06825P0009-Horticulture Program for Justice-Involved Youth RFP

Horticulture Program for Justice-Involved Youth Request for Proposals (RFP)
Through this RFP, the Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) Division of Youth and Family Justice (DYFJ) will provide garden renovation/maintenance and therapeutic horticulture programming for young people detained and housed at DYFJ secure detention centers (whose cases are pending in Family Court or the Youth Parts in Supreme Court) and Limited Secure Placement (LSP) facilities (which house young people adjudicated in the NYC Family Court and placed in the custody of ACS in a residential setting). The RFP seeks qualified providers to implement an engaging therapeutic horticulture program.
By designing, nurturing, and maintaining gardens, youth gain valuable horticulture knowledge, develop essential social-emotional skills, and acquire in-demand job skills that is crucial for successful re-entry into society. The program encourages youth to embrace environmentally conscious practices, understand food systems and nutrition, and prepare for a thriving future after release. This program will empower young people in confinement to cultivate a path towards psychological and physical well-being.
Anticipated Contract Terms July 1, 2026 –June 30, 2029, with options to renew for two (2) additional three (3) year terms. ACS has the right to determine the length of the initial contract term. Anticipated Funding and Payment Structure Anticipated total maximum available funding is $1,050,000 ($350,000 annually). Estimated number of contracts: One (1). Payment structure: Contractor will be reimbursed using a line-item payment structure, with payments made for expenses incurred against an approved budget. Minimum Qualifications
Proposers that do not meet the following requirement might be found non-responsive and will not move to evaluation: The proposer must have at least three (3) years of demonstrable experience directly teaching garden renovation/maintenance and providing horticultural programming to youth. Additionally, proposer must have a minimum one (1) year of prior experience providing high-quality, inclusive services in juvenile justice or congregate care settings. Subcontracting Information
Subcontracting for direct services to youth is not allowed for this program.
Questions Regarding this RFP
Questions regarding this RFP must be transmitted in writing to the Agency Contact Person at Horticulture-RFP@acs.nyc.gov. Questions received prior to the Pre-Proposal Conference will be answered at the conference. Substantive information/responses to questions addressed at the conference and those received subsequently will be released in an addendum to the RFP to all organizations that are prequalified to propose to this RFP through the PASSPort system, unless in the opinion of the Agency, the question is of proprietary nature.
ACS cannot guarantee a timely response to written questions regarding this RFP received less than one week prior to the proposal due date.
Use of PASSPort
To respond to this RFP and all other Human/Client Services RFPs, organizations must have an account and an approved HHS Prequalification Application in PASSPort. Proposals and Prequalification Applications will ONLY be accepted through PASSPort. If you do not have a PASSPort account or an approved HHS Prequalification Application in PASSPort, please visit www.nyc.gov/passport to get started.