RFP 2026 - white flag shelter

Cumberland County, North Carolina is requesting proposals for White Flag shelter services during extreme cold-weather periods (32 degrees or below, November through March) under RFP 2026 – WHITE FLAG SHELTER, with proposals due September 1, 2026 at 3:00 PM ET and an interest meeting scheduled for August 25, 2026 at 10:00 AM ET in Fayetteville. The County anticipates approximately 50 activation days annually based on 2025–2026 experience and welcomes responses from service providers, nonprofits, competitive providers, and partnerships among organizations.

Proposals will be evaluated on a 100-point scale: Qualifications and Relative Experience of Firm (30 points), Qualifications and Experience of Staff (20 points), Technical Approach (20 points), Internal Training and Policies related to staff and client safety, trauma-informed care, and misconduct prevention (10 points), and Cost Proposal (20 points). Award will be made on best overall value methodology, subject to Board of Commissioners approval and fund availability. The County reserves the right to make multiple awards, reject all proposals, or cancel the RFP.

Respondents must address organizational background, number and location of White Flag beds, facility safety compliance, eligible populations served, data-reporting capabilities, staffing ratios, family and child safety measures, operational hours, low-barrier shelter designation, insurance and code compliance, and a detailed budget showing per-person per-night rates and maximum bed capacity. Responses must not exceed 10 pages, use 8.5" × 11" format with minimum 11-point font. Eligible operating expenses include staffing, security, meals, bedding, utilities, transportation, insurance, and other reasonable costs directly related to shelter operations.

Questions are due August 19, 2026 at 3:00 PM ET to Heather Skeens, Assistant County Manager at hskeens@cumberlandcountync.gov. Proposals are submitted via email to the same address.