Single Source Procurement: Harm Reduction/Syringe Exchange Program

Pursuant to New York State Finance Law § 163.10(b), The New York State Department of Health is presenting the following summary of relevant circumstances, and material and substantial reasons why a competitive procurement was not feasible. The New York State Department of Health Harm Reduction/Syringe Exchange Program has made a determination to issue a Single Source Procurement to one eligible grantees to support ongoing currently funded projects.

The New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) AIDS Institute (AI) is proposing a new contract with NEXT Harm Reduction, Inc., which was recently designated as a Syringe Exchange Program (SEP) by NYSDOH Commissioner.

SEPs are selected through an application process, which is open to any organization that wants to request approval to provide syringe exchange services. The application process requires the approval of the NYSDOH and authorization by the NYSDOH Commissioner under Section 80.135, Title 10 of the Official Codes, Rules and Regulations of NYS. Once approved, programs will provide comprehensive harm reduction services, which includes the provision of syringe exchange services to people who use and/or inject drugs (PWUD/PWID).

SEP services include an array of activities that compliment syringe exchange, such as HIV/HCV/STD screening and testing, individual and group education and counseling sessions related to sexual risk reduction, mental health counseling, Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) and Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP), information on safer injection practices, provision of harm reduction supplies, safety planning, overdose prevention with the provision of naloxone, on-site or referral to medical care, medication-assisted treatment/buprenorphine, or New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS) licensed substance use treatment, and supportive services.

NEXT Harm Reduction, Inc., is unique in that it is the first SEP awarded to offer an online and mailed-based harm reduction platform designed to reduce opioid overdose death and prevent injection-related disease transmission. The services support people who use drugs in rural or suburban areas who do not have access to in-person syringe exchange services, harm reduction-based education, or drug user health support. NEXT Harm Reduction, Inc. uses technology, such as telehealth, Facetime, and the Internet to connect with individuals who are geographically isolated from services, or who cannot or will not access them for fear of stigma and negative past experiences with the health care system. NEXT Harm Reduction, Inc. ensures life-saving services are delivered to these individuals until linkages can be made to local providers who use harm reduction practices in treating clients.

Procurement / Program Name Harm Reduction/Syringe Exchange Program
Contractor Name(s) NEXT Harm Reduction
Contract Period 5/1/2020 – 6/30/2023
Contract Number C35582GG