Peer Response to Overdose Q+A 7.26 (4).pdf

Certified Peer Support Specialist Response to Overdose Emergency Calls

Procurement ID#: BPM058185

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Question: How do I submit a proposal?

Answer: All submissions should be submitted to the e-Maryland Marketplace, eMMA.

Question: Can you elaborate on the contents of the Certificate of Good Standing/Tax Clearance Statement?

Answer: A certificate of Good Standing/Tax Clearance Statement ensures the business is registered to do business in Maryland. Reference for more information:

https://businessexpress.maryland.gov/manage/maintain-good-standing-status

Question: Our Certificate of Good Standing/Tax Clearance Statement is through 2024. Will you accept alternative documentation?

Answer: Our procurement policy states that a business must be in good standing and registered with the State of Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation in order to receive grant awards or funds from Caroline County Health Department. We review the SDAT webpage for vendor registration and status which is typically updated before you receive your certificate.

Question: Are you planning a pre-proposal conference?

Answer: A pre-proposal conference is scheduled for Wednesday, August 12, 2026 at 2pm EST.

The meeting agenda and virtual link are posted in eMMA. This meeting is not mandatory.

Question: Is attendance at the pre-proposal conference required in order to submit a proposal?

Answer: No, this meeting is not required and is not a condition of submitting a proposal.

Question: What are the budget parameters?

Answer: The budget limit for this is $74,175.65.

Question: Is this a reimbursement contract?

Answer: Yes, This is a reimbursement contract. The selected vendor will invoice us monthly.

https://businessexpress.maryland.gov/manage/maintain-good-standing-status

Question: Does EMS stay at the location while the peer meets with the person or family?

Answer: EMS will be there but will not stay if it is not medically necessary. For example, if the peer responds an hour after notification, EMS may no longer be at the location.

Question: Do you have data on how many overdoses EMS responded to in Caroline County in the last fiscal year, including per month/week/day?

Answer: We currently only track overdoses by calendar year. In 2025, they responded to 89 overdoses and 8 deaths. This year so far, there have been 20 overdoses since January and no deaths.

Question: Is 24/7 coverage expected, or only during specific hours?

Answer: We are looking for 24/7 coverage.

Question: Can the contractor have more than one peer in the budget, since the RFP just requires one?

Answer: Yes, more than one peer can be included.

Question: Does a peer respond in the field and the ER?

Answer: The peer would respond in the field only.

Question:Will EMS request a response for every overdose or only when the patient consents?

Answer: They will request a response for every overdose.

Question: What is the biggest challenge with this project?

Answer: This is a new project, so the biggest challenge will be determining workflows for this project. For example, one workflow that will need to be configured is the notification process between your agency and Caroline County Emergency Services.

Question: What type of consent will be needed?

Answer: The consents required and process for obtaining consents is currently being discussed by Caroline County Behavioral Health. This process will be provided to the selected vendor.

Question: What counties are expected to be covered by this project?

Answer: This project only covers Caroline County in Maryland.

Question: What staffing model is required for this response?

Answer: The specific staffing model will need to be determined by your agency. CCHD does not have any specific requirements for staffing other than those listed within the RFP.

Question: What are the reporting requirements and who will be the point of contact?

Answer: The selected vendor will be required to submit monthly reports and participate in quarterly meetings. A template will be provided for monthly reporting. The Director of Behavioral Health will be the point of contact once the contract is executed.

Question: The RFP requires the selected bidder to provide one Certified Peer Recovery Specialist (CPRS) who is available to respond to overdose-related emergency calls within one hour of notification by Emergency Services. During periods when the CPRS is not actively responding to an overdose emergency, may the CPRS perform other related peer support, case management, outreach, treatment navigation, and community-based recovery support duties, provided that the CPRS remains available and able to meet the required one-hour response time?

Answer: Yes, the Peer Specialist can perform other duties that are unrelated to this project.

However, they should still be able to meet the 1-hour response time requirement. CCBH should only be invoiced for the work performed on this project and not for any other duties performed by the Peer Specialist.

Question: Does the County anticipate that the CPRS must be dedicated exclusively to this contract for a specific number of hours per week, or is the staffing requirement based primarily on the CPRS being available to respond within the required timeframe and completing the services and deliverables outlined in the RFP?

Answer: The hours worked per week on this project by the Peer Support Specialist will be solely based on the number of overdose calls in Caroline County, the referrals for services, and any follow-up required.

Question: If the position may perform other related duties when not responding to an overdose emergency, would the County permit the position to be integrated into an existing peer recovery program, with personnel time and other expenses appropriately allocated to the CCBH Overdose Co-Response program?

Answer: Yes, the Peer Support Specialist can be integrated into an existing peer recovery program, as long as they are able to meet the required one-hour response time. CCBH should only be invoiced for the work performed on this project and not for any other duties performed by the Peer Specialist.

Question: If after-hours/on-call coverage is required, does the County expect this cost to be included within the overall contract ceiling?

Answer: Yes, this should be included in your budget and the overall contract ceiling.

Question: Please confirm whether the 60-minute in-person response requirement begins from the time the contractor receives a valid Emergency Services notification.

Answer: The 60-minute in-person requirement begins once the contractor receives notification from Emergency Services.

Question: Is this contract strictly cost-reimbursement based on actual allowable expenses, or may the contractor invoice based on an approved monthly/service budget up to the awarded not-to-exceed amount?

Answer: Yes, this is strictly cost-reimbursement based on actual allowable expenses. The selected vendor may only invoice CCHD for incurred expenses each month.

Question: Are reasonable administrative, indirect, overhead, or management costs allowable within the proposed budget? If so, is there a maximum allowable rate or required methodology?

Answer: Administrative costs are allowable. Indirect costs should not be included. There is no set allowable rate for these costs.

Question: Will Caroline County Health Department provide/replenish the Naloxone medication/kits, or should the contractor include the cost of acquiring Naloxone within its proposed budget?

Answer: CCHD will provide Naloxone if requested by the vendor AND as we are able. We advise including this cost in your budget.

Question: Is mileage for emergency responses, referrals, follow-up activities, and required meetings an allowable reimbursable expense under the contract?

Answer: Yes, this is an allowable expense as long as the activities are specific to this project.

Question: If actual call volume, required coverage hours, or other County-directed service requirements materially exceed the assumptions used to develop the proposal, is there a mechanism for a budget modification or contract amendment?

Answer: A budget modification can be submitted; however, the total funds available for this project (as listed in the RFP) cannot be exceeded.