INFO PAGE
Request for Proposals - Safety Initiatives Supporting Asian Communities
HRC RFP for Anti-Violence initiatives supporting Asian Pacific Islander communities
RFP Timeline:
RFP issued by the Human Rights Commission: Friday, May 13, 2022
HRC RFP 78 Final Draft.pdf - Google Drive
Deadline for Questions: Monday, June 20, 2022
Proposals Due: Thursday, June 30, 2022 (by 5:00pm)
Grantee selection and award notification: Monday, July 18, 2022 (by 5:00pm)
Protest period ends 5 business days after award notification
Projects anticipated to start August 2022
Request for Proposals
City and County of San Francisco
Request for Proposals (RFP) #78
Issued by:
San Francisco Human Rights Commission
Date issued:
Monday, May 13, 2022
Proposals due:
Thursday, June 30, 2022, by 5:00 P.M.
Please email proposals to
HRC-Roundtable@sfgov.org
Questions about this RFP?
Submit questions via email: athena.n.edwards@sfgov.org
Need application materials in an alternative format?
Submit accessibility requests via email: athena.n.edwards@sfgov.org
Request for Proposals (RFP) #78
Section Page
A. City Grant Terms (Form G-100)
B. Applicant Requirements and Guidelines
C. Supplier Registration Instructions
I. Introduction, Overview and Schedule
Together with San Francisco Mayor London Breed, the San Francisco Human Rights Commission (HRC) is committed to addressing the rise of hate violence in San Francisco. Over the last five years, reported hate crimes have doubled across San Francisco, with the largest increases being hate crimes due to racial bias. However, existing City processes, as well as state and federal processes, were not designed to address hate violence that does not meet the narrow legal definition of a hate crime. Community organizations have noted that not only are their members and clients often unwilling to report hate violence due to fear or distrust; those who have reported hate violence have been dissatisfied or even re-traumatized by the limited set of resolutions currently available through the government. As a result, hate violence is being left underreported and unresolved, furthering fear that is interfering with daily life for many community members.
This Request for Proposals (RFP) in the amount of $400,000 is focused on delivering innovative and culturally responsive services to improve outcomes in preventing, intervening in, and healing from hate violence for Asian and Pacific Islander communities and various affected communities in San Francisco. The RFP seeks proposals in four (4) program areas: public safety; cross-cultural solidarity; transformative justice; and language access. The best proposals should also identify and address any underlying causes of hate violence or other race-based structural violence. This RFP has been heavily informed by the Citywide Public Safety Landscape Analysis conducted by HRC.
In responding to this RFP, we ask applicants to consider submitting proposals that appropriately adapt their services and activities to advance the goals of this grant. We encourage applicants to step beyond the repackaging of familiar ideas and propose strategic and intentional community-led initiatives. We look forward to receiving your proposals, as our partnership with you and your organizations will strengthen our collective efforts in realizing an equitable recovery.
Implementation of the grants and programs within this RFP will be overseen by the HRC. HRC is committed to advancing racial and economic justice by instituting programs and services that make San Francisco a better place to live, work, and do business. The funding in this RFP touches on critical aspects of San Francisco’s diverse economy, focusing on advancing equity and shared prosperity for all. More information about HRC can be found at: http.//sf-hrc.org.
A. Eligible Applicants
- You are eligible to apply if you:
- Are (or you have a fiscal sponsor that is) a nonprofit, public benefit corporation that is tax exempt under Internal Revenue Code 501(c)(3) as a public charity.
- Certain exceptions may be made for 501(c)(4) and 501(c)(6) nonprofit organizations, as well as churches and religious organizations whose programming aligns with the charitable purposes designated for 501(c)(3) status.
- Are not debarred or suspended from participation in local, State or Federal programs;
- Meet all minimum qualifications;
- Can comply with all local, state or federal laws and regulations if funded. Please see Appendix A and Appendix B for more information about general terms and conditions of City funding opportunities.
- Are (or you have a fiscal sponsor that is) a nonprofit, public benefit corporation that is tax exempt under Internal Revenue Code 501(c)(3) as a public charity.
- No City agencies or departments may apply for funding under this RFP.
The HRC may award funding for community-led initiatives in the following Program Areas: Public Safety; Cross-Cultural Solidarity; Transformative Justice; and Language Access.
The funding amounts listed in this RFP are anticipated initial funding awards, based on current budget availability. Actual awards will be determined by the number of responsive proposals that meet the HRC’s strategies and objectives, and funding may be less or more.
The total funding anticipated for initial grant awards is $400,000. Please submit budget requests according to the limits in this RFP, however, the HRC may negotiate different funding allocations and project goals before finalizing funding awards, should funding conditions change.
The HRC may pursue additional resources to support the essential programs solicited through this RFP and, if additional funding is secured, the HRC may elect to negotiate larger funding awards beyond the originally anticipated amounts listed in this RFP. In this case, funds may be allocated to enhance any of the programs described in this RFP, at an amount proportional to the anticipated funding ranges noted in this RFP. Similarly, should funding no longer be available, the HRC may elect to not fund proposals at this time. Proposals are kept on file and the HRC may use them as a basis for future funding awards.
This RFP, and the proposals received as a result of it, may be used to justify funding decisions for other similar services and/or other funding that becomes available through the HRC or any other City department. The HRC, or other City agencies, will disclose any additional regulations or requirements during the negotiation process for grants that are awarded through this RFP and funded by other local, state, federal or non-city sources.
Unless otherwise noted in the program descriptions, successful proposals will be funded for a term of one (1) year. Projects may begin as soon as August 2022. In some cases, the City may renew or extend programming through June 30, 2025 (fiscal year 2024-2025). All decisions regarding the size, length, and scope of future funding awards are subject to the HRC’s approval and budget availability. Future funding is not guaranteed, and funding amounts and terms will depend upon the performance of the grantee during the initial award period, as well as other policy considerations as determined by the HRC. Grantees will be asked at a minimum to submit a final report of their activities and, if the HRC elects to renew the award, a revised scope of work and budget for the renewal period(s) for HRC’s review. The HRC reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to not renew funding awards.
D. Schedule
The anticipated schedule for awarding initial funding is as follows:
Proposal Phase
Date
RFP is issued by the City
Friday, May 13, 2022
Deadline for questions
Monday, June 20, 2022
Proposals due
Thursday, June 30, 2022 by 5:00 P.M.
Grantee selection and award notification
Anticipated Monday, July 18, 2022 by 5:00 P.M.
Protest period ends
5 business days after award notification
Projects begin
Projects anticipated to start August 2022 or later
Each date is subject to change. For the latest schedule, check https://sf-hrc.org/grant-opportunties.
Note: All questions about the RFP should be sent by email to athena.n.edwards@sfgov.org. This includes general administrative questions, program area questions, and technical questions about how to find or navigate the RFP application.
II. Program Areas and Scope of Work
A. Program Areas
This RFP includes four (4) distinct Program Areas in which the HRC is seeking to provide grant funding. Indicate in your application which Program Area(s) your organization is seeking to provide. If your proposed project addresses multiple Program Areas, please list all that apply.
- Program Area 1: Public Safety
- Program Area 2: Cross-Cultural Solidarity
- Program Area 3: Transformative Justice
- Program Area 4: Language Access
B. Scope of Work
The HRC is seeking proposals from community organizations to deliver innovative and culturally responsive services to improve outcomes in preventing, intervening in, and healing from hate violence for Asian and Pacific Islander communities and various affected communities in San Francisco. The best proposals should identify and address any underlying causes of hate violence or other race-based structural violence.
An applicant’s scope of work should include the following sections:
- Community Needs and Outcomes
Explain the goals and objectives of the proposed work and how it aligns with the goals and objectives of the RFP. Describe the target population(s) you will serve through this program, your experience serving them, and key needs you hope to address with this funding. Highlight the economic, social, financial, institutional or other issues that require a solution. Include target neighborhoods and where the location of services will occur. List target age group(s) and language group(s) where applicable.
- Proposed Approach and Activities
- Describe Proposed Activities or Initiatives
For each Program Area the applicant is requesting grant funding for, describe in detail the proposed activities or initiatives. Include the types of activities; the length or duration of each activity; the frequency of proposed activities to be provided (how often you plan to host activities); provide a location(s) of proposed activities and methods that will be used to deliver services. If proposing with multiple program partners, be clear on who will lead each element of your service plan.
- Describe Proposed Activities or Initiatives
-
- Applicant’s Approach to Developing, Executing or Implementing Proposed Activities or Initiatives
Provide a detailed explanation of how the applicant will approach the development, execution, or implementation of the applicant’s proposal as well as describe any evidence-based practices that will inform the progression of the program or project.
- Applicant’s Approach to Developing, Executing or Implementing Proposed Activities or Initiatives
-
- Applicant’s Proposed Work Timeline
Please provide a timeline outlining the proposed work’s start date, deliverable dates, milestones, and completion dates in chronological order. Include any factors that might speed or hinder the implementation of the proposed program and explain how you will manage unanticipated proposed program hurdles, should they arise.
- Applicant’s Proposed Work Timeline
- Applicant Qualifications and Staff Assignments
Provide a description of the applicant’s relevant qualifications along with detailing the experience of proposed partners, subcontractors, and staff in relation to how these qualifications will serve the applicant in developing and executing the proposed work.
- Performance Measurement and Reporting
Performance measurement and reporting provides information that is factually based and measures the progress and effectiveness of a process while monitoring if outcomes are being achieved. Describe how the applicant will measure the performance of the proposed work as it relates to the purposes of this grant. Types of performance metrics are not limited but may include surveys, interviews, focus groups, attendance data or sheets, photo journals. Include frequency of performance reporting (monthly basis preferred).
- Financial Management and Budget
Please provide a detailed budget of all projected costs related to the proposal. Also, provide a narrative detailing the budget and each line item as well as justification these expenditures
Before submitting your proposal, upload the following additional documents:
- Provide at least 1 and up to 3 letters of support from past clients, partner organizations, community leaders or other stakeholders that speak to your organization’s ability to implement the activities proposed in the Application and demonstrate community support for the proposal.
A complete Proposal Package shall include all of the items listed in the Proposal Package Checklist, below. Instructions and tips on completing all Proposal Package documents are included following the Checklist and all templates noted can be downloaded from https://sf-hrc.org/grant-opportunities.
Proposal Package Checklist
The following items must be completed and included in the application package:
-
- Application. Please provide written responses to all questions under the Program Areas and Scope of Work sections.
- Proposed Budget (no template). Please provide a breakdown of your proposed project budget.
Additional required attachments:
-
- Organizational Budget (no template) – Overall organizational budget for the Primary Applicant, if applicable (no template provided). Please provide a copy of your organizational budget(s).
- Organizational Chart (no template) – Organizational chart for the Primary Applicant, if applicable (no template provided). Please provide a copy of your organizational chart.
- Supplementary Attachments – Please attach these in the Proposal Package submission.
Only Proposal Packages submitted using the approved templates with all required attachments will be considered for funding.
Alternative formats of templates may also be provided to individuals with disabilities by contacting Athena Edwards at athena.n.edwards@sfgov.org before the submission deadline.
Additional Reference Materials, Requirements and Guidelines
The following documents are for reference only:
- Appendix A, City Grant Terms (Form G-100), contains the standard terms of grant agreements with the City.
- Appendix C, Supplier Registration Instructions, provides registration instructions to Applicants who are not current City Suppliers (vendors).
B. Proposal Package Submission
- When all items are complete, submit the entire Proposal Package by 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 30, 2022 by email to HRC-Roundtable@sfgov.org.
- Upon successful submission, you will receive an automated response to confirm your submission was received by the deadline. Save this information for future reference.
- If you discover an error in your submission and need to submit a revised proposal, compile all items on the Proposal Package Checklist, follow the same steps as outline above, and ensure that the revised submission is submitted by the deadline.
- Again, all submissions, including supplementary materials, must be received by 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 30, 2022 to be considered as part of the Proposal Review Process. Early submission is highly encouraged.
- Use the Proposal Package Checklist to ensure your proposal is complete.
- Write as clearly and succinctly as possible and respond directly to the questions as asked. Do not submit extra materials not requested.
- If you are submitting multiple proposals, please do not cross-reference content between proposals. For example, do not respond to questions with statements such as “Please see this answer in my proposal to the other Program Area.”
IV. Proposal Review Process
First, the HRC will review all proposals to determine if they are complete and eligible. Incomplete, late or otherwise ineligible proposals will not be considered and applicants will be notified if their proposals have been disqualified.
Applications will be reviewed and evaluated using the criteria described in this section. Point values indicate the relative importance placed on each section and points will be awarded based on the extent to which the application addresses the criteria listed. Applicants should prepare their proposals with these criteria in mind.
Depending on the number and quality of proposals, applicants may be invited to be interviewed by the review committee to make a final selection. Each application will be considered
individually and the organization’s overall capacity in relation to the number of projects proposed will also be considered when projects and proposals are recommended for funding.
Community Needs and Outcomes (30 points)
- The application demonstrates deep knowledge of the needs of the neighborhood(s) and/or City, including:
- Identification of the economic, social, financial, institutional or other issues that require a solution.
- Understanding of community stakeholders and community organizations, and possible considerations for project implementation.
- The application presents a clear description of the proposed project and:
- How it will contribute to achieving the goals and objectives stated in the RFP.
- How the project is innovative and creative in implementing a solution to meet needs of the neighborhood(s).
- The application presents evidence of community support for the project.
Approach and Activities (40 points)
- The application presents a plan of action that includes:
- Details on the specific scope of services the applicant proposes and how the proposed work will be accomplished.
- A reasonable timeline for implementing the proposed project including major milestones and target dates. It addresses factors that might speed or hinder implementation and explains how these factors would be managed.
- The application describes how the design of the project incorporates effective practices supported by applicants’ experience and/or research and literature.
- The application demonstrates the organization’s capacity to carry out the proposed project by connecting current or previous experience with the proposed programming.
Applicant Qualifications and Staff Assignments (20 points)
- The application demonstrates the relevant professional qualifications and experience of applicant and any proposed partners, subcontractors and staff, including their previous roles in implementing similar projects or activities.
- The application presents staffing assignments that are feasible and sustainable, taking into consideration skills, availability, and workload.
Performance Measurement and Reporting (10 Points)
- The application provides an appropriate and feasible plan describing how:
- Data on project activities, outputs and outcomes will be collected and reported.
- Applicant has or will develop the capacity to collect and manage data
- Data will be used to determine whether the needs identified are being met and whether project results are being achieved.
Financial Management and Budget (10 Points)
- Application includes a detailed budget narrative presenting reasonable costs that relate to activities proposed.
- The proposed budget and applicant’s overall budget is of a size to reasonably expect successful delivery of the program.
- Applicant maintains fiscal control and would ensure the prudent use, proper and timely disbursement and accurate accounting of funds awarded under this RFP.
Proposals with the highest scores will be considered for grant awards. Applicants will be notified of final award decisions. Applicants who receive a grant will be contacted to begin the grant negotiation process.
A. Protest of Non-Responsiveness Determination
If your proposal is deemed non-responsive, you will receive notice from the City explaining the reason for removing it from consideration. Within five calendar days of the City's issuance of a notice of non-responsiveness, any respondent that has submitted a proposal and believes that the City has incorrectly determined that its proposal is non-responsive may submit a written notice of protest. The protest must be received by the City on or before the fifth business day following the City's issuance of the notice of non-responsiveness.
The notice of protest must include a written statement specifying in detail each and every one of the grounds asserted for the protest. The protest must be signed by an individual authorized to represent the applicant, and must cite the law, rule, local ordinance, procedure or RFP provision on which the protest is based. In addition, the protestor must specify facts and evidence sufficient for the City to determine the validity of the protest.
Within five business days of the City's issuance of a notice of intent to award the grant, any applicant that has submitted a responsive proposal and believes that the City has incorrectly selected another proposer for award may submit a written notice of protest. The notice of protest must be received by the City on or before the fifth business day after the City's issuance of the notice of intent to award.
The notice of protest must include a written statement specifying in detail each and every one of the grounds asserted for the protest. The protest must be signed by an individual authorized to represent the applicant, and must cite the law, rule, local ordinance, procedure or RFP provision on which the protest is based. In addition, the protestor must specify facts and evidence sufficient for the City to determine the validity of the protest.
All protests must be received by 5:00 p.m. on the due date. The HRC highly recommends submitting the protest via email. If a protest is mailed in hard copy, the protestor bears the risk of non-delivery within the deadlines specified herein. Protests should be transmitted by a means that will objectively establish the date the City received the protest. Protests or notice of protests made orally (e.g., by telephone) or fax will not be considered. Scanned signed protest letters may be submitted via email to athena.n.edwards@sfgov.org. Letters transmitted electronically must be sent in PDF format and be signed by an individual authorized to negotiate or sign agreements on behalf of the protesting organization.
Protests must be addressed to:
25 Van Ness, Room 800
San Francisco CA 94102
The HRC recommends submitting protests via email at: athena.n.edwards@sfgov.org
Following the City’s receipt of a timely protest, the City may decide to schedule a meeting to review and attempt to resolve the protest. The meeting will be scheduled within ten (10) calendar days of the receipt of the protest, in a format that follows public health and accessibility guidelines. If the City determines a meeting is not necessary to address the protest, the agency can anticipate a written response from the City within 10 calendar days of submission of the letter of appeal. All protest determinations made by the Director of the Human Rights Commission are final.
D. Reservation of Right to Reject or Cancel
The HRC reserves the right to reject or cancel this RFP in whole or in part at any time before a Grant Agreement is entered into.