Eval 20-10032 Tobacco Industry Monitoring Evaluation

The California Department of Public Health, California Tobacco Control Program, intends to award a contract to the University of Southern California in response to Solicitation EVAL 20-10032, Tobacco Industry Monitoring Evaluation (TIME).

Purpose

This procurement is exempt from Part 2 of Division 2 (commencing with Section 10100) of the Public Contract Code. 

The purpose of this Solicitation is to recruit and fund a single Proposer to systematically monitor and analyze data for the following core tobacco industry practices related to e-cigarettes, other new and emerging non-combustible nicotine products, and little cigars and cigarillos: 1) advertising and marketing on social media platforms (e.g., YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat), 2) direct marketing (e.g., couponing, rewards programs), and 3) underage online sales. The aforementioned tobacco industry practices were selected based on their relevance and importance to informing comprehensive tobacco control policy. The Proposer may propose one to two (1-2) additional tobacco industry practices to monitor for consideration by CDPH/CTCP.

Goals and Objectives

The main goal of the project is to inform comprehensive tobacco control policy efforts by monitoring core tobacco industry practices related to e-cigarettes and other new and emerging non-combustible nicotine products, and little cigars and cigarillos in three (3) core tobacco industry practices: advertising and marketing on social media platforms (e.g., YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, or Snapchat), direct marketing (e.g., discounting, couponing, rewards programs), and underage online sales.

CDPH/CTCP is particularly interested in identifying and monitoring tobacco industry practices aimed at one or more of the following Priority Population groups: African American/Black, American Indian, Asian and Pacific Islander, Hispanic/Latino, Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual/Transgender/Queer, Rural, Behavioral Health, and Youth/Young Adult groups.

To achieve this goal, CDPH/CTCP seeks to establish a partnership with an experienced and accomplished agency to:

1. Design and implement a comprehensive monitoring plan for the aforementioned three (3) tobacco industry practices stated above (the Proposer may propose one to two (1-2) additional industry practices to monitor for consideration by CDPH/CTCP).
2. Design and implement a case study or smaller scale project that takes an in-depth look at tobacco industry practices within a given jurisdiction (such as city, county, or region in California) and/or specific Priority Population group.
3. Analyze and interpret the findings by core tobacco industry practice and across the core practices and case study to develop a comprehensive assessment of current and significant changes to trends in tobacco industry practices in California, including marketing aimed at one or more Priority Population groups.
4. Provide timely reports of current and significant changes to trends in tobacco industry practices in California, including marketing aimed at one or more Priority Population groups.
5. Provide statewide, comprehensive tobacco policy recommendations based on monitoring findings of each core tobacco industry practice, as well as the comprehensive findings across the core tobacco industry practices and case study.

• Eval 20-10032 Tobacco Industry Monitoring Evaluation Funding Alert (PDF - 291.73 Kb)

• EVAL 20-10032 - Tobacco Industry Monitoring Evaluation Solicitation (PDF - 432.01 Kb)
• Appendix 1_Certifcation of Non-Acceptance of Tobacco and Cannabis Funds (PDF - 78.96 Kb)
• Appendix 2_Sample Non-Profit Status Letter (PDF - 89.09 Kb)
• Appendix 3_Non-Mandatory Letter of Intent (PDF - 103.81 Kb)
• Appendix 4_Instructions for Submmiting Applications Using TCFOR (PDF - 0.76 Mb)
• Appendix 5_Detailed Proposed Scope of Work (PDF - 139.93 Kb)
• Appendix 6_Exhibit B Attachment I Budget Proposal (MS Excel File - 11.88 Kb)
• Appendix 7_Cost Proposal and Narrative (PDF - 98.09 Kb)
• Appendix 8_Instructions for Accessing the Online Tobacco Information System Training Course (PDF - 1.46 Mb)
• Appendix 9_Non-Small Business Subcontractor Preference Instructions (PDF - 206.63 Kb)
• Appendix 10_Commercially Useful Function Certification (PDF - 187.27 Kb)
• Appendix 11_Follow-On Consultant Contract Disclosure (PDF - 76.02 Kb)

• Exhibit A Scope of Work (PDF - 150.88 Kb)


• Exhibit B Attachment 1_Budget Proposal (MS Excel File - 13.32 Kb)


• Exhibit B Budget Detail and Payment Provisions (PDF - 132.61 Kb)


• Exhibit D Special Terms and Conditions (PDF - 153.89 Kb)


• Exhibit E Additional Provisions (PDF - 161.07 Kb)


• Exhibit F Contractors Release Form (PDF - 167.74 Kb)


• STD 213 (PDF - 48.47 Kb)

• 20-10032 Tobacco Industry Monitoring Evaluation Webinar


• Eval 20-10032 - TIME Solicitation - Q&A (PDF - 149.39 Kb)

The following entities and organizations are invited to apply for this Solicitation:

1. Organizational Type and Conditions
The following entities and organizations are invited to apply for this Solicitation:

1. Any public, private non-profit or for-profit entity that is currently operating a full-service office based in California. Non-profit organizations must certify their eligibility to claim non-profit status. For an example, see Appendix 2: Sample Non-Profit Status Letter.
2. Agencies able to certify that no conflict of interest with tobacco, e-cigarette, cannabis, or related industries exists (see Appendix 1: Certification of Non-Acceptance of Tobacco Funds). The form can also be downloaded from the Online Tobacco Information System (OTIS). See Part II. F, Additional Documents for details.
3. Agencies able to certify that they are in good standing, fiscally stable, and qualified to conduct business with the State of California.
4. By submitting a proposal, agencies acknowledge and agree to comply with all terms and conditions in the Solicitation.

2. Demonstrated Experience

Proposer should demonstrate the following qualifications, with a minimum of five (5) years of experience for each qualification:

1.  Developing, monitoring and tracking systems related to social media monitoring, and surveillance of sales and retail data.
2. Conducting qualitative and quantitative analyses, including content analysis, factor analysis, and mixed modeling.
3. Understanding of legislated tobacco control policies in California at county, city, or statewide levels.
4. Understanding of how tobacco industry marketing influences the uptake and maintenance of tobacco use, particularly among Priority Population groups.
5. Understanding of tobacco control policies and experience creating useful reports and policy briefs to leverage project findings to inform policy efforts.
6. Managing statewide projects with a budget of $600,000 per year or greater.

Up to $1,800,000 is available to fund the activities required in this project. Proposals must be for the entire 36-month period and shall not exceed $1,800,000. CTCP reserves the right to require the contractor to modify the funding budgeted for each year in order to sustain necessary activities and costs during the term of the contract, including but not limited to staffing; travel; collaboration; data collection, analysis, reporting; and administrative functions. Unexpended funds do not carry over from one fiscal year to the next fiscal year without prior approval and a contract amendment. The fiscal year begins July 1 and ends June 30 of the following year. Funding is contingent upon available revenues, appropriation by the Legislature and the Governor, multi-year spending authority, and CDPH/CTCP funding priorities and/or legal or administrative limitations. Continued funding for the contract will be dependent upon successful Contractor performance. Performance will be evaluated based on required progress reports.

• Funding Opportunities Website Instructions (PDF)