Fentanyl Education and Naloxone Training Services

The County of Orange, Health Care Agency (hereinafter referred to as “County”), is soliciting proposals from qualified organizations (hereinafter referred to as “Respondents”) for Proposals are sought from qualified, eligible organizations that will follow best practices to outreach, educate, and train the general population as well as providing services to underserved populations and those at higher risk of substance use disorders. The successful bidder is expected to provide services identified in this RFP with adults, families, youth, parents, school staff/administrators, community members, community-based organizations, law enforcement, businesses, and other agencies within Orange County. Respondents must meet the minimum qualifications and requirements as set forth within the RFP and be capable of providing services identified in the Scope of Work herein.

The proposed schedule below is subject to change. Any changes to the schedule for the RFP process will be issued to all Respondents via addenda on the County's eProcurement Portal.

This is a fully electronic Request for Proposals (RFP). Respondents must submit their proposals online via the County’s online bidding system. Only electronic proposals will be accepted. Facsimile and e-mail proposals will NOT be allowed. For assistance on uploading proposals via County’s eProcurement Portal, please contact procurement-support@opengov.com or https://help.procurement.opengov.com/en/ .

All questions or requests for interpretations must be received within this solicitation by Thursday, April 2, 2026 , before 4:00 pm as specified in the solicitation. Respondents are not to contact other County personnel with any questions or clarifications concerning this solicitation. Verbal clarifications or responses will not be considered binding.

Overdose deaths caused by illicit fentanyl have critically impacted communities, families, and youth in Orange County. Most notably, 35 youth between 10 – 17 years of age died of a fentanyl-related overdose from the five year period of 2018 to 2024 (preliminary data for 2024). Combining all age groups, Orange County experienced 94 fentanyl related overdose deaths in 2018 compared to 358 (preliminary) in 2024. Although Orange County continues to experience a reduction, there is still significant prevention and education work to be done.

Fentanyl is a potent, synthetic opioid that can be prescribed by a practitioner or obtained from unregulated sources. Illicitly produced fentanyl is now commonly found in fake pills, resembling legitimate prescription medication, purchased on the streets and online. In 2024, the Drug Enforcement Administration seized more than 60 million fentanyl-laced fake pills and nearly 8,000 pounds of fentanyl powder. The 2024 seizures are equivalent to more than 380 million lethal doses of fentanyl.

Given these realities, it is important that everyone has access to accurate and timely information about overdose risks, prevention, understanding of what to look for, how to respond when an overdose occurs and knowing available treatment resources can help save lives.