Good evening
I wanted to share with you the coverage on the Journey as they began the task of answering my questions of how THORMINC would fit in as respect to the RFP that had been issued.
Today was the last day of coming together in order to bring balance and equity to all organizations having the ability to apply equally and fairly.
There were many things that were finally placed on the table. Many of which I still have a difficult time in describing.
1. They looked at the ordinance on groups only able to apply for 24% of their 3 year average revenue. For small non-profits who has a revenue that is not $100,000 or more, will be reviewed by an ad hoc committee to make it where they would be able to apply for funds. Those details will be worked out later but not in time for this RFP but that will be fine because this is still on the table.
2. More than one award will be given to this RFP in respect to having scores of 75 or higher. There will be wording that will award more than just ONE award and that is a plus.
3. Date for opening RFP has been moved to Dec. 31, 2008.
4. Insurance will be an allowable expense with a two year tail. This was explained in great detail. In fact, Kerri Steward understood the reading of the insurance as I understood it and with that, the insurance issue really did need clarification.
5. In-kind contributions could be added into the average three year revenue which will increase the bottom line for a small non-profit which will increase the amount that a small non-profit would be able to apply for.
6. A bill will be introduced to change the number of awards for the RFP for city council to vote upon.
7. An Ad-hoc committee will be established, which will also include an ex-offender’s input as to the needs of an ex-offender. This person will be someone who is now successful in the community and has been there and done that and will have a stakehold in what it takes to successfully re-enter the community.
We all left the table knowing that all was done to completely answer all questions and to remove any and all barriers that were inadvertently in place. All agreed that no barriers were in place intentionally and things will be put into place to look at the entire RFP process in order to ensure that it will not appear that any one group or ethnic groups would be intentionally left out. A complete and diverse work went into this and THORMINC is really satisfied in the process and the outcomes.
With all of the addendum’s in place, it is now fair.
Thank you.
Cassandra Bush
Executive Director
p.s. more to come.
