COMPETITIVE BID Developing and Using Viral Hepatitis Epidemiologic Profiles in State/Territorial Health Departments I. Summary Information Purpose: The Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) is seeking approximately eight state/territorial health agencies to participate in a project to develop viral hepatitis epidemiologic profiles. Intent to Bid (optional): Interested applicants may submit a note indicating intent to bid to Elizabeth Ruebush (eruebush@astho.org) by November 26, 2018. Application Due Date and Time: December 20, 2018, 5:00PM EST. Selection Announcement Date: January 10, 2019. Monetary Assistance Available to Awardees: Approximately eight awards, of up to $40,000 each, will be provided. Estimated Period of Performance and Final Report Date: January 25 July 31, 2019. The period of performance may be extended beyond this date, contingent on funder approval. Eligibility: All state/territorial health agencies in good standing with ASTHO are eligible to apply. Local health departments are not eligible but can contact their state/territorial health agency to explore opportunities for partnership. ASTHO Point of Contact: Elizabeth Ruebush (eruebush@astho.org). II. Description Purpose ASTHO is seeking interested state/territorial health agencies to participate in the development and use of viral hepatitis epidemiologic profiles. The epidemiologic profiles will be designed to increase public and professional awareness and to drive policies for viral hepatitis prevention, care, and planning. The purpose of a viral hepatitis epidemiologic profile is to document, interpret, and frame the dimensions and burden of the epidemic in local terms that can be used to heighten awareness and drive decision making. For example, it can be used to develop local testing and treatment policies, provide a sharper focus for public education materials, and develop professional education materials (e.g., slide sets) that enhance continuing medical education and trainings. Audiences include state/territorial health officials and their staff, health care planners, policy makers, health professionals, community-based organizations and local media. If resources remain following this competitive bid process, ASTHO will explore supporting state/territorial health agencies that have existing viral hepatitis epidemiologic profiles with resources to expand their profiles with novel data sources.
2 Background ASTHO is working with partners to advance state/territorial-level viral hepatitis prevention. Health agencies play a critical role in this effort, as they can support a comprehensive approach to viral hepatitis prevention by ensuring good surveillance and services to identify groups at high risk for new transmissions, while also highlighting populations at most immediate risk for disease progression. Since 2014, ASTHO, with support from CDC s Division of Viral Hepatitis, funded 22 state health agencies to pilot the development of viral hepatitis epidemiologic profiles. The resulting profiles have been used to heighten awareness and drive decision making, serving as a catalyst for action around policies and programs at the state and local levels. Links to completed state profiles and additional background are available online. Project activities Participating states/territories will work with ASTHO, CDC and subject matter experts to: Identify routine and novel sources for data. Identify and engage key stakeholders (e.g., end users, target audiences) for input and feedback. at least twice during the project period. Conduct pre- and post-test evaluation of the profile. Develop utilization plan and assist in its implementation. Analyze and interpret data. Produce the epidemiologic profile. Identify lessons learned for other states/territories. All awardee epidemiologic profiles should describe the burden of HCV and HBV as far as possible. The resulting profiles will (1) use multiple sources and types of data, (2) be more than a statistical summary, (3) be developed using credible data sources and methods, and (4) be presented in such a manner that they can be used for policy development and for professional education and public awareness. There will be an emphasis on the use of analyzed data with accessible graphics and strong narrative. Data sources may include: notifiable disease surveillance, vital records, cancer registries, organ transplant registries, healthcare utilization data (Medicaid, hospital discharge, managed care, HIV/AIDS services), SAMHSA treatment episode data set, prescription drug monitoring programs, and data from other programs and studies. Awardees will collaborate with ASTHO and other participating states/territories via conference calls which will provide a forum for ongoing technical assistance and peer-to-peer engagement. Awardees may be asked to share their lessons learned with other states/territories. ASTHO and CDC will host an end-of-project year webinar where awardees will be asked to report on the burden of Hepatitis B and C in their states. Project Team States/territories will demonstrate support of health agency leadership and key staff (Viral Hepatitis Prevention Coordinator, one or more epidemiologists, and communications/education specialists). States/territories will also demonstrate prioritization of other resources, such as Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists fellows, interns etc. ASTHO will engage technical experts to participate on the project. 2
3 Stakeholder Engagement States/territories will be expected to convene key stakeholders (e.g. end users, target audiences) at least twice during the project period to inform development of the profile and provide feedback on its utility. Stakeholder engagement may take place through inperson and/or virtual meetings. Evaluation States/territories will develop an evaluation framework and conduct pre- and posttests to measure the impact and utility of the epi profile. ASTHO will provide a set of standardized evaluation questions for all awardees, but each jurisdiction may include additional information as needed. Awardees will submit a summary of evaluation findings at the conclusion of the project. Utilization Plan States/territories will develop a utilization plan describing end users and target audiences for the epidemiologic profile, communications channels and tools (e.g., infographics, fact sheets, posters), and dissemination activities. Feedback from stakeholders will help awardees refine the utilization plan and prioritize tools/audiences. At the project conclusion, awardees will submit an addendum to the utilization plan describing materials developed and communications efforts completed, along with any corresponding documents and links. Expected Outcomes States/territories will enhance viral hepatitis programs by developing and utilizing epidemiologic profiles to document, interpret, and frame the dimensions and burden of the epidemic in local terms. Inclusion of Health Equity: ASTHO is committed to the promotion of health equity and the elimination of health inequities. Health inequities are reflected by disproportionately high rates of disease, premature death and a lower quality of life. Health inequities are avoidable and state, federal, and locally-funded activities play a key role in helping to solve this problem. Applicants are encouraged to address health inequities within the context of proposed activities. Technical Support ASTHO and CDC content experts will provide guidance and ongoing support to states/territories as needed. Funding Approximately eight awards, of up to $40,000 each, will be provided for the project period January 25 July 31, 2019. Evaluators Project staff from ASTHO and CDC will evaluate the proposals. III. Requirements for Financial Award Allowable Expenses Funds may not be used for equipment purchases. Appropriate use of funds may include but is not limited to: personnel time not currently supported by other funding sources, data entry support (e.g. temporary staff), dataset purchase, software, design/printing, dissemination activities, and stakeholder meetings. 3
4 Period of Performance January 25 June 30, 2019. The period of performance may be extended beyond this date, contingent on funder approval. Reporting Requirements Planning calls with ASTHO and CDC, evaluation results, sharing of best practices and reporting of disease burden on a final project webinar. Required Deliverables State/territorial viral hepatitis epidemiologic profile; utilization plan; summary of evaluation findings. IV. Required Application Content and Scoring Applications may not exceed 10 pages in length, excluding the letter/e-mail from State/Territorial Health Official, and budget & budget narrative; and should be 11 point font. Appendices are accepted, but not required, and will not count against the page limit of the bid. Appendices should not exceed 10 pages in length. A. Letter (or email) of Support from State/Territorial Health Official: Include the name of the lead programmatic contact person (name, address, e-mail, and telephone number). Click here for a directory of state/territorial health officials. B. Cover Letter from the Grantee Fiscal Agent (if applicable): Include the name of the agency that will be the grantee fiscal agent specifying a contract (name, address, e-mail, telephone number, and agency s DUNS number or CAGE code). C. Current/Prior Experience (15 points): Description of current viral hepatitis prevention and surveillance efforts in the state/territory. Include relevant prior experience and activities. Discuss existing capacity and areas in which the state/territory wishes to build capacity. D. Rationale (20 points): Rationale for why the state/territory wants to develop a viral hepatitis epidemiologic profile. Describe any relevant events or local circumstances that indicate a need to explore disease burden and elevate efforts (e.g., outbreaks or increases in indicators such as case reporting, drug overdoses, or opiate usage). E. Proposed Approach (20 points): Description of potential data sources, end users, and target audiences for the epidemiologic profile. F. Project Team (20 points): Preliminary suggestions and brief justification for state/territorial key staff members to be involved in epidemiologic profile development and utilization. Examples of staff include Viral Hepatitis Prevention Coordinator, Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists fellow, one or more epidemiologists, HIV program staff, and communications/education specialist. Describe staff qualifications and expertise. Demonstrate prioritization of other resources, such as Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists fellows, interns, etc. 4
5 G. Stakeholder Engagement (15 points): Description of how the state/territory plans to convene key stakeholders (e.g., end users, target audiences) at least twice during the project period for input and feedback. Include preliminary suggestions for key stakeholder groups to engage. H. Inclusion of Health Equity (5 points): Description of how proposed activities can help identify and/or address health inequities. I. Budget & Budget Narrative (5 points): Provide a detailed cost reimbursement budget, including detailed projected costs for the completion of the project. Maximum award is $40,000. The cost reimbursement budget should include salary, fringe benefits, other direct costs, and indirect costs, as appropriate. If indirect costs are included on your budget, please provide a copy of your approved Indirect Cost Rate Agreement. If there are costs the state/territory expects to incur for the stakeholder meetings, these expenses should be included in the budget. For any in-kind staff support, provide projections of percent of staff time dedicated to the project. Attachment A outlines the general format in which the budget should be presented. Applicants may use Attachment A as a template or simply as a guide to inform development of the project budget. A budget narrative must accompany the budget and indicate the costs associated with each proposed activity. Additional Selection Considerations Selection may also include consideration of diverse representation of state and territorial health agencies such as agency structure (i.e., centralized versus decentralized), geography, and organizational structure within government. The selection process will also consider relevant events or local circumstances that indicate a need to explore viral hepatitis disease burden and elevate efforts. V. Submission Information Application Procedure ASTHO must receive applications by December 20, 2018 5:00PM EST. Please submit an electronic copy of the application to Elizabeth Ruebush (eruebush@astho.org). Optional: Interested applicants may submit a note indicating intent to bid to Elizabeth Ruebush (eruebush@astho.org) by November 26, 2018. Applicant Questions and Guidance Interested parties may submit questions to ASTHO via email: Direct questions to both Elizabeth Ruebush (eruebush@astho.org). Include ASTHO Epi Profile Competitive Bid in the title of the email. Timeline November 15, 2018: Competitive bid announcement. November 26, 2018: Submit intent to bid (optional). December 20, 2018 5:00PM EST: Deadline for submission of applications. 5
6 January 10, 2019: Contract award announced. January 25, 2019: Estimated contract start date. Ongoing: Planning calls with ASTHO and CDC; documenting and sharing best practices; engaging stakeholders. February 15, 2019: Epidemiologic profile utilization plan due. May 31, 2019: Draft of state/territorial viral hepatitis epidemiologic profile due to ASTHO and CDC for comment. June 14, 2019: ASTHO and CDC will provide comments on draft profiles before being published. July 1, 2019: Final state/territorial viral hepatitis epidemiologic profile due. July 31, 2019: Project concludes; addendum to utilization plan and evaluation results due. 6