RFP #20455 – Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System

The Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) is an essential annual data collection initiative operated by the New York State Department of Health (DOH) in partnership with Health Research, Inc. (HRI), through a cooperative agreement with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The current opportunity, outlined in RFP #20455, seeks a contractor to conduct telephone-based and alternative mode surveys as part of the ongoing surveillance efforts for BRFSS from 2026 through 2030. The BRFSS is the largest continuously conducted health survey system in the world, and this specific solicitation focuses on its execution in New York State, following CDC protocols. The aim is to gather critical public health data on modifiable risk behaviors and other factors that impact population health, especially concerning chronic disease prevalence, prevention, and management. The selected contractor will be expected to carry out the annual statewide BRFSS in 2026, 2028, and 2029, and expanded county-level BRFSS in 2027 and 2030. Survey administration involves landline and cellphone interviews in English and Spanish, with a strong emphasis on cellphone sampling, which is projected to account for at least 88% of all interviews. Surveys will be approximately 25 minutes long, containing about 140 questions. The scope includes the execution of split questionnaires and optional or state-specific question modules, with data submission requirements to both DOH and CDC. The contractor must use Computer Assisted Telephone Interviewing (CATI) software and adhere to stringent quality control standards outlined by AAPOR and CDC. In addition to the core surveys, the contractor will manage Asthma Call Back Surveys and explore alternative data collection modes such as internet panels, address-based sampling, and social media recruitment. These surveys will support further insights into chronic conditions, especially asthma, and allow the Department to reach broader populations. The contractor is expected to demonstrate capacity for large-scale data operations, multilingual capabilities, robust security and data privacy protocols, and advanced statistical weighting and stratification methods. A major component also includes the annual development and implementation of formative data collection projects targeting emerging health topics or priority populations. The contract term under DOH will be five years and six months, beginning approximately October 1, 2025, while the HRI contract includes an initial one-year term with four additional renewal options. Payments will be made based on the number of completed and validated survey interviews and must follow both state and federal reimbursement guidelines. Required deliverables include monthly and annual data files, data quality assurance reports, and technical documentation. The contractor must be capable of scaling survey volume, handling extensive monthly call volumes, and facilitating real-time collaboration and data sharing with DOH/HRI staff. Applicants must have a minimum of three years of experience conducting dual-path telephone surveys using CATI, and must operate a call center within the continental U.S. Preferred qualifications include prior experience conducting the BRFSS for another state, managing large-scale outbound calling campaigns, and achieving benchmark response rates. Proposals must include detailed administrative, technical, and cost components and be submitted electronically by 5:00 p.m. ET on October 23, 2024. Written questions are due by September 11, 2024, with responses expected by October 2, 2024. Designated contacts for proposal submission and inquiries include Eryn Keefe for procurement matters and Ian Brissette or Haven Battles for subject-matter communication. All communication must adhere to the restricted contact periods mandated by New York State Finance Law. Awards are expected to be finalized following a technical and cost evaluation process, with a contract start anticipated for October 1, 2025.