Unmet Needs Program 2027 - Kent County Department of Health and Human Services

PURCHASING DIVISION
Joni Laming, Manager
(616) 632-7720
purchasing@kentcountymi.gov
SOLICITATION
Solicitation Type Request for Proposal (RFP)
Solicitation Number 6554
Description Unmet Needs Program 2027 - Kent County Department of
Health and Human Services
Date of Issuance 6/3/2026
Inquiries Deadline Date & Time (local) 6/17/2026, 2 PM
Due Date & Time (local) 6/22/2026, 2 PM
Pre-Submission Conference No
Buyer Name LaBudde
INTRODUCTION
The Kent County Purchasing Division is soliciting proposals for the Kent County Department of Health
and Human Services Unmet Needs Program 2027.
CURRENT UNMET NEEDS POLICY STATEMENT
The Kent County Human Services Unmet Needs Fund supports longer-term, ongoing programs and
addresses unmet community needs where no other/limited funding is available. The County of Kent, via
the Kent County Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Board of Directors, seeks proposals
that meet this definition.
The 2027 proposals are for the County fiscal year, October 1, 2026, to September 30, 2027.
THE AMOUNT OF FUNDING AVAILABLE FOR FY2027 IS $412,000.
CONTRACTUAL REQUIREMENTS
The Contractor will be required to enter into a written contract with the County to provide services as
specified in the Contractor's response to the RFP.
The RFP, the Contractor's response to it, and any subsequent correspondence shall become part of the
contract and will be incorporated by reference.
Page 1 of 5

The Contractor will be required to share data as permitted by law. Any identified constraints or issues
that impact the Contractor's ability to provide the service(s) are expected to be promptly and proactively
resolved. Failure to do so could result in funding being canceled.
PROPOSAL INSTRUCTIONS
The allocation of Unmet Needs funds is reassessed annually through the Request for Proposal process
and takes community needs into account. Previous funding awards do not automatically continue in
subsequent fiscal years. Due to limited funding, no guarantees of continued funding at current levels or
increases in funding can be made to past Unmet Needs funding recipients. If the DHHS Board has any
questions regarding your proposal, you will be contacted for clarification. Otherwise, award
notifications will be sent out in mid to late September 2026.
Successful applicants will be invited in the last quarter of the fiscal year to give an in-person
presentation to the DHHS Board of Directors, during which they will be expected to provide detailed
information on funded services and programs, including outcomes.
ORGANIZATION
State your organization's full name, address, and, if applicable, the branch office or other organizational
unit that will perform or assist in performing the work hereunder. Indicate whether your organization is
organized as a non-profit, sole proprietorship, partnership, or corporation. List the names and affiliations
of any governing or advisory board members associated with the organization or the services subject to
this RFP.
FY2027 UNMET NEEDS TOTAL FUNDING REQUEST: $
STATEMENT OF SERVICES
Service Description: Funding requests must clearly demonstrate (1) how meeting the identified need
benefits the County as a whole and (2) must include a thorough justification supporting that conclusion.
A. Provide a clear, concise description of the service, the need for the service, and how the
need was identified. Please describe how the service complements rather than
duplicates existing services. If the intensity of services varies based on client
characteristics or risk level, specify the extent to which that occurs. Include:
1. Client Population
Briefly describe the client population served by the program during the past three
years and list any eligibility requirements for services.
2. Outreach, Intake, and Assessment
Describe how your organization promotes the program in the community, identifies
eligible users, and conducts intake processes. Specify any eligibility requirements to
participate in the program or obtain services.
Page 2 of 5

3. Program Details
Describe program details and definition of successful program completion; specify the
extent to which intensity of services varies based on client characteristics or risk level.
Describe how awarded funds would support the program (e.g., staffing, program
supplies, space). Please also provide information about the credentials of the staff who
will manage the program.
4. Fees
Describe what (if any) fees are charged to program participants. If you currently
generate fee revenue from this program, please identify the amount received over the
past three years.
5. Follow-up
Describe any activities used to evaluate the effectiveness or determine the program's
outcomes. If a third party or accrediting agency has evaluated this program, please
include any report generated.
6. Program Outcomes
Describe the data that will be collected to measure the service's outcomes and the
outcome goals of the Unmet Needs Fund investment. Include the organization's
previous outcome results for this service.
ORGANIZATION QUALIFICATIONS
Briefly describe your organization's qualifications for performing the proposed program (e.g., length of
time providing the service, any relevant independent accreditations, certifications, etc.) and examples of
similar or related work completed by your organization.
DESCRIPTION OF COMMUNITY SUPPORT / COLLABORATION
Describe your organization's partnerships or collaborations in the program's development, provision,
and/or funding. Discuss how the program does not duplicate programming provided by partners or
collaborating organizations. Provide a statement of commitment to actively pursue additional resources
to support the proposed service(s).
REVENUES AND EXPENSES
Will the program be supported by revenue sources besides the requested County Unmet Needs funding?
If yes, list the other revenue sources in the following format. Please include revenue from private
philanthropy.
Revenue Source(s) Amount
10/1/26 - 9/30/27
Page 3 of 5

Provide the total budgeted expenses for the specific service your organization proposes to provide in the
following categories. For personnel expenses, include the costs for positions dedicated to the proposed
service, as well as the proportion of other personnel expenses that support it.
Expenses Amount
10/1/26 - 9/30/27
Personnel
Printing
Office Supplies
Training
Technology
Program Supplies
Travel/Conferences
Contractual Services
Vendor 1
Vendor 2
Vendor 3
Match required for grants or other
revenue
Other
SUSTAINABILITY
If the program is dependent on other revenue sources, please describe your organization's plans and
strategies for maintaining or increasing other funding for the proposed program in FY 2027.
The time required to upload a submission may vary. Respondent assumes all risks associated with
electronic submission, including technological difficulties, and deems the County and its service provider
harmless and without fault. Successful electronic submissions are confirmed via the Respondent's email.
Respondent shall view the link in the confirmation email to determine accuracy before the due
date/time.
Include a Board-approved agency budget for the current fiscal year.
Length: The proposal (scope + budget) shall be no longer than six pages (size 12
font) in a .pdf version with numbered pages.
Attachments: Include the program director's resume, specific details on other funding
opportunities pursued in the past 12 months, the most recent year 990 form,
and the management letter from the most recent financial audit.
PROPOSAL REVIEW
The Proposal Review Team will make its allocation decisions based on the following rating criteria:
* The response, including the applicant's thoroughness in responding to the Request
Page 4 of 5

for Proposal Instructions and submission of all required documentation.
* The Team's assessment of the ongoing need for the specific proposed services.
* The availability and potential for alternative funding for the proposed service from other
funding sources - federal, state, local government, etc.
* Past agency performance, including specific outcomes and the project's impact on broader
goals.
To simplify the application process, the review team will not conduct a Pre-Proposal Conference for
the 2027 Current Unmet Needs Program. Therefore, you must read the instructions carefully to ensure
that your completed application is thorough, complete, and accurate, and that you have provided all
required documentation.
The Kent County Standard Submission Terms posted on the Bid Opportunities page of the Kent County
Purchasing Division website are incorporated by reference and shall be deemed to have the same force
and effect as if fully set forth herein.
INQUIRIES
Any and all communication regarding this Solicitation shall be on the Kent County Purchasing Division
Inquiry Blog via the Bid Opportunities page or during pre-proposal meetings. Kent County reserves the
right to determine the response format or not respond, at its sole discretion.
REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL SUBMISSION
Complete submissions must be received in the Kent County Purchasing Division on or before the due
date/time specified by the designated clock (local time). Late, faxed, or emailed submissions will NOT be
considered.
Submissions may be submitted electronically on the Bid Opportunities page of the Kent County
Purchasing Division's website. Respondent must include a complete proposal as one non-password
protected PDF document.
The time required to upload a submission may vary. Respondent assumes all risks associated with
electronic submission, including technological difficulties, and deems the County and its service provider
harmless and without fault. Successful electronic submissions are confirmed via Respondent's email.
Respondent shall view the link in the confirmation email to determine accuracy prior to due date/time.
Submissions may only be withdrawn by written request if the request is received before the due
date/time. Withdrawals after opening shall be subject to Kent County Fiscal Policy - Centralized
Purchasing 5(i)(2).
NO BID
Please provide feedback if you are electing not to participate in this Solicitation.
Page 5 of 5