Agency Health Department

Contractor National Jewish Health

SWIFT Contract Number 170913

Project Name Free tobacco cessation support - Minnesota Quitline

Project Number (if applicable) {Empty}

Summarize purpose of the contract, including why it was necessary: The contract was necessary to create, implement, and evaluate statewide tobacco cessation services designed to provide free cessation support to Minnesotans who need help quitting their use of commercial tobacco. Providing free and easy access to tobacco cessation services and support to Minnesotans in need, and closing the disparity gaps for the populations that are most harmed by commercial tobacco, are high priorities for MDH and are an integral component of its mission to protect, maintain, and improve the health of all Minnesotans.

Governor Walz had recently signed the Omnibus Health and Human Services bill into law, which included funding for the Minnesota Department of Health’s (MDH) statewide tobacco cessation services – Laws of Minnesota 2019, chapter 9, article 11, section 22. MDH’s cessation services replaced QUITPLAN® Services, the statewide cessation services that were funded and administered by ClearWay MinnesotaSM, an independent nonprofit organization funded with three percent of Minnesota’s tobacco settlement. QUITPLAN® Services stopped accepting new enrollees on March 31, 2020 and the new statewide service began enrolling participants April 1, 2020.

Project Duration

Start Date Wed, 01/01/2020 - 00:00

Original end date Fri, 12/31/2021 - 00:00

Actual end date Fri, 01/31/2025 - 00:00

Did project finish on time? Yes

Total billable hours utilized (if applicable) {Empty}

Contract Amounts

Original contract: $1454177

Amendments $1204319

Contract total $2658496

Did project finish within budget? Yes

What was the funding source? State funds

Is this a sole source contract? No

If this was a single source contract, explain why the agency determined there was only a single source for the services (if applicable) {Empty}

Evaluator Name Heidi Larson

Evaluator Email Address heidi.larson@state.mn.us

Evaluate the contractor's timeliness The contractor provided all reports on activity and performance using a call center case management system in a timely manner. This included weekly monthly, quarterly, and annual reports. The contractor adhered to call standards relating to timeliness and communicated notice if the metrics were not up to standards. The contractor provided an account manager to meet on a regular cadence with MDH staff and communicated when the account manager changed.

Evaluate the contractor's quality The quality of the contractor’s work was high. The contractor’s quitline program uses evidence-based phone and online coaching methods as the foundation for behavioral change and includes personalized coaching and online resources help people quit smoking, vaping and using other commercial tobacco products. They have some of the highest success rates in the country, with a 40 percent responder quit rate and a 90 percent participant satisfaction rate.

Evaluate the contractor's cost The contractor adhered to the agreed upon Quitline Pricing set forth in the contract. The contractor worked collaboratively with MDH staff to communicate additional projects and opportunities to spend funds to improve the quality and service of the quitline.

Evaluate the contractor's overall performance The contractor performed very well in meeting the goals outlined in the contract. The contractor adhered to the industry standards set forth by the North American Quitline Consortium (NAQC). The contractor coordinated with the Marketing Services contractor throughout the term of the contract. The contractor worked with MDH to develop and implement a quality assurance plan and monitored call and other service volumes on a weekly basis.

Would you engage the contractor's services again? Yes

Describe any negative action taken during the duration of this contract (i.e., termination, pursuit of suspension, etc.): N/A

Please rate the overall experience with the contractor 5 - very satisfied