PHPA 3661 of Q-A .docx.pdf

Request for Application (RFA) eMMA# BPM053557

Issue Date: 10/15/2025 Vendor Questions and Answers #1

Date: 10/21/2025

1. Question: I have been asked if a person who is still with a fire company but not at this time an active firefighter can be tested. The example would be a person who, like me, was an active firefighter for 37 years and now services as an administrative member can be tested. I am not now an active firefighter but was and was exposed for most of my life. I personally have not ridden a fire truck in 5 years but the previous exposure is still there.

Answer: The Applicant fire department or fire company should prioritize firefighters at the highest risk for cancer as stated in Section

3.2.4.2 which says" Determine and describe the criteria used to prioritize firefighters at the highest cancer risk (among all who are eligible for screening) based on the latest scientific and medical research."d

How high risk is determined, and which firefighters are included in high risk categories, is up to the Applicant to determine and describe.

2. Question: If the Applicant is a county or local government authorized by a local fire department, volunteer fire company, or volunteer fire department to assist the fire protection agency to file the application, the Applicant County or local government must submit a letter from an authorized individual in the local fire department, volunteer fire company, or volunteer fire department attesting to this representation.

Would a letter from the Chairperson of the Queen Anne’s County Fire & EMS Commission meet this requirement, or should the letter come directly from one of the volunteer fire companies?

Additionally, I’d like to confirm my understanding of the section titled “Identification of a Valid Innovative Cancer Screening Test.” Based on the details outlined in sections

3.2.1–3.2.4, it appears the applicant must identify a specific cancer screening test and provide documentation on its validity, cost, and implementation plan. Does this mean we are responsible for locating and partnering with a company that performs the screening tests prior to submitting the application? If so, with the November 7th deadline approaching, I want to ensure we are interpreting this requirement correctly before proceeding.

Answer: 1) A letter from a county fire service would meet this requirement and should state clearly which volunteer fire company or companies are being represented.

2) Applicants need to have identified ahead of time which test they will use (see Section 3.2.1.1) and describe in their application the stated

a. the claimed accuracy and reliability of the proposed test;

b. the scientific and clinical evidence supporting the claimed accuracy and reliability of the screening test;

c. whether the test employs innovative or novel technologies such as DNA sequencing, genomics, proteomics, metabolomics, machine learning, artificial intelligence, big data analytics, and other state-of-the-art technology.

d. whether the test can simultaneously screen for two or more cancer types for which firefighters have a higher incidence or death rate;

e. the cost of the test; and

f. whether the test is developed, manufactured, or commercialized by a business entity located in Maryland. validity and cost of the test

Additionally, Section 3.2.1.2 requires that The Applicant shall provide verifiable information about the chosen cancer screening test in the form of web links or written materials from the company. If more than one innovative cancer screening test will be used, describe the additional test(s) using the criteria listed in section 3.2.1.1 a-f.

This does mean that the Applicant is responsible for identifying a test company prior to submitting the Application.

Also, an addendum has been posted noting that the revised closing date is now November 14, 2025, at 2:00 PM EST.

3. Question: How difficult is it to for a volunteer fire companies to procure innovative cancer screening tests? We have some interest at our fire department and I would like to know more. Are the tests done at home? If not how to the individuals undertake the screenings.

Answer: The Program provides funding for fire departments and fire companies to buy innovative cancer screening tests or services for cancer screening that are not standard cancer screening already recommended by national guideline-making organizations. The webpage associated with this program has a few articles about the types of innovative tests that might be used by fire departments interested in screening their firefighters with these funds.

https://health.maryland.gov/phpa/cancer/Pages/Firefighter-Cancer-Screening-Technologi es-Program.aspx Innovative cancer screening tests could be done at home, but in the past two iterations of this program, fire departments have used the grants to host screening sessions at their local sites, but there are tests that can be done at home and applicants can craft their application to describe the test(s) they want to use and justify the amount of funding for which they are applying. Applicants should partner with a healthcare team to help choose a test, plan for the screening sessions, administer the tests, and making sure firefighters who have positive results have follow-up diagnosis and treatment pathways identified.

4. Question: How many awards are planned to be distributed?

Answer: There is no pre-determined number of awards. See Section 1.1.2: If the Department receives applications for grants totaling more than the amount of grant funds available for this fiscal year, theDepartment shall award grants to eligible Applicants on a pro rata basis according to the criteria set by the Evaluation Committee.

5. Question: What is the average of each award ? If varies , what is the criteria?

i.e., larger jurisdiction vs larger department?

Answer: Please see Section 1.1.2: The Department intends to make several awards through this RFA not to exceed a total of $480,000. 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 https://health.maryland.gov/phpa/cancer/Pages/Firefighter-Cancer-Screening-Technologies-Program.aspx https://health.maryland.gov/phpa/cancer/Pages/Firefighter-Cancer-Screening-Technologies-Program.aspx eligible Applicants on a pro rata basis according to the criteria set by the Evaluation Committee.

6. Question: Who have received prior awards (if applicable)?

Answer: Thank you for your question. This question falls under a PIA request. In order to receive this information, a formal request must be submitted to the Procurement Office for the RFA via email (LiChelle.Lindsey) with the subject line "PIA Request".

7. Question: Will this be an ongoing offered award with new legislation now in place? If continuing, when will the next opportunity be available?

Answer: We anticipate this Program to be ongoing, but each year the actual availability of funding is at the discretion of the Maryland legislature and the Governor. If funds are allocated from the state budget for this program in the upcoming fiscal year, the Department plans to issue another call for applications in the fall of 2026.

8. Question: Are there matching funds required of the entity?

Answer: Matching funds are not required of any applicants.

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