RFQ – Creation Of a Backbone Organization To Coordinate a Youth Violence Prevention Initiative

DEADLINE: December 5, 2024

Download the full RFQ (Word Document)

The City of Salem is seeking qualified organizations for the position of Backbone Organization for the Youth Violence Prevention Initiative. This will be a one-year? contract with the City of Salem for $17,500. The primary address and work of the organization must be in Salem City, New Jersey. Notice is hereby given that sealed proposals responsive shall be received no later than December 5, 2024 at 11:00 AM (prevailing time) to the Ben Angeli, RMC at 125 West Broadway, Salem NJ 08079. For questions regarding this RFQ, contact Ben Angeli, RMC via email only with questions at .

Description of the Collective Impact Effort

In 2024, in an effort to address the issues of youth crime with a particular focus on youth gun violence, the City of Salem hired a consultant, Social Contact, to assist in the development of a Collective Impact plan. Collective Impact is defined as a network of community members, organizations and institutions who advance equity by learning together, and aligning and integrating their actions in order to achieve change in systems and populations.

Collective Impact begins with a common agenda, establishes shared evaluation measures, fosters mutual reinforcing activities, encourages continuous communication, and for best results is coordinated by a Backbone Organization. As the project moves forward under the current management of Social Contact, it has reached the stage in which a Backbone Organization needs to be determined to do keep the initiative stable into the future.

The Backbone Organization

The Backbone Organization will be both an agent of change and will provide the supporting infrastructure to coordinate work among partners. The organization will help drive all major aspects of the initiative and will be the behind-the-scenes leader to connect organizations across the initiative and amplify the existing partnerships and strengths in the city.

Becoming the Backbone Organization involves a significant commitment, and prospective applicants are encouraged to consider these roles and responsibilities carefully before deciding to apply. Key roles responsibilities are as follows:

  1. Provide overall project strategic coherence.
  2. Serve as a neutral convener and facilitate effective dialogues while mediating any conflict among stakeholders.
  3. Manage data collection from member organizations as a tool for ongoing learning.
  4. Support community engagement and build key relationships. This will require a deep appreciation for the unique culture, history, assets, and challenges of the city.
  5. Primary organizational office and work must be in Salem City.

Starting in January 2007, all business entities are advised of their responsibility to file an annual disclosure statement of political contributions with the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission (ELEC) pursuant to N.J.S.A. 19:44A-20.27 if they receive contracts in excess of $50,000 from public entities in a calendar year.  Business entities are responsible for determining if filing is necessary.  Additional information on this requirement is available from ELEC at 888-313-3532 or at www.elec.state.nj.us. Ben Angeli, RMC

The City of Salem assumes no responsibility for submittals received after the advertised deadline or at any office or location other than that specified herein, whether due to mail delays, courier mistake, mishandling, or any other reason. If submittals are delivered by other than hand delivery, it is recommended that the respondent verify delivery. Any submittal received after the specified time and date will not be considered.