Utilities Bill Relief Fund Assistance Qualification Services

The City of Spokane issued an RFP to procure a nonprofit organization to administer the qualification process for its Utilities Bill Relief Fund, a program funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). The selected vendor will verify applicant eligibility (≤ 300 % of Federal Poverty Guidelines or ≤ 65 % of Area Median Income), process applications, provide assistance to applicants, and submit approved‑applicant lists within two weeks of receipt. Compensation is based on a percentage of the total monthly awards actually applied to utility bills, rather than a fixed fee. The contract is initially for one year, with the possibility of renewal up to a total of five years, and requires compliance with extensive federal, state, and local regulations (e.g., nondiscrimination, conflict‑of‑interest, record‑keeping, and data‑security standards). • Scope: qualification‑verification and administrative services for a $1.6 M utility‑bill relief program. • Vendor must be a Washington‑state nonprofit with ≥ 15 years of low‑income qualification experience. • Payment: percentage‑based fee of the monthly award disbursements; no detailed budget required. • Compliance: must meet ARPA/CSLFRF federal requirements, maintain robust data security, and retain records six years after final payment.