Request For Proposals: Disaster Data-Driven Outreach Project Technology Consultant

Posted on: January 27, 2023

Brief Overview

Southeast Louisiana Legal Services (SLLS) seeks the services of a technology consultant to assist in using publicly available data and technology to improve the way that SLLS coordinates its outreach efforts. The disaster data-driven outreach project involves two components: (1) the development of a disaster data dashboard, and (2) designing a more efficient, technology-enabled business process for coordinating outreach by staff and volunteers.  This project will provide the data needed to create a robust outreach strategy to increase disaster victims’ awareness of and access to SLLS services.

Introduction to SLLS

SLLS provides free legal assistance to indigent and other vulnerable people who cannot afford to hire a lawyer. We protect their livelihoods, health, housing and families. Through legal representation, we are able to assure fairness for our clients as they navigate through the civil justice system. SLLS works to combat the inequities and disproportionate impacts faced by marginalized communities of color. We are the largest nonprofit civil legal services provider in Louisiana serving 50% of the state’s poverty population in twenty-two parishes across southeast Louisiana. Pre-pandemic, Louisiana had the third highest poverty rate in the United States, the second highest rate of women killed by their intimate partner, the highest rate of mass incarceration in the world disproportionately impacting marginalized communities, was consistently noted as one of the unhealthiest states, and had the second highest rate of food insecure seniors. We have been struck by ten presidentially declared natural disasters since 2005’s catastrophic Hurricane Katrina, the BP Oil Spill, and the people we serve have been particularly hard-hit by the impact of COVID-19 due to our economic reliance on the hospitality and oil and gas industries and Hurricane Ida.

Pre-pandemic, SLLS had about 100 team members on staff. We now have about 165 staff working from seven offices, staff embedded onsite with other partners such as hospitals, medical clinics, homeless shelters, domestic violence victim service centers, community colleges, and robust pro bono partnerships. We have almost 100 different funding sources though LSC funding is about 45% of our budget with another almost 30% from the Louisiana Bar Foundation.

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

Purpose of RFP

SLLS seeks an independent technology consultant to assist in creating a streamlined technology solution for accessing all publicly available FEMA and Census data to guide SLLS outreach post-disaster. The consultant will also design and implement an efficient, technology-enabled business process for staff and volunteers to coordinate outreach services using the technology solution.

Deliverables

In this two-pronged role, the consultant we are seeking will have primary responsibility for creating a streamlined technology solution for accessing publicly available data to guide SLLS outreach efforts. The consultant will then assist SLLS in designing and implementing a business process for staff and volunteers to effectively utilize the solution and coordinate their efforts.

Disaster Data Dashboard

The consultant will have primary responsibility for creating a technology solution for accessing and compiling all public data supporting disaster outreach. We are seeking a geographic information services (GIS) dashboard combining publicly available FEMA and Census/ACS data to guide SLLS decision-making on outreach efforts post-disaster.

FEMA provides API services for data related to its Individuals and Households Program (IHP). Updated daily, this data includes the following fields by zip code and disaster that can support a more targeted outreach strategy: number of FEMA applications, number of valid FEMA applications, number of applications found “eligible” for the IHP, Housing Assistance, and Other Needs Assistance programs, number of inspections issued, and open DRC locations. Combining these FEMA data services with other community data on disabilities, homeownership and renter-ship, and other relevant demographics can help SLLS identify particularly vulnerable areas of need.

Other important data on the number of FEMA denials and reasons for denials is not readily available. Therefore, part of this project may also include advocating for those additional data sets to be shared, in order to help legal aid partners more accurately assess needs and identify disparities in recovery. Once developed, this data dashboard can be used by all legal aid organizations across Louisiana.

Outreach Business Process Improvement

Once the data solution is developed, the consultant will then assist SLLS in designing and implementing a business process for staff and volunteers to effectively utilize the solution to coordinate their efforts. This portion of the project will focus on improving the way SLLS staff members coordinate outreach efforts among themselves and volunteers. Currently, the work to coordinate staff and volunteer attendance at regularly scheduled and stand-alone outreach events is time consuming and inefficient. Largely relying on email, staff can lose track of who is set to go where in the flurry of post-disaster outreach events.

In tandem with the disaster data dashboard, a more streamlined coordination and scheduling process will reduce frustration among staff and improve the way we conduct outreach in the aftermath of natural disasters. We seek a consultant who can thoughtfully design, implement, and train SLLS staff in an efficient, technology-enabled business process for utilizing the data dashboard and coordinating and scheduling staff and volunteer disaster outreach activities.

Proposal Requirements

SLLS seeks proposals in this matter that do not exceed five pages inclusive of three references.  We request that all proposals include information on the applicable experience of the potential consultant especially in technology consultation work for comparable non-profit organizations.

Cost

Interested consultants can submit a cost proposal on an hourly rate with an estimate of hours needed to complete tasks or by using a project-based method. Please propose a payment schedule for your work under the project. Finally, SLLS requests that all candidates are prepared to provide a proposed contract for this project.

Inquiries/Contact Information

Questions about this RFP may be directed to Laura Tuggle, SLLS Executive Director, at (504) 529-1000 ext. 270 or ltuggle@slls.org

Timeline

  • Issue RFP: 1/27/2023
  • Proposals Due: 2/19/2023
  • Award of Contract: On or by 2/28/2023
  • Project Implementation: 3/1/2023-6/30/2023 (May Be Extended as Needed)

Proposal Delivery and Due Date

Proposals are due on or before 2/19/2023.  Delivery of proposals should be made electronically to Heidi Bergeron at hbergeron@whiteoakconsult.com with “SLLS Disaster Data-Driven Outreach Project” in the subject line, pdf preferred.  If you have large file size items, please provide a file sharing link with instructions for accessing the proposed materials

Evaluation Criteria and Award of Contract

SLLS may elect to schedule a conference call with potential consultants prior to awarding a final contract. Please include contact information for scheduling purposes in the RFP.

Proposals will be evaluated upon the contractor’s responsiveness to the RFP, qualifications, demonstrated experience with similar projects, and total price quoted for all items covered by the RFP. Award of the contract resulting from the RFP will be based upon the most responsive contract that is most advantageous to SLLS in terms of cost, functionality, experience, and quality of past work.

SLLS ideally seeks a firm that understands its needs as a nonprofit and legal services organization and is invested in our missions of achieving justice and social change by fighting poverty.

SLLS reserves the right to accept or reject any and all proposals and to waive any minor discrepancies or technicalities in the proposal or specifications, when deemed to be in the best interest of SLLS. We also reserve the right to negotiate with all respondents to the RFP and reject any or all offers and discontinue this RFP process without obligation or liability to any respondent.

Cost of Proposals

SLLS will not pay any costs associated with preparing proposals in response to this RFP.

Read Full Article