(a) (1) A local fire department or a volunteer fire company or department may apply to the Department for a grant under the Program.

(2) The county in which a volunteer fire company or department is located shall assist volunteer fire companies or departments in filing applications under paragraph (1) of this subsection.

(b) Each year, the Department shall issue a request for applications from local fire departments and volunteer fire companies or departments for grants offered under the Program.

(c) An application submitted in accordance with subsection (b) of this section shall include, at minimum:

(1) The names and qualifications of competent health care providers that are advising the applicant on the selection and administration of cancer screening tests;

(2) The number of firefighters proposed to be screened and the criteria for selecting those firefighters that the applicant has determined to be at the highest cancer risk based on the latest scientific and medical research reports; and

(3) A description of each test proposed to be procured by the applicant, including:

(i) The claimed accuracy and reliability of the test;

(ii) The scientific and clinical evidence supporting the claimed accuracy and reliability;

(iii) Whether the test employs innovative or novel technologies, such as DNA sequencing, genomics, proteomics, metabolomics, machine learning, artificial intelligence, big data analytics, or other state-of-the-art technology;

(iv) Whether the test has the ability to simultaneously screen for two or more cancer types for which firefighters have a higher incidence or death rate;

(v) The cost of the test; and

(vi) Whether the test is developed, manufactured, or commercialized by a business entity located in the State.