of the Option Years will be further determined in the creation of the action plan in Year (1), however, the Applicant shall describe general direction and ideas in how the funding will address the tobacco related health inequities of the selected priority population and community of focus in the Option

Years. The anticipated activities of the Option Years should build from Year (1) activities. Option Year summaries shall include objectives, project activities, persons involved, evaluation, and capacity building such as trainings and additional partnerships.

Pending award approval for an Option Year, the detailed action plan will be finalized by the end of the project year prior to the upcoming Option Year and will reflect the feedback from partners throughout the preceding year and with CTPC technical assistance on health equity frameworks, review, and final approval by the end of each year as well. CTPC will work with Successful Applicants to incorporate these approaches into their Option Year action plans during Year (1). By the end of the third option year, each Successful Applicant is required to produce the following deliverables

(1) a sustainability plan for continued efforts after funding is dissolved; (2) a minimum of four faith-based partners that have joined local tobacco/cancer coalitions, (3) each funded partner will have added a link to the Center for Tobacco Prevention and Control website on their organizational web page linking to the Maryland Tobacco Quitline, and

(4) each faith-based partner shall mentor new faith-based partners resulting in at least 10 new partners to share their work and community advocacy addressing menthol tobacco use disparities.

3.2.9 Work Plan.

3.2.9.1 The Applicant must complete the detailed work plan template provided in Attachment

H for Year (1). The Applicant shall have a clear goal(s) and SMART objective(s) for the proposed project. The goals and objectives should align with the goal of the funding opportunity. A minimum of at least four SMART objectives are required for Year (1).

See Attachment J for Writing Guidance and more information on SMART objectives.

3.2.9.2 The Applicant shall complete the Work Plan template to provide a description of the outlined activities, activity steps, persons involved, timeline within the first year, and evaluation. Project activities for Year (1) for quarters (1) and (2) must be outlined in detail including the activity steps and timeline using the Work Plan Template provided.

See Attachment J - Writing Guidance for more information on how to complete a

Work Plan.

3.2.10 Health Equity Project Design. The Applicant shall create their proposed project using a health equity lens. The Applicant shall consider how to address community mobilization and capacity building to increase participation, engagement, and mobilization among faith-based partners and other organizations. Proposed projects shall involve community members who are most affected by the predatory marketing strategies of the tobacco companies. Describe the extent of the chosen community of focus health inequities and the need for tobacco intervention. Are the proposed activities tailored to the needs and culture of the community of focus? With the intent to reduce inequalities, the Applicant shall describe how the proposed intervention(s) addresses tobacco related inequalities in the priority population and community of focus. The Applicant shall state how the proposed project improves health outcomes and reduces health inequalities.

3.2.11 Data Collection and Reporting. The Applicant shall (1) describe how data to support the Work

Plan performance measures will be collected and (2) describe staff that will participate in data collection and reports including plans to prepare quarterly reports and track progress towards work plan performance measures/deliverables throughout the project period. CTPC will provide technical assistance and support data collection and reporting as needed.

3.2.11.1 Quarterly Reports. Successful Applicants shall collect data on progress of proposed performance measures/deliverables and will be required to submit quarterly reports to the Grant Monitor. Reports will be submitted using a CTPC supplied reporting template, which will be provided within 30 days of the award.

3.2.11.2 Annual Reports. Successful Applicants will be required to submit an annual report based on the approved work plan to the Grant Monitor that is inclusive of all activities completed in the funded year including a report of the data collected in support of the proposed activities and performance measures. The report may include major accomplishments, lessons learned, applicable pictures of hosted events, as well as year to date cumulative data reporting of performance measure/deliverables, any planned next steps, challenges, completed trainings, and meetings/conferences hosted and/or attended. Successful Applicants shall submit the Annual Report along with the final invoice due no later than 60 calendar days after the end of the grant year. CTPC will review reports for completeness and may require edits. Edits shall be the responsibility of the Successful Applicant. The Grant Monitor will provide the annual reporting template.

3.2.11.3 Final Report. Successful Applicants funded for more than one year shall submit a cumulative final report at the completion/within 60 days of the final funding year end date as a separate section to be included at the end of the annual report. The final report shall encompass cumulative data from the start of the project, major accomplishments, goals, and objectives achieved, challenges they encountered and met, partnerships formed, evaluation measures, tools created, best practices, innovative approaches that proved successful, and recommendations for continued work in noted areas.

3.2.12 Sustainability Plan. The Applicant shall describe how they will maintain partnerships and further grow the momentum and progress gained in Year (1), and in each Option Year to support a sustainability plan beyond the scope of the funding. CTPC will provide technical support in all

Option Years to support a sustainability plan beyond the scope of the funding.

3.2.13 Duties of MDH/Center for Tobacco Prevention and Control (CTPC). Throughout the duration of the project period, CTPC will provide technical assistance and monitoring to support

Successful Applicants in implementing the project and to ensure proper grant monitoring takes place. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Provide initial baseline training around menthol tobacco use, predatory marketing practices, disparate populations affected in Maryland, and evidence-based practices to address tobacco cessation treatment options.

• CTPC staff will be made available upon request to provide direct planning and presentation technical support for any event or meeting with faith-based partners to raise awareness around the impacts of menthol tobacco use in Maryland and among the priority population in all awarded years.

• Provide available resources, data and alert the Successful Applicant to additional training and conference opportunities to support capacity building for the project and partners.

• Provide report templates, review any presentations prior to dissemination and provide technical feedback.

• Provide technical feedback, review, and approval in the development of the required action plan for how menthol tobacco use will be addressed in Maryland over the next three years.

3.2.14 Other Potential Collaboration. Upon award, the Successful Applicants may be asked to communicate and work closely with the other agencies and entities listed below to support the proposed project objectives and/or to share project experiences, progress, lessons learned, and outcomes.

• CTPC Vendors/Grantees. Successful Applicants may be asked to meet with other CTPC awarded vendors, which may include, but is not limited to, organizations operating the

Maryland Tobacco Quitline, and vendors leading youth engagement efforts, to provide technical assistance based on expertise in addressing menthol tobacco use and to share project efforts and experiences, including reaching out to communities disproportionately impacted by tobacco.

• Efforts supporting other tobacco control partnerships and communications will be expected as needed and within the scope of this project. This may include working with Local Health

Departments, local tobacco related coalitions, Local Health Improvement Coalitions, other faith-based organizations, other Maryland Department of Health Centers, and CDC national networks.

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);

• Goods or services provided; and

• 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.

3.3.2 Invoice Submission Schedule. The Grantee shall submit invoices in accordance with the following schedule:

3.3.2.1 The Successful Applicant shall submit monthly invoice packages for all costs incurred during the reporting period with a detailed invoice narrative, documentation and/or receipts for associated costs as requested.