Fill - Free fillable Education Debt Consumer Assistance Program (EDCAP) Request for PDF form

Education Debt Consumer Assistance Program (EDCAP)

Request for Proposals for Albany and Monroe Agencies

2022-2023

The Education Debt Consumer Assistance Program (EDCAP), a program of the Community

Service Society of New York (CSS), invites non-profit community-based organizations to

participate in this Request for Proposals (RFP). EDCAP anticipates awarding two contracts total to

organizations in Albany and Monroe to provide direct consumer assistance to individuals with

higher education debt, which includes federal and private student loans. Organizations in either of

these two counties that can serve surrounding counties are highly encouraged to apply. The

$45,000-$70,000 grant award is for a 12-month period but will be pro-rated based on the contract’s

actual start date. CSS expects to announce the awards on March 11, 2022, via the EDCAP website,

www.edcapny.org. The EDCAP contract will likely begin on April 1, 2022, and likely end on March 31.

2023. Project grant, dates and potential of renewal are contingent upon a State award to CSS and

receipt of State funding.

Through this RFP, EDCAP’s objective is to begin to create a statewide network of

community-based organizations with experience providing financial literacy, higher education

debt counseling or other direct services to the target population, individuals with higher education

debt. EDCAP would like to fund organizations that serve diverse populations, including but not

limited to organizations that serve consumers from culturally, geographically, and linguistically

isolated communities, as well as organizations that serve people with mental and physical

disabilities. The selected applicants will provide services, including walk-in services (subject to

COVID protocols), free of charge to consumers.

IMPORTANT DATES

EVENT

DATE

Release of RFP

January 25, 2022

Questions About This RFP Due

February 4, 2022

Answers Posted

February 8, 2022

Application Due

February 28, 2022

Award Announcements

March 11, 2022

Education Debt Consumer Assistance Program (EDCAP) – Request for Proposals 2

CSS AND EDCAP BACKGROUND

The Community Service Society of New York (CSS) is a 175-year-old not-for-profit

organization. CSS has been a leader in promoting policies and providing direct services that

advance the economic security of working low- and moderate-income New Yorkers. CSS’s work is

accomplished through applied research, advocacy, direct services, volunteer mobilization, and

development of innovative program models evaluated for their potential for large-scale

replication. In the direct services arena, CSS is a nationally recognized expert in running consumer

assistance programs. CSS continues to be at the forefront of identifying and tackling issues most

adversely impacting vulnerable populations, including those with student loan debt.

Student loan debt is a $98 billion crisis in New York that impacts more than 2.4 million

borrowers. In response, CSS launched EDCAP in 2019, a consumer assistance program to help

tackle the serious and growing problem of student debt that disproportionately affects low- and

middle-income borrowers, first generation college students, individuals who do not earn a degree,

and minority communities. EDCAP is modeled after CSS’s successful Community Health Advocates

(CHA) program and features a “hub-and-spokes” service delivery approach. As the “hub” CSS

established and manages a live-answer student loan helpline (888-614-5004) and provides direct

counseling services to borrowers. To support the “Helpline” and expand services, CSS will now

partner with a network of trusted community-based organizations (CBOs) where borrowers who

require additional, in-person (or remote) assistance, can go for advice and, if necessary, legal

assistance with their student loan issues, free of charge. The goal of the program is to help student

loan borrowers effectively manage their student debt and improve their financial health. What is

unique about this program is that it provides consumers with an in-depth assessment of their

financial situation, accounting for personal objectives, to help develop feasible short- and long-

term solutions related to their student debt. The program is a one-stop shop for student debt

issues, regardless of the type of debt, federal or private.

Organizational Structure

EDCAP operates under a “hub and spokes” model and at full program scale will be

composed of three types of organizations: CSS’s central hub; EDCAP community-based

organizations; and Specialist Agencies.

TYPE OF ORGANIZATION RESPONSIBILITIES

Central Hub—CSS

Manage and organize RFP process; oversee

and provide administrative services;

operate live central toll-free helpline for

direct assistance to consumers and

advocates; manage EDCAP website and

Education Debt Consumer Assistance Program (EDCAP) – Request for Proposals 3

EDCAP Advocate’s Portal; provide technical

assistance and training; perform data

collection and quality assurance; develop

educational materials and presentations;

make program reports to policy makers,

administrators, and the State on

consumers’ experiences with the higher

education financing and repayment

systems, particularly as they relate to the

implementation of any federal or state

student debt rules, policies and programs.

Specialist Agencies

Provide legal support, technical assistance,

and training; assist with tracking of and

advocacy on systemic issues; advise

network organizations on cases and take

referrals of complex cases; assist network

organizations through regular case review

meetings; conduct periodic policy updates

on relevant issues.

Community-Based Organizations

Provide individual assistance to consumers

with their higher education debt issues;

conduct community presentations on

substantive student debt and related

topics; conduct outreach.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

The community-based organization funded under this RFP will be part of the EDCAP

network and will help New Yorkers address their student debt issues. Applicants must be able to

demonstrate financial viability to carry out EDCAP services based on information required in this

RFP. In addition, any information deemed confidential or proprietary shall be specified as such by

applicants. Should a proposal be accepted, however, all claims to confidentiality are subject to the

terms of any prime agreement that may be entered into between CSS and the State.

Applicants must be non-profits, membership associations, local counties or other mission-

driven organizations that have demonstrated experience in providing financial literacy, higher

education debt counseling or other direct services to the target population, individuals with higher

education debt.

Education Debt Consumer Assistance Program (EDCAP) – Request for Proposals 4

CSS also requires that applicants disclose any potential conflicts of interest. It will look

closely at any organizations or individuals that may have a conflict of interest, for example, by

providing and charging for student loan relief, to determine if such services would pose an

insurmountable conflict.

SCOPE OF WORK

The EDCAP organizations selected will receive regular monthly trainings and support from

CSS. Assistance is to be provided in an accessible, culturally, and linguistically appropriate manner,

including options for telephone, web, email, mail, and in-person assistance. The organization will

be expected to provide the following services:

Individual Assistance: Counsel and assist consumers individually on issues related to

student loan and higher education debt.

Examples of cases include:

• Educate consumers on their repayment options, forgiveness and discharge

programs they may be eligible for and other student loans rights and

responsibilities;

• Develop an individualized short- and long-term strategy based on debt size and

current or future earnings potential of the borrower;

• Help consumers apply for loan forgiveness, cancelation and discharge programs;

• Resolve disputes with loan servicers and lenders;

• Get consumers out of default to prevent wage garnishment, social security

offsets, and tax refund intercepts;

• Assist with the filing of complaints;

• Collect, track, and quantify problems encountered by consumers and share this

information with relevant stakeholders to create systemic positive change;

• Refer consumers to other services and resources as needed.

The level of a network organization’s assistance and involvement in a case may vary

depending on the circumstances. A case may involve providing basic information to a

consumer on repayment options, or help applying for debt discharge, forgiveness, or

cancellation.

Community Outreach and Presentations: The EDCAP organization will provide community

presentations designed to educate consumers, advocates, and stakeholders about the

issues related to higher education debt, relief available, and their rights and responsibilities.

Venues for these presentations may include but are not limited to the following: non-

profits, government agencies, higher education institutions, public libraries, and the public

at large.

Education Debt Consumer Assistance Program (EDCAP) – Request for Proposals 5

Client Stories: The EDCAP organization will identify consumers who have benefited from

EDCAP services and are willing to share their stories with the public and will submit their

stories to CSS following CSS protocols.

Trends and Issue Tracking: CSS expects that the EDCAP organization will be ready, willing,

and able to collaborate with other EDCAP organizations to identify trends and issues

affecting student loan borrowers.

EDCAP Organization Requirements

The agency selected to join the EDCAP network will be provided with a subcontract and a

Policies and Procedures Manual for the program. Generally, the agency should expect the

following requirements:

Staffing and Responsibilities

The EDCAP organization will agree to designate a staff for the program who will serve as the

EDCAP Coordinator and will be responsible for:

• attending EDCAP meetings;

• remaining current on higher education debt policies relevant to the services

provided;

• overseeing other EDCAP staff at his/her organization, including reviewing cases and

monitoring presentations;

• collecting and reporting data as directed by CSS on a timely basis;

• collecting client stories during the contract period with appropriate media releases;

• coordinating with CSS to create and implement corrective action plans, as

appropriate; and

• cooperating with CSS to ensure that any EDCAP staff at his/her organization is

adequately trained and competent to provide services.

Reporting

The EDCAP organization will agree to:

• collect and report data, via the cloud based EDCAP database (Salesforce), about

activities performed, consumers served, student debt issues addressed, and

services provided following CSS guidelines in the subcontract and Policies and

Procedures Manual. Organizations must currently have computers with internet

access, printers, telephone, and email;

• adhere to appropriate confidentiality procedures;

• cooperate with monitoring by CSS, which may include site visits, observations of

community presentations, and reviews of individual services reported through the

database; and

Education Debt Consumer Assistance Program (EDCAP) – Request for Proposals 6

• encourage consumer participation in any program evaluations, as deemed

necessary by CSS, including client satisfaction surveys, presentation participant

evaluations, and EDCAP surveys.

Performance Measures for Services

The EDCAP organization must comply with the following:

• provide high quality services;

• ensure timey data entry and that data entry accurately and completely reflects

services provided;

• ensure continuity and appropriateness of staff and organization competence in

providing EDCAP services;

• timely compliance with contractual requirements; and

• cost-efficiency.

Feedback and Assessment

The EDCAP organization will agree to:

• provide feedback on consumer and advocate materials, presentations, and other

special projects to advance EDCAP goals upon CSS’s request; and

• participate in evaluations and assessments of EDCAP and its components on an as-

needed basis.

CONTRACT AND COMPENSATION

The amount of the grant awarded to the EDCAP organization is contingent upon an award to

CSS and depends upon the scope of work and services proposed by applicants. Grants consist of

two components:

1. Baselines, which refer to the numbers of individual assistance cases the EDCAP

organization is contractually obligated to achieve monthly; and

2. Deliverables that include attendance at meetings and presentations, consumer stories

submissions, timely reporting and invoicing, and quality services.

The EDCAP organization must meet both requirements to receive full payment. CSS

anticipates awarding a grant from $45,000 to $70,000 on an annualized basis.

An organization that is awarded a $70,000 grant will typically commit to serving 250

individual consumers through one-on-one counseling services and reach an additional 500

individuals through outreach and education during the 12-month period. The organization would

typically serve more than one county.

Education Debt Consumer Assistance Program (EDCAP) – Request for Proposals 7

RFP PROCESS

Evaluation criteria include:

• Mission: The mission of the organization aligns with EDCAP.

• Diversity: The organization itself adds to the diversity of the EDCAP network.

• Capacity: The organization will be ready to provide services upon receiving the award.

• Population Served: Organization’s proposed plan to target borrowers most impacted by

student debt in the sought coverage area, and feasibility of said plan.

• Economic Equity: Organization demonstrated how they are addressing economic

disparities.

• Advocacy: Organization’s demonstrated ability to identify and document systemic problems

and to collect clients’ stories that can be shared with the public.

• Reporting: Organization’s demonstrated ability to report services promptly.

• Casework: Proposed number of individual cases and feasibility of said goal.

• Outreach: Organization’s outreach plan strengthens EDCAP’s recognition in local

communities.

• Sustainability: The organization expressed willingness to work for EDCAP’s long-term

sustainability.

Submission Requirements

All items listed in sections A to F below must be included in each proposal to be deemed

complete. Proposals missing any component will not be considered.

A. Cover Form (Form Attached)

Complete and submit the cover form, signed and dated by: (1) the organization’s

Executive Director or (2) the President or Leader of the organization’s Board of

Directors or governing board (and of the organization’s fiscal sponsor, if applicable).

Include the organization’s Employer Identification Number (EIN).

B. Letter of Commitment from the organization’s Executive Director or President of the

Board of Directors

C. Financial Statements & Legal Documents

• Proof of not-for-profit status (if applicable): (i.e., 501(c) tax-exempt

verification);

• A copy of the organization’s most recent audited financial statement with

the management letter from the auditors;

• A copy of the organization’s most recent CHAR500 and proof of filing (if

available);

• A copy of the organization’s most recent IRS Form 990 and proof of filing

(if available);

Education Debt Consumer Assistance Program (EDCAP) – Request for Proposals 8

• Anti-discrimination attestation;

• Conflict of Interest attestation:

D. Proposal Narrative (not to exceed 6 pages):

1. Tell us about your organization’s mission and experience helping

consumers with financial literacy or higher education debt-related

issues.

2. Tell us about the consumers you will serve:

• Geographic area;

• Population description, including: primary languages of

consumers or service population; service to racial, ethnic, or

linguistic minority (describe). Describe other unique

characteristics of the organization’s service population (e.g.,

rural populations, small businesses, artists or other trade

groups, LGBT populations, or other underserved

constituencies);

• Income status and sources.

3. Are there any restrictions on the organization’s ability to advocate

freely and vigorously on behalf of consumers? If so, please describe.

4. Can the organization report case data to funders in a timely fashion?

Describe current data tracking capacity.

5. Describe any experience the organization has in advocating for

systemic changes on behalf of the service population or constituency.

Describe any experience using clients’ stories to advocate for

systemic changes.

6. Deliverables and staffing:

• Number of individual assistance cases your organization will

handle per month. Describe the staffing that will be dedicated to

the grant to provide these services, including the background,

training, experience, and current duties of any personnel already

on staff who will deliver or supervise services under this project.

7. Accessibility:

Education Debt Consumer Assistance Program (EDCAP) – Request for Proposals 9

• Is the organization’s site accessible to most consumers by public

transportation? If not, how do consumers access its services?

• Is the organization’s site accessible to people with disabilities?

What reasonable accommodations are made for people with

disabilities, so they may access services? Please provide copies of

written policies, if any.

• Describe if the organization is accessible via phone, email, web

application, and in-person.

• Please list all office locations and hours where EDCAP services will

be provided.

8. Outreach:

• Please describe how the organization will market and do outreach

to promote EDCAP services.

• Please describe any media experience your organization may have.

9. Sustainability:

• Please tell us about your organization’s ability to participate in

sustainability activities like educating community leaders about

the need for EDCAP services in your community.

E. Budget (1 page) & Budget Narrative (1 to 2 pages)

The information requested in this section will be used to evaluate your proposal’s

cost-effectiveness, as compared to proposals from other applicants. CSS reserves

the right to negotiate these terms with awardee.

• Propose a grant amount for the project period.

• Provide a line-item budget for a 12-month term, describing how the

amount proposed will be used for this project. (This will be pro-rated for

the first year.) Include:

o Personnel expenses (consistent with staffing listed above);

o Other than personnel expenses; and

o In-kind or other organizational contributions.

o Note that due to funding restrictions, indirect costs are not

allowed.

• Provide a detailed budget narrative. If you propose a significantly higher

or lower cost as compared to the typical grant in relation to services

proposed, explain the cost difference.

F. Two Letters of Reference (not to exceed one page, single-spaced)

Each applicant must provide two reference letters from persons or organizations

familiar with the organization and its work.

Education Debt Consumer Assistance Program (EDCAP) – Request for Proposals 10

SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS

CSS requests that all organizations submit their proposal electronically to CSS no later than

5:00 pm on February 28, 2022. Emailed proposals should be sent to edcaprfp2022@cssny.org.

The proposal should be signed by the appropriate individuals (see Contents of the Proposal,

Cover Form). Please use 12-point font, one-inch margins and double spacing, unless otherwise

indicated.

Conditions:

CSS reserves rights to postpone or cancel this RFP; reject all proposals; request additional

information; negotiate with applicants individually; modify the number of awardees and dollar

amounts of grants; amend specifications; eliminate requirements; accept only those proposals

that serve the best interests of the program; terminate subcontracts for poor performance or in

the best interest of the program; and amend terms of subcontracts to serve the best interests of

the program. The organization selected will be asked to provide evidence of general liability

insurance, workers compensation, disability, and errors and omissions insurance upon signing a

subcontract with CSS.

Organization subcontracts awarded through this RFP are contingent on the award and

availability of funds provided by New York State.

QUESTIONS

Questions about this RFP should be emailed by 5:00 pm on February 4, 2022, to

edcaprfp2022@cssny.org. The subject line should be EDCAP RFP Questions. Responses to

common questions will be posted on the EDCAP website, edcapny.org, by 5:00 pm on February 8,

2022.

Education Debt Consumer Assistance Program (EDCAP)

Request for Proposals

Proposal Checklist

Page 1 of 1

___ Cover Form, signed and dated by organization’s Executive Director or leader of its Board

of Directors

___ Letter of Commitment from the organization’s Executive Director or leader of its Board of

Directors

___ Proof of Not-for-Profit Status and/or Certificate of Incorporation (if applicable)

___ Organization’s board-approved budget and actuals for the current fiscal year

___ Organization’s most recently completed Single Audit – include government grant audited

financial statement(s) with the management letter from the auditors (if applicable)

___ Copy of the organization’s most recent CHAR500 and proof of filing (if available)

___ Copy of the organization’s most recent IRS Form 990 and proof of filing (if available)

___ Most recent NYS Vendor Responsibility Questionnaire (VRQ)

___ Anti-Discrimination Compliance Attestation

___ Conflict of Interest Attestation (if applicable)

___ Proposal Narrative (not to exceed 6 pages)

___ Proposed 12-month program budget (not to exceed 1 page)

___ Proposed program budget narrative (not to exceed 2 pages)

___Two Letters of Reference (each not to exceed 1 page, single-spaced)

Education Debt Consumer Assistance Program

Request for Proposals

Cover Form

Page 1 of 2

Please note that this form must be signed by the organization’s Executive Director or equivalent

operational leader (and fiscal conduit, if applicable) and the President or Leader of the Board of

Directors or governing board (and the fiscal conduit, if applicable). This form and the entire

original application are due by the due date indicated in the Important Dates section.

NAME OF ORGANIZATION:

Address:

Telephone Number:

Fax Number:

Email Address:

EIN:

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR (or equivalent operational leader) print name and title:

Name: ____________________________________

Title: _____________________________________

Signature: _________________________________

Date: _____________________________________

PRESIDENT OR LEADER OF BOARD OF DIRECTORS (or governing board) print name and title

Name: ____________________________________

Title: _____________________________________

Signature: _________________________________

Date: _____________________________________

Education Debt Consumer Assistance Program

Request for Proposals

Cover Form

Page 2 of 2

***Only fill out this form if organization uses a Fiscal Conduit***

FISCAL CONDUIT (if applicable):

Name:

Address:

Telephone Number:

Fax Number:

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR (or equivalent operational leader) print name and title:

Name: ___________________________________

Title: ____________________________________

Signature: _______________________________

Date: _____________________

PRESIDENT OR LEADER OF BOARD OF DIRECTORS (or governing board) print name and title

Name: ___________________________________

Title: ____________________________________

Signature: _______________________________

Date: ___________________

Education Debt Consumer Assistance Program

Request for Proposals

Anti-Discrimination Compliance Attestation

Page 1 of 1

Yes

Organization abides by all Federal Equal Employment

Opportunity regulations, including the Civil Rights

Act of 1964 and the Age Discrimination Act of 1975

Organization abides by the Americans with

Disabilities Act of 1990

Organization abides by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973

Organization will provide services that are

linguistically and culturally appropriate

I hereby attest that the above is true and accurate.

Name: ____________________________________

Title: _____________________________________

Signature: _________________________________

Date: _____________________________________

Education Debt Consumer Assistance Program (EDCAP)

Request for Proposals

Conflict of Interest Attestation Form (if applicable)

Page 1 of 2

NAME OF ORGANIZATION:

1. Describe the organization’s primary activities.

2. Does the organization provide student loan relief services for a fee or engage in debt

collection activities?

3. Does the organization receive any direct or indirect consideration from a student loan

servicer or debt collector? If yes, then please describe the terms and conditions for

receipt of such consideration.

a. Explain why the organization’s provision of services or products, or the relationship

described will not create a conflict of interest or potential for non-objective

performance of EDCAP’s activities.

4. If applicable, describe the services or products that the organization currently provides or

anticipates providing. If the organization has a fiscal or legal relationship with a student

loans servicer or debt collector, state the name of the provider and describe the

relationship with the applicant organization.

a. Explain why the organization’s provision of services or products, or the relationship

described will not create a conflict of interest or potential for non-objective

performance of EDCAP activities.

By signing below, I represent that the above statements are factually correct, and I am authorized

to sign and bind my respective organization to the statements herein.

Signature: ___________________________

Name: ______________________________

Title: _______________________________

Date: ________________________________

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