HAWAI'I ISLAND OPIOID RESPONSE NETWORK

Notice is hereby given that the County of Hawai'i is requesting proposals for HAWAI'I ISLAND OPIOID RESPONSE NETWORK. Proposals are due no later than 4:00 pm on Friday, August 28, 2026. Proposals must be submitted through the Procurement Portal at https://procurement.opengov.com/portal/hawaiicounty.

Background

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 806,000 people in the U.S. died from opioid-involved overdoses between 1999 and 2023. In 2023 alone, opioids were involved in approximately 77% (81,000) of the 105,000 total overdose deaths nationwide. Since 2013, the opioid crisis has evolved into a "new wave" dominated by the rapid spread of synthetic opioids, primarily illicitly manufactured fentanyl. These potent substances have fundamentally reshaped the illicit market, appearing in various forms—from powders to counterfeit pills—and are frequently mixed surreptitiously with other drugs.

In recent years, the landscape has become increasingly complex and lethal due to the rise of polysubstance use. Beyond opioids, non-opioid sedatives are now frequently detected; by 2023, nearly half of all overdose deaths involved a dangerous combination of both opioids and stimulants. While the rate of synthetic opioid deaths saw a slight 2% decrease between 2022 and 2023, the crisis remains defined by a contaminated and unpredictable drug supply.

Data from the CDC State Unintentional Drug Overdose Reporting System (SUDORS) indicates that 1,204 people in the State of Hawai‘i died from unintentional or undetermined drug overdoses between 2021 and 2024. Opioids, including fentanyl and heroin, were responsible for 422 (37%) of these fatalities. Similarly, CDC Wide-ranging ONline Data for Epidemiologic Research (WONDER) reports that Hawai‘i County, in 2022, accounted for 42 deaths, representing nearly 13% of the state’s 326 fatal drug overdoses. While methamphetamine or other psychostimulants were present in 62% (26) of these local deaths, opioid-related drugs, including fentanyl, were involved in 38% (16) of fatalities in Hawaii County.

The CDC’s provisional drug overdose death count for the 12-month period ending in June 2025 for Hawai‘i County is 46. This translates to one overdose death every eight days within the county.

This crisis necessitates a coordinated response between government agencies, healthcare providers, and community-based organizations, as well as the development of projects specifically addressing the opioid epidemic on Hawai‘i Island.

Project Details

• Reference ID: 26-0266
• Department: Research and Development
• Department Head: Benson Medina (Director)

Important Dates

• Questions Due: 2026-08-08T09:59:00.000Z

Evaluation Criteria

• ENTITY DESCRIPTION (10 pts) —

  Maximum of 3 pages total. This includes a one-page cover letter and up to 2 pages for the principal’s statement of qualifications or resumes. The IRS 501(c)(3) determination letter must be attached to this section and does not count toward the 3-page limit:

  • • Provide a brief description of your entity including mission, goals, and history in the County of Hawaiʻi.
    • Provide the name(s) of the principal(s) responsible for the entities’ organizational operations. Be sure to include their qualifications.
    • Describe the community served by your entity.

  Provide a copy of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) determination letter granting a 501(c) tax-exempt status.

• COMMUNITY BENEFIT (10 pts) —

  Maximum 1-page limit:

  • • Describe your organization’s history of creating community benefits (e.g. people served, jobs created, tax revenue generated, or other measurable indicators, etc.).
    • Describe how this project will provide ongoing community benefits with impactful, measurable outcomes.
    • Describe if and how this project benefits the communities of Hawai‘i Island.
• PROJECT DESCRIPTION: PROGRAM DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION (40 pts) —

  Maximum 10-page limit:

  • • Project Summary: Provide a summary of your project.
    • Experience: Describe your entity’s qualifications to provide the scope of services outlined in this RFP. Include the number of years your organization has delivered these services or work, along with detailed descriptions and performance outcomes of recent relevant projects or contracts.
    • Alignment with Scope of Work: Your proposal should clearly demonstrate how your program will meet the specific goals and objectives outlined in the RFP:
      • Clearly articulate your understanding of the scope of work and project goals. Describe how you intend to implement the required Opioid Remediation Activities (ORA) as detailed in the RFP. Define your proposed activities and ensure they align with the following program requirements (see Section 2.8, Scope of Work for details):
  1. • • 1. 1. • Community Coalition Support (G6)
               • Youth and Family Intervention (G10)
               • Prevent Overdose Deaths and Other Harms (H1, H3, H6, H7)
               • Leadership, Planning and Coordination (J1, J3)
               • Training (K2)
  2. • • Describe your proposed approach to partnering with stakeholders and members.
• STAFFING AND PERSONNEL (10 pts) —

  Maximum 5-page limit:

  • • Describe your entity’s staff and their qualifications to implement the proposed project.
    • Outline the roles and responsibilities of key personnel, including the coordinator(s), leader(s) and administrative/fiscal staff.
    • Describe your contingency plan for a potential vacancy in the coordinator role (direct hire or a contractor—at 0.5 to 1.0 FTE), clearly identifying which individual(s) within your organization would assume the responsibilities.
    • Explain your plans for recruiting and training additional staff or volunteers as needed.
• BUDGET AND FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT (30 pts) —

  Maximum 5-page limit, not including a Budget Proposal Form or Exhibit B-1:

  • • Budget Narrative:
      • Clearly state the total amount of funding requested for this grant.
      • Provide a concise summary of your budget, highlighting major expense categories.
      • Describe your organization's experience in managing financial resources. Outline your financial management systems and internal control procedures.
    • Budget Proposal Form (Excel format):
      • Use a prescribed budget sheet and provide itemized costs with appropriate methodology. The Budget Proposal Form should be uploaded as an Excel file when the application is submitted.

Submission Requirements

• Confirmation (required) —

  Director of Finance
  County of Hawai‘i
  Hilo, Hawai‘i 

  Dear Sir/Madam: 

  The undersigned hereby proposes to furnish and deliver the following goods or services:  The County of Hawai‘i is seeking innovative projects for Opioid Remediation Activities (ORA) dedicated to serving Hawai‘i Island residents. Committed to assisting vulnerable community members by addressing immediate needs and facilitating access to essential services, the County seeks to establish and support the Hawai‘i Island Opioid Response Network 2026. The primary goal of this initiative is to foster a unified, multi-sector approach to the opioid crisis, ensuring that all recovery and prevention efforts are coordinated, evidence-based, and community-driven. The term of the contract shall be for one year beginning from the date of Notice to Proceed, with two (2) additional one (1) year option periods., to Department of Research and Development, County of Hawai‘i, at 25 Aupuni Street, Room 1301, Hilo, HI 96720, Hawai‘i, complete as specified, all in strict compliance with the Specifications and Special Provisions attached hereto and General Terms and Conditions for Goods and Services dated May 10, 2023, made a part hereof. 

  It is understood and agreed that the goods and/or services to be furnished are for the exclusive use of the County of Hawai‘i and are therefore exempt from Federal Excise Taxes and that the net bid price excludes such Federal Excise Tax.  Please note that effective January 1, 2020, the maximum General Excise Tax rate that may be charged of Hawai‘i County is 4.7120%.  The County of Hawai‘i is exempt from the City and County of Honolulu, 0.5% General Excise Tax Surcharge.  

  The undersigned further agrees that he has carefully read and understands the Proposal for this contract and that the Director of Finance, County of Hawai‘i, reserves the right to accept or reject any and/or all bids or proposals, or accept other than the low bid, if in his/her judgment, by so doing, it will be for the best interest of the public and the County of Hawai‘i. 

  All successful Proposers, for any single item exceeding $2,500.00, will be required to furnish proof of compliance with the requirements of § 3-122-112, Hawai‘i Administrative Rules (see Special Provisions No. 5.18).  

  Upon acceptance and award of this Proposal by the Director of Finance, the undersigned hereby agrees to enter into and execute the Contract as required by law within ten (10) calendar days after the award.  

• Bidder/Proposal Signature Page (required) —

  Please download the below documents, complete, and upload.

• Proposal WITHOUT pricing (required) —

  When there is no Pricing Table in the solicitation, Budget Narratives, if applicable, shall be included with the proposal. Solicitations with Pricing Tables shall have cost entered into the Pricing Table.

• Redacted Copy of the Proposal (required)
• EXHIBIT A BUDGET PROPOSAL FORM (required) —

  Please download the below documents, complete, and upload.

• County Department(s)/Division(s): (required)
• Enter a brief description of products and services required for this solicitation. (required)
• Is this for a single department or various departments? (required)
• Please list various departments: (required) —

  You may input "Various" or list out departments

• Will there be a pre-proposal mtg? (required)
• Conference Call: (required)
• Conference ID: (required)
• Proposal Guaranty (required)
• Are licenses required for this RFP? (required)
• Please list license(s), and any relevant description here: (required)
• Will federal funds be used for this procurement? (required)
• Please select the applicable Federal Special Provisions? (required)
• Enter location of delivery: (required)
• Is insurance or certificate required? (required)
• Will you be using the following sections: (required)
• Liquidated damages: (required) —

  Provide applicable amount-

  Example: one-tenth of one percent (0.1%) or $150.00

  Liquidated damages, per section 10.7 of the General Terms and Conditions for Goods and Services, dated May 10, 2023, shall be assessed at ______________________ for each and every calendar day of delay or nonperformance and shall be pursued in accordance with section 10.7 of the General Terms and Conditions for Goods and Services dated May 10, 2023.

• Is this for Price Term Agreements? (required)
• Does the equipment or goods procured need to be delivered within a certain number of days? (required)
• All equipment or goods procured must be delivered within ______ from the date of the Notice to Proceed. (required) —

  Insert number of days.

• Is this for a single or multiple vendor award? (required)