RFP 202608140 Q

This file contains clarifications and answers to bidder questions for RFP 202608140, issued by the Maine Department of Health and Human Services, Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention, for retail tobacco compliance check inspections statewide. The Department anticipates approximately 1,500 annual billable inspections during the two-year initial contract period (January 1, 2027 through December 31, 2028) and two optional renewal periods extending through December 31, 2031. Proposals were due October 1, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. local time, with written questions due September 10, 2026. The scope requires unannounced undercover buy inspections at licensed tobacco retail establishments conducted by teams including an active or retired law enforcement officer, a supervisor, and youth or young adult interns to verify compliance with state and federal tobacco sales laws and meet Federal Synar requirements.

Pricing must be submitted as an all-inclusive fixed rate per inspection, which applies to both completed undercover buys and failed inspection attempts due to police presence, unsafe conditions, business closure, or closed business hours. The fixed rate serves as the proposed cost and is evaluated under the cost proposal scoring criteria. Bidders must disclose all litigation filed in Maine or elsewhere in the United States on the required litigation form. The vendor is responsible for recruiting, hiring, training, and conducting background checks on all personnel; maintaining appropriate gender ratios among interns; establishing safety plans; obtaining general liability and workers' compensation insurance; and submitting weekly inspection summaries and three monthly reports (PDF invoice, Excel spreadsheet, and comprehensive PDF report) by the 10th of each month using an approved web-based inspection and mapping system that must comply with state and federal confidentiality and security regulations. Payment terms are net 30 upon receipt of accurate invoices.