Request for Information for Shelter Bus System

Orange County, Florida is conducting a Request for Information (RFI) #Y25-607 for a Shelter Bus System to address a critical homeless housing shortage, specifically targeting the development of a mobile shelter solution for unsheltered individuals. The county currently has 1,165 shelter beds across six agencies, which is insufficient to accommodate the 2,091 homeless individuals identified in the 2024 Point in Time Count. This RFI seeks comprehensive information from potential vendors about designing and implementing bus-based shelter systems that can provide overnight accommodations, bathroom facilities, and personal storage for homeless individuals. The procurement aligns with Florida House Bill 1365, which prohibits public camping, and aims to create an immediate relief solution. Vendors are required to submit electronic responses through the OpenGov e-Procurement Platform by May 27, 2025, at 4:00 PM EST, with all questions about the solicitation due by May 15, 2025, at 5:00 PM EST. The county is specifically requesting details on bus acquisition, interior and exterior design, bed capacity, safety features, potential ADA compliance, and total implementation costs. Respondents must create a free account on the platform and are prohibited from submitting responses through any other method.

This RFI is an information-gathering exercise with no immediate contract award, focusing on exploring potential solutions for mobile homeless shelters. The procurement does not appear to have specific set-aside designations or restrictions on respondent types, making it open to a wide range of vendors with relevant expertise in bus design, shelter systems, and homeless service infrastructure. No incumbent vendors or existing technology integration requirements are explicitly mentioned in the documents. While a specific budget range is not provided, the county's goal is to address a current deficit of 926 shelter beds through an innovative mobile shelter system. The RFI emphasizes that the ultimate objective is to develop a solution that can house additional unsheltered persons, link them to services, reduce pressure on existing shelters, create a more secure nighttime environment, and track service usage. Respondents are expected to provide comprehensive technical specifications, cost estimates for bus acquisition and build-out, and potential design approaches that can effectively meet Orange County's homeless shelter needs.