Client Advocacy Services

The County of Orange Social Services Agency is requesting proposals for Client Advocacy Services (RFP-063-3095910-JL) supporting Supplemental Security Income, State Supplemental Payment, and Social Security Disability Insurance benefit applications, with proposals due November 4, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. and questions due October 21, 2026 at 2:50 p.m. Certified Orange County Local Small Businesses (OCLSB) and Disabled Veteran Business Enterprises (DVBE) receive preference scoring; all respondents must be legal entities located within Orange County.

The scope encompasses screening, assessment, and application filing for approximately 2,288 General Relief clients and 3,047 child welfare dependents annually. The contractor must complete screening and assessment of all referrals within 30 calendar days, file 75% of applications within 60 days of determining merit, achieve a minimum 75% annual approval rate, evaluate at least 25 General Relief and five child welfare referrals monthly, and provide on-site services Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., at County facilities in Anaheim, Garden Grove, Laguna Hills, and Santa Ana. Respondents must demonstrate five consecutive years of similar experience, provide three professional references from public sector entities, and submit audited financial statements within eighteen months.

The estimated annual budget is $700,000 over a three-year contract term commencing July 1, 2027 through June 30, 2030, totaling $2.1 million. Compensation is per-unit: $100 for screening and assessment, $1,350 per application submitted, $1,450 for applications approved upon initial filing, and $1,850 for applications approved after appeal. The County may renew for an additional two-year term at its sole discretion without competitive rebid, or award a one-year contract renewable for two additional one-year terms.

Evaluation is two-phase: Phase 1 scores Organization Experience (33.3%), Services to be Provided (52.8%), Staffing Plan (11.1%), and Compliance with the County Model Contract (2.8%); Phase 2 involves potential oral presentations scored up to 100 points. Tentative interviews are scheduled for December 2, 2026. The contractor must maintain comprehensive insurance including $1 million Commercial General Liability, $1 million Automobile Liability, Workers' Compensation, $1 million Network Security & Privacy Liability, and $1 million Sexual Abuse and Molestation coverage. Rent-free County office space is provided under a license agreement with no fee, utilities, maintenance, or janitorial cost to the contractor.