PHPA 3708_RFA -Tobacco Disparities in LGBTQ+ Communities Capacity Building 12122025.pdf

REQUEST FOR APPLICATIONS (RFA)

STANDARD GRANT AGREEMENT (SGA)

(COMPETITIVE)

PROCUREMENT ID NUMBER – PHPA 3708/BPM054505

Issue Date: December 12, 2025

Health Equity Approaches to Support

Maryland’s LGBTQ+ Youth and Young Adult

Communities in Living Tobacco- and

Cannabis-Free

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.

09/2024

STATE OF MARYLAND

MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

RFA KEY INFORMATION SUMMARY SHEET

Request for Applications: Health Equity Approaches to Support Maryland’s LGBTQ+

Youth and Young Adult Communities in Living Tobacco-and Cannabis-Free

Solicitation Number: PHPA 3708/BPM054505

RFA Issue Date: December 12, 2025

RFA Issuing Office: Maryland Department of Health

Prevention and Health Promotion Administration

Center for Tobacco Prevention and Control

Procurement Officer: Li’Chelle Lindsey

201 W. Preston Street

Baltimore, MD 21201

Phone: 410-767-5621 e-mail: LiChelle.Lindsey@maryland.gov

Grant Monitor: Kelsey Holmes Maryland Department of Health

Prevention and Health Promotion Administration Center for Tobacco Prevention and Control 201 W. Preston Street, Room 315 Baltimore, MD 21201 Kelsey.Holmes@Maryland.gov

Pre-application conference: December 22, 2025, Time 11:00 am EST Local Time

(Link on eMMA)

Questions due date and time: January 14, 2026, Time: 2:00 pm EST Local Time

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.

Closing Date and Time: January 21, 2026, Time: 2:00pm EST Local Time mailto:Kelsey.Holmes@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 award one (1) Applicant to reduce tobacco and cannabis use disparities among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer/questioning (LGBTQ+) youth and young adult communities in Maryland. This funding opportunity will support local organizations and health departments to reduce the harms of tobacco and cannabis use by promoting evidence-based, culturally appropriate tobacco and cannabis prevention and cessation efforts.

1.1.2 It is the State’s intention to obtain services as specified in this RFA, from an Agreement between the selected Applicant and the State. The anticipated duration of services to be provided under this Agreement is July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2031. The Applicant’s annual award will not exceed $200,000 per fiscal year, or $1,000,000 for the five-year contract period, as a result of this

RFA. All future year awards are subject to availability of funding and successful implementation of the services specified in this RFA. The funding source is Maryland state funding.

Year 1 = July 1, 2026 - June 30, 2027 = maximum of $200,000

Year 2 = July 1, 2027 - June 30, 2028 = maximum of $200,000

Year 3 = July 1, 2028 - June 30, 2029 = maximum of $200,000

Year 4 = July 1, 2029 - June 30, 2030 = maximum of $200,000

Year 5 = July 1, 2030 - June 30, 2031 = maximum of $200,000

1.1.3 The Department intends to make a single award as a result of this RFA.

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.

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 State for purposes of this solicitation prior to the award of any

Agreement is the Procurement Officer at the address listed below:

Li’Chelle Lindsey

201 W. Preston Street

Baltimore, MD 21201

Phone: 410-767-5621 e-mail: 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 Prevention and Health Promotion Administration Center for Tobacco Prevention and Control 201 W. Preston Street, Room 315 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 (cover 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 the Procurement Officer, in eMaryland Marketplace (eMMA) or the RFA email address

RFA.PHPA@maryland.gov, no later than 2:00 pm EST Local Time on January 21, 2026 in order to be considered. If emailing please identify in the subject line the Solicitation Number and Title.

1.7.2 Requests for an extension of this time or date will not be granted. Applications received after the https://procurement.maryland.gov/ mailto:RFA.PHPA@maryland.gov 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 State, considering price and evaluation factors set forth in this RFA, for providing the activities as specified in th is 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 State 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 applicants in any manner necessary to serve the best interests of the State. The State 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 contract, application and solicitation for this RFA 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 State 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).

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 Conflict of Interest.

2.1.3.1 Conflict of Interest Affidavit Services Performed for Tobacco Industry. 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).

2.1.3.2 Conflict of Interest Affidavit and Disclosure. CTPC has determined that a history of working for the cannabis 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 cannabis industry, as either a manufacturer of cannabis products or a distributor thereof and shall not have provided such services. The successful

Applicant is prohibited from performing services for the cannabis 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 cannabis industry. The successful Applicant is prohibited from accepting funds and donations from the cannabis 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 and

Disclosure in Appendix (see Attachment J).

2.1.4 Non-Supplantation. The applicant certifies that it will not use any grant funds to supplant existing tobacco prevention and control activities, educational programs/training of healthcare providers/staff, tobacco treatment, or lung cancer screening referral services. If an Applicant receives funding for similar activities, provide a brief explanation of the activities supported by the other funding sources. Include a list of the funding sources, amount of the funding received, and the funding period for each activity.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION: Submit Non-Supplantation Form (see Attachment K).

2.1.5 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.

2.1.6 At least two “Letters of Intent to Partner” from Maryland community organizations serving

LGBTQ+ populations. As proof of this requirement, applicant shall provide a Letter of Intent to

Partner, which shall contain:

● Evidence that the partner has strong community ties,

● An intent to partner with the Applicant, and

● A confirmation of their willingness to the proposed activities.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION: At least two “Letter of Intent to Partner” documents.

If the Applicant or partner community organization also partners with a Maryland city/county health department tobacco or cannabis program, then Applicants shall also include a letter of collaboration from the local health department.

THE REMAINDER OF THIS PAGE IS INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK.

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 program and a cannabis public health program.

The tobacco program structure of CTPC is based upon the five core components outlined by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): (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.

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

● The Maryland Tobacco Quitline (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 and cessation referrals into health care systems;

● 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;

● Two statewide resources centers; and o Legal Resource Center for Public Health Policy - Tobacco, and o Maryland Tobacco Control Resource Center (Maryland TCRC).

All Marylanders deserve to live healthy lives, and living without tobacco and exposure to tobacco smoke is part of a healthy life. However, some Marylanders are more likely than others to be exposed to tobacco products, tobacco smoke, and root causes that can lead to tobacco use. CTPC priority populations were determined based on tobacco use disparities and include:

● Maryland youth who have experienced childhood trauma and/or behavioral health conditions and are at risk for tobacco use initiation.

● Maryland adults who live below the poverty line and use tobacco.

● Maryland youth and adults who are disproportionately targeted by the tobacco industry and use tobacco including persons who are African Americans/Black, Hispanic/Latinx, and American

Indians/Alaskan Natives, persons who are part of the LGBTQ+ community, and persons with mental or behavioral health conditions.

● Maryland adult frequent tobacco users (current or former) who are at risk of tobacco-related diseases.

The cannabis program structure of CTPC is based upon six core components: (1) Monitor trends, (2)

Advance research, (3) Build state/local capacity, (4) Support providers/health systems, (5) Partner with public safety, schools, and communities, and (6) Improve public knowledge and awareness.

http://www.smokingstopshere.com/

The MDH CTPC Cannabis Public Health Program infrastructure includes:

● Local health department cannabis prevention and control planning/implementation programs in each of Maryland’s 24 counties;

● Topical mass-media health communication and outreach materials for youth and adults;

● Partnerships with state and local partners, including education, behavioral health, and public health stakeholders; the Maryland Cannabis Administration; and the Cannabis Public Health

Advisory Council;

● A statewide law and policy resource center: the Legal Resource Center for Public Health Policy -

Cannabis, at the University of Maryland; and

● Development of cannabis public health monitoring, evaluation, and surveillance tools.

Based on data from national and statewide surveys and feedback from local health departments, MDH has prioritized the following groups in its work:

● Youth (elementary, middle, and high school),

● Young adults,

● Racial and ethnic minorities,

● LGBTQ+ communities,

● Pregnant, postpartum, and breast/chest feeding persons,

● Low income individuals, and

● People with behavioral health conditions or substance use disorders.

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 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.

Tobacco-Related Disparities. The tobacco industry targets some populations through aggressive marketing including LGBTQ+ communities. In addition, discrimination related to sexual or gender minority identity can cause added stress that may play a role in tobacco use. In fact, Maryland high schoolers who identify as lesbian or gay use tobacco products more (24%), than those who identify as heterosexual or straight (14%). High schoolers who identify as transgender had higher tobacco use (19%) compared to those who identify as cisgender (16%).1, 2, 3 Further disparities include menthol tobacco use. Smokers who identify as LGB have a higher rate of menthol cigarette use, which are easier to use and harder to quit.3 Nationally, 54% of lesbian or gay and 49% of bisexual smokers used menthol cigarettes, compared to 42% of heterosexual smokers.3

Cannabis-Related Disparities. Similar to tobacco, there is some evidence of a cross-sectional association between minority stress and cannabis use in LGBTQ+ communities.4 In Maryland, high

1 2022-2023. Maryland Youth Risk Behavior Survey and Youth Tobacco Survey (YRBS/YTS) https://ibis.health.maryland.gov/ibisph -view/query/selection/yrbs2013_2023/YRBSSelection.html 2 Meyer. (2003). Minority Stress Model - An overview. Science Direct https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/psychology/minority -stress-model.

3 https://truthinitiative.org/research-resources/targeted-communities/tobacco-use-lgbtq-community, accessed October, 28, 2025.

4 Dyar C. A Review of Disparities in Cannabis Use and Cannabis Use Disorder Affecting Sexual and Gender Minority Populations an d

Evidence for Contributing Factors. Curr Addict Rep. 2022 Dec;9(4):589-597. doi: 10.1007/s40429-022-00452-5. Epub 2022 Nov 5. PMID:

37637872; PMCID: PMC10449003.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25245795 schoolers who identify as gay, lesbian, or bi-sexual, currently use cannabis at about double the rate (25%) of high schoolers who identify as heterosexual (12%).4 In addition, Maryland high schoolers who identify as transgender currently use cannabis at a higher rate (21%) than those who do not identify as transgender (14%).1 There is a high rate of dual use of tobacco and cannabis products.1 In the 2022-2023 school year, of the Maryland high schoolers who used tobacco products, 67 percent of them also u sed cannabis products.1

Purpose. The State is issuing this solicitation to support CTPC partners and community organizations in reducing tobacco- and cannabis-related health disparities in Maryland LGBTQ+ youth and young adult communities and to promote culturally appropriate tobacco and cannabis use prevention and cessation interventions that improve the overall health and wellbeing of these communities. The successful

Applicant will conduct a needs assessment; develop partnership networks; build community capacity;

increase access to inclusive resources; develop tools and resources; and provide technical assistance to

CTPC and its partners.

Notes: 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 native cultures.

The use of the term “cannabis” used throughout this RFA refers to the cannabis plant itself (e.g., its dried leaves or flowers) and any related Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)-containing products that can be smoked or ingested, such as blunts, joints and pre-rolls, concentrates (vapes, wax, shatter, butter/budder, resin) and edibles (gummies, chocolates, tinctures, capsules). Cannabis is sometimes known as marijuana, weed, or by other names. This definition includes Delta 9 (the most potent naturally occurring and most commonly known form of THC) as well as Delta 8 and Delta 10 (naturally less potent forms of THC but often derived from hemp and highly concentrated in a lab to mimic or exceed Delta 9 potency). The term

“Cannabis” does not refer to Cannabidiol (CBD)-containing products in this RFA.

3.2 Scope of Work - Requirements

The Applicant shall:

3.2.1 General Requirements

3.2.1.1 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:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cannabidiol

● reasonable modifications of policies, practices, and procedures.

● effective communication; and

● accessible facilities.

3.2.2 Project Description. The Applicant shall describe their plan to address tobacco- and cannabis-related disparities in LGBTQ+ youth and young adult (ages 20 and younger) communities in

Maryland. The Applicant shall describe how their proposed approach will meet or exceed the purpose of this funding opportunity. The Applicant’s project description shall include all of the following:

A. The overall goal(s) of the proposed project that encompasses all project years.

B. How the proposed goals meet the needs of LGBTQ+ communities to support tobacco-and cannabis-free living.

C. A collaboration strategy to form and manage partnerships and projects with CTPC partners and community organizations.

D. A detailed description of how the proposed project will be implemented in Year 1, and a general description of how the proposed project will be implemented in the remaining project years, including how the proposed project will build on the impact and momentum of previous project years. Not all of the project elements listed below need to be addressed each year (see timeline below).

1. Needs Assessment: Completed in Year 1.

2. Partnership Network: Network of at least 5 partnerships started in Year 1 and maintained for all project years.

3. Capacity Building: Applicant shall propose a timeline of capacity building activities with partners within the five year project timeline. However, there are funding requirements for community partnerships beginning in Year 2 listed in

Section 3.3.5.

4. Accessible and Inclusive Resources: Applicant shall propose when this will occur within the five-year project timeline.

5. Tools and resource development: Applicant shall propose when this will occur within the five-year project timeline.

6. Technical Assistance: Maintained for all project years.

E. How the proposed project will achieve all the elements of the purpose of this funding opportunity as outlined below:

1. Needs Assessment. Conduct a needs assessment and literature review to identify the root causes of tobacco and cannabis disparities in LGBTQ+ youth and young adults in Maryland, social perceptions of tobacco use and cannabis use, (including dual tobacco use and cannabis use) and evidence-based or community recommended tobacco and cannabis use prevention methods and programs specific to the LGBTQ+ community.

▪ The needs assessment shall include identifying gaps or barriers on tobacco and cannabis prevention programming of organizations serving

LGBTQ+ populations using recent existing data (see resources in

Attachment M) or primary data collection and what tools or resources would address the gaps or barriers for their clients to live cannabis-free.

▪ The needs assessment shall include community input from the LGBTQ+ communities and/or the organizations who serve these communities.

2. Partnership Network. Develop partnerships and create a network of community organizations serving the LGBTQ+ community to build their capacity to integrate tobacco- and cannabis-use prevention and cessation support into their community outreach and promote cross collaboration.

▪ The network shall include at least 5 partnerships with organizations representing all regions of Maryland (Western, Capitol, Central, Southern, and Eastern Shore). Additional partnerships can change throughout the project after approval by the Grant Monitor, but a minimum of 5 partners shall be part of the network throughout the five year period. This can include organizations who solely serve LGBTQ+ communities or organizations who serve an array of community members, but many of whom are part of LGBTQ+ communities.

Institutions who serve all of Maryland can be included in the network as well.

▪ Applicants shall describe organizations either existing partners or potential partners to form this network (see section 2.1.6 for Letter of

Intent to Partner requirements).

3. Capacity Building. Provide more in-depth and funded capacity building mentorship around youth and young adult-centered tobacco and cannabis use prevention and cessation implementation to the partners that are part of the network. The successful Applicant shall provide in-depth capacity building support with at least five community organizations who are part of the partnership network described above (at least one organization per Maryland region). Organizations should serve LGBTQ+ populations who have direct client and/or community interactions. Funded partners can differ from year to year or remain the same. However, if funded partners are part of the project for more than a year, then the program needs to build off of the work of the previous year.

▪ The successful Applicant shall work with the Grant Monitor to provide a detailed scope of work of their sub-recipients. Capacity building ideas include, but are not limited to: decreasing exposure to commercial tobacco products and marketing within their region, increasing access and awareness of the Quitline, increasing access and awareness of local cessation services, creating/promoting tobacco- and cannabis-free environments, increasing dissemination of culturally appropriate messaging on tobacco and cannabis use prevention and cessation including dangers of dual use, increasing health literacy skills to dispel tobacco and cannabis misinformation, and integrating tobacco and cannabis use prevention and cessation resources into local policies and organizational procedures.

See section 3.3.5 for community partner funding stipulations.

4. Accessible and Inclusive Resources. Identify and increase awareness of existing evidence-based tobacco cessation treatment services available in Maryland, support tobacco cessation services, and tailor cannabis prevention messages to ensure they are inclusive to LGBTQ+ communities.

▪ Conduct an evidence-based review of prevention and cessation resources on LGBTQ+ inclusivity and provide a report with the findings. This will also include a list of practical actions to improve the resources and tools for implementation.

5. Tool and Resource Development. Develop and test tailored approaches and tools for tobacco and cannabis use prevention and cessation tailored to LGBTQ+ communities in Maryland and the organizations who serve these communities.

▪ Propose a method of addressing the gaps and barriers identified in the needs assessment conducted in Year 1 and previous tobacco needs assessments (such as Investigating Tobacco Use and Cessation https://www.visitmaryland.org/article/maryland-regions

Experiences of LGBTQ Youth and Young Adults in Prince George’s and

Montgomery County, Maryland, See Attachment M). If Applicants have already developed tools for similar purposes, then propose how these tools will meet the needs of the community and if they will be further tailored to meet the needs of the community.

6. Technical Assistance. Provide expertise and guidance on LGBTQ+ public health and unique challenges of tobacco and cannabis use prevention and cessation in

LGBTQ+ communities to CTPC, partners, and Local Health Department staff.

▪ This can include, but is not limited to: webinars, presentations, other trainings or providing technical assistance on a specific issue.

▪ This includes maintaining and implementing previously developed evidence-based existing resources created through CTPC partnerships when relevant, such as the Live in Color campaign material and website.

Additional media assets developed in collaboration with CTPC’s mass communication contractor will also be made available by the Grant

Monitor.

3.2.3 Monitoring and Evaluation. The Applicant shall monitor, measure, and evaluate all proposed strategies and activities. The Applicant shall propose initial evaluation objectives that are specific, observable, and measurable accomplishments that demonstrate how progress is being made towards the stated outcomes on the proposed work plan. The Applicant shall collect data to report on activities, monitor progress towards goals and objectives, and report results to CTPC as specified in section 3.2.8. The narrative shall describe a proposed evaluation process that includes both process indicators (to see if project objectives are met) and impact/outcome measures that show the impact of the proposed activities and how they contribute to the goals of

CTPC (listed in section 3.1). Proposals shall include the anticipated outcomes and a narrative of the proposed evaluation plan and performance and evaluation measures as part of the work plan.

See Attachment H for suggested performance and evaluation measures.

3.2.4 Work Plan. The Applicant must complete the detailed work plan template provided in

Attachment H. The Applicant shall have a clear goal(s) and SMART objective(s) for the proposed project. The goals and objectives shall align with the purpose of the funding opportunity. Project activities for Year 1 shall be outlined in detail including the activity steps, person responsible, timeline, performance measures, and evaluation measures. Project activities for Years 2 through

5 shall include the activity, person responsible, timeline, performance measures, and evaluation measures.

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

● Provide a brief description of the organization, including its mission and vision statements, type of organization and how long the organization has been established.

● Describe any experience working in public health and the organization's connection to

LGBTQ+ communities. Describe how the organization has adapted to address new challenges and meet the needs of LGBTQ+ communities.

● Describe the organization’s experience and expertise in tobacco and cannabis use prevention and cessation and managing grant-funded projects.

o If the applicant does not have tobacco and/or cannabis experience, describe other public health initiatives experiences or other experiences or skills that will be applicable to the proposed project.

https://live-in-color.org/ o 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.

● Describe any experience in developing public health approaches and tools that are tailored to and tested with the community, community needs assessments, building partnerships, providing technical assistance, and working with partners and community organizations to build capacity to integrate public health approaches into their work.

● Describe the organization’s approach to managing invoicing, reporting, and/or subcontracting processes.

● What was the highest budget the organization has managed?

● 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.

● Key Personnel. The Applicant shall (1) identify and describe key personnel on the proposed project (maximum of two key staff), 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.

● Existing Staff. If existing staff will be part of 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 resumes 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.

● 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.

3.2.6 Sustainability. The Applicant shall describe how they will maintain partnerships and further grow the momentum and progress gained in Year 1, and in each additional year to support a sustainable approach beyond the scope of the funding.

3.2.7 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. All reports and supporting documents shall be submitted completely, accurately, and in a timely manner.

● Quarterly Reports. The successful Applicant shall describe the progress made on reaching the 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.

● Annual Reports. The successful Applicant 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 and evaluation measures. The report may include major accomplishments, lessons learned, how the lessons learned will be applied to future years, next steps, applicable pictures and deliverables from hosted events, as well as year-to-date cumulative data reporting of performance and evaluation measures/deliverables, challenges, completed trainings, and meetings/conferences hosted and/or attended. 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.

● Final Report. The successful Applicant 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.

REQUIRED STATEMENT: Applicant agrees to submit completed and accurate reports and supporting documents in a timely manner.

3.2.8 Meetings.

● Annual Kick-Off Meeting. For Year 1, within one (1) business week of the award letter sent from the Grant Monitor, the successful Applicant shall attend and participate in an award kick-off meeting with CTPC staff to review and finalize the project work plan for Year 1, timeline, reporting and invoice expectations, and technical assistance needed. For each additional year, pending the award, an 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.

● Bi-Weekly Meetings. The successful Applicant shall attend every other week meetings

(virtually) 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. The successful Applicant is responsible for providing an agenda at least two days prior to the meeting and meeting minutes within two days after the meeting.

REQUIRED STATEMENT: Applicant agrees to attend and participate in annual kick-off meetings, bi-weekly meetings, and partner and collaboration meetings.

3.2.9 Other Potential Collaboration. Upon award, the successful Applicant 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. The successful Applicant may be asked to meet with other CTPC awarded vendors to provide technical assistance based on expertise in LGBTQ+ public health and capacity building and to share project efforts and experiences.

● Local Health Departments. The successful Applicant may be asked to collaborate with local health departments for capacity building activities. This may include working with Local

Health Departments, local coalitions, Local Health Improvement Coalitions.

● Partnerships. Efforts supporting other tobacco and cannabis use prevention and cessation partnerships and communications will be expected as needed and within the scope of this project. This may include working with community-based organizations, other Maryland

Department of Health Centers, and national networks.

● Network Meetings. The successful Applicant may be invited to participate in quarterly meetings of CTPC partners and experts to discuss and collaborate on tobacco- and cannabis-related disparities and inequities among CTPC’s priority populations and intersectional experiences among the priority populations.

● CTPC Evaluation Team and Contractors. The successful Applicant may be asked to meet with the CTPC Evaluation Team and Contractor(s) to coordinate the Center’s evaluation approach.

3.3 Invoicing

3.3.1 General

(a) 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 quarterly invoice packages for all costs incurred during the reporting period with a detailed invoice narrative, documentation and/or receipts as requested, and a completed quarterly report (section 3.2.7). The Grantee shall submit invoices in accordance with the schedule below. The Grant Monitor will share invoice dates for future years at kick-off meetings.

3.3.2.1 Funds cannot be carried over between contract years (i.e., from Year 1 to Year 2) and must be spent within the relevant contract/budget period. THE FINAL INVOICE WILL

BE DUE NO LATER THAN 62 CALENDAR DAYS AFTER THE END OF EACH

GRANT YEAR. The Grantee shall submit invoices in accordance with the following schedule.

Quarterly

Invoice Performance Period Due Date

First July 1, 2026 - September 30, 2026 October 31, 2026

Second October 1, 2026 - December 31, 2026 January 31, 2026

Third January 1, 2027 - March 31, 2027 April 30, 2027

Fourth April 1, 2026 - June 30, 2026 August 31, 2027

3.3.3 Insurance Requirements. The recommended awardee must provide current certificate(s) of insurance with the prescribed coverages, limits and requirements set forth in this section within five (5) Business Days from notice of recommended award. During the period of performance for multi-year contracts, the Grantee shall provide certificates of insurance annually, or as otherwise directed by the Contract Monitor. Any insurance furnished as a condition of the Contract shall be issued by a company authorized to do business in the State of Maryland.

3.3.3.1 Subcontractor Insurance. The Grantee shall require any subcontractors to obtain and maintain comparable levels of coverage and shall provide the Contract Monitor with the same documentation as is required of the Contractor.

3.3.4 Indirect Cost Rate. An indirect rate is the percentage of funding from the total budget that can support your organization in the indirect costs of this project. The Applicant may budget up to 7% of direct costs to support indirect/administrative costs to the organization. Indirect costs are those costs not readily identified with a specific project or organizational activity but are incurred for the joint benefit of both projects and other activities. Indirect costs can include rent, utilities, and office administration. If the Applicant chooses to include indirect costs, this must be shown as a dedicated line item in the Budget and Budget Narrative.

3.3.5 Community Partner Funding. Beginning in Year 2, at least 20% of the budget must be allocated to fund community partners.

SECTION 4 – APPLICATION FORMAT

4.1 Two Part Submission

4.1.1 Applicants shall submit applications in separate volumes:

● Volume I – Project Narrative

● Volume II – Budget Justification/Narrative

4.2 Applications

4.2.1 Applications must be submitted to eMaryland Marketplace Advantage (eMMA), or the RFA email address RFA.PHPA@maryland.gov. The Procurement Officer will not accept submission after the date and exact time stated in the Key Information Summary Sheet.

4.2.1.1 The submission subject line shall state the RFA Title and PHPA number and either

Project Narrative or Budget Narrative.

4.2.1.2 Two Part Submission:

A. Project Narrative (See Section 4.3)

B. Budget Narrative (See Section 4.4)

4.2.2 Applications will be shown only to State employees, members of the Evaluation Committee, or other persons deemed by the Department to have a legitimate interest in them.

*All information submitted as part of this proposal is subject to release under the Public

Information Act (PIA). If you would like the Maryland Department of Health (MDH) to consider redactions in the event that your proposal is subject to a PIA request, submit a proposed PIA copy including justifications for each redaction and under what statute that justification is qualified for redaction.

mailto:RFA.PHPA@maryland.gov

4.3 Volume I – Project Narrative

Note: No pricing information is to be included in the Project Narrative (Volume 1). Pricing information is to be included only in the Budget Justification/Narrative (Volume II).

4.3.1 The Project Narrative shall include the following documents and information in the order specified as follows:

4.3.1.1 Transmittal Letter:

● Applicant;

● Solicitation Title and Solicitation Number that the Proposal is in response to;

● Signature, typed 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.

● REQUIRED STATEMENTS:

o The Applicant shall acknowledge they have read the American with

Disabilities Act Statement in Section 3.2.1 and will meet all requirements;

o The Applicant agrees to submit completed and accurate reports and supporting documents in a timely manner. (Section 3.2.7) o The Applicant agrees to attend and participate in annual kick-off meetings, bi-weekly meetings, and partner and collaboration meetings. (Section 3.2.8)

4.3.1.2 Executive Summary. The Executive Summary shall include:

● The name of the Applicant organization.

● The name of the proposed community partners.

● A brief summary of the proposed project and goals.

● A brief summary of the expected outcomes.

4.3.1.3 Scope of Work/Work Plan shall include the Scope of Work, including the work plan (as described in Section 3.2). The Applicant will include the plan to conduct a needs assessment; develop partnership networks; build community capacity; increase access to inclusive resources; develop tools and resources; and provide technical assistance to

CTPC partners.

● Work Plan: A proposed work plan must be included that addresses how efforts will achieve the outcomes highlighted in Section 3.2. The work plan will include: goals, activities, steps, responsible staff/or contracted partner, timeline, performance measures, and evaluation measures using the template provided in Attachment H.

Objectives must be written using the S.M.A.R.T. (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Time-phased) format. Provide a timeline showing the expected start date and completion date for each activity to be conducted with the grant funds.

Include adequate start-up time to hire staff (if applicable), or to establish infrastructure. All required activities must be completed and deliverables submitted within the specified project period. (See Section 3.2)

4.3.1.4 Mandatory Requirements Documentation

4.3.1.5 Applicant Technical Response to RFA Requirements and Proposed Work Plan:

● The Applicant shall address each Scope of Work requirement (Section 3.2) in its

Project Narrative and describe how its proposed services, including the services of any proposed subcontractor(s), will meet or exceed the requirement(s).