VSSN_Cash_Assistance_Overview.pdf

This Request for Proposal (RFP) 2025-RFP-CNH-304 issued by the City of New Haven, Connecticut, Department of Community Services Administration seeks qualified organizations to provide essential support services for victims of violence through the Victim Support Services Network (VSSN), established in 2023. The procured services encompass emergency and ongoing basic needs assistance including food, clothing, transportation, temporary housing or relocation support, safety planning, and connections to community-based resources, with services tailored to victims of firearm-related offenses, domestic violence, sexual violence, and other interpersonal or community violence, with particular emphasis on young adults ages 18 to 34. The RFP includes a non-mandatory pre-proposal meeting on February 17, 2026, at 1:00 PM; a question submission deadline of February 24, 2026, at 5:00 PM; and a response submission deadline of March 3, 2026, at 11:00 AM via the City's eProcurement Portal. The contract term is one year with one optional one-year extension subject to the Purchasing Agent's approval, with Mayor approval required if the contract is valued at $25,000 or more and Board of Alders approval required if the contract exceeds one year in duration.

Proposers must submit responses in two separate parts—a technical proposal without pricing and a detailed cost proposal with firm, fixed pricing for all costs including labor, materials, travel, and incidental expenses, though limited price adjustments may be considered if material or labor costs fluctuate more than 20 percent during the contract term. No specific award value or budget range is disclosed in the RFP; however, the City has developed separate contract templates for awards of $100,000 or less and greater than $100,000. Contractors must maintain general liability insurance of $1 million per occurrence and $2 million combined aggregate and comply with the City's Living Wage Ordinance if the contract exceeds $25,000 annually, Executive Order 11246, the Connecticut Fair Employment Practices Act, and equal employment opportunity standards. If funded through State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (ARPA), contractors must comply with indirect cost caps at 10 percent of the total award, quarterly reporting requirements, SAM.gov registration, and 2 CFR 200 Uniform Guidance, with all ARPA funds required to be obligated by December 31, 2024, and expended by December 31, 2026. No incumbent vendor or current contractor is identified. Evaluation criteria are weighted equally at 25 points each across four categories: proposed solution clarity and focus, company staffing assigned to the project, budget realism and transparency, and organization background and capacity, evaluated on a pass/fail basis.