2010 Request for Proposals Question & Answer

Question: Is your company eligible to bid if our 501c3 is pending?
Answer: 501c3 designation paperwork must be attached to, and submitted with, all proposal submissions.

Question: Who can I speak with about employment for these men/women inmates of necessity job for inmates with felonies?
Answer: Prior to the close of the RFP process any interested stakeholder can reach out to any employer it deems necessary to encourage employment opportunities for men and women returning to their communities from prison. After the close of the RFP process the MPRI Coordinator and the MPRI Team are happy meet with stakeholders interested in learning about established workforce development vendors and other MPRI Wayne County employment initiatives such as our Ready4Work Initiative and Civic Justice Corps.

Question: Re: Domestic Violence
Can you narrow the scope of what population the contract is for and how many participants are estimated?
Answer: The services are desgined to service men and women who have been victims of domestic violence and victims of crime. The client base will consist of both former prisoners and residents, and their families as needed.

Question: Re: Workforce Development
Are the following allowed for direct cost reimbursement: 1) incentives for meeting milestones (paid to participants) 2) food/refreshments served at in house training to participants?
Answer: Yes. These details will be incorporated into contract negotiations.

Question: How many in reaches per month should be budgeted in the response to the RFP.
Answer: MPRI Transition Team members generally conduct in reach sessions Monday through Friday. On average, each agency should anticipate participating in in reach sessions 2 times per week.

Question: Is $80000 the initial amount for each person in reach case management?
Answer: The amount paid for each unduplicated client is $800. The amount paid to an agency for attending in reach is $250 per session.

Question: Re: Transitional Housing
Question: How many can be housed in a 1 bedroom apartment? How long does it take to begin facilitating the service or to get up and running?
Answer: We are seeking the services of community service providers (with 501c3 status) to provide transitional housing in a supportive, safe housing environment. The number of clients per unit is dictated by existing building code laws and should be adhered to without exception. If your agency is in its start up phase (i.e., without 501c3 status) please consult your local zoning and ordinace laws applicable to starting a transitional housing program.

Qestion: Re: In Reach/Case Management
To clarify, costs for ID restoration, transportation, etc. will now be reimbursed directly and not included in the $250 In Reach rates and $800 Case Management rates? (pg 12 & 14)
Answer: Yes, this is correct.

Question: Re: Transitional Housing
When providing long term housing, when does the state require the parolee to pay for themselves?
Answer: MPRI funding is designed to support the initial unmet needs of former prisoners upon their release. Housing support is provided to those who are not able to find/pay for independent housing. Housing support generally lasts for 90 to 120 days. As noted in the RFP, extensions are approved on a case by case basis. Like other citizens, former prisoners with income seek housing for themselves and enter into rental agreements for housing as any other citizen would.

Question: Re: Has MPRI evolved to the point where juveniles needs can be considered?
Answer: Men and women returning to the community from incarceration by the MDOC are all above the age of 18.

Question: I am a real estate investor and have available buildings (apartments) for a collaborative partnership for both temporary and permanent housing. How can I make this known to persons or organizations operating a program. Do you have a website where this info can be posted?
Answer: MPRI will work with second chance friendly landlords/property owners to ensure parolees, service providers and parole agents are aware of rental opportunites available to them. Please follow up with the Community Coordinator after the close of the RFP process.

Question: Do you contract facilities in Highland Park?
Answer: Yes.

Question: If you don’t have a 501c3 status can you still do transitional housing or can you network with someone who has a 501c3 to provide transitional housing?
Answer: Only organzations meeting the minimum requirements will be considered for contract services with UWSEM.

Question: If you are a correctional official and pastor do you still have to have a 501c3 status?
Answer: Yes.

Question: Can clients have a room in a finished basement with a complete room?
Answer: This question is not applicable to the services we are seeking through the RFP.

Question: How many clients can you have at a time?
Answer: Client capacity will vary based on each provider's capacity to meet the required service expectations set forth within the RFP.

Question: What is the minimum to maximum per diem per pay?
Please reference the RFP and the payment structure detailed under each service.

Question: How soon will placement take place after a contract is assigned?
Answer: Immediately.

Question: Can you place clients?
Answer: Unclear of the reference to 'you'. Agencies will receive referrals from 1) Transition Team meetings; 2) Parole Agents; 3) MPRI Vendor partners; 4) MPRI Wayne County staff.

Question: Our organization currently has a contract with MPRI for the transitional jobs and job placement services program (#6) on the cover of the RFP. Do we need to reapply in 2009 to keep receiving funding?
Answer: Yes. All existing MPRI contracts will terminate on September 30, 2009.

Question: Is the budget amount for each area set, if so what is it?
Answer: Please reference the RFP and the payment structure detailed under each service.

Question: Is there a limit to the amount of offenders we can serve per year?
Answer: Client capacity will vary based on each provider's capacity to meet the required service expectations set forth within the RFP. In general, all contracts will have a ceiling amount.

Question: Can an organization submit more than one proposal under different organization? (ex: company A is listed in 3 proposals for funding) Is that possible?
Answer: Yes.

Question: Will you allow time for an organization to make corrections if needed?
Answer: All proposals will be read and rated based on what is received by UWSEM by the RFP deadline.

Question: How many awards will be granted?
Answer: The number of contracts will be based on the number of proposals selected for negotiation. However the number may range from 20 to 30. Of note, only one vendor will be selected for the Legal Services service area.