FINAL UPDATE: applicants having difficulties utilizing the budget template provided may upload their own Excel Spreadsheet.

Thank you so much for your patience as we experienced multiple setbacks on our RFP posting. We did our best to get the site back open as soon as possible, and extended the deadline by 2 weeks, as well as the time to submit questions. We look forward to reading all your applications and for our community volunteers to rate them!  Thank you for your interest in working with us to Stop the School to Prison Pipeline.

Sincerely,

Lisa and the SSPP Team

THIS APPLICATION HAS BEEN UPDATED. IF YOU STARTED OR SUBMITTED AN APPLICATION BEFORE FEBRUARY 6, 2025, PLEASE COMPLETE THE UPDATED SECTIONS AS OUTLINED IN AMENDMENTS.

Questions are welcomed through 5pm on Monday, February 10th. Please email lemiller@kingcounty.gov.  

THE DUE DATE FOR THIS APPLICATION HAS BEEN EXTENDED UNTIL THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2025 AT 2:00PM

Overview

As part of the Best Starts for Kids initiative, King County Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS) is pleased to release this Request for Proposals (RFP) for Stopping the School to Prison Pipeline (SSPP) strategy with funding from the Children, Youth, and Young Adult Division (CYYAD).

This specific RFP is to fund programs that promote (1) sustainable economic strengthening through workforce and career development and/or (2) positive identity development through experiences, opportunities, education/guidance, relationships, apprenticeship-type programs, and/or reconnection to cultural heritage.  

The total funding amount available for this RFP is approximately $9 million for 30 months (2025 – 2027) through Best Starts for Kids to support the work described in this RFP. The amount available for 2025 – 2026 is subject to King County Council approval.  

The total number of months for each contract may not exceed 30 months, with a contract statement of work expected start date of July 1st, 2025, and end date no later than December 31st, 2027.  

The maximum total award amount applicants may request is $940,000 for 30 months.

Timeline

The following timeline represents the tentative schedule of the entire RFP process, from solicitation to program implementation. The dates listed here are subject to change. Applicants are responsible for monitoring ZoomGrants for any changes prior to the submittal deadline.

Here is a link to a general reference for the DCHS Procurement & Contracting Process Roadmap.

If potential applicants experience technical difficulties with ZoomGrants leading up to the due date, please email your Proposal to the RFP Lead directly to avoid a late submission.

Applicants are encouraged to complete their applications early to avoid any difficulties or errors in submission. DCHS is not responsible for any technical difficulties that an applicant may experience, and late submissions may result in rejection of proposal.

Information Sessions

Two pre-proposal information sessions were held at the dates and times listed below. The first session was recorded and the link to the recording is provided below. 

Wednesday, December 18, 2024, from 3:00pm to 4:00pm SSPP RFP 1st Information Session Recording

Thursday, January 9, 2025, from 12:00pm to 1:00pm 

Communication

The RFP Lead is the sole point of contact for this procurement. All communication regarding the subject matter of this opportunity between the applicants and DCHS upon release of this RFP must be through ZoomGrants or the RFP Lead, as follows:

RFP Lead: Leslie Miller; lemiller@kingcounty.gov  

Interested parties may submit questions in writing prior to the date and time indicated in the RFP schedule through the Contact Admin tab in ZoomGrants. The DCHS response to all questions received will be posted as an RFP amendment on ZoomGrants. Any other communication will be considered unofficial and non-binding on King County. Applicants are to rely on written statements issued by the RFP Lead. Communication directed to parties other than the RFP Lead on this opportunity may result in disqualification of the applicant.

Unless otherwise requested, letters and other communications about this RFP will be issued to the e-mail address noted in the proposals created within ZoomGrants. If other personnel should be contacted via e-mail in the evaluation of this proposal, or to be notified of evaluation results, please complete the information in the area provided in ZoomGrants.

Recording Link for the First Information Session

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2024 FROM 3:00PM TO 4:00PM