VDH Chronic Disease Prevention Program Evaluation Services

Agency:	State of Vermont
State:	Vermont
Type of Government:	State & Local
Category:	Q - Medical Services R - Professional, Administrative and Management Support Services
Posted:	Mar 1, 2024
Due:	Mar 13, 2024
Publication URL:	To access bid details, please log in.

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Department of Buildings and General Services

Office of Purchasing & Contracting

109 State Street [phone] 802-828-2211

Montpelier VT 05609-3001 [fax] 802-828-2222

http://bgs.vermont.gov/purchasing

Agency of Administration

SEALED BID

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL

CHRONIC DISEASE PREVENTION PROGRAM

EVALUATION SERVICES

ISSUE DATE

QUESTIONS DUE

RFP RESPONSES DUE BY

February 13, 2024

February 28, 2024 – 4:30 PM (EST)

March 13, 2024 – 4:30 PM (EST)

PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT ALL NOTIFICATIONS, RELEASES, AND ADDENDUMS ASSOCIATED

WITH THIS RFP WILL BE POSTED AT:

http://www.bgs.state.vt.us/pca/bids/bids.php

THE STATE WILL MAKE NO ATTEMPT TO CONTACT INTERESTED PARTIES WITH UPDATED

INFORMATION. IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF EACH BIDDER TO PERIODICALLY CHECK THE

ABOVE WEBPAGEFOR ANY AND ALL NOTIFICATIONS, RELEASES AND ADDENDUMS

ASSOCIATED WITH THIS RFP.

STATE CONTACT:

Kyle Emerson

E-MAIL:

Kyle.Emerson@vermont.gov

USE SUBJECT : CHRONIC DISEASE PREVENTION EVALUATION SERVICES

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1. OVERVIEW:

1.1. SCOPE AND BACKGROUND: Through this Request for Proposal (RFP) the Agency of Human

Services/Vermont Department of Health, Division of Health Promotion and Disease Prevention

(hereinafter the “State”) is seeking to establish contracts with one or more companies that can provide

Chronic Disease Prevention Program Evaluation Services.

1.2. CONTRACT PERIOD: Contracts arising from this RFP will be for a period of TWO (2) YEARS with an

option to renew for up to two additional twelve-month periods. The State anticipates the start date for

such contract(s) will be August 1, 2024.

1.3. SINGLE POINT OF CONTACT: All communications concerning this RFP are to be addressed in writing

to the State Contact listed on the front page of this RFP. Actual or attempted contact with any other

individual from the State concerning this RFP is strictly prohibited and may result in disqualification.

1.4. QUESTION AND ANSWER PERIOD: Any bidder requiring clarification of any section of this RFP or

wishing to comment on any requirement of the RFP must submit specific questions in writing no later than

the deadline for question indicated on the first page of this RFP. Questions may be e-mailed to the point

of contact on the front page of this RFP. Questions or comments not raised in writing on or before the last

day of the question period are thereafter waived. At the close of the question period a copy of all

questions or comments and the State's responses will be posted on the State’s web site

http://www.bgs.state.vt.us/pca/bids/bids.php . Every effort will be made to post this information as soon as

possible after the question period ends, contingent on the number and complexity of the questions.

1.5. CHANGES TO THIS RFP: Any modifications to this RFP will be made in writing by the State through the

issuance of an Addendum to this RFP and posted online at http://www.bgs.state.vt.us/pca/bids/bids.php .

Modifications from any other source are not to be considered.

1.6. SOURCE OF FUNDS: Federal funds awarded by the US Department of Health and Human Services -

Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the United States Department of Agriculture/Food

& Nutrition Services (USDA), Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and State of Vermont Tobacco

Master Settlement Agreement funds will be used to support the Chronic Disease Prevention Evaluation

work.

Please note that when procurements are supported by federal funds, SOV business users must take

affirmative steps that include at least the following Socioeconomic affirmative steps per 2 C.F.R. §

200.321:

1. Placing qualified small and minority businesses and women’s business enterprises on solicitation

lists;

2. Assuring that small and minority businesses and women’s business enterprises are solicited

whenever they are potential sources;

3. Dividing total requirements, when economically feasible, into smaller tasks or quantities to permit

maximum participation by small and minority businesses, and women’s business enterprises;

4. Establishing delivery schedules, where the requirement permits, which encourage participation by

small and minority businesses, and women’s business enterprises;

5. Using the services and assistance, as appropriate, of such organizations as the Small Business

Administration and the Minority Business Development Agency of the Department of Commerce; and

6. Requiring the prime/general contractor, if subcontracts are to be let, to take the same affirmative

steps as listed in numbers 1 through 5.

This project is being funded in whole or in part using federal monies. If a bidder requires assistance in

preparing their proposal, registering with SAM.gov or needs guidance on socioeconomic certifications,

the bidder may contact the Agency of Commerce & Community Development (ACCD), Department of

Economic Development (DED), APEX Accelerator. The Vermont APEX Accelerator (formerly the

Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC)) specializes in helping small businesses navigate the

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documentation associated with State and Federal procurement. There is no cost to the Contractor for

assistance provided by APEX Accelerator. Their website is: https://accd.vermont.gov/economic-

development/programs/ptac

2. DETAILED REQUIREMENTS/DESIRED OUTCOMES:

Chronic disease prevention programs administered by the Division of Health Promotion & Disease

Prevention (HPDP) are often funded by federal grants or state funds that require evaluation of

programmatic activities. These evaluations may be process or outcome oriented, and typically last the

entire length of the program funding cycle. HPDP uses a mix of internal and external evaluation resources

and is seeking to contract with an external evaluation partner (or partners) to provide evaluation services

on an as-needed basis. To serve as a dedicated evaluation resource for the State, the evaluation partner

will need to be able to provide a full scope of evaluation services for a wide range of public health

programs. HPDP programs utilize the CDC Evaluation Framework, thus; the evaluation partner will be

expected to be involved in stakeholder engagement, clarifying the program definition, developing and

refining the evaluation design, data collection and analysis, preparing of recommendations, and working

with programs to utilize evaluation findings via performance improvement planning with staff.

The evaluation contractor often develops a comprehensive evaluation plan to guide evaluation activities for

all evaluation projects undertaken and will provide an evaluation report based on findings. The scope and

content of the evaluation(s) will be determined in conjunction with program partners, based on

programmatic needs and funding requirements. Most HPDP evaluations utilize qualitative and quantitative

methods and combine process and outcome evaluation questions.

The organization that is awarded this contract will be responsible for providing evaluation services to all

HPDP programs that need assistance. The State does not know how many evaluation projects will be

undertaken during the duration of the contract; as such, the awardee must have the capacity to

simultaneously manage multiple evaluations projects, as necessary.

Evaluation services are intended to determine programmatic reach and impact, and to guide quality

improvement activities. In doing so, evaluation services will demonstrate impact related to

program/intervention outcomes; and inform program improvement, replicability, and decision-making.

Specific desired outcomes include:

• The Division meets its chronic disease objective(s) of improving the health of Vermonters as it

relates to Healthy Vermonter 2030 and the State Health Improvement Plan (SHIP)

• Determine if there are any negative/unintended results from programmatic activities that need to be

addressed, corrected, or improved, and identify/recommend remediation approaches when

appropriate

• Resources are appropriately allocated, or planned for reallocation

The Contractor will perform consultative and other services for the State as described in

Attachment A-Statement of Work, of this RFP.

3. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS:

3.1. PRICING: Bidders must price the terms of this solicitation at their best pricing. Any and all costs that

Bidder wishes the State to consider must be submitted for consideration. If applicable, all equipment

pricing is to include F.O.B. delivery to the ordering facility. No request for extra delivery cost will be

honored. All equipment shall be delivered assembled, serviced, and ready for immediate use, unless

otherwise requested by the State.

3.1.1.Prices and/or rates shall remain firm for the initial term of the contract. The pricing policy submitted by

Bidder must (i) be clearly structured, accountable, and auditable and (ii) cover the full spectrum of

materials and/or services required.

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3.1.2.Cooperative Agreements. Bidders that have been awarded similar contracts through a competitive

bidding process with another state and/or cooperative are welcome to submit the pricing in response

to this solicitation.

3.1.3.Retainage. In the discretion of the State, a contract resulting from this RFP may provide that the

State withhold a percentage of the total amount payable for some or all deliverables, such retainage

to be payable upon satisfactory completion and State acceptance in accordance with the terms and

conditions of the contract.

3.2. STATEMENT OF RIGHTS: The State shall have the authority to evaluate Responses and select the

Bidder(s) as may be determined to be in the best interest of the State and consistent with the goals and

performance requirements outlined in this RFP. The State of Vermont reserves the right to obtain

clarification or additional information necessary to properly evaluate a proposal. Failure of bidder to

respond to a request for additional information or clarification could result in rejection of that bidder's

proposal. To secure a project that is deemed to be in the best interest of the State, the State reserves the

right to accept or reject any and all bids, in whole or in part, with or without cause, and to waive

technicalities in submissions. The State also reserves the right to make purchases outside of the awarded

contracts where it is deemed in the best interest of the State.

3.2.1.Best and Final Offer (BAFO). At any time after submission of Responses and prior to the final

selection of Bidder(s) for Contract negotiation or execution, the State may invite Bidder(s) to provide a

BAFO. The state reserves the right to request BAFOs from only those Bidders that meet the minimum

qualification requirements and/or have not been eliminated from consideration during the evaluation

process.

3.2.2.Presentation. An in-person or webinar presentation by the Bidder may be required by the State if it

will help the State’s evaluation process. The State will factor information presented during

presentations into the evaluation. Bidders will be responsible for all costs associated with providing

the presentation.

3.3. WORKER CLASSIFICATION COMPLIANCE REQUIREMENTS: In accordance with Section 32 of The

Vermont Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Act No. 54), Bidders must comply with the following

provisions and requirements.

3.3.1.Self Reporting: For bid amounts exceeding $250,000.00, Bidder shall complete the appropriate

section in the attached Certificate of Compliance for purposes of self-reporting information relating to

past violations, convictions, suspensions, and any other information related to past performance

relative to coding and classification of workers. The State is requiring information on any violations

that occurred in the previous 12 months.

3.3.2.Subcontractor Reporting: For bid amounts exceeding $250,000.00, Bidders are hereby notified that

upon award of contract, and prior to contract execution, the State shall be provided with a list of all

proposed subcontractors and subcontractors’ subcontractors, together with the identity of those

subcontractors’ workers compensation insurance providers, and additional required or requested

information, as applicable, in accordance with Section 32 of The Vermont Recovery and

Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Act No. 54). This requirement does not apply to subcontractors providing

supplies only and no labor to the overall contract or project. This list MUST be updated and provided

to the State as additional subcontractors are hired. A sample form is available online at

http://bgs.vermont.gov/purchasing-contracting/forms. The subcontractor reporting form is not

required to be submitted with the bid response.

3.4. EXECUTIVE ORDER 05-16: CLIMATE CHANGE CONSIDERATIONS IN STATE PROCUREMENTS:

For bid amounts exceeding $25,000.00 Bidders are requested to complete the Climate Change

Considerations in State Procurements Certification, which is included in the Certificate of Compliance for

this RFP.

After consideration of all relevant factors, a bidder that demonstrates business practices that promote

clean energy and address climate change as identified in the Certification, shall be given favorable

consideration in the competitive bidding process. Such favorable consideration shall be consistent with

and not supersede any preference given to resident bidders of the State and/or products raised or

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manufactured in the State, as explained in the Method of Award section. But, such favorable

consideration shall not be employed if prohibited by law or other relevant authority or agreement.

3.5. METHOD OF AWARD: Awards will be made in the best interest of the State. The State may award one

or more contracts and reserves the right to make additional awards to other compliant bidders at any time

if such award is deemed to be in the best interest of the State. All other considerations being equal,

preference will be given first to resident bidders of the state and/or to products raised or manufactured in

the state, and then to bidders who have practices that promote clean energy and address climate change,

as identified in the applicable Certificate of Compliance.

3.5.1.Evaluation Criteria: Consideration shall be given to the Bidder’s project approach and methodology,

qualifications and experience, ability to provide the services within the defined timeline, cost, and/or

success in completing similar projects, as applicable, and to the extent specified below.

Criteria Description

Cover Letter

General Background and Qualifications

Ability to Implement the Activities/Specifications

Letters of Reference

Staffing Proposal

Cost Proposal

Weighting

3.6. CONTRACT NEGOTIATION: Upon completion of the evaluation process, the State may select one or

more bidders with which to negotiate a contract, based on the evaluation findings and other criteria

deemed relevant for ensuring that the decision made is in the best interest of the State. In the event State

is not successful in negotiating a contract with a selected bidder, the State reserves the option of

negotiating with another bidder, or to end the proposal process entirely.

3.7. COST OF PREPARATION: Bidder shall be solely responsible for all expenses incurred in the preparation

of a response to this RFP and shall be responsible for all expenses associated with any presentations or

demonstrations associated with this request and/or any proposals made.

3.8. CONTRACT TERMS: The selected bidder(s) will be expected to sign a contract with the State, including

the Standard Contract Form and Attachment C as attached to this RFP for reference. If IT Attachment D is

included in this RFP, terms may be modified based upon the solution proposed by the Bidder, subject to

approval by the Agency of Digital Services.

3.8.1.Business Registration. To be awarded a contract by the State of Vermont a bidder (except an

individual doing business in his/her own name) must be registered with the Vermont Secretary of

State’s office https://sos.vermont.gov/corporations/registration/ and must obtain a Contractor’s

Business Account Number issued by the Vermont Department of Taxes http://tax.vermont.gov/ .

3.8.2.The contract will obligate the bidder to provide the services and/or products identified in its bid, at the

prices listed.

3.8.3.Payment Terms. Percentage discounts may be offered for prompt payments of invoices; however,

such discounts must be in effect for a period of 30 days or more in order to be considered in making

awards.

3.8.4.Quality. If applicable, all products provided under a contract with the State will be new and unused,

unless otherwise stated. Factory seconds or remanufactured products will not be accepted unless

specifically requested by the purchasing agency. All products provided by the contractor must meet

all federal, state, and local standards for quality and safety requirements. Products not meeting these

standards will be deemed unacceptable and returned to the contractor for credit at no charge to the

State.

Revised: December 27, 2023

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This is the opportunity summary page. You are currently viewing an overview of this opportunity and a preview of the attached documentation. For more information, please visit the Publication URL Web page.

TITLE	QUESTIONS DUE	ANSWERS POSTED	DUE DATE	NO POSTING AFTER
VDH Chronic Disease Prevention Program Evaluation Services	02/28/2024 04:30PM	Q&A - Chronic Disease Program Evaluation. (03/01/2024)	03/13/2024 04:30PM

VDH Chronic Disease Prevention Program Evaluation Services

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