FY 2026 Substance Use Disorder Assistance Program

The State of Maine Department of Public Safety is issuing a Request for Applications (RFA) for the FY 2026 Substance Use Disorder Assistance Program, a competitive grant opportunity seeking to fund programs that assist individuals with substance use disorder through liaison strategies and referrals to community-based treatment and support services. Eligible applicants are limited to municipal governments, county governments, federally recognized Indian tribal governments, and regional jails that will implement programs focused on alleged low-level offenders before and after arrest, post-adjudication diversion and reentry programs in county jails, or pathways to treatment for persons presenting to municipal law enforcement agencies. Deliverables and key objectives include providing addiction counseling, treatment therapy services, case management, medically assisted treatment, health care, and job training, with applicants required to demonstrate organizational qualifications and experience, submit a detailed proposed project plan, and provide a comprehensive budget. Applicants must also commit to submitting quarterly progress reports and annual reports documenting program outcomes, participant enrollment, completion rates, recidivism data, and cost per participant metrics. The evaluation process employs a 100-point scoring system weighted across three categories: Organization Qualifications and Experience (30 points), Proposed Project (40 points), and Budget (30 points). Written questions must be submitted by March 26, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. local time, with applications due April 2, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. via the Vendor Self Service System (VSS); the contract term runs from May 1, 2026, through April 30, 2027, with a 14-calendar-day minimum between award notification and contract effectiveness.

Only government entities are eligible to apply; private and nonprofit agencies are ineligible for this procurement. Applicants must demonstrate no outstanding debt or delinquent reports due to the Department for prior Substance Use Disorder grants. Allowable costs include licensed addiction counselor salaries, treatment therapist services, case management, medically assisted treatment, health care, and job training, while non-allowable expenses include land acquisition, construction, office furniture, and lobbying activities. No incumbent vendors or current contractor information is specified in the RFA, and no specialized technology integration requirements are noted. The total funding available for distribution is $500,000, with the Department anticipating multiple awards and reserving the right to make partial awards, reject applications, or modify allocations at its discretion. All applications and supporting documents become public records under Maine's Freedom of Access Act following award notification.