Consultant for Opioid Prevention People with Living Experience RFP
Posted
Nov 6, 2026
Dec 3, 2026
PURCHASING DIVISION Joni Laming, Manager (616) 632-7720 purchasing@kentcountymi.gov SOLICITATION Solicitation Type Request for Proposal (RFP) Solicitation Number 6795 Description Consultant for Opioid Prevention People with Living Experience Date of Issuance 11/6/2026 Inquiries Deadline Date & Time (local) 11/30/2026, 2 PM Due Date & Time (local) 12/3/2026, 2 PM Pre-Submission Conference Yes: Non-Mandatory Teleconference (attendance recommended & pre-registration required) Conference Date & Time (local) 11/18/2026 10:30 AM Buyer Name Pitchellis INTRODUCTION The Kent County Purchasing Division is soliciting proposals for a contractor to organize a consultant group of people with living experience (PWLE) of substance use, to provide firsthand perspectives that inform, strengthen, and improve opioid prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery initiatives. A contract will be awarded to provide the services through September 30, 2028 with the opportunity for extensions, contingent upon the availability of funds. Funding for the services during the initial two-year contract not to exceed $27,640 per year. BACKGROUND The Michigan State University assessment of needs in Kent County recommends developing mentorship and training programs that support PWLE to take leadership roles in the development and maintenance of community-based recovery activities. Engaging PWLE is an increasingly common strategy in public health to build and strengthen programming by collecting input from the very people served by the programming. This helps to shape programs that are realistic, meaningful, and tailored to real needs. It also builds trust between community members and organizations and fosters long-term partnerships between service users and providers, ensuring services remain aligned with evolving needs. SCOPE The goal of the PWLE Consultant Group is to formally incorporate research though lived experience into the Kent County Health Department's (KCHD) and Kent County Opioid Task Force's (KCOTF) ongoing work to address the harms of opioid use disorder in Kent County, including to identify effective investments of opioid settlement funds. The selected contractor will recruit, pay and support 8 participants and serve as a liaison to the KCHD. The contractor will convene the PWLE participants monthly at a location identified by the contractor in Year 1. This will allow the contractor to build relationships with participants and prepare participants to serve on the KCOTF. The contractor will engage KCHD staff in developing agendas, goals and discussion topics for each consultant group convening. During Year 2, the contractor will support the consultant group participants to attend quarterly KCOTF meetings and one of the three KCOTF subcommittee monthly meetings. The contractor will support by arranging technology or transportation for meeting participation, reviewing with participants the meeting agendas and materials in advance, coaching in how to participate in the meeting discussions, and helping participants to build relationships with other KCOTF members. The contractor and KCHD staff will meet quarterly with the PWLE participants to ensure the program is meeting the needs of the participants, KCHD and KCOTF. YEAR 1 REPORTING REQUIREMENTS 1. The contractor will provide a quarterly summary of information gathered during the monthly meetings to the KCHD, such as timely information about the opioid epidemic and emerging needs; feedback on existing services, barriers to services and effectiveness of services; and input on valuable investments of settlement funds and impact of the investments. 2. The contractor will provide an annual report within 60 days of the end of the program year that includes: • Detailed information, feedback, and recommendations provided by the PWLE Consultant Group on Opioid Use Disorder trends, emerging needs, effective services, barriers to services and other items that support the KCHD and KCOTF work • Overview of contractor's support provided to prepare the PWLE Consultant Group to participate with the KCOTF • Formal feedback from PWLE Consultant group participants on the experience • Number of participants per session o Demographics of participants YEAR 2 REPORTING REQUIREMENTS 1. The contractor will provide an annual report within 60 days of the end of the program year that includes: o Formal feedback from PWLE Consultant group participants on the experience participating with the KCOTF o Formal feedback from the KCHD and KCOTF members on the impact of PWLE participation on the Task Force's work o Data on PWLE Consultant Group attendance in full KCOTF meetings and subcommittee meetings PAYMENT Funding for the services during the initial two-year contract not to exceed $27,640 per year. • County will pay the contractor $15,000 per year for PWLE Consultant Group for all meeting planning, facilitation, and support. • County will reimburse contractor up to $8,272 per year for additional expenses supporting the PWLE Consultant Group, such as participant transportation costs, participant childcare costs, meeting space rental fees, and meeting materials and supplies. • Contractor will compensate PWLE Consultant Group members $26 per hour for meeting time and travel time to meetings up to a maximum of $4,368 of total compensation per year. Dimensions, if furnished, are for general reference only and should be verified by Respondent. Kent County will award and contract for the goods and services in this Solicitation in an efficient and timely manner. In no event will notification of award be more than 45 days from the date of submission. The Kent County Standard Submission Terms posted on the Bid Opportunities page of the Kent County Purchasing Division website are incorporated by reference and shall be deemed to have the same force and effect as if fully set forth herein. INQUIRIES Any and all communication regarding this Solicitation shall be on the Kent County Purchasing Division Inquiry Blog via the Bid Opportunities page or during pre-proposal meetings. Kent County reserves the right to determine the response format or not respond, at its sole discretion. PRE-SUBMISSION TELECONFERENCE A pre-submission conference is scheduled for this Solicitation. Conference registration is located here. Registration closes ½ hour before the conference scheduled date and time. Attendee should join the conference a minimum of 5 minutes before the conference is scheduled to commence. Late attendees may not be admitted. The conference provides attendees equal opportunity to seek clarifications regarding this Solicitation. Failure to attend the pre-submission conference may result in rejection of non-attendee inquiries. Each Respondent will be given the opportunity to ask questions and is responsible for taking meeting notes. One person from the Respondent should be designated to ask questions when prompted by the meeting host for teleconference meetings. All additional attendees should remain muted. Attendees must fully review all Solicitation documents and correspondence prior to the conference. Attendee shall be an employee or authorized reseller of the Respondent with requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities to participate. Attendee assumes all risks, costs, and expenses, including technological difficulties, associated with meeting attendance. Attendee may not screenshot or record any part of the meeting including the audio. An attendee requiring special services is asked to provide requirements to the Kent County Purchasing Division at least 48 hours in advance to allow for accommodations. REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL SUBMISSION Complete submissions must be received in the Kent County Purchasing Division on or before the due date/time specified by the designated clock (local time). Late, faxed, or emailed submissions will NOT be considered. Submissions may be submitted electronically on the Bid Opportunities page of the Kent County Purchasing Division's website. Respondent must include a complete proposal as 1 non-password protected PDF document. The time required to upload a submission may vary. Respondent assumes all risks associated with electronic submission, including technological difficulties, and deems the County and its service provider harmless and without fault. Successful electronic submissions are confirmed via Respondent's email. Respondent shall view the link in the confirmation email to determine accuracy prior to due date/time. Submissions must be in the format outlined below: Executive Summary - One (1) page maximum Summarize the Respondent's strong points and how experience, particularly with similar responsibilities, will benefit the stakeholders. Business Organization - One (1) page maximum State the full names, addresses, phone numbers, emails, and websites of any parties and their prospective roles. Recommendation - Ten (10) pages maximum Provide a recommendation focusing on the technical specification. Emphasize clarity and detail. Sales and Marketing material will not be used to determine the award. Timeline & Expectations - Two (2) pages maximum Provide a timeline to implement the recommendation efficiently and effectively with emphasis on key deliverables and milestones. Disclose necessary County resources, staffing and/or other requirements to implement each phase of the recommendation. Pricing Methodology - Two (2) pages maximum Provide a detailed pricing methodology for an all-inclusive, implemented recommendation including payment terms, unit costs, billable costs, and all other expenses. Project Staffing - One (1) page maximum plus resumes Provide a chart with the staff committed to the recommendation. Show lines of authority and provide a brief role description with responsibilities as they relate to the recommendation. Include only relevant resumes. References - One (1) page maximum Provide 3 relevant references, preferably for projects of similar scope and complexity. Include the organization, contact person, current telephone number, email address, description, and dates of service and total cost. Do not include any current/past Kent County employees as a reference. Contract - Unlimited Provide any contract and/or applicable agreements Kent County may be asked to sign. Kent County reserves the right to present its own contract. Page number maximums are strongly recommended but not compulsorily disqualifying. Kent County is not liable for costs incurred prior to award. A submission constitutes an irrevocable offer for a period of 45 days from the due date/time. In the event the notification of award is not made within 45 days from the due date/time, the Respondent may withdraw or provide a written extension of their submission. Submissions may only be withdrawn by written request if the request is received before the due date/time. Withdrawals after opening shall be subject to Kent County Fiscal Policy - Centralized Purchasing 5(i)(2). NO BID Please provide feedback if you are electing not to participate in this Solicitation.
