INMATE PEER SUPPORT SERVICES ERIE COUNTY CORRECTIONAL FACILITY AND ERIE COUNTY HOLDING CENTER

Agency:	Erie County
State:	New York
Type of Government:	State & Local
NAICS Category:	561210 - Facilities Support Services
Posted Date:	Jan 16, 2026
Due Date:	Feb 16, 2026
Original Source:	Please Login to View Page
Contact information:	Please Login to View Page
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ERIE COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP)

INMATE PEER SUPPORT SERVICES

ERIE COUNTY CORRECTIONAL FACILITY AND ERIE COUNTY

HOLDING CENTER

RFP #2026-006VF

Due February 16, 2026

COMMUNITY REINTEGRATION DIVISION

134 WEST EAGLE ST, 4TH FLOOR

BUFFALO, NEW YORK 14202

COUNTY OF ERIE

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

INMATE TABLET SERVICES FOR ERIE COUNTY CORRECTIONAL FACILITY AND ERIE

COUNTY HOLDING CENTER

1. INTRODUCTION

Proposals are being solicited from qualified Vendors to provide peer support services for

the incarcerated individuals who are enrolled in the Medication Assisted Treatment

program while detained at the Erie County Correctional Facility (ECCF) located at 11581

Walden Avenue in the Town of Alden, or the Erie County Holding Center (ECHC) located

at 40 Delaware Avenue in downtown Buffalo. The average daily population (ADP) at the

ECCF is 515 and the ADP at the ECHC is 370.

This Request for Proposals (RFP) outlines the Erie County Sheriff’s Office (ECSO)

requirements for this project. The selected Vendor will provide peer support services for

each incarcerated individual who is enrolled in the Medication Assisted Treatment

program at both detention facilities. Any item not specifically mentioned but necessary

for the delivery and operation of the proposed service shall be included in the proposal.

These specifications and requirements should be in sufficient detail to secure p roposals

on comparable services.

2. PROJECT BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

The ECSO currently operates two separate detention facilities: the ECHC in Buffalo and

the ECCF in Alden. Both facilities operate under the authority of the Erie County Sheriff’s

Office Jail Management Division. Originally built in 1937, ECHC is a 7-story high-rise

maximum-security facility. The ECCF, built in 1985, is a 2-story medium-security facility

with a campus layout. The ECSO seeks to provide peer support services to the

incarcerated population.

3. GENERAL INFORMATION AND REQUIREMENTS

A. Schedule

The anticipated schedule for the project is:

RFP Release

January 19, 2026

RFP Questions Due

February 2, 2026

RFP Question Response Date

February 9, 2026

RFP Due Date

February 16, 2026

B. Due to the complex nature and security concerns of correctional facilities, Vendors

must be well experienced in providing this type of service. The Vendor shall

demonstrate at least two (2) years of experience providing peer support services to

customers of similar size. Additionally, agency/program certification is a factor in the

evaluation process, and certified vendors are more likely to be selected for contract

award.

C. The Vendor should provide an overview of their firm, including years and nature of

experience in the peer support services field.

D. Firms are encouraged to include Certified Minority and Women Owned Business

Enterprises (M/WBE) in their teams in order to meet Erie County’s goals of 15% MBE

and 5% WBE participation. Certified M/WBE proposers should include the Erie

County certification letter with the proposal.

E. Pursuant to Erie County Local Law 5-1 (2023), firms are encouraged to include

Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Businesses (SDVOBs) in their teams in order to

meet Erie County’s goal of 6% SDVOB participation. Certified proposers shallinclude

proof of certification under the New York State Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned

Business Act.

F. One (1) original, three (3) print copies, and one (1) PDF copy of the proposal on a

flash drive are required to be submitted by 3:00 pm on February 16, 2026.

G. Final sealed proposals are due to the Erie County Sheriff’s Office ATTN: Chief of

Community Reintegration, at 134 West Eagle St, 4th Floor, Buffalo, NY 14202, All

further information and contact from Erie County will be sent electronically.

H. Any requests for RFP interpretations should be made electronically by February 2,

2026, to Thomas.Diina@erie.gov. No requests for oral interpretations via telephone

or in person will be accepted. A single response to all questions will be made as

outlined in the schedule. No communications of any kind will be binding against the

County, except for the formal written responses to any request for clarification.

I. This RFP is not intended and shall not be construed to commit the County to pay any

costs incurred in connection with any proposal or to procure or contract with any

firm.

J. Proposers may be required to give an oral presentation to the County to clarify or

elaborate on the written proposal. Those proposers will be notified to arrange

specific times.

K. No proposal will be accepted from nor any agreement awarded to any proposer that

is in arrears upon any debt or in default of any obligation owed to the County.

Additionally, no agreement will be awarded to any proposer that has failed to

satisfactorily perform pursuant to any prior agreement with the County.

L. The Vendor will provide three (3) customer references of accountssimilar in size and

scope to the County

M. The County will only contract with firms that do not discriminate against employees

or applicants for employment because of race, creed, color, national origin, sex, age,

disability, marital status, sexual orientation, citizenship status or any other status

protected by New York State and Federal laws.

N. The County reserves the right to amend this RFP. The County reserves the right to

reject any or all of the proposals, or any part thereof, submitted in response to this

RFP, and reserves the right to waive formalities, if such action is deemed to be in the

best interest of the County. The County reserves the right to request additional

information from any proposer. The County reserves the right to award negotiated

contracts to one or more proposers.

4. SCOPE OF SERVICES

Proposers shall describe their approach to delivering the following services:

A. In-Custody Peer Support

• Individual and/or group peer support sessions for MAT participants

• Recovery coaching and motivational support

• Education related to MAT, recovery pathways, overdose prevention, and harm

reduction

• Support for individuals newly initiating or continuing MAT

• Coordination with medical, behavioral health, and custody staff

B. Pre-Release Planning

• Engagement prior to release to establish recovery goals

• Assistance with reentry planning related to treatment, housing, employment, and

benefits, and any other services deemed necessary

• Warm handoffs to community-based treatment providers and recovery supports

• Facilitation of appointments and referrals prior to release when feasible

C. Post-Release Support (if applicable)

• Continued peer engagement following release (e.g., check-ins, appointment

accompaniment)

• Support during the critical post-release period (e.g., first 30–90 days)

• Coordination with community MAT providers and recovery organizations

5. PEER QUALIFICATIONS AND STAFFING:

Proposals must include:

• Resumes: A resume or summary of qualifications, work experience, education and

skills must be provided for all key personnel who will be performing aspects of the

contract. Include years of experience providing similar services to those required,

education, and certifications where applicable.

• Identify the role each person would fulfill in performing the work identified in this RFP

• Description of peer support staff qualifications, including lived experience

• Certification(s) held by vendor/organizationand individual employees (e.g., Certified

Peer Recovery Specialist or equivalent)

• Experience working with justice-involved populations

• Training in trauma-informed care, confidentiality (HIPAA/42 CFR Part 2), and MAT

• Staffing levels and supervision structure

• Staff turnover percentage for the 2025 year

• Primary point of contact. Please identify who will manage the day-to-day project

activities on behalf of the contractor. Please include the following information

regarding the primary point of contact:

o Name:

o Address:

o Telephone (office and cell):

o Email:

6. EXPERIENCE AND ORGANIZATIONAL CAPACITY:

Proposers should demonstrate:

• Experience providing peer support services in correctional, behavioral health, or

community settings

• Familiarity with MAT and substance use disorder treatment

• Capacity to operate in a secure correctional environment

• Experience collaborating with government agencies and healthcare providers

• Ability to pass ECSO background investigations

7. DATA COLLECTION AND REPORTING

The selected vendor will be required to:

• Track participation and service delivery metrics

• Report outcomes such as engagement, referrals, and post -release follow-up

• Participate in program evaluation and quality improvement efforts

• Comply with all data-sharing and confidentiality requirements

8. COMPLIANCE AND REQUIREMENTS

The vendor must:

• Comply with all federal, state, and local laws and regulations

• Meet facility security and clearance requirements

• Maintain required insurance coverage

• Adhere to all applicable confidentiality standards

This page summarizes the opportunity, including an overview and a preview of the attached documents.

Department	Title	Submission Deadline	Additional files
ERIE COUNTY SHERIFFS	INMATE PEER SUPPORT SERVICES ERIE COUNTY CORRECTIONAL FACILITY AND ERIE COUNTY HOLDING CENTER	Monday, February 16, 2026

INMATE PEER SUPPORT SERVICES ERIE COUNTY CORRECTIONAL FACILITY AND ERIE COUNTY HOLDING CENTER

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