DFSS: Youth Services: Out-of-School Time Programs RFP

The City of Chicago Department of Family and Support Services is soliciting proposals for Youth Services Out-of-School Time Programs to serve youth within Healthy Chicago Zones. The solicitation offers two program models: Year-Round programs, which require 300 hours of programming and a focus on healthy eating and physical activity, and Project-Based Learning programs, which require 180 hours of programming. Funding is allocated at a rate of 2,500 dollars per youth slot, with a minimum award of 125,000 dollars for 50 slots. Total intended allocations are 3.5 million dollars for Year-Round and 10 million dollars for Project-Based Learning models. Slot awards are capped based on the organization's annual operating budget, ranging from 50 slots for budgets under 149,999 dollars to 1,500 slots for budgets of 500,000 dollars or more. Proposals must be submitted via the eProcurement portal by October 30, 2026. Evaluation is a three-phase process involving scoring based on program strength, deliberation on fundability, and final decisions based on geographic coverage and community need. Awarded contractors must adhere to strict personnel requirements, including federal fingerprint background checks every five years, annual mandated reporter training, and biennial CPR and First Aid certification. Additionally, contractors must maintain comprehensive insurance coverage, including umbrella liability of at least 2 million dollars and sexual abuse or molestation liability of 1 million dollars per occurrence. Payments are made on a reimbursement basis 30 days after voucher approval.