As an authorized representative of the proposer, having carefully examined the Request for Proposals, propose to furnish services in accordance therewith as set forth in the attached proposal.I further agree that this proposal will remain in effect for not less than sixty (60) calendar days from the date that proposals are due, and that this proposal may not be withdrawn or modified during that time.I hereby certify that this proposal is genuine and not a false or collusive proposal, or made in the interests or on behalf of any person not therein named; and I have not directly or indirectly induced or solicited any Contractor or supplier on the above work to put in a false proposal or any person or corporation to refrain from submitting a proposal; and that I have not in any manner sought by collusion to secure to myself an advantage over any other contractor(s) or person(s).In order to induce the County to consider this proposal, the proposer irrevocably waives any existing rights which it may have, by contract or otherwise, to require another person or corporation to refrain from submitting a proposal to or performing work or providing supplies to Pierce County, and proposer further promises that it will not in the future directly or indirectly induce or solicit any person or corporation to refrain from submitting a response or proposal to or from performing work or providing supplies to Pierce County.

In order for an organization to be eligible to submit a proposal under this procurement, the organization must meet the following eligibility requirements:Non-profitPossess a Washington State Unified Business Identifier (UBI) number.At least one year of experience assisting literally homeless households in Pierce County, including but not limited to the following services:Connection to, or operation of, emergency or day sheltersOutreachSystem NavigationReferralsBy checking 'Confirm', I agree that the organization meets all eligibility requirements as stated under this section. If you have questions regarding eligibility requirements, please submit a question through the "Question & Answer" section of this RFP.

By submitting a proposal, I agree that all documents, reports, proposals, submittals, working papers, or other materials prepared by the applicant pursuant to this proposal shall become the sole and exclusive property of the County, and the public domain, and not property of the applicant. The applicant shall not copyright, or cause to be copyrighted, any portion of said items submitted to the County because of this solicitation.

I confirm I have reviewed the content of the following attachments included under this RFP: Sample Agreement and any other documents as identified as "sample" in the Attachments section and acknowledge I understand and agree to these requirements should my organization receive a contract as a result of this proposal.

By submitting a proposal, I understand and agree that if awarded funding from this RFP, the organization must be able to meet all insurance requirements based on services being purchased, prior to contract execution, and types of insurances may include, but are not limited to:Commercial General Liability Insurance: Required on all contracts. Standard levels are $1M occurrence/$2M aggregate (may be higher/lower, depending on value of contract and type of service).Commercial Automobile Liability Insurance: Required when the Contractor uses owned, rented, or leased automobiles to complete the services as required per the contract. Higher coverages may be required for fleet/large passenger vehicles. Workers Compensation Insurance: As required by Washington State. Professional Liability or Errors and Omissions Insurance: If the Contractor provides services such as analysis, consulting, counseling, daycare, legal, medical, nursing, pastoral, medical, or other services that require professional licensing.Abuse and Molestation: If the Contractor will be working directly with youth under the age of 18, elderly, disabled or other vulnerable populations.Cyber/Privacy and Security Insurance: If the Contractor is doing work that could give the Contractor access to personal or sensitive information from within the County's network or on the Contractor's personal computer, or lead to breaches of security, leading to a loss of privacy or identity theft. Crime/Employee Dishonesty Insurance: If the Contractor is in the custody or control of Pierce County funds such as cash, credit cards, checks or physical property.Other insurance(s) applicable to services being purchased: Such as Excess or Umbrella Liability Insurance if the contract is in excess of $500,000.In addition, Pierce County shall be named as an "Additional Insured,” which must be provided in the insurance endorsement. Insurance requirements also apply to any subcontractors hired by the main Contractor to deliver services, where applicable.Please see "Exhibit D" in the SAMPLE AGREEMENT under attachments to see full insurance requirements. If you have questions regarding insurance requirements, please submit them through the “Question & Answer” section of the RFP.

As an authorized representative of the proposer, I certify to the best of my knowledge and belief that the organization and its principals:Are not presently debarred, suspended, proposed for debarment, declared ineligible, or voluntarily excluded from covered transactions by any Federal department or agency;Have not within a three-year period preceding this proposal been convicted of or had a civil judgment rendered against them for commission of fraud or a criminal offense in connection with obtaining, attempting to obtain, or performing a public (Federal, State, or local) transaction or contract under a public transaction; violation of Federal or State antitrust statutes or commission of embezzlement, theft, forgery, bribery, falsification or destruction of records, making false statements, or receiving stolen property;Are not presently indicted for or otherwise criminally or civilly charged by a government entity (Federal, State, or local) with commission of any of the offenses enumerated in paragraph (1)(b) of this certification; andHave not within a three-year period preceding this application/proposal had one or more public transactions (Federal, State, or local) terminated for cause or default.Does not employ any person nor contracts with any person or agency excluded from participation in federal health care programs under either 42 U.S.C. 1320a-7 (§§1128 or 1128A Social Security Act) or debarred or suspended.By checking the confirmation, I understand that a false statement on this certification may be grounds for rejection of this proposal or termination of any award. In addition, under 18 USC Sec. 1001, a false statement may result in a fine of up to $10,000 or imprisonment for up to 5 years, or both.

I understand that all potentially successful Proposers will be required to complete a financial risk assessment prior to a formal contract offer. This audit requires the organization to submit detailed financial information about the organization’s financial history, current status, and details regarding boards, internal processes, and controls. The results of the risk assessment shall be utilized to determine the potential financial risk and stability of the organization – the outcome of the assessment shall be scored low, medium, high. The County reserves the right not to contract with an organization considered financially “high risk.” If you have questions regarding risk assessments, please submit a question through the "Question & Answer" section of this RFP.

Please provide the name and title of the individual authorized to execute a contract on behalf of the organization.

Please provide the legal name, any d/b/a names, years in business, local address, billing address if different, email address, and phone number of the organization making the proposal.

Please provide the Federal Tax Number (EIN) and Washington State Unified Business Identification (UBI).

Must choose at least two (2) answers: Profit status (1 or 2) and organizational structure (3, 4, 5, or 6).

Please provide the name, phone, and email for:Executive Director/CEO/PresidentFinancial Manager/CFOContract Manager

Provide an overview of your proposed project and how you intend to use these funds to provide Shelter Access Hub services in Pierce County. Include the types of services you will be providing, main project activities, and estimated number of clients served annually. Please note whether this is a new project or continuation of an existing project.

Explain your service delivery process and approach. Include the unique skills and expertise your program offers. If applicable, provide any related data and outcome examples.

How will the shelter hub achieve the required 24/7/365 intake process?

Describe how the proposed Shelter Access Hub will provide client transportation to shelters.

Please describe your organization’s experience assisting literally homeless households in Pierce County, including but not limited to the following services:Connection to, or operation of, emergency or day sheltersOutreachSystem NavigationReferralsHow many years of experience do you have providing these services? How does your organization’s experience affect program delivery for this project specifically?

Describe the organization’s experience fully expending grant funds. How does the project ensure that the award will be fully expended AND program outcomes will be met? Be sure to include any tracking mechanisms used, projection methods, or any other tools used to manage fund expenditure.

If this application is for a project new to the organization, please describe the anticipated impact of a new grant/project on the organization. Be sure to include the anticipated impact on staffing, financial management/cash flow, and existing client services.

Please describe partnerships or collaboration with local first responders, emergency medical departments, and outreach providers. Also include additional partnerships that would be utilized to support the Shelter Access Hub. Identify the partner organizations and describe the specific services they would provide.

If applicable, include copies of letters of intent to partner or any Memoranda of Understanding (MOU).

Please explain the agency’s capacity in all Homeless Management Information System activities. How will you get accurate and complete household information to achieve a HMIS Data Quality score of 95% and be able to enter data within 5 business days to achieve a HMIS Data Entry Timeliness score of 95%?

Best practice in social service delivery is often described as “meeting a person where they are.” What does this mean on a practical level? Please provide examples of how the agency implements this best practice.

What values will guide service delivery? How will the agency ensure these values are applied equitably across the program? Please provide an example in your response.

Describe the process for assessment of needs and how the project makes appropriate referrals, including shelter, transportation, hotel/motel, etc.

Given the high rates of traumatic exposure among households that are homeless, understanding trauma and its impact is essential to providing quality care. Please describe at least two trauma-informed practices implemented by the agency (i.e., practices that demonstrate responding empathetically to the needs of trauma survivors, practices that ensure physical and emotional safety, practices that avoid re-traumatization, and/or practices that are provided through the lens of trauma specifically.)

Describe how the project will promote and support cultural competency, equity, and inclusion, and include any organizational policies, procedures, or practices that are utilized.

How does your project meaningfully modify access to services (language, location, delivery style) for populations whose modes of engagement are different? Please provide examples and also include the project’s ability to appropriately serve and engage persons for whom English is not a primary language.

How does the project identify and subsequently meet cultural needs? Please give at least one example of identifying and meeting a cultural need and one example of another protected class (race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, physical or mental disability, or veteran status).

Please copy or re-create the table below and identify all direct staff (non-management) positions for which the applicant is proposing funding (do not include any roles covered in Administration Expenses), the total number of employees in that role, whether they are full or part-time positions and whether staff are already hired.Position Title# of EmployeesFull Time or Part TimeStaff Hired? (Yes or No)

Please describe staff turnover over the past 3 years and the impact turnover has had on your program(s). What is the agency’s plan to mitigate the impact of turnover on client services?

How does your organization incorporate lived experience in the hiring process?

Describe your process for ensuring your staff have the necessary skills, expertise and training to conduct the proposed activities. Please specifically address how you will ensure that all staff are skilled at problem-solving, flexible to periodic course-corrections, and understand how to implement a strengths-based, client-centered, and trauma-informed approach to all aspects of service delivery. How will you support on-going learning and implementation of the skills required?

How does your agency promote self-care for staff to prevent burn-out? How do you know it’s working?

Please upload Attachment A: Budget Workbook (Excel).

Please download the Pre-Award Risk Assessment, complete, and upload the completed assessment and all required supplemental materials, including: 2 most recent audited financial statements, including federal single audit, management letters and findings/corrective responses.Prior year Balance Sheet, Profit and Loss and Cash Flow Statements for entire year period.Current YTD Balance sheet, Profit and Loss and Cash Flow Statements.Most recent IRS annual submission, if this has not been sent, please detail why it not been filed yet.Agency’s policies and procedures for fiscal/grant accounting, including cost allocation and record retention policies.Third Party monitoring reports you may have received in last two years.1 example of a management timesheet and 1 example of an employee (non-management) timesheet.Additionally requested documents, as applicable based on Pre-Award Risk Assessment responses.