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Hennepin County is seeking proposals for two different opportunities that are part of the Connecting Hennepin initiative: Digital Navigation and Digital Skills Training. These opportunities are funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARP) through the Local Fiscal Recovery Fund.
The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated shifts to digital service delivery, making technology access and skills critical for our residents. Hennepin County is investing resources in digital equity to ensure all residents can use technology to meet their life goals.
The digital divide refers to barriers people experience accessing computers and broadband as well as the knowledge and skills needed to successfully use digital services. Due to longstanding opportunity gaps, the digital divide is more likely to affect communities of color. These are the same communities who are most impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and have barriers accessing telehealth, signing up online for vaccines or tests, or otherwise accessing digital services. Inadequate computer skills make it harder for families to participate in distance learning or employees to work remotely.
Request for proposals: Digital Navigation
Hennepin County is seeking proposals for community-led digital inclusion and broadband adoption services.
Proposals should seek to eliminate barriers to digital access through the following services:
- Digital navigation
- Broadband adoption and outreach
Proposals may also include digital skills training and the promotion of online safety tips.
Programming should leverage best practices and tailor them to the needs of specific cultural communities, geographies, and audiences with unique digital needs such as youth, parents, and seniors.
Hennepin County intends to award one-year contracts beginning late this year or early in 2022 to multiple organizations, with varying contract amounts between $15,000 and $50,000 depending on the scope of proposed services.
Who should submit a proposal?
Community-based organizations equipped to improve outcomes for communities impacted by the digital divide are invited to apply, including organizations that are uniquely situated to serve Black communities, Indigenous communities, communities of color, immigrant communities, and seniors and youth that have been disproportionately impacted by the digital divide.
Proposal timeline
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Proposal due date: October 14, 2021 before 2 p.m.
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Closing date for all questions: October 5, 2021 before 2 p.m.
How to submit a proposal
- RFP materials are posted in the Hennepin County Supplier Portal. Look for the RFP titled “Digital Navigation"
- Providers will submit proposals via the Hennepin County Supplier Portal. Providers who do not already have a Supplier Portal account first need to register with the Supplier Portal in order to submit their application.
Questions
Questions concerning this RFP should be submitted in writing via e-mail with the subject line "Digital Navigation - RFP" to Ashley.Schweitzer@hennepin.us and Tina.Wong@hennepin.us.
Request for proposals: Digital Skills Training
Hennepin County is seeking proposals for organization-led digital skills training.
Proposals must focus on the design and delivery of digital skills training that is accessible and available in multiple languages, and that includes web-based, phone based, and in-person training, which may include 1:1 at the person’s residence or at an organization’s or county facility.
Training should leverage best practices and tailor them to the needs of specific cultural communities, geographies, and audiences with unique digital needs such as youth, parents, and seniors.
Hennepin County intends to award contracts beginning late this year or early in 2022 to one or more organizations, with a contract value of approximately $100,000, depending on the scope of proposed services.
Who should submit a proposal?
Community-based organizations equipped to improve outcomes for communities impacted by the digital divide are invited to apply, including organizations that are uniquely situated to serve Black communities, Indigenous communities, communities of color, immigrant communities, and seniors and youth that have been disproportionately impacted by the digital divide.
Proposal timeline
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Proposal due date: October 28, 2021 before 2 p.m.
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Closing date for all questions: October 19, 2021 before 2 p.m.
How to submit a proposal
- RFP materials are posted in the Hennepin County Supplier Portal. Look for the RFP titled “Digital Skills Training"
- Providers will submit proposals via the Hennepin County Supplier Portal. Providers who do not already have a Supplier Portal account first need to register with the Supplier Portal in order to submit their application.
Questions
Questions concerning this RFP should be submitted in writing via e-mail with the subject line "Digital Skills Training - RFP" to Ashley.Schweitzer@hennepin.us and Tina.Wong@hennepin.us.
Connecting Hennepin is Hennepin County's campaign to eliminate the digital divide in Hennepin County, and is part of the county's commitment to eliminate disparities and advance racial equity. More information on Connecting Hennepin programs can be found at hennepin.us/tech.
To receive email updates about eliminating the digital divide in Hennepin County, sign-up here.
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