Eviction Advocacy Program

The City of Dallas Office of Housing and Community Empowerment (OHCE) is issuing a Request for Proposal (RFP BEZ26-00029663) for an Eviction Advocacy Program under a one-year service agreement with one optional one-year renewal. This solicitation seeks to procure comprehensive legal representation and advocacy services for low-to-moderate-income Dallas residents facing eviction, with service delivery extending to residents of Dallas, Dallas County, Collin County, and Denton County. The selected contractor must provide legal support and representation services at no cost to clients, with the primary objective of preventing housing instability and homelessness among vulnerable populations. Key deliverables include direct legal representation in eviction proceedings, legal assistance and counseling, documented client intake and eligibility verification, monthly performance reporting including target analysis and direct benefits/demographics tracking, and establishment of measurable performance and outcome metrics within a defined geographic service area. Required qualifications include a minimum of 12 months of relevant experience providing eviction advocacy services at large scale, demonstrated fiscal stability and adequate management systems to achieve performance goals, and organizational capacity sufficient to deliver services to the target population. Proposing organizations must submit all required documentation through the City's Bonfire Procurement portal by the March 6, 2026 deadline, with a pre-proposal meeting available for clarification questions directed through the same platform. Evaluation will be based on organizational capacity (30 points), programming work plan (30 points), evaluation plan (20 points), and cost and budget (20 points), for a total of 100 points. Contractors must meet federal wage floor requirements of $23.06 per hour for service contracts exceeding $50,000, maintain commercial general liability insurance ($1,000,000 per occurrence/$2,000,000 aggregate), professional liability insurance ($1,000,000 per claim), and cyber liability insurance ($1,000,000 per claim), with the City named as additional insured on all policies.

Nonprofit organizations requesting funding in excess of $50,000 must submit audited financial statements prepared in accordance with AICPA standards, articles of incorporation, IRS Form 990, board composition documentation, and three past board meeting minutes, with no specific set-asides designated for disadvantaged business enterprises or other protected classifications unless the project qualifies as a federal Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) or state HUB-required initiative. The total funding available for this solicitation is $1,000,000.00 distributed on a reimbursement basis, with monthly invoices submitted no later than the 15th of each month and payment processed within 30 days of receipt of correct invoices with supporting documentation. Administrative costs are capped at no more than 10% of the total program budget, and all indirect costs must be itemized and justified through comprehensive budget narratives detailing cost allocation methodologies. Service delivery may not commence until the contract is fully executed by the City Attorney and City Manager, and vendor presentations are anticipated following the proposal submission deadline. The contract aligns with the City's Drivers of Opportunity policy framework, supporting Stable and Accessible Housing and providing residents Pathways to Economic Security, with all contractors required to maintain records for a minimum of five years following contract completion and comply with HUD income eligibility guidelines for client service eligibility.