Consultant to Conduct EMS Data Environmental Scan and Revision and Pilot Testing of EMS All Drug Overdose Case Definition

1 | P a g e RFPT-F.V01.2025 REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS: EMS Data Environmental Scan and Revision and Pilot Testing of EMS All Drug Overdose Case Definition TABLE OF CONTENTS: Part I. Overview Information Part II. Full Text of Announcement Section I. Funding Opportunity Description 1. Purpose and Background 2. Objectives 3. Deliverables 4. Timeline Section II. Award Mechanism 1. Mechanism(s) of Support 2. Funds Available Section III. Eligibility Information 1. Eligible Applicants Section IV. Application and Submission Information 1. Content and Form of Application Submission 2. Submission Dates and Times a. Submission, Review, and Anticipated Start Dates b. Submitting an Application c. Application Processing Section V. Application Review Information 1. Criteria 2. Review and Selection Process Section VI. Additional Information 1. Award Notices 2. Contractor Responsibilities 3. CSTE Responsibilities PART I: OVERVIEW INFORMATION Issuing Organization: Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists (CSTE) at www.cste.org Participating Organizations: CSTE and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – Cooperative Agreement number NU38PW000005.
2 | P a g e RFPT-F.V01.2025 PART II: FULL TEXT OF ANNOUNCEMENT Section I. Funding Opportunity Description Statement of Purpose The purpose of this request for funding proposal (RFP) is to identify a qualified consultant team to work collaboratively with CSTE staff, members, and partners on a project to strengthen overdose surveillance using emergency medical services (EMS) data. The project includes two complementary components: (1) an environmental scan to assess how state and local jurisdictions use EMS data for overdose surveillance and identify associated needs and challenges; and (2) a review and refinement of the CSTE EMS Nonfatal All Drug Overdose Case Definition to support accurate and consistent identification of overdose events. Given the scope and timeline of this project, CSTE is particularly interested in consultant teams, especially those with subject matter expertise in overdose surveillance, EMS data, executing environmental scans, and developing case definitions. Background State and local health departments increasingly use EMS records to complement traditional overdose surveillance sources, such as hospital discharge data and death records, and develop a more comprehensive understanding of the overdose burden in their communities. EMS data capture encounters and care provided in the prehospital setting, including some overdose events involving individuals who do not receive hospital-based care and may not be captured by other surveillance systems, such as syndromic surveillance and hospital discharge data. When appropriately analyzed and interpreted, these data can help jurisdictions better characterize nonfatal overdoses, identify emerging trends, and inform the allocation of harm reduction, treatment and prevention resources. CSTE has collaborated with multidisciplinary workgroups of subject matter experts and key partners to develop and refine surveillance case definitions and implementation guidance for identifying nonfatal opioid and all drug overdoses using EMS data. In 2022, CSTE released “Recommendations for the Use of Emergency Medical Services Data to Identify Nonfatal Opioid Overdoses,” and the “CSTE EMS Nonfatal Opioid Overdose Standard Guidance.” In 2026, CSTE released the "CSTE EMS Nonfatal All Drug Overdose Case Definition" and the "CSTE EMS Nonfatal All Drug Overdose Case Definition Implementation Guidance." Despite advances in EMS-based overdose surveillance, jurisdictions may vary in their access to, use of, and capacity to analyze EMS data. Understanding current practices, implementation experiences, and barriers is essential to identifying opportunities to strengthen surveillance and target technical assistance to jurisdictional needs. In parallel, review of surveillance case definitions is important to ensure they appropriately identify overdose events and remain useful. To address these needs, this project will integrate an environmental scan of jurisdictional EMS data practices with a review and refinement of the CSTE EMS Nonfatal All Drug Overdose Case Definition. The environmental scan will characterize how jurisdictions use EMS data for overdose surveillance, identify challenges and technical assistance needs, and assess whether and how jurisdictions have implemented
3 | P a g e RFPT-F.V01.2025 CSTE’s nonfatal opioid and all drug overdose case definitions. Findings will help inform opportunities to improve implementation and support jurisdictional capacity. The case definition review will assess the current definition and identify opportunities for refinement to improve its clarity, applicability, and performance in identifying nonfatal all drug overdose events. Together, these activities support efforts to strengthen the utility of EMS-based overdose surveillance and promote evidence-informed public health responses. Objectives Component 1: EMS Data Environmental Scan In coordination with CSTE, the consultant team will develop an environmental scan to understand how EMS data are currently being used in jurisdictions. Environmental scan methods may include a literature review, structured online questionnaires that CSTE staff will administer using our organizational Qualtrics account, key informant interviews (KIIs), and small-group virtual discussions. The target audience of the environmental scan will be overdose epidemiologists within state and local health departments. Key questions of the environmental scan will include how EMS data are currently being used, how jurisdictions are accessing EMS data, what vendors they are currently using to access data, and what barriers they may have in accessing EMS data. The environmental scan will also evaluate the uptake and use of the opioid and all drug overdose case definitions applied to EMS data. The key deliverable for this component will be a summary report of environmental scan findings. Importantly, the preliminary draft of the environmental scan will need to be completed by March 1, 2027. Component 2: EMS All Drug Overdose Case Definition Revision CSTE and the consultant team will convene a workgroup of state and local health department EMS data subject matter experts, EMS practitioners, and key partners to review, revise, and refine the nonfatal all drug overdose case definition, with the goal of improving its accuracy and utility for surveillance and public health response. The workgroup will review prior recommendations and determine necessary updates to the case definition and related guidance. The revised definition will be pilot tested in 2–4 jurisdictions to assess performance, including positive predictive value, sensitivity, specificity (where feasible), case volume, data completeness, implementation burden, and interpretability. Based on pilot results and stakeholder feedback, the consultant team, in collaboration with the workgroup, will refine and finalize the updated definitions and supporting implementation guidance. The key deliverables for this component will be an updated nonfatal EMS all drug overdose case definition with accompanying guidance. Deliverables To meet the above-mentioned objectives, the awardee will be required to meet the following sets of deliverables: Administrative: 1. Project Status Meetings: a. Participate in biweekly project meetings with CSTE staff to discuss progress, plan activities, troubleshoot challenges, set meeting agendas, etc. Meetings may occur more
4 | P a g e RFPT-F.V01.2025 often if deliverables require a fast turnaround. These meetings may also include CDC and/or other partners. 2. Progress Reports: a. Submit monthly progress reports including key meetings, decisions, and project updates. Project: Component 1: EMS Data Environmental Scan 1. Project Initiation and Stakeholder Engagement a. Tasks: i. Confirm project scope, objectives, and timeline ii. In collaboration with CSTE, identify state and local epidemiologists, EMS data SMEs, EMS practitioners for an advisory group to help develop assessment tool questions b. Deliverable: Finalized workplan and advisory group roster 2. Review of Existing Materials a. Tasks: i. Review relevant literature about EMS data access and use within state and local health departments ii. Identify outcomes of interest and known gaps b. Deliverable: Background review summary 3. Develop Environmental Scan Plan a. Tasks: i. Identify environmental scan methods, develop assessment tool addressing EMS data access, data sources and vendors, accessible data elements, linkage capabilities, current uses, current barriers to use, analytic practices, and use of existing EMS overdose case definitions ii. Identify assessment tool dissemination plan b. Deliverable: Environmental scan framework and draft assessment tool 4. Pilot Assessment Tool a. Tasks: i. Pilot test the assessment with a small group of overdose epidemiologists ii. Revise based on feedback and disseminate broadly to state and local jurisdictions b. Deliverable: Finalized assessment tool; completed responses 5. Analyze Environmental Scan Findings a. Tasks: i. Analyze responses to environmental scan; determine what KIIs or focus group questions are required based on results to further elucidate themes b. Deliverable: Draft report with literature review and assessment findings 6. Facilitate KIIs/Focus Groups a. Tasks: i. Develop KII/focus group questions; identify jurisdictions to interview
5 | P a g e RFPT-F.V01.2025 b. Deliverable: Summary of KII or focus group findings; incorporate findings into draft report 7. Finalize Environmental Scan Report a. Tasks: i. Synthesize findings and implications for EMS surveillance and case definition implementation ii. Identify opportunities for technical assistance, guidance, and future priorities b. Deliverable: Finalized EMS data environmental scan report Component 2: EMS All Drug Overdose Case Definition Revision 1. Convene Case Definition Workgroup a. Tasks: i. In collaboration with CSTE, establish a workgroup of state and local health department epidemiologists and EMS practitioners to review current all drug overdose case definition and supporting implementation guidance b. Deliverable: Workgroup roster 2. Revise All Drug Overdose Case Definition a. Tasks: i. Review existing case definition, pilot test findings, prior workgroup recommendations, ongoing jurisdiction feedback, and relevant literature ii. Identify known gaps and areas for revision b. Deliverable: Background review and preliminary list of revision priorities 3. Develop Pilot Testing Materials and Identify Pilot Jurisdictions a. Tasks: i. Develop testing protocol and create feedback forms ii. In collaboration with CSTE, identify 2-4 jurisdictions representing variation in EMS data systems, data access, population, and geography b. Deliverable: Pilot testing package, pilot testing roster 4. Pilot Revised Case Definition a. Tasks: i. Implement revised case definition in participating jurisdictions ii. Assess performance, including PPV, data completeness, and implementation burden iii. Compare results of revised case definition to existing definition b. Deliverable: Pilot results and tester feedback 5. Review Pilot Findings and Revise Definition a. Tasks: i. Convene workgroup to review performance of revised case definition ii. Identify criteria that should be retained, modified, or removed b. Deliverable: Revision recommendations; case definition draft 6. Incorporate Additional Revisions a. Tasks: i. Allow for an additional round of revision of the draft definition with CSTE and CDC
6 | P a g e RFPT-F.V01.2025 b. Deliverable: Revised case definition draft 7. Finalize Case Definition and Implementation Guidance a. Tasks: i. Incorporate pilot findings and all stakeholder feedback ii. Finalize all drug overdose case definition and accompanying implementation guidance b. Deliverable: Final case definition and implementation guidance Timeline December 7, 2026 Contract start date March 1, 2027 Draft environmental scan findings summary due March 15, 2027 Begin pilot test of nonfatal EMS all drug overdose case definition April 1, 2027 Final environmental scan report due July 30, 2027 Final updated nonfatal EMS all drug overdose case definition and technical guidance due July 31, 2027 End of contract *Please note that the timeline is subject to change Section II. Contract Mechanism Mechanism of Support CSTE will manage matters related to financial support for this project. CSTE intends to commit up to $100,000.00 through contract mechanism. The final contract amount is contingent upon submission of a detailed and reasonable budget proposal to be approved by CSTE and the availability of funds. Successful applicants are expected to return a signed contract within 30 days of receiving it. See Attachment A for CSTE’s standard terms and conditions. Section III. Eligibility Information Eligible Applicants Applicants should be non-federal public health professionals (including, but not limited to, those from institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations, communication firms, public health agencies, or private consultants) with advanced knowledge and experience in overdose surveillance, EMS data, executing environmental scans, and developing case definitions. Applicants who are employed or work on behalf of state, local, Tribal, or territorial (STLT) health agencies are required to submit an outside activity form or secondary employment request (actual form may vary) that has been approved by their employer with their application. Current CSTE policy states that contracts should not be made with former CSTE staff unless approved by the CSTE Executive Director for extenuating circumstances. Please contact Rachel Jantz (contact@example.gov) if you have any questions about this policy or request an exemption.
7 | P a g e RFPT-F.V01.2025 Section IV. Application and Submission Information Content and Form of Application Submission The application should be no longer than 12 pages, and should be written using a 12-point, double- spaced, unreduced, Times New Roman font, on 8.5x11 inch paged paper with one-inch margins. Additional pages or appendices that are not required may not be reviewed. Please include the headings below in the order listed and address all the issues included under each heading. 1. Contact Information (1-page limit) a. Provide applicant contact information including email address, phone number, and mailing address. b. The applicant should provide their name as it is listed on their W-9 or EIN. 2. Experience (4-page limit) a. Describe prior experience as it relates to overdose surveillance, EMS data, executing environmental scans, and developing case definitions. b. Include all relevant experience of team members who would be assigned to this project. 3. Work Plan (6-page limit) a. Describe the implementation plan to complete the outlined deliverables. b. Please include a timeline for key activities and milestones. 4. Budget and Justification (1-page limit) a. Provide detailed budget and budget justification. 5. Other required documentation a. Outside activity form/secondary employment request (if applicable) For further assistance, technical questions, or inquiries about the application, contact Rachel Jantz (contact@example.gov). Representatives from CSTE will be available to speak to potential applicants to discuss technical or administrative questions. All questions and answers will be made available to all potential applicants upon request. Submission Dates and Times Submission, Review, and Anticipated Start Dates: • Application Submission Receipt Date: Submissions due by 11:59 PM EST November 18, 2026 • Award Notification Date: December 2, 2026 • Anticipated Start Date: December 7, 2026 Submitting an Application: Application materials should be sent to Rachel Jantz at contact@example.gov by 11:59 PM EST on November 18, 2026. Applications submitted after this deadline may not be reviewed. Notification of successful receipt of the application will be sent to the applicant upon request.
8 | P a g e RFPT-F.V01.2025 Section V. Application Review Information Criteria The following criteria will be used to review all submitted applications: 1. Experience a. Demonstrated expertise and/or prior experience of applicant and project staff (25 points) 2. Project Plan a. Applicant’s understanding of the project and deliverables (10 points) b. Detailed work plan, method, and timeline for completing work in timeframes listed above (40 points) c. Feasibility of proposed work plan (15 points) 3. Budget and Justifications (10 points) Review and Selection Process Eligible applications that are complete will be evaluated for scientific and technical merit by CSTE in accordance with the review criteria stated above. Submissions that do not comply with the technical requirements set in the RFP are considered nonresponsive and will be rejected. A review panel of CSTE National Office staff, CSTE Steering Committee members, and subject matter experts may score the applications. Funding awards will be made based upon the quality of the submitted proposal and the ability of the applicant to meet the criteria stated above. Section VI. Additional Information Award Notices All applicants will be notified via email no later than December 2, 2026. Contractor Responsibilities The award recipient will have primary responsibility for the following: 1) Accomplishing the objectives and completing the deliverables listed in this announcement 2) Providing written progress reports and invoices to CSTE as required in the contract Communicating through multiple avenues on a regular basis for feedback and discussion (e.g., conference calls, emails, etc.) 3) Actively engaging partners and stakeholders 4) Ensure, any information and communication technology which forms part of final deliverables provided hereunder must be 508 compliant. Final deliverables must fully conform to applicable revised 508 compliance standards prior to delivery to CSTE. For more information on 508 compliance visit: https://www.section508.gov/manage/laws-and-policies/ CSTE Responsibilities CSTE will have the primary responsibility for the following: 1) Serving as the awardee’s principal point of contact between participants, CDC, and other stakeholders 2) Facilitating work and providing avenues for communication between awardee and stakeholders
9 | P a g e RFPT-F.V01.2025 3) Monitoring the terms of the agreement 4) Funding according to the terms of the contract For More Information For more information, contact Rachel Jantz at contact@example.gov.
10 | P a g e RFPT-F.V01.2025 ATTACHMENT A CONTRACT TERMS AND CONDITIONS *Standard Terms and Conditions may differ from those presented here depending on amount and/or type of contract. CSTE may alter these terms and conditions as needed and Contractors are advised to review the final terms of the contract prior to execution. Federally funded contracts are subject to the Uniform Guidance 2 CFR 200 and 300 as well as the applicable sections of the US Department of Health and Human Services Non-Research Terms and Conditions. Article I – Statement of Work More details are set forth in Contractor’s Statement of Work as appended hereto as Attachment I. Article II – Cost A. The total amount to be paid by CSTE for the performance of this General Contract is $100,000.00 unless changed by written amendment to this Contract. B. Contractor agrees to abide by the Federal Awarding Agency’s requirements as outlined in these Terms and Conditions. Article III – Type of Contract This is a Fixed Price Contract. It is recognized by both parties that the actual price for this project may vary either above or below the price set forth in Article II, but will have no effect on that price, unless amended according to the terms herein. Article IV - Payment A. CSTE shall pay Contractor upon being invoiced by Contractor and upon approval of the invoice by CSTE. Invoice must include the Purchase Order #. Invoices shall be submitted according to the invoice schedule provided in this Contract, to: Rachel Jantz, MPH Senior Program Analyst Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists 2635 Century Parkway NE Suite 700 Atlanta, GA 30345-3112 contact@example.gov B. Subject to availability of funds, electronic bank-to-bank payment (automated clearing house, or ACH Payment) shall be made by CSTE to the Contractor within thirty (30) days of receipt of an accepted invoice. However, CSTE reserves the right to delay payment without liability beyond thirty days if such delay is the result of suspension, disruption or termination of funding related to a Cooperative Agreement between CSTE and CDC. In the event of a payment delay, CSTE will notify the Contractor of the delay and provide an estimated timeframe for payment if such information is available to CSTE. Contractor shall deliver to CSTE the ACH Payment details in a completed CSTE ACH Payment banking form (“ACH Payment Form”) sufficiently in advance of such payment due date. CSTE is not responsible for any fees or other charges that the Contractor may incur from any bank or otherwise, as a result of using ACH Payment, or for any damages that may result from any bank’s decision to withhold or delay the release of a payment. It is the Contractor’s sole responsibility to ensure that the ACH Payment information CSTE has on record remains correct.
11 | P a g e RFPT-F.V01.2025 Article V – Publicity No Party will use the name of the other in any publicity, advertising, or news release without the prior written approval of an authorized representative of that Party. Article VI – Governing Laws This Contract shall be governed and construed in accordance with laws of the State of Georgia. Article VII – Regulatory Compliance The Contractor agrees to comply with and abide by all relevant and applicable laws and regulations of federal, state, and local governments/agencies. Article VIII – Rights in Data, Publication, and Copyright Contractor agrees that CSTE shall own the entire right, title, and interest, including all patents, copyrights, and other intellectual property rights, in and to all tangible materials, inventions, works of authorship, software, information and data solely conceived or developed by CSTE in the performance of the project and developed using CSTE facilities and personnel (“CSTE Technology”). CSTE agrees that Contractor shall own the entire right, title, and interest, including all patents copyrights, and other intellectual property rights, in and to all tangible materials, inventions, works of authorship, software, information and data solely conceived or developed by Contractor personnel, or conceived or developed using Contractor facilities under this Agreement (“Contractor Technology”). Additionally, the Parties agree that they will jointly own the entire right, title, and interest, including all patents, copyrights, and other intellectual property rights, in and to all tangible materials, inventions, works of authorship, software, information and data jointly conceived or developed by the parties in the performance of the project (“Joint Technology”). Each Party further agrees to acknowledge the other Party’s participation in the project in scholarly publications, in listings of sponsored research projects, and for other academic purposes. Federal grant and cooperative agreement funds and support shall be acknowledged, as appropriate and directed by the CDC, in any publication written or published by Contractor, for the purpose of reporting the results of or describing a federal grant or cooperative agreement supported activity. The acknowledgement shall include the following information: “This [project/publication/program/website, etc.] [is/was] supported by The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $XX with 100 percent funded by CDC/HHS. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the views of, nor an endorsement by, CDC/HHS, or the U.S. Government.” The provisions of this Article shall survive the expiration or termination for any reason of this Contract. Article IX – Intellectual Property Each Party’s existing and/or already conceived inventions, discoveries, patents, products, or other information developed in whole or part in connection with this Agreement shall remain exclusively their own in accordance with 37 CFR Part 401. Any IP developed in whole or in part in connection with this Contract shall be jointly owned by both Parties. As such, Contractor, CSTE and CSTE’s prime funder reserve a royalty-free, nonexclusive, and irrevocable right to produce, publish or otherwise use, and to authorize others to use the work for non-commercial purposes. The provisions of this Article shall survive the expiration or termination for any reason of this Contract.
12 | P a g e RFPT-F.V01.2025 Article X – Termination or Suspension A. Either Party may terminate this Contract hereto by giving written notice to the other party fifteen (15) days in advance of a specified date of termination. If this Contract is over $10,000, CSTE retains the right to terminate for convenience on behalf of the Federal Government. B. If a Cooperative Agreement between CSTE and CDC has been suspended or terminated in whole or in relevant part, CSTE shall provide prompt written notice to Contractor regarding such notice. In the event of suspension or termination of a Cooperative Agreement between CSTE and CDC in whole or in relevant part, CSTE may terminate or suspend this Agreement immediately with notice to Contractor and without liability to Contractor. Such termination or suspension of this Agreement will take effect upon receipt of written notice to Contractor from CSTE. In the event of termination or suspension, CSTE shall not be liable to Contractor for costs incurred prior to the effective date of suspension or termination, including uncancellable obligations. C. As of the effective date of any suspension or termination, Contractor will stop work and Contractor will not incur any new obligations related to this Agreement. D. If Contractor fails to perform to CSTE’s satisfaction any material requirement of this Contract or is in violation of a material provision of this Contract, CSTE may either: (a) terminate the Contract with written notice, effective immediately or (b) enforce the terms and conditions of the Contract. E. Upon receipt of such notice from CSTE of termination or suspension, Contractor shall take all necessary action to cancel outstanding purchase orders and other commitments relating to the project under this Contract and shall exercise reasonable diligence to cancel its activities and operations. F. CSTE shall remain liable for all costs incurred under this Contract, including any of the above-mentioned commitments entered into by Contractor in good faith prior to the receipt of the termination notice, unless such termination is the result of a material breach by the Contractor, is the result of termination, suspension or disruption of funding under a Cooperative Agreement between CSTE and CDC in which case Contractor agrees that it alone is responsible for the expenses and costs incurred under this Agreement and that CSTE has no liability for such costs. G. Upon payment of such costs, CSTE shall be entitled to, and Contractor agrees to deliver, the information and items, which, if the project hereunder had been completed, would have been required to be furnished to CSTE. Article XI – Non-Solicitation Agreement During the term of this Contract and for one (1) year thereafter, Contractor will not offer work to, solicit or induce for employment, employ, or contract with, personnel of CSTE, without first obtaining the written consent of applicable CSTE Managing Directors. Article XII – Independent Contractor A. In the performance of all services hereunder, Contractor is not an employee of CSTE and shall be an independent contractor. B. No Party is authorized or empowered to act as agent for any other for any purpose and shall not on behalf of any other enter into any contract, warranty, or representation as to any matter. None shall be bound by the acts or conduct of any other. Moreover, the Parties agree that CSTE does not dictate or interfere with how Contractor manages their business. Contractor at all times retains the right to work for other clients. As provided under the Department of Labor’s Fair Labor Standards Act guidance, Contractor retains full management of its business, including: 1. Its ability to manage its business for profit or loss 2. the sole responsibility for investing capital into its business and exploring opportunities to expand its market base. The Contractor’s relationship with CSTE will not extend beyond the Period of Performance of this Contract. The Contractor is engaging in work that is incidental to CSTE’s overall mission or business. The Contractor is entering into this Contract fully skilled and able to perform the obligations under this Contract. The Contractor
13 | P a g e RFPT-F.V01.2025 is the sole determinator of its business (hours of work, marketing, workspace, equipment, supplies, taxes and insurance etc. Article XIII – Indemnification A. CSTE assumes all risk of liability with respect to its performance of any activities relating to this project, other than liability arising out of an act of omission of Contractor, and shall indemnify and hold Contractor harmless from all liability arising out of acts or omissions of CSTE, its employees and agents. B. Contractor assumes all risk of liability with respect to its performance of any activity relating to this project, other than liability arising out of any act or omission of CSTE, and shall indemnify and hold CSTE harmless from all liability arising out of acts or omission of Contractor, its employees and agents. [Continues next page]
14 | P a g e RFPT-F.V01.2025 Article XIV – Anti Discrimination Compliance Contractor certifies it has a Form 690 on file with the Department of Health and Human Service’s Office of Civil Rights. Contractor understands that compliance with all federal anti-discrimination laws is a material condition and agrees that it will comply with: • Title VI of the Civil Rights act of 1964, as amended (codified at 42 U.S.C. 2000d et seq.), and all requirements imposed by or pursuant to the Regulation of the Department of Health and Human Services (45 CFR Part 80); • Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended (codified at 29 U.S.C. 794), and all requirements imposed by or pursuant to the Regulation of the Department of Health and Human Services (45 CFR Part 84); • Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, as amended (codified at 20 U.S.C. § 1681 et seq.), and all requirements imposed by or pursuant to the Regulation of the Department of Health and Human Services (45 CFR Part 86); • The Age Discrimination Act of 1975, as amended (codified at 42 U.S.C. § 6101 et seq.), and all requirements imposed by or pursuant to the Regulation of the Department of Health and Human Services (45 CFR Part 91); and • Section 1557 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, as amended (codified at 42 U.S.C. § 18116), and all requirements imposed by or pursuant to the Regulation of the Department of Health and Human Services (45 CFR Part 92). Article XV – Contractor Certifications A. Debarment and Suspension (2 CFR 200.214) Contractor certifies to the best of its knowledge and belief that it is not presently debarred, suspended, or proposed for debarment or declared ineligible for the awards of Contracts, by any Federal Agency, in accordance with OMB Guidelines. B. Certification of Non-Delinquency of Federal Debt Contractor certifies that it is in compliance with the Non-Delinquency on Federal Debt criteria, in accordance with OMB Circular A-129. C. Certification of Drug-Free Workplace Contractor certifies that it has implemented appropriate policy in accordance with the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988, and 2 CFR 182. D. Certification Regarding Lobbying If this contract exceeds $100,000, Contractor certifies its compliance with the Byrd Anti-Lobbying Amendment and certifies to CSTE that it will not and has not used Federal appropriated funds to pay any person or organization for influencing or attempting to influence an officer or employee of any agency, a member of Congress, officer or employee of Congress, or an employee of a member of Congress in connection with obtaining any Federal contract, grant or any other award covered by 31 U.S.C. 1352. Furthermore, the Contractor will disclose any lobbying with non-Federal funds that takes place in connection with obtaining any Federal award and understands that such disclosure is forwarded from tier to tier up to the non-Federal award/Company. E. Conflicts of Interest The Contractor must maintain written standards of conduct covering conflicts of interest and governing the performance of its employees engaged in the selection, award and administration of contracts. No employee, officer, or agent may participate in the selection, award, or administration of a contract supported by an award if he or she has a real or apparent conflict of interest. Such a conflict of interest would arise when the
15 | P a g e RFPT-F.V01.2025 employee, officer, or agent, any member of his or her immediate family, his or her partner, or an organization which employs or is about to employ any of the parties indicated herein, has a financial or other interest in or a tangible personal benefit from a firm considered for a contract. The officers, employees, and agents of the Contractor must neither solicit nor accept gratuities, favors, or anything of monetary value from contractors or parties to subcontracts. However, the Contractor may set standards for situations in which the financial interest is not substantial or the gift is an unsolicited item of nominal value. The standards of conduct must provide for disciplinary actions to be applied for violations of such standards by officers, employees, or agents of the Contractor. F. Misconduct in Science Contractor certifies that it has established administrative policies as required by 42 CFR § 93.103. G. Procurement of recovered materials. Company and its contractors shall comply with section 6002 of the Solid Waste Disposal Act, as amended by the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act. The requirements of Section 6002 include procuring only items designated in guidelines of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) at 40 CFR part 247 that contain the highest percentage of recovered materials practicable, consistent with maintaining a satisfactory level of competition, where the purchase price of the item exceeds $10,000 or the value of the quantity acquired during the preceding fiscal year exceeded $10,000; procuring solid waste management services in a manner that maximizes energy and resource recovery; and establishing an affirmative procurement program for procurement of recovered materials identified in the EPA guidelines. H. Prohibition on certain telecommunications and video surveillance services or equipment (2 CFR 200.216) Recipients and subrecipients are prohibited from obligating or expending grant funds to: (1) Procure or obtain, (2) Extend or renew a contract to procure or obtain, or (3) Enter into a contract (or extend or renew a contract) to procure or obtain, equipment, services or systems that uses covered telecommunications equipment or services as a substantial or essential component of any system, or as critical technology as part of any system. As described in Ps CFR 200.216, covered telecommunications equipment is telecommunications equipment produced by Huawei Technologies Company or ZTE Corporation (or any subsidiary or affiliate of such entities). (1) For the purpose of public safety, security of government facilities, physical security surveillance of critical infrastructure, and other national security purposes, video surveillance and telecommunications equipment produced by Hytera Communications Corporation, Hangzhou Hikvision Digital Technology Company, or Dahua Technology Company (or any subsidiary or affiliate of such entities). (2) Telecommunications or video surveillance services provided by such entities or using such equipment. (3) Telecommunications or video surveillance equipment or services produced or provided by an entity that the Secretary of Defense, in consultation with the Director of the National Intelligence or the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, reasonably believes to be an entity owned or controlled by, or otherwise connected to, the government of a covered foreign country. Article XVI – Changes The Contract may be modified or amended if the amendment is made in writing and signed by both Parties.
16 | P a g e RFPT-F.V01.2025 Article XVII – Retention and Access to Records Contractor shall retain records pertinent to this project for 3 years after the end of the project unless any litigation, claim, financial management review, or audit is started before the expiration of the 3-year period. In the case of any of these actions, records shall be retained until all actions have been resolved. Recipient agrees to provide CSTE, the Comptroller General of the United States, and if appropriate, the State, through their duly authorized representative, access to and the right to examine all records, books, papers, or documents which are related to this project. Article - XVIII – Clean Air Act and Federal Water Pollution Control Act If the agreed to price of this Contract exceeds $150,000, Contractor agrees to comply with all applicable standards, orders, or regulations issued pursuant to the Clean Air act, 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq., and the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, as amended 33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq. Article XIX – Smoke-Free Workplace Contractor agrees to provide a smoke-free workplace and promote the nonuse of tobacco products. Workplace is defined to mean office space (including private offices and other workspace), conference or meeting rooms, corridors, stairways, lobbies, restrooms, cafeterias, and other public spaces. Article XX – Required Disclosures for Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System (FAPIIS) Contractor must disclose, in a timely manner in writing to CSTE (pass through entity) and the HHS OIG, all information related to violations of federal criminal law involving fraud, bribery, or gratuity violations potentially affecting the federal award. (2 CFR 200.113) Disclosures must be sent in writing to CSTE and to the HHS OIG at the following addresses: CSTE Office of Grants and Contracts ATTN: Jackie McClain, Director, Grants and Contracts 2635 Century Parkway Suite 700 Atlanta GA 30345 Email: contact@example.gov U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General ATTN: Mandatory Grant Disclosures, Intake Coordinator 330 Independence Avenue, SW Cohen Building, Room 5527 Washington, DC 20201 Email: contact@example.gov Article XXI – Confidentiality Both Parties acknowledge that during the course of this Contract, each may obtain confidential information regarding the other Party’s business. Both Parties agree to treat all such information and the terms of this Contract as confidential and to take all reasonable precautions against disclosure of such information to unauthorized third parties during and after the term of this Contract. Article XXII – Severability If any provision of this Contract shall be held to be invalid or unenforceable for any reason, the remaining provisions shall continue to be valid and enforceable. If a court finds that any provision of this Contract is invalid or unenforceable, but that by limiting such provision it would become valid and enforceable, then such provision shall be deemed to be written, construed, and enforced as so limited.
17 | P a g e RFPT-F.V01.2025 Article XXIII - Warranty Contractor shall provide that any services provided under this Contract will meet, or exceed, the local standard of similar service providers in the community. Further, any products provided under this Contract shall meet the merchantability and fitness standards for the intended purpose. [END OF TERMS AND CONDITIONS]