Request for Proposals for
COMMUNITIES
ELIMINATING
TOBACCO
INEQUITIES
Issue date: April 1, 2015
Responses due: May 6, 2015, 3:00 pm CDT
Contents
3 CENTER FOR PREVENTION
4OVERVIEW
5 RFP FOCUS AREAS
6 ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION
10 GUIDELINES
11PROCESS
12 APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
14 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
14RESOURCES
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Communities Eliminating Tobacco Inequities | 2
CENTER FOR PREVENTION
The Center for Prevention at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota delivers on Blue Cross’ long-term
commitment to improve the health of all Minnesotans by tackling the leading root causes of preventable
disease: tobacco use, lack of physical activity and unhealthy eating. Funded through proceeds from Blue
Cross’ historic lawsuit against the tobacco industry, we collaborate with organizations statewide to increase
health equity, transform communities and create a healthier state.
To achieve this, the Center invests in community funding programs, public awareness campaigns and
evaluation. We also actively advocate for policies that support prevention at both a state and local level,
including recent efforts to increase the tobacco tax and incorporate electronic cigarettes into existing
Clean Indoor Air laws.
Visit CenterforPreventionMN.com for more information.
Healthy Eating
Physical Activity
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota Center for Prevention
Tobacco Use
Health Equity
Communities Eliminating Tobacco Inequities | 3
OVERVIEW
Intent of the Request for Proposals (RFP)
The Center for Prevention (the Center) at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota (Blue Cross) seeks to fund
tobacco reduction initiatives that result in sustainable outcomes through policy, systems and environmental
(PSE) change at the local level. These projects will support Blue Cross’ mission to make a healthy difference in
people’s lives and the Center for Prevention’s goal to reduce tobacco use within the state of Minnesota. Funds
will be awarded through contracts for services.
Background
Over the past two decades, Minnesota has experienced a significant reduction in commercial tobacco
use. This can be attributed to numerous, far-reaching changes that have shifted social norms. Knowledge
levels, attitudes and behaviors around tobacco have changed. New laws, policies and ordinances have been
implemented. As a result, fewer people are initiating use of tobacco products, more people are successfully
quitting and fewer nonsmokers are involuntarily exposed to secondhand smoke.
While the overall smoking rate in Minnesota has decreased dramatically, there are populations that experience
high levels of tobacco use and secondhand smoke exposure, and that continue to be targeted through
marketing efforts of the tobacco industry. Data indicate that these populations share some characteristics
including, but not limited to, income and education levels, race and ethnicity, age, occupation, physical ability,
mental health, and sexual orientation.
The goal of this funding is to reduce tobacco use in these populations by supporting community-driven,
culturally specific efforts that will raise awareness and/or influence organizational policy and local public policy.
Blue Cross seeks to fund projects that will influence key stakeholders in order to benefit communities where
inequities related to tobacco use persist.
Approach
The goal of Blue Cross’ project support is to create sustainable environments that make healthier choices
regarding commercial tobacco easier for all Minnesotans. While education and skill building for individuals may
be a component in the overall process, our priority is on projects that result in lasting PSE changes related to
our areas of interest. These PSE changes include:
➜➜ Policies
that may be adopted by organizations that apply to their property or operations, sometimes called
organizational rules. A policy may also be a public policy adopted by units of government (cities, counties
or tribes) that impact the entire constituency within a jurisdiction and take the form of an ordinance, law,
resolution, mandate, regulation, etc. Policy change often has a significant and lasting influence on systems
and environments.
➜➜ System
change interventions that may significantly impact many elements of the operations and
environments within an organization or institution.
➜➜ Environmental
changes that can also come about independently of a system or policy change, through other
actions that change an economic, social or physical situation.
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RFP FOCUS AREAS
The contracts awarded under this RFP will be in focused geographic areas and for work related to six specific
focus areas. These focus areas and the award limits are listed below. Proposals will only be accepted for these
focus areas and from eligible geographic areas.
MAXIMUM
ANNUAL AWARD
ELIGIBLE
APPLICANTS
A. Community Education on Tobacco
$50,000
CBO, TN
B. Creating Healthy Community Settings
$60,000
CBO, TN
C. Elimination of Tobacco Sponsorships
$50,000
CBO, TN
D. Elimination of Tobacco Use in Indoor and Outdoor Settings
$125,000
CBO, TN
E. Adoption and/or Enforcement of Advertising Signage Ordinances
$125,000
CBO, TN, GOV
Reduction or Restriction of the Number, Location, Density or
Type of Retail outlets
$125,000
CBO, TN, GOV
FOCUS AREA
F.
CBO: Community-based organization. Nonprofits.
TN: Tribal Nation
GOV: Local units of government. Cities and counties (such as local public health departments).
A.Blue Cross wants to support organizations and institutions that are in a position to develop and deliver
culturally specific messages that fulfill unmet awareness and education needs, around a variety of tobacco
issues and for a variety of audiences. These audiences may include segments of the general public,
identified groups of professionals, property owners/managers, community leaders, elected or appointed
decision makers, or other stakeholders and influencers. The desired outcome from these educational
efforts is to obtain increased support from these audiences for organizational or public policy changes,
systems changes, or environmental changes that can impact a larger community.
B.Blue Cross wants to support communities that would like to holistically address two or more health
concerns within a given setting. One of those health concerns must be tobacco, while the other(s) may
address nutrition, physical inactivity or other health issues. Examples of possible settings include corner
stores, housing complexes, recreation settings, etc. The expectation is that some type of organizational
policy or environmental change will be pursued in these settings, resulting in a different common practice
from what currently exists.
C.Blue Cross wants to support the adoption of tobacco-free sponsorship policies. The policy would exclude
acceptance of funds from tobacco companies, electronic nicotine delivery system (ENDS) companies, and
similar tobacco-product-associated companies for events, programs, or any other support.
D.Blue Cross wants to support the adoption, implementation and enforcement of policies that eliminate
exposure to secondhand tobacco smoke and/or the aerosols emitted from electronic nicotine delivery
systems (ENDS) in (a) indoor settings not currently covered under the Minnesota Clean Indoor Air Act or
tribal policies and resolutions, as well as (b) outdoor settings where people work and shop; where they
seek recreation, entertainment or transportation; or are otherwise involuntarily exposed to secondhand
tobacco smoke or electronic nicotine delivery systems’ aerosols.
Indoor examples: sleeping rooms of hotels and motels, individual apartment units of affordable
housing, licensed residential health care facilities, locked psychiatric units, tobacco shops, theatrical
productions, licensed home day care, bars, restaurants, private clubs, retail stores, private offices,
industrial workplaces, private education facilities.
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Outdoor examples: building entrances, transit stops, outdoor bar and restaurant patios, outdoor
recreation or entertainment settings, outdoor employment settings such as construction, mining,
agriculture, etc.
E.Blue Cross wants to support the adoption and/or enforcement of municipal, county or tribal contentneutral advertising sign codes that would result in a reduction in the amount of tobacco and/or electronic
nicotine delivery system (ENDS) advertising. (For reference, “content-neutral” refers to restrictions in
place regardless of the advertising content. An example would be a code specifying that retail stores have
no more than 25 percent of their windows covered by signage of any kind.)
F.Blue Cross wants to support the adoption of public policies and tribal policies or resolutions that (a) restrict
the number and/or location of tobacco and/or electronic nicotine delivery system (ENDS) retail outlets,
(b) require a minimum distance between tobacco and/or ENDS retail outlets, and (c) prohibit the sale of
tobacco products and/or ENDS at certain establishments.
ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION
Applicant Requirements
Successful implementation of these tobacco control strategies often requires the support of an ongoing
interdisciplinary partnership. Successful proposals will describe the role of partners and, where applicable,
identify opportunities to share the resources of an awarded contract. Applicants must demonstrate their
ability, and that of their partners, to engage with stakeholders to build support for the desired community
change.
Applicants must be able to demonstrate their ability and commitment to health equity and the reduction of
commercial tobacco use within Minnesota. Successful applicants and partners will have a demonstrated,
trusted reach into the communities they propose to serve and will demonstrate a history of leadership in
the community as well as experience in leading collaborative efforts. The most qualified applicants will
demonstrate a thorough understanding of the barriers their community faces in regard to commercial tobacco
use and/or exposure to secondhand tobacco smoke and have some level of experience in using policy,
systems and environmental approaches to create sustainable change.
Applicants for this RFP must be formal legal entities; no contracts will be awarded to individuals or informal
groups of individuals. Formal legal entities that wish to work together in partnership but have not formed a
legal entity specifically around the partnership may designate a fiscal agent. Applicants must have a local and
credible presence in the communities in which they propose to work.
Eligible Service Areas
The following eligible service areas were identified through an analysis of demographic information that
indicates where Minnesota’s deepest tobacco inequities exist.
TRIBAL NATIONS
•Bois Forte Band of Chippewa
•Prairie Island Indian Community
•Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa
•Red Lake Nation
•Grand Portage Chippewa
•Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux (Dakota) Community
•Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe
•Upper Sioux Community
•Lower Sioux Indian Community
•White Earth Nation
•Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe
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TWIN CITIES METRO AREA MUNICIPALITIES
Anoka County
Dakota County
Hennepin County
Ramsey County
Washington County
•Bethel
•Burnsville
•Bloomington
•Falcon Heights
•Landfall
•Columbia Heights
•Inver Grove Heights
•Brooklyn Center
•Lauderdale
•Fridley
•Mendota
•Brooklyn Park
•Maplewood
•Hilltop
•South St. Paul
•Corcoran
•Moundsview
•Lexington
•West St. Paul
•Crystal
•New Brighton
•Hopkins
•North St. Paul
•Minneapolis
•Oakdale
•Medicine Lake
•Roseville
•New Hope
•St. Paul
•Spring Lake Park
•Osseo
•Richfield
•St. Louis Park
•Spring Park
GREATER MINNESOTA MUNICIPALITIES
Aitkin County
Becker County
Beltrami County
Benton County
Big Stone County
ALL
ALL
ALL
•Royalton
•Beardsley
•Sauk Rapids
•Clinton
•Correll
•Graceville
•Odessa
•Ortonville
•St. Clair
Blue Earth County
Brown County
Carlton County
Cass County
Chippewa County
•Amboy
ALL
ALL
ALL
ALL
Chisago County
Clay County
Clearwater County
Cook County
Cottonwood County
•Lindstrom
ALL
ALL
ALL
ALL
•Good Thunder
•Mankato
•Mapleton
•Minnesota Lake
•Vernon Center
•Rush City
•Taylors Falls
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GREATER MINNESOTA MUNICIPALITIES, CONT.
Crow Wing County
Dodge County
Douglas County
Faribault County
Fillmore County
•Brainerd
ALL
ALL
ALL
ALL
Freeborn County
Goodhue County
Grant County
Houston County
Hubbard County
ALL
ALL
ALL
ALL
ALL
Isanti County
Itasca County
Jackson County
Kanabec County
Kandiyohi County
ALL
ALL
ALL
ALL
ALL
Kittson County
Koochiching County
Lac qui Parle County
Lake County
Lake of the
Woods County
ALL
ALL
ALL
ALL
ALL
Le Sueur County
Lincoln County
Lyon County
Mahnomen County
Marshall County
ALL
ALL
ALL
ALL
ALL
Martin County
McLeod County
Meeker County
Mille Lacs County
Morrison County
ALL
ALL
ALL
ALL
ALL
Mower County
Murray County
Nicollet County
Nobles County
Norman County
ALL
ALL
ALL
ALL
ALL
Olmsted County
Ottertail County
Pennington County
Pine County
Pipestone
•Chatfield
ALL
ALL
ALL
ALL
•Breezy Point
•Crosby
•Cross Lake
•Cuyuna
•Deerwood
•Emily
•Fifty Lakes
•Fort Ripley
•Garrison
•Ironton
•Jenkins
•Pequot Lakes
•Riverton
•Trommald
•Eyota
•Pine Island
•Rochester
•Stewartville
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GREATER MINNESOTA MUNICIPALITIES, CONT.
Polk County
Pope County
Red Lake County
Redwood County
Renville County
ALL
ALL
ALL
ALL
ALL
Rice County
Rock County
Roseau County
Sherburne County
Sibley County
•Dennison
ALL
ALL
•Big Lake
ALL
St. Louis County
Stearns County
Steele County
Stevens County
Swift County
ALL
•Albany
ALL
ALL
ALL
•Fairbault
•Morristown
•Northfield
•Belgrade
•Brooton
•Cold Spring
•Elrosa
•Greenwald
•Holdingfold
•Kimball
•Lake Henry
•Meire Grove
•Melrose
•New Munich
•Paynesville
•Richmond
•Sauk Centre
•Spring Hill
•St. Cloud
•St. Joseph
•Waite Park
Todd County
Traverse County
Wabasha County
Wadena County
Waseca County
ALL
ALL
ALL
ALL
ALL
Watonwan County
Wilkin County
Winona County
Wright County
Yellow Medicine County
ALL
ALL
•Altrua
•Annandale
ALL
•Elba
•Buffalo
•Homer
•Clearwater
•Lewiston
•Cokato
•St. Charles
•Howard Lake
•Stockton
•Maple Lake
•Winona
•Montrose
•Rockford
•South Haven
•Waverly
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Ineligible Activities
Keep in mind that there are limitations on the activities you may conduct under this funding program.
Blue Cross funds may not be used for:
➜➜ Initiatives
➜➜ State
based solely on promoting individual behavior change
or federal level lobbying
➜➜ Capital
improvements
➜➜ Paying
off of debt
➜➜ Nonproject-related
➜➜ Replacement
activities
of current funding sources
Requirements Regarding Lobbying
If an applicant’s organization is invited to submit additional information following the proposal review, and the
initiative proposes to engage in local lobbying for a public policy, the applicant will be required to demonstrate
it is legally able to lobby.
Applicants who engage in lobbying activities must comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws,
rules, regulations, ordinances, and directives regarding registration and reporting for lobbying activities, as
defined in Minnesota Statute Chapter 10A. Blue Cross is not a lobbyist principal for the purpose of any project.
Blue Cross funding cannot be used to conduct state- or federal-level lobbying.
GUIDELINES
➜➜ The
maximum period of funding for a selected applicant is up to three years (October 1, 2015–September
30, 2018). Contracts with the applicants selected for funding are for one year and are renewable, based on
contract compliance and annual satisfactory progress. Applicants can propose projects that require less than
the maximum annual funding amount and/or require fewer than three years to complete.
➜➜ Applicants
can choose to work on more than one focus area in the same community (neighborhood,
city, county, region, tribal community) focused on impacting the same population. In such situations,
the maximum annual award is the combined maximum listed for each focus area. The total maximum
funding period for these situations remains at three years. Such proposals should be submitted in a single
application. For example, if an applicant wants to address tobacco control in Brainerd and focus on both the
elimination of tobacco use in outdoor settings and restrictions on the number of retail tobacco outlets, one
application may be submitted.
➜➜ Applicants
can also propose to work in more than one community within the same focus area, but these
must be submitted as separate applications. For example, if an applicant wants to address enforcement of
advertising signage ordinances in Minneapolis and Bloomington, two applications should be submitted.
➜➜ Applicants
are allowed and encouraged to consider a planning period as part of their proposed project, if
necessary, in order to implement a successful project.
➜➜ In
addition to the award amount provided to successful applicants, these applicants will also have access to
a physician advocacy network, as well as technical assistance resources for communications issues, legal
matters, project evaluation and other technical assistance needs.
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PROCESS
Overview
There is a two-part application process:
STEP 1: All applicants will first need to submit a proposal per the requirements in this RFP.
STEP 2:Based on an internal review of the submitted proposals, selected applicants will be invited to submit
additional information that may include, but not be limited to, more detail on their proposed work,
budget for the proposed work and staffing to deliver the services. Blue Cross may conduct site visits
of applicant finalists before making final funding decisions and negotiating contracts with successful
applicants. All contracts are subject to successful contract negotiations between the applicant and
Blue Cross.
Complete application instructions begin on page 12.
Time Line
April 8, 2015, 10:00 a.m. CDT
Proposal webinar
May 6, 2015, 3:00 p.m. CDT
Proposals due (submission is online)
May 22, 2015
Applicants will be notified by email whether they will be invited to
submit additional information about their proposal
June 30, 2015, 3:00 p.m. CDT
Additional proposal information due
August 10–21, 2015
Site visits with finalists (partners must attend)
August 31, 2015
Notification to finalists of funding decisions
October 1, 2015
Contracts expected to begin
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APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
Proposal Webinar
Blue Cross will host one proposal webinar on April 8, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. CDT. The webinar offers an
opportunity to learn more about Blue Cross’ Communities Eliminating Tobacco Inequities funding opportunity
and the application process. This is an optional event, but participation is encouraged.
Information on how to join the webinar is available at centerforpreventionmn.com/our-approach/how-wework/funding-initiatives/available-funding.
STEP 1: PROPOSAL SUBMISSION
The first step in the application process is the online submission of a proposal no later than 3 p.m. CDT on
Wednesday, May 6, 2015. No telephone or facsimile proposals will be considered. We cannot accept handdelivered or mailed proposals. No attachments will be accepted.
All applicants must submit a proposal online at centerforpreventionmn.com/our-approach/how-wework/funding-initiatives/available-funding.
I. Proposed Work
A.From the menu of options for this funding opportunity, describe the focus area and the community
where you propose to do the work. For the purpose of this RFP, “community” is defined as (a) the
geographic area where you plan to conduct the work (neighborhood, city, county, tribal community),
and (b) the population you hope to impact through the work. Population groups can be identified by a
number of shared characteristics including but not limited to: income and education levels, race and
ethnicity, age, occupation, physical ability, mental health, or sexual orientation. The geographic areas
where work can be proposed are listed earlier in this document. (300-word maximum)
*If you plan to do work in more than one focus area within the same community, be sure to indicate
this in your description.
*If you plan to conduct the same focus area work in more than one community, you should submit a
separate proposal for each of the proposed projects.
B.Indicate if your proposed work is intended to lead to a public policy change, an organizational policy
change, a systems change and/or an environmental change by the end of the project, with a brief
description of the desired change. (100-word maximum)
II. Community Context and Demonstrated Need
A.Describe the barriers the community faces in achieving an environment where people live without
commercial tobacco use. (200-word maximum)
B.Describe how this work is relevant to the community you propose to serve. (300-word maximum)
C.Provide a general description of how you propose to engage community members to bring about the
desired change. (300-word maximum)
III. Organizational Qualifications and Commitment
A.Describe your organization’s influence and credibility in the community you intend to serve, and your
organizational leadership’s commitment to this project. (300-word maximum)
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B.Identify any organizations you plan to have as partners for this project. Describe their qualifications and
commitment to this work, as well as their influence and credibility in the community. (300-word maximum)
C.Describe the history of your organization in conducting similar tobacco prevention and control work,
particularly through policy, system, or environmental change strategies and community engagement.
If your organization does not have history in conducting similar tobacco prevention and control
work, describe your organization’s history in community engagement or any other policy, system,
or environmental changes you’ve implemented to address other community issues. (300-word
maximum)
Selection and Notification
Following review of submitted proposals, all applicants will be notified by May 22, 2015, whether they are
invited to submit additional proposal information. Those selected to submit more information will receive
further instructions at that time.
Proposals will be screened for the project’s potential to meet the following overarching program criteria:
➜➜ Ability
to serve as a model for other Minnesota communities. Our goal is to fund proposals that
represent diverse project types, geographic service areas, levels of experience and types of lead
organizations. Applicants with long-standing, active partnerships will not necessarily be given preference
over communities with newly emerging partnerships that demonstrate collaboration and enthusiasm.
➜➜ Potential
for creating lasting changes. Our goal is to fund proposals that demonstrate an understanding
of and capacity to implement environmental, systems and policy initiatives that will create lasting change in
their community.
➜➜ Reach
of your initiative. Our goal is to fund proposals from applicants that (a) demonstrate the capacity
to reach their community and population, and (b) propose an initiative to influence a significant number of
people within the targeted population. This should not be interpreted to mean that smaller communities will
not be given equal consideration as communities with a larger population. All applicants must demonstrate
their capacity to meaningfully and credibly engage and influence the community where they propose to
work.
➜➜ Capacity
to lead an initiative that addresses the above criteria. Our goal is to provide funding to
organizations that demonstrate that they and their partners can successfully lead a diverse group of
stakeholders in their proposed project.
Proposals for projects that achieve the criteria described above will then be scored by reviewers. Below is a
summary of the scoring:
TOPICS ADDRESSED IN THE LOI
POSSIBLE POINTS
1A. Description of focus area(s) and community
Up to 8 points
1B.
Description of desired change
Up to 8 points
2A. Description of community barriers
Up to 12 points
2B. Description of relevance to community
Up to 15 points
2C. Description of community engagement plans
Up to 15 points
3A. Description of organization’s influence, credibility and commitment
Up to 15 points
3B. Description of project partners
Up to 15 points
3C. Description of organization’s history of doing similar work
Up to 12 points
Total points
Up to 100 points
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STEP 2: SUBMISSION OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND SITE VISITS
Following the proposal review, those applicants invited to submit additional proposal information will receive
detailed instructions by May 22, 2015. Only applicants invited by Blue Cross may submit this additional
information. This information must be received no later than 3 p.m. CDT on June 30, 2015.
After review of the full proposals, a group of finalists will be notified. Each finalist may receive a site visit
between August 10–21, 2015. Key partners involved in each finalist’s proposed project must attend the site
visit.
All finalists will be notified regarding the status of their proposal by August 31, 2015. We anticipate contracts
will begin on October 1, 2015.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Questions regarding the application process may be directed to [email protected].
Applicants planning to participate in the webinar are welcome to submit questions in advance at this same
email address. Questions and answers will be posted at www.centerforpreventionmn.com/our-approach/
how-we-work/funding-initiatives/available-funding.
RESOURCES
This resource list provides examples of strategies and community interventions that strive to reduce
tobacco-related health disparities. This list is not exhaustive, as work is ongoing in Minnesota and across
the United States.
Community Education on Tobacco
CDC Vital Signs report on secondhand smoke
cdc.gov/vitalsigns/tobacco/index.html
Research into the impact of tobacco advertising
tobacco.stanford.edu/tobacco_main/about.php
Trinkets and Trash: the online surveillance system and archive of historic tobacco products and tobacco
industry marketing materials
trinketsandtrash.org/index.php
Creating Healthy Community Settings
Get Health Philly annual report 2013
phila.gov/health/pdfs/2013_PDPHannualreport_web.pdf
Healthy Stores for a Healthy Community (California campaign)
www.healthystoreshealthycommunity.com
WorkSHIFTS, a collaborative labor outreach program (Public Health Law Center, William Mitchell
College of Law)
publichealthlawcenter.org/programs/workshifts
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Elimination of Tobacco Sponsorships
LGBTQI Stop Tobacco on My People
lgbtquitsmoking.com
Elimination of Tobacco Use in Indoor and Outdoor Settings
Minnesota Clean Indoor Air Act (MCIAA)
health.state.mn.us/freedomtobreathe/
Left Behind in the Smoke (examples that can apply to MN from ChangeLab Solutions)
changelabsolutions.org/publications/smokefree-workplaces-inequities
E-Cigarettes: A Community Health Threat
cdph.ca.gov/programs/tobacco/Documents/Media/State%20Health-e-cig%20report.pdf
Affordable Housing
Subsidized Housing and Smoke-free Policies: Tobacco Control Legal Consortium
publichealthlawcenter.org/sites/default/files/resources/tclc-fs-subsidizedhousing-sfree-policies-2013.pdf
Creating Smoke-Free Affordable Housing
http://www.publichealthlawcenter.org/sites/default/files/resources/tclc-guide-creatingsmokefreeaffordable-housing-2015.pdf
First Steps Towards Making Affordable Housing Smoke-Free
http://publichealthlawcenter.org/sites/default/files/resources/tclc-fs-firststeps-affordablehousingsmokefree-2012_0.pdf
Comparison of Smoke-Free Housing Policy Factors
http://publichealthlawcenter.org/sites/default/files/resources/phlc-fs-chart-multiunit-housingcomparison-2014.pdf
Adoption and/or Enforcement of Advertising Signage Ordinances
Tobacco Control Legal Consortium, Point-of-Sale Strategies: A Tobacco Control Guide (Spring 2014)
cphss.wustl.edu/Products/Documents/CPHSS_TCLC_2014_PointofSaleStrategies1.pdf
Reduce or Restrict the Number, Location, Density or Type of Retail Outlets
CounterTobacco.org: 2014 POS Report to the Nation
countertobacco.org/2014-pos-report-nation
Tobacco-related Health Disparities
Advancing Health Equity in Tobacco Control (summit proceedings, California Department of Public Health)
cdph.ca.gov/programs/tobacco/Documents/Resources/Publications/HealthEquitySum-Web.pdf
Tobacco-Related Health Disparities, American Legacy Foundation
legacyforhealth.org/our-issues/tobacco-related-health-disparities
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National Organizations
Towards Health Parity and Justice, Asian Pacific Partners for Empowerment, Advocacy and Leadership
(APPEAL)
appealforcommunities.org/promising-practices/
National African American Tobacco Prevention Network (NAATPN)
naatpn.org/ - !awake/c80k
National LGBT Tobacco Control Network
lgbttobacco.org/about.php
Keep It Sacred: National Native Network
keepitsacred.org/network/
National Latino Tobacco Control Network (NLTCN)
latinotobaccocontrol.org/facts-and-resources/promising-practices/
National Behavioral Health Network for Tobacco and Cancer Control
thenationalcouncil.org/consulting-best-practices/national-behavioral-health-network-tobaccocancer-control/
Minnesota Adult Tobacco Survey (MATS)
mnadulttobaccosurvey.org
Minnesota Youth Tobacco Survey Reports
health.state.mn.us/myts
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This Request for Proposals (RFP) is not an offer to enter into an agreement with any party but,
rather, a request to receive proposals from entities interested in providing the services outlined
inside (each such entity referred to as an “applicant”). Any submitted proposals may be deemed
by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota (Blue Cross) to be an offer to enter into a definitive
agreement.
Blue Cross, in its sole and absolute discretion, reserves the right to (1) accept or reject any and/or
all responses, (2) modify the requirements set forth in this RFP, (3) utilize alternative applicants to
provide the same or similar services, or (4) enter into negotiations with any applicant(s) for any and/or
all of the services that are the subject of this RFP.
Please note that this is a two-part RFP. Part one is to solicit proposals from any interested and
eligible organizations. Blue Cross will then select organizations it would like to continue through the
selection process. For these organizations, Blue Cross will require additional application information.
For purposes of this RFP, Blue Cross’ reference to tobacco includes manufactured commercial
tobacco (not traditional sacred, medicinal, spiritual and ceremonial use of tobacco) regardless of
delivery form (e.g., cigarettes, cigars, chewing tobacco), and includes electronic nicotine delivery
systems (ENDS) such as electronic cigarettes, electronic hookah and other aerosol-emitting devices.
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Blue Cross® and Blue Shield ® of and Blue Plus® are independent licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.