2023 Seattle Farm to Preschool Program Coordination and Food Procurement RFQ

The Youth and Family Empowerment (YFE) Division of the City of Seattle Human Services Department (HSD) is seeking applications from agencies interested in program coordination and food procurement for the Seattle Farm to Preschool Program (formerly known as Seattle Farm to Table).

This 2023 Seattle Farm to Preschool Program Coordination and Food Procurement RFQ will increase food access for low-income and Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) children and families who are part of the Seattle Preschool Program through two (2) program components:

1. Component One: Program Coordination – The selected agency will provide leadership and coordination to partner agencies that are part of the Seattle Farm to Preschool Program including but not limited to nutrition education providers, family food bag providers, and participating preschool programs to build relationships, increase communication, coordinate program logistics, support data collection, and strategically plan.
2. Component Two: Food Procurement and Program Stipend Management – The selected agency will assist participating preschool programs in procuring local, culturally relevant food from regional farmers with a focus on BIPOC, immigrant and refugee, women, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning (LGBTQ), and tribal-owned farms. The selected agency will also manage preschool program stipends to purchase local, culturally relevant food from regional farmers in approximately 50 preschool programs across the City of Seattle serving an estimated 1,500 children ages 3-5 years old.

Applicants may apply for one or both program components. Funded agencies in both program components will be required to participate in a community-based program evaluation designed by program participants and facilitated by a community-based evaluator.

Approximately $282,656 in Seattle Sweetened Beverage Tax (SBT) funding is available through this RFQ. HSD intends to fund up to two (2) proposals in total for both program components. Initial awards will be made for the contract period of January 1, to December 31, 2024. While it is the City’s intention to renew agreements resulting from this funding opportunity on an annual basis through the 2026 program year, future funding will be contingent upon performance and funding availability.

Note: Approximately 35% of the total funding will be allocated to Component One: Program Coordination, and 65% to Component Two: Food Procurement and Program Stipend Management.

HSD will offer one Information Session on Friday, February 10, 2023, from 2:00-3:30 p.m. PST via Microsoft Teams online virtual meeting technology, which will be recorded and made available on this webpage. Any agency interested in learning more about this RFQ is encouraged to attend the session and ask questions. Attendance is not required.

The Last Day to Submit Questions will be Monday, February 27, 2023, by 4:00 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 organizations may incur while they are preparing their application, providing information requested by HSD, or participating in the selection process.

This RFQ 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.

Completed application submissions are due by 12:00 Noon PST, on Friday, March 10, 2023. Applications may be submitted electronically via:

• HSD's Online Submission System at: http://web6.seattle.gov/hsd/rfi/index.aspx
• or email at HSD_RFP_RFQ_Email_Submissions@seattle.gov. Email attachments are limited to 30 MB.

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

Questions?

Please contact Pamela Maskara or Janelle Jackson, Funding Process Coordinators, via email with any questions about this RFQ or to request an accommodation for the information session: pamela.maskara@seattle.gov or janelle.jackson@seattle.gov