VSSN_Cash_Assistance_Overview.pdf

This file comprises guidelines documentation and a related Request for Proposal issued by the City of New Haven, Connecticut, Department of Community Services Administration (RFP 2025-RFP-CNH-304) for essential support services to victims of violence through the Victim Support Services Network (VSSN). The RFP seeks qualified organizations to provide trauma-informed, culturally responsive services including emergency and ongoing basic needs assistance such as food, clothing, transportation, temporary housing, relocation support, safety planning, and connections to community-based resources 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. A non-mandatory pre-proposal meeting is scheduled for February 17, 2026, at 1:00 PM, with a question submission deadline of February 24, 2026, at 5:00 PM, and proposal submissions due 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 value exceeds $25,000 and Board of Alders approval required if the term extends beyond one year.

The RFP 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, all evaluated on a pass/fail basis. Proposers must submit a technical proposal without pricing and a separate cost proposal with detailed, firm fixed pricing including all labor, materials, travel, and incidental expenses, though limited adjustments may be considered if material or labor costs fluctuate more than 20 percent during the contract term at the City's sole discretion. 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. The procurement is funded through State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (ARPA), with indirect cost caps at 10 percent of the total award, all ARPA funds required to be obligated by December 31, 2024, and expended by December 31, 2026. No incumbent vendor is identified, and no specific set-aside designations for disadvantaged, minority-owned, or women-owned businesses are indicated. The cash assistance guidelines document indicates VSSN distributes flex funding with an average per individual or family expenditure assumption of $1,000, with distributions exceeding this amount requiring documented justification to the Department of Community Resilience.