This RFP seeks proposals for family shelter operations to meet the needs of the County’s family shelter system. Proposers must plan to deliver 24/7 staffing in one or more shelter sites to provide safe and supportive shelter for families experiencing homelessness. Family shelter programs should be implemented using a housing-focused, person-centered, and trauma-informed framework. Proposers may submit one proposal for one or all shelter sites (separate proposals are not required for each shelter site). Ensure your plan for providing proposed service(s) is complete. The County does not (as a standard) reach out to proposers to seek additional information or clarification of proposal content as part of the evaluation process. The required documentation for proposal submission includes: • Completed Attachment 2: Proposal form (Application) and • Completed Attachment 3: Budget Template. Only submit required documentation, as additional materials included with proposal submissions are not included in the evaluation process. Proposals may include plans to subcontract operational services, but subcontracted services will be subject to prior County approval for proposals awarded into the contract negotiations phase. Proposals must detail how all of the following family shelter operations will be provided: Shelter facility requirements: • Be located within Hennepin County; • Be owned by the proposer or subcontracted through a lease agreement that is managed by the contracted vendor. Proposals for scattered site and mixed-use models are acceptable; • Have indoor and/or outdoor play areas for children’s activities; • Have all necessary licenses and certifications required for operating shelter according to the local municipality the facility is located in; • Be able to accommodate all families who are referred to the County shelter program, with ability to expand and contract based on fluctuation in need. Including the maximum and minimum (if applicable) capacity of proposed shelter operations; and • Provide access to free laundry on site. Shelter facility preferences (not required): • Define any amenities (i.e. meeting rooms, laundry, parking, technology, etc.) that will be available at the shelter site; • There may be a strong preference for proposals that offer non-congregate shelter accommodations. For the purposes of this RFP event, non-congregate shelter is defined as private rooms that shelter individual families; • Free or very low-cost parking accommodations available for families with vehicles; • Private meeting space available for provider staff, housing advocates, Coordinated Entry assessors and County staff to meet with families regarding individualized housing goal plans; • The ability to accommodate households with more than five family members (including large households with one adult. Approximately 8% of families in shelter require accommodation for households with more than 5 family members); and • Be Americans with Disability Act (ADA) compliant. Proposals should clearly articulate if the site has accessibility limitations, one or more proposers must be able to accommodate ADA accessibility. Shelter operation requirements: • Ensure the health and safety of minor children and other household members by maintaining operations in a safe and clean manner using a trauma-informed lens; • Provide daily housekeeping for private rooms (linen replacement, room turnover, waste management) and common areas (minimum of weekly cleaning, and waste management); • Secure relationships with appropriate vendors to provide maintenance and pest management.
