In awarding grants under the competitive grants program, the department shall give preference to all of the following:
- (a) Nonprofit or community-based organizations.
(b) Current contractors that meet both of the following requirements:
- (1) Have demonstrated effectiveness and capacity in providing tobacco education services.
- (2) Serve populations and areas with substantial unmet service needs.
- (c) Proposals that provide new or expanded services to geographic areas or target populations underserved, as determined by the department.