Management and Administration of Victim Support Services Network (VSSN)

The City of New Haven, Connecticut is procuring management and administration services for the Victim Support Services Network (VSSN), a collaborative initiative established in 2023 to coordinate services for victims of violence. The RFP, issued on April 14, 2026, seeks a qualified contractor to deliver five primary deliverables: coordinate and maintain the VSSN through bi-weekly partner meetings and warm handoff protocols; provide direct service coordination and case tracking for at least 100 victims annually using the Apricot case management system; coordinate and support community canvasses in neighborhoods impacted by violent crime; develop Medicaid reimbursement protocols for Community Violence Prevention Services; and create a comprehensive sustainability plan for long-term network operations. The successful contractor will support survivors of violence facing complex needs including mental health support, relocation assistance, medical follow-up, and economic stabilization through coordinated referrals and partnerships among local providers. Evaluation criteria allocate 25 points for organizational experience and capacity, 30 points for approach to deliverables and service coordination, 20 points for sustainability and Medicaid reimbursement planning, 15 points for budget and cost effectiveness, and 10 points for collaboration and community partnerships. Key deadlines include a non-mandatory pre-proposal meeting on April 24, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. via Microsoft Teams; questions must be submitted by May 1, 2026, at 5:00 p.m.; and proposals are due electronically through the City's eProcurement Portal by 11:00 a.m. on May 12, 2026. The initial contract term is one year with one optional one-year extension subject to the Purchasing Agent's discretion. Proposals must be submitted in two separate parts—a technical proposal without pricing and a detailed cost proposal—with all costs inclusive of labor, materials, travel, and incidental expenses.

The procurement is funded through American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Fiscal Recovery Funds with an obligational deadline of December 31, 2024, and an expenditure deadline of December 31, 2026. Respondents must comply with the City's Living Wage Ordinance for contracts exceeding $25,000 and are subject to local preference provisions for city-based businesses, along with ban-the-box, equal employment opportunity, and non-collusion requirements. The contractor must demonstrate proof of insurance with minimum coverage limits including $1 million in general liability with abuse and molestation coverage, $1 million auto liability, $1 million umbrella coverage, and $1 million professional liability, with coverage valid through July 1, 2026. All submissions must include notarized disclosure and certification affidavits, current workforce demographic forms, statements of qualifications, and current certificates of insurance. The agreement will be structured as either a standard professional services agreement or an ARPA Contractor/Subrecipient Subaward Agreement, depending on the final award amount, with comprehensive federal compliance requirements including 2 CFR Part 200 (Uniform Guidance), SAM.gov registration, and extensive record-keeping obligations through December 31, 2031. The specific award value or budget range is not specified in the RFP documentation, though indirect costs are capped at 10 percent of the total award amount.