Violence Prevention through Community Engagement Initiative

The City of Rochester, New York is seeking qualified consultants to establish a Violence Prevention through Community Engagement Initiative, drawing inspiration from the Omaha 360 program model. The primary objective is to reduce violent crime through structured collaborative engagement, with the selected consultant responsible for organizing biweekly meetings that bring together law enforcement, community human service and health organizations, and neighborhood groups. Key deliverables include providing a meeting space capable of accommodating up to 100 individuals, securing a neutral meeting facilitator, developing a comprehensive communications plan, and assisting in creating performance measurement tools. The Request for Proposals (RFP) was released on April 11, 2025, with proposals due by 4:00 PM on May 12, 2025. The project is targeted to launch in September 2025, with an initial one-year contract term and potential renewal options. Evaluation criteria will likely include the consultant's ability to effectively facilitate collaboration, develop communication strategies, and demonstrate potential for reducing violent crime in the community.

The procurement has specific set-aside and participation goals for Minority and Women-owned Business Enterprises (MWBE), with a target of 30% of contract awards going to minority and women-owned businesses. Additional workforce participation goals include 20% minority and 6.9% women representation. Preferences will be given to New York State certified MWBE firms and those utilizing MWBE subcontractors. Qualified organizations, firms, and individuals may team up to respond to the RFP, allowing for collaborative proposals. The total award is not anticipated to exceed $50,000 for the initial program year, which suggests a relatively modest budget for this community engagement initiative. The procurement is specifically focused on Monroe County, with the broader aim of improving collaboration between police and community partners to facilitate cooperative public safety efforts in Rochester.