RFQ for Homeless Assistant Program Service Providers

LACKAWANNA COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES
HOMELESS ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS FOR SERVICE PROVIDERS
Fiscal Year 2026-2027
Issued: April 24, 2026 RFQ ID #: 114-26-1100-05
1. INTRODUCTION:
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a fair and open process, sealed submittals will
be received and reviewed by the County of Lackawanna ("COUNTY") Board of
Commissioners ("Board of Commissioners") for the provision of services to eligible individuals
served by the Department of Human Services/Homeless Assistance Program. This RFQ will
be used in applying for funds to provide services for Fiscal Years July 1, 2026-June 30, 2027.
Submission Deadline:
Respondents must submit their written Submittals by 4:00 p.m. May 25, 2026
prevailing time:
Contact Person: Gayle Sensi Email:
Humanservices@lackawannacounty.org
Submissions received will be reviewed and evaluated by the Department of Human Services
(herein after referred to as the Department), based upon such criteria as the Department, in
its sole discretion, deems appropriate. The Department reserves the right to request
clarification or additional information from any respondent. The Department, in its sole
discretion, may accept or reject any or all submittals.
The Department reserves the opportunity to modify this Request for Qualifications (herein
after referred to as RFQ) at its own discretion and without prior notice, and to waive any
immaterial defect or informality in any proposal as may be permitted by law.
2. PURPOSE:
The purpose of this Request for Qualifications is to solicit submissions from qualified
agencies and /or individuals to provide professional services on behalf of the County in
1

connection with the administration of the Homeless Assistance Program. Service areas
include:
Case Management
Rental Assistance
Emergency Shelter
3. PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS:
1. One (1) original copy of the Submittal must be provided.
2. Submittals must be emailed directly to Lackawanna County Department of
Human Services, - Attn: Gayle Sensi at
humanservices@lackawannacounty.org. Submittals must be sent with the
submitting agency or individual and the RFQ number clearly marked in the
Subject Box. Submittals by fax, telephone, or UPS is not permitted. Failure to
follow the proper submission format may cause the submission to be rejected.
3. The final selection will be made in the sole discretion of The Board.
4. All questions regarding this Request for Qualifications should be made in writing to
Gayle Sensi, Contract Officer, email: humanservices@lackawannacounty.org.
4. PRE-SUBMITTAL MEETINGS:
There will be an opportunity for prospective Submitters to 'meet' with the Lackawanna County
Department of Human Services staff for a Question and Answer session:
Please email Gayle Sensi at: humanservices@lackawannacounty.org to request a
Microsoft Teams meeting or phone conference.
5. QUESTIONS:
Questions can be submitted via email to Humanservices@lackawannacounty.org
* Questions will be answered by the appropriate individual(s) and responded to within 3
business days via email, with a return reply acknowledging receipt of the email request.
* QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS WILL BE SHARED WITH ALL SUBMITTERS within 7 days
through posting on the Lackawanna County website at www.lackawannacounty.org
All questions pertaining to this RFQ must be electronically submitted on or before:
Friday, May 8, 2026.
2

6. CRITERIA FOR EVALUATION OF QUALIFICATIONS:
The Department will independently evaluate each submittal and selection will be made upon
the following criteria:
1. Experience and reputation in the field.
2. Experience and reputation in the field with respect to contracting with governmental
entities to provide services on behalf of the County.
3. Knowledge of the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services' (DHS) Homeless
Assistance Program (Bridge Housing Program) and the organizational structure of the
Lackawanna County Department of Human Services.
4. The administrative and programmatic capacity to manage the volume of work.
5. Availability to accommodate any required meetings of the Department.
6. Ability to meet reporting requirements and timelines for completion as set forth by
the Department.
7. Other factors determined to be in the best interest of the County in the
Department's sole discretion.
7. SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS:
Each Submission must be in sufficient detail to permit evaluation, at a minimum, with respect
to the following issues. Submissions must include the information that is specifically
requested herein as well as such additional information as a respondent deems relevant to
the process. Each submitter agrees that their Submittal constitutes a firm offer to the County
that cannot be withdrawn for ninety (90) days from the Submission due date.
To achieve a maximum degree of comparability, the Submissions shall be organized in the
manner specified below and use corresponding lettering and/or numbering.
Title Page:
(1 page): Show name of your agency, address, name of contact, telephone number(s)
and email address along with the current date. Also include the title and number of the RFQ.
Table of Contents:
All Submissions to the County must include the following:
SECTION 1 Agency Information (see Form A)
3

Name, address, phone number and email address of the agency;
The corporate officer's name, title and signature. This person must be
able to execute agreements on behalf of the agency;
The service(s) for which the submittal has been prepared.
SECTION 2 Agency Description (see Form A)
A brief description of your agency's history, ownership and organizational
structure;
Include as attachments an organizational chart, a copy of the most
recent audit and a copy of any licenses that pertain to services provided.
SECTION 3 Agency Services (see Form A)
List all services provided by your agency and address at which they are
provided.
SECTION 4 Scope of Services/Statement of Qualifications (see Form B)
Provide a description of the proposed service and your agency's
qualifications and experience in providing this service;
Provide the names, experience, qualifications and applicable licenses
held by the individual primarily responsible for servicing the Program and
any other person(s), whether as employees or subcontractors, with
specialized skills that would be assigned to service the Program.
SECTION 5 County Contracts (see Form C)
Provide a listing of all like or similar service contracts or Mutually Agreed
Upon Written Agreement (MAWA) with other county programs to provide
services. Include agency name, contact person, services, contract dates
and amounts. If no other contracts, please state N/A.
SECTION 6 Statement of Assurances (see Form D)
A statement of assurance that your agency is not currently in violation of
any regulatory rules and regulations set forth by the Pennsylvania
Department of Human Services (DHS) that may have any impact on your
agency's operations;
A statement of assurance that your agency has no conflict of interest in
providing service on behalf of Lackawanna County;
4

A statement of assurance that your agency is not involved in any current
or pending litigation involving Lackawanna County or any of its
Departments or Authorities;
A statement of the insurances currently held by your agency.
SECTION 7 Additional Information
Include any additional information not specifically required but deemed
important and relevant by the submitting agency.
SECTION 8 Subcontractors
RESPONDENTS SHOULD NOTE THAT ANY AND ALL WORK
INTENDED TO BE SUBCONTRACTED AS PART OF THIS
SUBMITTAL MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY BACKGROUND
MATERIALS AND REFERENCES FOR PROPOSED
SUBCONTRACTOR(S) - NO EXCEPTIONS
8. RESPONSIBILITIES:
The successful Submitter shall have primary responsibility for the following:
* Providing the qualified/professional staff and facilities necessary to efficiently support
the program.
* Being knowledgeable of the dynamic of the homeless population of Lackawanna
County.
* Properly and efficiently meet reporting requirements and follow contract guidelines.
9. CONFIDENTIALITY:
All Submissions in response to this RFQ shall be held confidential until a contract is awarded.
Following the contract award, Submissions are subject to release as public information
unless the Submission or specific parts of the Submission can be shown to be exempt from
the Pennsylvania Public Information Act. Respondents are advised to consult with their legal
counsel regarding disclosure issues and take the appropriate precautions to safeguard trade
secrets or any other proprietary information. The County assumes no obligation or
responsibility for asserting legal arguments on behalf of potential Respondents. If a
Respondent believes that a Submission or parts of a Submission are confidential, then the
Respondent shall so specify. The Respondent shall stamp in bold red letters the term
"CONFIDENTIAL" on that part of the Submission, which the Respondent believes to be
confidential. Vague and general claims as to confidentiality shall not be accepted. All
Submission and parts of Submissions that are not marked as confidential will be
automatically considered public information after the contract is awarded.
5

10. CONFLICT OF INTEREST:
Any agency or person considering doing business with Lackawanna County Government
must disclose the agency or person's affiliation or relationship that might cause a "Conflict of
Interest" with County Government entity. Any attempt to intentionally or unintentionally
conceal or obfuscate a conflict of interest may automatically result in the disqualification of
the Submitter's submittal.
11. COMMUNICATION WITH ELECTED OR APPOINTED OFFICIALS:
All communications during this process should be directed to the appropriate contact listed in
this RFQ. Any agency that makes any effort to communicate with any other official of
Lackawanna County, either directly or indirectly, during this process will be EXCLUDED from
consideration.
12. FORMS ATTACHED:
Form A - Agency Information, Description and Services
Form B - Scope of Services/Statement of Qualifications
Form C - County Contracts
Form D - Statement of Assurances
Qualification Base Selection Process
The statement of qualifications will be evaluated in accordance with the County's
Qualifications Base Selection Process. Anyone submitting a statement of
qualifications is advised to review that process, which is set forth on the County's
website.
6

DHHS-HAP
AGENCY SUMMARY
FORM A
This form should be completed and submitted with the Request for Qualification by the
submission date noted in the Annual Request for Qualification for Service Providers.
I. AGENCY INFORMATION
Agency Name:
Corporate Address:
City: State: Zip Code:
Phone: Email:
Services
Provided:
EIN Number:
*Corporate Officer's Name: Title:
Corporate Officer's Signature:
* Person authorized to execute agreements
II. AGENCY DESCRIPTION
In the space below, please provide a brief description of your agency's history,
ownership and organizational structure. Include as attachments an organizational
chart, copy of your most recent audit, applicable licenses and other supporting
documents.
lII. AGENCY SERVICES
Instructions: In the space below, please list all services and the address of service delivery
provided by your agency.
This form should be completed and submitted with the Request for Qualification by the
submission date noted in the Annual Request for Qualification for Service Providers.
Service Name Address
7

DHHS-HAP
SCOPE OF SERVICES/STATEMENT OF QUALIFICATIONS
FORM B
I. SERVICE DESCRIPTION
In the space below, please provide a brief description of the proposed service and
your agency's qualifications and experience in providing this service.
II. EMPLOYEE DETAILS
In the space below, please provide the names, experience, qualifications, and
applicable licenses held by the individual primarily responsible for servicing the
Program and any other person(s), whether as employees or subcontractors, with
specialized skills that would be assigned to service the Program.
8

DHHS-HAP
COUNTY CONTRACTS
FORM C
Instructions: In the space below, please provide a listing of all like or similar service
contracts with other county programs or Mutually Agreed Upon Written Arrangement (MAWA)
to provide services listed on Form A. If no other service contracts exist, please mark N/A in
the first space.
This form should be completed and submitted with the Request for Qualification by the
submission date noted in the Annual Request for Qualification for Service Providers.
OTHER SERVICE CONTRACTS
Contract Contract
Agency Contact Person Service
Date Amount
9

DHHS-HAP
STATEMENT OF ASSURANCES
FORM D
I ATTEST that [TYPE NAME OF AGENCY] is not currently in violation of any regulatory
rules and regulations set forth by the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS)
that may have any impact on our agency's operations.
I ATTEST that there are no conflicts of interest to which [TYPE NAME OF AGENCY]
would be subject if it were to provide the requested service on behalf of Lackawanna
County.
If unable to attest to the above statement, please explain below:
I ATTEST that [TYPE NAME OF AGENCY] is not involved in any current or pending
litigation with Lackawanna County or any of its Departments or Authorities.
I ATTEST that [TYPE NAME OF AGENCY] currently carries the following types of
insurance coverage:
Workers' Compensation Insurance
Commercial General Liability Insurance
Professional Liability Insurance
Automobile Insurance
10