333-010-0360 Tobacco Prevention and Education Program: Statewide and Regional Projects 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 various programs serving special populations through innovative projects for tobacco prevention and education. (1) Eligibility for Grant Awards: (a) The Director may award grants under this section to public and/or private agencies using the process specified in OAR, chapter 125; (b) Agencies eligible to apply for grants under this section shall be those capable of developing and implementing special statewide or regional projects, including but not limited to those: (A) Serving multi-cultural populations, including, but not limited to, Indian Tribes; (B) Developing and implementing a toll-free telephone service, which includes counseling, referral to cessation resources, and follow-up; (C) Developing and implementing regional and statewide training, and technical assistance on the best practices for effective tobacco prevention programs; and (D) Developing other innovative, demonstration, and research projects to decrease tobacco initiation by youth, promote cessation for youth and adults, and promote smoke-free communities. (2) Development of the Request for Proposals (RFP) Document. The RFP for Statewide and Regional Special Projects shall be developed by the Director in consultation with representatives from appropriate groups, which may include, but are not 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 grants using a RFP process provided for in OAR, chapter 125; (b) Under this section, proposals shall be requested for programs that serve special populations, and for regional or statewide innovative and unique tobacco prevention and education projects; (c) Grants may be awarded for, but are not limited to, the following: a toll-free telephone service, training and technical assistance, special projects to decrease tobacco initiation by youth, to promote cessation for youth and adults, and to promote smoke-free communities; (d) The RFP shall address but not be limited to the following elements: (A) Minimum standards and qualifications required from the proposer(s) to be eligible to provide the service; (B) Statement of work, tied to measurable objectives; (C) Detailed budget; (D) Plan for evaluating effectiveness and impact of proposed activities; (E) The evaluation process and criteria to be used to select the contractor(s), including weights or points applicable to each criterion; (F) The manner in which the proposers cost and pricing proposal will be evaluated; (G) A requirement to provide a list of similar services completed, with references addressing past performance; (H) The closing date and time and place of delivery for the proposal; (I) 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; (J) Reservation of the right to reject any or all proposals, if rejection would be in the public interest; (K) Reservation of the right to cancel the solicitation, if such cancellation would be in the public interest; (L) A sample of the standard contract provisions; (M) The possibility of pre-proposal meetings and post-proposal interviews and presentations; and (N) 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 has the authority to include on the review committee persons not employed by the Oregon Public Health Division, including experts in the field of tobacco use reduction; (b) 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) The final ranking of proposals will be based on all information obtained by the reviewers during the evaluation process. Price will be considered, but will 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 a modification of the applicant’s proposal, and award funds only after such modification has been agreed upon by the Director and the applicant; (d) The Director shall determine final grant 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