RFP: Mental Health Community Education and Support for the Second Ward

The City of Grand Rapids, Michigan, is issuing a Request for Proposals (RFP) for a Mental Health Community Education and Support Program specifically targeting the Second Ward. The procurement seeks a qualified person, organization, or collaborative entity to address mental health challenges emerging from the COVID-19 pandemic through comprehensive community-based interventions. Key deliverables include working closely with existing mental health organizations to identify community needs, implementing a general mental health educational campaign, developing community and institutional training programs, and creating evidence-based initiatives to support positive mental health. The RFP emphasizes culturally relevant care that addresses the diverse backgrounds of residents. Evaluation criteria will assess proposers' understanding of the project, capacity to fulfill deliverables, alignment with equity goals, work plan creativity, team qualifications, and references. The proposal submission deadline is April 17, 2024, at 11:59 PM EST, with the contract period running from execution through December 31, 2026. Proposers must submit detailed documentation including organizational demographics, recruitment plans, community partnerships, and strategies for evaluation and data collection.

The City of Grand Rapids demonstrates a strong commitment to racial equity and community involvement, requiring proposers to develop a comprehensive equity plan and show meaningful engagement with historically disenfranchised communities. While no specific set-aside designations are explicitly mentioned, the RFP suggests a preference for organizations with deep community connections and demonstrated cultural competence. The total contract value is $350,000, with administrative overhead strictly limited to 10% of operational funding. The procurement is open to various organizational structures, including individual providers, organizations, or collaborative partnerships. Proposers must provide proof of insurance and comply with federal regulations, as the project may involve federal grant funding. The City reserves the right to award the contract based on its best interests and may conduct interviews with selected respondents. Interested parties can find complete RFP documents and seek clarification by contacting Doug Mathews at dmatthews@grand-rapids.mi.us.