State Authorization of Northern Valley Harm Reduction Coalition Syringe Service Program

The California Department of Public Health has authorized the Northern Valley Harm Reduction Coalition to operate a syringe service program in Chico under Health and Safety Code 121349, with the goal of reducing the spread of HIV, viral hepatitis, and other bloodborne infections. Services are delivered from a fixed site at 171 E. 18th Street and extend to residential addresses within Chico upon participant request. The program provides sterile syringes, safe disposal of used equipment, health education, referrals to substance use treatment, and testing for bloodborne pathogens. This authorization operates under a statutory exemption from California Environmental Quality Act review, supported by Public Resources Code sections 21080 and 21110, and no competitive procurement process or formal contract value is specified. The program is not governed by Federal Acquisition Regulation clauses, and no federal procurement structure, such as CLINs, payment systems, or FAR certifications, applies. The primary point of contact is Marisa Ramos, Office of AIDS Division Chief, with remittance addressed to the California Department of Public Health in Sacramento. No period of performance, pricing, or funding amount is defined, and the authorization is presented as a forecast of state-level public health support rather than a traditional contract. Required attachments include a certified exemption finding and a response regarding the filing of a Notice of Exemption, though the latter’s response is incomplete. There are no specified inspection criteria, quality standards, packaging, labeling, or barcoding requirements, and no federal contractor identifiers, socioeconomic certifications, or representation statements are included.