NOI - Furniture Banking Services

Multnomah County, Oregon is issuing a Notice of Intent (NOI-123-2025) for Furniture Banking Services, focusing on capacity building and expansion of furniture distribution in East Multnomah County. The procurement seeks to identify providers capable of quickly establishing furniture banking services with the primary goal of serving 500 households transitioning from homelessness to stable housing. Qualified organizations must demonstrate the ability to rapidly establish services, have access to a location/building for expansion, possess experience in large-volume furniture distribution, and show a history of community-based organization partnerships. The solicitation covers furniture and related household items including cookware, kitchen tools, bedclothes, linens, towels, and mattresses. Evaluation criteria will be weighted 75% toward programmatic questions and 25% toward responsible business practices. The solicitation is open from February 14, 2025, at 12:00 PM PST to March 7, 2025, at 5:00 PM PST, with interested suppliers required to complete a Multco Marketplace Supplier Portal Access Request Form at least 5 days before the closing date. The county will issue a Request for Proposals if multiple qualified parties express interest.

The procurement appears to have a strong emphasis on local and equitable business practices, with Multnomah County employing a "Triple Bottom Line" approach that considers environmental, social equity, and economic impacts. While no specific set-aside designations are explicitly mentioned, the county demonstrates a preference for Oregon-based businesses when price, fitness, availability, and quality are comparable. Suppliers will need to comply with equal opportunity employment standards and be prepared to accept electronic payments. The county may conduct a pre-award risk assessment for contracts with federal funding, and potential contractors must be able to provide a wholly secular certification. Though a specific budget range is not detailed in the provided documents, the project aims to establish a comprehensive furniture banking service with the capacity to support 500 households. Interested organizations must demonstrate robust operational capabilities, community partnerships, and a commitment to supporting individuals transitioning to stable housing.