TO PROVIDE ACADEMIC and VOCATIONAL SERVICES FOR VULNERABLE YOUTH

ERIE COUNTY
REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP)
TO PROVIDE
ACADEMIC and VOCATIONAL
SERVICES FOR VULNERABLE YOUTH
RFP # 2026-027VF
Erie County Department of Social Services
EDWARD A. RATH COUNTY OFFICE BUILDING
95 FRANKLIN STREET
BUFFALO, NEW YORK 14202

COUNTY OF ERIE, NEW YORK
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS ("RFP") # 2026-027VF
TO PROVIDE ACADEMIC and VOCATIONAL
SERVICES FOR VULNERABLE YOUTH
Contents
I. INTRODUCTION .....................................................................................................................................................................................3
II. FUNDING AND BUDGET ...............................................................................................................................................................3
III. PROPOSAL TIMEFRAMES ...........................................................................................................................................................4
IV. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS ........................................................................................................................................................5
V. SCOPE OF PROFESSIONAL SERVICES REQUIRED ..........................................................................................................7
INTRODUCTION .....................................................................................................................................................................................7
HISTORY AND CONTEXT....................................................................................................................................................................7
SCOPE OF WORK..................................................................................................................................................................................7
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS:..............................................................................................................................................................8
COMPENSATION....................................................................................................................................................................................8
VENDOR EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS..........................................................................................................................8
PERFORMANCE MEASURES AND DATA COLLECTION ..........................................................................................................8
VI. STATEMENT OF RIGHTS..............................................................................................................................................................9
UNDERSTANDINGS ..................................................................................................................................................................................9
EVALUATION .............................................................................................................................................................................................10
EVALUATION PROCESS .......................................................................................................................................................................10
CONTRACT ................................................................................................................................................................................................10
INDEMNIFICATION AND INSURANCE...............................................................................................................................................11
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS................................................................................................................................................11
NON-COLLUSION.....................................................................................................................................................................................12
CONFLICT OF INTEREST......................................................................................................................................................................12
COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS ...................................................................................................................................................................12
CONTENTS OF PROPOSAL .................................................................................................................................................................12
EFFECTIVE PERIOD OF PROPOSALS .............................................................................................................................................13
ERIE COUNTY EQUAL PAY CERTIFICATION .....................................................................................................................................14
GUIDELINES FOR STANDARD INSURANCE PROVISIONS REQUIRED ....................................................................................15
PROPOSAL REQUIREMENTS ..................................................................................................................................................................16
RFP APPENDIX A: Proposal to Provide Service ...................................................................................................................................18
SCHEDULE A .................................................................................................................................................................................................22
RFP APPENDIX B: Fiscal ............................................................................................................................................................................23
RFP APPENDIX C: Supplemental Information .......................................................................................................................................30
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I. INTRODUCTION
The County of Erie, New York (the "County") is currently seeking proposals from qualified agencies
("Proposer") interested in providing Academic and Vocational Services for Vulnerable Youth for the Erie
County Department of Social Services (ECDSS). ECDSS utilizes a Solutions Focused Principles-Trauma
Informed Care system of care framework. Proposers interested in providing this service are invited to respond
to this request.
In responding to this RFP, Proposers must follow the prescribed format as outlined. By so doing, each
Proposer will be providing the ECDSS comparable data, and thus, be assured fair and objective treatment
in the ECDSS review and evaluation process. It is the ECDSS' intent to select the Proposer that provides
the best solution for the ECDSS' needs.
The County reserves the right to amend this RFP, reject any or all of the proposals, or any part thereof,
submitted in response to this RFP, and reserves the right to waive any irregularities or informalities, if such
action is deemed to be in the best interest of the County. The County reserves the right to request additional
information from any Proposer, and to award negotiated contracts to one or more Proposers.
This RFP is not intended and shall not be construed to commit the County to pay any costs incurred in
connection with any proposal or to procure or contract with any firm.
The County will only contract with firms that do not discriminate against employees or applicants for
employment because of race, creed, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual
orientation, citizenship status or any other status protected by New York State and Federal laws.
II. FUNDING AND BUDGET
A total of $186,509 is potentially available for the requested Academic and Vocational Services for
Vulnerable Youth for 2027.
The award is subject to annual contract renewal, contingent upon the Proposer's successful performance of
project objectives and the continued need and desire for such services as articulated by Erie County DSS.
Initial award and renewals are subject to inclusion of funding in the County Executive Recommended Budget
and as adopted by the Erie County Legislature, as well as, contingent upon availability of New York State
funds appropriated for this purpose. All contract appropriations are subject to Legislative approval.
Future awards will be dependent on available funds and subject to the demonstrated fiscal and programmatic
stability of the applicant agency, as well as their meeting all of the Erie County Department of Social Services
requirements. More than one provider may be selected for funding for 2027.
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III. PROPOSAL TIMEFRAMES
The following schedule is for informational purposes only. The County reserves the right to amend this
schedule at any time.
Issue RFP: 5/1/2026
RFP Informational Meeting: 5/6/2026 at 10:00 a.m. via Webex
Proposals Due: 6/1/2026 by 4:00 p.m.
Selection Made by: Summer 2026
Contract Signed: Following all necessary County approvals.
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IV. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
1. Each proposal shall be prepared simply and economically, avoiding the use of elaborate promotional
materials beyond what is sufficient to provide a complete, accurate and reliable presentation.
2. Your proposal must be comprised of 3 sections:
Appendix A
* Proposal to Provide Service
* Signed Schedule A
* For agencies not currently contracted with ECDSS to provide the requested service:
References and data from similar work
Appendix B
* Signed Fiscal Form
* Budget Forms
Appendix C
* Most recent Audit report prepared by an independent CPA
* Most recent Management Letter
* Listing of Officers and Board of Directors
Failure to follow the prescribed format for responses may result in disqualification.
3. Proposals MUST be signed using the attached Schedule A: Proposer Certification. Unsigned
proposals will be rejected.
4. Submission of the proposals shall be uploaded as three separate documents (Appendix A, B and C) to:
OnBase Unity Form. You will receive an email confirming if it has been submitted.
If unable to upload the proposal, a printed submission may be submitted to: Erie County Department of
Social Services, Attn: Judith Kolmetz, 95 Franklin Street Room 804, Buffalo, NY 14202.
5. All proposals must be submitted on or before 6/1/26 at 4:00 p.m. Regardless of cause, proposals
received after the above date and time will not be considered. Requests for extension will not be
granted. The County is under no obligation to return proposals.
6. Requests for clarification of this RFP must be written and submitted to Judith Kolmetz at the above
address, or at Judith.Kolmetz@erie.gov no later than 4:00 pm on 5/11/2026. A list of questions and
answers will be posted on the County website by 5/18/2026, if applicable. No communication of any
kind will be binding against the County, except for the formal written responses to any request for
clarification.
7. Proposers may be required to give an oral presentation to the County to clarify or elaborate on the
written proposal. Those Proposers will be notified to arrange specific times.
8. No proposal will be accepted from nor any agreement awarded to any Proposer that is in arrears upon
any debt or in default of any obligation owed to the County. Additionally, no agreement will be awarded
to any Proposer that has failed to satisfactorily perform pursuant to any prior agreement with the
County.
9. Information on the Standard Insurance Provisions required of agencies selected as a contractor of this
service is included in this RFP. This document is for informational purposes only and is not to be
submitted by the Proposer for the purposes of this RFP.
10. All potential contract-holders with Erie County shall agree to comply with Executive Order 13 (2014),
and the Agency shall make such records available, upon request, to the County's Division of Equal
Employment Opportunity for review. (A copy of Executive Order 13 is available here: Executive Order
13). All contract holders will be required to sign the Erie County Equal Pay Certification (attached). The
County shall have the right, upon reasonable notice and at reasonable times, to inspect the books and
records of the Agency, its offices and facilities, for the purpose of verifying information supplied in the
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Erie County Equal Pay Certification and for any other purpose reasonably related to confirming the
Agency's compliance with Erie County Executive Order No. 13 (2014). Violation of the provisions of
Executive Order 13 (2014), which is attached hereto and made a part hereto and made a part hereof,
can constitute grounds for the immediate termination of a contract, and may constitute grounds for
determining that a bidder is not qualified to participate in future county contracts.
11. All potential contract-holders with Erie County shall agree that administrative costs may not exceed
15% of the requested funds.
12. Certified Minority Business Enterprise/ Women's Business Enterprise (MBE/WBE) proposers shall
include the Erie County MBE/WBE Certification letter with their proposal.
13. A business that is a certified Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Business (SDVOB) under the New York
State Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Business Act shall include the letter indicating their company is
51% or more veteran-owned with their proposal.
14. All proposers must disclose the name, title, and department of any employee or officer who is or was an
employee or officer of Erie County within the 12 months immediately prior to the proposal.
15. If requested, proposers must provide a list of at least three references from community partners and
collaborators or an individual with knowledge of and experience with the specific services being offered.
16. All proposers must provide a list of all prime contractors and subcontractors that their agency does
business with related to the service in this RFP.
17. All proposers must include the name of their Language Access Coordinator. A copy of your Language
Access Policy is required at contracting.
18. All proposers must include the name of their Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Coordinator. A copy
of a written ADA policy is required at contracting.
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V. SCOPE OF PROFESSIONAL SERVICES REQUIRED
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this RFP is to solicit proposals to provide high school equivalency preparation, job search,
tutoring and case management for youth involved in the criminal justice system and Child Welfare. The
target population is youth ages 13-17 and their families. The provider will engage with the youth, family and
school, providing supports to ensure educational success.
Erie County Department of Social Services is an outcomes-based organization. All contracted services are
required to support the Department's mission to engage people in need and provide a broad range of efficient
and effective assistance and services with community partners to facilitate a brighter future for the people of
Erie County. As a trauma-informed agency, ECDSS recognizes the impact of trauma and incorporates
principles of collaboration, safety, trustworthiness, empowerment, and choice throughout its services to
promote resilience and healing. ECDSS also seeks to embrace and respect individual's differences and
cultivate a diverse and inclusive environment to encourage all individuals with unique characteristics to
contribute to their full potential. Any proposer chosen to partner with ECDSS in service provision must
demonstrate their alignment with these principles in their overall project design, and in all aspects of its
implementation. The expected implementation date is January 1, 2027.
HISTORY AND CONTEXT
There is currently one provider delivering these services to youth. Approximately 80 youth were served in
2025.
SCOPE OF WORK
TARGET POPULATION:
* Youth between the ages of 13-17 with either present or prior involvement in the juvenile justice
system who reside in the following areas: City of Buffalo, Lackawanna, Amherst, Tonawanda,
Cheektowaga, West Seneca, Depew, and other areas in Erie County agreed upon by the
provider and Erie County Children's System of Care.
* Referrals will come from Erie County Family Services Team (FST), Juvenile Delinquency
Services Team (JDST), and Probation
ECDSS will refer youth who may be receiving protective, placement, and/or preventive services and who
have been or are currently involved in the criminal justice system. The provider is to initiate initial face-to-
face contact with the youth within three to ten days. Services are to produce measurable, positive
outcomes for children, families, and communities. They must be evidence and outcome-based services.
Resources of evidence and outcome-based services can be found at OCFS Effective Practices and
California Evidence-Based Clearinghouse for Child Welfare.
Examples of services to be provided include:
- Youth engagement utilizing positive youth development principles
- Assessment to determine baseline academic scores and to establish goals for identified students
- Tutoring based on the student's individual needs, prioritizing with the student, family, service providers,
and school personnel
- Attendance tracking and collaboration with the student, family, and school to support attendance goals
- Reporting on services provided and progress towards goals
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GENERAL REQUIREMENTS:
* Use culturally sensitive practices, trauma-informed principles, and solution focused techniques
when working with ECDSS clients, incorporating the five principles of collaboration, safety,
trustworthiness, empowerment, and choice throughout services to promote resilience and healing.
Resources:
Trauma-Informed Care Resources Guide
o
How to Implement Trauma-informed Care to Build Resilience to Childhood Trauma
o
* Demonstrate that diversity, equity and inclusion are embraced in processes, policies and practices
to improve outcomes for everyone, prioritizing measurable change in the lives of people of color to
eliminate racial disparities and promote racial equity.
* Provide culturally appropriate services to individuals with special needs; i.e. disabilities, language
and cultural barriers, etc., including language translation services, which can be included in
budgeted direct operating costs.
* Manage and retain a skilled and appropriately educated workforce.
* Verify the credentials and licensing of staff and employees as contained in county, state, and
federal requirements.
* Maintain regular communication with ECDSS in a timely manner.
* Adhere to documentation standards as set forth by Federal and State regulation, as well as ECDSS
policies.
* Abide by Federal and State confidentiality statutes and regulations.
* Retain case files in accordance with Federal, State and Local laws and regulations.
* Provide staff training and internal quality assurance audits on a regular basis.
* Manage funds from a government funding source and maintain billing systems.
* Submit required data and abide by designated documentation regulations in a timely manner, as
instructed, by County in order to claim reimbursement for services.
COMPENSATION
* Unit of service: youth served
* Funding source: Flexible Fund for Family Services (FFFS)
* Reimbursement method: Pay for performance model - monthly invoicing with supporting
documentation required, flat rate, fee for service - attach appropriate budget forms.
VENDOR EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS
* Trained in Solution Focused principles and Trauma Informed Care.
* Demonstrate knowledge, experience and understanding of the needs, risks, challenges and
opportunities faced by the target population, as well as demonstrate experience in effectively
implementing programs that promote positive client outcomes.
PERFORMANCE MEASURES AND DATA COLLECTION
Monthly or quarterly reporting will be required to identify:
* Individuals served
* Services received by individuals / # service hours
* Progress made towards goals
* # Discharges (successful/ unsuccessful)
Other metrics as agreed upon at contracting
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VI. STATEMENT OF RIGHTS
UNDERSTANDINGS
Please take notice, by submission of a proposal in response to this request for proposals, the Proposer
agrees to and understands:
* that any proposal, attachments, additional information, etc. submitted pursuant to this Request for
Proposals constitute merely a suggestion to negotiate with the County and is not a bid under
Section 103 of the New York State General Municipal Law;
* submission of a proposal, attachments, and additional information shall not entitle the Proposer to
enter into an agreement with the County for the required services;
* by submitting a proposal, the Proposer agrees and understands that the County is not obligated to
respond to the proposal, nor is it legally bound in any manner whatsoever by submission of same;
* that any and all counter-proposals, negotiations or any communications received by a proposing
entity, its officers, employees or agents from the County, its elected officials, officers, employees or
agents, shall not be binding against the County, its elected officials, officers, employees or agents
unless and until a formal written agreement for the services sought by this RFP is duly executed by
both parties and approved by the Erie County Legislature and the Office of the Erie County
Attorney.
In addition to the foregoing, by submitting a proposal, the Proposer also understands and agrees that the
County reserves the right, and may at its sole discretion, to exercise the following rights and options with
respect to this Request for Proposals:
* To reject any or all proposals;
* To issue amendments to this RFP;
* To issue additional solicitations for proposals;
* To waive any irregularities or informalities in proposals received after notification to Proposers
affected;
* To select any proposal as the basis for negotiations of a contract, and to negotiate with one or more
of the Proposers for amendments or other modifications to their proposals;
* To conduct investigations with respect to the qualifications of each Proposer;
* To exercise its discretion and apply its judgment with respect to any aspect of this RFP, the
evaluation of proposals, and the negotiations and award of any contract;
* To enter into an agreement for only portions (or not to enter into an agreement for any) of the
services contemplated by the proposals with one or more of the Proposers;
* To select the proposal that best satisfies the interests of the County and not necessarily on the
basis of price or any other single factor;
* To interview the Proposer(s);
* To request or obtain additional information the County deems necessary to determine the ability of
the Proposer;
* To modify dates;
* All proposals prepared in response to this RFP are at the sole expense of the Proposer, and with
the express understanding that there will be no claim, whatsoever, for reimbursement from the
County for the expenses of preparation. The County assumes no responsibility or liability of any
kind for costs incurred in the preparation or submission of any proposal;
* While this is an RFP and not a bid, the County reserves the right to apply the case law under
General Municipal Law 103 regarding bidder responsibility in determining whether a Proposer is a
responsible vendor for the purpose of this RFP process;
* The County is not responsible for any internal or external delivery delays, which may cause any
proposal to arrive beyond the stated deadline. To be considered, proposals MUST arrive at the
place specified herein and be time-stamped before the deadline.
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EVALUATION
The following criteria, not necessarily listed in order of importance, will be used to review the proposals.
The County reserves the right to weigh its evaluation criteria in any manner it deems appropriate:
* A determination that the Proposer has submitted a complete and responsive proposal as required
by this RFP.
* Proposers MUST sign the Proposal Certification attached hereto as Schedule "A". Unsigned
proposals will be rejected.
* The Proposer's demonstrated capability to provide the services.
* Evaluation of the professional qualifications and experience of program staff.
* The Proposer's experience in performing the proposed services.
* The Proposer's financial ability to provide the services.
* Evaluation of the Proposer's fee submission. It should be noted that while price is not the only
consideration, it is an important one.
* An evaluation of the Proposer's projected approach and plans to meet the requirements of this
RFP.
* Proposers may be required to give an oral presentation to the County to clarify or elaborate on the
written proposal. Any information shared by the Proposer's presentation will be considered while
scoring.
* No proposal will be accepted from nor any agreement awarded to any Proposer that is in arrears
upon any debt or in default of any obligation owed to the County. Additionally, no agreement will be
awarded to any Proposer that has failed to satisfactorily perform pursuant to any prior agreement
with the County.
EVALUATION PROCESS
Each proposal will undergo an initial administrative review for completeness. In order for a proposal to be
evaluated, it must include all required documents. Upon completion of the administrative review, and at the
sole discretion of the Commissioner, the Department will request any missing documentation from the
Proposer and will review all documents for completeness upon receipt of the missing documents. All required
documents for a complete proposal, as set forth in this RFP, must be submitted and be completed to the
satisfaction of the Department within forty-eight (48) hours of request in order for the proposal to be deemed
responsive and eligible for Contract award.
Complete proposals will be judged by a scoring committee. The scoring committee will consist of Department
of Social Services employees and experienced individuals from outside the Department. The proposal should
be written so as to clearly articulate the services provided to someone not familiar with service delivery.
The proposals will be scored based on the overall proposal, target population and goals, cultural competency
and racial equity, program plan, performance measurement, trauma informed, program staffing, accessibility
plans, infrastructure, collaboration, experience, MWBE/SDVOB participation, compliance with RFP
requirements and fiscal components.
CONTRACT
After selection of the successful Proposer, a formal written contract will be prepared by the County and will
not be binding until signed by both parties and, if necessary, approved by the Erie County Legislature, the
Erie County Fiscal Stability Authority and the Office of the County Attorney. NO RIGHTS SHALL ACCRUE
TO ANY PROPOSER BY THE FACT THAT A PROPOSAL HAS BEEN SELECTED BY THE COUNTY
FOR SUBMISSION TO THE ERIE COUNTY LEGISLATURE AND/OR IF NECESSARY, THE ERIE
COUNTY FISCAL STABILITY AUTHORITY FOR APPROVAL. THE APPROVAL OF SAID LEGISLATURE
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