2-Addendum 1 0359-043026 Financial Empowerment Center Operations Provider COMPLETE.pdf

City of Nashua Purchasing Department

Administrative Services Division 229 Main Street - Nashua, NH 03060

229 Main Street • Nashua, New Hampshire 03061 • Phone (603) 589-3330 • Fax (603) 589-3233

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

Addendum 1

RFP 0359-043026 Financial Empowerment Center Operations Provider

April 8, 2026

Information included in this document becomes a part of the original RFP

If you are submitting a paper bid, please sign below to indicate receipt of this additional information and include this page with your bid submittal. If you are submitting a proposal via Bonfire please be sure to acknowledge the addendum on the website before submitting your proposal.

Addendum 1 is being issued to modify the bidding documents to include questions and answers received from potential bidders with the initial RFP

All other aspects of the original document remain the same.

Please sign and return this page with your submitted proposal. Failure to acknowledge the addendum will result in the bid submittal being disqualified.

I acknowledge that Addendum 1 has been received and incorporated into bid submittal for RFP 0359-043026 Financial Empowerment Center Operations Provider.

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Date

Name of Firm

Addendum 1

RFP 0359-043026 Financial Empowerment Center Operations Provider

Questions and Answers

Question Answer

1. Can you speak about what the whole budget would need to be?

What portion of the $250-$300K would need to be fundraised?

The guaranteed funding secured for the first year is $100,000, and $50,000 for the second year. This means we will need to fundraise an additional $150,000 to $200,000 to fully support the project to start. The second year the need to fundraise is $200,000. To $250,000; and the third year $250,000. To $300,000.

2. Can you explain again the 3 employees? 3 employees of the FEC:

• 1 Full-time person who supervises counselors, and work with Economic Mobility Supervisor from the City

• 2 Full-time counselors

3. If you already have people in your organization doing financial counseling, do we have to find new people?

It depends, if an organization already offers financial counseling that is very similar to FEC counseling, then yes, it might make sense to transition those staff to become FEC staff. A few cities have done this. If the organizations offer a different but related service (ex. Financial literacy group workshops or HUD counseling), it can often work side by side with the FEC.

4. Is the training designed by FEC or leaning on existing financial trainings?

Some of the training is from CFE Fund, other training is from approved external providers.

5. Is there any plan to promote the program? Is there a plan to incentivize people to come?

Yes, we do have a plan to promote the program, and it is based on proven strategies used by successful FECs nationwide. These centers have grown participation by partnering with housing agencies, workforce programs, libraries, and community organizations, and we plan to use the same approach.

Experience has also shown that the most effective incentive is the value of the service itself—clients return because they see real improvements in their credit, debt, and savings. We will follow this model while also using community partnerships and outreach events to encourage participation.

6. Are there costs to the nonprofit for Salesforce licenses? The Salesforce licenses cost is free for the nonprofit.

7. What efforts are being made to get access to people with language barriers? Translators or translated paperwork?

CFE has some materials translated into Spanish including marketing templates and some of the forms in the FEC data system. We also recommend trying to hire a bilingual counselor if you think there is a strong need for an additional language.

8. After the initial investment and support from the City, what does ongoing financial support look like, if any? Or is the nonprofit organization required to subsume all ongoing costs after the kick off period?

After the initial investment and launch support from the City, the nonprofit operator will take the lead on sustaining the program long‑term. This approach aligns with established FEC practices, where nonprofits integrate the program into their broader services and maintain operations through diversified funding and partnerships. The City will continue to play a supportive role by helping identify funding opportunities and assisting with fundraising efforts on behalf of the FEC to strengthen long‑term sustainability.

9. You mentioned that 2 full-time roles can only be dedicated to work on this. Can the part-time role be blended with other agency responsibilities into a full-time role?

The part time role is the Local Government Manager (LGM) so this is not relevant to the nonprofit provider. All nonprofit staff must be full time FEC.

10. What do you expect the percentage of City vs. nonprofit partner on covering costs in year 3 and beyond be?

The City will work with the provider to figure that out together, but ultimately, the City is responsible for making this sustainable with the CFE

11. We often hear that a barrier to participating is the need for childcare or to take care of the family. Is there a plan in the budget for child care or to provide snacks?

The current budget does not include funding for childcare or snacks. To reduce barriers, the FEC will offer flexible scheduling, virtual appointments, and partnerships with community organizations that may provide supportive services.

12. Does the Federal program contribution ($100K year 1, $50K year 2) continue beyond year 2?

The contribution to get start this program is not from a Federal program; it is coming from CFE, and is only for 2 years.

13. Looking at a budget of $250K-$300K, that basically covers only personnel costs. What other costs do you expect the partner to cover?

Referring to Exhibit C, from RFP, the budget of $250k -$300K covers personnel costs, administrative support, Marketing and Outreach, Counseling training & Continuing Education, Equipment/Supplies/ Subscriptions, and indirect Costs.

14. Does the $250K-$300K cost include the location costs and would the City include that as part their “match” partnership?

The location costs are not included in the 250K-$300K, as they will be provided by the City at no cost. The required City match contribution has to be financial and not in-kind so locations would not count toward the City’s contribution.

15. Does the program specify that services must be in-person or virtual counseling, or both?

The services can be both in person or virtual.

16. What is the estimate cost of Salesforce Software that the nonprofit will be able to use? Is there a limit to the number of licenses?

The estimate cost of Salesforce Software is Zero to the licensed FEC. The licenses are limited to the trained employees

17. Will the City or CFE give autonomy to the nonprofit in regards to budgeting for salaries? Or is the nonprofit restricted to certain costs determined by the City?

The nonprofit will have autonomy in setting salaries within the overall RFP‑approved budget. The City and CFE define the total budget and allowable cost categories, but they do not set individual salary levels. As long as the nonprofit stays within the approved budget and meets standard contracting requirements, it may structure personnel costs as needed to support effective program delivery. Please include those costs in your proposed budget.

18. What is the cost that they are covering for the Salesforce software? I understand it is free to the nonprofit, but what would be the true cost if it wasn’t?

We don't have a figure we can share for that but we do know Salesforce is very expensive.

19. Can you use volunteers to also provide counseling beyond the paid staff requirements, and can they be trained?

No

20. If there was a group counselor, that would fall outside of this program, correct?

Yes

21. Is there a job description in the RFP? If not, can we add this to the addendum?

See Addendum

22. Do you have a number in mind of how many people will be served?

Or are benchmarks like establishing credit more important?

We anticipate around 380 sessions per full time counselor in year 1. This typically works out to about 125 unique clients per counselor. These are just estimates, not goals - some FECs do much more than this, for some it takes more than just a year to see these numbers come through. Goals are related to person outcomes for clients rather than number of clients.

ADDENDUM: Staffing Structure and Job Descriptions

Financial Empowerment Center (FEC) – Request for Proposals (RFP)

Addendum No. 1

Subject: Staffing Structure and Job Descriptions

Purpose of Addendum

This addendum provides clarification regarding the staffing structure and job responsibilities for the Financial Empowerment Center (FEC). The original RFP did not include job descriptions.

The following information outlines the required roles and the shared administrative responsibilities within the three-person staffing model.

Staffing Structure Overview

The FEC will operate with three employees. Administrative and intake responsibilities will be shared between the Program Manager and the Financial Counselor. No separate administrative position is required.

Program Manager – Job Description

Overview

The Program Manager oversees daily operations of the Financial Empowerment Center and carries out key administrative and intake responsibilities as part of the shared staffing model.

Key Responsibilities

• Supervise program operations and support the Financial Counselor

• Manage reporting, data quality, and compliance with FEC standards

• Conduct intake, scheduling, and client flow management

• Coordinate outreach, partnerships, and referral networks

• Support budget oversight and resource allocation

• Maintain program documentation and administrative systems

Qualifications

• Experience in program management or nonprofit leadership

• Strong organizational and communication skills

• Ability to manage data systems and performance metrics

• Commitment to high-quality, client-centered service delivery

Financial Counselor – Job Description

Overview

The Financial Counselor provides one-on-one financial counseling and supports intake and administrative tasks as part of the shared staffing model.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver individualized financial counseling sessions

• Develop action plans and track client progress

• Maintain accurate client records and data entry

• Assist with intake, scheduling, and client support

• Participate in required training and continuing education

• Support outreach and community engagement activities

Qualifications

• Experience in financial counseling, coaching, or social services

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills

• Ability to work with diverse populations

• Willingness to complete required FEC training

Shared Administrative and Intake Functions

Administrative and intake responsibilities will be shared between the Program Manager and the

Financial Counselor. These duties include:

• Client intake and appointment scheduling

• Data entry and documentation

• Front-line client support

• Administrative coordination for outreach and events