PHPA 3772 Prenatal Innovation Incubator_ Reducing Barriers to Timely Prenatal Care -eMMA.pdf

REQUEST FOR APPLICATIONS (RFA)

STANDARD GRANT AGREEMENT (SGA)

(COMPETITIVE)

PROCUREMENT ID NUMBER – PHPA 3772/BPM055857

Issue Date: March 12, 2026

Prenatal Innovation Incubator: Reducing

Barriers to Timely Prenatal Care

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.

STATE OF MARYLAND

MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

RFA KEY INFORMATION SUMMARY SHEET

Request for Applications: Prenatal Innovation Incubator: Reducing Barriers to Timely

Prenatal Care

Solicitation Number: PHPA 3772/BPM055857

RFA Issue Date: March 12, 2026

RFA Issuing Office: Maryland Department of Health

Prevention and Health Promotion Administration

Maternal and Child Health Bureau

Procurement Officer: Augustus Woyah

Maryland Department of Health

Prevention and Health Promotion Administration

201 West Preston Street

Baltimore, MD 21201

Phone: 401-767-5063 e-mail: augustus.woyah@maryland.gov

Grant Monitor: Samantha Ritter

Maternal and Child Health Bureau

Maryland Department of Health

201 W. Preston Street, 3rd Floor

Baltimore, MD 21201

Pre -Application Conference March 19, 2026, 2:00 PM EST Local Time

The conference link can be found in eMMA

Questions due date and time: April 3, 2026, 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: April 9, 2026, 2:00 PM EST Local Time 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), Prevention and Health

Promotion Administration, Maternal and Child Health Bureau, is issuing this Request for

Applications (RFA) to provide funding to Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), hospitals, and providers of prenatal care to develop and implement programs that reduce barriers to timely prenatal care and enhance the quality and responsiveness of prenatal care. Applicants are required to collaborate with, and may submit a joint application with, perinatal care coordination programs operated by local health departments.

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 - June 30, 2028.

State Fiscal Year 2027 (SFY27): $714,640

State Fiscal Year 2028 (SFY28): $925,000

1.1.3 The Department intends to make up to four (4) awards 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:

Augustus Woyah

Maryland Department of Health

Prevention and Health Promotion Administration

201 West Preston Street

Baltimore, MD 21201

Phone: 410-767-5063 e-mail: augustus.woyah@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:

Samantha Ritter

Maternal and Child Health Bureau

Maryland Department of Health

201 W. Preston Street, 3rd Floor

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: augustus.woyah@marylang.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) no later than 2:00 PM EST Local

Time on April 9, 2026, 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 https://procurement.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 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 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 Applicants shall provide documentation showing that the organization is a Federally Qualified

Health Center (FQHC), hospital, or provider of prenatal care.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION: Proof of being a FQHC, hospital, or provider of prenatal care. Examples: proof of designation or certification.

THE REMAINDER OF THIS PAGE IS INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK.

SECTION 3 – SCOPE OF WORK

3.1 Background and Purpose

The State is issuing this solicitation for the purpose of supporting initiatives that reduce barriers to timely prenatal care and enhance the quality of prenatal care. The health of a pregnancy is a primary determinant of life-long outcomes for both the person giving birth and the infant. In Maryland, however, significant barriers to timely care persist: only 69.3 % of pregnant people initiated prenatal care in the first trimester, with Hispanic and non-Hispanic Black populations experiencing significantly higher rates of inadequate care. In 2023, only 46.6% of Hispanic mothers initiated prenatal care in the first trimester.1

Maryland faces a critical challenge regarding Severe Maternal Morbidity (SMM)—life-threatening complications such as hemorrhage, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, or ICU admission. Current data from the Maryland Maternal Health Innovation Program reveals a stark correlation between care delays and these "near-miss" events: more than one in three patients (35.6%) who experienced an SMM event in

Maryland did not initiate prenatal care during the first trimester.2 By accelerating entry into care, we can identify and manage high-risk conditions—such as hypertension and anemia—before they escalate into life-threatening emergencies. Beyond maternal safety, timely prenatal care is also essential for the "Thrive by Three" mission of ensuring a healthy start for Maryland’s infants. In Maryland, nearly 19% of infant losses are attributed to low birth weight and maternal complications, risks that are significantly mitigated through early clinical screening and nutritional support.3

The persistence of stagnant maternal health outcomes and the widening gap in care initiation for marginalized populations constitute a clear public health mandate for Maryland. This mandate requires an urgent departure from passive referral systems toward proactive, evidence-based interventions that prioritize clinical entry as a time-sensitive emergency using an immediate linkage to care model.

The primary goal of this initiative is to reduce delays in prenatal care initiation and ensure that once linked, participants remain engaged in care according to the standard clinical timing and frequency recommended by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG).4 Success is measured not only by the first visit but by the Adequacy of Prenatal Care Utilization (APNCU), ensuring that participants receive the full protective benefits of continuous clinical monitoring throughout the entirety of the prenatal period.

1 Maryland Department of Health. (n.d.). Women’s health dashboards. https://health.maryland.gov/dataoffice/mdh-dashboards/Pages/WomensHealth.aspx 2 Maryland Maternal Health Innovation Program. (2025). Severe maternal morbidity surveillance and review:

Findings from Maryland, 2024.

https://mdmom.org/sites/default/files/documents/2025_MDMOM_SMM_Report.pdf 3 Maryland Department of Health, Vital Statistics Administration. (2024). Maryland vital statistics annual report

2024. https://health.maryland.gov/vsa/Pages/reports.aspx 4 American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. (2025). Tailored Prenatal Care Delivery for Pregnant

Individuals. https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/clinical-consensus/articles/2025/04/tailored-prenatal-care-delivery-for-pregnant-individuals https://mdmom.org/sites/default/files/documents/2025_MDMOM_SMM_Report.pdf https://mdmom.org/sites/default/files/documents/2025_MDMOM_SMM_Report.pdf https://mdmom.org/sites/default/files/documents/2025_MDMOM_SMM_Report.pdf https://health.maryland.gov/vsa/Pages/reports.aspx https://health.maryland.gov/vsa/Pages/reports.aspx https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/clinical-consensus/articles/2025/04/tailored-prenatal-care-delivery-for-pregnant-individuals https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/clinical-consensus/articles/2025/04/tailored-prenatal-care-delivery-for-pregnant-individuals

The Prenatal Innovation Incubator is a pilot program designed to support innovative projects designed to support transformative, person-centered models that depart from traditional clinical structures. Successful applicants will demonstrate a commitment to place-based service delivery, meeting participants exactly where they are—geographically, culturally, and emotionally—to ensure that care is not only accessible but integrated into the participant’s natural environment. Projects should be designed to respond to the most frequent or consequential barriers to prenatal care initiation and retention. Possible projects may include, but are certainly not limited to:

● Designated perinatal care coordinators focusing on prenatal enrollment and care and increasing the intensity of case management provided;

● Utilizing community health workers as culturally congruent acompoñantes, or community-based parahealth or other professional workers that provide personalized, non-clinical, or psychosocial support to pregnant patients, to improve the prenatal experience and bridge the clinic and community gap;

● Embed navigators in emergency departments to identify pregnant people experiencing overdose or behavioral health crises to engage them in prenatal care;

● Hiring nurses and nurse midwives to provide appropriate at-home prenatal care for individuals unlikely or unable to visit physical clinics;

● Developing closed referral loops within systems so that if pregnant individuals are identified in

WIC, family planning, or other benefits/entry points that they are immediately engaged in prenatal care;

● Establishing local support systems for pregnant people who have children, such as transportation support and on-site childcare, so that the birthing people are able to attend prenatal care appointments with the security that their children are being cared for;

● Developing innovative methods of following up with patients who miss a prenatal appointment to keep them in care; and

● Increasing access to prenatal care for pregnant patients who are late to enter prenatal care and therefore have fewer clinics to choose from because of their high-risk status.

Applicants in all Maryland jurisdictions may apply.

A. With priority to Applicants located in jurisdictions that:

a. (1) Have:

i. (i) A high number of births to women enrolled in or Maryland Medical

Assistance Program;

ii. (ii) High rates of infant mortality;

iii. (iii) High rates of preterm births; and

iv. (iv) High rates of infants with low birthweight; and

b. (2) Demonstrate that the program will be coordinated with local health department-administered perinatal care coordination programs.

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:

● reasonable modifications of policies, practices, and procedures.

● effective communication; and

● accessible facilities.

3.2.2 Program Development

3.2.2.1 Applicants must propose a project that ensures linkage to care and supports sustained engagement in care. A proposed project must contain the following criteria:

● Person-Centered Design Requirement: The model must be built around the specific barriers faced by the target population (e.g., limited access to insurance coverage, transportation deserts, or previous medical trauma). If standard practice is giving a client a referral card and a phone number, the promising practice would be accompanying a client to appointments or visiting them in their home or other setting. If the standard practice is recommending birth doulas, the promising approach may be acompañantes (culturally congruent companions) to accompany pregnant people to each prenatal appointment.

● Linkage and Sustained Engagement Mechanism: The primary goal of the model is to facilitate early entry into prenatal care and ensure sustained engagement throughout the pregnancy. Applicants must describe their specific method for getting participants connected to and scheduled for their first clinical prenatal visit.

○ Timing for Initial Care:

■ Early Identification: For participants identified early in pregnancy, the applicant’s process should ensure the first clinical prenatal visit occurs within the 8–10 week gestational window.

■ Late Identification: For participants identified after the first trimester, the applicant must describe an expedited navigation process to confirm a scheduled prenatal appointment within 5 business days of program enrollment to ensure timely access to essential screenings.

○ Engagement and Retention:

■ To prevent participants from falling out of care, projects are required to maintain a consistent Check-in System (e.g., scheduled calls or texts). This system is designed to keep participants engaged, confirm upcoming appointments, and proactively address "greatest social needs"—such as transportation or childcare—that may prevent a participant from staying connected to their healthcare provider.

3.2.2.2 The Applicant will describe their current perinatal care landscape and partnerships with service providers, clinics, or community-based organizations. The Applicant will demonstrate the need for the program in their community and describe how their proposed project addresses current gaps in timely entry to prenatal care. Applicants must demonstrate:

A. A high number of births to women enrolled in Maryland Medical Assistance

Program;

B. High rates of infant mortality;

C. High rates of late-to-prenatal care;

a. Note: Providing data specific to the local population or the priority community is preferred if available, but it is not a requirement; the

Applicant may use regional or county-level data.

D. High rates of preterm births; and

E. High rates of infants with low birthweight; and

F. How the program will be coordinated with community–based service providers

(if the Applicant is a county or municipality).

3.2.2.3 The Applicant will detail the methods used to support the pregnant patient throughout prenatal care. This support should be an evidence-based approach and may include, but is not limited to, physical or virtual accompaniment and case management.

3.2.2.4 The Applicant must demonstrate a transition plan to bridge patients into existing postpartum services (continued perinatal care coordination, home visiting, WIC, family planning, etc.) by the 36th week of pregnancy.

3.2.3. Organizational Capacity

3.2.3.1 The Applicant must demonstrate a proven track record of providing direct prenatal care to high-risk perinatal populations. The applicant shall:

3.2.3.1.1 Summarize experience in managing maternal health or similar rapid-linkage programs. Provide data on past performance, such as rates of successful clinical enrollment or retention.

3.2.3.1.2 Describe the administrative and clinical staffing infrastructure that supports the

8–10 Week Entry Protocol. This includes the team’s ability to resolve barriers and mobilize support services—such as transportation or interpretation—on short notice to ensure participants attend their first clinical visit.

3.2.3.1.3 Provide evidence of the organization’s ability to provide services in the preferred language of the priority community. This includes the availability of bilingual staff and culturally adapted outreach materials.

3.2.3.2 The Applicant shall submit a staffing plan and resumes for key personnel. For this program, the following roles (or equivalents) are recommended:

● Program Director: Responsible for clinical oversight, partnership management, and overall project requirements

● Prenatal Navigators/Acompañantes: Staff dedicated to active outreach, physical accompaniment to appointments, and insurance enrollment. Navigators should be culturally congruent and have professional expertise in the local community’s health landscape.

● Clinical Lead: A licensed provider responsible for overseeing clinical protocols and home-based clinical monitoring, if applicable.

● Data Lead: Staff dedicated to monitoring and evaluation.

3.2.3.3 The Applicant will provide a job description for any vacant positions and demonstrate their ability to hire early in the project period (first 3 months).

3.2.4 Partnerships and Collaboration

A central goal of this pilot is to ensure that innovative models do not operate in a vacuum but instead strengthen the existing public health safety net.

3.2.4.1 The Applicant is required to collaborate with the county or municipality’s existing perinatal care coordination program (typically operated by the LHD). This collaboration is intended to prevent duplication of services and ensure that participants can be seamlessly transitioned to long-term care coordination or postpartum home-visiting programs. All applicants must include a formal Letter of Commitment from the Health Officer (or their designee) of the jurisdiction(s) where services will be provided. The letter must explicitly acknowledge the proposed pilot and describe the agreed-upon process for cross-referrals and data sharing. Funds may be provided to perinatal care coordination programs at LHDs to support efforts for this project.

3.2.4.2 The Applicant should describe additional partnerships most relevant to their program design. These may include emergency departments, social service hubs, and clinical specialty providers. Additional Letters of Commitment are not required, but are recommended if another agency plays a central role in identification or linkage.

3.2.5 Application Requirements

3.2.5.1 The Applicant will provide a project narrative that includes information on how they will address the sections above.

3.2.5.2 The Applicant will complete a Work Plan, addressing the Scope of Work Requirements, using the Work Plan Template (Attachment G). The Work Plan must include objectives, activities, measures of effectiveness, data sources, time-frame, and team members responsible for each overarching program goal.

3.2.5.3 The Applicant is required to submit relevant Letters of Commitment.

3.2.6 Evaluation, Reporting, and Deliverables

3.2.6.1 The Applicant shall participate in comprehensive program evaluation activities and report de-identified, aggregated data quarterly. Required data fields include:

● Initial Connection: Number and percentage of participants successfully contacted and enrolled in the program within the applicant's defined outreach window.

○ Timely Entry to Care: Number and percentage of participants whose first clinical prenatal visit occurred within the 8–10 week gestational window if previously pregnancy was identified early.

○ Expedited Entry: For late-to-care participants (past 10 weeks pregnant), the number and percentage who had an appointment confirmed within 5 business days of program enrollment.

● Demographics: Participant data including race/ethnicity, age, insurance status, county of residence, and primary language.

● Clinical Lag Time: Median and mean number of days from pregnancy confirmation to the actual first clinical prenatal visit.

● Adequacy of Prenatal Care Utilization Index (APNCU) per participant

The applicant is encouraged to recommend other indicators that assess their proposed project.

3.2.6.2 Innovative Program Evaluation (Optional): The Applicant may also utilize grant funds, but not required, to propose a "homegrown" evaluation component to measure the unique impact of their project. This allows the Applicant to define success based on their specific population.

Evaluation costs must be capped at 15% of the total award. Proposals may include:

● Qualitative Review: Participant interviews or focus groups to gather feedback on program usefulness and barriers to care.

● Quantitative Review: A deeper analysis of birth outcomes (e.g., birth weight, gestational age at delivery) for program participants.

● Self-Evaluation: Applicants may choose to conduct this internally or subcontract with an external evaluator to provide a more rigorous review of the program’s efficacy for future expansion.

3.2.6.3 The Applicant will be expected to participate in Quarterly meetings organized by the

Department.

3.2.6.4 The Applicant will be required to submit a quarterly report to the Department detailing program activities on the 15th of the month following the end of the quarter using a standardized form that covers:

● Budget and Expenditures

● Task requirements

● Technical Assistance

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);

Quarterly Report Performance Period Due Date

Initial July 1 – September 30 October 15th

Second October 1 – December 31 January 15th

Third January 1 – March 31 April 15th

Fourth April 1 – June 30 July 15th

● 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:

3.3.3 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.

3.3.3.2 The following type(s) of insurance and minimum amount(s) of coverage are required:

A. Commercial General Liability - of $1,000,000 combined single limit per occurrence for bodily injury, property damage, and personal and advertising injury and $3,000,000 annual aggregate. The minimum limits required herein may be satisfied through any combination of primary and umbrella/excess liability policies.

Quarterly Report Performance Period Due Date

Initial July 1 – September 30 October 15th

Second October 1 – December 31 January 15th

Third January 1 – March 31 April 15th

Fourth April 1 – June 30 July 15th

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). 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.

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.

4.3.1.2 Scope of Work/Work Plan shall include the Scope of Work, including the Work Plan

(as described in Section 3.2).

4.3.1.3 Mandatory Requirements Documentation

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

a. 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). If the

State is seeking Applicant agreement to any requirement(s), the Applicant shall state its agreement or disagreement. Any paragraph in the Project Narrative that responds to a Scope of Work (Section 3.2) requirement shall include an explanation of how the work will be done. Any exception to a requirement, term, or condition may result in having the Application classified as not reasonably susceptible of being selected for award or the Applicant deemed non-responsive.

b. Applicant shall acknowledge they have read the American with Disabilities Act

Statement in Section 3.2 and will meet all requirements.

4.3.1.5 Signed W-9 with Contact Person Names and Phone Number

4.3.1.6 SDAT Status- Maryland State Department of Assessments & Taxation (SDAT).

Visit https://sdat.dat.maryland.gov/RealProperty/Pages/default.aspx for additional information.

a. The applicant shall take the necessary steps to ensure good standing with the

Maryland State Department of Assessments & Taxation.

b. The applicant must be in good standing at the time the award is made.

4.4 Volume II – Budget Narrative

4.4.1 Under a separate folder from the Project Narrative and clearly identified in the format identified in

Section 4.2 “Applications,” the Applicant shall submit a copy of the Budget Narrative. The

Budget Narrative shall contain all price information in the format specified in Exhibit C. The

Applicant shall complete the Budget Narrative Form only as provided in the Budget Narrative

Form.

4.4.2 The Applicant shall attach to the Budget Form Exhibit B document that details the total cost of the proposed activities. The budget categories may include: Personnel (salary and fringe), Consultants; Travel; Contractual; Supplies; Operating Costs; and Other project-related costs.

https://sdat.dat.maryland.gov/RealProperty/Pages/default.aspx

SECTION 5 – EVALUATION COMMITTEE, EVALUATION CRITERIA,

AND SELECTION PROCEDURE

5.1 Evaluation Committee

5.1.1 Evaluation of Applications will be performed by a committee established for that purpose and based on the evaluation criteria set forth below. The Evaluation Committee will review

Applications, participate in Applicant oral presentations and discussions, and provide input to the

Procurement Officer. The Department reserves the right to utilize the services of individuals outside of the established Evaluation Committee for advice and assistance, as deemed appropriate.

5.2 Project Narrative Evaluation Criteria

The criteria to be used to evaluate each Project Narrative within the Scope of Work: Requirements are listed below in descending order of importance.

5.2.1 The Americans with Disabilities Act, as described in section 3.2.1

5.2.2 Program Development as described in section 3.2.2

5.2.3 Organizational Capacity s as described in section 3.2.3

5.2.4 Partnerships and Collaboration as described in section 3.2.4

5.2.5 Application Requirements as described in section 3.2.5

5.2.6 Evaluation, Reporting, and Deliverables as described in section 3.2.6

5.3 Budget Narrative Evaluation Criteria

All Qualified Applicants will be ranked from the lowest (most advantageous) to the highest (least advantageous) based on the rating of the Project Narratives. The Budget Narrative (including the Budget

Form and Budget Narrative), will be evaluated based on reasonable cost given the time and effort described in the Project Narrative. The budget line items must be within the stated guidelines set forth in this RFA and as submitted on Exhibit C – Budget Narrative.

5.4 Selection Procedures

5.4.1 General

The Grant will be awarded in accordance with the Standard Grant Agreement method outlined in the Announcement. The State may determine an Applicant to be non-responsive and/or an

Applicant’s Application to be not reasonably susceptible of being selected for award at any time after the initial closing date for receipt of Applications and prior to Grant award.

If the State finds an Applicant to be not responsive and/or an Applicant’s Project Narrative to be not reasonably susceptible of being selected for award, that Applicant’s Budget Narrative will be returned if the Budget Narrative is unopened at the time of the determination.

5.4.2 Award Determination

Upon completion of the Project Narrative and Budget Narrative evaluations and rankings, each

Applicant will receive an overall ranking. The Procurement Officer will recommend award of the

Grant to the responsible Applicant that submitted the Application determined to be the most advantageous to the State. In making this most advantageous Application determination, technical factors and financial factors will be weighted equally.

RFA ATTACHMENTS

EXHIBIT A – Budget Form

This must be completed and submitted with the Project Narrative in a separate envelope.

EXHIBIT B- Budget Narrative

This form must be completed and submitted with the Budget Form in a separate envelope from the

Project Narrative.

EXHIBIT C- Standard Grant Agreement “Sample”

This is the sample grant agreement used by the Department. It is provided with the RFA for informational purposes and is not required to be submitted an Application submission time. Upon notification of recommendation for award, a completed standard grant agreement will be sent to the recommended awardee for signature. The recommended awardee must return to the Procurement Officer one (1) executed copies of the Standard Grant Agreement within five (5) Business Days after receipt.

Upon award, a fully executed copy will be sent to the Grantee. APPENDIX A & B

EXHIBIT D – RFA Document Checklist Use this checklist to ensure that the required documents for the Project Narrative and Budget Narrative are completed.

ATTACHMENT A - Conditions of Award

ATTACHMENT B - Federal Funds

ATTACHMENT C - Debarment Affirmation

ATTACHMENT D - Certification Regarding Tobacco Smoke

ATTACHMENT E - Certification Regarding Lobby

ATTACHMENT F - Additional Information required for Prevention and Health Promotion

Administration Grants

ATTACHMENT G -Work Plan

EXHIBIT A – BUDGET FORM

BUDGET FORM

The Budget Narrative shall contain all price information in the format specified on these pages. Complete the Budget Form only as provided in the Budget Form format. Do not amend, alter or leave blank any items on the Budget Form. Failure to adhere to any of these instructions may result in the Budget

Narrative being determined non-responsive and rejected by the Department.

Submitted By:

Authorized Signature: _______________________________________________ Date:

Printed Name and Title:

Company Name :

Company Address:

Location(s) from which services will be performed (City/State):

FEIN: _________________________________________

eMMA #: ________________________________________

Telephone: (_______) _______-- ____________________

Fax: (_______) _______--____________________

E-mail: _________________________________________

Budget Summary

July 1, 2026 - June 30, 2027

Line Item Qty Unit Cost Total Cost

Salary

Fringe

Contractual

Travel

Operating Costs

Supplies

Other

Other

Other

Other

TOTAL

10% IDC CAP

July 1, 2027 - June 30, 2028

Line Item Qty Unit Cost Total Cost

Salary

Fringe

Contractual

Travel

Operating Costs

Supplies

Other

Other

Other

Other

TOTAL

10% IDC CAP

EXHIBIT B – BUDGET NARRATIVE

BUDGET NARRATIVE TEMPLATE

(Please submit a separate Narrative for each Budget Period)

Sample Line-Item Justification

Personnel (Preventionist): $15,600

Justification: The Preventionist will be responsible for: conducting project-related relationship-building activities with new and existing partners; developing informational materials for community leaders and the public, including fact sheets and social media posts related to the project topic; coordinating and facilitating monthly project meetings with partners; conducting awareness-building activities within key demographic areas in the community to engage the project target audience; developing and providing professional training at targeted local governmental agencies and private businesses; attending community events relevant to the project and the project’s partners. The Project Coordinator will also attend RISEMD meetings, collect data, conduct evaluation activities, prepare reports, and act as a liaison with the MDH Grant Monitor.

$30/hr. x 520 hours = $15,600

EXHIBIT C – Standard Grant Agreement “Sample”

ORGANIZATIONS RECEIVING APPROPRIATIONS FROM THE STATE

STANDARD GRANT AGREEMENT

This Agreement, which is executed in compliance with Section 7-402 of the State Finance and Procurement Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland, is made this <enter day> day of <month, year> , between the State of

Maryland (the “State”), acting through the Maryland Department of Health, (the “Department”), located at <enter

MDH Address> and the <grantee name> (the “Grantee” ), located at <grantee address> in <county / city> County, <state, zip> , a Maryland Limited Liability Company / Corporation. .

1. Effective on the date of execution of this Agreement, the State is extending to the Grantee a grant in the amount of

<amount in words> Dollars ($ xx,xxx.xx) (the “Grant”), which the Grantee shall use only for the following purposes: <grant purpose>

2. Any expenditure of Grant funds that is not consistent with the purposes stated in paragraph 1 may, at the sole discretion of the Department, be disallowed. Should any expenditure be disallowed, or should the Grantee violate any of the terms of this Agreement, the State may require repayment to the State Treasury, an offset from any State Grant to the Grantee in the current or succeeding fiscal year, or other appropriate action. The Grantee shall repay to the State any part of the Grant that is not used for the purposes stated in paragraph 1 within 3 months after the date of this Agreement.

3. The Grantee may not sell, lease, exchange, give away, or otherwise transfer or dispose of real or personal property, or any part of or interest in real or personal property, acquired with Grant funds without the prior written consent of the

Department. This includes transfer or disposition to a successor on the merger, dissolution, or other termination of the existence of the Grantee. The Grantee shall give the Department written notice at least 30 calendar days before any proposed transfer or disposition. Any proceeds from a permitted transfer or disposition shall be applied to repay to the State a percentage of that portion of the Grant allocable to the particular real or personal property transferred or disposed of, unless the Department and the

Grantee agree to other terms and conditions. The percentage shall be equal to the percentage of the unadjusted basis of the property that would remain if the property had been recovery property placed in service after December 31, 1980, and if all allowable deductions had been taken up to the time of disposition under the Accelerated Cost Recovery System (ACRS) specified in the United States Internal Revenue Code, Section 168(b)(1).

4. For any item of real or personal property that is acquired with Grant funds and has an original fair market value of

Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000) or more, the Grantee shall, at its own expense, and for the reasonable useful life of that item or for 5 years, whichever is less, obtain and maintain insurance. The insurance shall provide full protection for the Grantee and the

State against loss, damage, or destruction of or to the real or personal property. The Grantee shall, on request, provide the

Department with satisfactory evidence of its compliance with this requirement. Proceeds of insurance required by this paragraph shall be applied toward replacement of the real or personal property or toward the partial or total repayment of the State of the

Grant, in the sole discretion of the Department.

5. The Grantee may not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or any other characteristic forbidden as a basis for discrimination by applicable laws and certifies that its Constitution or by-laws contains a non-discrimination clause consistent with the Governor’s Code of Fair practices.

6. The person executing this Agreement on behalf of the Grantee certifies, to the best of that person’s knowledge and belief, that:

A.) Neither the Grantee, nor any of its officers or directors, nor any employee of the Grantee involved in obtaining contracts with or grants from the State or any subdivision of the State, has engaged in collusion with respect to the Grantee’s application for the Grant or this Agreement or has been convicted of bribery, attempted bribery, or conspiracy to bribe under the laws of any state or of the United States.

B.) The Grantee has not employed or retained any person, partnership, corporation, or other entity, other than a bona fide employee or agent working for the Grantee, to solicit or secure the Grant or this Agreement, and the Grantee has not paid or agreed to pay any such entity any fee or other consideration contingent on the making of the Grant or this Agreement; the grantee understands and complies with the Conflicts of Interest provision of the Public Ethics Law, Maryland

Code Annotated, General Provisions, Title 5, Subtitle 5.

C.) The Grantee, if incorporated, is registered or qualified in accordance with the Corporations and Associations

Article of the

Annotated Code of Maryland, is in good standing, has filed all required annual reports and filing fees with the

Department of Assessments and Taxation and all required tax returns and reports with the Comptroller of the Treasury, the Department of Assessments and Taxation, and the Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation, and has paid or arranged for the payment of all taxes due to the State; and

D.) No money has been paid to or promised to be paid to any legislative agent, attorney, or lobbyist for any services rendered in securing the passage of legislation establishing or appropriating funds for the Grant.

E.) Neither the Grantee, nor any of its officers or directors, nor any person substantially involved in the contracting or fund raising.

activities of the Grantee, is currently suspended or debarred from contracting with the State or any other public entity or subject to debarment under the Code of Maryland Regulations, COMAR 21.08.04.04.

7. Within 60 calendar days after the close of any grant period in which the Grantee receives funds under this

Agreement, the Grantee shall provide to the Department an itemized statement of expenditures, showing how the funds were expended for that grant period. In addition, a copy of the statement shall be mailed to the Director, General Accounting Division, Office of the Comptroller of the Treasury, Room 200, Louis L. Goldstein Treasury Building, Annapolis, Maryland 21401. The

Grantee shall retain bills of sale or other satisfactory evidence of the acquisition of any real or personal property for at least 3 years after the date of this Agreement. The Department, the Department of Budget and Management, the State Comptroller, and the Legislative Auditor, or any of them, may examine and audit this evidence, on request, at any reasonable time within the retention period.

8. The Grantee shall comply with Section 7-221, 7-402, and 7-403 of the State Finance and Procurement Article of the

Annotated Code of Maryland, as applicable.

9. The laws of Maryland shall govern the interpretation and enforcement of this Agreement.

10. This Agreement shall bind the respective successors and assigns of the parties.

11. The Grantee may not sell, transfer, or otherwise assign any of its obligations under this Agreement, or its rights, title, or interest in this Agreement, without the prior written consent of the Department.

12. No amendment to this Agreement is binding unless it is in writing and signed by both parties.

13. The following items are incorporated by referenced and made a part of this Agreement . Appendix A & B, Attachment A, B, C, D, E.&F.

SIGNATURES ON THE FOLLOWING PAGE

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, WITNESS the hands and seals of the parties.

GRANTEE

(Name of Corporation or Association)

By: ___________________________________________

. SEAL

Name: .

Title:

DEPARTMENT

Maryland Department of Health.

(Name of Corporation or Association)

By: __________________________________________

SEAL

Name: _______________________________

Date:

Date: __________________________________________

APPENDIX A

The Department’s Grant Monitor is: The Grantee’s Grant Monitor is:

<Name and Title of MDH grant monitor> <enter name, title, office, grantee agency, address, <Office> phone number and email >

Maryland Department of Health

201 W. Preston Street

Baltimore, Maryland 21201

Phone:

Email:

I. BACKGROUND INFORMATION OF AGREEMENT

<Enter background information of the agreement>

II. DUTIES OF THE GRANTEE

SCOPE OF WORK:

<Enter all duties and scopes of work for the grant agreement>

APPENDIX B (insert revised budget)

Cost Estimate for:

<Name of Project>

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE - <Date of Project>

<Enter Budget>

II. DUTIES OF THE DEPARTMENT

Other than awarding the funds to the grantee for this project, MDH will:

Provide necessary technical support and monitoring to grantee to ensure state and federal grant compliance.

This includes but is not limited to:

● Completion of the MDH Office of the Inspector General Risk Assessment. Visit https://health.maryland.gov/oig/Pages/DHMH%20OIG.aspx for more information.

● Completion of the Standard Grant Agreement Checklist.

●…