RFI - MATCHED SAVINGS SERVICES.pdf

ROBERT G. ANDERSON

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI)

Matched Savings Services

RFx 3150005998 Issue Date: January 6, 2025

AGENCY LOCATION

Mississippi Department of Human Services

200 South Lamar Street Jackson, Mississippi 39201

CONTACT:

Samuel Cole, Chief Procurement Officer

(601) 359-4500 Procurement.Services@mdhs.ms.gov

SUBMISSION DATE & TIME

Responses must be received by Thursday, February 6, 2025, by 2:00 PM, Central Time

MDHS WELCOMES PARTICIPATION OF MINORITY BUSINESSES

1. Introduction

1.1 Purpose

The Mississippi Department of Human Services (MDHS) offers services and support to Mississippians to help them achieve self-sufficiency. Families who lack reliable transportation often struggle to gain or maintain employment. In fact, according to Census data, 62% of all carless households in Mississippi have no one in the workforce. MDHS also recognizes the value of empowering families to contribute to their own success, including supporting them in saving toward longer-term goals and major purchases.

In light of these needs and considerations, MDHS is exploring the possibility of establishing a matched savings program to help qualifying low-income parents gain and maintain access to reliable transportation to support their employment.

As envisioned, the matched savings program will allow a qualifying participant to contribute funds to a savings account up to a pre-set limit. Funds in this account can only be used to purchase a vehicle or make a vehicle repair. When the participant is ready to make an approved purchase, the individual’s savings will be matched with program funds at a pre-established match rate. This may be a dollar-for-dollar match rate or a higher match rate. The program administrator will provide the funds (savings plus matching dollars) directly to the vendor selling the vehicle or making the vehicle repair.

1.2 Overview of the RFI Process

THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY. This RFI is issued solely for information purposes – it does not constitute a competitive procurement or a promise to issue a competitive procurement in the future. This request for information does not commit MDHS to contract for any supply or service whatsoever. Further, MDHS is not at this time seeking proposals, bids, or qualifications and will not accept unsolicited proposals, bids, or qualifications. Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in any future procurement, if any is issued. If a solicitation is released, it will be available on the MDHS website (http://www.mdhs.ms.gov/) and the Contract/Procurement Opportunity Search Portal. It is the responsibility of the potential offerors to monitor these sites for additional information pertaining to this requirement.

Information gathered may or may not be used by MDHS to develop a competitive procurement.

1.3 Timeline

Request for Information Issue Date: Monday, January 6, 2025 Questions and Requests for Clarification to MDHS Deadline:

Friday, January 17, 2025, by 2:00 p.m., CT

Anticipated Written Answers to Questions: Tuesday, January 28, 2025 Response Submission Deadline: Thursday, February 6, 2025, by 2:00 p.m., CT

Note: MDHS reserves the right to adjust this schedule as it deems necessary.

1.4 Official Issuing Officer

Mr. Samuel Cole, Chief Procurement Officer

200 South Lamar Street Jackson, MS 39201 procurement.services@mdhs.ms.gov

2. Instruction to Offerors

By submitting a response to the RFI, the Offeror is acknowledging that the Offeror:

1. Has read the information and instructions,

2. Agrees to comply with the information and instructions contained herein.

2.1 General Information and Instructions

2.1.1 Submitting Questions

Questions regarding this RFI shall be submitted in writing by e-mail to Samuel Cole, Chief Procurement Officer at procurement.services@mdhs.ms.gov. Verbal questions will NOT be accepted. Questions will be answered via response email to all firms/companies that provide questions by the above required date; accordingly, questions shall NOT contain proprietary or classified information. MDHS does not guarantee that questions received after the deadline reflected in Section 1.3 will be answered.

MDHS reserves the right to meet (or hold conference calls) with RFI respondents.

Such discussions would only be intended to obtain further clarification of provided responses.

2.1.2 Right to Amend and/or Cancel the RFI

The MDHS reserves the right to amend and/or cancel this RFI at any time. Any revisions must be made in writing prior to the RFI closing date and time. By mailto:procurement.services@mdhs.ms.gov mailto:procurement.services@mdhs.ms.gov submitting a response, the Offeror shall be deemed to have accepted all terms and agreed to all requirements of the RFI (including any revisions/additions made in writing prior to the close of the RFI whether or not such revision occurred prior to the time the Offeror submitted its response) unless expressly stated otherwise in the offeror’s response. THEREFORE, EACH OFFEROR IS INDIVIDUALLY

RESPONSIBLE FOR REVIEWING THE REVISED RFI AND MAKING ANY

NECESSARY OR APPROPRIATE CHANGES AND/OR ADDITIONS TO THE

OFFEROR’S RESPONSE PRIOR TO THE CLOSE OF THE RFI. Offerors are encouraged to frequently check the RFI for additional information.

2.1.3 Costs for Preparing Responses

Each response should be prepared simply and economically, avoiding the use of elaborate promotional materials beyond those sufficient to provide a complete response. The cost for developing the response and participating in this RFI process is the sole responsibility of the offeror. The State will not provide reimbursement for such costs.

2.1.4 Public Access to Procurement Records

Solicitation opportunities will be publicly advertised as required by law and the provisions of the Public Procurement Review Board/Office of Personal Service Contract Review Rules and Regulations Manual.

PLEASE NOTE: Even though information (financial or other information) submitted by an offeror may be marked as "confidential", "proprietary", etc., the MDHS will make its own determination regarding what information may or may not be withheld from disclosure.

3. Submission Requirements

3.1 Responses may be submitted electronically by email to

Procurement.Services@mdhs.ms.gov in either PDF, Word, or Excel file types. Responses may also be mailed or hand delivered. If sent by mail or hand delivery, the original response shall be signed using Attachment B only and submitted in a sealed envelope or package addressed as required by Section 3.7. All responses must be received no later than the deadline in Section 1.3.

3.2 Firms must answer all questions in Attachment A and complete Attachment B of this request and return with your submission. Respondents should not provide any identifying information in responses to any questions. Respondents would include identifying information on Attachment B, but not in the content of their responses to our questions listed in Attachment A. Identifying information includes, but is not limited to, any prior, current and future names or addresses of the offeror, any names of incumbent staff, any prior, current and future logos, watermarks, program names, and company colors, any information, which identifies the offeror as an incumbent, and any other information, which would affect the blind evaluation of technical or cost factors.

mailto:Procurement.Services@mdhs.ms.gov

3.3 Timely submission of the response is the responsibility of the firm. Responses received after the specified time may not be considered by MDHS.

3.4 The time and date of receipt will be indicated on the envelope or package by the MDHS staff.

3.5 Any firm claiming that its response contains information exempt from the Mississippi Public Records Act (Mississippi Code Annotated §§ 25-61-1, et. seq., and 79-23-1), shall segregate and CLEARLY mark the information as confidential and provide the specific statutory authority for the exemption.

3.6 Reponses submitted via facsimile (faxes) will not be accepted.

3.7 IF submitting a hard copy, sealed responses should be mailed or hand-delivered to and labeled as follows:

RFI No. 3150005998

Attention: Samuel Cole 200 South Lamar Street

Jackson, Mississippi 39201

Note: The agency is not seeking to operate an IDA program under Section 404(h) of the Social Security Act because the only "qualified purposes" for account funds under this provision are postsecondary educational expenses, a first home purchase, and business capitalization. If an organization currently operates an IDA program under Section 404(h) of the Social Security Act, the organization should describe how it would ensure that funds are maintained separately and not comingled.

THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY to identify sources that can provide Matched Savings Accounts. The information provided in the RFI is subject to change and is not binding on MDHS.

MDHS has not made a commitment to procure any of the items/services discussed, and release of this RFI should not be construed as such a commitment or as authorization to incur cost for which reimbursement would be required or sought. All submissions become MDHS property and will not be returned.

ATTACHMENT A

MDHS is interested in the following information from organizations that have the capacity to operate matched savings programs:

• Please identify which of the following services your organization would be able to provide, either directly or in partnership with a subcontractor. We do not anticipate that all services will be required.

Could Meet

Directly Could Meet with

Subcontractor

Could Not Meet

Recruit program participants from at least 25% of Mississippi counties

Establish and meet specific enrollment goals

Receive program applications from potential participants

Verify the eligibility of potential participants and maintain proof of eligibility

Offer participants access to no-fee, no-penalty savings accounts

Receive applications for matching funds on a rolling basis as participants need to purchase an approved asset or service.

Validate vendors as legitimate asset or service providers.

Issue payments to vendors within seven (7) days of an approved match application

Maintain data regarding participant participation, including amounts saved, types and number of asset matches, etc.

Answer participant and vendor questions and provide program support as needed in person and by both phone and email during business hours

Provide small group or individual financial literacy training or financial coaching for participants

Provide coaching and support to help participants strengthen their ability to select a quality vehicle for an affordable price

Could Meet Directly

Could Meet with Subcontractor

Could Not Meet

Help participants set and meet savings goals

Offer case management

Other similar services (please describe)

Additional Questions, please refrain from using identifying information such as company name, address, staff names, logos, watermarks, program names, or company colors in your response:

1. Does your organization currently operate a matched savings or Individual Development Account (IDA) program? Yes No o If yes, please answer the remaining questions below.

o If no, please describe your organization’s qualifications to operate a matched savings program.

2. How long has your organization operated a matched savings or IDA program?

3. How does the organization’s matched savings or IDA program operate? Provide a high-level description of the program including the target population, funding sources, allowable purchases, etc.

4. What metrics does your organization use to evaluate the success of the program?

5. What are the common barriers that prevent your program participants or potential participants from successfully participating (i.e. enrolling and matching)? What ideas do you have about how to reduce those barriers through program design?

6. What is the average administrative cost per participant or per match?

ATTACHMENT B

Firm’s Organization Information

Name of Organization: __________________________________________________________

Physical Address: ______________________________________________________________

Mailing Address: ______________________________________________________________

Website: _____________________________________________________________________

Contact Person for Firm’s Organization:

Authorized Representative’s: _____________________________________________________

Authorized Representative’s Title: _________________________________________________

Authorized Representative’s Signature: _____________________________________________

Mailing Address:_______________________________________________________________

Phone: ( )_________________________________________________________________

Email: _______________________________________________________________________