Request for Proposal # 0611-2027
Project: ORF Non-litigating Municipality Project FY 2027
Department: Office of the Health Officer
Location: Seth H. Hurdle Building
108 E. Main Street, Salisbury, Maryland 21801
Submissions Due:
Monday, July 27, 2026, 3:00 p.m. EST
Submit to:
Hope Balam, Purchasing Agent
Wicomico County Health Department
108 E. Main Street, Room 216
Salisbury, Maryland 21801
Background
Wicomico County is engaged in litigation because of the opioid epidemic. This litigation involves multiple defendants and is part of a multidistrict litigation involving nearly every state. Beginning in late 2021/early 2022, some of the defendants in the multidistrict litigation have begun to settle the claims against them.
To date, the terms of the distribution are governed by the respective settlement agreements and a corresponding Memorandum of Understanding between the State and its litigating political subdivisions. The framework for the Maryland settlements is bifurcated. A portion of each settlement is paid directly to Wicomico County, while the remaining portion of the funds are paid to the State. The State does not have oversight of Wicomico County’s expenditure of its direct payment. The State recognizes that there are state subdivisions which may not have participated in the litigation yet were affected by the epidemic. To provide these communities with aid based on their perceived need, the State set aside a large percentage of the Maryland settlement to be awarded to the State’s subdivisions. This distribution will be through a State administered grant application and award process.
Maryland’s Opioid Restitution Fund (ORF) was created in 2019 to receive all funds awarded to the State of Maryland through legal settlements with prescription opioid manufacturers and distributors. In 2022, Maryland established the ORF Advisory Council to provide recommendations regarding the use of those funds.
Scope and Objectives
The Wicomico County Health Department is seeking Requests for Proposal (RFP) from non-litigating municipal subdivisions in regard to Opioid Restitution Funds (ORF) that have been awarded to Wicomico County from the Opioid Settlement. All RFPs non-litigating subdivisions are defined as those municipal subdivisions which did not participate in the national opioid settlement. Awarded funds are to be spent by June 30, 2027. Any funds that are not expended will carry over for the municipality to complete the program; however, the municipality will not be able to apply for additional ORF, though Wicomico County, until the program is completed. The funds may be used as outlined in Attachment A.
Awardees are required to submit a report to the Health Officer outlining the use of the funds and the implementation process at the completion of the project.
Requests for proposals can be submitted to Hope Balam with the subject line of ORF Non-Litigating: PROJECT NAME PROPOSAL (ex. ORF Non-Litigating: Harm Reduction Expansion Program) The application period will close on July 27, 2026.
Proposal/Award Timeframe
Request for Proposal must have a project budget, project narrative, and implementation plan to be considered. Further, a resolution of support from the legislative body of the municipality must accompany the proposal. A non-profit entity located within the municipal limits, but not part of the municipality, is eligible to receive funding. However, the municipality will be the RFP applicant and, if awarded, the recipient of the funds. The municipality will be responsible for ensuring compliance with the terms of award acceptance. The RFP period will be open for six (6) weeks and the review committee will spend four (4) weeks reviewing applications and shall award and distribute the funds over the next four (4) to six (6) weeks.
A pre-proposal conference will be held on Wednesday, July 7th, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at the Seth T. Hurdle Building, 108 E. Main Street, Salisbury Maryland 21801. The purpose of this conference is to address questions concerning the expectations of the project and to address and clarify the bid process and any technical questions about the bid. Attendance is strongly encouraged but not mandatory.
Bid Submission Process
Sealed proposals must be mailed. to Hope Balam, Purchasing Agent, Wicomico County Health Department, 108 East Main Street, Salisbury, Maryland 21801, and must be received by the time outlined in the advertisement. Bids or unsolicited amendments to the bid received after the announced time shall not be considered and will be returned to the contractor unopened. Vendor submission should include a cover sheet, one original bid with three copies clearly marked ORF Non-litigating Municipality Project FY2027 in a sealed envelope. Inquiries concerning bid information, documents, or schedules should be directed to Hope Balam, Purchasing Agent, at 410-543-6933.
The agreement or contract between WiCHD and the successful bidder shall consist of this bid, cover sheet, and the WiCHD’s acceptance and the notice to proceed. Change orders or modifications after the award must be mutually agreeable and documented in writing. The successful bidder will be subject to the provisions contained in the bid, except changes that may be made to reflect the terms of the successful contractor’s proposals.
Rejection of Bids
The Wicomico County Health Department reserves the right to reject any and/or all bids or to waive any technicality it deems in the best interest of the Health Department. A single response to the bid may be deemed a failure of competition and may be canceled in the best interest of the Health Department.
Bid Amendments
The Health Department reserves the right to change the acquisitions schedule or issue amendments to the bid at any time.
Withdrawal of Proposals
Vendors may withdraw a proposal, which has been submitted at any time up to the bid closing date and time. To accomplish this, a written request signed by an authorized representative of the vendor must be submitted to the Purchasing Agent. After withdrawing a previously submitted bid, the vendor may submit another bid at any time up to the closing date and time.
Errors in Proposals
The Wicomico County Health Department will not be liable for any errors in vendor proposals. Vendors will not be allowed to alter proposal documents after the deadline for submission. The Health Department reserves the right to make corrections or amendments due to errors identified in bids by the Health Department or vendor. This type of correction or amendment will be allowed for such errors as typing, transposition, or any other obvious errors. Any changes will be stamped and attached to proposals. All changes must be coordinated in writing by, authorized, and executed by the Purchasing Agent. Vendors are liable for all errors or omissions contained in their proposals.
- Equal Employment Opportunity and Non-Discrimination
All respondents are subject to and must comply with the provisions of all applicable state and federal anti-discrimination laws. Respondents shall not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment or any member of the public because of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, disability, marital status, age, or otherwise commit an unfair employment practice.
- Exceptions
Bidders taking exceptions to any part or section of the solicitation shall indicate such exceptions on the bid form. Failure to indicate any exception will be interpreted as the proposer’s intent to comply fully with the requirements as written.
- Expenses Incurred in Preparing Proposals
The Wicomico County Health Department accepts no responsibility for any expense incurred by the bidder in the preparation and presentation of a proposal. Such expense shall be the exclusive responsibility of the bidder.
XII. Indemnification
The contractor covenants to save, defend, keep harmless, and indemnify the Wicomico County Health Department and all of its officers, division, agencies, agents and employees from and against all claims, loss, damage, injury, fines, penalties, and cost including court cost and attorney’s fees, charges, liability, and exposure, however caused, resulting from, arising out of, or in any way connected with the contractor’s negligent performance of non-performance of the terms of the contract.
XIII. Method of Award
The Wicomico County Health Department reserves the right to award this contract not necessarily to the vendor with the lowest price, but to the vendor that demonstrates the best ability to fulfill the requirement of this bid. The successful vendor will be chosen based on the qualifications and selection criteria. The successful vendor shall commence work only after receipt of written notification to proceed from Wicomico County Health Department. The successful vendor will fulfill all requirements as indicated in the bid in compliance with the negotiated contract. Wicomico County Health Department also reserves the right to award full or partial awards.
XIV. Terms of Contract
The terms of this contract shall begin on September 15, 2026, and end on June 30, 2027. This contract is contingent upon funding. Any reduction or withdrawal of funds from this program shall be sufficient grounds for immediate cancellation of this agreement or reduction of service.
If the Contractor fails to meet any of the requirements of this contract, WiCHD reserves the right to declare the Contractor in fault and to terminate this contract at any time in whole or in part upon 30-days written notice to Contractor. WiCHD may, by providing 30 days written notice to the Contractor, terminate the agreement at any time.
In the event of termination for any reason, no allowance will be provided to the Contractor for anticipated profit on unperformed services.