PHPA 3816 - Conduct Pathways to Bright Futures Post-Program Survey and Pre-Post Program Comparative Analysis

The Maryland Department of Health's Office of Oral Health is seeking a contractor to conduct a comprehensive post-program survey and comparative analysis for the Pathways to Bright Futures (PBF) program through a firm fixed-price Request for Proposals (RFP) designated as PHPA 3816. The primary objective is to evaluate the program's impact on youth aged 16-22 in three Maryland Dental Health Professional Shortage Areas: Baltimore City, Eastern Shore, and Western Maryland. The selected vendor will be responsible for administering a post-campaign survey using an existing tool, performing a comparative analysis with the pre-campaign survey results, and preparing a final Campaign Evaluation Report detailing outcomes, insights, and lessons learned. The contract period will run from December 15, 2025, to August 31, 2026, with a target of surveying 1,000 young adults and producing a final impact report by July 31, 2026. Proposals are due by 2:00 p.m. EST on October 28, 2025, and must be submitted through the eMaryland Marketplace Advantage system, with indirect costs not to exceed 10% of total direct costs.

The RFP explicitly encourages participation from Minority Business Enterprises and Small Business Reserves, demonstrating a commitment to diverse vendor participation. The procurement specifically targets organizations with expertise in survey design, data collection, and comparative analysis in the context of dental career pipeline programs. While no incumbent vendor is mentioned, the Maryland Department of Health will provide the pre-campaign survey report to assist the selected contractor in developing their methodology and approach. The RFP focuses on evaluating the program's effectiveness in increasing awareness of oral health careers, understanding of the dental profession, and potential participation in the dental field among youth in underserved areas. Although a specific budget range is not explicitly stated, the firm fixed-price nature of the contract and the comprehensive scope suggest a moderate-sized professional services contract aligned with the survey's complexity and reporting requirements.