Youth and Young Adult Vaping Cessation

The Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH), through its Office of Tobacco Control, has issued a solicitation seeking sealed bids from qualified contractors to provide Youth and Young Adult Vaping Cessation Services statewide. The program targets individuals aged 13 to 24—including middle school, high school, and college-aged youth—in response to concerning statistics from state tobacco surveys indicating high levels of e-cigarette use among Mississippi youth. The contractor is expected to design, implement, and manage an evidence-based vaping cessation program featuring personalized quit plans, behavioral support such as text or web-based counseling, culturally appropriate messaging, and ongoing participant engagement. Key deliverables include the development of digital educational materials, a social media engagement strategy with pre-approved content, a unique tracking keyword for program analytics, and annual stakeholder meetings to monitor and improve program effectiveness. The contract allows for up to five years of performance with possible renewals, but does not guarantee minimum utilization. Evaluation of bids will be strictly pass/fail on responsiveness and responsibility criteria, with award made on a Lowest Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA) basis. The contract imposes several special requirements, including compliance with state procurement regulations, HIPAA and data privacy standards, employee eligibility verification via E-Verify, prohibitions on contingent fees and conflicts of interest, and public transparency of records. Contractors must maintain a quality control program and support inspection of their facilities by MSDH. Payment will be made electronically through the state accounting system, with invoice submission required electronically as well. While specific pricing information and contract value are not provided, the solicitation outlines a requirements contract structure with no guaranteed minimums, reflecting a need-based ordering system. This initiative aligns with public health goals to reduce vaping incidence among youth by providing accessible, tailored cessation resources across Mississippi.