2024 Older Adult Community Transportation RFP

Investing in Older Adult Community Transportation

The Aging and Disability Services (ADS) division of the City of Seattle Human Services Department (HSD) is seeking applications from agencies interested in helping older adults maintain their quality of life and age in place by providing community transportation services for older adults (60+ years of age).

This Request for Proposal (RFP) will invest in community transportation to improve the mobility of older adults in King County. Funding supports Health Services and Food Access Transportation.

What We Fund

Health Services Transportation allows people to access healthcare by providing trips to medical, dental, and other essential appointments. Because a growing body of evidence identifies loneliness and social isolation as drivers of poor health, trips to access services and activities that promote social, emotional, and physical health are also permissible.

Health Services Transportation prioritizes clients with the greatest economic and social need, particularly those individuals with no other way to access healthcare and health-related services. Applicants may propose additional criteria to prioritize trips according to the trip purpose. For example, if necessary to address a capacity shortage, medical trips may be prioritized over health-related trips.

Food Access Transportation allows people to access healthy food in the setting of their choice, including culturally relevant options. Food Access Transportation supports HSD-funded congregate meal programs by providing older adults with the opportunity to participate in these programs without transportation barriers. Other eligible trips include trips to food banks, farmers’ markets, and grocery stores, including sites that participate in SNAP, Fresh Bucks, and/or the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP). Because these funds are intended to support the movement of people, food delivery is NOT an allowable transportation model under this RFP.

Approximately $855,000 is available through this RFP from the Older Americans Act Title III-B and Washington State Senior Citizens Services Act (SCSA). Seattle General Funds may be allocated when 2024 budgets are finalized.

Who Should Apply

This RFP is competitive and open to any legally constituted entities that meet the standard HSD Agency Minimum Eligibility Requirements (found in the sidebar on the previous page) and any additional requirements outlined in the Guidelines and Application.

How We Evaluate Applications

Eligible applications are reviewed by a rating panel made up of content matter experts and individuals with lived experience. Proposals will be evaluated against the rating criteria listed next to each section of questions in the application. Highly rated proposals will describe how the organization will meet all rating criteria.

Information Sessions

HSD will offer two information sessions:

• Wednesday, January 24, 2024, from 9:30-11:00 a.m. PST in-person at Aging & Disability Services, South King County office at 600 SW 39th Street, Mt. St. Helens Conference Room, Renton, WA 98057

• A virtual Information Session has been rescheduled to Thursday, February 1, 2024, from 1:30-3 p.m. Pacific Time. Virtual meeting link: Microsoft Teams (If you require technical assistance, e-mail hsd_adsplanning@seattle.gov.)

Any agency interested in learning more about this RFP is encouraged to attend the session and ask questions. Attendance is not required.

Application Due Date and Submission

The Last Day to Submit Questions will be Wednesday, February 7, 2024, by 12:00 p.m. PST. HSD will not provide individual notice of changes; and applicants are responsible for regularly checking this web page for answers to questions, process updates, clarifications, or amendments. HSD will not pay for any costs incurred while preparing their application, providing information requested by HSD, or participating in the selection process.

Completed application submissions are due by 12:00 Noon PST, on Thursday, March 7, 2024. Applications may be submitted electronically via:

• HSD's Online Submission System at: web6.seattle.gov/hsd/rfi/index.aspx

• *Or* email at HSD_RFP_RFQ_Email_Submissions@seattle.gov. Email attachments are limited to 30 MB. If you do not receive acknowledgment of your e-mailed application, contact Sola Plumacher at sola.plumacher@seattle.gov.

Any risks associated with submitting a proposal by e-mail are borne by the applicant. Applicants will receive an e-mail acknowledging receipt of their application. No faxed or mailed applications will be accepted.

Questions?

Contact Lori Mina, Funding Process Coordinator, via email with any questions about this RFP or to request an accommodation for the information session: Lori.Mina@seattle.gov