Youth_Opportunity_Grants_Program_(Addendum_#1_Revision).pdf

RFP- 24 - 026

YOUTH OPPORTUNITY GRANTS PROGRAM

City of St. Petersburg

P.O. Box 2842

St. Petersburg, FL 33731

RELEASE DATE: November 21, 2023

DEADLINE FOR QUESTIONS: December 21, 2023

RESPONSE DEADLINE: January 4, 2024, 3:00 pm

RESPONSES MUST BE SUBMITTED ELECTRONICALLY TO:

https://procurement.opengov.com/portal/stpete

City of St. Petersburg

Youth Opportunity Grants Program

I. Introduction

II. Solicitation Information

III. Evaluation Criteria

IV. Vendor Questionnaire

V. Scope of Work

VI. General Terms

VII. Special Terms: Service Contract Exceeding $200k

VIII. Insurance

Attachments:

A - Agreement

B - Appendix B, Cost Proposal

#RFP- 24 - 026

Title: Youth Opportunity Grants Program

1. Introduction

1.1. Summary

The City of St. Petersburg (City) invites qualified vendors to submit proposals to implement and administer the Youth Opportunity Grants program, a guaranteed income pilot program for former foster youth who are not engaged in formal after care services

(such as Extended Foster Care (EFC) or Postsecondary Education Services and Support

(PESS).

1.2. Background

In response to the national Coronavirus (COVID-19) public health emergency, President

Biden signed the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) into law. The funding is intended to stem the impact of the pandemic while reimagining systemic structures in order to build more equitable communities. The City of St. Petersburg received federal ARPA funding and intends to use these funds to ensure that traditionally underinvested communities are meaningfully impacted to alleviate consequences of the pandemic and improve the long-term outcomes of these participants.

The City of St. Petersburg intends to target the use of these funds for young adults who previously resided in foster care and are not currently engaged in after care services through the formal child welfare system of care. While there are formal after care services for youth who age out of traditional foster care once they turn 18, many youth do not choose to enroll or do not stay enrolled long-term. More than 23,000 youth age out every year in the US.

The Annie E. Casey Foundation found that only about one-quarter of 18-year-olds remain in foster care until their 19th birthdays. Additionally, there are youth who were removed from their homes and placed with relatives or guardians and not technically in traditional foster care. Although these youth face similar outcomes as their counterparts who aged out of traditional foster care, many are ineligible for the same after care services. As a result, many of these youth have limited skills or family support needed for a successful transition to adulthood. These young adults often have little to no resources, lack trust in any system that may seek to help them, and are carrying the weight and burden of their trauma along the way. This population faces well-documented poor outcomes, including high rates of experiencing homelessness, incarceration, human trafficking, significant mental health issues, and substance dependence.

The Youth Opportunity Grants align with Mayor Welch’s five Pillars for Progress established to drive initiatives throughout the City. Education & Youth Opportunities is one of the Pillars and a priority of Mayor Welch. Providing upstream intervention to invest in this population of young adults and prevent these negative outcomes is an important initiative within Mayor Welch’s Pillars for Progress that will demonstrate the importance of systemically creating opportunities for all in the city of St. Petersburg.

https://nfyi.org/51-useful-aging-out-of-foster-care-statistics-social-race-media/ https://assets.aecf.org/m/resourcedoc/aecf-fosteringyouthtransitions-2018.pdf https://assets.aecf.org/m/resourcedoc/aecf-fosteringyouthtransitions-2018.pdf

An underlying factor in these poor outcomes for former foster youth is economic insecurity, a component of which is income volatility – the degree to which one’s income fluctuates up and down over a period of time. One tool that has been tested in other cities across the country to help reduce income volatility is guaranteed income.

Guaranteed income programs provide an economic floor to the participants, they do not cover the participants’ entire monthly expenses. One example is the SEED program in

Stockton, California, which provided $500 a month for 24 months to participants. SEED’s research showed that “guaranteed income reduced income volatility, or the month-to-month income fluctuations that households face; unconditional cash enabled residents to find full-time employment; recipients of guaranteed income were healthier, showing less depression and anxiety and enhanced wellbeing; and the guaranteed income alleviated financial scarcity creating new opportunities for self-determination, choice, goal-setting, and risk-taking” (SEED, Preliminary Analysis: SEED’s first year).

The City is using a portion of the federal ARPA funds received to co-create the Youth

Opportunity Grants project, a guaranteed income pilot in St. Petersburg for former foster youth who are not engaged in formal after care services as they enter adulthood. This effort includes assisting in the final design and implementation plan for the project, leading the participant application and selection process, recruiting potential project participants through targeted outreach, onboarding participants, ongoing administration of the project once participants are onboarded, and either directly providing or partnering with other entities to deliver all core program elements. See Scope of Work in Section 5 for complete details.

The use of ARPA funds for this Youth Opportunity Grants project is intended to create a positive, upstream impact in the lives of former child welfare transition-aged youth who need and deserve an investment in their future to give them a chance to become who they are, with fewer barriers along the way as they gain a foothold in their future.

1.3. Contact Information

Sakha Reed Senior Procurement Analyst Email: sakha.reed@stpete.org Phone: (727) 551-3991

Department:

Mayor's Office

1.4. Timeline

*Timeline is subject to change

Solicitation Published November 21, 2023 mailto:sakha.reed@stpete.org tel:(727)551-3991

Pre-Proposal Meeting (Non-Mandatory) December 5, 2023, 10:00am Municipal Services Building Conference Room 800 One 4th Street North St. Petersburg, FL 33701

Deadline for Questions December 21, 2023, 3:00pm

Deadline for Submittals January 4, 2024, 3:00pm

Evaluation/Shortlisting January 24, 2024, 10:00am Municipal Services Building Conference Room 800 One 4th Street North St. Petersburg, FL 33701

Oral Presentations January 31, 2024, 1:00pm Municipal Services Building Conference Room 800 One 4th Street North St. Petersburg, FL 33701

Anticipated Recommendation of Award to

City Council

March 7, 2024

2. Solicitation Information

2.1. Submission or Receipt of Proposal

Proposals will be received through the City’s online bidding system no later than 3:00 pm on Thursday, January 4, 2024.

2.2. Standard for Award

The City will award to one vendor whose proposal is determined in writing to be the most advantageous to the City, taking into consideration the price and the evaluation criteria set forth in this solicitation. All awards are contingent on the Vendor meeting the minimum qualifications outlined in this solicitation.

The City reserves the right, at any time, to evaluate more vendors for inclusion on the list of approved vendors. All Vendors must meet the minimum qualifications outlined in this solicitation.

2.3. Selection Process

A. Short-Listing. Where there are multiple responsive proposals to the solicitation, a short-listing of two or more Vendors may be made. Negotiations as outlined in City Code Section 2-209(g) will begin with the selected Vendors on the short-list. If there is only one responsive proposal, negotiations may proceed with a single Vendor.

B. Negotiations. The City may conduct discussions (negotiations) with short-listed Vendors to clarify and understand proposals and to provide responses to post-proposal opening and modifications to the solicitation specifications that are in the best interest of the City and that do not significantly change the scope or purpose of the project for which the solicitation was issued

(“negotiation subjects”). During the negotiation process, short-listed Vendors will be accorded fair and equal treatment with respect to any opportunity for discussion and revision of proposals related to negotiation subjects for the purpose of preparing their best and final offer which may be requested and received by the City prior to the conclusion of the negotiation process. If modifications are made as a result of these discussions, they will be put in writing. Following discussions, the City may set a time and date for the best and final offers from those Offerors with whom discussions were held. Proposals may be reevaluated after receipt of the best and final offers.

C. Award without Discussion. The City may award the Agreement on the basis of initial proposals received, without discussions. Therefore, each initial proposal should contain the Vendor’s best terms in relation to all relevant evaluation criteria.

2.4. Submittal Requirements

A. Transmittal Letter

Offerors must submit a transmittal letter (maximum two pages) on the firm’s letterhead. It must be signed by a representative of the offeror who is authorized to sign such material and to commit the offeror to the obligations contained in the offer. The transmittal letter must include the name, address, phone number and e-mail address for the offeror’s contact, and must specify who would be the firm’s signatory to any contract documents executed with the City. The transmittal letter may include other information deemed relevant by the offeror.

https://procurement.opengov.com/portal/stpete/projects/68068

B. Organization Chart

Provide organization chart showing: (a) reporting relationships and responsibilities of the offeror and any other firms (b) reporting relationships and responsibilities of all key personnel (along with their firm affiliations)

C. Key Personnel

1. Identify all key personnel (and their firm affiliations) on the project team and describe their specific responsibilities throughout the project.

2. Describe the offeror's approach to managing such key personnel.

3. Indicate the commitment of all key personnel in terms of an estimated percentage of time throughout the project.

4. Provide resumes for all key personnel in the RFP. Limit resumes to two (2) pages per individual and include:

A.

a. Academic and professional qualifications

b. Professional registration (as applicable)

c. Experience as it relates to the project and to the individual's specified role on the project.

2. Provide a detailed resume of the offeror's project manager, at least one substitute project manager, and other key individuals on the project team. The proposed project manager and the proposed substitute shall have a minimum of five (5) years of applicable experience and shall remain with the projects throughout the term of the City's standard agreement. The project manager shall not be replaced or substituted without the prior approval of the City.

The City may request a personal interview with the short-listed organization's proposed project managers. The key project manager or their approved substitutes shall be available for all meetings. Experience included on the resume must be limited to projects completed within the past five (5) years.

D. Experience

The proposal must describe the performance history and experience of the project team in conducting projects with similar elements, including engaging and working with former foster youth, assisting clients in navigating local resources and benefits and providing direct payments.

E. Reference Projects

a. Technical Qualifications. The offeror shall submit descriptions of reference projects to demonstrate relevant experience similar to the services identified in this RFP. Experience included must be limited to projects completed within the past five (5) years. Each project description shall contain at least the following information: (a) name of owner; (b) owner reference and contact information; (c) role of offeror; (d) contract value; (e) year started and year completed; (f) description of project showing relevance to this project; and (g) names of firms and key personnel that participated in similar project(s) and are included in this offer, along with a clear description of the roles and responsibilities of each; (h) provide a summary table to cross-reference the project team

(firms and key personnel) with participation in the reference projects.

o Please note: the reference projects do not need to be other guaranteed income programs. The offeror can submit reference projects that encompass elements of this project as laid out in the

Scope of Services, such as experience conducting outreach and engaging with foster youth or providing financial assistance by disseminating funding to clients.

b. Describe any alleged, significant prior or ongoing contract failures, licensing or permit violations, claims on bonds, any civil or criminal litigation or investigation pending (including wage theft complaints filed) which involves the firm or in which the firm has been judged guilty or liable.

c. References. Provide a list of client contact persons for whom the firm or individual has recently provided services similar in nature to the services identified in this RFP.

d. Previous and current work for the City of St. Petersburg. List projects, dates and contract amounts.

Do not use attachments or references.

F. Proposal

In this section the offeror must describe the plan and process for performing the scope or services.

a. Display the proposed project schedule of the tasks described in the scope of services, including planning meetings, progress reviews, implementation, and final report.

b. Describe the project plan and process for performing the scope of services, to include each project element as described in the Scope of Services document. The project plan should include key activities, deadlines, and deliverables required to complete the scope of services, organized in a logical, easy-to-follow manner.

c. If the Offeror has subcontractor(s) already identified for the evaluation or for the benefits counseling (if applicable), please indicate the name of the organization and which project element they will conduct. Please note that the City will only enter into one award with the selected vendor, and the vendor would then subcontract directly with the identified organizations. You are not required to identify subcontractors on this application if you do not have those partnerships established at this time. Please note that the selected vendor must comply with federal procurement standards (set forth in 2 CFR 200.317 through 2 CFR 200.327) when selecting any additional subcontractors they did not identify during the initial application process to perform services necessary to complete the project.

d. Describe the offeror's approach to conducting outreach to young adults who are former foster youth or who have aged out of foster care, recruiting and engaging them in this project, and maintaining their engagement in the evaluation process throughout.

e. Describe the offeror's approach to conducting a guaranteed income pilot project, while also balancing the possible case management and navigation needs of the project participants. Read more about guaranteed income programs and connect to additional resources here.

https://www.mayorsforagi.org/resources

f. Describe the offeror's preliminary thoughts on what the specific eligibility criteria should be for participants (for example, age range, past foster care involvement, etc.), based on the offeror's experience working with this population. Note that final eligibility criteria will be co-shaped with the City project manager prior to launch.

G. Cost Proposal

Each offeror shall submit a cost proposal (See Appendix B: Cost Proposal). The cost must provide details concerning the components of the pricing that goes into each offeror's overall proposal.

The cost proposal requires the use of Appendix B to present a detailed cost breakdown. Determine the amount of effort it will take to complete the services and deliverables described in the Scope of Services. The estimated hours and hourly rates are for informational purposes and do ne make the project a time and materials project. The total shall be the total fixed price. The fixed price includes all travel and incidental expenses -- no travel reimbursement or reimbursement of expenses is available under this RFP.

Please indicate if you will need any funds advanced in order to complete this project.

H. Acceptance of Base Agreement

In this section, list any exceptions taken to the attached Base Agreement, specifications, or other requirements listed in this solicitation. You must reference the solicitation section where exception is taken, a description of the exception, and the proposed alternative, if any. The Base

Agreement and all terms, conditions, specifications and other requirements of this solicitation shall be deemed accepted by the offeror unless excepted to in accordance with this section.

3. Evaluation Criteria

Proposals will be evaluated based solely on the following evaluation criteria:

No. Evaluation Criteria Scoring Method Weight (Points)

1. Experience of firm Points Based 40 (40% of Total)

2. Qualification and technical competence Points Based 20 (20% of Total)

3. Capacity to accomplish the work Points Based 20 (20% of Total)

4. Past performance on similar contracts Points Based 10 (10% of Total)

5. Cost or price Points Based 10 (10% of Total)

4. Vendor Questionnaire

4.1. General Information

4.1.1. Is the Vendor registered with the Florida Department of State, Division of

Corporations (Sunbiz) in accordance with Florida Statute §607.1501?* ☐ Yes

☐ No

*Response required

4.1.2. Address for Headquarters location.*

*Response required

4.1.3. Address of office providing service, if different than above.

4.1.4. Contact Information for Contact Person.*

This person must be capable of committing the company to an agreement with the City.

• Name

• Title

• Phone

• Email

*Response required

4.1.5. Description of nature of company’s business.*

*Response required

4.1.6. Year the Company was Founded.*

*Response required

4.1.7. Number of years company has operated under the current name.* *Response required

4.1.8. Number of year company has been in the present business.* *Response required

4.1.9. Company’s bank of record.*

*Response required

4.1.10. Describe any litigation that the vendor has been a party to in the last five years where it was alleged that the offeror breached a contract for similar services with a client/customer and describe any contracts for similar services that the vendor failed to complete for similar services. Describe the facts and status of any such litigation or contract. * Type N/A if not applicable.

*Response required

4.1.11. Identify any government entity that has debarred or otherwise prohibited the vendor from responding to its competitive solicitations within the last five years. Describe the circumstances surrounding such debarment or other prohibition. * Type N/A if not applicable.

*Response required

4.1.12. The vendor acknowledges that it has read, understands and will comply with

Florida Statute §448.095 pertaining to required use of the U.S. Department of

Homeland Security E-Verify system. Should the City terminate the contract with the vendor for violation of §448.095, vendor may not be awarded a contract with the City for at least one year.* ☐ Please confirm

*Response required

4.1.13. The vendor acknowledges that its solicitation response is subject to Public

Records laws (Chapter 119, Florida Statutes).* ☐ Please confirm

*Response required

4.1.14. Will vendor allow other agencies to piggyback the contract if awarded?* ☐ Yes

☐ No

*Response required

4.1.15. The vendor hereby makes all certifications required by Florida Statute

§287.135 related to scrutinized companies.* ☐ Yes

☐ No

*Response required

4.1.16. Is vendor required to provide any disclosures to the City regarding a foreign country of concern pursuant to Florida Statutes §286.101 (3)(a)? * ☐ Yes

☐ No

*Response required

4.1.17. If YES, please provide the disclosure(s) in accordance with the requirements of

Florida Statute §286.101 (3)(a).

4.1.18. The vendor certifies that it takes no exceptions to the terms and conditions of the solicitation.* ☐ Yes

☐ No

4.1.19. If exceptions are taken, specify in space below.

4.1.20. Has the vendor identified any trade secrets or confidential information in its solicitation response?* ☐ Yes

☐ No

*Response required

4.1.21. If yes to the above question, please upload your redacted proposal here.

4.2. Proposal Information

4.2.1. Technical Proposal*

*Response required

4.2.2. Cost Proposal*

*Response required

4.3. Service Contracts

4.3.1. Does vendor employ more than 50 full time employees?*

☐ Yes

☐ No

5. Scope of Work

5.1. Intent

The City of St. Petersburg (City) invites qualified vendors to submit proposals to implement and administer the Youth Opportunity Grants program, a guaranteed income pilot program for former foster youth who are not engaged in formal after care services (such as Extended Foster

Care (EFC) or Postsecondary Education Services and Support (PESS).

5.2. Single Audit Requirements

Recipients and Subrecipients that expend more than $750,000 in Federal awards during their fiscal year will be subject to an audit under the Single Audit Act and its implementing regulation at 2 CFR Part 200, Subpart F regarding audit requirements.

5.3. Contract Term

The amount of funding available for this project is $946,365 made available by the City of

St. Petersburg through December 31, 2026.

Funding for this RFP is being made available through the American Rescue Plan Act.

American Rescue Plan Act resources are a one-time investment provided to the City of St.

Petersburg to foster a stronger recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. The City does not guarantee a continuation of funding past the term of the agreement.

5.4. Estimated Annual Expenditure

A minimum of $480,000 of the total funds available must be budgeted for the direct cash disbursements for the participants over the course of twelve (12) months. The bulk of the project administration will take place over those 12 months; however, the two-year maximum contract term allows time for planning and onboarding prior to starting the disbursements to participants, and allows for project and evaluation wrap-up after the disbursements end.

5.5. Maximum Contract Completion Time

Two (2) Years

5.6. Minimum qualifications/Contractor Qualifications for Construction

At a minimum, Offeror must meet the following qualifications:

1. Demonstrated experience in Pinellas County for at least two (2) years.

2. Demonstrated ability to conduct outreach to young adults who are former foster youth and successfully engage them in programming or needed resources.

3. Demonstrated knowledge of local resources and benefits available to the intended population.

4. Demonstrated ability to organize and administer a direct payment program to participants as outlined in Section 5.9 below.

5. Demonstrated ability and capacity to select and manage subcontractors.

6. Capacity to track expenditures and ARPA State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds

(SLFRF) reporting requirements.

7. Provide evidence of financial stability and viability to fulfill the commitments of this

Agreement, such as 990 documentation and audited financial reports.

8. Have the ability to obtain the minimum insurance requirements set forth in this

Agreement.

9. Own or have immediate access to the equipment required to provide services.

10. Be able to provide services without the use of subcontractors, unless subcontracting for either of the two allowable services listed in Section 5.9 below. If the Offeror has identified subcontractors for either of the two allowable project elements, they must identify those organizations in section 2.4F: Submittal Requirements – Proposal.

5.7. Vendor Responsibilities

At a minimum, Offeror shall provide and meet the following responsibilities:

1. Offeror shall provide a single point of contact (Account Manager) to administer the

Agreement.

2. Offeror shall maintain Minimum Qualifications as stated in bid for the term of

Agreement.

3. Offeror shall work with the City’s ARPA Impact Monitor to co-shape and finalize program design.

4. Offeror shall administer the program as designed, collaborating with the City and any subcontractors identified, as outlined in the scope of work described herein.

5. Offeror shall maintain sufficient staffing for completing the scope of work described herein.

6. Offeror shall require all personnel employed with any and all of these initiatives, including Offeror’s personnel, are paid a living wage and are provided benefits unless personnel are independent contractors.

7. Offeror shall complete and submit a monthly status report to the City’s ARPA Impact

Monitor which shall include data, tracking information and reporting as identified by the City in collaboration with Offeror. The City reserves the right to add reporting requirements as necessary, based on the final program design.

8. Offeror shall collaborate with the City and the identified evaluation team to complete a final impact report, demonstrating the findings of the guaranteed income pilot.

5.8. City’s Responsibilities

At a minimum, City shall provide and meet the following responsibilities:

1. City shall provide a single point of contact (ARPA Impact Monitor) to administer the

Agreement.

https://home.treasury.gov/policy-issues/coronavirus/assistance-for-state-local-and-tribal-governments/state-and-local-fiscal-recovery-funds

2. ARPA Impact Monitor shall assist with planning, strategy and objectives prior to performance of the Work.

3. ARPA Impact Monitor shall promptly respond to issues and inquiries so as not to hinder the progress, completion, or compensation for the Work.

4. ARPA Impact Monitor will meet regularly, at least quarterly, with Offeror to review evaluation reports, identify lessons and trends, and make adjustments needed to the implementation of the Work.

5.9. Scope of Work

This project will be a highly collaborative effort between the City, the Offeror, and subcontractors, if any, engaged in the work.

This project will provide $500 per month, for 12 months, to a minimum of 80 participants.

Specific eligibility criteria and the participant application process will be co-shaped by the

City and the Offeror, however there will be minimum criteria related to the participants’ prior foster care status, their age, and their ties to St. Petersburg.

The Youth Opportunity Grants project must include the following core elements:

Assertive outreach and recruitment efforts o The Offeror must have a deep understanding of this population in order to effectively engage in active outreach and recruitment efforts to raise awareness about the project to the intended recipients, encourage these young adults to apply, and assist them in completing the application process if needed. The outreach and recruitment efforts cannot solely be social media posts and digital engagement opportunities.

o Offeror must directly provide this project element.

Direct project administration - this core element includes the implementation, management, and monitoring of the administrative and participant engagement functions of this project, such as:

o Co-creation of the application process with the City, including participant eligibility criteria and application materials.

o Launching the application process, including creating an online submission portal, disseminating application materials, providing technical assistance to applicants, etc.

The City can assist with developing the technology infrastructure for the application process.

o Co-creation of the participant selection process with the City, to determine due diligence requirements and how to make selections if there are more applicants than available capacity.

o Leading the selection process, including notifying applicants about the outcome of their application.

o Onboarding the selected participants.

o Enrolling participants into the financial disbursement mechanism to ensure monthly payments are timely and consistently received.

o Maintaining routine communication with participants.

o Engaging in, and cooperating with, evaluation of the project.

o Encouraging participants to engage with the evaluation team and complete surveys and interviews to allow for data collection and storytelling.

o Acting as single point of contact for the participants and providing warm hand-offs to trusted resources and services in the community for any needs that arise.

o Offeror must directly provide these project elements.

Benefits counseling and mitigation o During the onboarding process, the Offeror must ensure each participant receives benefits counseling. The purpose of this is to prevent a participant from losing other existing benefits they receive as a result of having additional funds coming in each month. If an issue does arise, the participant will have all the information available to them to make an informed decision about their participation.

o This resource will also be available to participants on an as-needed basis if an unexpected barrier comes up during the project.

o This core element should include a mitigation plan, such as a hold harmless fund to reimburse any unintended and unforeseen loss of benefits that results from the additional income each month.

o Offeror may subcontract out for this service if this is not a service they have the expertise to provide directly. If the Offeror has an identified subcontractor for this project element, they must identify that organization in section 2.4F: Submittal

Requirements – Proposal.

Financial disbursement mechanism(s) for the monthly cash transfers o In collaboration with the City, identify the appropriate funding disbursement mechanism(s) to be utilized for this project.

o Directly partner with the financial institution that provides the selected mechanism

(i.e. direct deposit service, pre-paid debit card service, or other identified mechanism).

o The mechanism(s) selected must have the ability to track aggregate spending data for the purposes of the evaluation and analysis.

o If a participant is unbanked and the selected disbursement mechanism relies on having a bank account (such as direct deposit), efforts must be made to enroll the participant in a bank account of their choosing or provide an alternative disbursement mechanism (such as a pre-paid debit card).

Project evaluation o It is required that this project have an evaluation component, to assess whether this project met its intention to reduce income volatility in the participants’ households and demonstrate improvements in well-being and goal-attainment as a result.

o While there will not be enough participants to conduct a randomized controlled trial, it is expected that the evaluation team conduct analyses using periodic surveys of the participants, participant interviews, aggregate spending data, and other data sources that align with the research questions.

o Incentives must be available to encourage participants to respond to surveys and engage in the storytelling process.

o Offeror cannot conduct the evaluation component directly, they must subcontract with a separate entity for this project element. The cost of evaluation should not exceed approximately 10% of the total budget. Note that the subrecipient must comply with federal procurement standards (set forth in 2 CFR 200.317 through 2

CFR 200.327) when selecting subcontractors to perform services necessary to complete the project. If the Offeror has an identified subcontractor for this project element, they must identify that organization in section 2.4F: Submittal Requirements

– Proposal.

Warm hand-off referrals o While case management is not required as a condition of their participation in this program, participants might request assistance with individual needs that arise. The

Offeror will provide support to participants and provide warm hand-offs to needed services and resources in the community for any needs that arise over the duration of the project.

o Offeror must directly provide this project element.

As stated above, this is a co-created process, where the City will be collaborating closely in the project development and design. The City reserves the right to make final approvals on core design and implementation elements.

5.10. Account Manager

Offeror shall provide an Account Manager, who will be readily available during normal business hours to administer the Agreement. Offeror is responsible for notifying the City with any changes in account manager or contact information. Account Manager’s responsibilities shall include, but are not limited to, overseeing all aspects of implementation, servicing, reporting, and issue resolution.

5.11. Personnel/Key Staffing Changes

Offeror shall assign all key personnel identified in its proposal and this Agreement to complete all of their responsibilities in connection with performance of its obligations. Offeror shall obtain written approval of the City prior to reassigning any key personnel. Replacement of key personnel, upon written approval by the City, shall be with personnel of equal or greater ability and qualifications. Offeror’s replacement of key personnel shall not be grounds for an increase in the total Agreement price or extension of the time for completion of the services required. The unauthorized change of key personnel by Offeror shall be considered by the City as a material breach of the Agreement and grounds for termination.

5.12. Project or Servicing Schedule (“Delivery”)

Upon selection of the Offeror for this RFP and signing of the agreement, the City and

Offeror will enter into a planning phase of the project. During this planning phase, the City and Offeror will co-shape and finalize the project design elements, including project participant eligibility criteria, participant application process, and implementation plan.

Upon completion of the overall project plan, the Offeror will lead the implementation and administration of the finalized plan. Due to deadlines associated with ARPA expenditures, the Offeror should anticipate starting service delivery in Spring 2024.

On the 5th day of each month after services begin, Offeror shall submit to the City’s ARPA

Impact Monitor a detailed invoice and summary of services provided. The summary shall include an itemized invoice with supporting documentation, programmatic updates related to the project implementation plan co-created with the City, and evaluation updates including any quantitative and qualitative data collected.

5.13. Quality Assurance

It is required that there be an evaluation component of this project, to study the outcome of this guaranteed income pilot and its impact on program participants’ lives. Offeror shall subcontract with a separate entity to conduct the evaluation. This project will culminate in a final impact report, which will include results from the data collection and evaluation. Offeror shall submit monthly financial and programmatic documentation to the City ARPA Impact Monitor for review. Offeror shall be responsible for any subcontractors’ compliance with reporting requirements.

5.14. Training and Support

Offeror is required to provide technical assistance as needed to program participants in their application to the program. Offeror is required to collaborate with and support any identified subcontractors to perform the scope and intent of the Work described herein.

6. General Terms

6.1. Vendor Registration

Vendor must register online with the City of St. Petersburg via their online sourcing system at https://procurement.opengov.com/signup and subscribe to City's Portal at https://procurement.opengov.com/portal/stpete for solicitation notifications. Prior to an award of an

Agreement resulting from this solicitation, Vendor shall be registered with the Florida Department of

State, Division of Corporations to do business within the State of Florida in accordance with Florida

Statute 607.1501.

6.2. Solicitation Review

Vendors are required to carefully review this solicitation for defects and questionable or objectionable material. Comments concerning defects and questionable or objectionable material must be made in writing to the Procurement Analyst of record for this solicitation and received by the City at least 10 days before the solicitation submission deadline. This will allow issuance of any necessary addendum. A protest based on omission or error, or on the content of the solicitation, will be disallowed if these faults have not been brought to the attention of the City, in writing, at least 10 days before the time set for submission deadline.

6.3. Solicitation Response Preparation

Vendors are expected to examine this solicitation and all related documents. Failure to do so is at the

Vendor’s risk. Each vendor shall furnish the information required by this solicitation. Vendor(s) shall retain a copy of all documents for future reference. All solicitation responses must be submitted with the

Vendor’s legal name and by an officer or employee having the authority to bind the Vendor by his or her signature.

The City will not pay any costs associated with the preparation, submittal, presentation, or evaluation of any solicitation response.

6.4. Questions

All questions must be submitted via City's online sourcing system's Question & Answer feature no later than 3:00 pm on Thursday, December 21, 2023. Questions will be answered via City's online sourcing system no later than NO VALUE on NO VALUE. More complex questions may require a written addendum to the solicitation. Explanations or instructions will not materially alter this solicitation unless they are in writing. Oral explanations or instructions given before the award of an Agreement will not be binding. If necessary, a written addendum to this solicitation will be issued and posted on the City’s online sourcing system at https://procurement.opengov.com/portal/stpete/projects/68068 for download by

Vendors.

6.5. Amendments

Any amendments issued for this solicitation will be posted as an addendum on the City’s online sourcing system at https://procurement.opengov.com/portal/stpete/projects/68068 and notifications will be released to vendors who are following the project by clicking "Follow". Vendors must submit their responses to the most current version of the solicitation as amended, if applicable.

https://procurement.opengov.com/signup https://procurement.opengov.com/portal/stpete

6.6. Submission of Solicitation Responses

Solicitation responses will be received through the City’s online sourcing system. E-mail or in-person submittals will not be considered unless approved before the solicitation submission deadline by the

Procurement and Supply Management Director. Late proposals and modifications will not be considered;

however, solicitation responses may be modified online at any time prior to the submission deadline.

Failure to follow the instructions in this solicitation is cause for rejection of the submittal.

6.7. Mistakes in the Solicitation

Solicitation responses may be modified or withdrawn in the online application portal prior to the time and date set for the solicitation opening. Correction or withdrawal of solicitation responses after the solicitation opening because of an inadvertent non-judgmental mistake in the solicitation requires careful consideration to protect the integrity of the competitive solicitation process and to assure fairness. If the mistake is attributable to an error in judgment, the solicitation response may not be corrected. Solicitation response corrections or withdrawals by reason of non-judgmental mistakes are permissible but only to the extent they are not contrary to the interest of the City or the fair treatment of other vendors.

6.8. Information Designated a Trade Secret and/or Confidential and/or Proprietary

All solicitation responses (including all documentation and materials attached thereto or provided in connection with this solicitation) submitted to the City are subject to Florida’s public records laws (i.e., Chapter 119, Florida Statutes), which requires disclosure of public records, unless exempt, if a public records request is made. Solicitation responses (including all documentation and materials attached thereto or provided in connection with this solicitation (even if in a separate electronic file)) submitted to the City cannot be returned. DO NOT LIST YOUR ENTIRE SOLICITATION RESPONSE AS TRADE

SECRET AND/OR CONFIDENTIAL. The City will not consider solicitation responses if the entire response is labeled a Trade Secret and/or Confidential and/or Proprietary.

If Vendor believes that its solicitation response contains information that is a trade secret (as defined by

Florida law) and/or information that is confidential and/or proprietary and therefore exempt from disclosure, then such information must be submitted in a separate electronic file and comply with the following requirements. In addition to submitting the information in a separate or electronic file, Vendor must include a general description of the information designated as a trade secret and/or confidential and/or proprietary and provide reference to the Florida statute or other law which exempts such designated information from disclosure in the event a public records request.

The City does not warrant or guarantee that information designated by Vendor as a trade secret and/or confidential and/or proprietary is a trade secret and/or confidential and/or proprietary and exempt from disclosure. The City offers no opinion as to whether the reference to the Florida statute or other law by

Vendor is/are correct and/or accurate. Please be aware that the designation of information as a trade secret and/or confidential and/or proprietary may be challenged in court by any person or entity. By designation of information as a trade secret and/or confidential and/or proprietary Vendor agrees to defend and indemnify the City, its employees, agents, and elected and appointed officials (“Indemnified Parties”) against any and all claims, demands, and actions (whether or not a lawsuit is commenced) arising out of or in connection with Vendor's designation of information as a trade secret and/or confidential and/or proprietary and to hold harmless the Indemnified Parties for any award to a plaintiff for damages, costs and attorneys’ fees, and for costs and attorney's fees (including those of the City Attorney’s office) incurred by the City by reason of any claim, demand, or action arising out of or related to the Vendor's designation of information as a trade secret and/or confidential and/or proprietary.

Failure to comply with the requirements above shall be deemed as a waiver by Vendor to claim that any information in its solicitation response is a trade secret and/or confidential and/or proprietary, regardless of whether such information is labeled trade secret and/or confidential and/or proprietary. Vendor acknowledges, understands, and agrees that all information in Vendor's solicitation response (not including information submitted in a separate electronic file and designated trade secret and/or confidential and/or proprietary in accordance with the requirements in this section) will be disclosed, without any notice to Vendor, if a public records request is made for such information, and the City shall not be liable to Vendor for such disclosure.

Vendor acknowledges and understands that Vendor's proposal, including the information submitted in a separate electronic file and designated trade secret and/or confidential and/or proprietary in accordance with the requirements in this section, will be distributed to the evaluation committee members, City staff, and City consultants to allow Vendor's entire solicitation response, including the information submitted in a separate electronic file, to be evaluated and considered for award of the Agreement. The entire contents of the Vendor's solicitation response, including the information submitted in a separate electronic file, may be discussed at meetings that are open to the public, subject to the requirements set forth in

Chapter 286, Florida Statutes.

6.9. Bonds

Vendors will need to furnish a bid bond as indicated in the solicitation, if applicable.

6.10. Cash Discounts

When the City is entitled to a cash discount, the period of computations will commence on the date of delivery, or receipt of a correctly completed invoice, whichever is later. If an adjustment in payment is necessary due to damage, the cash discount period shall commence on the date final approval for payment is authorized. If a discount is part of the Agreement, but the invoice does not reflect the existence of a cash discount, the City is entitled to a cash discount with the period commencing on the date it is determined by the City that a cash discount applies.

6.11. Award

The solicitation will be awarded based on the requirements outlined in the scope, the criteria or factors identified in the solicitation, and the standard for award for the solicitation. The City reserves the right to accept or reject any or all parts of the solicitation response, waive informalities, and request re-solicitations on the services or products outlined in the scope. The City reserves the right to award the

Agreement on a split-order, lump-sum, or individual item basis, or such combination as shall best serve the interest of the City unless otherwise specified.

Pursuant to Florida Statute sec. 287.05701, the City will not request documentation of a Vendor’s social, political, or ideological interests, consider such interests, or give preference to a vendor based on such interests.

6.12. Acceptance Period

Unless otherwise specified in this solicitation, the solicitation response may be held by the City for a period of ninety (90) days after the submission deadline and will continue in full effect and not be subject to withdrawal during that period until an Agreement has been executed with a Vendor. If no Agreement has been executed within the ninety-day period, any solicitation response may be withdrawn or nullified by either the City or the Vendor, or be deemed to be confirmed and extended in time for as long as permitted by the Vendor submitting each solicitation response.

6.13. Right to Reject

Vendors must comply with all the terms of the solicitation, all applicable provisions of the City of St.

Petersburg City Code, and all applicable federal and state laws. The City may reject any solicitation response that does not comply with all material and substantive terms, conditions, and performance requirements of the solicitation.

The City may waive minor informalities that (i) do not affect responsiveness; (ii) are merely matter of form or format; (iii) do not change the relative standing or otherwise prejudice other vendors; (iv) do not change the meaning or scope of the solicitation; (v) are trivial, negligible or immaterial in nature; (v) do not effect a material change in the work; or (vi) do not constitute a substantial exclusion or modification of a requirement or provision in the solicitation.

6.14. Vendor Complaints

All complaints or grievances should be first submitted in writing to the Procurement & Supply

Management Director, by email at Stephanie.Swinson@stpete.org or by mail to P. O. Box 2842, St.

Petersburg, FL 33731 who will promptly investigate the validity of the complaint and present the findings in writing to the person who submitted the complaint.

6.15. Protest

Any actual or prospective vendor who is aggrieved in connection with the solicitation or award of an

Agreement may protest to the Procurement and Supply Management Director. The protest shall be submitted in writing within 10 days after such aggrieved person knows or should have known of the facts giving rise thereto. The Procurement and Supply Management Director shall have the authority to settle and resolve a protest of an actual or prospective aggrieved vendor concerning the solicitation or award of an Agreement. If the protest is not resolved by mutual agreement, the Procurement and Supply

Management Director shall promptly issue a decision in writing stating the reasons for the action taken and inform the aggrieved person that he or she may make an appeal to the Mayor or designee within five working days.

Vendor’s appeal will be heard by either the Mayor or City Administrator. All complaints, grievances or appeals must be made no later than seven calendar (7) days preceding the date of the City Council meeting approving the Agreement or no later than seven calendar (7) days following the selection of the successful Vendor if the Agreement is not subject to approval by City Council.

6.16. Public Entity Crimes

A person or affiliate who has been placed on the convicted vendor list following a conviction for a public entity crime may not (i) submit a solicitation response on an Agreement to provide any goods or services to a public entity, (ii) submit a solicitation response on an Agreement with a public entity for the construction or repair of a public building or public work, (iii) submit a solicitation response for leases of real property to a public entity, (iv) be awarded or perform work as a contractor, supplier, subcontractor, or consultant under an Agreement with any public entity, or (v) transact business with any public entity in excess of the threshold amount provided in Section 287.017 for Category Two for a period of 36 months from the date of being placed on the convicted vendor list.

6.17. Nondiscrimination

Vendors for the City of St. Petersburg are required to comply with all applicable laws regarding discrimination in employment, including Pinellas County Code Section 70-53 (a)(1) (prohibiting…