1685 Solicitation for letters of interest to become a primary contractor

Solicitation for Letters of Interest to Become a Primary Contractor

[31 Pa.B. 5322]

   In anticipation of the release of the Statewide Comprehensive Tobacco Control Programs Request for Proposal (RFP) 00-07-01, the Department of Health (Department) is soliciting letters of interest to become a primary contractor as that term is defined in Chapter 7, section 702 of The Tobacco Settlement Act (Act 2001-77). Letters are being solicited in an effort to foster collaboration within geographic areas within this Commonwealth. The Department will accept a single application for a particular county evidencing the fact that the tobacco control organizations, local government and other potential partners in that county have the ability to collaborate. In instances when there are competing applications, the Department expects collaboration nevertheless so that effective programs can be implemented once a primary contractor is selected. We encourage eligible applicants, where feasible, to consider applying for a multiple county comprehensive tobacco control program, to increase both efficiencies and effectiveness. Parties that submit a letter of interest should indicate which county or combination of counties for which they expect to serve as primary contractor. A listing of organizations who have submitted letters of interest will be posted on the Department's website at www.health.state.pa.us, or available by request from the Department.

   A primary contractor is a person located in this Commonwealth that develops, implements or monitors tobacco use prevention and cessation programs in a local service area. A primary contractor may be: (1) a for-profit or nonprofit organization, including a community foundation, that provides tobacco use prevention and cessation programs; (2) an entity created under the act of April 14, 1972 (P. L. 221, No. 63), known as the Pennsylvania Drug and Alcohol Abuse Control Act; (3) a municipality or a municipal health department created under the act of August 24, 1951 (P. L. 1304, No. 315), known as the Local Health Administration Law; (4) an institution of higher education; or (5) a hospital established under the act of July 19, 1979 (P. L. 130, No. 48), known as the Health Care Facilities Act. A tobacco company or an agent or subsidiary of a tobacco company may not be awarded a contract or grant as a primary contractor.

   The role and responsibilities of a primary contractor include:

   (1)  Develop a proposed plan, subject to Department approval, which meets the tobacco use prevention and cessation goals and priorities established by the Department.

   (2)  Award grants to service providers to implement the program in the service area in accordance with the plan developed and approved under paragraph (1). Priority may be given to service providers who have experience in providing tobacco use prevention and cessation services. In a service area with multiple service providers, no individual service provider shall receive more than 50% of the funds awarded to the primary contractor unless otherwise approved by the Department.

   (3)  Ensure that service providers are meeting the priorities and goals set forth in your plan.

   (4)  Actively solicit input from health care providers, community organizations, public officials and other individuals and groups regarding the plan for your respective service area.

   (5)  Prepare and submit reports as required by the Department.

   To receive a letter of interest form, contact Judy Ochs, Director, Division of Tobacco Prevention, Bureau of Chronic Disease and Injury Prevention, 1000 Health and Welfare Building, Harrisburg, PA at [phone]. The letter of interest form may also be downloaded from the Department's website www.health.state.pa.us. The Department is requesting letters of interest by October 1, 2001.

   Persons with disability desiring a copy of this notice or a letter of interest form in alternative formats (such as larger print, audio tape or Braille) should contact Judy Ochs at [phone] (V/TT [phone]) or the Pennsylvania AT&T Relay Services at [phone] (TT).

ROBERT S. ZIMMERMAN, Jr.,   
Secretary

[Pa.B. Doc. No. 01-1685. Filed for public inspection September 14, 2001, 9:00 a.m.]