Third Round of Request for Proposals

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The third round of requests for proposals (RFPs) for Participatory Budgeting Grand Rapids (PBGR) selected projects are now on the street. The City is looking for individuals, organizations, companies or agencies to conduct Youth Affordable Housing and Support, Support for Victims of Domestic Violence and Human Trafficking, and Community Support & Beautification initiatives. 

Requested Proposals

Affordable Daycare for Second & Third Shift Workers

Residents in the First and Third Wards face challenges in accessing affordable childcare options during the second and third shifts. Many parents work non-traditional hours, including evenings, nights, and weekends, As a result, they struggle to find suitable childcare arrangements that align with their work schedules. Securing evening and/or late-night childcare is crucial to their employment and financial stability. Without access to reliable childcare, these parents face the risk of losing their jobs or opting out of work opportunities and being unable to provide for their families.

To help address this concern the City of Grand Rapids, MI seeks a qualified person, organization, or firm to address the critical need for second and third shift affordable childcare services in the First and Third Ward. The goal is to design and implement a comprehensive program that will provide accessible and affordable childcare during non-traditional hours for working families. The proposer will carry this out by:

1. Creating an initiative designed to collaborate with existing licensed childcare providers to provide high-quality childcare during non-traditional hours.
2. Increasing the number of accessible and affordable child care options available in the First Ward and Third Ward during non-traditional working hours.

Proposers should be able to demonstrate how they can:

1. Address the need for accessible and affordable childcare options during non-traditional working hours.
2. Partner with organizations and community stakeholders to provide a safe and nurturing environment for children during the second and third shifts, including evenings, nights, and weekends.
3. Design and implement childcare programs specifically tailored to meet the needs of the residents in the First and Third Ward.
4. Ensure that childcare services are accessible, affordable and of high quality.

Download the full Affordable Daycare RFP(PDF, 539KB)

Community Based Violence Reduction

The City of Grand Rapids, MI seeks a qualified person, organization, or firm to develop a Community Violence Reduction Outreach Team initiative focused on neighborhoods in the Third Ward. The goal of the initiative is to connect residents to community resources, provide support through a peer model and help to reduce violence and barriers to services. The outreach team will engage with community members affected by violence in order to reduce its occurrence and promote community safety. The proposer will carry this out by:

1. Partnering with existing community organizations to identify specific neighborhood needs around crime reduction and access to resources, and how these needs can be addressed.
2. Creating outreach teams for designated neighborhoods within the Third Ward that would work with neighborhood associations to connect with residents.
3. Training the outreach team on violence reduction strategies and implementation
4. Partnering with existing initiatives and social services to help with the connection to resources, connecting to organizations that can provide basic needs, and assisting with the diversion of police and CPS contacts made.

Proposers should be able to demonstrate how they can:

1. Effectively address the needs of persons affected by violence and link them to appropriate services.
2. Collaborate and manage relationships with local social service agencies and neighborhood associations.
3. Develop and manage a paid opportunity program as a force multiplier.
4. Utilize community input & support to increase feelings of safety and reduce acts of violence.

Download the Community Violence Reduction Outreach Team RFP(PDF, 521KB)

Mental Health Community First Responders

The City of Grand Rapids seeks a qualified person, organization, or firm to carry out a Mental Health First Responder Program to provide mental health first aid training to interested community members and develop a schedule of on-call volunteers who can be contacted to assist in de-escalating situations where mental health support is needed. The primary objective of this initiative is to include non-police, trained responders to decrease violence, act proactively and effectively de-escalate mental health crises that do not require a police response. The proposer will carry this out by:

1. Implementing a mental health first aid training program
2. Establishing an on-call volunteer system within the Second Ward
3. Working closely with existing mental health organizations and community stakeholders to identify the needs of the community
4. Tailor the training to address the specific needs of residents in the Second Ward

Proposers should be able to demonstrate how they can:

• Effectively address the needs of persons with mental illnesses, link them to appropriate services, and divert them from the criminal justice system if appropriate
• Collaborate and manage relationships with local mental health agencies and first responder departments.
• Develop and manage an on-call volunteer program

Download the full Mental Health Community First Responders RFP(PDF, 540KB)

Application Process

Proposal submissions need to be received by the City’s Purchasing Department no later than 11:59 P.M. on Tuesday, October 3, 2023.

The City requires that all responses to these RFPs be submitted by either uploading the complete response through the BidNet Direct solution, OR by submittal of the complete response in a digital media format (on flash drive or other media) OR by hard copy/paper form to the address provided in the RFP instructions, by the submittal due date.

Please read each RFP carefully and follow the instructions exactly. The City of Grand Rapids is required by law to use a very specific purchasing process.

There may be insurance requirements for the services provided. Those requirements can be viewed here.(PDF, 163KB)

Submit your RFPs on BidNet