Call for Proposals - Data Development - Summer 2009

The closing date for receiving applications and proposals is October 15, 2009, 11:59 p.m. local time at hkd-dci@hrsdc-rhdsc.gc.ca.

Proposals submitted after this deadline will not be considered.

1. CALL FOR PROPOSALS SUMMARY

The Homelessness Partnering Secretariat (HP Secretariat) at the Department of Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC) invites applicants to submit proposals for projects that will improve data development and address data gaps with respect to homelessness in Canada.

The total amount of funding available is $1.5M under the Homelessness Knowledge Development (HKD) funding stream, to fund data development projects between December 1, 2009 and March 31, 2011. Applicants may apply for up to $500,000. The total number of projects funded, and the amount of funding per project will be determined based on the number and quality of proposals received.

To advance its knowledge development and research agenda, the HP Secretariat is issuing a Call for Proposals (CFP) relating to data development. The HP Secretariat uses the CFP process to describe the requirements and criteria that will be used to evaluate proposals and select research projects. In a CFP process, proposals and applicants are evaluated in terms of the ability to satisfy the stated requirements. Budgets and budget allocations are also evaluated.

This CFP focuses on data development projects related to homelessness. Gaps still exist in understanding the varying needs of homeless people and in the enumeration of the homeless population in Canada. Data development is crucial in identifying where need is the greatest and addressing it.

HKD will support data development projects that help improve data collection techniques, variables in existing surveys and new surveys, data systems and data frameworks that support the research and analysis of homeless groups and sub-groups. HKD will also support needs assessments and the evaluation of programs and services provided to homeless individuals and families.

The applicant or applicants are invited to submit a proposal that addresses any aspects of data development in relation to the following five specific sub-populations: people at risk of homelessness; the hidden homeless; people living on the street; people living in short-term or crisis shelters; and people living in long-term or supportive housing.

In addition, projects must also address at least one of the following HKD priority domains: health; income, employment and education; justice; immigrants and refugees; Aboriginal people; trajectories out of homelessness; practices and interventions; or needs of service providers.

The HKD funding stream is founded on partnerships with research groups, community-based organizations, other federal departments, other levels of government, and university researchers. Stakeholders will receive funding to enable them to deepen their understanding of homelessness and to contribute to charting the development of effective solutions to address the problem.

Canada is under no obligation to approve any application through this process and reserves the right to accept proposals separate from the CFP. Where community priorities are not fully addressed by applications received, and/or the funding allocation is not fully expended, the HP Secretariat may decide to seek proposals outside of the CFP. Any agreement that may result from this CFP does not constitute a service to Canada.

Services shall be made available in both official languages where there is significant demand. The proposal must also contain details on how the applicant intends to engage official language minority communities, where applicable, to ensure that the specific service delivery needs of that community are met.

Projects must be completed on or before March 31, 2011.

2. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

On September 4, 2008, the Government of Canada extended the Homelessness Partnering Strategy (HPS) for two years, starting April 1, 2009 to March 31, 2011. The Strategy aims to prevent and reduce homelessness by helping to establish the structures and supports needed to move homeless and at-risk individuals towards self-sufficiency and full participation in Canadian society.

The HKD is a funding stream of the HPS which provides ways to achieve effective reporting, accountability, data generation, knowledge development and dissemination, and the sharing of good practices. It also provides a source of data and research which will support efforts to identify, prevent and reduce homelessness in Canada. The HKD funding stream adopts a housing-centred, population-based approach to homelessness research and knowledge development and transfer. This approach is premised on the notion that housing stability is key to self-sufficiency.

Homelessness has many faces and the reasons people are homeless in Canada are varied. To prevent and reduce homelessness, a better understanding of the situation, its underlying causes, and the supports needed are required. Better tools to address the data gaps that currently exist will assist efforts to understand the needs of homeless populations and measure progress in targeting interventions.

3. PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

Eligible Costs

The applicants must submit a budget as part of their proposal (see the attached budget negotiation notes template), which includes:

• separate cost estimates for individual components of work;
• the total cost for the full project to be undertaken;
• the cost per hour of work;
• the type of work activity to be carried out;
• all expenses, fees, disbursements, and applicable taxes must be included in the budget; and
• the budget should include costs for translation of materials (e.g., abstracts and executive summaries).

Administrative Costs

Eligible administrative costs include, but are not limited to:

• wages and MERCS for administrative staff;
• fringe benefits: normally considered to include medical plan, dental plan, etc. Direct payment of fringe benefits is ineligible, but a maximum of 20% allowance in lieu of the payment of fringe benefits is eligible;
• administrative support and supplies;
• licences, permits, fees for professional service;
• disability needs;
• banking fees and interest charges; and
• utilities, materials, supplies, travel, insurance, rental of office space, leasing or purchase of office equipment, costs of audits, evaluations and assessments.

Note: Administrative costs should not normally exceed 15% of the Human Resources and Skills Development Canada contribution.

Ineligible Costs

Ineligible costs include, but are not limited to:

• software development and/or the purchase of hardware for the collection and management of homelessness data that constitutes a redundant use of funds and duplicates activities already offered through the Homeless Individuals and Families Information System (HIFIS) Initiative;
• software development and/or the purchase of hardware for the collection and/or management of homelessness data that results in an inability to participate in the HIFIS;
• architectural costs for new buildings or construction;
• property zoning and/or property assessment activities;
• environmental assessments (in accordance with the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act);
• purchase or lease of land;
• purchase or lease of buildings;
• capital assets, furniture, appliances, fixtures;
• costs of building, buying, renovating or making additions to shelter space, supportive or transitional housing;
• food, clothing, personal and household items to aid people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless; and
• costs for continuum of support activities and services such as interpersonal support, outreach support activities and skills enhancement for any staff.

HPS Funding & Matching Contributions

The HPS contribution for a specific project may be up to 100% of the cost. In-kind and/or cash contributions from the community and other funding partners are strongly encouraged at the project level, although not required. These contributions will be considered as part of the proposal review and evaluation process. Other eligible contributing partners could include provincial and local governments, health agencies, not-for-profit organizations, and private foundations or corporations.

Eligible Applicants

Not-for-profit organizations, individuals, municipal governments, for-profit enterprises, research organizations and research institutes, public health and educational institutions, band/tribal councils and other Aboriginal organizations are eligible to receive funding and act as coordinators for activities.

For-profit enterprises, research organizations and research institutes may also receive funding to carry out research that will help communities understand and address homelessness issues.

4. ASSESSMENT OF PROPOSALS

To be considered for funding under the HPS, proposals must meet all of the following basic eligibility requirements:

• all proposed activities must be eligible for funding under the HPS; and
• funding activities must be completed on or before March 31, 2011.

Proposals will be assessed in a fair and transparent manner and all applicants will be treated fairly and objectively in the application of the evaluation criteria. Each proposal will be evaluated by an Advisory Committee which will evaluate and numerically score each proposal on a 100-point scale in accordance with the evaluation criteria listed below:

• applicant’s relevant experience and qualifications to carry out the project (15 points);
• applicant’s proposed methodology for carrying out the project (30 points);
• demonstration of how the project meets the objectives and the scope of the CFP (20 points);
• management, work plan, and dissemination plan (15 points); and
• value for money (20 points):
  • Are costs reasonable compared to the anticipated outcomes of the project?
  • Are costs eligible and directly related to the proposed activities?

Please note:

• The lowest dollar amount proposal will not necessarily be selected.
• Canada reserves the right to reject some or all proposals.

5. APPLICATION PACKAGE

Submissions under this CFP must include:

• application for funding form;
• budget negotiation notes; and
• letters of support from the community, if any.

Please send electronic submissions to the e-mail address on the cover page.

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