Peer Response RFP 7.26.docx (2).pdf

Caroline County Health Department

Certified Peer Support Specialist Response to Overdose Emergency Calls

Request for Proposals

RFP # BPM058822

Key Information Sheet

Issuing Agency: Caroline County Health Department 403 S. 7th Street Denton, Maryland 21629 Contact: Kathryn Paul, Director of Administration

Purpose: This document provides information and bid proposal elements necessary for interested parties to respond to the request for proposals for Certified Peer Support Specialist Response to Overdose Emergency Calls.

Issue Date: September 11, 2026

The Caroline County Health Department is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Purpose

Caroline County Behavioral Health, an entity of Caroline County Health Department, is seeking an organization or entity to provide a Certified Peer Support Specialist to respond to overdose emergency calls, in conjunction with Caroline County Department of Emergency Services (CCDES). Caroline County Behavioral Health (CCBH)’s Overdose Co-Response program provides immediate response by a peer to attempt to assist individuals and families for resources needed, treatment options, and peer support to all of those household members.

CCBH currently tracks overdoses in Caroline County by calendar year. In 2025, CCDES responded to 89 overdoses and 8 deaths. So far in 2026, CCDES has responded to 21 overdoses and 0 deaths.

Abbreviations and Definitions

CCBH- Caroline County Behavioral Health

CCDES- Caroline County Department of Emergency Services

CCHD- Caroline County Health Department

CPSS- Certified Peer Support Specialist

DHMH- Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, now known as Maryland Department of Health

EMS- Emergency Management Services

RFP- Request for Proposals

Services

1. The Certified Peer Support Specialist (CPSS) will respond in-person to all Caroline County overdose-related emergency calls within 1 hour of notification by Emergency Services. The 1 hour timeframe begins once the Bidder receives notification from CCDES. Response coverage is expected 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

2. The CPSS will meet with the individual and/or family to offer resources and case management. Emergency Management Services (EMS), including paramedics, may leave the overdose location before the CPSS arrives if it is not medically necessary for them to stay. The CPSS will not be expected to respond to the Emergency Department, if the patient is transported there by EMS.

3. The CPSS will provide Naloxone and Naloxone instructions to anyone interested within the home. CCBH can provide Naloxone if requested by the Bidder, and as long as supply is available.

4. The CPSS will complete all appropriate referrals to community resources within 2 business days of the response. Community resources include substance use treatment, housing, medical services, food, insurance, etc.

5. The CPSS will follow up with the individual one month after the response for data tracking purposes.

Deliverables

1. The Bidder will provide at least one (1) Certified Peer Support Specialist (CPSS) to respond to overdose-related emergency calls. Since this is an on-call response, the peer(s) is permitted to be integrated into an existing peer recovery program within your organization. However, only expenses directly related to this project will be reimbursed.

2. The Bidder will provide appropriate technology for the Peer Support Specialist. This could include a cell phone, laptop, tablet, printer.

3. The Bidder will meet with Caroline County Department of Emergency Services (CCDES) within 10 business days of the contract execution to determine the appropriate notification workflow.

4. The Bidder will create a HIPAA compliant consent form upon arrival at the emergency call location, and obtain consent to work with the individual/family. All privacy laws and regulations must be followed.

5. The Bidder will submit a monthly report to include the number of responses, number of referrals made to services, types of referrals made, and the number of appointments kept for those referrals. CCBH will provide a template for reporting. The Director of CCBH will be the point of contact once the contract has been executed.

6. The Bidder will participate in a minimum of quarterly meetings with CCBH.

7. The Bidder will submit monthly invoices to CCBH for the services and expenses incurred during the previous month. Indirect costs are not eligible for reimbursement.

Proposal Format

A complete proposal package must include the following:

1. Completed Cover Letter, including signature (Attachment #1)

2. Transmission Letter: Formal letter from the decision-making authority in the organization stating the organization’s intent to provide the services proposed, if selected. Provide name of the organization, address and all contact information, including primary contact person.

3. Proposal Narrative.

4. Proposed Budget including detailed justification. Preferred budgets will include Narcan distribution. Budgets shall not exceed $74,175.65.

5. Contingency Plan: Describe plans to maintain the program in the event the employee resigns or is on extended medical leave. This plan shall include who will cover the program and their credentials.

6. Most Recent Financial Statement (audited if available).

7. A copy of the company’s substance abuse policy.

8. Certification credentials of proposed Peer Support Specialist.

9. References: Must provide a minimum of three (3) reference letters (preferably health organizations) from unrelated organizations for which successful services of similar scope have been performed. All references must include the services performed, dates of services performed, name, title, and telephone number of a contact that is familiar with the Bidder’s performance.

10.Documentation of liability insurance coverage for the organization.

11.Certificate of Good Standing / Tax Clearance Statement for the State of Maryland.

The remainder of this page is intentionally left blank.

Contract Duration The contract resulting from this Request for Proposals (RFP) shall remain in effect from October 15, 2026 through June 30, 2027. The contract period may be extended with an amendment provided available funding.

Cancellations; Rejections The Caroline County Health Department reserves the right to reject any, and/or all proposals or to waive any technicality it deems in the best interest of the agency. CCHD also reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to award a contract based upon the written proposals received without discussions or negotiations.

Compliance with Laws/Arrearages By submitting a proposal in response to this RFP, the Bidder, if selected for award, agrees that it will comply with all Federal, State, and local laws applicable to its activities and obligations under the Contract. The Bidder will comply with the Title VI of the “Civil Rights Act of 1964”, Sections 503 and 504 of the “Rehabilitation Act of 1973”, “Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996” and will agree to the terms of the Sexual Harassment Policy – Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH) #4144”. Services provided under the contract will be governed by the DHMH Human Services Agreement Manual (available for review at CCHD).

Questions Written questions from prospective Bidders will be accepted through September 25, 2026.

Questions may be submitted via email with RFP # BPM058822 in the subject line to:

Kathryn Paul, Director of Administration Email: cachd.procurement@maryland.gov mailto:cachd.procurement@maryland.gov

INSTRUCTION TO BIDDERS

Submission of Proposals:

Proposals must be submitted via email to Kathryn Paul, Director of Administration, at cachd.procurement@maryland.gov . Complete proposals will include all items listed on page 5 of this document.

Delivery of Proposals All proposals must be received on or before October 2, 2026 at 4:30pm EST. Submission, modification, or withdrawal of proposals after the due date/time will not be considered.

Evaluation Proposals will be evaluated by CCHD using the following criteria:

1. Was the proposal submitted on time and with all required elements? (10 points)

2. Does the proposal reveal a comprehensive, innovative, well-developed budget in response to the needs of the target population? (10 points)

3. Does the proposal indicate an understanding of the services and the needs of the client population to be served? (20 points)

4. Does the proposal demonstrate experience and capacity in serving the target population?

(20 points)

5. Does the proposal demonstrate the existence of or plan for strong linkages with a range of community-based service providers and adequate referral mechanisms to ensure that clients receive needed services? (20 points)

6. Does the proposal indicate that the agency has the capacity and the staffing to provide Peer Support Response and Case Management services for the projected number of participants in Caroline County? (20 points)

RFP Timeline RFP Posted to eMMA September 11, 2026 Pre-Proposal Meeting At the request of the Bidder Questions Submission Deadline September 25, 2026 at 4:30pm EST Proposal Submission Deadline October 2, 2026 at 4:30pm EST Awardee Notification Date October 9, 2026

Pre-Proposal Meeting A pre-proposal meeting will be held at the request of the Bidder. Any requests for a pre-proposal meeting should be sent to Kathryn Paul at cachd.procurement@maryland.gov no later than Monday, September 21, 2026 at 4:30pm EST. If scheduled, this meeting will be posted in eMMA for all interested parties to attend. This meeting is not mandatory.

Award CCHD intends to award this contract on the basis of a combination of the evaluation of the Bidder’s experience and qualifications, as well as the fee proposed. The selected awardee will be notified on the date noted in the RFP Timeline. All other Bidders will be notified of their status no later than thirty (30) days after the contract has been fully executed.

Method of Payment The selected Bidder will bill CCHD for services and expenses incurred on the schedule determined by the contract. Services and expenses will not exceed the total award amount as specified in this RFP and in the final contract.

Attachment #1

Certified Peer Support Specialist Response to Overdose Emergency Calls

Caroline County Health Department

RFP# BPM058822

COVER SHEET

(this page must be completed, including signature, and submitted with the proposal)

Vendor Name: _________________________________________________________________

Vendor Address: _______________________________________________________________

Phone Number: ________________________________________________________________

Fax Number: __________________________________________________________________

Agent’s Name: _________________________________________________________________

Agent’s Email Address: __________________________________________________________

I hereby declare that the information submitted in this proposal is accurate and correct to the best of my knowledge. If the application is approved, I will be responsible for keeping necessary records and completing a progress and final report of the program.

Agent’s Signature: ______________________________________________________________

Agent’s Title: __________________________________________________________________

Date: _________________________________________________________________________