Decoy Recruitment for Tobacco Enforcement Request for Information (RFI)

The California Department of Public Health's Office of Youth Tobacco Enforcement (OYTE) is conducting a Request for Information (RFI) to identify potential vendors for decoy recruitment services supporting tobacco compliance checks statewide. The primary objective is to recruit, train, and maintain a pool of 400-600 active youth volunteers aged 15-20 who will assist in approximately 8,500 annual tobacco compliance operations under the Stop Tobacco Access to Kids (STAKE) Act. Prospective bidders must demonstrate at least two consecutive years of relevant experience within the past five years and possess the capability to conduct recruiting operations across urban, suburban, and rural California areas. Vendor qualifications include ability to recruit through diverse channels such as colleges, vocational programs, street outreach, and community-based organizations, while implementing standardized screening, parental consent, and safety protocols. The RFI requires comprehensive responses addressing recruitment strategies, eligibility screening, background check procedures, training curriculum, legal compliance, and quality assurance metrics. Key dates include a vendor question submission deadline of November 25, 2025, with CDPH responses posted by December 3, 2025, and a final response submission deadline of December 17, 2025.

The RFI does not specify explicit set-aside designations or restrictions on respondent types, though it emphasizes the need for vendors with demonstrated experience and statewide operational capabilities. The proposed contract term spans from April 2026 through June 2029, with a total allocated budget of $2.4 million over the three-year period. Vendors must provide detailed cost breakdowns encompassing recruitment, background checks, training, supervision, travel, decoy compensation, subcontractor expenses, overhead, and evaluation costs. CDPH will reimburse invoices monthly in arrears, and all submitted responses will be considered public record subject to California Public Records Act disclosure. The RFI is explicitly a market research tool and does not constitute a binding solicitation, with the ultimate goal of fostering potential future procurement relationships for youth tobacco enforcement recruitment services. Respondents must also demonstrate comprehensive understanding of California tobacco laws, ability to protect personal information in accordance with state regulations, and capacity to maintain diverse, culturally competent recruitment practices.