The Village of Mount Prospect (Village) is seeking proposals from qualified consultants to implement, facilitate and evaluate a needs assessment to guide a possible expansion of the Community Connections Center (Center). The Center is located in the densely populated area of South Mount Prospect and houses the satellite location of the Human Services Department and the South Branch Mount Prospect Public Library.

General Background

The Village of Mount Prospect is a northwest suburb of Chicago with an estimate population of 56,852. Mount Prospect is a diverse community with 42.5% of residents speaking a language other than English in the home and 30.6% of residents being foreign born. 9,476 residents in Mount Prospect live at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level.

The Village of Mount Prospect established the Human Services Department to help meet the health and social service needs of the community. The mission of the Village of Mount Prospect Human Services Department is to improve the health and wellbeing of the community we serve through the provision of nursing and social services. Services are provided at three locations - Village Hall, the Mount Prospect Police Department, and the Community Connections Center.

In 2007, the Village of Mount Prospect conducted a feasibility study to evaluate the needs of the South Mount Prospect community and determine the viability of a Neighborhood Resource Center that would provide social services, reduce barriers to accessing services and collaborate with community partners to meet the needs of the community. Through this process, the Community Connections Center opened its doors to the community in 2009. As a result of this study, the Center has expanded its footprint and hired staff to continue to meet the evolving needs of the community.

Purpose of the Needs Assessment

The Village of Mount Prospect (Village) is seeking proposals from qualified consultants to implement, facilitate and evaluate a needs assessment to guide a possible expansion of the Community Connections Center (Center).

The consultants will report to the Director and Deputy Director of the Human Services Department.

Project Scope

The Village expects to partner in the development and implementation of the needs assessment. The following is not to be viewed as a comprehensive list, but to provide an outline of what the Village would like to be included in the needs assessment.

• Identify community needs related to social services, health care, housing, and transportation.
• Identify barriers to accessing social services, mental health care, substance abuse treatment, health care, housing, and transportation.
• Identify service and program needs with the goal of reducing barriers to accessing social services, health care, and transportation services.
• A broad outreach strategy to ensure engagement of hard-to-reach populations. Strategies include but are not limited to:
  • Develop, conduct, and distribute a Village-wide survey to the community in several languages (English, Spanish, Polish, Korean).
  • Conduct focus groups in several languages (English, Spanish, Polish, Korean) with community leaders, stakeholders, residents, and school personnel.
  • Key informant interviews
  • Outreach to local agencies that provide an array of services and programs to residents.
• Identify partnerships that could collaborate in meeting community needs.
• Make recommendations for future services and programs to meet current and projected community needs.

Needs Assessment Metrics and Criteria

Proposals should include a clear indication of the methodologies for data collection and strategies of community engagement.

The Village of Mount Prospect reserves the right to ownership of the data collected through the needs assessment. All raw data will be provided to the Village of Mount Prospect in a format that can be used for further analysis. All qualitative data will be provided in a summarized narrative form. The Village of Mount Prospect also reserves the right to ownership of all data collection instrument(s), focus group discussion guides, questionnaires, and surveys.

Cost Proposal

Proposals shall include the cost and hours allocated to implement the assessment and management of the project. Respondents must note any items which they cannot perform or intent to subcontract. Respondents must indicate a not-to-exceed cost for service.

Anticipated Timeline

The Village intends to review all proposals and select the designated consultant on or before June 28, 2024. The anticipated timetable for the process is as follows:

• Solicitation of proposals released by the Village on April 22, 2024
• Proposal Submissions due back to the Village by 5 p.m. on May 24, 2024.
• Designation of Consultant expected on June 28, 2024.
• Project Completion November 2024

The Village reserves the right to adjust the dates based on the quality of submissions and progression of the needs assessment.

Evaluation/Acceptance of Proposals

The Village intends to select a Respondent that furnishes satisfactory evidence that it has the requisite experience, ability, resources and staffing to enable it to perform the scope of work successfully. In making the determination as to whether to select a Respondent, the Village will consider the following factors (listed in no particular order):

• Prior experience performing similar work.
• Ability, capacity, and skill to fulfill the service as specified.
• References from prior or current clients.
• Overall approach to complete the scope of work.
• Cost Estimate.

Submission Requirements

Proposals should illustrate that the Respondent has experience to successfully carry out and operate a comprehensive needs assessment with all of the required components.

The response to this Request for Proposals must include the following:

• Description of the proposed needs assessment process.
• Proposal
• The names and related work experience of each individual who will perform the work, including the project manager. Resume attachment is a suitable response for this requirement.
• If a firm, a summary describing the firm and nature of the firms previous and current experience performing similar work for units of local government or the public sector (preferably in Illinois). If an individual, a summary describing the nature of the individual's previous and current experience performing similar work for units of local government or the public sector (preferably in Illinois).
• A minimum of three references from local governments or public sector clients for which the consultant has performed similar projects, including client names, telephone number, and brief statement describing the scope of work performed.
• A statement describing any existing or potential conflicts of interest that might affect the individuals or firms' ability to perform the work.
• Any exceptions taken to this Request for Proposal must be clearly identified.

All Proposals must be received by 5 p.m. Central Standard Time (CST) Friday, May 24, 2024. Proposals received beyond the aforementioned deadline may not be considered.

Proposals may be submitted by email to ESalutillo@mountprospect.org or may be mailed and addressed to:

Village of Mount Prospect
Attention: Esther Salutillo, Deputy Director of Human Services
50 South Emerson Street
Mount Prospect, IL 60056

The Village will conduct interviews with selected Respondents. Those selected for an interview will be contacted by the Village to arrange a date/time to meet at the Village of Mount Prospect Human Services Department, 50 S. Emerson Street, Mount Prospect, IL 60056.

The Village of Mount Prospect appreciates your interest in this needs assessment. Any questions regarding this Request for Proposals can be directed to Esther Salutillo, Deputy Director of Human Services, by phone at 847-506-4932 or email at ESalutillo@mountprospect.org.