11.06.2026- RFP - CVIP Training Providers_MONSE.docx

City of Toledo One Government Center 640 Jackson Street Toledo, Ohio 43604

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL

Professional Services

Community Violence Intervention & Prevention Training Providers Purchase Requisition Number: 10009040

Issued By Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Safety & Engagement

Date Issued November 06, 2026

Response Submission Date and Time Tuesday, November 24, 2026 at 1:30 PM EST

Bids will be read at 2:00 PM EST

Submit online at https://pbsystem.planetbids.com/portal/22576/portal-home

Table of Contents

This request for proposals (RFP) is supported by Grant No. 15PBJA-24-GG-06062-CVIP awarded by the Bureau of Justice Assistance. The Bureau of Justice Assistance is a component of the Office of Justice Programs, which also includes the Bureau of Justice Statistics, the National Institute of Justice, the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, the Office for Victims of Crime, and the Office of Sex Offender Sentencing, Monitoring, Apprehending, Registering, and Tracking. Points of view or opinions in this document are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.

Definitions & Key Terms The City intends for this RFP to be understandable and accessible to organizations with varying levels of experience in formal community violence intervention. Please review the following frequently used terms:

· Community Violence Intervention (CVI): A community-centered approach to reducing shootings and other serious interpersonal violence by engaging people and places at highest risk via trusted relationships, outreach, conflict mediation, and support.

· Violence Prevention: Programs, services, activities, and conditions that address risk factors for violence and strengthen protective factors, safety, stability, and opportunity.

· CVI Academy: CVI training programs that provide foundational knowledge, skills, and practices in order to strengthen and grow the CVI workforce.

· Credible Messenger: A trusted individual whose lived experience, relationships, and relevant experiences help them effectively engage people at elevated risk of violence.

· Core CVI: Organizations whose daily mission is reducing community violence, mainly shootings, through outreach, mediation, credible messengers, and other CVI practices.

· Growing CVI: Organizations that are incorporating or expanding CVI approaches, but CVI is not their primary, daily mission.

· Conflict management: Interventions that identify and address conflicts to prevent violence, reduce retaliation, and/or repair harm when it has occurred. Toledo’s CVI workers use conflict mapping, de-escalation, rumor control, mediation, ceasefires, non-aggression agreements, social media interventions, and Restorative Practices. They also follow up on conflicts to ensure resolved conflicts remain resolved.

· Trauma-responsive and healing-centered: Trauma-responsive programs and activities build safety, connection, and belonging into the way participants and care providers are supported. Healing-centered approaches focus on strengths, community-identified and owned healing and wellness, and do not center clinical interventions.

· Credentialing: Competency-based programs that affirm a person has a specific skill, area of knowledge, or has achieved a learning outcome. The city will incorporate credentialing opportunities into the CVI Academy to ensure trainees gain relevant transferable skills.

· Train-the-Trainer: A type of credentialing that prepares people to train others in a specific skill, knowledge, or set of practices. Train-the-trainer credentials help build a resilient ecosystem that doesn’t depend on one-time funding. These credentials also create additional career pathways for CVI workers.

Introduction & Background The Mayor's Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement (MONSE) announces a funding opportunity to help build Toledo’s CVI pipeline. Funded organizations will partner with MONSE, Roca Inc., and frontline CVI workers to provide foundational training in CVI, primarily through the launch of a CVI Training Academy. Trainees will include microgrant awardees, young adults, credible messengers, the faith-based community, community members, and other organizations and entities engaged in the CVI ecosystem.

Total funding will not exceed $55,000.

Context Respondents should review Peace in Motion (adopted by City Council, May 2025) and the 2026 Needs Assessment & Landscape Analysis Recommendations and Challenges & Gaps sections.

CVI is a public-safety approach that complements traditional systems through trusted relationships, focused outreach, conflict mediation, and connections to services to prevent shootings and other serious violence. Toledo has invested in CVI since 2021 through the Save Our Community (SOC) program and MONSE, alongside broader neighborhood, youth, family, behavioral health, employment, reentry, and victim-service partners.

Toledo has made meaningful progress. From the 2021 peak through 2025, the number of persons shot declined 46%, and the Junction & Englewood focus area recorded zero homicides in 2025 and through the first nine months of 2026.

At the same time, the 2026 Needs Assessment & Landscape Analysis, completed by Bowling Green State University's Center for Regional Development and MONSE, identified challenges and opportunities to strengthen and expand Toledo’s CVI ecosystem.

· Few people and organizations do Core CVI work every day, such as street outreach, conflict mediation, and incident response.

· Capacity limitations mean that locations, people, networks, and situations that would benefit from CVI cannot access it.

· Few organizations practice or include Core CVI, which limits career pathways.

· There is limited understanding of professional standards of practice, CVI models, and defining “high risk” within the current ecosystem.

· The CVI workforce navigates secondary trauma, often while managing their own lived experiences, trauma, and life stressors.

· Professionalizing the CVI workforce through shared standards of practice, protocols, and training can improve safety, strengthen the ecosystem, and expand career pathways.

The ecosystem also has strengths to build on: deep trust in CVI workers, youth leadership, credible messengers and Growing CVI organizations with buy-in, evidence-informed CVI strategies, Peace in Motion, a comprehensive plan developed alongside community and adopted by city council, a broad network of services (behavioral health, housing, employment, reentry, youth development, victim services), and coordinating infrastructure: MONSE, the Community Action Table (CAT), and the Violence Reduction Council (VRC) that did not exist before mid-2023.

Training Priorities Training will center CVI workers and the people and places they support. Train-the-trainer and credentialing opportunities will receive additional consideration. We will also consider opportunities that build workforce resilience, such as expanded career pathways and credentialing that apply to community-based mental health, re-entry, peer support, and other direct service roles. Finally, applicants are encouraged to partner with local credible messengers to deliver training.

Eligible training offerings include, but are not limited to:

1. Trauma-responsive, healing-centered care: CVI workers, participants, and impacted communities have vicarious and lived trauma along with daily life stressors. Trauma-responsive training, programs, and activities that build safety, connection, and belonging are priorities. Healing-centered approaches that focus on strengths, community-based healing and wellness, and decenter clinical interventions are also priorities.

2. Professional standards for CVI workers: Ensuring that trainees understand (1) standards of practice for CVI, including License to Operate, safety, and professionalism, and (2) are prepared to apply standards and skills to real-world scenarios is a priority.

3. Case management: While not all CVI workers will do case management, having a shared understanding of it, along with exposure to this career path, is critical. CVI trainees should understand (1) assessments and how they inform goal setting and a participant plan, and (2) the importance of voice, choice, and privacy. Trainees should also be able to (3) assess risk, complete a safety plan, and (4) document activities appropriately.

4. Community-based safety: CVI trainees should understand (1) safety planning for events and public spaces, and (2) practices for group de-escalation and crowd management. Trainees should be able to (3) canvass and communicate at events and public spaces. This training prioritizes team-based protocols, practice/rehearsal, and direct application at community events and in public spaces. Training that supports Safe Passage program development is also a priority.

5. Intersections of community and domestic violence: CVI workers encounter domestic violence (DV) and intimate partner violence (IPV). They also know that many shootings, high-risk conflicts, and incidents of community violence are directly related to DV and IPV. Trainees should understand (1) overlaps between DV, IPV, and community violence, (2) where these types of violence differ, and (3) safety risks. Trainees must understand (4) how to support appropriately, link, and/or refer people impacted by DV and IPV to appropriate services and supports.

Respondents can apply to fulfill one or more categories.

Work in Consultation with the City Training components will be implemented and/or developed by the funded organization(s) in consultation with the city. The city will provide feedback and approvals when appropriate to ensure alignment with the BJA award, federal requirements, City policies, and this RFP.

Scope of Work and Deliverables Due dates are measured from the date of contract execution. Deliverable-based payments will be aligned with the completion of applicable deliverables.

Start-Up & Work Plan

· Designate a single point of contact for project management, including financial and operational activities.

· Designate a primary point of contact for design and delivery of training.

· Meet with MONSE within 10 business days of contract execution.

· Submit a work plan, including timeline, meeting cadence, preferred assessment methods, and an overview of training modules, including credentialing, certification, and train-the-trainer opportunities.

· Deliverable: Work plan approved by MONSE.

Training Plan

· Lesson plan development: In consultation with MONSE and Roca Inc., submit detailed lesson plans for the RFP-awarded categories. For example, if awarded the Case Management and Intersections of Community Violence, DV, and IPV categories, only those lesson plans are required.

· CVI 101: Organizations awarded Professional Standards for CVI Workers and/or Community-based Safety categories are expected to contribute to short course CVI training for microgrant awardees.

· Each lesson plan must include a description, trainers, training format, materials list, target audience(s), learning outcomes, activities, sample content, and any relevant follow-up or refresher activities. Highlight credentialing, certification, and train-the-trainer opportunities, when appropriate, for inclusion in training delivery.

· Deliverable: Approved lesson plans.

· Pilot training: Pilot sessions with curated groups of CVI workers and stakeholders. MONSE will develop the curated groups. Refine lesson plans based on pilot feedback.

· Deliverables: Pilot sessions delivered and finalized lesson plans.

· Training delivery: Awarded trainers are expected to facilitate training with at least two cohorts of CVI Academy trainees. CVI Academy trainers may deliver additional training if they have completed train-the-trainer and the training is not proprietary or must be exclusively delivered by the awarded organization.

· Deliverables: Trainings delivered to cohorts 1 and 2. Train-the-trainer for additional cohorts, if appropriate.

Additional Requirements

· Comply with 2 CFR Part 200, 2 CFR Part 2800, DOJ Grants Financial Guide, and all BJA award special conditions.

· Professional understanding: the Umbrella Organization and grantees are not law enforcement; participant information will not be shared with law enforcement except as required by law. Any social media outreach must follow a written protocol that protects participants, tracks intervention activity rather than individuals, and states what is collected, how it is used, and who has access.

· Maintain records for at least five years after final BJA closeout, and make them available to the City, DOJ, and auditors.

Compensation The applicant must provide a quote for the services not to exceed $55,000 based upon effort needed to complete the scope of work and all deliverables, including (1) a description of the type of activities to be undertaken; (2) a description of the fees to be charged for each activity; (3) the number of hours anticipated to be charged for each of the services rendered; and (4) any miscellaneous expenses, including production of documents, shall be included and estimated as applicable.

PRE-BID MEETING

There will be two pre-bid meetings held on Tuesday, November 10, 2026 at 12:30pm – 3:30pm EST and Thursday, November 12, 2026, 3:30pm – 5:30pm EST at:

Toledo Lucas County Main Library 325 Michigan Street, Toledo, Ohio 43604 Fred H McDonald Community Room, Garage Level. Attendance is strongly encouraged

Form of Response A. Title Page

· List the RFP title

· The name of the firm

· The name, title, address, telephone number, and email address of the primary contact person.

B. Letter of Transmittal Provide a letter expressly confirming that the firm fully understands the scope of services to be provided and the commitment to perform the services in a timely and cost-effective manner. Responders shall indicate an anticipated timeframe to accomplish all objectives set forth in this scope of work. The firm must also commit to assigning to this scope of work professionals who have experience providing training services.

C. Required Information The proposal must provide all the information specified in the RFP.

D. Other The proposal may contain any other pertinent information that the firm would like the City to consider.

E. Submission Proposals for this project can only be accepted via electronic submittal through the City of Toledo’s PlanetBids website. Bid submittals or other transmissions of information have not been completed until an email confirmation of the transmission has been issued by PlanetBids. Bids prices shall be to two (2) decimal places (i.e. $0.00). Only one (1) price per line item will be accepted with this bid.

In order to be awarded a contract, the City requires all of the following documents must be submitted with each bid your company submits in 2026 in PlanetBids:

· Letter of Transmittal

· Project Paperwork*

· Acknowledgement and Acceptance of Conditions and Contract Specifications

· Living Wage Contract Addendum

· Primary/Subcontractor Agreement Certificate

· DOJ Certifications fillable

· CVIP Risk Assessment

· Template Privacy Certificate

· SFLLL_1_2_P-V1.2 – Lobbying Disclosure

· Template for review- CVIP Subrecipient Agreement *Located on the “Documents” tab in PlanetBids.

Beginning with bids advertised on or after March 13, 2026 the following documents will only need to be submitted once for your company for the duration of all contracts with the City. If any information changes, it is the company’s responsibility to notify the city and update the applicable documentation.

City Paperwork:

· Vendor Registration Form, if company is new to doing business with the city

· Business Tax Registration Form, if company is new to doing business with the city

· Child Support Affidavit, notarized

· Vendor Utility

Beginning with bids advertised on or after March 13, 2026 the following documents will only need to be submitted once for all bids your company submits in 2026. If any information changes, it is the company’s responsibility to notify the City and update the applicable paperwork.

Annual Paperwork:

· W-9

· Insurance Certificate, naming the City of Toledo as an additional insurer – requirements available on the “Documents” tab of PlanetBids

· EEO Compliance

· Debarment Certification

· Living Wage Affidavit, updated no later than February 1st

· Bureau of Workers Compensation Certificate

F. Bid Opening Meeting Bids will be open at 2 PM EST on the due date of this bid via Zoom Meeting at: https://link.edgepilot.com/s/72026a0a/vScHndadGUqgTn8jHzPYJQ?u=https://toledo-oh-gov.zoom.us/j/96570601158

Preliminary Bid results will be available within 1-2 business days on the PlanetBids website after bid opening. Bid results will be published to the PlanetBids website once awarded.

Questions regarding the project must be submitted through the PlanetBids’ Q & A tab for the project manager to respond.

Required Information I. Organization

a. Correct legal name, address, and general telephone number.

b. Brief historical sketch of the organization.

c. Number and location of offices.

d. Brief description of the organization of the firm, the number of employees, the locations at which it performs its activities and identities of the members of the board or directors (or owners of a partnership) and principal management (if not otherwise listed).

e. Enclose the portion of the employment manual committing the organization to employ and promote without consideration as to race, religion, national origin or sex.

f. Provide a statement of assurance that your organization is not currently in violation of any regulatory agency rules to a degree that it may have material impact on the firm’s operation.

g. State whether you intend to engage, either as an employee or independent contractor, in performing the services contemplated by the proposal, any employee of the City, or any person who has been an officer or employee of the City, or any entity as to which such an officer or employee (i) is a partner, if the entity is a partnership, (ii) owns or controls more than five percent of the outstanding shares, if the entity is a corporation or (iii) owns, holds or controls more than five percent of the total indebtedness of such entity. If your response is in the affirmative, identify the person or persons and list the details of the activities contemplated to be secured from them.

II. Required Forms City forms must be filled out and attached to the proposal: Project Paperwork (Acknowledgment and Acceptance of Conditions Contract Specifications; Primary and Subcontractor Certificates and Living Wage Contract Addendum); Professional Services Contract; Current Worker’s Compensation Certificate; If not previously provided, City Paperwork: Vendor Registration Form; Business Tax Registration Form; Child Support Affidavit, notarized; Vendor Utility. If this is your first bid with COT for 2026, the following will be required, Annual Paperwork: W-9; Insurance Certificate, naming the City of Toledo as an additional insurer – requirements available on the “Documents” Tab of PlanetBids; EEO Compliance; Debarment Certification; and Living Wage Affidavit.

The following items will be required prior to awarding the contract: Independent Contractor PERS forms; and additional Insurance as Required.

LOCAL PREFERENCE

The description of and procedure to apply local preference to complainant bids received by the City of Toledo can be found under Toledo Municipal Code section 187.34.

The Toledo Municipal Code can be found by searching for the City of Toledo webpage toledo.oh.gov and clicking the “Government” link, then clicking the “City Code” link.

Selection Process and Evaluation Criteria The review of each proposal will be based upon ten criteria. Zero to fifteen points will be awarded for each category per TMC 187.24. Each category will be assigned a rating factor, which will be multiplied by the points awarded. Award will be made to the proposal with the highest cumulative point total. That notwithstanding, the City reserves the right to reject any and all proposals for its convenience. The proposal should respond directly to each criterion. Those responses will be used to award points. The proposal should also provide the required information requested in the evaluation criteria.

Criterion #1 Background and related experience – Factor 15.

The proposal should include a review of the professional services background and experience of the firm and principal(s). It should include a history of the firm and principal(s) and the number of employees. It should include a listing of previous experiences similar to the requested work.

Criterion #2 Location – Factor 5 The proposal should include the location of the primary office and whether or not a local office will be available. It should also include discussion on staff accessibility for the project. This should also include the amount of work to be performed within the City of Toledo. It should also list the location of the home office inside the City of Toledo, as well as the primary office if located elsewhere. The location where the primary work will be done must be designated. If a portion of the work will be done at a location other than the primary location, designate the other location and the type of work to be done there.

Criterion #3 Familiarity with local, state, and federal standards – Factor 10 The proposal should include a description of the firm or principal’s familiarity with all City of Toledo, State of Ohio, and applicable federal standards and requirements.

Criterion #4 Current workload – Factor 5 The proposal should describe the firm or principal’s current workload. This should include a listing of all major projects inside the City of Toledo and outside its boundary. Specific listing of any subcontracting work that the firm or principals have with another company or project should also be included in this section.

Criterion #5 Performance on previous projects – Factor 15 A specific listing of previous contracts with the City of Toledo or similar offices in the State of Ohio, State of Michigan or Federal Government should also be included. In this listing should be a summary of performance for each project relevant to timeliness, performance and any savings or benefits that were provided to the contractee. List the last five (5) completed projects similar to the requested work.

Criterion #6 Understanding of the project – Factor 15 The provider shall completely describe in detail the services to be rendered to complete the project, including all alternative considerations and evaluations which may be prudent to undertake in order to effectively minimize the project budget and most satisfactorily achieve the project goal. Specific points of understanding should be listed to include the professional approach to the project with any related economic benefits which may impact efficiency and effectiveness.

Criterion #7 Schedule, staffing – Factor 10 This criterion shall have a project advancement schedule, including all tasks specifically listed for the project. Identify timeframes, review times, as well as timing for meetings with citizens and public meetings. List your key personnel who will work on this project and their qualifications and experience. Designate the person who will manage this project. Designate other personnel along with their experience and background who will also work on the project.

Criterion #8 Fee – Factor 10 The specifics of the fee shall be listed. The cost can be prepared in an hourly format to include a not-to-exceed figure.

Criterion #9 Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Participation – Factor 0 Include a description of any joint ventures, partnerships or subcontracts with DBEs that are certified by the City of Toledo’s Office of Affirmative Action. The description should include the name of the company(s), the description of the work to be performed by the DBE and the amount and percentage of the contract that will be awarded by provider to DBEs.

Criterion #10 Other factors or attributes of your firm – Factor 10 The proposal should list any other factors or distinguishing characteristics of the firm that would provide benefit or advantage to the City.

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