Copy of CIVICx Internships – Community Impact, Voice, Innovation, and Change

The City of St. Petersburg has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP 26-062) for the CIVICx Internships program, a youth development initiative designed to engage individuals aged 16 to 24 in hands-on civic learning and leadership experiences. The program aims to foster youth leadership, civic understanding, and community wellbeing through paid internships that provide exposure to community organizing, public service, nonprofit operations, civic research, social innovation, and philanthropy. The initiative aligns with Mayor Welch’s Pillars for Progress and Principles for Responsible and Accountable Government, seeking to empower young people as community change agents by developing real-world skills and fostering sustainable impact. Proposals must demonstrate a strong program design incorporating mentorship, leadership development, financial literacy, and partnerships with local organizations and foundations. The contract establishes a framework for a multi-year engagement under a base agreement with terms including renewal options, payment conditions, indemnification, and insurance requirements. The vendor is responsible for creating and delivering a structured internship program with clear metrics, including pre/post assessments, performance reporting, and compliance with City standards. Evaluation criteria for award focus heavily on the vendor’s experience and technical competence (each weighted 29%), project capacity and design (19%), past performance (9%), and additional factors like budget alignment and partnerships. The award will be based on a trade-off analysis balancing technical merit and price. Submission procedures require electronic proposal uploads by January 8, 2026, with strict formatting and content requirements including key personnel qualifications, certifications, and detailed project plans. Confidentiality provisions are in place for proprietary information, and subcontracting is tightly controlled with City approval required. Although pricing details are not disclosed in available documents, the maximum budget is referenced as $95,000. The City maintains oversight through a designated project manager, with invoices and payments subject to established City protocols. The program is set to commence within 60 days of contract award and will operate across accessible community venues in St. Petersburg, emphasizing transparent reporting and alignment with local youth development goals.