Opioid Pool Expansion

Sussex County, New Jersey is conducting a Request for Proposals (RFP) to expand its vendor pool for specialized services supporting the Department of Health and Human Services' Opioid Settlement Fund projects. The procurement seeks qualified firms to provide annual as-needed substance use and prevention services, with a comprehensive scope targeting opioid remediation strategies. Key deliverables include media campaigns, community anti-drug coalitions, school and community-based prevention efforts, training programs, early identification and referral services, mental health supports, peer support services, and housing assistance. The RFP requires respondents to demonstrate expertise in evidence-based practices, appropriate licensure, and organizational capacity to manage funding and deliver services. Proposal evaluation will use a 100-point scoring system, with points allocated across project team (25 points), applicable capability (25 points), experience with public agencies (25 points), schedule of fees (15 points), and overall consultant experience and proposal quality (10 points). Critical procurement dates include a questions deadline of October 16, 2025 at 5:00 p.m., an RFI response date of October 23, 2025, proposal due date of November 7, 2025 at 11:00 a.m., and an anticipated award date of December 10, 2025.

The contract will be open-ended with no specified minimum or maximum contract amount, effective from February 26, 2026, through February 25, 2027, with options to extend for two additional consecutive one-year periods. While no specific set-aside designations are explicitly mentioned, the RFP is subject to New Jersey statutes N.J.S.A. 10:5-31 et seq. and N.J.A.C. 17:27-1 et seq., which likely relate to equal employment and affirmative action requirements. Vendors must obtain proposal packages exclusively through the Sussex County Bonfire portal, with direct contact with county staff or evaluation committee members prohibited. The procurement requires comprehensive documentation, including business registration certificates, employee information reports, liability insurance, and various compliance forms. Bidders must demonstrate non-involvement in prohibited activities and provide detailed ownership and investment disclosures. While no specific budget range is provided, the contract allows the county to award to any number of respondents based on proposal reviews and county needs, suggesting flexibility in vendor selection and potential contract value.