Employment and Housing Interventions for Community Violence and Firearm Injury Prevention

The City of New Haven's Office of Violence Prevention, supported by Department of Public Health funding through American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds, is issuing a Request for Proposals to solicit qualified organizations to deliver employment and housing intervention services as core strategies for preventing and intervening in community violence and firearm-related injury. The procurement seeks contractors to provide trauma-informed, equity-focused services that address social and economic factors contributing to violence by establishing a dedicated housing support position for participant placement, landlord coordination, and post-placement follow-up, alongside a comprehensive employment program model encompassing job-readiness training, workforce training, resume preparation, job placement assistance, and employer partnerships. Successful proposers must demonstrate the capacity to serve identified participant populations, project realistic participant numbers aligned with proposed budgets and timelines, and deliver services designed to promote stability, reduce risk of violence and recidivism, and support long-term safety and wellbeing for individuals and communities most impacted by firearm-related violence. Evaluation criteria include proposed solution clarity and focus (20 percent weight), proposed schedule (20 percent), work plan addressing scope of work (20 percent), budget detail and transparency (20 percent), and organization background and capacity (20 percent), with all criteria evaluated on a pass/fail basis. The pre-proposal meeting is scheduled for February 17, 2026, at 2:00 PM (non-mandatory); questions must be submitted by February 24, 2026, at 5:00 PM; and proposals must be submitted electronically through the City's eProcurement Portal by 11:00 AM on March 3, 2026. The initial contract term is one year with one optional one-year extension subject to the Purchasing Agent's approval, with anticipated award following evaluation panel review.

While the RFP does not specify set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises, contractors must comply with the City of New Haven Living Wage Ordinance if the contract total exceeds $25,000 and demonstrate equal employment opportunity compliance, non-discrimination practices, and adherence to the City's Ban the Box requirements. No incumbent vendors or current contractors are identified in the solicitation materials. All contractors must provide proof of required insurance coverage including a minimum $1 million general liability policy naming the City as additional insured, complete IRS Form W-9, submit a non-collusion affidavit and certificate of non-arrearage, and comply with extensive federal requirements under the Uniform Guidance (2 CFR Part 200), including conflict of interest disclosures and procurement regulations. Indirect costs are capped at 10 percent of the total awarded amount, and all ARPA funds must be obligated by December 31, 2024, with all expenditures required by December 31, 2026. The RFP does not specify a total procurement value or budget range, requiring proposers to submit detailed cost proposals identifying all costs associated with service delivery, labor, materials, travel, and incidental expenses within their individual proposals. Contracts valued at $25,000 or more require Mayor's signature and Board of Alders approval for terms exceeding one year.