Request for Proposals

Medications for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) Anti-Stigma Marketing Campaign

Release Date: August 17, 2026

Due Date: September 28, 2026

Calvert County Local Behavioral Health Authority (LBHA)

P.O. Box 980

PRINCE FREDERICK, MD 20678

443-295-8584 ext. 101

CALVERT COUNTY RFP- BUP August 2026

BACKGROUND

The Calvert County Health Department Local Behavioral Health Authority is issuing this Request for Proposals to assist in breaking the stigma associated with Opioid Use Disorder and Medications for Opioid Use Disorder. The Awardee will be tasked with implementing a media campaign targeting Calvert County residents that delivers the message that Medications for Opioid Use Disorder are an evidence-based, gold standard intervention for Opioid Use Disorder that save lives. The goal is to educate the public that Medications for Opioid Use Disorder are the most effective treatment for individuals struggling with Opioid Use Disorder and has proven to decrease the risk of relapse and potential fatalities and increase treatment retention. Other goals include destigmatizing Substance Use Disorders and educating the public about addiction as a disease.

The Maryland Department of Health, Behavioral Health Administration has awarded Calvert County “Buprenorphine Initiative” funding. This award is funded through State of Maryland General Funds and is in support of the ongoing nationwide efforts to increase awareness and treatment services for individuals diagnosed with Opioid Use Disorders (OUD) due to the ongoing opioid epidemic.

Calvert County is dedicated to providing behavioral health treatment services to the priority population that include: Individuals diagnosed with or at risk of developing an Opioid Use Disorder

(OUD).

The goal of the “Buprenorphine Initiative” for FY2027 will be to create a public awareness campaign that can help educate Calvert County residents about the benefits of Medications for Opioid Use Disorder and how vital it is to seek treatment services that are available to treat this deadly disease.

The intent is to help break the stigma many individuals experience related to addiction and Medications for Opioid Use Disorder.

There is expectation that grant funds will be available for Fiscal Year 2027, however, the grant award and subsequent payments are subject to availability of LBHA funds, and satisfying program deliverables. All funds must be spent and services invoiced prior to June 25, 2027.

General Requirements All provider proposals for funding will be reviewed and approved by the Calvert County Local Behavioral Health Authority. The selected vendor must meet the eligibility criteria described below to be considered for funding.

The selected vendor shall:

● Create a marketing strategy and put this strategy into action to develop a successful marketing campaign o Implement already existing marketing materials via online digital display ads and social media to assist with educating the public and destigmatizing MOUD

● Create a billboard advertisement using current campaign images and themes.

● Create signage for four statue pedestals using current campaign images and themes.

o Signs should educate the public and increase awareness about the benefits of

MOUD.

● Maintain, update, and expand the current MOUDworksforme website, including diagnosing and resolving any technical issues to ensure full platform functionality.

● Regularly communicate with the LBHA and provide frequent reports and presentations on various advertising options

● Create and submit an itemized budget and narrative budget justification o Please note budget narratives must include both the calculations used to determine the amounts budgeted as well as a narrative justification of how the costs will assist with meeting the performance requirements.

● All materials created through this award, including the website domain and associated materials will be the property of the Calvert County Health Department upon completion of the agreement.

Ineligible Use of Funding

● Any items or services for family members or friends of staff, employees themselves, consultants and contractual employees, or for the staff of the parent organization;

● Services/activities that are already funded through other sources;

● Reimbursement to physicians for training;

● Food, gift cards, or incentives.

Proposed Performance Requirements The Calvert County LBHA has identified the following target performance measures (PMS) for this project during the FY27 contracting period:

● 75,000 impressions for digital display ads

● 60,000 impressions for online video ads

● 60,000 impressions for Connected TV ads

● 112,500 impressions on social media

The LBHA is open to negotiating these targets. In your proposal, please indicate which of the above PMS your organization can meet and if your organization proposes any changes to these targets, including adjustments that may be necessary based on the total grant award amount. Please also indicate any additional performance measures or indicators you believe are relevant to the success of this campaign.

MAXIMUM AWARD AMOUNT

The LBHA has received conditional funding approval for $43,519 in FY2027 for this project. The LBHA expects the program to be fully implemented throughout the award period. The term of this agreement shall be for the period commencing once a vendor has been selected and a contract executed (estimated mid October 2026) and ending on June 30, 2027. Offerors should submit a single budget covering this period, including any start-up costs. Offerors should plan to implement the program no later than 30 days after notification of grant award.

After the initial year of funding, the Contract will be renewable for an additional year for a total of two (2) Years, provided the contract deliverables are met and there is continued funding from MDH.

ELIGIBILITY

To apply for this funding opportunity, an organization must:

● Attend the mandatory Pre-Application Meeting;

● Be able to demonstrate experience with similar projects;

● Be prepared to clearly communicate the required messaging to the public;

● Commit to attend any meetings prompted by the LBHA;

● Designate one person (Program Director) to be the liaison with the Calvert County LBHA to provide information for evaluating the services provided;

● Commit to meet with the Calvert County LBHA on a biweekly schedule from the date of grant award to provide updates on project progress. The schedule may be modified based on performance; and

● Be able to provide the contracted materials and outcomes within the award period.

DATA AND REPORTING

The Awardee will make any/all documents and records available for audit/evaluation to entitled Federal, State and County officials upon request. Calvert County LBHA will establish and conduct regular program monitoring site visits and record reviews that will include assessing compliance with all Federal, State, and Local conditions of award, health and safety reviews, fiscal and data information, and quality management of service processes. The Awardee will develop a budget, create and provide a monthly report to be submitted by close of business on the 15th day of the month to the Calvert County LBHA.

The Calvert County LBHA reserves the right to adjust and change data reporting requirements as the project evolves and/or as MDH guidelines dictate.

GRANT AGREEMENT AND TERMINATION FOR NON-PERFORMANCE

The LBHA may terminate the agreement with the selected vendor:

● Due to lack of funding;

● For cause;

● By mutual agreement with Provider;

For cause shall be defined as Provider’s failure to fulfill in a timely and proper manner its obligations, or substantial violation by Provider of any of the covenants or stipulations of the grant Agreement. In addition to the rights described above, either party may terminate this Agreement for any reason at any time giving 90 days advance written notice to the other party by certified mail.

Upon termination, any funds forwarded by LBHA to Provider but not utilized in the performance of services under this Agreement or any amounts that are subject to refund shall become the property of the LBHA and shall be refunded to the LBHA.

INVOICING

The contract for this award will be a fixed price agreement. Invoices are to be submitted quarterly unless otherwise agreed upon by the LBHA and the selected vendor along with a MDH 437 funding request form. The Awardee must give monthly reports of work, services and items that have been approved by the Calvert County LBHA per the project timeline and budget at regular meetings between the Awardee and the Calvert County LBHA. Invoices for work, services and items not on the project timeline and/or not approved by the Calvert County LBHA may result in denial of further funding.

PROPOSAL FORMAT AND REQUIREMENTS

Proposal narratives submitted in response to this request shall not exceed 10 typed, single-sided, single-spaced pages and should address the criteria specified below. Use Calibri 12-point font and 1-inch margins. Budget pages and attachments, such as letters of reference, are not included in the 10-page maximum. It shall contain a one page executive summary.

At a minimum, each proposal shall include the following items in the stated order; all pages shall be numbered, and all the listed components must be included. Proposals which do not include all components will be considered non-responsive and therefore not reviewed or considered for funding.

1. Transmission letter: A formal letter stating your intent to provide the services you are proposing and that you have the authority to do so. Provide name or organization, address, and all contact information, including primary contact person.

2. Approval of Governing Body: A letter or memo which states that you have the approval and support of your governing body to submit such a proposal.

3. Program budget: The budget should specify costs including salaries and fringe, rent, supplies, mileage, etc. A budget narrative justification must accompany the budget or the proposal may not be considered for evaluation. Line item justifications must address how costs were established as well as provide justification for how all costs relate to the implementation of the program.

4. Proposed Project:

a. Vendor Expertise: Detail your organization’s history of planning and executing public health or behavioral health marketing campaigns, particularly those focused on stigma reduction or addiction treatment awareness. Describe your approach to developing culturally competent, evidence-based messaging for diverse audiences, especially regarding sensitive health topics.

b. Capacity: Explain your capacity to navigate digital ad platforms and social media strategies to reach specific geographic and demographic targets within Calvert County.

c. Detailed Work Plan: Describe the services you intend to provide including a work breakdown. What constellation of services will you provide? Who will provide the services? What are their qualifications? In what setting will the services take place? What is the proposed availability of the services?

d. Evaluation: Describe your quality assurance processes. Cite any results of consumer satisfaction surveys or program evaluations if they are available.

e. Staffing: What are the qualifications of staff involved in the program? What experience do they have? What will their roles be? How frequently will supervision occur? What are the qualifications of the staff responsible for collecting and submitting data to the LBHA in a timely fashion? Describe cultural competency of the staff.

f. Professional Collaboration: If provider intends to use other qualified professionals outside of their organization, who would they be? What are the roles and qualifications of proposed collaborators?

h. Timeline for Implementation: Please include a timeline showing when you will accomplish all of the major tasks associated with program start-up and implementation, including hiring, marketing, training, supervision, evaluation, etc.

5. Organizational Capacity Statement: If incorporated, attach a copy of the most current articles of incorporation. Additionally, submit a roster of all members of the organization's board of directors, including addresses and telephone numbers.

a. Attach an organizational chart, illustrating the relationship of the project staff to the larger organization,

b. Include a statement describing recruitment (in compliance with the Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) guidelines and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), training, and supervision of personnel to work in this program.

c. Describe your team’s ability to manage the scope of this project, including dedicated staff availability, technical experience with website development and maintenance, and experience handling similar campaign budgets.

d. Describe your internal workflow for tracking performance data, managing real-time budget spend, and ensuring the timely delivery of reports to the LBHA as required by this agreement.

6. Licenses and Certification: Copies of all current licenses and certifications held by the offeror related to the services required by this RFP.

7. Insurance: The provider is an independent contractor and shall submit documentation to the LBHA that it maintains adequate general and professional liability insurance coverage for all of its personnel, as well as, appropriate fire, casualty, premise and workers' compensation insurance coverage.

8. Letters of Reference: Please include at least two letters of reference. References and descriptions of previous similar engagements should be provided (all references should include a contact person familiar with the offeror's work and the appropriate telephone number) as well as demonstrate the ability of the offeror to successfully provide sufficient qualified backup staff.

CONTACT

For more information contact:

Andrea McDonald-Fingland, Director Local Behavioral Health Authority Calvert County Health Department

PO Box 980, Prince Frederick, MD 20678 andrea.mcdonald-fingland@maryland.gov

443-295-8584 x101

REVIEW PROCESS

A panel of reviewers will conduct the application review process using the following rating scale. The decision to award funds of any amount will be based on the merits of the application. The decision of the reviewers will be final. Applications will be examined for:

1. Provider Expertise & Organizational Capacity: Description of provider expertise and organizational capacity to develop an anti-stigma marketing campaign. Please include examples of previous projects as attachments. (20 points)

2. Description of Administrative Process: Outline your organization's administrative infrastructure for managing this contract. Please describe your internal processes for monitoring project timelines, tracking deliverables, and overseeing any sub-grantees to ensure full compliance with all grant requirements and reporting schedules. (20 points)

3. Project Description: Provide a detailed project work plan for the media campaign, including marketing strategies and proposed materials. (20 points)

4. Performance & Outcome Indicators: Identification of performance and outcome indicators to be used to evaluate the program's effectiveness, including a description of the expected schedule for measuring performance and outcomes. (15 points)

5. Timeline: Submit a clear and concise timeline for the implementation of the project. (10 points)

6. Budget Narrative: A budget narrative that describes the funding needed to support the proposed services, including a line-item budget with accompanying justification for the year.

The budget is to align with the proposed activities. (15 points)

APPLICATION DEADLINE

One copy of the application for the Anti Stigma Campaign must be emailed to Andrea McDonald-Fingland, andrea.mcdonald-fingland@maryland.gov by 9/28/26. Applications received after 05:00 PM on 9/28/26 will not be considered for review. Faxed applications will not be accepted.

PRE-APPLICATION MEETING

A mandatory pre-application meeting will be held via Google Meet on 8/31/26. For an invitation to this meeting please contact andrea.mcdonald-fingland@maryland.gov.

ANTI-STIGMA CAMPAIGN APPLICATION TIMELINE

STEPS TO COMPLETION COMPLETION DATE

Advertise/Email 8/17/26 Pre-Application Conference 8/31/26 Application Submission Deadline 9/28/26 Letters of Award sent 10/9/26

Attachment 1

FY 2027 MOUD ANTI STIGMA CAMPAIGN

GRANT APPLICATION COVER PAGE

PROJECT TITLE:

ORGANIZATION:

AMOUNT OF GRANT FUNDS REQUESTED:

CONTACT PERSON

(1) TITLE:

CONTACT PERSON

(2) TITLE:

ADDRESS

CITY, STATE, ZIP

PHONE NUMBER FAX

E-MAIL ADDRESS

IS YOUR ORGANIZATION COMMUNITY-BASED? YES NO

DOES YOUR ORGANIZATION HAVE NONPROFIT STATUS? YES NO

DATE OF NONPROFIT STATUS

FEDERAL IDENTIFICATION NUMBER

I DO SOLEMNLY DECLARE AND AFFIRM THAT THE CONTENTS OF THIS APPLICATION ARE TRUE AND

CORRECT TO THE BEST OF MY KNOWLEDGE, INFORMATION, AND BELIEF.

PRINTED NAME

TITLE

SIGNATURE DATE