Key for Acquisition Type (alpha order):
RFA = Request for Application
RFB = Request for Bid
RFI = Request for Information
RFP = Request for Proposal
The Division of Care and Treatment Services is seeking applications for funding to support a Mail Order Overdose Prevention Program that provides overdose prevention supplies including naloxone and drug checking kits through a confidential online ordering platform and discrete mail delivery system.
In 2023, Wisconsin lost 1,421 community members to preventable opioid overdose deaths. The Mail Order Overdose Prevention Program is essential for ensuring access to overdose prevention supplies across Wisconsin.
Mail order programs lower barriers to accessing services including cost, transportation, and hours of operation. These programs can also significantly reduce or eliminate fear and stigma by allowing individuals to receive naloxone, test strip kits, and education and resource materials discreetly at a location they designate. This program is an opportunity to expand services and prevent overdose deaths in communities that are not otherwise receiving services. A successful mail order program implements evidence-based best practices prioritizing low-barrier access, participant privacy, and providing linguistically appropriate and culturally relevant information, education, and resources.
Vital Strategies currently supports the administration of an overdose prevention mail order program in Wisconsin. Vital Strategies’ support for this program is anticipated to end in fall 2026. The Wisconsin Department of Health Services recognizes the benefit of reducing barriers to provide access to lifesaving supplies and allocated opioid settlement funds to sustain a mail order program for overdose prevention supplies.
The awarded agency will be included in the Division of Care and Treatment Services Naloxone Direct Program and will be provided 3 mg nasal naloxone, 4 mg nasal naloxone, and two dose intramuscular naloxone kits at no cost to support the mail order program. Fentanyl and xylazine test strip kit supplies (each test strip kit is to include a test strip, a microscoop, a vial of sterile water, a mixing tin, and instructions) must be purchased, assembled, and provided by the awarded agency.
The following are required for this funding opportunity:
- The Mail Order Overdose Prevention Program must be fully functional and operating by November 1, 2026.
- The program must protect confidentiality of participants and provide mail order supplies discreetly.
- Awardee must implement a strategic effort to increase visibility and awareness about the program, prioritizing communities who are not otherwise receiving services.
- Program must provide instructions, educational materials, and resource materials that are linguistically and culturally relevant with all overdose prevention supply orders.
- Awardee must comply with all reporting and legal requirements.
The intended geographic area and population of focus is the state and residents of Wisconsin. People and communities with no to limited access to overdose prevention services and supplies should be prioritized.
Note: This program is not to provide direct supplies to agencies or organizations. Agencies interested in obtaining naloxone or drug checking supplies for community-based distribution should apply for the Division of Care and Treatment Services Naloxone Direct Program and/or other appropriate funding opportunities. Agencies interested in obtaining naloxone for their or their staff’s use can reach out to a local Naloxone Direct Program provider to request training and support.
Eligible applicants
- Federally recognized Tribal nation located and providing services in Wisconsin
- Public agency located and providing services in Wisconsin
- Nonprofit organization located and providing services in Wisconsin
Eligibility requirements are mandatory as of the date the applicant applies.
Application deadline
February 17, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.
Estimated number of awards
1
Estimated award amount(s)
$200,000 per year
Total funding available
$200,000
Anticipated length of funding opportunity
1 year
Anticipated contract dates
October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027
Match requirement
None
Funding source
Opioid settlement funds
Written questions due
January 13, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.
Submit questions to: DHSDCTSBPTRFundingOpportunities@dhs.wisconsin.gov
Subject line: Mail Order Overdose Prevention ProgramAnswers posted
January 27, 2026 (Estimated)
Award/denial notification timeline
April 3, 2026 (Estimated)
Award statement
Award(s) will be made to responsive and responsible applicant(s) that:
- Attains the highest scored application.
- Best meets the needs of the population of focus.
- Best meets the needs of the people within the state, as determined by DHS.
Application requirements
Applications must include responses to the statements in the narrative response section. There is a five-page narrative response maximum. Any information after the page limit will not be read, reviewed, nor scored for this funding opportunity.
Applications must also include the following additional documents:
- IRS Form W-9 (PDF).
- DCTS Summary Line item Budget: Condensed, F-01601C (Excel)
- Letters of commitment (required from each project partner with an active role in the program)
The additional documents do not count toward the five-page narrative response page limit.
Application scoring rubric
Applications are read, reviewed, and scored by an evaluation team using the 100-point scale listed below. For sections with a higher point value, more detail in the response may be needed.
- Program design: 25 points
- Capacity: 20 points
- Experience and knowledge: 20 points
- Required documents: 5 points
- Grant priorities: 30 points total
- Priority one: 15 points
- Priority two: 15 points
Narrative response
The narrative response describes how you will address the purpose of this funding opportunity. The narrative response must:
- Use a page size of 8.5” x 11”
- Use a black font size of at least 11-point
Arial and Times New Roman are the recommended fonts for the narrative response.
The narrative response is a required component of your application. It must be organized into the following sections.
Maximum points available for this section: 25
Describe how the program requirements will be met.
- Explain how the program will address the needs of the population of focus.
- Provide details on how the program will be fully functional and operating by November 1, 2026.
- Outline how the program will protect confidentiality of participants and provide mail order supplies discreetly.
- Explain how the program will ensure the provision of linguistically and culturally relevant instructions, educational, and resource materials.
- Provide details on a strategic effort to increase visibility and awareness about the program, prioritizing communities who have no to limited access to overdose prevention supplies.
Maximum points available for this section: 20
The capacity to do the work and meet the program requirements is different from the experience doing the work.
Describe capacity to implement the program design.
- List new or existing staff positions that will work under this grant and the anticipated full-time equivalents for each position.
- If hiring new positions, describe the recruitment process and the anticipated timeline.
- Explain how the agency will ensure the program continues if there is turnover in staff.
- Outline other resources/partnerships and their role in ensuring success of this program.
If subcontractor(s) will be used to perform activities to achieve program goals, describe:
- The extent of the relationship.
- How the subcontractor(s) capacity relates to the overall ability to implement this program.
- Roles, responsibilities, and expectations of the subcontractor(s).
- Experience managing and monitoring subcontractor(s).
Maximum points available for this section: 20
Describe experience with, and/or knowledge similar to, this program.
- Providing services, conducting activities, and/or fulfilling requirements.
- Building relationships with and/or working with the population(s) of focus or similar population(s).
- Collecting and using data or other information to determine if your efforts had an impact.
- Hiring and supervising staff with specialized knowledge or licensure.
If you will be using subcontractor(s) to perform activities to achieve program goals, describe their experience with, and/or knowledge similar to, this program:
- Providing services, conducting activities, and/or fulfilling requirements.
- Building relationships with and/or working with people who are using or have used drugs to implement programs that affect them.
- Collecting and using data or other information to determine if your efforts had an impact.
- Hiring and supervising staff with specialized knowledge or licensure.
Describe the relevant training and professional development staff and/or subcontracted staff will receive over the anticipated total funding period.
Maximum points available for this section: 30 total
For each priority, describe the:
- Objectives: Measurable and time-bound efforts to achieve the priority.
- Activities: Specific steps you will take to meet the objectives.
- Timelines: When you anticipate starting and finishing each activity.
- Measurable impact: Describe how you will measure or demonstrate a desirable outcome is being achieved for the priority (for example, data source(s) or measurements that will be used, surveys of clientele, etc.).
Priority one
Maximum points available for priority one: 15 points
Increase access to overdose prevention supplies across Wisconsin by ensuring low-barrier, confidential access to naloxone, fentanyl and xylazine test strip kits, and other overdose prevention education and resource materials with a focus on areas with no to limited access to overdose prevention services.
Priority two
Maximum points available for priority two: 15 points
Promote and raise awareness about program services and ensure services are reaching the population of focus.
Reporting requirements
Recipients of this funding are required to follow all reporting requirements defined by DHS, including:
- Performance reporting completed five times in the year with due dates that will be set in writing.
- Expense reporting forms submitted monthly in a format approved by DHS.
- Data submitted monthly through an online tool managed by DHS.
Application submission
Applications are due by 11:59 p.m. February 17, 2026.
Applications must include the narrative response and the additional documents outlined in the application requirements section.
By submitting an application, the applicant acknowledges the statements on the Grant Funding Opportunities: Legal Definitions and Requirements page.
Submit applications to DHSDCTSBPTRFundingOpportunities@dhs.wisconsin.gov with the subject line Mail Order Overdose Prevention Program.