CDC-RFA-DP20-2001: National and State Tobacco Control Program

Applications must be submitted by April 3, 2020 by 11:59 p.m. U.S. Eastern Standard Time at www.grants.gov.

Forms can be accessed by looking under the “Package” Tab of the NOFO on grants.gov. Clicking on the “Preview” Link will allow access to the mandatory and optional forms for the application package.

The NOFO provides the required documents to upload. A checklist will not be provided.

The following are the page limits for each section.

• Table of Contents: No page limit
• Abstract: Maximum 1 page that includes Component 1 and Component 2
• Project Narrative: 20 pages for Component 1 and 20 pages for Component 2
• Budgets: No page limit
• Work Plans: Included in the Project Narrative’s page limits

Yes; however, the applicant is only required to submit the letters of supports and resumes/CVs that are listed in the NOFO.

Yes.

Applicants are required to upload the draft RFP into www.grants.gov. Applicant can name the file “Draft RFP.”

Yes.

No.

No.

Each component of the application will be evaluated by an objective review panel based on each item referenced in Section E. Review and Selection Process of the NOFO. Each reviewer will provide a thorough and consistent examination of the applications based on an unbiased evaluation of scientific or technical merit or other relevant aspects of the proposal.

The applicant should ensure that the Project Narrative does not exceed the maximum limit of 20 pages (single spaced, 12-point font, 1-inch margins) for each component. Additionally, each component must address the items referenced in Section E. Review and Selection Process of the NOFO. All pages should be numbered as content beyond the specified limit will not be reviewed.

The Approach Section is 45 points for each component.

For each Component, different elements will be scored based on the criteria outlined in the NOFO. Under Approach, Component 1 does not include a Background and Need element.

Component 1: There are 51 state governments or their bona fide agents (includes the District of Columbia) who are eligible to apply for Component 1. The CDC will award up to 51 recipients based on the objective review process.

Component 2: There are 51 state governments or their bona fide agents (includes the District of Columbia) and 8 U.S. Territorial/Jurisdictional governments or their bona fide agents (Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianna Islands, American Samoa, Guam, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau) who are eligible to apply for Component 2. The CDC will award up to 53 recipients based on the objective review process.

The NOFO does not require a specific number of collaborations. Applicants are required to submit two letters of support that address how they will collaborate with CDC-funded programs.

Applicants are not required to use the table but are required to include all of the elements listed within the table. If applicants have a large number of coalition partners, the applicant should consider listing the coalition partners that will be critical to achieving the activities in the work plan. If an applicant decides to use the table, it should be included in the 20-page Project Narrative.

Elements refer to both the columns and rows., If the statewide tobacco coalition does not include a member representing a stated category, the applicant can write non-applicable (N/A).

It is not a requirement to have one statewide coalition represented by all sectors. All sectors identified in the table do not have to serve on the statewide coalition.

Yes.

It is not a requirement of this NOFO; however, you are encouraged to partner with the ASQ and leverage resources.

No.

In the NOFO on pages 30-31, the applicant can find suggestions of national partners to collaborate with when developing their work plan.

The ads were created for adults to educate them on the harmful effects nicotine can have on youth and young adult developing brains. The “It’s a Fact” PSA product was not tested and the “Any Volunteers” PSA was tested with adults and parents.

Applicants can review Best Practices User Guide: Health Communications and National Cancer Institute Tobacco Control Monograph on The Role of the Media in Promoting and Reducing Tobacco Use for recommended earned and social media activities.

Choosing and training spokespeople is an earned media strategy.

The federal agency name listed on page 3 is Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) / Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR). Both CDC and ATSDR are agencies of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The Director of CDC also serves as the Administrator of ATSDR.

The estimated award date is the approximate date when a recipient will receive the notice of award. The approximate date for notice of awards to be released is May 28, 2020 for a start date of June 29, 2020.

May 28, 2020 is an estimated date for notice of awards. Because this date is an estimate, notice of awards can be released prior to and after May 28, 2020.

The applicant can leverage existing contracts or cooperative agreements. Applicants are required to include in their application a contract, a draft request for proposal (RFP) or a cooperative agreement that will fund at least one local lead agency to implement tobacco control strategies and activities.

If the state’s RFP includes all the required strategies and activities as outlined in pages 14-17 of the NOFO and reaches the selected population that are disparately affected by tobacco use and dependence and SHS exposure within a community, the applicant can use the current state’s RFP.

Yes, recipients are allowed to use a competitive bid process to select the local lead agency.

Yes.

Local lead agencies (e.g., community-based organizations, local health departments, federally-recognized American Indian Tribe/Alaska Native Villages) serve specific populations, in order to implement evidence-based programs and activities targeted to that population.

No, the applicant is only required to submit a draft RFP or cooperative agreement. The applicant will fund the local lead agency within the first six months of the award.

No

For Year 1, the readiness assessment provides a baseline for any barriers for implementation of the strategies and activities. During Years 2-4, recipients will conduct an additional readiness assessment to identify barriers to success, as these barriers may be different from Year 1.

The NOFO requires only one local lead agency; however, the recipient can fund more than one local lead agency.

No.

The NOFO requires the applicant to identify the population(s) that is disparately affected by tobacco use and dependence and SHS exposure and provide justification for selecting the population(s) group for targeted evidence-based programs and activities. Once awarded, the applicant can work with the Project Officer to make any changes.

No. The letter of support from the local lead agency will be submitted during performance Year 1.

The applicant is not required to include the joint readiness in the application or draft RFP. The purpose of the Joint Readiness Assessment is to confirm the readiness of the selected community to implement tobacco control strategies and activities. In year 1, the recipient, local lead agency, and coalition will collaborate to complete an assessment that provides evidence related to the selected community’s a) motivation, b) general capacity, and 3) intervention-specific capacities. CDC will provide technical assistance for conducting the readiness assessment.

For the draft RFP, applicants are not required to include data collection activities. During year one and in collaboration with the local lead agency and coalition, the recipient will develop a five year evaluation plan and determine the data collections activities.

For the draft RFP, applicants are not required to include the lesson learned document/publication. Guidance for the lessons learned document/publication will be provided during year 1. The document/publication will be due during Year 5.

The NOFO only requires applicants to select one population and one community; however, the applicant can select additional populations and local lead agencies. If the applicant selects two populations disparately affected by tobacco use and dependence and secondhand smoke exposure, then the applicant will need to bring four individuals that understand the unique cultural differences of the selected populations to the required training.

For the purposes of this NOFO, a community is defined as a city, county, parish, or jurisdiction/sub-jurisdiction, including rural areas.

The recipient is not required to conduct an additional readiness assessment; however, the recipient should work with the Project Officer to ensure the readiness assessment meets CDC’s requirements. The recipient is not required to develop an additional coalition.

Yes.

Yes.

Yes.

Yes.

For the community health needs assessment, the recipient, local lead agency, and coalition will work together to provide specific information about the community and selected population.

Yes, as long as the recipient will collaborate with the local lead agency.

No, however the recipient is expected to fund and work with a local lead agency throughout the five year award.

The recipient is expected to fund and work with a local lead agency throughout the five year award.

1. No.
2. Yes; however, the selected individual is required to understand the unique cultural differences of the selected population.

1. Yes
2. No; however, the recipient should ensure Year 1 required activities are managed and completed.

It is up to the recipient to decide whether or not to include the individuals in the advising group to assist with selecting the local lead agency.

The MOU or MOA is a document that describes a bilateral or multilateral agreement between parties expressing a convergence of will between the parties, indicating an intended common line of action. It is often used in cases where the parties either do not imply a legal commitment or cannot create a legally enforceable agreement. The recipient will determine the commitment/expectations for the coalition. During the first six months of the award, the CDC Project Officer will work with the recipient to further clarify the MOU/MOA.

During Year 1, the recipient in collaboration with the local lead agency will develop a coalition or engage a current coalition. The coalition must include representatives from the following groups:

• Community stakeholders.
• Community leaders.
• Local public health.
• Multi-disciplinary and diverse community partners.

Yes, this is the coalition that signs the MOU/MOA.

No. Recipients are required to select the community during the first six months of the award.

No. During the first three (3) months of the award, the recipient will recruit and select individuals that understand the unique cultural differences of the selected population to assist with selecting the community. The local lead agency is required to be awarded within the first six months of the award.

Yes; however, the recipient will recruit and select individuals that understand the unique cultural differences of the selected population to assist with selecting the community during the first three (3) months of the award, The local lead agency is required to be awarded within the first six months of the award.

No. The applicant identifies the population that is disparately affected by tobacco use and dependence, and secondhand smoke exposure. The local lead agency must have a demonstrated track record of successfully working with the selected population affected by tobacco-related disparities and demonstrate impact/improvement in at least one social determinants of health.

Yes, CDC will provide additional information once the project period begins.

Yes.

The recipient will be required to report on all Tier 1 performance measures, and work and report on all bolded outcomes listed on pages 5-9 of the NOFO. For Tier 2 performance measures, the recipient will be required to only report on the performance measures related to the strategies and activities implemented to achieve the outcomes in the table on pages 38-40. For example, if the recipient is implementing mass-reach health communication interventions to increase media reaching populations experiencing disparities, the recipient will be required to report on the Tier 2 performance measure related to the number and reach of paid, earned, and digital media efforts targeting the general population and populations experiencing disparities.

Tier 1 performance measures are denoted by one asterisk (*) and Tier 2 measures are denoted by two asterisks (**) on pages 38-40.

The applicant should implement educational strategies that support understanding of the new federal law that increases the minimum age of purchase of tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, to 21 years of age. Strategies could include educating stakeholders, decision makers, and the public on the new federal law.

For the Strategies and Activities section, the applicant should review pages 11 – 30 to determine the requirements for this section. Also, the applicant should review CDC’s Best Practice – 2014 for recommendations on establishing a comprehensive tobacco control program.

Activities are defined as the actual events or actions that take place as part of the program.

Program Strategies are groupings of related activities, usually expressed as general headers (e.g., partnerships, assessment, policy) or as brief statements (e.g., Form partnerships, conduct assessments, formulate policies).

Yes. Protecting all youth and adults from secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure is one of the four goal areas of this NOFO. In addition, reducing SHS exposure positively impacts the other major goals. Studies have shown that the implementation of smokefree policies can increase cessation and reduce smoking prevalence among workers and the general population and may also reduce smoking initiation among youth.

As part of Component 1, all recipients are required to report on the following performance measure: Increased implementation of tobacco control policies, including comprehensive smokefree policies.

The project narrative must address outcomes and activities to be conducted over the entire period of performance as identified in the CDC Project Description Section of the NOFO. The work plan should be consistent with the CDC Project Description Section of the NOFO, and should integrate and delineate more specifically how the recipient plans to carry out achieving the period of performance outcomes, strategies and activities, evaluation and performance measurement.

Applications are not required to address all disparately impacted populations listed in the NOFO but should select the populations in their state that data demonstrate are impacted by tobacco-related disparities. The applicant should include strategies to address the selected populations that are disparately affected by tobacco use and dependence and SHS exposure.

For the Strategies and Activities section, the applicant should review pages 11 – 30 to determine the requirements for this section. Also, the applicant should review CDC’s Best Practice – 2014 for recommendations on establishing a comprehensive tobacco control program.

Activities are defined as the actual events or actions that take place as part of the program.

Program Strategies are groupings of related activities, usually expressed as general headers (e.g., partnerships, assessment, policy) or as brief statements (e.g., Form partnerships, conduct assessments, formulate policies).

Yes. Protecting all youth and adults from secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure is one of the four goal areas of this NOFO. In addition, reducing SHS exposure positively impacts the other major goals. Studies have shown that the implementation of smokefree policies can increase cessation and reduce smoking prevalence among workers and the general population and may also reduce smoking initiation among youth.

As part of Component 1, all recipients are required to report on the following performance measure: Increased implementation of tobacco control policies, including comprehensive smokefree policies.

The project narrative must address outcomes and activities to be conducted over the entire period of performance as identified in the CDC Project Description Section of the NOFO. The work plan should be consistent with the CDC Project Description Section of the NOFO, and should integrate and delineate more specifically how the recipient plans to carry out achieving the period of performance outcomes, strategies and activities, evaluation and performance measurement.

Yes. If an applicant has an overarching Chronic Disease Strategic Plan and a Communications Plan, and both include tobacco-specific strategies, the two plans will meet the NOFO requirements. Plans are required to address the NOFO requirements, including strategies to address populations that are disparately affected by tobacco use and dependence and SHS.

No, applicants do not need to submit separate evaluation plans for Component 1 and Component 2. However, the evaluation plan should include a section for each component.

Guidance will be provided during Year 1 of the project period.

Yes.

Responsive planning occurs in collaboration with partners. Recipients will have the flexibility to pick who they will partner with to develop or revise their statewide health communication and evaluation plans.

The recipient will be required to submit an impact statement which is a brief summary of the result of a policy, systems, or environmental change that contributed to a measurable difference in health, behavioral, or environmental outcome in a defined population.  More guidance will be provided during performance year 1.

CDC will provide guidance on the national-level evaluation component during performance years 1 and 2.

CDC will provide guidance on the recipient-led evaluation component, including operationalizing the performance measures, within three months of the award.

CDC will provide recipients with the performance measures reporting template and evaluation plan template during performance year 1.

Yes.

Yes.

Yes.

Yes, only if the coordinator position and activities are included in the evaluation plan.

The use of publicly available secondary surveillance data, such as BRFSS or YRBS, do not require additional OMB approval by recipients as their collections already have OMB approval. The information that a recipient collects using federal funds could be subject to PRA requirements and OMB approval. Once awarded, the recipient should discuss the concerns with the Project Officer.

There is no required length for the Applicant Evaluation and Performance Management Plan; however, the plan is located in the Narrative section and has a 20 page max limit.

No.

The applicant will complete the required sections for each component. For the sections that are inclusive of both components, the applicant can place the information in Component 1 and reference that joint section in Component 2.

Since applicants are submitting one application, if a section is the same for Component 1 and Component 2, place the information in Component 1. For the same section in Component 2, reference the section and page number where the information can be found in Component 1.

No.

Yes, “All Components” is part of the Organizational Capacity of Recipients to Implement the Approach section. “All Components” means that this requirement is the same for both Component 1 and Component 2. The applicant should describe their organizational capacity to carry out the strategies and activities in the Narrative section of the application. If a section is the same for Component 1 and Component 2, place the information in Component 1. For the same section in Component 2, reference the section and page number where the information can be found in Component 1.

No.

The Project Narrative is single-sided 20 page max.

No.

Yes.

Yes.

No. The RFP is an attachment.

Yes.

Yes.

No. Applicants must provide a description of relevant background information that includes the context of the problem.

Yes.

For Component 1 (Year 1), the applicant should budget for three staff and two individuals, who are not state health department employees, but will be critical in planning and implementing any of the following:

• Statewide Disparities Requirement
• Community-Based Disparities Requirement
• Statewide Prevention of Initiation to Emerging Tobacco Products, Including E-cigarettes, for Youth and Young Adults Requirement
• State coalition
• PSE strategies

For Component 2 (Year 1), the applicant should budget for one staff member to travel to Atlanta for training.

For Component 1 (Year 2), the recipients must budget for three staff members and 2 individuals who represent the population and community for the community-based disparities requirement travel to Atlanta, Georgia for a two day National Tobacco Control Program training.

Please review the Logic Model on page 8 and Cessation Interventions in Best Practices – 2014.

No.

A bona fide agent status documentation is required.

This position oversees the activities for the “Statewide Prevention of Initiation to Emerging Tobacco Products, Including E-cigarettes, for Youth and Young Adults Requirement.” If the full-time position is located outside the tobacco control program, the applicant will need to describe how the full-time staff plan to manage the prevention of initiation of emerging tobacco products, including e-cigarettes among youth and young adult activities. See page 69.

Yes, another state agency can manage the “Statewide Prevention of Initiation to Emerging Tobacco Products, Including E-cigarettes, for Youth and Young Adults Requirement.” If the full-time position is located outside the tobacco control program, the applicant will need to describe how the full-time staff plan to manage the prevention of initiation of emerging tobacco products, including e-cigarettes among youth and young adult activities. See page 69.

The “Statewide Prevention of Initiation to Emerging Tobacco Products” position is not required to be funded by this NOFO; however, the applicant will need to describe how the full-time staff plan to manage the prevention of initiation of emerging tobacco products, including e-cigarettes among youth and young adult activities. See page 69.

If the full-time position for the “Statewide Prevention of Initiation to Emerging Tobacco Products Requirements” is located within the state health department tobacco control program, the position can be split between staff. The applicant will need to describe how the full-time staff plan to manage the prevention of initiation of emerging tobacco products, including e-cigarettes among youth and young adult activities. See page 69.

In order to manage the youth and young adult activities, a full-time staff is required. The applicant should review the requirements to ensure the youth and young adult activities are managed.

1. Letter of support from the local lead agency is due at the end of Year 1.
2. Two letters of support from CDC-funded programs in the state department that work with populations affected by tobacco-related health disparities are required to be submitted with the application on April 3, 2020.

The following letters of support are required to be submitted with the application.

1. Two letters of support from CDC-funded programs in the state department that work with populations affected by tobacco-related health disparities
2. One letter of support from an active coalition member on the represented organization’s letterhead.

The DMP should provide a description of the data that will be produced using these NOFO funds.

Yes.

Yes, recipients are allowed to split funding for the three required staff positions; however, the applicant will need to describe how the full-time staff plan to manage the requirements of this NOFO.

Yes, annual objectives should be written as SMART objectives each performance year. Project period objectives can be written as five year objectives and should be written as SMART objectives and outcome focused.

Recipients can refer veterans to 1-855-QUITVET. For active-duty military, the recipient should refer callers to the state quitline.

No.

The purpose of this requirement is for making technological improvements to the state’s quitline based on the current availability of digital services. In the application, the applicant should provide the current status of the quitline digital services and how the applicant proposes to improve digital services. The applicant can make incremental progress over several years, with an initial step in year 1.

For strategies for working with Medicaid, the applicant should review the Cessation Interventions [PDF – 495 KB] section in Best Practices – 2014 and the success stories and resources through the 6/18 Initiative. Also, applicants should consider collaborating with states that have successfully worked with Medicaid.

No, there is not a limit on the percentage.

Yes.

No.

No. The strategies and activities are completed over a five-year performance period.

Direct Assistance is available for Statistical Analysis Software (SAS) licenses only through Component 1 (reference page 48).

No.

The slide deck will be posted by the end of this week.

Yes.

Yes.

1. The recipient determines the definition of a new program manager.
2. Once awarded, the CDC Project Officer will collaborate with the recipient to develop a training plan for new program managers, but ultimately, the recipient determines the elements/resources for the training program.

The N-O-T program, along with the INDEPTH program can be considered as an overall prevention continuum for the Community and State Intervention component. Recipients are allowed to use NOFO funds to train trainers and purchase training materials for these programs. Recipients are not allowed to pay for individuals to deliver the training.

Engaging youth to educate other youth and communities on the dangers of tobacco use and dependence, including e-cigarettes is a NOFO requirement. However, all activities listed on pages 17 – 19 do not have to be completed in year 1. The applicant should review the short-term outcomes in the logic model as guidance for priorities for year 1.

Engaging youth to educate other youth and communities on the dangers of tobacco use and dependence, including e-cigarettes is a NOFO requirement. However, all activities listed on pages 17 – 19 do not have to be completed in year 1. The applicant should review the short-term outcomes in the logic model as guidance for priorities for year 1. The applicant can also consider working through intermediaries such as the State School Nurse Association to educate its members on strategies to use in the school setting to address youth e-cigarette use.

When reviewing the State and Community Interventions and funding level, the applicant should review the activities and prioritize the activities that can be accomplished each year. All activities should be completed at the end of five years.

No. Applicants should provide a detailed work plan for the first year of the project and a high-level work plan for subsequent years.

No.

No.

While funds can be used to educate the public, which can include merchants, about the public health impact or enforcement of new policies, activities that specifically focus on merchant education are not the focus of this NOFO. However, CDC encourages collaborations with other coalitions, and therefore recipients can explore how activities could complement funds from other federal agencies.

For more information on relevant FDA activities: https://www.fda.gov/tobacco-products/retail-sales-tobacco-products/retailer-training-and-enforcement.

For more information on relevant SAMHSA activities: https://www.samhsa.gov/synar.

1. Yes.
2. Depends. For the purposes of this NOFO, a community is defined as a city, county, parish, or jurisdiction/sub-jurisdiction, including rural areas.
3. Yes.

The funding formula is intended to provide a general adjustment for the overall burden of tobacco product use among adults and youth in a given location. The formula accounts for the percentage of adults aged 18 years or older who smoke cigarettes because cigarettes are the most commonly used tobacco product used by U.S. adults, and are responsible for the overwhelming burden of death and disease from tobacco product use in the United States. The tobacco product landscape has diversified in recent years; however, 35 million of the nation’s approximately 50 million adult and youth tobacco product users report using cigarettes. It’s also important to note that the formula includes several inputs that are weighted differently to best account for variability in characteristics across states, and thus, the inclusion of other tobacco product use in the formula would not considerably alter the final outputs from the model.

The eligible applicants for Component 1 are state governments or their bona fide agents (includes the District of Columbia).

The eligible applicants for Component 2 are state governments or their bona fide agents (includes the District of Columbia) and territorial governments or their bona fide agents in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianna Islands, American Samoa, Guam, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau.

In 2019, CDC initiated a new 5-year $98 million program to improve health among American Indians and Alaska Natives. Through the Good Health and Wellness in Indian Country cooperative agreement (CDC-RFA-DP19-1903), CDC is funding 27 tribes and tribal serving organizations to implement evidence-based strategies adapted to fit the needs of their community. Reducing prevalence of commercial tobacco use is one of the long-term goals of the program. In addition, in 2019, CDC initiated a new two-year cooperative agreement with the National Indian Health Board and Albuquerque Area Indian Health Board to support cessation activities.

CDC encourages American Indiana/Alaskan Native tribes interested in reducing commercial tobacco use and dependence to consider contacting any of the following:

• Good Health and Wellness in Indian Country https://www.cdc.gov/healthytribes/ghwic.htm
• Keep It Sacred – National Native Network http://keepitsacred.itcmi.org/
• State Tobacco Control Program http://tobaccocontrolnetwork.org/tcn-members/

Data visualization is using visuals to convey data in a meaningful way to the intended audience. CDC will provide training and information in the future.

One FFR is required annually.

Recipients are expected to work on all defined logic model outcomes on pages 5-9. However, recipients are only required to report on performance measures related to Tier 1 and Tier 2 logic model outcomes.

Each NOFO is given a unique number. The title for this NOFO is National and State Tobacco Control Program.

No. Each section’s questions and answers are listed in the order of which they were uploaded to the website.

The logic model can be found starting on page 5.