Rapid Silicosis Surveillance

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH), Occupational Health Branch is soliciting proposals for a Rapid Silicosis Surveillance contract (RFP #24-10495) to address the emerging silicosis epidemic among countertop workers. The primary objectives include improving silicosis surveillance capacity, developing technical guidance for silica dust exposure prevention, maintaining a database of countertop fabrication businesses, and conducting targeted worksite visits to evaluate and recommend prevention strategies. Key deliverables will include surveillance data reports, prevention guidance documents, worksite investigation reports, and educational materials in multiple languages. Proposals must comprehensively address all services outlined in Exhibit A's Scope of Work, with a focus on addressing the significant public health concern identified in preliminary efforts that revealed 238 workers with confirmed silicosis, including 29 with lung transplants and 15 deaths. The procurement will result in a single contract award to the most responsive and responsible firm offering the highest-scoring bid. Critical dates include a proposal submission deadline of March 4, 2025, at 3:00 PM, with questions due by February 14, 2025, and answers posted by February 20, 2025. The evaluation will utilize a scoring system with 540 points for technical criteria and 235 points for cost considerations.

The procurement is open to multiple organizational types, including commercial businesses, nonprofit organizations, state or public universities, and auxiliary organizations that meet qualification requirements. There is a minimum 3% Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE) participation requirement for contracts exceeding $5,000, with potential additional preference points for small businesses (5%), DVBE participation (up to 5%), and TACPA preferences (up to 9%). The total contract allocation is $450,000, covering a period from April 22, 2025, through June 30, 2027, with CDPH reserving the right to extend the contract for one additional year and potentially increase funding up to 30% of the contracted amount (maximum $250,000). Indirect costs are limited to 20% of the total proposed amount, and proposals exceeding the $450,000 allocation will be deemed non-responsive. Contractors must provide comprehensive insurance coverage, including general liability ($1M per occurrence), automobile liability ($1M), workers compensation, and professional liability, with all travel expenses for worksite investigations to be included in the proposed costs.