Tobacco Retail Environment Studies Program

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH), through its California Tobacco Prevention Program (CTPP), has issued Solicitation EVAL 25-10023 to invite competitive proposals for a five-year research and monitoring initiative aimed at evaluating and improving California’s tobacco retail environment. This initiative is grounded in California Health and Safety Code Section 104375(b) and supports the state’s broader tobacco control goals by funding studies and tools that assess the prevalence, marketing, and availability of tobacco products in retail settings across the state. The primary objectives of this funding opportunity include executing two waves of a biennial survey across randomly selected tobacco retail stores in California. These surveys will measure retail marketing strategies, the availability and pricing of tobacco products, and potential policy impacts. Additionally, one wave of retail observation surveys or tobacco product purchase surveys will be conducted in matched or contiguous communities to evaluate the effectiveness of local and statewide tobacco control policies, particularly those addressing flavored tobacco and complete bans on tobacco product sales. A single wave of retail scanner sales data analysis will also be conducted to monitor changes in tobacco product availability and purchasing trends in the state. An important component of this grant is the continuation and enhancement of the California Tobacco Health Assessment Tool (CTHAT), an interactive mapping platform designed to monitor the locations of tobacco retailers and relevant policy applications. Activities associated with this include regular tool maintenance, data updates, user testing, technical support, and training. Contractors will also be responsible for data instrument development, data collection and management, analysis, report writing, manuscript preparation, and dissemination of key findings to stakeholders and the public. Eligible applicants include any public or private entities with a permanent business location in California and certification to operate within the state. Agencies must demonstrate fiscal stability and have no conflicts of interest with commercial tobacco, e-cigarette, cannabis, or related industries. Proof of nonprofit status, state good standing, and compliance with conflict of interest certifications is required. Highly competitive proposals will include key personnel with extensive experience—five years minimum—in tobacco retail research, data analytics, mapping tools, scanner data acquisition, and collaboration with public health stakeholders. The solicitation was released on July 15, 2025, with an optional informational webinar scheduled for July 23, 2025. Written questions must be submitted by July 29, 2025, with responses to be published by August 5, 2025. While the letter of intent is not mandatory, it is encouraged and is due by August 7, 2025. The final application deadline is August 26, 2025, at 5:00 PM PT. Awards are expected to be announced on October 15, 2025, following any appeal resolution. The selected contractor will begin work on January 1, 2026, with the contract extending through December 31, 2030. The total anticipated funding is up to $3,000,000 for the entire 60-month period, subject to state budget appropriations and contractor performance. For technical support related to the application platform, applicants should contact CTPP-KMU@cdph.ca.gov. All inquiries specific to the solicitation must be directed to CTPPEvaluation@cdph.ca.gov with “CDPH/CTPP Solicitation EVAL 25-10023” in the subject line. Applicants are advised to monitor the Tobacco Control Funding Opportunities and Resources (TCFOR) website for updates, materials, and registration information related to the webinar.