RFQS #006 COVID-19 RISE 2.0- 2020 NPS

CLOSED

SOLICITATION NAME: Request for Qualifications (RFQS) #006 COVID-19 RISE 2.0 - 2020 - NPS

The City of Austin (City) seeks to fund qualified social service providers (Applicants) with demonstrated experience administering an online portal and providing immediate financial assistance through ACH transfers, pre-paid debit and credit cards to individuals impacted by COVID-19.  In order to ensure equitable access, the Applicant will be responsible for a centralized application and distribution process with a secure online portal.   Within the process, the successful applicant must be able to administer an online portal, with a lottery based on eligible applicants, an intake process that allows for the upload of required documentation and the ability to distribute all funds within 4 weeks of award.  

On June 4, 2020, Council passed Resolution #20200604-049 and Resolution #20200604-040 that authorizes the City Manager to negotiate and execute contracts to service providers to offer direct financial assistance to the community impacted by COVID-19. 

Department:  Austin Public Health

Awarded Agencies:

Family Independence Initiative $9,611,444
El Buen Samaritano $500,000
Funding and Timeline

Application Due Date: July 22, 2020 at 12 PM CST

RFQS Release Date: June 10, 2020

Optional Pre-Bid Conference Call:  July 16, 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm CST

RFQS Due Date: July 22, 2020 at 12 PM CST

Total Funding Amount: $10,000,000

Applicants may apply for either project type:

A) Centralized Phone Bank and Application Assistance: Up to $500,000 for phone bank and assistance with uploading documentation for clients chosen to receive assistance from the lottery.  No financial assistance is included in this project type. Funds can only be used for salaries and operations to run the phone bank that will coordinate with the online portal.

OR

B) Online Portal, Lottery, and Financial Assistance Distribution: Up to $665,000 administration of the online portal and lottery to distribute a minimum of $8,835,000 in direct financial assistance for a total contract of $9,500,000.  If an agency is able to propose a budget with less than the 7% in administration, more funds will be available for direct financial assistance up to the full amount available for the online portal, or $9,500,000.

Austin Public Health anticipates awarding two Agreements, one for $500,000 and the other for $9,500,000 in the categories above.  The Agreement will have a 6-week contract term starting August 10, 2020.  Applicants must be ready to begin the program approximately one week from the start date.

Pre-Bid Conference Call Information

Optional Pre-Bid Conference Call:  July 16, 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm CST

Note: APH staff will be available starting at 1:45 pm to address any technical difficulties.

Registration is required to get the Conference Call details

Eventbrite Pre-Bid Conference Call registration: Registration has ended.

Pre-Bid Conference Call Presentation: Pre-Bid Powerpoint

Pre-Bid Conference Call Attendance: Pre-Bid Conference Call Attendance Sheet

Other materials covered on the conference call can be found in the list of RFQS documents below.

Questions and Technical Assistance

Solicitations Questions and Answers

Submitted Questions: QA updated July 20, 2020

Questions must be submitted in writing to the Authorized Contact Person or through Partnergrants database.

Authorized Contact Person:
Natasha Ponczek Shoemake
Contract Management Specialist III
E-Mail: APHCompetitions@austintexas.gov

Questions regarding the RFQS are due on or before: Tuesday, July 20 by Noon

Technical questions regarding submitting your application in Partnergrants can be submitted until the due date. 

Youtube Videos can be viewed here: Applying for Partnergrants Solicitation: Part 1 Threshold Review and

Applying for Partnergrants Solicitation: Part 2 Final Application.

Interested applicants start here

All Applications must be submitted in Partnergrants database.

In order to become a registered users in Partnergrants, the agency must be registered vendor with the City of Austin. 

An organization’s City of Austin Vendor number is required to complete registration in Partnergrants.

  1. Confirm that your organization is a registered vendor with the City of Austin.
  2. To find the City of Austin Vendor Number please visit Austin Finance Online and search for the organization’s legal name.
  3. To register to become a potential City of Austin vendor, go to Austin Finance Online.
  4. To become a registered user in the Partnergrants system, go to the Partnergrants website and click on “Register Here.”
RFQS Components and Documents
   
Doc File Description Type Date
A Offer Sheet PDF 7/16/2020
B Standard Purchase & Social Services Definitions PDF 7/10/2020
C Standard Solicitation Information PDF 7/10/2020
D Supplemental Purchase Provisions PDF 7/10/2020
E RFQS Scope of Work and Application Instructions PDF 7/15/2020
F RFQS Application Document Word 7/15/2020
G Equal Employment Fair Housing Discrimination Certification PDF 7/10/2020
H Non-Suspension or Debarment Certification PDF 7/10/2020
I Non-Collusion Non-Conflict Anti-Lobbying PDF 7/10/2020
J Applying for APH-Funded Opportunity - Partnergrants Instruction PDF 7/10/2020

If you would like to receive notifications of future APH funding opportunities, send your contact information to Natasha Ponczek Shoemake at APHCompetitions@austintexas.gov.