THE REGIONAL MUNICIPALITY OF NIAGARA REQUEST FOR PRE-QUALIFICATION (RFPQ) OF CESSATION SUPPORT AND NICOTINE REPLACEMENT THERAPY TO RESIDENTS IN THE COMMUNITY DOCUMENT NUMBER# ISSUE DATE: WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 18, 2017 CLOSING LOCATION: CORPORATE SERVICES DEPARTMENT THE REGIONAL MUNICIPALITY OF NIAGARA CAMPBELL WEST BUILDING 1815 SIR ISAAC BROCK WAY (FORMERLY, 2201 ST. DAVID S ROAD) THOROLD, ONTARIO, L2V 4T7 ATTENTION: JAYAN PERERA CLOSING DATE AND TIME: THURSDAY NOVEMBER 16, 2017 2:00 P.M. LOCAL TIME Document source: Request for Prequalification Revised: February 9, 2016
Table of Contents CONTENTS (All being part of this Request for Prequalification) 1.0 INTRODUCTION 3 2.0 SUMMARY AND SCOPE OF WORK 3 3.0 REQUEST FOR PRE-QUALIFICATION (RFPQ) REQUIREMENTS 4 4.0 SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS 5 5.0 DATE AND PLACE FOR RECEIVING SUBMISSIONS 6 6.0 EVALUATION OF SUBMISSIONS 6 7.0 PROCUREMENT BYLAW 8 8.0 DE-BRIEFING 8 9.0 FORM OF SUBMISSION FOR PROJECT 9 10.0 APPENDIX A, SMOKING RATES BY MUNCIPALITY 10 2
1.0 INTRODUCTION The Regional Municipality of Niagara (the Region ) intends to pre-qualify proponents for the following services: Request for Pre-qualification (RFPQ): 1.1 This Call for RFPQ is open to all to be considered for: CESSATION SUPPORT AND NICOTINE REPLACEMENT THERAPY TO RESIDENTS IN THE COMMUNITY Proponents should follow the details of this document closely when responding to this request. 1.2 This Call for RFPQ outlines the scope of the required work, responsibilities of the Proponents, requirements for the RFPQ submission, the selection process and related conditions and specifications. The Region reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to disqualify Proponents who fail to provide all mandatory information as required by this Call for RFPQ. 1.3 The information contained in the Call for RFPQ is intended to provide interested parties with a general overview of the work required. 1.4 Special accessibility accommodations and materials in alternative formats can be arranged by contacting the Niagara Region s Accessibility Coordinator at 905-980-6000 ext. 3252 or accessibility@niagararegion.ca. 2.0 SUMMARY AND SCOPE OF WORK Tobacco use remains the leading cause of preventable death and disease in Ontario, with over 13,000 deaths per year attributed to tobacco use; the equivalent of 36 deaths per day (Smoke-Free Ontario Scientific Advisory Committee, 2017). Niagara's smoking rates are approximately 19% for adults - slightly higher than the provincial average. Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) has been shown to support successful tobacco cessation when coupled with appropriate counseling. In the Evidence to Guide Action Report from the Smoke-free Ontario Scientific Advisory Committee (2016), pharmacotherapy and other healthcare setting cessation interventions are identified as having a high potential contribution to lowering smoking rates in Ontario. However, the financial burden of purchasing NRT is often a barrier to engaging in quit attempts, especially among populations that are disproportionately affected by tobacco industry products. The cessation system in Niagara is varied and although there is access to free NRT and cessation support, not all municipalities are equally served and many of our residents face barriers in accessing appropriate services. Partnering with pharmacies in high-need areas and Smokers' Helpline to provide support to tobacco-users to assist them in quitting would be an opportunity for Niagara to have an impact on our local smoking rates in a significant way. Residents are often familiar with the pharmacies in their communities, NRT is in-stock in these locations, and pharmacists are trained Healthcare providers, knowledgeable and willing to assist their patients to make a quit attempt. 3
Niagara Region Public Health is looking to partner with three pharmacies in Niagara to offer cessation support and up to $ 15,000.00 in NRT to residents in the community. Expectations are that interested pharmacies have staff that are currently trained and/or are willing to receive additional training in the following counselling procedures: 2.1.0 Counselling procedures: 2.1.1 Assess client s smoking status and goals (reduction, cessation, withdrawal management) 2.1.2 Ensure the client is both eligible and medically suitable prior to dispensing any NRT 2.1.3 Assess medical history: recent/previous MI, unstable angina, arrhythmia, TMJ dysfunction, dentures, skin conditions and allergies, pregnancy and lactation status 2.1.4 Advise client to inform primary health care provider of NRT use. 2.1.5 Refer to Smokers Helpline for additional behavioral counselling. The target group is residents in Niagara who: - Want to quit tobacco use - Are unable to attend current cessation services due to barriers - May not be able to afford to purchase NRT out of pocket Selected Bidders (pharmacies) must sign a Memorandum of Understanding with Niagara Region Public Health including the following: 1. Must be willing to refer clients via Quit Connection for additional counseling support through Smokers Helpline 2. Must be willing to adhere to tracking mechanisms and an invoicing process set forth by Niagara Region Public Health 3. Must be willing to use the most cost-effective NRT options for clients and consider using generic brands if that is a viable option 3.0 REQUEST FOR PRE-QUALIFICATION (RFPQ) REQUIREMENTS This Call for RFPQ has been designed to elicit pertinent data that will be used in evaluating each Proponent s ability and qualifications. In the event that the Proponent has questions as to any terms, conditions or provisions of this Call for RFPQ, or the meaning or interpretation thereof, the Proponent may request information or clarification by submitting such requests, in writing, by fax or by e- mail to the following: Jayan Perera: Purchasing Services Email: jayan.perera@niagararegion.ca Phone: 905-980-6000 ext. 3656 Fax: 905-682-8521 4
Any questions must be received in writing no later than noon, Thursday November 09, 2017. The Pre-qualification submission for this project must include the following information: 1. Legal Name and address of the company. 2. Company in-house resources and directly related abilities. 3. Experience on similar type of projects. 4. Information on types and sizes of projects completed with specific reference scope of work as described in section 2.0. 5. Evidence that firm and associate firms have staff, background and expertise available to competently handle the type, scope and delivery schedule of work contemplated. 6. Other pertinent data deemed important by the proponent. 4.0 SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS The Proponent shall submit one (1) original and three (3) copies of the RFPQ. RFPQ s are to be submitted in packages with the following information clearly marked on the outside of the package: 1. Title: CESSATION SUPPORT AND NICOTINE REPLACEMENT THERAPY TO RESIDENTS IN THE COMMUNITY 2. Title # The Region may, in its sole discretion, disqualify Proponents who fail, in the opinion of the Region, to meet the requirements of the Call for RFPQ. The Region reserves the right to revise this Call for RFPQ prior to the due date. Revisions shall be emailed and/or faxed to all potential Proponents who have received this RFPQ document. The Region reserves the right to extend the date by which the RFPQ s are due. 5.0 DATE AND PLACE FOR RECEIVING SUBMISSIONS Submissions will be received by the Purchasing Office, Corporate Services Department, Regional Municipality of Niagara, Campbell West, 1815 Sir Isaac Brock Way (Formerly 2201 St. David's Road), P.O. Box 1042, Thorold, Ontario, L2V 4T7, until 2:00 p.m. local time, Thursday November 16, 2017. No further information will be made available at that time. The Region will not, under any circumstances, reimburse any Proponent for any costs associated with the preparation of the RFPQ. 5
6.0 EVALUATION OF SUBMISSIONS 6.1 The evaluation of the RFPQ submission will be based on the proponent s submission. The Region reserves the right to use its own judgment in rating each of the submissions with the objective of minimizing risks. 6.2 The ranking will be carried out on the criteria listed below. Each item will be scored out of a total of 10 with the least positive score 0 and best qualified score of 10. The total will be multiplied by a weighting factor as indicated and reflecting the relative importance of the criteria item. The total scores will be added together and the highest scoring proponents may be short-listed. At the discretion of the Region, a submission may be declared informal and, in that event, the submission will not be further considered. The Region will evaluate all submissions based on the evaluation criteria. The top 3 (three) proponents meet a benchmark score 70%, may be awarded a potion of the work. 6.3 A minimum of three (3) persons will review all submissions independently and the average of the rankings will be used for overall total score. 6.4 Specific mandatory information must be included with the submission and failure to include such information, may, at the discretion of the Region, cause the submission to be declared informal. In that event, the submission may be rejected. 6
Request for Pre-Qualification (RFPQ) 1 # CRITERIA Geographic Characteristics - Localized Demographic Segment as determined by INSPQ geographic disparity index (25%) WEIGHTING % 50% SCORE (0-10) WEIGHTED SCORE 2 3 4 - In a municipality with a higher smoking rate (RRFSS) (25%) See Appendix A Relevant experience in similar applications Experience with tobacco cessation with clients or a similar program. Key Personnel, Experience and qualifications Staff training in cessation counselling/nrt support. Resources Types/variety of NRT on-site including generic brands. 20% 20% 10% Weighted Total 100% Benchmark 70% CRITERIA FOR EVALUATION POINTS SYSTEM Scoring Category Description Numeric Score Fail Requirement is not met or is not acceptable. 0 Poor Fair Good Very Good Exceptional Minimally addresses the component, but one or more major considerations of the component are not addressed. The response addresses some aspects of the component, but minor considerations may not be addressed. The response addresses the component and provides a reasonably good quality solution. There is a high degree of confidence in the proponent s response as a proposed solution to address the component. The proposed solution goes above and beyond the requirements as well as provides a high degree of confidence in its effectiveness. 1-3 4-6 7 8-9 10 7.0 PROCUREMENT BY-LAW Submissions will be solicited, received, evaluated, accepted and processed in accordance with the Region s Procurement By-Law as amended from time to time. In submitting a response to this solicitation, the Bidder agrees and acknowledges that it has read and will be bound by the terms and conditions of the Region s Procurement Bylaw. 7
The Procurement By-Law can be viewed on the Region s website, www.niagararegion.ca. 8.0 DEBRIEFING After the selection has been made, an unsuccessful proponent may request a debriefing session to discuss their submission by contacting the project manager. The project manager will conduct a debriefing, by telephone, for the purpose of explaining the evaluation process, discussing only the proponent submission, its ranking, and explaining why they were not selected. All other inquiries are to be in accordance to Clause 3 Clarification, page 4. 8
Form of Submission 9.0 FORM OF SUBMISSION FOR PROJECT I/We the undersigned, having carefully examined all Sections of this Request for Pre-qualification do hereby affirm the acceptance of the requirements. COMPANY: (Must Show Correct Legal Company Name) ADDRESS: POSTAL CODE: TELEPHONE NUMBER: FAX NUMBER: E-MAIL ADDRESS (Must supply if available): CONTACT NAME: SIGNATURE: (please print) (I/We have the authority to bind the Corporation) TITLE: WITNESS: SIGNATURE: TITLE: DATE: 9
APPENDIX A SMOKING RATES BY MUNICIPALITY Figure 1: Percent of adults (18+) who are current smokers (daily or occasional), by municipality (Rapid Risk Factor Surveillance System, 2012-2014)