Coalition FOR THE HOMELESS oF

HOUSTON/HARRIS COUNTy

COORDINATED ACCESS vendor(s)

REQUEST FOR Qualifications

Due by Friday, August 26, 2016 at 12:00 p.m. electronically to .

A. APPLICANT INFORMATION:

Organization Name:
EIN or Tax ID Number: / DUNS Number:
City, State ZIP: / Street Address:
Organization Budget: / Year Established:
CEO/Executive Director:
Phone: / Email:

B. PURPOSE

The Coalition for the Homeless of Houston/Harris County seeks vendor agency(ies) to provide Coordinated Access System Assessment/Navigation Services as part of a Continuum-wide Housing Initiative for homeless individuals and families. The objective of the Request for Qualifications (RFQ) process is to receive from each interested Coordinated Access vendor(s) a formal statement of work (SOW) to identify the most qualified vendor(s) to provide housing connection for homeless clients within the Houston/Harris County CoC which includes the counties of Harris, Fort Bend, Montgomery and the cities of Houston, Pasadena and Conroe. The SOW will be used to evaluate each vendor(s)’s experience, capabilities and qualifications to provide services that meet the needs of homeless families and the objectives of the CoC Coordinated Access project. This funding will support a total of 4 FTE Housing Assessor/Navigators at $43,200 per FTE (fringe inclusive).

C. GOALS AND EXPECTATIONS

COORDINATED ACCESS PROGRAM EXPECTATIONS:

1.  The vendor(s) shall have staff in place by October 10, 2016;

2.  The vendor(s) shall conduct outreach and recruitment to enroll eligible participants in the program;

3.  The vendor(s) shall determine, document, and maintain eligibility documentation prior to enrolling participants into the program:

a.  An individual eligible for services under this grant must be homeless.

4.  The vendor(s) shall assess and document each participant’s homeless status.

5.  The vendor(s) shall provide, or coordinate the provision of, supportive services, which may include, but is not limited to:

a.  assisting participant(s) in obtaining documentation required for housing;

b.  collecting & uploading necessary documentation, securing additional financial assistance if needed, providing transportation, accompaniment to potential housing options, etc.

c.  assisting participant(s) in navigating any challenges related to the housing process (application and/or inspection process, landlord negotiation, etc.);

d.  participating in case conferences; and

e.  other supportive services that may assist a participant to achieve the stability.

6.  The vendor(s) shall provide reports to the Coalition in support of the outcomes delineated in the next section by the 5th of every month, or the first work day following.

COORDINATED ACCESS VENDOR(S) OUTCOMES:

1.  The vendor(s) shall conduct outreach and recruitment to assess through Coordinated Access eligible participants in the program to 1,000 clients. Outreach can be provided within Harris, Ft. Bend, & Montgomery Counties.

2.  The vendor(s) shall enroll a minimum of one thousand (1,000) unduplicated participants in the program referred through Coordinated Access at a total of two hundred (200) clients per Housing Assessor/Navigator.

3.  The vendor(s) shall assist a minimum of 250 participants with obtaining housing, with a minimum of 50 per Housing Assessor/Navigator.

4.  Maintain a willingness to be flexible as a vendor(s) operating in a significant amount of system change.

Description of Qualifications:

Coordinated Access vendor(s) will be selected on their ability to achieve the continuum wide outcomes and meet the expectations of the CoC Coordinated Access Project. Vendor(s) will be selected on their ability to comply with federal, state and local regulatory expectations.

D. SCOPE OF WORK

Provide a specific Scope of Work (SOW) for this RFQ. The length of the Scope of Work shall not exceed 3 pages (single sided). The SOW shall state the organization’s qualifications and experience fulfilling the goals and objectives outlined above.

1.  Provide a brief description of your organizational history, mission, date established and capacity to fulfill the qualifications described above, (date business started, current total number of employees, any special accommodations/services that could be provided, etc.)

2.  Describe, if any, experience operating as a Coordinated Access provider. If none, then please explain how your qualifications prepare you to be a Coordinated Access vendor.

3.  List your trainings, certifications, licensures, and Evidence Based Practices (EBP) that your organization employs.

4.  Describe geographic areas where you have specialized expertise within the Continuum of Care (SW Houston, Ft. Bend County, Montgomery County, NW Houston, etc.).

5.  Describe your expertize working with sub-populations (young adults, ex-offenders, chronically homeless, etc.) to overcome barriers to housing.

6.  Describe your experience as a provider in a multi-agency, collaborative effort. Include examples of work that had shared goals and outcomes, and required organizational shift to achieve those system-wide outcomes.

7.  Do you have any current collaborative agreements with mainstream service community partners? If so, please elaborate.

8.  Describe any experience using the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS).

9.  How do you support professional development for your organization-including your board and staff?

E. ADDITIONAL ATTACHMENTS: Please provide the attached to your SOW. There is no page limit on the below attachments. Please attach the following documents to this Request for Qualifications.

1.  501(c)3 documentation

2.  Organizational/Structural Chart

3.  Brief Profiles or Resumes of key staff positions in the agency (CEO, ED, CFO, VP, Directors of Programs, etc.)

4.  Information regarding Board of Directors, including terms, average tenure, frequency of meetings, and any other relevant information. Additionally, provide a roster of Board Members including:

a.  Name

b.  Affiliation

c.  Profile or Resume

5.  Evidence of 90-day Working Capital

6.  Most Recent Audit

7.  Most Recent Tax Form 990

F. BUDGET:

Please fill out and submit the attached budget.

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