APHL and the
Newborn Screening Technical assistance and Evaluation Program (NewSTEPs) is seeking up to 30 newborn screening programs to participate in a continuous quality improvement (CQI) initiative. The Newborn Screening Systems Quality Improvement Project provides tailored support to successful applicants allowing for a customized/collaborative approach to quality improvement and is guided by the following goals:
Assess needs and engage state newborn screening programs for participation in a multidisciplinary collaborative network focused on newborn screening quality improvement projects.
Coordinate and facilitate quality improvement projects and data-driven outcome assessments, utilizing evidence-based quality improvement methodologies within each participating state newborn screening program.
Create a model for replication, sharing and sustainability of continuous newborn screening quality improvement projects.
The Newborn Screening Systems Quality Improvement Project builds on the combined success of previous Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Maternal and Child Health Bureau (MCHB) funded Cooperative Agreements for NewSTEPs, NewSTEPs 360 and the NewSTEPs Timeliness Collaborative Improvement and Innovation Network (CoIIN). These programs are a collaboration between APHL and the Colorado School of Public Health (including partners from the Center for Public Health Innovation) and activities remain driven by active partnerships with state and territorial NBS programs, pediatric sub-specialists, and stakeholders from MCHB, HRSA funded programs, and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
RFP Process Overview
December 2, 2019 – RFP Issued
December 9, 2019 – Technical Assistance Webinar at 3:00 pm ET
December 13, 2019 – Letter of intent due by 11:59 pm ET to APHL (see the Letter of Intent section below)
January 13, 2020 – RFP responses due by 11:59 pm ET to APHL
January 24, 2020 – Awardees notified
March 16, 2020 – Contracts ratified between APHL and awardees
PLEASE NOTE: Funding begins March 16, 2020. However, the drafting and ratification of contracts may take longer than planned depending on the NBS program. Any modification to this anticipated schedule will be communicated on APHL's procurement website (www.aphl.org/rfp) and via an email blast to the NBS Programs and the public health laboratories.
Technical Assistance Webinar Resources
QI Projects Cohort 2 Technical Assistance Webinar
QI Projects Cohort 1 Technical Assistance Webinar – please note this recording is from the first round of the QI Projects.
Eligible Applicants
Eligible applicants include all US and territorial states including newborn screening programs and stakeholders who:
- Have identified a quality improvement project of interest.
- Submit a letter of intent demonstrating support from institutional leadership by December 13, 2019.
Letter of Intent
APHL requires that prospective applicants submit a brief email statement by December 13, 2019 indicating a firm intent to submit a proposal by no later than the RFP Due Date (January 13, 2020). Although a letter of intent is not binding, and does not enter into the review of the RFP, the information that it contains allows APHL to estimate the potential review workload and plan the contract development and review process. Potential applicants must include the name of the organization or individual that will submit the proposal in their email as well as demonstrate support from institutional leadership. Applicants who do not submit a Letter of Intent will not be considered.
The prospective applicants should email a statement reflecting the intent to apply to
chenelle.norman@aphl.org using the subject line: Letter of Intent: NewSTEPs Quality Improvement Project. APHL must receive this information by 11:59 pm ET on December 13, 2019.
Materials
The
Official RFP Document will provide detailed information in regards to this request, please read it on its entirety. You may also download the
fillable Appendices PDF and review
past funded proposals. Feel free to contact Chenelle Norman at
Chenelle.Norman@aphl.org with any questions.
If you have additional questions, office hours will be held Tuesdays and Thursdays 12-1 pm ET the week of December 16, December 30, and January 6. Connection information is:
https://aphl.zoom.us/j/4480373275
Questions and Answers
You mentioned earlier that a state program can apply for multiple projects. Can you please elaborate? Within the same fiscal year or an annual basis?
A: Yes programs can apply for multiple projects on an annual basis.
Can we apply unique Quality Improvement (QI) projects - uniquely specific to our state newborn screening (NBS) program needs?
A: Yes we encourage NBS programs to identify any QI project of interest to them.
I may have missed this earlier, my apologies but what is the funding ceiling per QI project?
A: There is no funding ceiling for this project.
Can states work on disorders that are not included on the Recommended Uniform Screening Panel (RUSP)?
Can applicants apply for more than one year of funding?
A: Yes, applicants can apply for more than one year of funding (page 5 and 8 of the RFP).
Is funding for cohort two only March to August 2020?
A: Contracts are set-up to fall into HRSA funding years which is September to August (page 5 of the RFP). Cohort two awardees will receive a contract for March to August 2020 and will have a new contract executed in September 2020.
Does a program have to submit a letter of intent if they applied in the last round?
A: Yes, a letter of intent is required from ALL interested applicants even from those who applied in cohort one.
Have any changes been made to the application?
A: No change has been made except that there is NO rolling deadline for cohort two. The deadline for all applications is January 13, 2020.