Optimizing Rape Crisis Center Services and Programs to Prevent Sexual Violence

The Maryland Department of Health, Center for Injury and Violence Prevention, is requesting applications from up to five rape crisis centers to implement evidence-based public health approaches to prevent sexual violence, with applications due January 9, 2026, at 2:00 PM EST.

Applicants must be nonprofit organizations classified as tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, local or state government agencies, public colleges, or state universities. All applicants must be designated Rape Crisis Programs in Maryland meeting COMAR regulations and appearing on the Maryland Coalition Against Sexual Assault member list — a mandatory eligibility gate. IRS tax-exempt determination letters and proof of MCASA listing are required documents.

Awardees will implement one of three public health approaches from the CDC's Sexual Violence Prevention Resource to Action framework: Strengthening Economic Supports, Creating Protective Environments, or Promoting Social Norms that Protect Against Violence. Work plans must include overarching goals, SMART objectives, specific activities, measures of effectiveness, and data indicators aligned with the Maryland RPE State-level Logic Model (2024–2029). Priority populations include racialized groups (particularly Black women and Latinx emerging adults ages 18–24), Asian Pacific Islander communities, LGBTQ+ individuals including trans and non-binary youth, rural communities, and men and male-identified people. Awardees must demonstrate increased implementation of sexual violence prevention strategies, address social and structural determinants of health, and generate measurable data on short-term and intermediate outcomes. All work must comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The contract runs from April 1, 2026, through January 31, 2029. Funding is structured in four phases: $18,150 (April 1–June 30, 2026), $84,702 annually (July 1, 2026–June 30, 2027, and July 1, 2027–June 30, 2028), and $54,451 (July 1, 2028–January 31, 2029). The contract type is fixed price. Nonprofit organizations with federally negotiated indirect cost rates may claim rates up to 15% under Maryland's HB 300 (effective July 1, 2025) upon providing current federal rate documentation. Invoicing occurs twice per year. Site visits are anticipated approximately every two years. Written questions are due January 2, 2026, at 2:00 PM EST. Applicants must submit applications via eMaryland Marketplace Advantage or email to RFA.PHPA@maryland.gov. The procurement officer is Augustus Woyah.