PVD25-132 Scaling and Sustaining Safer Use: Reducing Overdose and Substance-Rela

The City of Providence, Rhode Island's Department of Housing & Human Services (HHS) is issuing a Request for Proposals (RFP) for a harm reduction project focused on scaling and sustaining safer use practices to reduce overdose and substance-related harms. The project specifically aims to reach individuals using drugs in private settings, with key objectives including increasing adoption of safer use practices, expanding Naloxone availability, and connecting individuals and families with support services. Proposed projects will run from January 1, 2026 to December 31, 2026, with proposals due on October 20, 2025 and an anticipated award date of November 17, 2025. The evaluation criteria include four primary scoring categories: Project Proposal (30 points), Anti-Racism and Cultural Competence (30 points), Organization Experience (30 points), and Timeline & Budget Proposal (10 points). Key performance indicators for the project include tracking the number of households provided harm reduction services, Naloxone kits distributed, people trained on overdose response, and referrals to support services.

Eligible organizations must be 501(c)(3) certified and demonstrate substantial experience with harm reduction approaches, trauma-informed services, and culturally competent practices. The project is funded through the City's Opioid Settlement Funds, with a total available funding amount of $60,000. The City reserves the right to award the full contract to one proposer, split the award among multiple proposers, or potentially not award a contract at all. While no specific set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises are explicitly mentioned, the RFP emphasizes the importance of anti-racism and cultural competence in the proposal evaluation. The project is specifically targeted at addressing Providence's high overdose rates and ongoing opioid epidemic, with a particular focus on developing innovative strategies to engage individuals using drugs in private settings. Proposing organizations should be prepared to demonstrate their capacity to effectively implement harm reduction strategies and provide comprehensive, supportive services to the target population.