City of Eugene Issues RFP for Peer Navigation in High-Volume Corridors

The City of Eugene has posted a formal request for proposals titled “RFP 20262024 Peer Navigation Alternative Response” (Bid No. S-KE0010-00015885), seeking one qualified contractor to expand trauma informed peer navigation services beyond the downtown core. The procurement identifies high volume corridors for outreach, including Highway 99, River Road, the Whiteaker neighborhood and West Eugene along Sixth, Seventh and West 11th avenues, and instructs bidders to build on the city’s existing Downtown Peer Navigator program.

The RFP, released Jan. 30, 2026, requires proposals to detail peer navigator staffing models, daily outreach operations, service navigation and coordination with local agencies, and data reporting systems. The city directs navigators to prioritize individuals with frequent emergency contact and those experiencing chronic homelessness. A non mandatory pre proposal Teams meeting is scheduled for Feb. 11, 2026 at 3 p.m., and proposals are due March 3, 2026 at 2:30 p.m. Procurement contacts listed include Darren Schmidt at dschmidt@eugene-or.gov and Drew Pryor at dpryor@eugene-or.gov , phone 541 682 5050.

City officials and public safety leaders described the RFP as part of a broader effort to strengthen non police responses to behavioral health and crisis situations following recent changes to mobile crisis services in Eugene. Eugene Springfield Fire Chief Mike Caven said the city lacks a consistent way to connect people in crisis to existing nonprofit services and ensure follow up care. Eugene Police Chief Chris Skinner said the city is seeking a more focused approach, noting that over time the scope of CAHOOTS expanded beyond its original intent and that the city needs to better define what is needed on the street.

The RFP is being issued amid continued local discussion about the gap left when CAHOOTS ceased operating in Eugene. Willamette Valley Crisis Care, an organization formed by former CAHOOTS workers, said it welcomes the city’s move and views the procurement as the result of sustained community advocacy to restore non police crisis response services. The group has developed its own program, Community Responders Offering Wellness and Safety, known as CROWS, and says it does not intend to seek or use White Bird Clinic’s trademarked CAHOOTS program name. White Bird Clinic continues to operate CAHOOTS in Springfield and has not stated whether it plans to apply to provide services in Eugene.

For Lane County residents, the procurement signals potential changes in how unsheltered individuals and people experiencing crisis are reached in high traffic areas of the city. If funded and awarded, the program would aim to divert some calls from police, fire and hospital emergency departments toward trauma informed outreach and longer term service navigation. The next milestones in the process are the Feb. 11 pre proposal meeting and the March 3 submission deadline, after which the city is expected to evaluate proposals and announce a selected provider.