Sole Source Narcan Purchase

The State of Illinois, specifically the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) Division of Substance Use Prevention and Recovery (SUPR), is conducting a sole source procurement for the purchase of the drug naloxone, commonly known as Narcan, which is used to reverse opioid overdoses. The IDHS SUPR is seeking to purchase and widely distribute Narcan nasal spray as part of the federally funded State Opioid Response II (SOR-II) grant. The sole source is justified because Emergent Devices, Inc. is the only FDA-approved manufacturer of the patented Narcan nasal spray delivery method. The initial contract term is from March 12, 2021 to January 31, 2022, with a potential value of $13 million. Funding will come from the SOR-II federal grant and state cannabis funds. IDHS determined the $75 unit price for a box of two Narcan doses is fair and reasonable based on market research, with no available generic alternatives or bulk discounts.

This sole source procurement is intended to ensure a reliable supply of the critical overdose reversal medication Narcan. A public hearing is scheduled for March 17, 2021 at 2:00 pm to receive testimony on whether this sole source procurement is appropriate under the Illinois Procurement Code. Written comments may be submitted in lieu of attending the hearing. After considering the testimony, the Chief Procurement Officer may approve the purchasing agency's request to contract via sole source. The contract is for the State Opioid Response Overdose Prevention program, under Bid/Buyout numbers R-84765 and B-20399.