ARPA Sexual Assault Special Projects

The Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for Projects to Support Victims of Sexual Assault, seeking eligible nonprofit organizations and Oregon Tribal Nations to provide direct interventions and assistance services to sexual assault victims. The procurement aims to fund organizations that can deliver virtual services, supportive services, temporary housing assistance, mobile advocacy services, and critical supplies to ensure survivors receive comprehensive care and support. Eligible proposers must demonstrate proven experience providing direct services to sexual assault victims or offering technical assistance to direct service organizations. The RFP encourages local collaboration among service providers. Key dates include a pre-proposal conference on November 6, 2024, with questions and clarifications due by November 8, 2024, and proposals due by November 29, 2024. The anticipated notice of intent to award is scheduled for December 20, 2024, with contract activities and fund expenditures required to conclude by September 30, 2025.

The procurement has a strong focus on diversity and inclusion, requiring proposers to submit a Certified Disadvantaged Business Outreach Plan that ensures minority-owned, woman-owned, service-disabled veteran-owned, and emerging small businesses have equal opportunities to participate in subcontracting. The RFP does not impose strict set-aside designations but encourages broad participation from qualifying organizations. The total allocated funding for this initiative is $1,700,000, with individual contracts or grants not exceeding $200,000, though higher awards may be considered for collaborative efforts. As of Amendment 3, ODHS intends to award contracts to nine organizations: Columbia County Child Abuse Assess Center, Clackamas Women's Services, AG's Sexual Assault Task Force, IRCO, Sexual Assault Support Services, Oregon Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence, Tides of Change, The Harbor, and Call to Safety. Proposers must comply with various certification requirements, including non-discrimination policies, tax law compliance, and exclusion from government-wide exclusion lists.