Specifications include, but are not limited to: a) Review analyzed data and summary reports from quantitative survey and develop focus group discussion guide(s): • MSDE will provide contractor with the questions, analyzed data, and summary reports from the quantitative survey. • Contractor will utilize the data and summary reports to develop focus group discussion guide(s) and key informant interview questions which will be reviewed and approved by MSDE OSCNP staff. If helpful or necessary, a meeting will be scheduled to discuss and/or finalize. b) Schedule and conduct 6 regional focus groups in Maryland with School Meals program operators: • Regions (and suggested cities in which the focus groups will be held) include: o Region 1: Baltimore City for agencies in Baltimore City, Baltimore County o Region 2: Central MD – Columbia, for agencies in Baltimore, Anne Arundel, Howard, Montgomery, Carroll counties o Region 3: Southern MD – Waldorf, for agencies in Prince George’s, Calvert, Charles, St. Mary’s counties o Region 4: Western MD – Hagerstown, for agencies in Allegany, Garrett, Washington, Frederick counties o Region 5: Northeast MD- Elkton, for agencies in Harford, Cecil, Kent, Queen Anne’s counties o Region 6: Eastern Shore – Cambridge or Salisbury, for agencies in Talbot, Dorchester, Caroline, Somerset, Wicomico, Worcester counties • Each focus group will be scheduled for 2 hours and will include 7 -10 participants, with representatives from a variety of agencies per region. • Contractor will coordinate logistics for focus group locations. • MSDE will provide contractor a list of free locations where the focus groups may be conducted. • MSDE will provide contractor with a spreadsheet of the names and contact information (phone, email) for School Meals operators in each region. • Contractor will communicate with School Meals operators to invite them to participate in focus groups. • The contractor will provide any supplies needed for focus group discussions participants, i.e. pens and paper. • Contractor will facilitate an audio and/or visual recording of the focus groups and the session will be transcribed. • At least two staff from the contractor team will participate in the focus groups in the roles of facilitator and notetaker. c) Plan and conduct 20 key informant interviews: • Contractor will draft a key informant interview guide and provide to OSCNP for review and revision. If helpful or necessary, a meeting will be scheduled to discuss and/or finalize. • MSDE will provide contractor with a spreadsheet of the names of School Meals operators with contact information (phone, email). • Contractor will communicate with School Meals operators to schedule interviews. • Contractor will conduct the interviews by telephone or virtual meeting, and they should be electronically recorded and transcribed...
