1-RFP0359-043026 Financial Empowerment Center Operations Provider.pdf

City of Nashua Purchasing Department

Administrative Services Division 229 Main Street - Nashua, NH 03060

(603) 589-3330 Fax (603) 594-3233

Request for Proposals: RFP0359-043026 Financial Empowerment Center Operations Provider

I. Overview

The City of Nashua’s Economic Development (the “City”) is seeking a qualified 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization to serve as the financial counseling provider for the City’s new Financial Empowerment Center (“FEC”). This Request for Proposals (“RFP”) is targeted toward organizations that can effectively implement high-volume, quality, one-on-one financial counseling services to individuals and families.

The selected financial counseling provider will implement programming and services in partnership with the City.

II. Background

In 2023, the City of Nashua applied for a planning grant to outline the City’s strategy to help build wealth and improve finances for Nashua residents, specifically focusing on racial wealth equity. The creation of a Financial Empowerment Center primarily located in the Nashua Public Library and the Nashua Senior Center actually works toward several of the goals in the City's Economic Mobility Strategic Plan. The City of Nashua’s Financial Empowerment Center will be the first FEC launched in the State of New Hampshire.

Supported by the Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund (“CFE Fund”), the Financial Empowerment Center model has operated for over thirteen years across more than thirty municipalities in the United States. In total, current FECs have worked with over 150,000 clients, helping them reduce debt by more than $226 million and increase savings by $46 million. Professionally trained FEC counselors help residents manage their finances, pay down debt, increase savings, establish and build credit, and access safe and affordable mainstream banking products. Core to the FEC model is integrating financial counseling into other social services, including homeownership services, workforce development, emergency assistance programs, benefits access, and more.

The success of FECs is backed by over ten years of continuous expansion of the model, as well as the CFE Fund’s three-year evaluation released in 2017, An Evaluation of Financial Empowerment Centers:

Building People’s Financial Stability as a Public Service, which closely examined the initiative’s initial replication in 5 cities. Key elements of the FEC model and operations include:

Model:

• Provide professional, one-on-one financial counseling as a free public service.

• Systematically track data and outcomes for client management and evaluation.

• Connect to a range of local government and nonprofit service delivery systems.

• Prioritize sustainability efforts to become a permanent service in the locality.

The FEC model is a partnership between local government and the selected operational organization, with critical and distinct roles for each partner. The City of Nashua is responsible of overseeing the program and the partner organization is responsible for day to day operations. For a detailed overview of the model, please see Exhibit B.

https://www.nashuanh.gov/DocumentCenter/View/32476/Nashua-Economic-Mobility-Report?bidId= https://cfefund.org/project/financial-empowerment-centers/ https://cfefund.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/FEC-Evaluation.pdf https://cfefund.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/FEC-Evaluation.pdf

III. RFP Overview and Scope of Services

The City is seeking a qualified 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization to serve as the Financial Empowerment Center’s financial counseling provider, following the key elements of the model and the framework provided by the City of Nashua and the Center for Financial Empowerment. The City and the selected nonprofit will work in partnership to develop the FEC’s programming, policies, and implementation plan.

While the FEC may initially be housed in drop-in or temporary locations, the permanent home of the FEC will be the Nashua Public Library and the Nashua Senior Center.

The Financial Counseling Provider (proposer) will:

● Manage day-to-day operations of the FEC

● Recruit, hire and supervise the FEC Program Manager. This is a full-time position for one person.

● Recruit, hire and supervise the FEC counselors. The financial counseling provider must staff the equivalent of two full-time counselors. Preference is given to applicants who propose two full-time counselors

● Collect data using the FEC database, which is provided to the nonprofit at no cost, and regularly fulfill reporting requirements as determined by the City and the Cities for Financial Empowerment

● Support continuing education and training for the financial counselors

● Ensure program managers and counselors are trained based on the CFE Fund’s training standards (program managers and counselors must pass a CFE Fund-administered final exam)

● Lead public marketing efforts for the FEC, including participating in outreach events and presentations

● Adhere to reporting requirements determined by the City on FEC services and operations;

● Coordinate with City personnel to develop and maintain partnerships among the FEC and outside organizations to better serve clients and drive traffic to the FEC

● Communicate routinely with the City’s local government manager about FEC operations, specifically, any challenges encountered that would impact the organization’s ability to meet the goals of the FEC

● Support fundraising efforts to sustain the FEC program

The City will:

• Coordinate with the CFE to manage overall operations of FEC, including program oversight, design, and implementation (Note: The nonprofit provider is responsible for the day-to-day operations and staffing of the FEC)

• Conduct evaluation and formal reviews of the nonprofit provider in relation to services provided at FEC

• Fundraise to ensure FEC program sustainability

• Coordinate with nonprofit provider to develop and maintain partnerships with social service organizations and businesses

• Coordinate with nonprofit provider for marketing and outreach for the FEC

• Host the Nashua FEC website

This RFP is targeted toward organizations that can effectively implement high-volume, quality, one-on-one financial counseling services to individuals and families.

Required Qualifications for Nonprofit Financial Counseling Provider

● Qualified as exempt from federal income tax under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

● Preference for organizations with a minimum of 3 years of delivering financial education, financial counseling, financial coaching, or similar or related services.

● Track record of achieving financial stability outcomes or impacts.

● Experience working in one or more low-income communities.

● Established relationships with organizations in the local community to receive and provide referrals to related supportive services to clients. If the applicant has not performed work in Nashua, the applicant demonstrates significant experience in establishing relationships in other local communities served.

● Demonstrated experience conducting effective client outreach. Preference will be given to applicants with specific experience using multiple marketing and outreach tools to build a high-volume client base and leveraging partnerships with community leaders and activities to drive traffic.

● Experience with data tracking and reporting to government agencies and/or private funders.

● Ability to track, manage, and report on critical data points for each client based on systems developed with the City of Nashua.

Preferred Qualifications for Nonprofit Financial Counseling Provider

● An established track record of providing one-on-one financial counseling and/or coaching to adults is strongly preferred. Please note applicants with limited experience delivering one-on-one financial counseling should demonstrate trusted, long-standing ties to the community they propose to serve and a detailed plan for developing the necessary technical capacity.

● Established community relationships and partnerships in the proposed community or target population.

● Capacity and flexibility to meet a continuum of financial needs of low-income, multilingual individuals/families in a variety of stages of financial need and crisis.

● Knowledge and/or assessment of the financial service and counseling needs of the proposed community and/or target population and solutions or alternative services most appropriate to specific client needs.

● Ability to offer bilingual financial counseling services

IV. Program Timeline

The nonprofit provider will follow the timeline below for FEC operations:

● Build Phase (4 – 6 months):

o All efforts to prepare for the opening of the FEC (Hiring and training staff, finalizing partnership agreements, preparing marketing and operations, etc.). Time period is estimated and may vary based on local procurement processes or other factors.

o Begin offering services at the FEC

● Implementation Phase (18 months, with option of contract renewal):

o Continue offering services at the FEC

V. Program Oversight

The City will provide oversight for the financial counseling provider based on the services outlined in this Request for Proposal and in the contract. The City will conduct weekly regular follow up during the first 6 months of operations and monthly formal reviews thereafter. If the City determines in its sole discretion that the financial counseling provider has performed unsatisfactorily, the City may terminate the Agreement at any time with 30 days’ notice.

VI. Program Funding

While the City is responsible for funding the Financial Empowerment Center, the expectation of the City is that the chosen provider will partner with the City to fundraise the required amount for operations.

Based on the sample budget provided in Exhibit C, we anticipate that this we require roughly $500,000 for two years of operations. The City will receive a committed $150,000 ($100,000 immediately and $50,000 saved for the second year) from the Cities for Financial Empowerment to start the program, but the rest of the funding that has been committed is subject to Aldermanic approval.

At the end of this contract, if the City determines, in its sole discretion, that the financial counseling provider has performed satisfactorily; they may continue providing services at the FEC. If the City determines, in its sole discretion, that the financial counseling provider has performed unsatisfactorily, the City reserves the right to discontinue their services at the FEC.

VII. Request for Proposal Timeline and Submission Methods

The City is now accepting submittals electronically via Bonfire. A Digital ID is not required to submit via Bonfire. Please review the electronic documents linked here, Bonfire Vendor Guide and Vendor Set-up Guide for more information. Copies are also available on the City’s website in the Purchasing section within the Bids section.

If an organization chooses to submit their proposal outside of Bonfire, the following is an alternate option:

Submit one (1) original and two (2) bound photocopies in a sealed envelope(s) or package(s) clearly marked “RFP0359-043026Financial Empowerment Center Partnership”. A pdf version of all printed material as well as any supplemental digital material shall be submitted in the form of a thumb drive. The proposals and the names of the proposers who submit will be posted on the city website, under Bid Results, within thirty-six (36) hours of bid closing.

Proposals must be submitted, as outlined in the preceding paragraph, no later than 3:00 PM on Thursday, April 30, 2026, c/o Purchasing Office, Room 11, City Hall, 229 Main Street, Nashua NH, 03060. Proposals must be submitted in a format no less than 8.5x11 and no more than 11x17 with digital copies of all printed material. Supporting digital media is allowable but all submissions must address the items specified in the submission requirements section of this proposal via printed material. Postmarks or other timestamps will not be accepted in lieu of actual delivery. The firm can use whatever delivery mechanism it chooses as long as it remains clear that the firm is responsible for submissions prior to the date and time. The City has the right to waive any informalities in the submittal procedure. The City of Nashua may reject any or all of the proposals on any basis and without disclosure of a reason. The failure to make such a disclosure shall not result in accrual of any right, claim or cause of action by any unsuccessful proposer against the City. The City reserves the right to negotiate any change or amendment in any proposal without soliciting further requests for proposals if the action is necessary for the best interest of the City.

Complete specifications and related documentation is available on our website, content related to the RFP may be updated to provide new information as it becomes available or in response to questions submitted in writing. www.nashuanh.gov, under Services, Bid Opportunities, document RFP0359- 043026.

Timeline for development is as follows:

Date Item

March 19, 2026 RFP Opens

March 26, 2026 at 1:00 pm Informational Zoom for RFP - Optional

April 3, 2026 at 10:00 am All applicant questions due to the City

April 8, 2026 at 3:00 pm City submits answers

April 30, 2026 RFP Submission Due by 3 PM EST https://www.nashuanh.gov/DocumentCenter/View/28837/Bonfire-Process-Overview---Vendor-Registration https://www.nashuanh.gov/DocumentCenter/View/28837/Bonfire-Process-Overview---Vendor-Registration https://www.nashuanh.gov/DocumentCenter/View/28838/Bonfire-Process-Overview---Vendor-Submission

May 2026 Selected Nonprofit Provider Notified of Selection

First week of July 2026 Contract Begins; Hiring & Training of FEC Staff

Last week of October 2026 FEC Services Begin; FEC Soft Launch

December 2026 FEC Full Launch at Nashua Public Library or Senior Center

An optional pre-proposal meeting to discuss the project is scheduled to begin promptly on Thursday, March 26, 2026 at 1:00 pm at City Hall, Auditorium, 3rd Floor, 229 Main Street, Nashua, NH 03060. The pre-proposal meeting can be attended by Zoom if preferred:

Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/6035893330?pwd=YjZ5ZUtSMURySmdBRms1bXBLQ1NUdz09&omn=847561 41705

Meeting ID: 603 589 3330 Passcode: 5893333

One tap mobile

+13092053325,,6035893330#,,,,*5893333# US

Attendance to this meeting is recommended for all wishing to submit a proposal for this project, however, those who do not attend may submit questions in writing per the dates specified in this RFP.

The meeting is an opportunity for the City of Nashua to provide an overview of the project objectives.

The proposers are encouraged to attend and participate in the meeting.

Proposers are encouraged to submit questions via email; however, the City assumes no liability for assuring accurate and complete email transmission/receipt and is not responsible to acknowledge receipt. Inquires must be submitted in writing, citing the RFP title/number, page, section, and must be received no later than Friday, April 3, 2026 at 10:00 am to:

City of Nashua

229 Main Street, Room 11

Nashua, NH 03060 purchasing@nashuanh.gov

The City will consider all timely-received questions and requests for change and, if reasonable and appropriate, will issue an addendum to clarify or modify this RFP. Answers to proposers submitted questions and other addenda will be posted on the City of Nashua website www.nashuanh.gov, under Services: Bid Opportunities; Current Bids; (Refer to Document RFP0359-043026) and on Bonfire no later than Wednesday, April 8, 2026 at 3:00 pm.

All proposals are binding for ninety (90) days following the deadline for proposals, or until the effective date of any binding resulting contract, whichever is later.

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/6035893330?pwd=YjZ5ZUtSMURySmdBRms1bXBLQ1NUdz09&omn=84756141705 https://us02web.zoom.us/j/6035893330?pwd=YjZ5ZUtSMURySmdBRms1bXBLQ1NUdz09&omn=84756141705 mailto:purchasing@nashuanh.gov http://www.nashuanh.gov/

The City is exempt of all taxes. All proposals must be FOB Nashua, NH. All proposals must comply with all applicable Equal Employment Opportunity laws.

Pursuant to NRO 5-78(F), the Purchasing Manager shall not solicit a proposal from a contractor who is in default on the payment of taxes, licenses or other monies due to the City. Therefore, this proposal is void as to anyone who is in default on said payments.

VIII. Proposal Evaluation

The nonprofit organization making a proposal shall submit a completed proposal, with the requirement per Exhibit A.

Proposals must meet the required expectations as provided in Section III of this RFP to be considered.

Exceptions to any requirements in this RFP must be clearly noted. Information submitted will be scored on a 100-point matrix system as outlined in Table 2. The City may choose to conduct in-person interviews with applicants to make a final selection. The City reserves the right to accept any proposal it considers will best execute the responsibilities for the Financial Empowerment Center. The selected organization(s) will be notified of accepted status and asked to proceed with formalizing the contract as outlined by the City. Organizations not selected may request a debrief session with City staff to review and provide feedback on their application.

Table 2: Proposal Evaluation Criteria

Criteria Weight

Proposed Approach 25 Points

Organizational Capability 20 Points

Experience in Financial Empowerment Work (Including Counseling and/or Coaching)

20 Points

Experience in Community Involvement/Engagement 15 Points

Financial Capacity 15 Points

Unique Features of Applicant Organization 5 Points

Evaluation Criteria Descriptions

Proposed Approach: The Applicant presents a clear, practical, and detailed plan to operate the day-to-day functions of the Financial Empowerment Center and implement effective financial counseling for

Nashua residents. The proposal must demonstrate alignment with the City’s goals to improve the financial well-being of Nashua residents.

Organizational Capability: The Applicant demonstrates how financial counseling integrates into its mission and existing operations, demonstrating its capacity to manage administrative and programmatic duties effectively and successfully oversee the daily operations of the Financial Empowerment Center.

Experience in Financial Empowerment Work (Counseling and/or Coaching): The Applicant demonstrates extensive expertise in supporting low-income residents with personal finance management, connecting to social services, or fostering financial well-being through related fields.

Experience in Community Engagement: The Applicant highlights significant experience collaborating with low-income communities, cultivating relationships with individuals, groups, and organizations. If the organization lacks direct experience in Nashua, the proposal must clearly articulate how previous successes in other communities will translate to meaningful engagement with Nashua residents.

Financial Capacity: The Applicant proves financial stability and exhibits the ability to efficiently manage funds necessary for operating the Financial Empowerment Center’s day-to-day operations.

Unique Organizational Attributes: The Applicant emphasizes distinct qualities and capabilities that can add value to the Financial Empowerment Center’s mission of boosting the financial well-being of low-income residents, such as offering bilingual services or other innovative approaches.

Exhibit A

Financial Empowerment Center Financial Counseling Provider

Application Length: Please keep the responses to the questions below (not including attachments) to 15 pages or less. The City will not read the application submission beyond page 15 (not including attachments).

Required Proposal Information:

• Organizational Capability o Provide a description of the Applicant organization, including its mission.

o Explain how the Applicant has the organizational capability (financial and operational) to perform the administrative and programmatic responsibilities related to the delivery of the proposed services and the increased level of supervision and management activity required to ensure that benchmarks and core service outcomes set forth in this RFP are achieved.

o Highlight any experience with data tracking and reporting to government agencies and/or private funders.

o Submit a copy of the Applicant’s most recent IRS letter indicating the Applicant’s tax-exempt status.

o Submit Applicant’s most recent annual report, if available.

o Attach a chart showing where, or an explanation of how, the proposed services will fit into the Applicant’s organization.

• Proposed Approach including:

o Delivery of Service: Provide a detailed plan on how the organization will meet the City of Nashua’s Financial Empowerment Center framework and the scope of services. Be as detailed as possible and specifically address the following:

▪ Explain the Applicant’s approach to financial counseling with a particular emphasis on describing the client experience. This may include a detailed description of a typical counseling session, relevant materials used during sessions, and any additional information that will fully explain the Applicant’s plans for achieving client outcomes.

▪ Affirm that the Applicant will collect, manage, and track data using the CFE Fund’s national FEC data system.

▪ Indicate the key tasks and key milestones associated with start-up and implementation.

▪ Propose days and hours of operation for the Financial Empowerment Center.

▪ Identify the possible approaches to forge programmatic partnerships with City agencies and community organizations. In addition, please detail initial thoughts on ways to monitor and assess the viability of these partnerships.

o Staffing: Describe the Applicant’s staffing recruitment plan for an FEC Program Manager and two financial counselors. If the Applicant has a staff member in mind for the FEC Program Manager Position, please attach their resume. If not, please briefly describe an ideal candidate for the FEC Program Manager position.

o Marketing and Outreach: Detail existing organizational communications opportunities to promote the FEC and any other outreach opportunities. Preference will be given to Applicants with specific experience using multiple marketing and outreach tools to build a high-volume client base and leveraging partnerships with community leaders and activities to drive traffic.

• Community Involvement and Financial Empowerment Experience o Describe relevant experience with delivering financial counseling or coaching to adults with demonstrable outcomes (if the organization does not have experience in financial counseling or coaching, it must provide a staff training plan and timeline to ensure adequate capacity).

o Describe relevant experience working in one or more low-income communities.

Applicants that showcase established community relationships and partnerships are highly desirable.

o Describe relevant experience conducting effective client outreach. Preference will be given to applicants with specific experience using multiple marketing and outreach tools to build a high-volume client base and leveraging partnerships with community leaders and activities to drive traffic.

o If Applicant has not performed work in Nashua, please describe what communities Applicant has worked in, the Applicant’s understanding of how to expand into new communities, and the Applicant’s understanding of how to inclusively navigate the unique needs of local communities.

• Financial Capacity o List all local, state, and federal government contracts held by the Applicant at any time during the past three years, including the Applicant’s project name, contract name and number, contract purpose, total contract amount (cumulative over five years), government contracting agency, and agency contact person.

o Provide the most recent IRS Form 990.

o Provide Applicant organization budget for the current fiscal year.

Exhibit B

FINANCIAL EMPOWERMENT CENTER MODEL

In 2008, New York City first piloted Financial Empowerment Centers to offer free, professional, one-on-one financial counseling targeted to low-income New Yorkers, helping residents navigate the increasingly complex financial marketplace and increase their financial stability. Since then, Financial Empowerment Centers (FECs) have grown into a large-scale network of targeted financial counseling and coaching services. Embedded into a locality’s social service delivery system, the Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund (CFE Fund)’s FEC model has provided financial counseling to over 150,000 clients, helping them reduce their debt by more than $226 million and increase their savings by more than $46 million.

Financial counseling is open to the public and integrated into core local social services.

Local governments are uniquely poised to integrate financial empowerment interventions, such as financial counseling, into core social service delivery systems: they are responsible for local implementation of services and can connect to residents through schools, benefits disbursal, affordable housing, and other key connection points. In addition, underlying financial instability is often the primary backdrop, if not the actual presenting cause, for residents seeking and receiving social services.

The FEC experience demonstrates that tackling financial instability head-on and helping individuals and families control their finances helps generate better financial outcomes and facilitates success within primary social services.

As quantified in a 2017 evaluation of the FEC model, despite significant financial obstacles, people who received FEC counseling succeeded in reducing debt, improving credit, opening bank accounts, and even saving for emergencies and their futures. FEC clients’ success occurred in the context of deep financial challenges: clients’ average annual incomes were just over $21,000, close to 30% had no health insurance, and over 60% had no savings.

The model is based on the following core tenets that are vital to the program’s success:

● Professionally trained counselors provide one-on-one free financial counseling to help all residents manage their finances, pay down debt, increase savings, establish and build credit, and access safe and affordable mainstream banking products.

● Data is systematically tracked across a set of defined and quantifiable outcomes to understand the impact on clients’ financial lives, bolster program credibility, and justify public funding.

● Counseling is integrated into other social services, including housing and foreclosure prevention, workforce development, prisoner reentry, benefits access, domestic violence services, and more.

● Counseling is endorsed by the local government. Local government is a trusted voice for residents amidst a sea of scams and complicated financial choices. It is also a natural convener of partners to enhance program sustainability and offer market services at scale.

● Partnership and collaboration between local government, community-based organizations, and philanthropy is foundational for counseling delivery, resident engagement and outcome achievement, and program sustainability.

Counseling-Client Process

The FEC offers clients customized one-on-one counseling based on the clients’ individual situations and is responsive to the clients’ goals and abilities. The counselor and client engagement process include:

● Completing a financial health assessment that captures a baseline snapshot of client financial health;

● Designating a specific service plan (or plans) that aligns with a client’s goals and falls within four areas – debt, credit, savings, and banking;

● Prioritizing meeting set financial stability outcomes for the client;

● Collecting a significant amount of data to understand counseling impact; and

● Making referrals to social and legal service providers and more advanced asset-building assistance (for example, public benefits, homeownership, entrepreneurship, post-secondary education…)

Data-Driven Approach

The FEC model is founded on helping clients improve their financial stability through a set of distinct outcomes. These outcomes are associated with the specific service plan(s) identified during the initial assessment or in subsequent sessions.

● Banking o Open a safe and affordable bank account o Use bank account actively

● Credit o Establish credit score o Increase credit score by at least 35 points

● Debt o Decrease non-mortgage debt by 10% o Decrease the number of delinquent debts

● Savings o Increase savings by an amount equal to one week’s income o Set aside funds for the future o Adopt new savings behaviors

Counselor Training Standards

All counselors and managers must successfully complete a training course based on a set of training standards developed by the CFE Fund. These standards articulate the knowledge and skills an FEC counselor must demonstrate before they can begin direct service and detail the continuing education counselors will need for ongoing professional development. They delineate the breadth and depth of the financial content areas, counseling and coaching skills, practice and experiential learning, and socio-economic and cultural context settings necessary to serve the diverse needs and backgrounds of FEC clients.

Counselors must complete a standardized exam before they can begin direct services through the Center for Financial Empowerment. Counselors typically, have at least two years of relevant work experience, with some background in finance, financial education, counseling/coaching, or social service delivery. Staff must also have particular expertise in one of the following areas: financial services, social work, financial planning, coaching/mentoring, teaching, or other related fields.

Social Services Integration

Integrating financial counseling into the service streams of local government and nonprofit agencies is an essential part of the FEC model. Partnerships deeply embed financial counseling/coaching into local government and nonprofit programs, advancing both programs’ goals. Partnerships can have a variety of characteristics on a scale of increasing integration, including formalized via a Memorandum of Understanding, defined referral process, co-location, FEC participation fully integrated into partner services, coordinated case management, regular reporting, and data sharing agreement. Potential complementary program integrations could include homeownership assistance, homeless prevention, foreclosure prevention, workforce development, asset building, financial access, domestic violence prevention, or other social services.

Roles and Responsibilities

The FEC model is a partnership between local government and community-based organizations, with critical and distinct roles for each partner.

● Local Government plays a central role in directing and coordinating the initiative on the ground.

● Financial Counseling Providers supervise the counselors and oversee day-to-day operations.

● National and Local Training Partners deliver financial counseling training instruction based on the training standards provided by the CFE Fund. In addition, local government and nonprofit managers coordinate continuing education opportunities as the program evolves to further counselors’ professional development and understanding of the issues.

● Local Government and Community Partners integrate financial counseling and coaching into the service streams of local government and nonprofit agencies

FEC Operations

There is a range of strategies on how to operate an FEC, and the local government and the nonprofit provider make such decisions based on the goals and needs of the City. Here are a few operational considerations:

● Site Selection o Part-time, co-located sites provide full counseling services on a part-time basis and expand the footprint of services to include other neighborhoods, but often serving distinct populations and/or communities. Co-locations are often situated in city programs, community-based organizations or at social service organizations that already serve a high number of target clients and for whom the financial counseling will provide complementary service. Remote counseling can be done either with counselors working from home or from designated sites, at the discretion of management as long as it adheres to site requirements.

● Site Requirements o The Nashua Public Library has been identified as the full-time location. For the part-time co-host locations, each host should provide counselors with private or semi-private counseling areas that allow for counselor-client information and conversations to be held confidentially.

o Remote counseling, either over the phone or through video, must adhere to the same standards of privacy as in-person counseling.

o Counseling spaces are equipped with standard, modern technological capabilities (including computer equipment, reliable video session programs, multi-line telephone and voicemail, high-speed internet access, and access to printing, faxing, shredding, scanning, and reproduction equipment).

o Although spaces differ, each site should be able to accommodate approximately 150 square feet of private counseling space per counselor, plus an additional 300-500 square feet of meeting and waiting room space (could be shared) o All FEC locations must be compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

● Oversight and Monitoring o FEC counselors and nonprofit managers are required to use the online client management data system developed by the CFE Fund to track clients’ progress and outcomes. The City will monitor this system as the primary user.

o The City may institute a weekly deadline for complete data entry.

EXHIBIT C

FINANCIAL EMPOWERMENT CENTER YEAR 1 & 2 BUDGET SAMPLE TEMPLATE

Note:

• FEC = Financial Empowerment Center

• FCP = Financial Counseling Provider

Item Definition Cost Range Per Year

FEC Nonprofit Manager

*1 full-time person focused on the FEC who supervises counselors, monitors data, and works with Economic Mobility Program Supervisor on partnerships.

Financial Counselors

*Equivalent to 2 full-time counselors.

Administrative Support

Support from existing FCP staff or a new hire focused on outreach, scheduling, etc.

Marketing and Outreach

Typically, promotion of the FECs through the FCP’s own services, and/or working with the City on more general efforts;

Signage and branding; client engagement and retention incentives

Counselor Training & Continuing Education

Pre-service and continuing education training opportunities for counselors, speakers, professional certifications, etc.

Equipment / Supplies / Subscriptions

Technology, office supplies, client credit report pulls.

*subscription to CRM system is included with certification from Cities for Financial Empowerment

Indirect Costs Indirect non-personnel costs

Budget Per Year

*= required item by the FEC Model

Exhibit D

Financial Empowerment Center Service Provider

Scope of Services

1.1 Services to Be Provided. The Provider agrees to deliver the following services as a co-licensed entity using the Financial Empowerment Center Model:

• Free one-on-one professional financial counseling (credit, debt, budgeting, savings, asset building).

• Referrals to other social, legal, housing, employment or benefit-program services, as needed.

• Follow-up support (as appropriate) and referrals to additional services (e.g., tax preparation, matched savings, legal aid).

1.2 Target Population. Provider shall open services to anyone in the community, but prioritize outreach and marketing for the following target population(s): low- to moderate-income residents, unemployed individuals, newly arrived immigrants, renters, etc.

1.3 Service Delivery Model. Provider shall deliver services in accordance with standards and guidelines established by the City and the Financial Empowerment Center. The Provider shall operate at designated co-locations for the counseling.

1.4 Hours of Operation. The FEC shall be open and available to clients during the following minimum hours: NEGOTIATED. Any changes to hours must be approved in writing by the City.

1.5 Intake, Eligibility, and Client Prioritization. Provider shall maintain policies and procedures for intake, eligibility screening, client prioritization, enrollment, and case management, subject to the City’s approval.

2. Staffing Requirements and Staffing Plan

2.1 Key Personnel and Minimum Qualifications. The Provider shall maintain the following staff (or equivalent) throughout the contract per the FEC Model:

Position Minimum Requirements / Credentials

Program Manager Responsible for overall management, staff supervision, coordination with City, reporting.

Position Minimum Requirements / Credentials

Two Certified Financial Counselor(s)

Must hold relevant credentials (certification from CFE), or complete approved training within [3] months of hire.

2.2 Background Checks, Screening, and Confidentiality. All staff, including volunteers, must undergo background checks and sign non-disclosure/confidentiality agreements. Provider must provide documentation of background checks to City upon request.

3. Reporting Requirements

3.1 Reporting to City. Provider shall submit the following reports to the City’s designated contact by due dates set in the Agreement or as otherwise agreed:

• Monthly Report: number of clients served, number of counseling sessions, aggregate anonymized client demographics (income band, ZIP code, household size, etc.), and key service statistics.

• Quarterly Narrative Report: summary of highlights, challenges, client stories (with consent and anonymization), community outreach efforts, and any changes in operations.

• Annual Report: comprehensive evaluation of the FEC including outcomes vs.

benchmarks, client satisfaction (if collected), program successes, challenges, and recommendations for improvement.

• Financial Report: including a budget-to-actuals summary, breakdown of expenditures by category, and documentation of how City funds were used. If matching funds or in-kind contributions are required, those must be documented.

3.2 Reporting to the FEC

• Reporting using the FEC provided CRM System: as required by the FEC

3.3 Data Security and Confidentiality. Provider shall maintain all client data in compliance with applicable federal, state, and local privacy laws, as well as with the City’s data security policies.

Provider shall not share any individually identifying client information without written consent from the client and City, except as required by law.

3.3 Funder Reporting (if relevant). If the Provider receives funding from other sources (e.g., a sponsorship), the Provider agrees to report to those funders in a manner consistent with this Agreement and to provide the City with copies of such reports.

4. Monitoring, Evaluation & City Oversight

4.1 Right to Inspect and Audit. The City (or its designee) shall have the right to inspect the FEC’s premises, observe counseling sessions (with client consent), interview staff, review client files (with appropriate confidentiality protections), and audit financial and program records, at any reasonable time during business hours, with 5 days’ notice (or immediately in case of suspected fraud or impropriety).

4.2 Site Visits. The City may conduct formal site visits regularly. Provider agrees to facilitate site visits and provide requested documentation.

4.3 Corrective Action Plans. If the City determines the Provider is out of compliance with any material provision (e.g., staffing, reporting, etc), the City may require a written corrective action plan, with timeline and performance goals. Provider must respond within 5 days.

5. Compensation and Payment Terms

• Budget and Allowable Costs: Attach approved budget.

• Disbursement Schedule: Quarterly.

• Cost Reimbursement: The Provider will invoice the City for incurred expenses.

• Match Requirements: The Provider is responsible for supporting the financial operations of the FEC.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

A. To be eligible for an award, a vendor must be deemed "responsible". A responsible vendor:

• has the ability, capacity and skill to provide the goods or services required

• can provide the goods or services within the time frame specified

• has a satisfactory record of integrity, reputation, judgment and experience

• has sufficient financial resources to provide the goods or services

• has an ability to provide future maintenance and support as required

• providing the vendor has provided goods or services to the City, has developed a positive track record with the City

B. The successful vendor will be required to provide the City with certificates of insurance for coverage as listed below and endorsements affecting coverage required by the contract within ten (10) calendar days after the City issues the notice of award. The City requires thirty (30) calendar days written notice of cancellation or material change in coverage. The certificate and endorsements for each insurance policy must be signed by a person authorized by the insurer and who is licensed by the State of New Hampshire. General Liability, Employer’s Liability and Auto Liability policies must name the City of Nashua as an additional insured and reflect on the certificate of insurance:

• General Liability insurance in the amount of $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 aggregate

• $1,000,000 Combined Single Limit Automobile Liability (coverage must include all owned, non-owned and hired vehicles)

• Workers' Compensation Coverage in compliance with the State of New Hampshire statutes, $100,000/$500,000/$100,000

• Professional Liability: $1,000,000

All vendors and subcontractors at every tier under this project will fully comply with NH RSA Chapter 281- A, "Workers' Compensation".

C. The City also reserves the right to negotiate any change or amendment in any proposal without soliciting further proposals if the action is necessary for the best interest of the City.

D. The City may conduct discussions with responsible vendors prior to selection. Successful vendors shall begin performance upon receipt of an executed contract and a valid purchase order issued from the City.

E. The City may reject any and all responses on any basis and without disclosure of a reason. The failure to make such a disclosure shall not result in accrual of any right, claim, or cause of action by any unsuccessful vendor against the City.

F. After the initial designation of a vendor, City Staff will work with the selected vendor to negotiate final terms and conditions between the City and the successful vendors prior to the Contract Award. A draft contract is attached (Choose an item.).

G. The vendor shall meet all requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

H. The City encourages disadvantaged business enterprise (DBE) participation from contractors and/or subcontractors.

I. The vendor should understand that under the New Hampshire Right-to-Know Law, all documents submitted in response to this request, including financial information, are considered public information and will be made available to the public upon request, unless specifically exempted under the law.

J. Any vendor submitting a proposal may appeal a pending award prior to award by the City. The appellant must:

a. Submit a written protest to the City’s Purchasing Manager within five (5) business days after the proposal opening.

b. Describe, in the written protest, the issues to be addressed on appeal

c. Post, with the written protest, a bond with a surety meeting the requirements of General

Condition 5.02 authorized to do business in this state or submit other security in a form approved by the City who will hold the bond or security until a determination is made on the appeal.

d. Post the bond or other security in the amount of 25% of the total dollar value of the appellant’s bid, up to a maximum bond or other security amount of $250,000.00.

e. Not seek any type of judicial intervention until the City has rendered its final decision on the protest.

The City will stop award actions until after the City’s Purchasing Manager has responded in writing to the protest. If the appellant is not satisfied with the response, the appellant may then protest to the Board of Aldermen, who will render a final decision for the City. No award protests will be heard by the Board of Aldermen unless vendor has followed the appeal process.

If an appeal is granted, the full amount of the posted bond or security will be returned to the appellant.

If the appeal is denied or not upheld, a claim may be made against the bond for expenses suffered by the City because of the unsuccessful appeal.

The City is not liable for any costs, expenses, attorney’s fees, loss of income, or other damages sustained by the appellant in a proposal appeal process.

K. The City assumes no liability for the payment of costs and expenses incurred by any vendor in responding to this request. All proposals become sole property of The City. This is not a contract and shall not be interpreted as such but rather serves as an instrument through which proposals are solicited.

AG 1 of 4

CONTRACT FOR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

TITLE

A CONTRACT BETWEEN

THE CITY OF NASHUA, 229 MAIN STREET, CITY HALL, NASHUA, NH 03060

AND

and its successors, transferees and assignees (together “Professional Consultant”)

NAME AND TITLE OF PROFESSIONAL CONSULTANT

ADDRESS OF PROFESSIONAL CONSULTANT

WHEREAS, the City of Nashua, a political subdivision of the State of New Hampshire, from time to time requires the services of a Professional Consultant; and

WHEREAS, it is deemed that the services of a Professional Consultant herein specified are both necessary and desirable and in the best interests of the City of Nashua; and

WHEREAS, Professional Consultant represents they are duly qualified, equipped, staffed, ready, willing and able to perform and render the services hereinafter described;

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the agreements herein made, the parties mutually agree as follows:

1. DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED. The following exhibits are by this reference incorporated herein and are made part of this contract:

Exhibit A--General Conditions for Contracts Exhibit B--Scope of Services, Contract Time, Fee Schedule

The Contract represents the entire and integrated agreement between the parties and supersedes prior negotiations, proposals, representations or agreements, either written or oral. Any other documents which are not listed in this Article are not part of the Contract.

In the event of a conflict between the terms of the Proposal and the terms of this Agreement, a written change order and/or fully executed City of Nashua Purchase Order, the terms of this Agreement, the

AG 2 of 4 written change order or the fully executed City of Nashua Purchase Order shall control over the terms of the Proposal.

2. WORK TO BE PERFORMED Except as otherwise provided in this contract, Professional Consultant shall furnish all services, equipment, and materials and shall perform all operations necessary and required to carry out and perform in accordance with the terms and conditions of the contract the work described.

DESCRIPTION OF WORK:

3. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE. Professional Consultant shall perform and complete all work by which date shall only be altered by mutually approved written agreement to extend the period of performance or by termination in accordance with the terms of the contract. Professional Consultant shall begin performance upon receipt of an Executed Contract and a valid Purchase Order issued from the City of Nashua.

4. COMPENSATION. Professional Consultant agrees to perform the work for a total cost not to exceed

The Contract Sum shall include all items and services necessary for the proper execution and completion of the Work.

Unless Professional Consultant has received a written exemption from the City of Nashua, Professional Consultant shall submit monthly requests for payment for services performed under this agreement in accordance with the values stated in the Agreement. Such requests shall be supported by such data substantiating the Professional Consultants right to payment as the City of Nashua may reasonably require. Professional Consultant shall submit monthly requests for payment for services performed under this agreement shall be submitted as follows:

� Electronically via email to VendorAPInvoices@NashuaNH.gov

OR

� Paper Copies via US Mail to:

City of Nashua, City Hall

Accounts Payable

229 Main Street

AG 3 of 4

Nashua, NH 03060

Please do not submit invoices both electronically and paper copy.

In addition, and to facilitate the proper and timely payment of applications, the City of Nashua requires that all submitted invoices contain a valid PURCHASE ORDER NUMBER.

Requests for payment shall be submitted no later than fifteen (15) days after the end of each month and must include a detailed summary of the expenditures reported in a form that supports the approved budget. Specifically, Professional Consultant agrees to provide the following with each request for payment:

1. Appropriate invoice forms. The forms shall include the project purchase order number, a listing of personnel hours and billing rates, and other expenditures for which payment is sought.

2. A progress report. The report shall include, for each monthly reporting period, a description of the work accomplished, problems experienced, upcoming work, any extra work carried out, and a schedule showing actual expenditures billed for the period, cumulative total expenditures billed and paid to date under the contract, and a comparison of cumulative total expenditures billed and paid to the approved budget.

The City of Nashua will pay for work satisfactorily completed by Professional Consultant. The City of Nashua will pay Professional Consultant within 30 days of approval by the City of Nashua of the submitted invoice forms and progress reports. The City of Nashua will make no payments until the invoice forms and progress reports have been submitted and approved.

5. EFFECTIVE DATE OF CONTRACT. This contract shall not become effective until executed by the City of Nashua.

6.…