Request for Proposals Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada Research Synthesis Economic Policy, Obesity and Health January 2009
Table of Contents Deadlines...3 1. Introduction...3 2. Background...3 3. Purpose/Intent...4 4. Scope of Work...4 5. Target Audience...5 6. Deliverables...5 7. Budget and Duration...5 8. Eligibility Requirements...6 9. Evaluation Criteria...7 10. Expectations of Researchers/Consultants...7 11. HSFC Rights and Responsibilities...8 12. Applicant Responsibilities...8 13. Inquiries...8 Appendix A - Operational Definition of Terms...9 Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada 2
Deadlines Intent to Submit: March 13, 2009 (submit name, contact info to jcampbell@hsf.ca) Proposal Deadline: April 8, 2009 Notification: April 2009 Award of Contract: May 2009 1. Introduction The Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada (HSFC) is issuing this Request for Proposal (RFP). The purpose of this initiative is to engage the services of a team of research consultants/contractor(s) to conduct a synthesis of the global research evidence related to economic policies, obesity and health. 2. Background HSFC, a volunteer-based health charity, leads in eliminating heart disease and stroke and reducing their impact through the advancement of research and its application, the promotion of healthy living, and advocacy. Obesity is a leading cause of premature death and disability and has been shown to have direct linkages to a number of chronic diseases including heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and cancer (Tipping the Scales of Progress: Heart Disease and Stroke 2006. HSFC. June 2006). Approximately 60% of Canadians are obese and the resulting future costs to the healthcare system are projected to be enormous (Tjepkema M., Sheilds M. Nutrition Findings from the Canadian Community Health Survey Overweight Canadian Children and Adolescents. Statistics Canada 2005). Given the complexity of the causes of obesity, a multifaceted systems approach needs to be applied in order to address the obesity issue. One intervention that may contribute to the systems solution is the use of economic interventions such as tax incentives and disincentives, agricultural subsidies, and pricing policies aimed at improving the health of citizens. Such policy interventions have been shown to be successful in reducing the prevalence of cigarette smoking (i.e. taxes applied to cigarettes). HSFC is interested in understanding more about the effectiveness of such economic policies in the fight against obesity. In October 2005, HSFC, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) - Institute of Nutrition, Metabolism and Diabetes (INMD), the Canadian Population Health Initiative of the Canadian Institute for Health Information and the Public Health Agency of Canada, collaborated on a national Obesity Policy Think Tank that examined, among other things, the relationship between economic policies (agricultural subsidies, tax incentives and disincentives and Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada 3
pricing policies) and overweight and obesity in the Canadian context. The Think Tank produced a lengthy list of priorities for research. From the workshop, it was clear that current evidence related to the ways in which economic and agricultural policies affect overweight/obesity are not comprehensive and the evidence that does exist has not yet been synthesized. This poses a challenge for creating evidence-based policies in this area. HSFC is leading an effort to fill this knowledge gap and is commissioning a research synthesis of global evidence related to economic and agricultural policies, healthy eating and obesity. 3. Purpose/Intent The purpose of this RFP is to invite interested researchers to submit a detailed proposal that will enable HSFC to select the research/consultant team that it determines is best suited to complete the project according to the enclosed criteria. 4. Scope of Work The research synthesis should address the following question: What have been the impacts of tax incentives, disincentives, agricultural and other economic subsidies, and pricing policy interventions on: 1) the ecological factors that influence behaviours related to obesity risk; 2) direct or indirect behaviours that impact obesity risk; 3) health outcomes related to obesity? See Appendix A for operational definitions of key terms. Outcomes of Interest Efficacy and impact of policy interventions will be investigated on some or all of the following health related outcomes depending upon the scope of relevant literature. Ecological (environmental) outcomes: Changes in availability (e.g. of unhealthy; healthy foods; opportunities for physical activity) Changes in access (e.g. to fresh fruits and vegetables) Behavioural outcomes: Changes in diet and eating behaviour (dietary intake, consumption patterns) Changes in exercise and fitness activities Changes in food purchasing behaviour Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada 4
Mediating Variables (related to behaviour outcomes): Changes in knowledge, attitudes, beliefs Changes in intentions General health outcomes: Changes in blood pressure, cholesterol, and BMI Chronic disease prevalence Hospitalization rates Mortality Out of scope for this synthesis is health services research (e.g. bariatric surgery). HSFC is interested in all theoretical literature, observational ecological/correlational and crosssectional studies pertaining to this area. 5. Target Audience The primary audiences for this synthesis are policy and decision makers in economic and agricultural-related departments at the federal or provincial levels, non-governmental organizations, research funding agencies and the public. 6. Deliverables The main research deliverable is a scientific synthesis report summarizing the best available evidence from Canada and internationally. The synthesis report and the outcomes of the work will be presented by the team to HSFC and other relevant stakeholders. The final synthesis report will consist of: A one page summary of key messages A 2-3 page executive summary A 25 (maximum) page main report The successful team is expected to work with appropriate experts (writers/editors) to generate a report that is understandable and accessible to decision makers and contribute to other knowledge transfer and exchange activities as required. 7. Budget and Duration Budget The maximum amount available for conducting the synthesis and completing the project is $100,000. Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada 5
Travel Travel costs for the project, including those related to section 10 of this RFP, are to be included in the financial proposal. With the exception of one face-to-face meeting, meetings with HSFC will be held via teleconference. Duration Timelines will be negotiated with the successful team. Ideally, the synthesis can be completed within 12-14 months from the time of awarding the contract. 8. Eligibility Requirements This RFP is open to all teams of researchers, consultants or contractor(s), of which the lead investigators normally reside in Canada. The successful team will have strong academic research credentials and linkages with the ability to have a peer-reviewed publication as an outcome. Applicants are requested to submit 4 hard copies (no longer than 15 pages double spaced, Arial 12 Font) and one electronic copy (in Microsoft Word or PDF format) of their proposal by the deadline. Your proposal - containing sufficient detail (subject to the page limitation above) to form the basis of a contractual agreement - should convey the following: The team's understanding of the scope of work; The proposed approach to the synthesis including methodology (inclusion of a scoping phase; databases & grey literature to be searched; search terms; use of key informants; inclusion and exclusion criteria) and data abstraction process(es); A work plan and timelines, identifying the level of effort required in relation to milestone/target dates; A detailed budget for each phase of work; Capacity of the team, which outlines the experience as well as delineates the roles and responsibilities of the team members; and Possible challenges and opportunities envisaged in undertaking this work. In addition to the 15 pages, the following elements are mandatory: An overview of relevant academic and work experience of lead investigators of the team; Current curriculum vitae/resumés for lead investigators of the team (Applicants are requested to use Canadian Common CV format HSFC version see: www.commoncv.net ), including relevant publications; Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada 6
For each team member, a summary CV (5 page maximum) highlighting relevant research, education and work related experience. A list of 3 references that can be contacted to discuss the team members' relevant experience. 9. Evaluation Criteria Proposals will be reviewed by an expert review committee including representatives from HSFC. Proposals will be evaluated in accordance with the following evaluation criteria: 1. Does the applicant demonstrate an understanding of the needs and the scope of work and the inherent challenges? 2. How appropriate and rigorous is the proposed methodology? 3. How well have the applicants anticipated difficulties in their approach and considered alternatives? How creative has the team been in addressing anticipated challenges? 4. How clearly have the applicants outlined their proposed methods for the review of evidence, including methods for identifying, selecting and appraising peer reviewed literature and grey literature, as well as methods for consulting with relevant stakeholders where appropriate. 5. How appropriate to the research proposed is the track record of the applicant(s) in terms of research, research synthesis and knowledge translation? 6. How relevant is the recent research of the applicant(s)? 7. What experience does the research team have in scoping reviews and/or research syntheses? 8. Is the workplan comprehensive and the proposed time-frame reasonable? Following the completion of the synthesis and prior to the development of the conclusions (and dissemination of findings), a peer review panel (formulated by HSFC) will assess the quality of the synthesis report. 10. Expectations of Researchers/Consultants The successful team of researchers/consultants or lead investigator will: 1. Meet with representatives from HSFC shortly after the contract is awarded, following which a revised work plan (provided any revisions are required to the work plan that was submitted) will be developed detailing the objectives, deliverables, timelines and budget for each of the parts outlined in the scope of work; 2. Be prepared to meet with HSFC representatives at least once during the course of the project at the request of HSFC; 3. Submit deliverables and reports according to the agreed upon schedule in the revised work plan. Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada 7
11. HSFC Rights and Responsibilities HSFC reserves the right to reject any or all responses to the RFP, reserves the right to modify the terms outlined herein and to negotiate with any party directly, and reserves the right to amend, or supplement the RFP giving equal information and co-operation to all applicants. HSFC reserves the right to cancel this invitation for listing purposes for any reason without incurring costs or liability for costs or damages incurred by any respondent, including without limitation, any expenses incurred in the preparation of the proposal. All responses to the RFP will be the property of HSFC. HSFC agrees to keep all responses in strict confidence. 12. Applicant Responsibilities Applicants are required to keep all information provided by HSFC in strict confidence. Applicants are responsible for all costs associated with the preparation and issuance of a proposal to this request. The successful applicant will be required to sign a Research Funding Agreement with HSFC that includes clauses related to Confidentiality, Ownership of Intellectual Property and Conflict of Interest. 13. Inquiries All inquiries, proposal submissions, and other communications are to be directed to: Jennifer Campbell, Assistant Director, Strategic Research Initiatives, Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada 1402-222 rue Queen Street, Ottawa ON K1P 5V9 jcampbell@hsf.ca / Tel: 613.569.4361, ext. 350 / Fax: 613.569.3278 Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada 8
Appendix A - Operational Definition of Terms: Tax incentive Term Tax disincentive Agricultural subsidy Pricing policy Direct behaviours Indirect behaviours (motivators or predisposing factors to behaviours) Ecological factors (environmental determinants of behaviours) Obesity Risk Health Health outcomes Components A tax measure structured to encourage a change of behaviour on the part of producers or consumers in favour of healthy diet and activity. A tax measure structured to discourage behaviour on the part of producers or consumers that favours of unhealthy diet. Governmental financial support in favour of the producers of a specific agricultural product or to the agricultural sector as a whole. A structure or strategy that is used for setting the prices of products or services. The policy may take into account the costs of production or provision and margin of profit. Food intake, diet quality, nutrition, physical activity, sedentary behaviour. Knowledge and attitudes towards direct behaviours. Food availability (quality and quantity), availability of opportunities for physical activity (recreation facilities, transit, walkability). BMI > 25 kg/m2 A state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. A change in the health of an individual, or a group of people or a population that is wholly or partially attributable to a health intervention or a series of interventions. Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada 9