Debt Collection Services for Municipal Taxes

The City of New Haven, Connecticut is seeking a professional debt collection agency to recover delinquent motor vehicle and personal property taxes through Request for Proposal #2024-RFP-115. The solicitation, released on October 16, 2024, requires a Connecticut-licensed agency capable of collecting accounts across various statutes, performing skip tracing, creating payment plans, ensuring legal compliance, and pursuing legal action when necessary. The proposal evaluation will be points-based, with 31.3% allocated to proposal specifications, 31.3% to service requirements, 25% to delivery requirements, and 12.5% to references and historical performance. Vendors must submit a comprehensive package including a technical proposal, cost proposal, city forms signature sheet, disclosure and certification affidavit, current workforce certificate, and detailed statement of qualifications. The City will assess vendors based on tax collection experience, local law familiarity, success rates, technological capabilities, reporting mechanisms, communication strategies, and ability to handle high-volume accounts. Proposals are due by November 12, 2024, at 11:00 am, with the contract term spanning one year and potential for two additional one-year renewals at the City's discretion.

The solicitation does not explicitly mention specific set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises. While no incumbent vendors are directly identified, the RFP indicates the selected agency must become a seamless extension of the Tax Collector's Office, handling a high volume of accounts in New Haven, Connecticut's third-largest city. The agency must demonstrate capabilities in effective, non-confrontational communication through multiple channels, including letters, emails, and phone calls, with a focus on maximizing cash flow through efficient collection strategies. Although a specific budget range is not provided, the comprehensive requirements suggest the City is seeking a robust, technologically advanced collection agency with significant operational capacity. The contract's potential for two additional one-year renewals indicates the possibility of a long-term partnership, contingent upon satisfactory performance and the City's discretionary renewal.