Targeted Request for Proposal (RFP) Process

After School Matters is searching for new Program Providers (Independent Instructors and Community Organizations) interested in offering after-school and summer programs during Summer 2017, Fall 2017 and Spring 2018.

NEW!

After School Matters is targeting programs in specific content areas and certain neighborhoods/community areas.  Please complete the Intent to Apply form (which will be available here on October 3) to determine if you meet After School Matters’ target areas for the full-year 2018 Request for Proposals.

How to Apply

Step 1 — Complete the Intent to Apply form

• If your proposal meets one or more of our target areas after completing the Intent to Apply form, you will be given a link to create an online registration account and the RFP Guide. Only organizations or independent instructors that submitted an Intent to Apply form and received an account registration link will be able to complete the online proposal.
• Both the Intent to Apply form and the online proposal will be released on Monday, October 3 for potential providers that meet our target areas.
• If your program proposal does not fit our target areas at this time, we will keep your information on file. You may be invited to participate in a supplemental RFP should the need arise for your proposed content and/or community area.

Step 2 — Attend the RFP Information Session

• After School Matters will be conducting an Information Session to provide proposal guidelines and answer questions about our selection criteria.
• Please click here to register. Advanced registration is required.
• Join us on Wednesday, October 5 from 9:30-11:00am at the Chicago Cultural Center (78 E. Washington St.), 2nd floor, Claudia Cassidy Theater.

Step 3 — Develop and Submit a Proposal

• Applicants must use the account registration link provided to them via the Intent to Apply confirmation page. More detailed instructions will be provided on the RFP Guide, which will also be included in the Intent to Apply confirmation page.
• After School Matters strongly recommends submitting the application in advance of the November 4 deadline to avoid last-minute technical issues or being “timed out” and the proposal being denied.
• Program proposals are due on Friday, November 4 before 5:00pm CST.

Step 4 — Attend the Proposal Technical Assistance Workshop (optional) 

• Bring a draft of your proposal to get additional guidance on submitting a compelling program proposal and discuss your idea with members of our Programs Team.
• Advanced registration is required and space is limited. Registration information will be sent to providers that met our target areas.

Be the first to know when information about our next RFP becomes available! Sign up to be added to our RFP email list. Click here to submit your e-mail address using our form.

RFP Calendar for FY 18

RFP Process and Timeline

Monday, October 3, 2016	Intent to Apply form posted on website and online RFP released
Wednesday, October 5 9:30-11:00am	Informational Session — Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington St., 2nd floor, Claudia Cassidy Theater
Friday, October 14 3:30-5:00pm	Proposal Technical Assistance Workshop (for potential providers that met our target areas;by invitation only)
Friday, November 4 by 5:00pm CST	RFP Due for New/Potential Program Providers
November–December 2016	Proposals are reviewed and scored by External Reviewers
January 2017	Program Provider candidates are interviewed
February 2017	Final program selections are made
Late March-April 2017	Program decisions and notifications sent

 

Tentative 2017-2018 Program Schedule

Early July 2017	All Summer Programs Begin
Mid-August 2017	Summer Programs End
Late September 2017	Fall Programs Begin
Mid-December 2017	Fall Programs End
Mid-February 2018	Spring Programs Begin
Mid-May 2018	Spring Programs End

 

Questions? Contact us!

After School Matters will continue to respond to inquiries about the RFP process. Questions can be submitted via email to [email protected].
If you have a technical question related to the online proposal process, please call the Cityspan help desk at 866-469-6884.

 

Renewal Process

The Renewal Application for Summer 2017, Fall 2017 and Spring 2018 for Current Program Providers will be released on Thursday, September 1 and is due on Friday, September 30 by 5:00pm.

Similar to last year, Current Providers — defined as those who are providing a program with After School Matters during the current program year (Summer 2016, Fall 2016 and Spring 2017) — will submit a Renewal Application focused on deepening their ability to create quality programs and provide effective instruction. Current providers will not need to submit a proposal through the standard Request for Proposal (RFP) process.

Before submitting your Renewal Application, please make sure to review your program’s profile and include how you will address areas for growth in your responses. The Research & Evaluation department will send program profiles to all current providers via email by September 9th. If you have any questions regarding your profile, please send an email to: [email protected].

Renewal decisions will be made based upon your application’s quality, completeness and alignment with After School Matters’ priorities for serving teens.

Programs that do not submit a renewal application by the deadline will not be renewed. ALL applications are due on Friday, September 30 by 5:00 pm.

Renewal Steps

1. Review your program’s profile and consider how you will address areas for growth. (Programs that are new to After School Matters this fall will not receive a profile).
2. Use the Renewal Application Guide for instructions and more detailed information on the Renewal process. Download here.
3. Submit your Renewal Form by Friday, September 30, 2016 at 5:00 PM. After School Matters strongly recommends submitting the application in advance of the September 30 deadline to avoid last-minute technical issues or being “timed out” and the proposal being denied.
4. Access the Renewal Application via Cityspan. School-year and year-long program providers can access the renewal form through your Fall 2016 program record. Summer-only providers can access the renewal form through your Summer 2016 program record.
5. If you have any questions about the Renewal process, please contact your Program Specialist.

 

Timeline — Renewal Process Dates

September 1, 2016	Renewal Application release in Cityspan
September 30, 2016 by 5:00pm	Renewal Application due for all Current Providers
October — December 2016	Programs Staff review proposals, conduct interviews, and negotiate budgets
January — February 2017	Program selections are finalized
Late March — April 2017	Program decisions and notifications sent

 

Tentative 2017-2018 Program Schedule

Early July 2017	All Summer Programs Begin
Mid-August 2017	Summer Programs End
Late September 2017	Fall Programs Begin
Mid-December 2017	Fall Programs End
Mid-February 2018	Spring Programs Begin
Mid-May 2018	Spring Programs End

 

Sports Providers

Independent instructors interested in providing a sports Apprenticeship or another program implemented through the Chicago Park District / After School Matters partnership can submit a cover letter and resume to [email protected]. Current Sports Instructors will be asked to fill out a survey in January 2017 regarding next year’s programming.