Opportunity Overview
Jefferson County Human Services is seeking qualified organizations to create, develop, and operate sober living facilities in Jefferson County using National Opioid Settlement funding. The County seeks two locations, one in the City of Jefferson and one in the City of Watertown. Funded facilities must support opioid-abatement purposes and are expected to meet Wisconsin DHS Recovery Residence Registry requirements.
Funding
The RFP provides $300,000 total, allocated as $150,000 per site. Jefferson County may select one provider for both locations or multiple providers. Allowable uses include capital and startup costs directly related to opening the sober living facility. Approved expenditures must occur before the end of calendar year 2028. The RFP does not state a required match or cost share, but it heavily weights long-term sustainability after the initial funding period.
Deadline and Submission
Proposals are due October 15, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. noon local time in Jefferson, Wisconsin, which is Central Time. The County’s RFP index displays 12:00AM for this item, but the detailed RFP document states 12:00 p.m./NOON local time and the projected timetable also states 12:00 Noon; Atlas therefore follows the detailed RFP document while flagging the index mismatch for bidder verification. The RFP requires one electronic copy sent to the County contact identified in the solicitation and five sealed hard copies delivered to Jefferson County Human Services. Late proposals are rejected and fax submissions are not accepted.
The RFP timetable lists written questions due September 15, 2026 at 12:00 noon, while another inquiry paragraph appears to contain an inconsistent October 15 date for questions. Applicants should register on the official County solicitation page for notices and rely on any written addendum or County clarification. Official changes and interpretations are issued through written addenda.
Eligibility and Service Requirements
Qualified organizations must demonstrate the ability to develop and operate sober living services for people affected by opioid use disorder, provide ready access for Jefferson County residents, and coordinate with Jefferson County Human Services for assessment, treatment planning, behavioral-health care, referrals, and multidisciplinary services. The selected provider must obtain or demonstrate the ability to obtain required Wisconsin DHS Recovery Residence Registry approval and other applicable licenses, permits, certifications, and insurance.
The program must support harm-reduction practices, access to prescribed medications including medications for opioid use disorder, resident engagement, discharge and community coordination, and evidence-based recovery practices. Jefferson County residents must have ready access to the funded services. Residents from other counties may be served only when another funding source supports that care.
Required Proposal
The core response is limited to five pages for the agency-information, proposal-overview, service-delivery, and budget sections. Required content includes organizational information; a concise project overview; target population and admission criteria; intake and assessment; residential, lease, and service-plan approach; harm-reduction and medication-access practices; resident engagement; barrier reduction; discharge and community coordination; total funding request and timeline; budget categories and justification; and at least two professional references. Optional attachments may supplement the response with certifications, resumes, or similar evidence.
Material Restrictions
The RFP requires proof of competency, conflict-of-interest and debarment compliance, applicable licenses and certifications, and insurance that includes commercial general liability, automobile liability, and workers compensation at the levels specified in the solicitation. The County requires the selected provider to comply with all contract and Recovery Residence Registry conditions.
Atlas Analysis
Atlas Opportunity Score: 88/100. N9+ Fit: 5/100. QC Healthcare Fit: 15/100. Dr. Miltie Direct Bid Fit: 0/100 on currently verified capabilities. This is a strong Wisconsin behavioral-health and opioid-recovery opportunity, but the prime contractor must be able to create and operate sober living facilities and demonstrate specialized recovery-housing qualifications. The RFP does not establish a direct procurement pathway for N9+ clinical equipment, so device fit should not be forced.
Next Action
Before pursuit, confirm the provider meets the sober-living operating requirements, verify any addenda and the questions-deadline discrepancy, register on the County solicitation page for updates, build the five-page core response and required budget and references, and complete both electronic and hard-copy submission requirements before the October 15 noon local deadline.