333-010-0350 Tobacco Prevention and Education Program: Statewide Public Awareness and Education Programs The goal of the Oregon Public Health Division under this section is to fulfill the purpose and intent of Chapter 2 of Oregon Laws of 1997, approved by the people as Ballot Measure 44, at the November 5, 1996 General Election, by developing a statewide tobacco public awareness and education program. (1) Eligibility for Grant Awards. Under this section the Director may award one or more contracts to providers of public relations, public awareness, public education or communications services. (2) Development of the Request for Proposals (RFP) Document. The RFP for Statewide Public Awareness and Education Programs shall be developed by the Director in consultation with representatives from appropriate groups, which may include, but are not be limited to, the Governor’s Tobacco Reduction Advisory Committee, the Tobacco-Free Coalition of Oregon, the Oregon Department of Education, the Office of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Programs, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (3) Grant Application Process: (a) The Director may award one or more contracts using the RFP process provided for in OAR, chapter 125; (b) Proposals responding to the RFP must contain, but shall not be limited to: (A) A plan to develop and utilize educational messages about the dangers of tobacco use, the harm of second-hand smoke and the benefits of cessation; (B) Detailed budget for proposed use of funds; (C) Plans for evaluating effectiveness of contract services. (c) The RFP shall include but is not limited to the following elements: (A) Minimum standards and qualifications required from the contractor(s) to be eligible to provide the service; (B) The evaluation process and criteria to be used to select the contractor(s), including weights or points applicable to each criterion; (C) The manner in which the proposers cost and pricing proposal will be evaluated; (D) A requirement to provide a list of similar services completed, with references addressing past performance; (E) The closing date and time and place of delivery for the proposal; (F) Reservation about the right to seek clarification of each proposal, and the right to negotiate a final contract within the scope of the work described in the RFP; (G) Reservation of the right to reject any or all proposals, if rejection would be in the public interest; (H) Reservation of the right to cancel the solicitation, if such cancellation would be in the public interest; (I) A sample of the standard contract provisions; (J) The possibility of pre-proposal meetings and post-proposal interviews and presentations; and (K) Any other information appropriate to, evaluate, rank, and select the best proposal(s). (4) Review of Proposals: (a) Proposals shall be evaluated by a review committee appointed by the Director. The Director may include on the review committee persons not employed by the Oregon Public Health Division, including experts in the field of tobacco use reduction; (b) The Director may reject any application not in compliance with the RFP’s instructions; (c) Evaluation criteria may include, but not be limited to, the following: (A) Availability and capability to perform the work; (B) Staff experience on comparable projects and services; (C) Demonstrated ability to complete similar projects and services on time and within budget; (D) References from clients, public and private; (E) Performance history in meeting deadlines, submitting accurate estimates, producing quality work, and meeting financial obligations; (F) Status and quality of any required licensing or certification; (G) Knowledge and understanding of the required services as shown through the proposed approach to staffing and scheduling needs; (H) Fees or costs; (I) Results from oral interviews, if conducted; (J) Availability of any required specific resources or equipment; (K) Geographic proximity to the project or the area where the services will be performed; (L) Identity of proposed subcontractors and their qualifications; and (M) Any other criteria deemed relevant to the provision of services. (5) Awarding of Funds: (a) Ranking of proposals shall be based on all information obtained by the reviewers during the evaluation process. Budget shall be considered, but shall not necessarily govern selection of the contractor(s); (b) Contracts entered into under the formal selection procedure may be amended, provided the original contract allows for the particular amendment and the services to be provided under the amendment are included within, or directly related to, the scope of the project or the scope of the services described in the RFP; (c) The Director may negotiate modifications of the applicant’s proposal and award funds only after such modifications have been agreed upon by the Director and the applicant; (d) The Director shall determine the final contract awards and funding levels. Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 431.834 Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS 431.831 - 431.836 History: HD 11-1997, f. & cert. ef. 9-12-97