PHPA 3661 - Maryland Professional and Volunteer Firefighter Innovative Cancer Screening Technologies

The Maryland Department of Health's Center for Cancer Prevention and Control is requesting applications for grants to enable local fire departments and volunteer fire companies to procure innovative cancer screening tests for professional and volunteer firefighters under PHPA 3661, with applications due January 15, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. EST via eMaryland Marketplace Advantage (eMMA).

Eligible applicants are nonprofit organizations classified as tax-exempt under IRS sections 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(4), or local and state government agencies, public colleges, or state universities. The program mandates identification and deployment of innovative cancer screening tests using novel technologies such as DNA sequencing, genomics, or artificial intelligence — tests not otherwise conducted during routine physical examinations or covered by insurance, as required by Maryland Health General Article 13-4001-13-4007.

Applicants must assemble a healthcare team to oversee test administration and provide comprehensive post-test counseling, develop detailed informed consent procedures and counseling protocols, and recruit and screen eligible firefighters. Recipients must maintain records and financial documentation, secure commercial general liability insurance with minimum limits of $1,000,000 combined single limit per occurrence and $3,000,000 annual aggregate, and maintain records for three years following final report submission.

The Department intends to award multiple grants with a total funding cap of $480,000 distributed pro rata to eligible applicants if applications exceed available funding. This is a fixed-price, reimbursement-based grant with eligible cost categories including salary, fringe benefits, consultants, travel, contractual services, supplies, and operating costs. The anticipated contract period runs from April 6, 2026 through June 30, 2026 with no renewal option. Invoices are due May 29, 2026 (first), July 15, 2026 (final), with a final financial report due August 15, 2026. Evaluation will weight technical merit and organizational capacity equally against budget reasonableness. Questions were due January 8, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. EST. A pre-application conference was held January 7, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. EST.