Evaluation Contractor for the Strategic Prevention Framework-Partnerships for Success Grant

Agency:	State of Vermont
State:	Vermont
Type of Government:	State & Local
NAICS Category:	541611 - Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services
Posted Date:	Mar 20, 2026
Due Date:	Apr 17, 2026
Original Source:	Please Login to View Page
Contact information:	Please Login to View Page
Bid Documents:	Please Login to View Page

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Agency of Administration, Buildings and General Services on behalf of

Agency of Human Services, Department of Health

133 State Street, 5th Floor | Montpelier VT 05633-8000

802-828-2211 phone |802-828-2222 fax

http://bgs.vermont.gov/purchasing

SEALED BID

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL

Evaluation Contractor for the Strategic Prevention

Framework-Partnerships for Success Grant

ISSUE DATE

QUESTIONS DUE

RFP RESPONSES DUE BY

March, 20, 2026

April, 3, 2026 – 4:30 PM (ET)

April, 17, 2026 – 4:30 PM (ET)

PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT ALL NOTIFICATIONS, RELEASES, AND ADDENDUMS ASSOCIATED

WITH THIS RFP WILL BE POSTED AT:

http://www.bgs.state.vt.us/pca/bids/bids.php

THE STATE WILL MAKE NO ATTEMPT TO CONTACT INTERESTED PARTIES WITH UPDATED

INFORMATION. IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF EACH BIDDER TO PERIODICALLY CHECK THE

ABOVE WEBPAGEFOR ANY AND ALL NOTIFICATIONS, RELEASES AND ADDENDUMS

ASSOCIATED WITH THIS RFP.

STATE CONTACT: Kyle Emerson

E-MAIL: sov.thepathforward@vermont.gov

USE SUBJECT: DSU EVALUATION SERVICES

Revised: March 18, 2025

Page 1 of 47

1. OVERVIEW:

SCOPE AND BACKGROUND: In the fall of 2025, the Vermont Department of Health (hereinafter the

“State”) was awarded a five (5) year federally funded cooperative grant called the Strategic Prevention

Framework-Partnerships for Success for States (hereinafter “PFS”), from the Substance Abuse and

Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). PFS is designed to reduce the onset and progression

of alcohol and cannabis use/misuse by youth and young adults by expanding the capacity of community-

based organizations statewide to implement and sustain prevention services in communities with high

substance misuse rates; promoting the use of evidence-based interventions and/or practices to maximize

positive health outcomes; and, addressing larger, more systematic structural issues related to access to

high quality prevention services for all populations that are relevant, recovery-oriented and trauma-

informed as a means of improving overall health and wellbeing. The PFS initiative is grounded in the

Strategic Prevention Framework (SPF), a model based in public health principles, including being data-

driven and focused on providing evidence-based services to underserved communities. PFS requires the

collection of outcome data that enables SAMHSA to report on key outcome measures relating to the

program. In addition to outcome data, performance measures collected by recipients will be used to

demonstrate how SAMHSA’s programs are reducing disparities in behavioral health access, service use,

and outcomes nationwide.

Vermont’s PFS initiative – Regional Prevention Partnerships (hereinafter “RPP”) – will utilize the existing

Vermont Prevention Lead Organization (VPLO) structure to strengthen and increase state, regional, and

community prevention capacity to identify and address substance use prevention concerns related to use

and misuse of alcohol and cannabis. The population of focus is largely rural youth and young adults ages

13-25 statewide. Youth and young adults in Vermont use cannabis and drink alcohol at higher rates than

the national average. The program goals are:

Goal 1: Establish a data-driven statewide, regional, and community-specific approach for

delivering evidence-based substance misuse prevention strategies to reduce rates of cannabis and

alcohol use among youth and young adults, including the development of an updated registry of

evidence-based and promising practices specific to the communities where youth and young adults

are served.

Goal 2: Implement evidence-based strategies to reduce risk factors and increase protective factors

that minimize the initiation of use or misuse of cannabis and alcohol among youth and young

adults.

Goal 3: Maintain and strengthen state, regional and community level capacity and infrastructure to

reduce high-risk behaviors in communities that may contribute to youth and young adult substance

use/misuse.

Through this Request for Proposal (RFP) the State is seeking to establish a contract with one company

that can provide evaluation services for the five-year PFS grant, including a comprehensive evaluation of

the RPP program that meets federal data collection, reporting and submission requirements, engages

stakeholders (hereinafter “interest holders”), and utilizes both quantitative and qualitative methods, with

an emphasis on community-based qualitative work.

1.1. CONTRACT PERIOD: The contract arising from this RFP will be for a period of five (5) years. The State

anticipates the start date for such contract(s) will be on or around June 1, 2026.

1.2. SINGLE POINT OF CONTACT: All communications concerning this RFP are to be addressed in writing

to the State Contact listed on the front page of this RFP. Actual or attempted contact with any other

individual from the State concerning this RFP is strictly prohibited and may result in disqualification.

1.3. QUESTION AND ANSWER PERIOD: Any bidder requiring clarification of any section of this RFP or

wishing to comment on any requirement of the RFP must submit specific questions in writing no later than

the deadline for question indicated on the first page of this RFP. Questions may be e-mailed to the point

of contact on the front page of this RFP. Questions or comments not raised in writing on or before the last

day of the question period are thereafter waived. At the close of the question period a copy of all

questions or comments and the State's responses will be posted on the State’s web site

http://www.bgs.state.vt.us/pca/bids/bids.php . Every effort will be made to post this information as soon as

possible after the question period ends, contingent on the number and complexity of the questions. All

information provided by vendors during this process will be public and bidders shall not provide

confidential information, except as described in 4.1 below.

Revised: March 18, 2025

Page 2 of 47

1.4. CHANGES TO THIS RFP: Any modifications to this RFP will be made in writing by the State through the

issuance of an Addendum to this RFP and posted online at http://www.bgs.state.vt.us/pca/bids/bids.php .

Modifications from any other source are not to be considered.

1.5. SOURCE OF FUNDS: This project is being funded in whole or in part using federal monies and are

therefore applicable to federal funding limitations and guidance (see SAMHSA’s Standards for Financial

Management and Standard Funding Restrictions, Section F). If a bidder requires assistance in preparing

their proposal or needs guidance on socioeconomic certifications, the bidder may contact the VT APEX

Accelerator. The APEX Accelerator specializes in helping small businesses navigate the documentation

associated with State and Federal procurement. Their website is: http://apex.vermont.gov.

If incentives are required for data collection, please note the incentive restrictions of this funding:

https://www.samhsa.gov/grants/grants-management/policies/additional-directives.

2. DETAILED REQUIREMENTS/DESIRED OUTCOMES:

The State is seeking to contract with one external evaluation partner to provide evaluation services for the five

(5) year PFS grant.

The contracted evaluator will complete a mixed-methods evaluation of RPP program activities, ensuring that

evaluation findings are relevant to interest holders and the populations of focus. The evaluation contractor will

refine the existing program logic model, develop a comprehensive evaluation plan to guide evaluation activities

and provide an accessible evaluation report based on findings. The scope and content of the evaluation will be

determined in conjunction with State staff and program interest holders and will be based on programmatic

needs, federal grant requirements, and available funding.

Evaluations are intended to determine programmatic/intervention reach and impact and guide program

improvement. The contracted evaluator will be expected to be involved in engaging interest holders, creating

evaluation design, conducting data collection and analysis, preparing recommendations, and facilitating the use

of evaluation findings. The evaluation will also need to be designed such that they can determine if there are

any negative/unintended results from programmatic activities that need to be addressed, corrected, and

improved. In such cases where negative/unintended effects are identified, the contractor will be asked to

identify and recommend remediation approaches when appropriate. The evaluation must meet SAMHSA grant

requirements, and the contractors must use funder-provided templates, forms, and approaches for evaluations,

as required unless otherwise specified.

The contracted evaluator will:

• Collaborate with the State project team, evaluation staff, and contracted partners throughout the project

duration.

• Update and refine the RPP program logic model.

• Develop an evaluation plan for a participatory evaluation of the RPP program which aims to provide

relevant and useful findings to interest holders and identified populations of focus. The evaluation plan

will also assess evidence-based strategy implementation (e.g., fidelity) and approaches used to build

organizational capacity at the community-level related to prevention.

• Identify performance measures and outcome data, develop data collection tools, and collect and

analyze data as outlined in the evaluation plan.

• Support grant reporting, including but not limited to PFS required annual targets, quarterly reports,

annual impact reporting and programmatic progress reports. At a minimum, grant-required performance

and outcome data from existing data sources will include:

Revised: March 18, 2025

Page 3 of 47

Performance Measures

Data Source

Number of individuals reached through one or more Grantee quarterly

indirect/population-based prevention efforts

reports via Alchemer

Number and demographics of individuals served Grantee quarterly

through direct/individual-based prevention efforts. reports via Alchemer

Prevention strategies by IOM category (universal, Grantee quarterly

selected, indicated) and approach (policy, program, reports via Alchemer

practice)

Perceived risk of harm from using substances

Young Adult Survey,

(Intervening variable - Risk Factor Reduction)

Youth Risk Behavior

Survey

% of Policy and Communication Evaluation (PACE) PACE

participants who have seen a prevention messaging

campaign have made a positive behavior change in

the subsequent three months (Intervening Variable -

Protective Factor Promotion)

Past 30-day alcohol and cannabis use by youth and Young Adult Survey,

young adults (Consumption or Behavior Variable) Youth Risk Behavior

Survey

The rate of Youth Substance Abuse Safety Program YSASP

(YSASP) alcohol and marijuana citations for youth

under 21 (Consequence Variable)

Collection Frequency

Quarterly

Bi-Annual

Annual

Bi-Annual

Annual

• Submit data via SAMHSA’s Performance Accountability and Reporting System (SPARS) within

established reporting deadlines in coordination with Grant Manager.

• Utilize qualitative and quantitative methods in the evaluation, with an emphasis on community-based

qualitative work.

• Ensure all prepared documents meet federal accessibility requirements.

• Participate fully in all aspects of a cross-site evaluation, as requested by SAMHSA.

The contracted partner may also be requested to conduct, or assist State staff to conduct, evaluation capacity

building activities for State staff and partners including technical assistance and/or trainings.

The anticipated funds for this work are $175,000 per grant year. Management of activities under the contract

awarded through this procurement will be provided by the program team and other evaluation staff within the

State Division of Substance Use Programs (DSU). The program team, evaluation staff, and contractor will

discuss and clarify the project specifications, including an agreement on the scope, workplan, and budget,

before work begins.

3. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS:

3.1. PRICING: Bidders must price the terms of this solicitation at their best pricing. Any and all costs that

Bidder wishes the State to consider must be submitted for consideration. If applicable, all equipment

pricing is to include F.O.B. delivery to the ordering facility. No request for extra delivery cost will be

honored. All equipment shall be delivered assembled, serviced, and ready for immediate use, unless

otherwise requested by the State.

3.1.1.Prices and/or rates shall remain firm for the initial term of the contract. The pricing policy submitted by

Bidder must (i) be clearly structured, accountable, and auditable and (ii) cover the full spectrum of

materials and/or services required.

3.1.2.Cooperative Agreements. Bidders that have been awarded similar contracts through a competitive

bidding process with another state and/or cooperative are welcome to submit the pricing in response

to this solicitation.

Revised: March 18, 2025

Page 4 of 47

3.2. STATEMENT OF RIGHTS: The State shall have the authority to evaluate Responses and select the

Bidder(s) as may be determined to be in the best interest of the State and consistent with the goals and

performance requirements outlined in this RFP. The State of Vermont reserves the right to obtain

clarification or additional information necessary to properly evaluate a proposal. Failure of bidder to

respond to a request for additional information or clarification could result in rejection of that bidder's

proposal. To secure a project that is deemed to be in the best interest of the State, the State reserves

the right to accept or reject any and all bids, in whole or in part, with or without cause, and to waive

technicalities in submissions. The State also reserves the right to make purchases outside of the

awarded contracts where it is deemed in the best interest of the State.

3.2.1.Best and Final Offer (BAFO). At any time after submission of Responses and prior to the final

selection of Bidder(s) for Contract negotiation or execution, the State may invite Bidder(s) to provide a

BAFO. The state reserves the right to request BAFOs from only those Bidders that meet the minimum

qualification requirements and/or have not been eliminated from consideration during the evaluation

process.

3.2.2.Presentation. An in-person or webinar presentation by the Bidder may be required by the State if it

will help the State’s evaluation process. The State will factor information presented during

presentations into the evaluation. Bidders will be responsible for all costs associated with providing

the presentation.

3.3. CONFLICTS OF INTEREST:

3.3.1.Organizational Conflict of Interest (OCOI): An OCOI arises when a bidder as a business entity has

interests (for example, customers, partners, contracts) that could undermine, or reasonably be

perceived to undermine, its faithful and unbiased performance of a contract with the State that may

result from this solicitation.

3.3.2.Personal Conflict of Interest (PCOI): A PCOI arises when an interest held by an individual, agent or

employee of a bidder could undermine, or reasonably be perceived to undermine, its faithful and

unbiased performance of a contract with the State that may result from this solicitation.

3.3.3.Requirements: The State does not seek to contract with any individual or business entity having a

conflict of interest which cannot be mitigated to the State’s satisfaction. To ensure the State’s

awareness of actual, potential, or reasonably perceived PCOIs and OCOIs, bidders shall:

a) Prior to submitting a proposal, conduct an internal review of its current affiliations and activities and

identify actual, potential, or reasonably perceived PCOIs or OCOIs relative to a contract with the

State that may result from this solicitation.

b) Disclose in your proposal any actual or potential PCOI or OCOI or the existence of any facts that

may cause a reasonably prudent person to perceive a PCOI or OCOI with respect to a contract

with the State that may result from this solicitation. Disclose, also, any actions proposed to mitigate

the PCOI or OCOI.

3.3.4.The State shall have sole discretion to determine whether a PCOI or OCOI can be mitigated to the

State’s satisfaction and may discuss the conflict with the bidder if and to the extent the State deems

discussion necessary to its determination. The State reserves the right to (a) reject from further

consideration any proposal having a PCOI or OCIO that cannot be mitigated to the State’s full

satisfaction and (b) terminate a contract upon discovery that a contractor failed to disclose facts

pertaining to a PCOI or OCOI in its proposal, or otherwise misrepresented relevant information to the

State.

3.4. WORKER CLASSIFICATION COMPLIANCE REQUIREMENTS: In accordance with Section 32 of The

Vermont Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Act No. 54), Bidders must comply with the following

provisions and requirements.

3.4.1.Self Reporting: For bid amounts exceeding $250,000.00, Bidder shall complete the appropriate

section in the attached Certificate of Compliance for purposes of self-reporting information relating to

past violations, convictions, suspensions, and any other information related to past performance

relative to coding and classification of workers. The State is requiring information on any violations

that occurred in the previous 12 months.

Revised: March 18, 2025

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This page summarizes the opportunity, including an overview and a preview of the attached documents.

TITLE	QUESTIONS DUE	ANSWERS POSTED	DUE DATE	NO POSTING AFTER
Evaluation Contractor for the Strategic Prevention Framework-Partnerships for Success Grant	04/03/2026 04:30PM		04/17/2026 04:30PM

Evaluation Contractor for the Strategic Prevention Framework-Partnerships for Success Grant

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