Specifications include, but are not limited to: 1. Conduct weekly status update meetings with relevant EOHLC staff; document tasks and progress using a task management tool such as Jira. Provide regular invoicing and progress reports as specified by EOHLC. 2. Bidder shall conduct as many interviews as needed to complete the assessment with all the stakeholders or focus groups with prospective users to learn about the current user experience and pain points, data quality, opportunities for automation, and potential improvements that should be adopted in a Common App. A variety of viewpoints in each stakeholder community should be solicited. In addition to geographic and language diversity applicant interviewees should include varying income levels including those who meet the income “floor” many applications require. The focus groups and interviews should identify compelling use cases for integration/alignment with EOTSS’ digital roadmap, EOHHS’ Integrated Eligibility & Enrollment Readiness, and the EOHHS Common Application as outlined in the FY 2023 budget outside section. EOHLC will identify and invite focus group participants and assist the vendor with logistics and facilitation at least thirty individual or group interviews with advocates, and housing owners. Preliminary list of stakeholders include: a. Affordable housing owners/operators with emphasis on geographic and organizational diversity of affordable housing types. b. Housing search workers at shelters, regional housing counseling centers, and other assistance agencies. c. Housing advocates, including legal services organizations1 d. Developers and administrators of other related housing applications, such as Housing Navigator MA, City of Boston application, and existing models from other states and cities. e. Prospective applicants, with a focus on the disability and immigrant community. f. Regional administrating agencies, local housing authorities. g. EOHLC leadership and staff, other state agencies (EOTSS, EOHHS), general housing advocates, and researchers. 3. Based on interviews, focus groups, and review of existing documentation and research, create diagrams and narratives documenting the current workflow of applications, approval, leasing, and monitoring. Highlight key pain points and bottlenecks and inventory the various technology solutions used by different stakeholders and participants. Identify and characterize data elements needed for Common App versus full application and options for scope depth/breadth. 4. Provide a high-level summary of business capability needs/wants for a Common App. 5. Develop user types and personas that characterize or represent people who will interface with the Common App and its content in accordance with applicable federal and state legal requirements concerning personal data/information, including permissible access to, and security of, such personal information. With EOHLC, identify high priority users and use cases, and develop user stories for each.
