Housing Solutions and Intensive Supports FINAL DRAFT.pdf

TOMPKINS COUNTY

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

RFP - JW-0000000140-RFP

FOR

HOUSING SOLUTIONS AND INTENSIVE SUPPORTS

RFP RELEASE DATE: October 14, 2026

DEADLINE FOR QUESTIONS: November 10, 2026, BEFORE 5 pm

PROPOSALS DUE: November 17, 2026, BEFORE 2 pm

Introduction

Important Notice

Responses submitted to any RFP (a list of defined terms appears below) become the property of the County and are subject to the County's Policy on Public Access to Records. Any confidential information, such as a Proposer's financial status, if required by the specifications, shall be uploaded as a separate file with the word

“CONFIDENTIAL” in the file name.

Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs), Women Business Enterprises (WBEs), Disadvantaged Business Enterprises

(DBEs), Airport Concessions Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (ACDBEs), Veteran Business Enterprises

(VBEs), Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Businesses (SDVOBs), Small Business Enterprises (SBEs), and Majority

Minority Lead Businesses, as applicable, are encouraged to respond.

Tompkins County Whole Health (TCWH) was formed in January 2023 through the integration of the

County’s Public Health and Mental Health departments, creating a unified organization with shared leadership, mission, and values. Proposers must show that their services and environment align with the Vision, Mission and

Values of Tompkins County Whole Health.

MISSION: The mission is to build a healthy, equitable community in Tompkins County by addressing the root causes of health disparities and integrating mental, physical, and environmental health.

VALUES:

• Learning

• Innovation

• Collaboration

• Compassion

• Integrity

Purpose

Tompkins County is seeking one qualified nonprofit agency with proven histories of providing housing and case management for the implementation of transitional housing and wraparound services programming. These activities are intended to serve individuals in Tompkins County who are experiencing or at risk of experiencing homelessness who have substance use with or without co-occurring mental health disorders contributing to frequent use of crisis response services or interactions with law enforcement.

The decision to utilize the Opioid Settlement Funds for this purpose was recommended and approved by the

Tompkins County Community Services Board (CSB) on April 3, 2023, following a cross-walk of local priorities outlined in the Tompkins County Local Services Plan and the Opioid Settlement Fund Approved Use of

Funds and Priority Funding Areas. The recommendation was further informed by three guiding themes for Opioid

Settlement Fund activities stipulated by OASAS: 1) service integration to best treat co-occurring disorders, 2) service equity, and 3) meaningful evaluation that demonstrates reduced suffering and positive impacts on the social determinants of health.

Bidders may propose a five (5) year project at a maximum of three-hundred fifty thousand dollars ($350,000) per year for this funding opportunity.

Background

Tompkins County is in the Southern Tier region of New York at the southern end of Cayuga Lake. The County is approximately 475 square miles and home to over 105,000 people. Tompkins County is home to Cornell University and Ithaca College.

In 2023, the New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS) began distributing Opioid

Settlement Fund Regional Abatements to fifty-five Local Government Units (LGUs) and five cities for initiatives addressing and reducing the impact of addiction and opioid use disorder in their local communities.

Tompkins County and the City of Ithaca have agreed to combine their regional abatements, yielding a total of approximately $1.9 million between 2023-2026 with additional annual funding projected through 2040.

https://www.tompkinscountyny.gov/files/assets/county/v/1/whole-health-admin/documents/health-promotion/csb-agenda-amp-minutes/csb-lsp2026review2024-2027-approved.pdf https://oasas.ny.gov/system/files/documents/2023/02/approved-uses.pdf https://oasas.ny.gov/system/files/documents/2023/02/approved-uses.pdf https://oasas.ny.gov/opioid-settlement-funding-initiatives#:~:text=These%20priority%20areas%20include%3A%20harm%20reduction%2C%20treatment%2C%20investments,housing%2C%20recovery%2C%20prevention%2C%20transportation%2C%20public%20awareness%20and%20research.

https://www.cdc.gov/infrastructure/public-health-systems-emerging-practices/social-determinants-of-health.html https://www.cdc.gov/infrastructure/public-health-systems-emerging-practices/social-determinants-of-health.html

PLEASE NOTE:

Opioid Settlement Fund Regional Abatement amounts are subject to change as new settlements are decided.

Reducing substance misuse and preventing overdose remain top priorities for Tompkins County. Over the past decade, the County has strengthened prevention, harm reduction, and treatment systems to respond to evolving substance use patterns. Progress in reducing prescribing rates and expanding access to naloxone reflects the County’s commitment to a comprehensive and health centered approach. However, fluctuations in overdose mortality and treatment demand demonstrate that continued investment and coordination are necessary to sustain this progress.

Project Identification

Title: Housing Solutions and Intensive Supports

Requesting Department: Tompkins County Department of Whole Health

Bid Due Date/Time: Monday, November 17, before 2 pm

Timeline

Release Project Date: October 14, 2026

Question Submission Deadline: November 10, 2026, 5 pm

Response Submission Deadline: Monday, November 17, 2026, 2 pm

Term of Bid/Contract

The term of this contract begins January 1, 2027 and ends December 31, 2030.

Contract Extension

Option of (2) one-year extensions when both parties agree by written mutual consent.

Defined Terms

Capitalized terms used in this RFP shall have the meanings set forth below:

ACDBE: Airport Concession Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, as defined in applicable federal and/or state regulations and publications.

ADA: Americans with Disabilities Act.

Affiliate: Refers to an entity that directly or indirectly owns, operates, or controls a Proposer, or one that is directly or indirectly owned, operated, or controlled by a Proposer.

Agreement: The formal contract entered between the County and the selected Bidder, Proposer, or Respondent through the procurement process. The terms Contract and Agreement are used interchangeably in this RFP.

Bidder: A person or entity making a formal proposal in response to an RFP. The terms Bidder, Proposer, and

Respondent are used interchangeably in this RFP.

Compliance Program: The Tompkins County Compliance Program, which can be viewed at: County Compliance

Program. A copy of the Compliance Program may also be obtained from the County Administration Department.

Contract: The formal contract entered between the County and the selected Bidder, Proposer, or Respondent through the procurement process. The terms Contract and Agreement are used interchangeably in this RFP.

County: Tompkins County, New York.

County Standard Terms: The standard contract terms used by the County in contracts it enters.

DBE: Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, as defined in applicable federal and/or state regulations and publications.

Livable Wage Attestation: The Tompkins County Livable Wage Attestation, to be provided on a form made available by the County as amended from time to time.

Major Stockholder: Refers to each owner of ten percent (10%) or more of the ownership interests in a Proposer, whether in the form of stock of a corporation, limited partnership interests or membership interests in an LLC or other form of legally recognized ownership interest.

MBE: Minority Business Enterprise, as defined in applicable federal and/or state regulations and publications.

M/WBE: Minority and/or Women-Owned Business Enterprise, as defined in applicable federal and/or state regulations and publications.

Principal: Refers to the owner of a Proposer that is a sole proprietorship, each partner of a general partnership that is a Proposer, each owner of ten percent (10%) or more of the ownership interests (in the form of stock of a corporation, limited partnership interests or membership interests in an LLC) of a Proposer, and the Proposer’s

Chief Executive, Chief Operating, and Chief Financial Officers.

Principal Owner: The Principal Owner(s) of a Proposer includes the owner of a sole proprietorship and each partner of a general partnership that is the Proposer and also includes Major Stockholders of the Proposer as defined herein.

https://www.tompkinscountyny.gov/files/assets/county/v/1/administration/documents/county-compliance-program/2019_compliance-program-document_final-posted.pdf https://www.tompkinscountyny.gov/files/assets/county/v/1/administration/documents/county-compliance-program/2019_compliance-program-document_final-posted.pdf

Procurement Portal: Tompkins County website at: https://www.tompkinscountyny.gov/All-Departments/Finance-

Department/Purchasing-Division and selecting and selecting ‘Open Solicitations’. This will take you to Bidnet

Direct where the RFP information is posted for the public. Bidders who do not have, or cannot obtain, internet access must contact the Purchasing Division via email (preferred), purchase@tompkins-co.org or by telephone,

(607) 274-5500 for further instructions.

Proposer: A person or entity making a formal proposal in response to an RFP. The terms Bidder, Proposer, and

Purchasing Division: The Tompkins County Department of Finance, Purchasing Division.

Respondent: A person or entity making a formal proposal in response to an RFP. The terms Bidder, Proposer, and

RFP: Request for Proposals.

SBE: Small Business Enterprise, as defined in applicable federal and/or state regulations and publications.

SDVOB: Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Business, as defined in applicable federal and/or state regulations and publications.

VBE: Veteran-Owned Business Enterprise, as defined in applicable federal and/or state regulations and

WBE: Women-Owned Business Enterprise, as defined in applicable federal and/or state regulations and

User: A person or entity that accesses the Procurement Portal via the internet.

https://www.tompkinscountyny.gov/All-Departments/Finance-Department/Purchasing-Division mailto:purchase@tompkins-co.org

Specifications

SCOPE

Tompkins County Whole Health is seeking proposals from nonprofit organizations with proven histories of providing housing services and case management for the design and implementation of a transitional housing and wraparound services program. This program is intended to serve individuals in Tompkins County who are experiencing or are at-risk of experiencing homelessness who have substance use with or without co-occurring mental health disorders contributing to frequent use of crisis response services or interactions with law enforcement.

PROGRAM OBJECTIVES

The contracted organization will coordinate rapid access to transitional housing, Intensive Case Management and peer support, and streamlined care for individuals experiencing or at-risk of experiencing homelessness who have substance use with or without co-occurring mental health disorders contributing to frequent use of crisis response services or interactions with law enforcement. The overall program objective is to stabilize individuals living in a cycle of crisis and bridge the gap between crisis response services and permanent supportive housing and other community-based care.

To achieve this objective, the contracted organization will perform or facilitate the following three (3) primary activities on behalf of program clients:

• Securing and management of transitional housing units;

• Provision of Intensive Case Management (ICM) and peer support for linkage and access to services; and

• Streamlined coordination of client access to services and care.

In performing these activities, the contracted organization will contribute to the following short- and long-term outcomes:

• Reduced number of days spent homeless and using the local emergency shelter;

• Improved housing stability and access to permanent supportive housing;

• Increased participation in community-based services and care;

• Improved overall wellbeing via access to services addressing social health needs;

• Reduction in Emergency Department visits for behavioral health concerns and interactions with law enforcement; and

• Reduced utilization of crisis response services and the criminal justice system.

REQUIRED PROGRAM PARAMETERS

Tompkins County Whole Health is committed to supporting innovative proposals that meaningfully engage and improve the wellbeing of individuals and communities who have been harmed by the opioid epidemic and the broader criminalization of substances. The following key parameters have been included to support organizations in the development of their proposals.

Intent

The program is intended to achieve positive housing and health outcomes for individuals experiencing or at-risk of experiencing homelessness and who have severe service needs due to substance use with or without co-occurring mental health disorders. Successful proposals will be explicit as to how the proposed housing, Intensive

Case Management, peer support, and care coordination strategies go beyond “business as usual” to meet the unique needs of this population. They will also discuss both current best practices and their own prior organizational outcomes in support of their proposed program design.

Structure

Tompkins County Whole Health welcomes proposals for a variety of housing and care coordination structures.

However, proposals must include a combination of the following core program elements, which are described in further detail in the Program Elements section.

Transitional Housing

The program must include a variety of housing options (e.g., congregate care, studio, 1 bedroom, 2 bedroom) to meet the unique needs and preferences of individual clients. Housing must be provided to each client for between six and twelve months with an average duration of nine months, enabling both stabilization and transitions to traditional permanent housing support. Housing shall be contingent upon a signed Occupancy Agreement stipulating 1) expectations for both program clients and case/property management, 2) policies and procedures for addressing complaints and incidents, and 3) a plan for mental health crisis response during evening hours. Housing shall NOT be contingent upon client sobriety or participation in support services.

The contracted organization must maintain overall housing occupancy rates at an average of 90% or above per quarter, to ensure efficient use of funding. Rental payments can be submitted as invoices as the units are obtained and occupied by program clients. Failure to maintain an average of 90% occupancy rate will result in a requirement to submit a Quality Improvement Plan (QIP), identifying root causes of underperformance and outline specific, measurable corrective actions to increase performance to projected outcomes.

Intensive Case Management and Peer Support

Required program personnel include both an Intensive Case Manager(s) and a Peer Support Specialist(s). Staff in both positions must have completed relevant trainings and certifications. Intensive Case Managers must maintain a maximum caseload of no more than ten (10) clients at one time to ensure adherence to the best practices of Intensive

Case Management. Peer Support Specialists will be responsible for helping clients access program services in addition to providing emotional and crisis support. The Intensive Case Manager should be a full-time position, while the Peer Support Specialist may be part- or full-time.

Coordination of Services and Treatment

The program must also include funding for a Program Coordinator who will be responsible for securing and coordinating client housing, streamlined linkages to care and services, overseeing Intensive Case Managers and

Peer Support Specialists, and monitoring and reporting program updates and outcomes to Tompkins County Whole

Health. This position does not need to be full-time, if appropriate.

Duration

The program will run for a period of five (5) years and bidders may propose projects up to $350,000 per year, with potential funding in future years contingent upon successful implementation and adherence to funding requirements as well as availability of Opioid Settlement Fund Regional Abatements.

Budget

The program budget must adhere to the following parameters:

• Up to 10% of funds may be used for administrative costs;

• 25% of funds must be reserved for housing and services for individuals residing within Ithaca city limits;

and

• Funds may not be used for capital projects.

Regulations:

The selected provider is expected to work with LGU to ensure all requirements are met.

Eligibility

To be eligible for this funding, bidders must meet the following criteria:

• Follow all proposal guidelines to be considered;

• Currently providing services to adults experiencing or at risk of experiencing homelessness who have substance use with or without co-occurring mental health disorders with the demonstrated knowledge and resources (including this funding) to provide housing and case management supports to the target population; and

• To be considered for this RFP, the responding organization must be a nonprofit in good financial and regulatory standing, as demonstrated by its most recent audited financial statements and latest Form 990 (or equivalent annual report).

Preference:

Preference will be given to programs which can demonstrate preparedness to serve the focus population as described below, and who have experience providing housing and Intensive Case Management experience.

FOCUS POPULATIONS

This program will serve individuals in both rural and urban areas of Tompkins County who are experiencing or at-risk of experiencing homelessness and who have substance use with or without co-occurring mental health disorders contributing to frequent use of crisis response services or interactions with law enforcement. Clients do not need a formal diagnosis upon admission but must exhibit symptoms with or without patterns or behavior indicating significant substance use.

Specific participation criteria include:

• A history of substance use, or co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders that significantly impact the individual’s ability to care for self in the community setting;

• A history of repeat Emergency Department visits without meeting criteria for hospital admission OR at-risk of criminal justice system involvement due to crimes related to severe substance use with or without co-occurring mental health disorders;

• Limited natural community supports and significant needs;

• Multi-system involvement without meaningful engagement necessary to benefit from services and supports offered; and

• Desire to participate in the program, including regular meetings with the Intensive Case Manager and Peer

Support Specialist.

PROGRAM ELEMENTS

This RFP is issued to solicit proposals for the program providing transitional housing, Intensive Case Management, peer support, and streamlined care coordination to people experiencing or at-risk of experiencing homelessness who have substance use with or without co-occurring mental health disorders contributing to frequent use of crisis response services or interactions with law enforcement. The contracted organization is expected to hire or appoint a

Program Coordinator who will serve as a liaison with community partners and oversee the core program elements detailed below.

Transitional housing

The contracted organization will secure, coordinate, and manage low-barrier transitional housing for ten (10) program clients at a time. As this transitional housing is intended to help stabilize program clients and enable an eventual transition to permanent supportive housing, clients should remain housed for between six to twelve (6-

12) months with an average duration of nine (9) months.

Proposed housing should reflect best practices for housing the intended population. While housing provided through this program is intended to be transitional, it should incorporate the following essential elements:

• Few to no programmatic prerequisites to housing entry (e.g., no requirements of sobriety);

• Low-barrier admission policies;

• Rapid and streamlined entry into housing;

• Participation in support services is voluntary (except for regular meetings with the Intensive Case Manager and Peer Support Specialist), and access to housing should not be used to compel clients to participate in support services; and

• Practices and policies are in place to prevent lease violations and evictions.

Applicants may propose a variety of housing structures and settings, including single-site, scattered-site, or a combination of the two, and should offer a variety of unit options (e.g., congregate care, studio, 1 bedroom, 2 bedroom) to meet the unique preferences and needs of each client. Applicants should consider the advantages and disadvantages of these and other models for the intended program population when designing their housing program, including:

• Transportation requirements for accessing services;

• Onsite staffing needs, including during evening hours;

• Leasing and property management responsibilities;

• Landlord, tenant, and client disputes, and need for landlord mitigation funds; and

• Public attention and stigma.

The contracted organization must maintain overall housing occupancy rates at an average of 90% or above per quarter, to ensure efficient use of funding. Rental payments can be submitted as invoices as the units are obtained and occupied by program clients. Failure to maintain an average of 90% occupancy rate will result in a requirement to submit a Quality Improvement Plan (QIP), identifying root causes of underperformance and outline specific, measurable corrective actions to increase performance to projected outcomes.

Given that this program is intended to serve clients with severe substance use with or without co-occurring mental health disorders, the contracted organization should anticipate and put in place policies and procedures to prevent, mitigate, and resolve incidents including property damage and interpersonal violence. This should include considerations for onsite staffing or offsite crisis support, detailed and individualized client (and staff) safety plans, a required Occupancy Agreement as described below, and landlord mitigation funds (if applicable). When determining appropriate responses to client incidents, the contracted organization is expected to differentiate between property damage and interpersonal violence to avoid unnecessary evictions for behaviors consistent with substance use with or without co-occurring mental health disorders. Restorative justice approaches that provide opportunities for clients to repair interpersonal relationships and property may also be considered.

To support clients in building tenancy and independent living skills, the contracted organization shall develop an

Occupancy Agreement outlining key expectations and policies for both clients and any onsite staff/property management. This agreement should include at a minimum:

• A detailed description of client rights;

• Expectations for regular meetings with the Intensive Case Manager and Peer Support Specialist;

• Expectations for client behavior while on the premises, including policies for acts of violence, property damage, substance use, guests, and pets;

• Expectations for property management and onsite staffing; and

• Policies and procedures for addressing client complaints, Occupancy Agreement violations, and criteria for evictions/removals from housing.

Every effort should be made to ensure clients transition to long-term housing at the conclusion of their transitional housing periods. Appropriate models might include transferring the transitional housing unit lease into the client's name at discharge from the program or securing permanent supportive housing units to be leased by clients at program discharge. If long-term housing has not been secured or the client appears to need further program support beyond the six to twelve (6-12) month transitional housing period, extensions can be made on a case-by-case basis in consultation with the Crisis Intervention Team workgroup.

Intensive Case Management and Peer Support

In addition to transitional housing, the contracted organization must also provide both Intensive Case Management

(ICM) and peer support to each program client for at least the full duration of their transitional housing period (6-

12 months).

The contracted organization is expected to hire or appoint an Intensive Case Manager(s) (1.0 FTE) who will provide case management to a maximum caseload of ten (10) clients at one time. Specific duties of the Intensive Case

Manager include:

• Meet in-person with program clients at least 1-2 times per week, or more frequently, as needed;

• Co-develop, monitor, and troubleshoot individualized and person-centered care plans that address the unique service needs and goals of each client, including housing stability and building of natural community supports;

• Develop client safety plans that include considerations for crisis resolution during evening hours;

• Broker community-based service delivery on behalf of program clients to fulfill person-centered care plans;

• Support program clients in accessing services, including by providing transportation and accompanying clients to appointments, as necessary;

• Document client participation in services using the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS);

and

• Develop and implement a transition/discharge plan for clients that ensures access to permanent supportive housing and continued access to supportive services at the conclusion of their transitional housing period.

The Intensive Case Manager should have demonstrated experience providing case management to people with substance use with or without co-occurring mental health disorders, and a thorough knowledge of local community-based service providers, including but not limited to housing, substance use counseling and treatment, mental health assessment and treatment, physical health assessment and care, financial assistance and public benefits, and education and employment support. They should be comfortable with motivational interviewing, trauma-informed approaches, harm reduction, mental health crisis response, strengths-based approaches, cultural humility, and person-centered care.

The contracted organization is also expected to hire or appoint a Peer Support Specialist(s) (0.5-1.0 FTE) who will provide supplemental support to program clients, including:

• Identification of additional service needs and resources;

• Assistance submitting service application forms and other paperwork;

• Transportation to and from service appointments, as needed;

• Guidance in building tenancy and independent living skills; and

• Emotional and crisis support, occasionally during evening hours as necessary.

The Peer Support Specialist should be a current or former recipient of substance use, mental health, or dual diagnosis service with sufficient knowledge of recovery with or without overcoming challenges resulting from a diagnosis of mental illness to assist others with recovery. They should be a New York State Office of Mental Health

(OMH) Certified Peer Specialist (NYCPS), a New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS)

Certified Peer Recovery Advocate (CPRA) or working towards either peer support services credentialing.

Coordination of Services and Care

As described previously, the contracted organization must hire or appoint a Program Coordinator (0.25-1.0 FTE) who will be responsible for general program operations and transitional housing coordination, as well as oversight of

Intensive Case Management, peer support and community-based service access. Specific duties of the Program

Coordinator include:

• Serving as primary liaison with Tompkins County Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) workgroup and other resource and referral sources;

• Evaluation, intake, and enrollment of potential program clients referred by the CIT workgroup and other resource and referral sources;

• Securing and coordination of client access to transitional housing units;

• Assignment and connection of clients to Intensive Case Manager(s) and Peer Support Specialist(s).

• Supervision of Intensive Case Manager(s) and Peer Support Specialist(s), including monitoring the development and implementation of client care plans;

• Development of procedures for expedited triage and service delivery with CIT workgroup partners and community-based service providers;

• Monitoring and reporting client housing status, participation in services, progress towards achieving individual goals, and any program incidents (including removals from housing); and

• Providing fiscal reports, data, and program outcomes during quarterly reports.

While client care plans may vary depending upon individual needs, the Program Coordinator will ensure services offered include:

• Substance use disorder recovery and treatment;

• Medical assessment and healthcare;

• Mental health assessment and treatment;

• Federal, State, and local benefits enrollment;

• Employment readiness;

• Tenancy and independent living skills; and

• Evaluation for vocational, occupational, and speech services through Ithaca College.

The Program Coordinator should have thorough knowledge of local community-based service providers, including but not limited housing and the services described above, as well as demonstrated experience planning, assigning, supervising, and reviewing the work of case managers and other staff. They should be experienced in program management, report and budget preparation, expenditure control, and available to submit reports and present to the

Crisis Intervention Team and other governing bodies at regular intervals.

MONITORING AND REPORTING FOR PROGRAM AND FISCAL COMPLIANCE

The Program Coordinator will be expected to submit regular quarterly reports to Tompkins County Whole Health detailing program expenditures, client demographics, and key process and outcome measurements to evaluate program impacts and support continuous quality improvement efforts.

Tompkins County Whole Health will develop and furnish the contracted organization(s) with a required reporting form that will include, at a minimum:

• Estimated and actual program expenditures

• Client Demographics, including:

o Age o Location of residence at program entry o Gender o Race and Ethnicity

• Program Process and Metrics:

o Number of potential program client referrals from community partners o Number and percent of declined program referrals (by contracted organization) o Number and percent of declined program referrals (by prospective clients) o Number of total clients enrolled/served during reporting period o Number and percent of housing units occupied by clients during the reporting period o Number and frequency of contacts between Intensive Case Manager and client

• Program Outcome Measures:

o Number and percent of days stably housed during 6-12 month period, by client o Number and percent of clients housed entire 6-12 month period o Number and percent of client exits to permanent supportive housing o Number of Emergency Department visits for behavioral health concerns, by client o Number of emergency shelter usage instances, by client o Number of interactions with law enforcement, by client

The selected provider(s) will also be required to submit quarterly program reports and financial performance measure data to the LGU (Tompkins County Whole Health) using a Results-Based Accountability (RBA) report, with measures to be co-developed during the contracting period.

PROPOSAL EVALUATION

The proposal should be no more than 15 pages typed, double-spaced, single-sided on 8 ½ by 11-inch paper. Pages should be paginated. Font should be 12-point Times New Roman, and all margins should be .5 inches wise. Letters of support, budget forms, figures or tables will not count towards the 15-page limit. If an Application Narrative exceeds the page limit above, Tompkins County may limit its review to information provided within the page limit.

The purpose of the Proposal is to demonstrate an understanding of the objectives and services to be provided, how the proposer’s objectives will be operationalized and evaluated, and the responsiveness to the initiative’s goal through the proposed activities.

The Proposal should address all the following sections in order:

1. Cover Page

Please provide the following information as a cover page for the proposal:

• Organization name, mailing address, telephone and website

• Primary contact name, email, and phone number

• Names of principals, officers, and directors

2. Summary of organizational qualifications

• Qualifications – Provide a general overview of your organization and the transitional housing and Intensive

Case Management services it provides. *If your organization does not have experience providing transitional housing and Intensive Case Management services, please describe related services provided and your plan to include vocation services to the target population.

• Knowledge of intended service population – describe your knowledge of and experience serving the intended focus population for this program, including in Tompkins County. Describe strategies your organization has successfully used to engage and provide responsive services to this population.

• Key personnel – For all key personnel to be involved in the program, provide names, titles, credentials, period of service with the organization, and any relevant technical education with or without training.

3. Location information

• Location – Provide the location of the offices where the services will be provided. Describe any other programs and services that are available at the location by your agency, if any, or by other agencies that are co-located in the building. If you do not currently have offices in Tompkins County but plan to in the future to provide the services, describe the steps you will take to identify an appropriate setting and outline the factors you will consider in making your decision.

• Engagement and Client Support – Describe how you will effectively engage with service recipients and provide the necessary support to meet their needs if you do not plan to have an office located in Tompkins

County.

• Additional Services Available – Describe any other services your agency provides in Tompkins County and where those services are located, if applicable.

4. Methodology, Philosophy, and Approach

• Collaboration – Identify any current or anticipated local partnerships your organization will leverage to support the delivery of transitional housing and Intensive Case Management services, including in

Tompkins County. Include key data measures such as service volume, client satisfaction, and quality of care, etc. Describe how you will create an equitable referral process and workflow. Collaboration and partnership across programs serving the target population is strongly encouraged.

• Approach – Describe how your organization will provide transitional housing and Intensive Case

Management services to the target population in Tompkins County. Include your philosophy of care and how your staff demonstrate it in the delivery of services. Describe best practices and adherence to requirements identified in applicable OMH, OASAS, or other state/federal agency guidance as applicable. Provide specific examples of how these strategies will be incorporated into program guidance. Provide specific examples of how these strategies will be incorporated into program operation.

• Implementation – Provide an implementation plan to begin providing these services in Tompkins County.

• Mission and Values - Describe how your organization’s operations and culture align with the Mission and

Values of Tompkins County Whole Health

5. Demonstrated Ability

• Service Record – Describe your organization’s record of successfully delivering this service or similar services, including in Tompkins County. Include key data measures such as service volume, client satisfaction, and quality of care, etc.

• Resources and Capacity – Identify and describe currently available organizational resources that will facilitate rapid program start-up and service delivery, including staff, facilities, existing and policies and procedures.

• References – Provide two (2) letters of reference and contact information, names, telephone numbers and email addresses who can speak to your organization’s experience with or without capacity to deliver housing and case management services successfully. (Response to this section can be included in attachments and not included in the 15-page limit.)

• Describe anticipated program operations, including the following:

Timeline

Provide a timeline for your proposed transitional housing and Intensive Case Management services to be in operation with an emphasis on date of opening, any construction/renovations to the location, and equipment acquisition.

Staffing

Provide specific details on current and proposed staffing for the transitional housing and Intensive Case

Management consistent with OMH regulations. Specify employee type, number of employees, roles, and responsibilities based on projected need and how these services will be integrated into your current services.

6. Budget & Narrative

• Budget – Please submit a complete operational budget that includes both total costs and detailed budget line items. If applicable, please provide separate budgets for the program start-up period and full program operations. Please also include any additional revenue that will be utilized to support program operations/sustainability, if available.

• Narrative – Provide a detailed narrative justifying key expenses included in the proposal budget.

7. Information on Preferred Categories

• Provide a description of your experience in providing transitional housing and Intensive Case

Management services in another county, if applicable. (10 additional points)

8. Additional Required Documentation in Attachments

Please ensure that the following documents and required forms in Attachments A-D at the end of this RFP document have been signed and included in your proposal submission:

• Copy of most recent audited financials

• Certification of Award Requirements

• Affidavit of Non-Collusion

• Anti-Discrimination Clause

• Bidder’s Statement on Sexual Harassment

• Contractor’s Representation – Livable Wage Policy

• Tompkins County Hold Harmless and Insurance Requirements

• Vendor Responsibility Questionnaire

• Tompkins County Business Demographic Survey

The proposals to be reviewed must be complete and must comply with all requirements of this RFP. A proposal may be excluded from funding consideration for any of the following reasons:

• Goals or outcomes that are not in accordance with the objectives of this program.

• Did not follow RFP guidelines, i.e., not meeting proposal submission deadline date and time.

• Activities specifically that are not allowed by Federal, State, or local laws.

• History of contract non-compliance or poor past or current contract performance.

• Facilities not in full compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

All proposals meeting minimum requirements will be evaluated by a Review Committee with representation from

Tompkins County LGU (Director of Community Services and members of the Community Services Board (CSB) or its subcommittees.) Proposals shall be evaluated based on applicants’ written responses to the evaluative sections described above and according to the selection criteria detailed in the subsequent section.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Proposals meeting the minimum RFP requirements will be evaluated based on, but not limited to, the following criteria.

Evaluation

Section Scoring Criteria Points

Qualifications

Qualifications: Organization/agency has expertise and qualifications related to transitional housing and Intensive Case Management services with the identified target population(s).

Knowledge of intended service population: Proposal demonstrates Proposer’s knowledge of and experience serving the intended focus population Key Personnel - Key personnel involved in the project have appropriate credentials, training, and experience.

Methodology, Philosophy, and

Approach

Approach: Proposed approach demonstrates clear understanding of project goals, required parameters, best practices, and core program elements.

Philosophy: Person centered, strengths based, using a trauma informed lens that is culturally inclusive and linguistically diverse.

Collaboration: Approach identifies relevant local partnerships ensuring rapid referrals, access to comprehensive treatment, and continuity of care for program clients. Approach describes an equitable referral process and workflow.

Demonstrated

Ability

Service Record: Organization has recent record of successful service delivery, as demonstrated by key data measurements related to service utilization, participant satisfaction and quality of care.

Application Narrative & Attachments are complete, detailed and realistic.

Resources & Capacity: Organization currently has sufficient staff, facilities, and administrative resources to meet rapid program start-up and service delivery expectations.

References: References demonstrate organization’s experience with or without capacity to successfully provide transitional housing and Intensive Case

Management services.

Planning: Projected utilization, staffing plan, proposed timelines to complete program start-up are feasible and time efficient.

Budget &

Narrative

Budget - Budget is reasonable, cost-effective, and includes additional revenue to support/sustain program operations Narrative - Narrative sufficiently justifies key expenses Audited Financials – provided and there is no “going concern” letter or disclosure in the organization’s most recent audit (reflecting the auditor’s substantial doubt that the organization will remain a going concern over the next twelve months) without a clear explanation of how the organization is addressing these issues.

Total possible points

Additional points may be given if proposal meets the following criteria

Proposal describes experience (past or current) providing transitional housing and

Intensive Case Management services, to the identified populations, OR describe

Maximum Total

Points

Instructions to Proposers

Qualifications

All proposers shall complete all supplied forms and answer all questions included as part of this RFP.

Tompkins County may make such investigations it deems necessary to determine the ability of the proposer to provide the services and/or goods described within the specifications. The proposer shall furnish to the County all such information and data for this purpose as may be requested within five (5) days of such request.

RFP Documents

Complete sets of RFP Documents must be used in preparing proposals. The County does not assume responsibility for errors or misinterpretations resulting from the use of incomplete sets of Documents. An updated and complete set of RFP Documents can be obtained from the Procurement Portal. No other source, written or otherwise, is considered official and responses based on information obtained from sources other than the Procurement Portal may not be complete.

Specification Clarifications

Requests for Clarification, Inquiries, or Questions of or about the specifications must be submitted through the

Procurement Portal before 5 PM ET on November 10, 2026. Answers to questions will be publicly posted onto the

Procurement Portal once available.

Submission Deadline

The deadline for submission of proposals is November 17, 2026 before 2 pm.

Addenda

Any addendum issued because of any change to this RFP as originally posted shall become a part of the RFP and all shall be acknowledged by a Proposer as part of their submittal or an individual proposal may be deemed non-responsive. At the time an individual addendum is released, all Users following this RFP will be automatically emailed a notification regarding such addendum. It shall be the Proposer's responsibility to check for any addenda issued as part of this RFP. All addenda issued as part of this RFP will be posted on the Procurement Portal.

Submission of Proposals

Proposals and any other required documents shall be submitted online through the Procurement Portal. Please allow ample time to upload and complete your submission prior to the deadline. Proposers who do not have, or cannot obtain, internet access must contact the Purchasing Division via email (preferred), purchase@tompkins-co.org, by telephone, (607) 274-5500, or in person at 125 East Court Street, Ithaca, New York 14850 for further instructions.

Please add purchase@tompkins-co.org to your email address book to ensure timely notifications regarding the project(s) you have requested.

Proposals shall be submitted no later than the date and time indicated in the Timeline for this RFP.

The County reserves the right to reject any or all proposals in whole or in part, to waive any and all informalities, and to disregard all non-conforming, non-responsive or conditional proposals to make the award in a manner deemed to be in the best interest of the County, and to correct any award erroneously made as the result of a clerical error on the part of the County.

*NOTE: If you experience difficulty submitting your proposal, contact the Purchasing Division via email

(preferred), purchase@tompkins-co.org or by telephone, (607) 274-5500, or in person at 125 East Court Street, Ithaca, New York 14850. If you do not receive a response from the Purchasing Division, you may contact the

Finance Team (607) 274-5544.

file:///H:/Red%20Stick/Procurement/Templates/Procurement

Submission Instructions

Proposers shall submit their proposal response per the instructions below. Proposers who do not follow these instructions may have their proposals rejected as incomplete or non-responsive.

Proposers shall read all documents contained in this specification package and complete all sections and attachments. Failure to do so does not excuse proposer from abiding by all instructions, terms or conditions.

Responses shall be submitted through the Tompkins County, NY Procurement Portal and in the format indicated in the specifications no later than the date and time indicated.

Proposers must submit their questions regarding any portion of the specifications by posting them on the Q&A tab found in the solicitation on Bidnet Direct before 5 pm on November 17, 2026. Answers will be provided no later than five (5) days prior to the Proposal due date.

The County reserves the right to amend the specifications prior to the due date by written addenda. It is the

Proposer’s responsibility to ascertain whether any addenda have been issued prior to submitting their proposal.

Proposers shall submit all forms that require signatures with their proposal response.

All responses submitted become the property of the County and are subject to the County's Policy on Public Access to Records.

This invitation to respond does not commit the County to award a Contract, nor shall the County be responsible for any cost or expense that may be incurred by the Proposer in preparing and submitting their response or any cost incurred prior to the execution of a Contract.

Proposal Modifications

If a Proposer wishes to amend a proposal after submittal but prior to the deadline for submittal they may temporarily withdraw their proposal. Proposers shall submit their modified proposal again prior to the deadline for submittal of proposals or their proposal will not be considered for evaluation. Proposals not in "Submitted" status will not be given consideration by the County for evaluation and award.

Withdrawal of Proposals

A Proposer may withdraw their proposal at any point prior to the deadline for submittal and any proposal not in a

"Submitted" status as of the deadline shall not be considered.

Disqualification

1. The County reserves the right to refuse to issue a Contract to a Proposer should such Proposer be in default for any of the following reasons:

a. Failure to comply with any pre-qualification regulations of the County, if such regulations were cited, or otherwise included in the specifications as a requirement for responding.

b. Proposer’s default under previous contracts with the County.

c. Proposer’s unsatisfactory work on previous contracts with the County.

2. Responses received from Proposers who have previously failed to complete contracts within the time required, or who have previously performed similar work in an unsatisfactory manner, may be rejected. A response may be rejected if the Proposer cannot show that it has the necessary ability, plant and equipment to commence the work at the time prescribed and thereafter to perform and complete the work at the rate or time specified. A response may be rejected if the Proposer is already obligated for the performance of other work which would delay the commencement, performance or completion of the work if the Proposer is not able to demonstrate the ability to fulfill the requirements of the proposal in a manner agreed upon by the County and the Proposer.

3. Tompkins County reserves the right to reject any proposal if the information submitted by, or investigation of, such Proposer fails to satisfy the County that such Proposer is properly qualified to carry out the obligations of the Contract and to complete the work contemplated therein.

4. Proposals will be considered irregular and shall be subject to rejection for the following reasons:

a. If there are unauthorized additions, conditional or alternate pay items, or irregularities of any kind which make the proposal incomplete, indefinite, or otherwise ambiguous.

The County reserves the right to award the Contract to the Proposer who submits the proposal that proves to be in the best interest of the County.