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PFC Dwyer Veterans' Support Program
The NYC Department of Veterans’ Services (DVS) is proud to announce the opening of the application period for the PFC Joseph P. Dwyer Peer Support Program. Our agency is seeking a Request for Proposal (RFP) from for-profit and not-for-profit organizations which support the mission of increasing social engagement and connectivity for U.S. Military Veterans and their families. The aim is Veteran peer-to-peer support through the delivery of a host of socialization programs. DVS encourages proposals that align with the priority areas of focus identified for support, to include animal-assisted modalities, somatic modalities, expressive modalities, educational programs, culinary arts instruction, volunteer opportunities and community construction programs.
The Request for Proposal (RFP) for the NYC Private First-Class (PFC) Joseph P. Dwyer Peer Support Fund is now available in PASSPort and can also be viewed HERE.
To view/access the RFP search the following EPIN: 06325P0001 in PASSPort's Procurement Navigator.
Responding in PASSPort
Interested organizations can view the RFP and submit their proposals by logging on to the City of New York's end-to-end digital procurement platform—PASSPort. If you need assistance creating a PASSPort account, please check out the sections titled "PASSPort Login" and/or "Account Creation & Management" on the PASSPort FAQ page. Additionally, organizations seeking Dwyer funding are required to complete the Health and Human Service (HHS) Prequalification (PQL) Application to compete for HHS funding. Organizations must have an Approved HHS PQL Application to respond to human services solicitations in PASSPort.
For details on the HHS Accelerator Prequalification steps in PASSPort, please refer to User Manual: HHS Accelerator Prequalification
For guidance Requesting a Vendor PASSPort Account: Requesting a Vendor PASSPort Account
For Instructions For Repsonding to An RFx: Responding to an RFx
Alternatively, organizations can submit a ticket to the MOCS Service Desk by visiting nyc.gov/mocshelp. Once there, click the link that says "MOCS Service Desk" at the bottom of the page. Clicking "Request Assistance" on the newly opened page will open a form where you can ask for help on a specific task in PASSPort.
Another option is to register for assistance with Nelson Ortiz at the LaGuardia Community College Business Services Apex Accelerator. All services are free of charge. Please click on the separate links below for nonprofit and for-profit organizations.
Non-Profit PASSPort Assistance
For-Profit PASSPort Assistance
Director Nelson Ortiz can also be contacted by email at lagcc@cuny.edu or 718-757-7408.
For more information or if you have any questions, please email us at DVSDwyer@veterans.nyc.gov.
Submission
This RFP deadline has been extended and calls for Respondents to submit a response no later than September 30th at 2:00 P.M.
PLEASE NOTE: The term of the contract resulting from this RFP shall commence as of the date of registration by the Comptroller and shall remain in effect for a period of 5 (five) years. We anticipate the contract period to be October 15, 2024 to October 14, 2029.
Below are Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Submitted by Respondents to the RFP
- Who do I contact if I need assistance responding to the RFP?
- Nelson Ortiz can be contacted at the LaGuardia Community College Business Services at neortiz@lagcc.cuny.edu. We suggest you first click on the Nonprofit or For-profit buttons to transfer to Nelson’s office and complete the form for assistance.
- Who do I contact if I am having technical difficulties with PASSPort to include uploading documents?
- MOCS Help Desk gives priority to those vendors facing deadlines 2-3 days from closing, as they would want to ensure the vendor’s response is submitted. Tech issues can take a while, as there are many that come in daily. If the vendor is having difficulty uploading documents, the vendor should complete everything else and save the document upload for last. This way once the fix is in, they can upload the document and submit the response.
- MOCS Help Desk gives priority to those vendors facing deadlines 2-3 days from closing, as they would want to ensure the vendor’s response is submitted. Tech issues can take a while, as there are many that come in daily. If the vendor is having difficulty uploading documents, the vendor should complete everything else and save the document upload for last. This way once the fix is in, they can upload the document and submit the response.
- Can my organization submit multiple proposals?
- If your organization has been asked to participate in multiple proposals, please consider your organization’s capacity to support more than one activity.
- What is the anticipated grant amount for successful applicants?
- Grant awards will vary between $20,000 and $50,000.
- What is the deadline for submission?
- The deadline has been extended to September 30th.
- How is the grant period defined?
- The granting period for task orders will be for one-year, with the possibility of renewals for future years. Selected vendors will be put on an approved list of vendors who may be issued task orders during the period from October 15, 2024 to October 14, 2029. Task orders will be issued based on the service proposed by the vendor in response to the RFP. In some cases, if vendors propose similar services, a Mini-RFP process may be required.
- Should the budget reflect five years of programming?
- No, it should reflect one year of programming.
- Are government agencies eligible to apply for the grant?
- Yes, there are no restrictions for government agencies.
- Are organizations located outside of New York City apply for the grant?
- Yes, organizations outside of New York City can apply for the grant, however service must be rendered in-person in New York City.
- Are organizations that offer services to veterans, but are not owned or operated by veterans eligible to apply for the grant?
- Yes, these organizations are eligible to apply for the grant.
- Who do I contact for technical questions related to PASSPort?
- Please submit an inquiry to the MOCS Service Desk at nyc.gov/mocshelp
- Please submit an inquiry to the MOCS Service Desk at nyc.gov/mocshelp
- What type of surveys will organizations be expected to give to participants and how often?
- We will distribute two surveys at the beginning and towards the end of the granting period. Depending upon the participants, we may distribute them on paper or electronically.
- What type of data systems does DVS use for organizations to submit quarterly reports?
- We will accept quarterly reports by email.
- What other data or reports will organizations be required to submit on a quarterly basis if they are awarded this funding?
- At this time, we do not plan on requesting any other additional reports.
- Will DVS conduct any type of programmatic audit on an annual basis?
- DVS will plan to conduct a site visit at least twice during the granting period.
- Will DVS conduct a financial audit of organizations awarded funding? If so, what would be involved in this process?
- At this time, we do not plan to conduct a formal financial audit, but we will request you to provide an actual expense vs. budgeted expense in your final report.
- Are there any other specific financial reporting requirements or financial systems that organizations will be expected to utilize to submit financial reports?
- No, your financial information should be attached to your final report.
- How often would financial reports be required to be submitted to DVS?
- Financial reports will be included in the interim report and final report.
Background
Despite the array of programs and services available for Veterans, a 2021 community survey conducted by DVS revealed that one out of four NYC-based Active-Duty Service Members, Reservists, National Guardsmen, and Veterans say that they are lonely three or more days per week. Only one-third of lonely respondents feel as though they have someone they can approach when they are in need; having someone to approach is defined as having a person with whom one can share joys and sorrows on at least three days per week. Moreover, when asked how likely they are to seek help for emotional distress, 40% of all lonely respondents would be somewhat or very unlikely to do so.
The Private First-Class Joseph P. Dwyer Peer Support Program was launched to combat Veteran isolation and promote emotional wellness. Since its establishment during the 2012-2013 New York State legislative session ,the program has expanded to 62 counties throughout New York State. New York localities receiving funding through the program offer a diverse range of intervention modalities aimed at empowering the Veteran community. Individual peer support is typically provided in the form of peer mentorship, and group services are offered via support group modalities or activity-based groups.
Program Qualifications
For funding consideration, the program must empower the Veteran community, be in-person, and free to Veterans, their caregivers, families, and survivors.
DVS has identified the following priority areas of focus for its support. A Respondent’s proposed services need not meet all areas listed but should align with at least one of these areas. Services should be administered in an in-person group setting rather than one-on-one.
Note: the examples given below are not all-inclusive. If your organization provides a service not listed and you believe it might be appealing to the Veteran community, we encourage you to answer the question that requests this information.
Examples of Services to be Offered to the Veteran Community:
Animal Assisted Modalities
• A visitation program in which animals accompany their owners to a facility and visit with program participants. Animals should be temperament tested, given a complete veterinary screening, and receive obedience training before beginning to work with participants. Animals for consideration include dogs, cats, horses, birds, rabbits, guinea pigs, etc.
• Different types of equine-assisted therapy including therapeutic horseback riding, hippotherapy, equine-assisted learning, and equine-assisted psychotherapy. Instructors are required to hold current Equine Assisted Growth & Learning Association (EAGLA) certification and operate a EAGLA model program.
Somatic Modalities
• Various body-centered therapies that uses mind-body exercises and other physical techniques to help release the pent-up tension that negatively affects a participant’s physical and emotional wellbeing. A few examples of these therapies include, but are not limited to: yoga, meditation, pilates, and martial arts.
Expressive Modalities
• Various uses of the creative arts as a form of therapy including: art therapy, dance/movement therapy, drama therapy, music therapy, writing therapy, poetry therapy, film, and psychodrama. The expressive therapies assume that people can heal through many forms of creative expression.
Educational Programs
• Build social connections and provide stimulating conversations through exposure to a host of art, culture, history, civics, science, and other learning programs that spike the interest of Veteran groups.
Culinary Arts Instruction
• Culinary arts instruction uses cooking as a means of communication and expression while learning life skills and tools. It has the benefit of reducing stress, improving time management, and increasing self-esteem.
Community Construction Programs
• Leads teams of Veteran volunteers in building, repairing and renovating community-based facilities and homes in under-resourced neighborhoods, or for under-resourced New Yorkers.