Copy of CIVICx Internships – Community Impact, Voice, Innovation, and Change

The City of St. Petersburg, Florida is seeking proposals from qualified organizations to implement the CIVICx Internships program, a youth development initiative targeting individuals aged 16 to 24 in Pinellas County. The primary objective is to connect youth to real civic challenges while building leadership skills, financial awareness, and a sense of purpose through innovative internship models. Selected organizations must coordinate with the Pinellas County Schools Office of Strategic Partnerships and Career, Technical and Adult Education to ensure program alignment and address unique service gaps. The Request for Proposals (RFP-26-062) was released on December 9, 2025, with proposals due by January 8, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. A non-mandatory pre-proposal meeting is scheduled for December 17, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. via Zoom. Proposals will be evaluated across eight criteria, including experience delivering youth-centered skill building (29 points), staff qualifications (29 points), program capacity and outcomes (19 points), past performance (9 points), budget details (8 points), and business enterprise designations (2-6 points). Vendors must demonstrate at least three years of experience in youth workforce development or civic engagement programs with structured supervision and measurable outcomes.

The procurement opportunity includes set-aside points for Small Business Enterprises (2 points), Minority Owned Business Enterprises (2 points), and Women Owned Business Enterprises (2 points). Minimum qualifications require vendors to provide evidence of financial stability and obtain specific insurance coverage, including $1,000,000 commercial general liability per occurrence, $1,000,000 commercial automobile liability, and Workers' Compensation as required by Florida law. The total contract award is $95,000, with services to begin within 60 days of contract execution and the program timeline spanning up to two academic years. Compensation will be structured with 50 percent payment upon purchase order issuance and the final 50 percent upon submission of receipts. Key personnel requirements include a project manager with a minimum of five years of experience and a bachelor's degree in fields such as education, public administration, nonprofit management, or youth development. The City anticipates shortlisting proposals on January 21, 2026, with a recommendation of award to City Council on March 19, 2026. Vendors must be prepared to submit a mid-project report and final invoice by September 30 following the final year of implementation.