Single Source Procurement: New York State Smoker's Quitline

Pursuant to New York State Finance Law § 163.10(b), The New York State Department of Health is presenting the following summary of relevant circumstances, and material and substantial reasons why a competitive procurement was not feasible.

The NYS Department of Health, Bureau of Tobacco Control (BTC) received a nine-month extension of the NYS Smoker's Quitline contract (C025662), to provide uninterrupted telephone and internet based clearinghouse and tobacco use cessation services to New York State residents through March 31, 2016. The current contract is scheduled to expire on June 30, 2015. There is no need to increase the value of the existing contract as sufficient unspent funds remains to cover the approved extension period.

The New York State (NYS) Smoker's Quitline is comprised of a telephone Quitline and a web-based Quitsite service. Quitline and Quitsite interventions promote and support cessation among New York's smokers by providing a host of free evidenced-based services such as coaching and counseling by phone, approved and effective medications (e.g., nicotine replacement therapies), and informational services for those New Yorkers trying to quit smoking, relapse prevention for those who have recently quit smoking, and persons supportive of these individuals. State and local paid media campaigns are frequently tagged with information about how to contact the Quitline and the available services in New York. Quitline and Quitsite services are a critical component of a statewide approach to tobacco control and are recommended in CDC's Best Practices for Comprehensive Tobacco Control Programs.

BTC media dollars are utilized for media campaigns that direct smokers to call the NYS Quitline. The current BTC media campaign runs through May 2015. The new $8.7 million BTC media campaign is expected to begin in September 2015. The Centers for Disease Control is also running a national media campaign which directs New York smokers to call the NYS Quitline. If the current contract ends as scheduled on June 30, callers attempting to contact the Quitline, as directed in the media campaigns, would be unable to obtain assistance. Since many callers to the Quitline represent our disparate populations (low education and low incomes) the loss of free Quitline services would put an undue burden on these New York citizens. Many hospitals and other health care organizations across New York also utilize Quitline services through built-in referral processes and these would no longer be available. Quitline services provide evidence-base cessation treatment to the neediest New Yorkers and termination of these services is not in the best interest of the state. The Bureau seeks a waiver to extend the NYS Quitline contract with Health Research Inc., Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo, NY through March 31, 2016 while BTC prepares to release the competitive procurement for the next five-year period.

Due to their familiarity with the required services, relatively short extension period and the difficulties that would be encountered in utilizing another vendor at this juncture it would be impractical to obtain these services elsewhere. It is important to note that State and local paid media campaigns drive calls to the Quitline. The new $8.7 million BTC media campaign is expected to begin well before a new Quitline award can be made. The Centers for Disease Control is also running a national media campaign which directs New York smokers to call the NYS Quitline. If the current contract ends as scheduled on June 30, callers attempting to contact the Quitline or access the Quitsite, as directed in the media campaigns, would be unable to obtain assistance which would adversely affect New York's disparate population.

Procurement / Program Name	New York State Smoker's Quitline
Contractor Name(s)	Health Research, Inc.
Contract Period	7/01/2015 – 3/13/2016
Contract Number(s)	C025662