2026-020 RFP Kitsap County Youth Services

Request for Proposals
2026-020
Kitsap Housing Services and
Homelessness Prevention
for Youth and Young Adults
Proposal Deadline: May 25, 2026
Release Date
4/27/2026
Issuing Agency
This Request for Proposals (RFP) is issued by the Kitsap County Department of Human Services, herein
after referred to as "the County."
Timeline
4/27/2026 - 5/11/2026 RFP issued & advertised
05/11/2026 (3:00 PM PDT) Letters of intent due
5/14/2026 (3:00 PM PST) Questions due
5/20/2026 Addendum posted (if questions received)
5/25/2026 (3:00 PM PDT) Proposals due
5/25/2026 - 6/01/2026 Proposal review & selection process
6/02/2026 Announcement of winning proposal
6/03/2026 - 6/30/2026 Contracting process
7/01/26 Contract begins
Summary
Kitsap County (hereinafter referred to as "the County") is offering this Request for Proposals, seeking
applications from qualified agencies for the provision of specific services program types (rapid re-
housing, homelessness prevention, and/or diversion) for youth (under the age of 18) and young adults
(ages 18-24) that support the goals identified in the Homeless Crisis Response and Housing Plan,
including:
* Engage in creative problem solving with clients experiencing housing instability
* Provide supportive services to households facing eviction
* Prevent discharge to homelessness from systems of care

* Use data-driven risk-based prioritization
* Prioritize individualized, needs-based housing placement
* Use evidence-based practices
* Reduce barriers to program access/entry
Priority shall be given to low-barrier programs as defined in the CHG Guidelines:
* Has flexible intake schedules and requires minimal documentation.
* Has realistic and clear expectations. Rules and policies are narrowly focused on maintaining a
safe environment and avoiding exits to homelessness.
* Does not have work or volunteer requirements.
* At the minimum, homeless households are not screened out based on the following criteria:
Having too little or no income
o
Having poor credit or financial history
o
Having poor or lack of rental history
o
Having involvement with the criminal justice system
o
Having active or a history of alcohol and/or substance use
o
Having been impacted or affected by a crime
o
The type or extent of disability-related services or supports that are needed
o
Lacking ID or proof of U.S. Residency Status
o
Other behaviors that are perceived as indicating a lack of "housing readiness," including
o
resistance to receiving services
o
* Households are not terminated from the program for:
Failure to participate in supportive services or treatment programs
o
Failure to make progress on a housing stability plan
o
Alcohol and/or substance use in and of itself is not considered a reason for termination
o
Respondents should carefully review this RFP and the minimum program requirements for eligible types
of homeless housing and services. It is the applicant's responsibility to read and understand the funding
requirements and restrictions.
Contract Term
July 1, 2026 - June 30, 2027
Budget
Anticipated funds available for this Kitsap Housing Services and Homelessness Prevention for Youth
and Young Adults RFP are estimated to be $380,000 cumulatively for the state fiscal year. It is
anticipated that the County will contract with multiple organizations for provision of various programs
providing eligible services for youth and young adults, with the average award amount anticipated to be
$50,000-$100,000.
After awards for this RFP are announced, the winning respondent(s) to this RFP will be invited to provide
an adjusted final budget.
Funding
The Consolidated Homeless Grant (CHG) program is funded through the portion of document recording
fees that are not retained locally and are transmitted to the Washington State Department of
Commerce. Commerce distributes these funds back to counties through contracts for specific homeless

housing and services. These grant funds are administered by the Kitsap County Housing and
Homelessness Division and sub-contracted to eligible service providers. Eligible uses of Consolidated
Homeless Grants (CHG) are determined by the Washington State Department of Commerce in their
periodically published CHG Guidelines.
Solicited Services
Operation of a housing services/homelessness prevention program for youth and young adults.
The contracted program must adhere to the CHG Guidelines and the Kitsap County Grant Guidelines
Handbook. Both documents are updated periodically. Allowable program operations expenses are
detailed in the Department of Commerce's Guidelines for the Consolidated Homeless Grant.
Funds will be sub-contracted for this program on the state fiscal year timeline (7/1/2026 - 6/30/2027).
This is anticipated to be a one-year contract with no renewals.
Eligibility
Eligible applicants/recipients include: local city or county governments, tribes, public housing
authorities, IRS-certified non-profit 501(c)(3) agencies/providers of affordable housing, local
development corporations, and faith-based organizations.
* Applicant organization and proposed program or project must be eligible to receive Consolidated
Homeless Grant funds;
* Applicant must have the organizational and management capacity to carry out the proposed
project;
* Demonstrate an active governing body or board of directors with skills and experience to provide
leadership and direction to the agency;
* Demonstrate the legal, financial, and programmatic ability to administer the proposed program;
and
* Meet the County requirements for contracting agencies such as insurance requirements, audit,
and financial requirements.
* Applicant must have sufficient financial capacity; and
* Applicant must be able demonstrate a positive history of performance with prior grant funds and
not be out of compliance with current grant awards.
Eligible Services
* Rapid Re-Housing: Rapid Re-Housing (RRH) quickly moves households from homelessness into
permanent housing by providing:
Housing Identification Services: Recruit landlords to provide housing for RRH participants
o
and assist households with securing housing.
Financial Assistance: Provide assistance to cover move-in costs and deposits as well as
o
ongoing rent and/or utility payments.
Case Management and Services: Provide services and connections to community
o
resources that help households maintain housing stability.
* Homelessness Prevention: Homelessness Prevention (HP) helps households who are at risk of
homelessness to maintain or obtain stable housing and avoid homelessness. Services include:
Housing Identification Services: Recruit landlords to provide housing for RRH participants
o
and assist households with securing housing.

Financial Assistance: Provide assistance to cover move-in costs and deposits as well as
o
temporary rent and/or utility payments.
Case Management and Services: Provide services and connections to community
o
resources that help households maintain housing stability.
* Targeted Prevention/Diversion
Can include diversion from homelessness activities through problem-solving
o
conversations, linkages to mainstream and natural supports, and/or flexible and light
touch financial expenses (non-housing expenses that prevent homelessness)
Can include program operations expenses in the form of assistance for alternative
o
housing options (e.g. Tiny House Village fees, home share, etc.)
Scope of Work
The following allowable uses of funds outline the elements of the scope of work, including specific
requirements. Additional details can be found in the Department of Commerce's Guidelines for the
Consolidated Homeless Grant.
Operate a housing services/homelessness prevention program for youth and young adults, including
providing progressive engagement case management for eligible households and working with these
households to develop and carry out Housing Stability Plans.
Components of this program should include:
* Development and/or expansion of a housing services/homelessness prevention program for
youth and young adults.
* This program should work to coordinate with other funding sources that could provide additional
and/or future assistance for households enrolled in the program.
* Case management support should be provided for program households.
* Case management should include working with households to identify needs, resources,
opportunities, and next steps through development of a Housing Stability Plan.
Administration
Up to 15 percent of CHG Program costs over the course of the grant period may be used for
administration. This limit must be reconciled before the end of the grant period.
Allowable administrative costs benefit the organization as a whole and cannot be attributed specifically
to a particular program or to the homeless crisis response system. Administrative costs may include the
same types of expenses that are listed in program operations (such as IT staff and office supplies), in the
case that these costs are benefiting the agency as a whole and are not attributed to a particular program
or the homeless system.
Allowable administrative expenses are detailed in the Department of Commerce's Guidelines for the
Consolidated Homeless Grant.
Evaluation
CHG Homelessness Assistance Programs should be considered a work in progress, with frequent internal
evaluations to make necessary adjustments to ensure the efficacy of the programs. In addition, periodic
check ins with partner agencies should be used to ensure that those partnerships support the efficacy of
the program and that it is working for all parties.

* Homeless Management Information System - Washington State Department of Commerce has
mandated that all agencies receiving state funding for homeless housing must also participate in
HMIS.
* Evaluation Tools - Implement program evaluation tools to measure client satisfaction and program
effectiveness.
* Reporting - Submit quarterly reports to Kitsap County. Provide additional reports and data as
requested by Kitsap County.
* Monitoring - Periodic monitoring and evaluation by the County and by the Washington State
Department of Commerce.
Expectations of Contractor
* Housing First - the organizational mission and philosophy of the provider must be aligned with
Housing First principles: everyone is housing ready and there should be minimal barriers or service
participation requirements imposed on homeless people as a condition of entering housing.
* Low Barrier - Low barrier projects have realistic and clear expectations. Rules and policies are
narrowly focused on maintaining a safe environment and avoiding exits to homelessness. Low
barrier projects do not have work or volunteer requirements. The Consolidated Homeless Grant
(CHG) guidelines include a definition of low barrier programs as it relates to this program.
* Voluntary Services - Programs must not terminate or deny services to households based on refusal
to participate in supportive services. Supportive services are helping or educational resources that
include support groups, mental health services, alcohol and substance abuse services, life skills or
independent living skills services, vocational services, and social activities.
* Progressive Engagement - Whenever possible, households experiencing a housing crisis should be
diverted from entering homeless housing programs through problem-solving conversations, linkages
to mainstream and natural supports, and/or flexible, and light-touch financial assistance. Initial
assessment and services should address the immediate housing crisis with the minimal services
needed, and frequent re-assessment determines the need for additional services. Services are
individualized and responsive to the needs of each household.
* Systems Thinking - the program is an essential component of the County's homeless response
system. To successfully operate the program, the selected provider must embrace a systems-
thinking approach.
* Data-informed - the data collected will be used for ongoing and continuous system improvement.
The provider must have strong commitment to data quality and a willingness to make data-informed
decisions.
* Flexible - the program is a work in progress. Policies, procedures, and tools will need to be adjusted
and refined over time.
* Collaborative Approach - the provider must have the ability to build and maintain strong and
effective working partnerships homeless service providers, housing providers, and landlords.
* Communication - staff must have the ability to communicate how the system works to people
experiencing homelessness, service providers, landlords, and the public.
* Objectivity - successful operation of the programs requires that the provider use consistency and
fairness in applying all policies and procedures and use of tools.
* Problem Solving - the program provider must embrace a problem-solving approach to ending
homelessness. To be effective, the provider must employ staff who are skilled at problem-solving
and understand how to adopt a strengths-based and client-centered approach to all aspects of
service delivery.
Performance Measurement

Performance Measurements are established by the Washington State Department of Commerce and will
be included in the sub-grantee contract.
Evaluation of Proposals
Letter of Intent
In order to be an applicant for this RFP, the applicant must submit a Letter of Intent no later than 3:00
PM 5/11/2026, using the instructions below, stating the intention to submit a proposal in response to
this Request for Proposals. The Letter of Intent must be accompanied by a summary of the applicant's
experience in providing the types of services outlined in this Request for Proposals.
If only one qualified applicant submits a Letter of Intent, Kitsap County reserves the right to substitute
the bid proposal and review process with a sole-source contract process. In this event, the sole bidder
will be contacted to initiate the sole-source contract process.
Proposal Information
Proposals should include:
1) Introductory Letter including the organization name, address, contact person, email, and reason your
organization should be selected for this work.
2) Statement of qualification, including:
* Organizational experience and workload - include a detailed description of similar programs
successfully undertaken and implemented.
* Program supervisory personnel experience.
3) Project Approach: A written description (2 - 4 page narrative) of your approach to designing,
implementing and operating this program. Proposals should respond with specific details about
how each of the listed elements of the Housing Services for Youth and Young Adults Program will
be addressed. Include information about:
* how the program addresses objectives identified in the 2025-2020 Kitsap County Homeless
Housing Plan;
* program philosophy and methodology;
* program management;
* staffing levels, including job descriptions of personnel planned for the programs;
* anticipated partnerships with other Kitsap agencies;
* data collection methods;
* and program evaluation methods.
Priority shall be given to low-barrier programs as defined in the CHG Guidelines.
4) Program Implementation and Operation Timeline
5) Budget Proposal on an annualized basis including:
* program operations costs,
* rental assistance costs, and
* administration costs.

6) References
7) Exhibit A Bidders Certification
Kitsap County encourages disadvantaged, minority, and women-led organizations to respond. Two (2)
copies of Proposal with the solicitation number and name clearly indicated must be submitted to:
By Mail OR Express, Courier, or Hand delivery
Glen McNeil Glen McNeil
Kitsap County Department of Kitsap County Department of Administrative
Administrative Services Services
Purchasing Office Purchasing Office - Fourth Floor
614 Division Street MS-7 619 Division Street
Port Orchard, WA 98366 Port Orchard, WA 98366
OR
By email (preferred): Attention Glen McNeil at Purchasing@kitsap.gov
Submittals must be received in the Purchasing Office no later than 3:00 p.m. PDT on May 25, 2026.
Submittals received after this date will be returned unopened.
Clarifications
Any questions, requests for additional information, or requests for clarification regarding this request for
proposals will be accepted via e-mail by Glen McNeil at Purchasing@kitsap.gov until 3:00 PM May 14,
2026. Answers to any questions received will be posted as an Addendum by May 20, 2026.
Selection Criteria
Responses will be evaluated, and the contractor(s) will be selected based on the following criteria:
1) The applicant's approach, plan of work, recommended schedules, and suggested responsibility
assignments and staffing levels.
2) How the program addresses objectives identified in the 2025-2020 Kitsap County Homeless Housing
Plan;
3) Qualifications and experience in providing the requested services as exemplified by past projects.
4) Knowledge of and experience in implementing and operating homeless programs.
5) Experience and ability to form partnerships with other Kitsap agencies serving homeless clients.
6) Budget.
Kitsap County shall make the final determination of the most qualified applicant to negotiate a contract
with. Prior to final selection, the Proposal Review Panel may select a short list and interview prospective
applicants and/or may require submittal of further documentation regarding the applicant's capabilities
and qualifications. Dates and times for those interviews are to be determined. The contract will be
issued by Kitsap County as a Consolidated Homeless Grant sub-contract. All standard provisions of a
Consolidated Homeless Grant sub-contract will apply.
Reservations

Kitsap County reserves the right to reject any and all proposals, and to waive informality, technical
defect, or clerical error in any proposal, as the interest of Kitsap County may require. All costs incurred
in the preparation of the proposal will be borne entirely by the submitter. All materials submitted to
Kitsap County become the property of Kitsap County and become public record.

Purchasing Department
619 Division St., MS-7
EXHIBIT A
Port Orchard, WA 98366
BIDDER CERTIFICATION
Phone: (360) 337-4789
Purchasing@co.kitsap.wa.us
All information requested below must be provided. Failure to properly complete, sign and return
this Bidder's Certification form may cause the bid to the rejected. Bidder, through the duly
authorized undersigned representative ("Representative") makes this certification as a required
element of submitting a responsive bid. Bidder certifies, to the best of its knowledge and belief,
that the following are true, complete, correct, and made in good faith:
BIDDER AND REPRESENTATIVE INFORMATION
Legal Name of Bidder:
(Provide full legal name)
Bidder's Trade Names
Bidder's Street Address:
Bidder's Website
Bidder Organization Type: Corporation: Domestic Foreign

(Check applicable box) Limited Liability
Domestic Foreign
Company (LLC):
Partnership: Domestic Foreign

Sole Proprietorship:

State and Date of
Formation: Identify the state where the corporation, LLC, or partnership is
formed - e.g., 'Washington' if domestic and the name of the state if
'Foreign' (i.e., not Washington)
Federal Tax ID No.
Washington State UBI No.
State Industrial Acct ID
No.
Name/Title of Bidder's
Representative:
Representative's Address:
Representatives Phone
Nos
Representative's Email
Address:

Addendum No/Date
Identify all Addenda
received by Bidder: Addendum No/Date
Addendum No/Date
Addendum No/Date
Addendum No/Date
Did an outside individual/agency assist with the bid preparation? Yes No
If yes, please identify the individual/agency:
1. UNDERSTANDING. Bidder certifies that Bidder has read, thoroughly examined, and fully
understands all of the provisions, requirements and scope of the Solicitation (including all
exhibits and attachments), the extent the local conditions affect the services to be provided,
and the terms and conditions of the Contract and any amendments or clarifications to the
Solicitation, and agrees to abide by the same. Bidder will make no claim against the County
based upon ignorance of conditions or misunderstanding of the solicitation documents, or
the goods and/or services to be provided.
2. ACCURACY. While the County has used considerable efforts to ensure the information in the
solicitation is accurate, the County does not guarantee or warrant the information to be
accurate nor is it necessarily comprehensive or exhaustive. Nothing in this solicitation is
intended to relieve the Bidder from forming their own opinions and conclusions with respect
to the matters addressed in the solicitation. Bidder certifies that Bidder has carefully prepared
and reviewed its bid and fully supports the accuracy of the same. Bidder understands and
acknowledges that the County shall not be responsible for any errors or omissions on the part
of Bidder in preparing its bid and that the continuing compliance with these statements and
all requirements of the Solicitation are conditions precedent to the award or continuation of
the resulting Contract.
3. LEGAL CONSIDERATION. Bidder understands and acknowledges that it is the Bidder's responsibility
to comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, ordinances, rules, and regulations
applicable to the goods and services to be provided under this Solicitation.
4. LIABILITY FOR ERRORS. While the County has used considerable efforts to ensure the
information in the solicitation is accurate, the County does not guarantee or warrant the
information to be accurate nor is it necessarily comprehensive or exhaustive. Nothing in this
solicitation is intended to relieve the offeror from forming their own opinions and conclusions
with respect to the matters addressed in the solicitation.
4. LIABILITY FOR ERRORS. While the County has used considerable efforts to ensure the information
in the solicitation is accurate, the County does not guarantee or warrant the information to
be accurate nor is it necessarily comprehensive or exhaustive. Bidder understands and
acknowledges that nothing in this solicitation is intended to relieve the Bidder from forming
their own opinions and conclusions with respect to the matters addressed in the solicitation.
5. NO COLLUSION OR ANTI-COMPETITIVE PRACTICES. Bidder certifies that Bidder has not, either directly
or indirectly, entered into any agreement, participated in any collusion, or otherwise taken
any action in restraint of free competitive bidding in connection with this Solicitation. Bidder