Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Request for Proposal (RFP)?
Formerly we referred to this process as the Letter of Intent, now we are transitioning to an RFP, which stands for Request for Proposal. This process occurs each year and allows organizations to propose for funding towards senior services. You can learn more about the process below:
What is the RFP for?
This specific Request for Proposal is for the 2025 Kent County Senior Millage fiscal year, which begins October 1, 2024, through September 30, 2025. The Kent County Senior Millage has helped fund vital services for older adults in Kent County since 1999 with the goal of enabling them to stay in their homes and communities as they age. Kent County residents approved a renewal and increase to the millage in August 2022 and it is currently an 8-year millage cycle. The Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan is contracted through Kent County to administer the millage, ensuring it directly supports services that help older adults remain independent. You can learn more about current millage services here: www.aaawm.org/kcsm
How does the millage funding decision process work?
The KCSM Review Committee, composed of community members and County Commissioners, comes together to review proposals and hear presentations from the agencies that requested funding. Recommendations for the KCSM are made and then approved by the Kent County Board of Commissioners. For this year, the committee is requesting special attention to adult day and home chore services with an emphasis on snow removal.
What is the specific timeline?
Opening date: Tuesday, January 16. The Request for Proposal packet will be available for download.
Closing date: Proposal due February 2 by 5:00 pm. Submit the completed Request for Proposal packet to proposal@aaawm.org
The Kent County Senior Millage Review Committee will review proposals at the end of February. Potential partners will be notified if they are moving forward in the process after these meetings.
A full proposal from the potential partner is then required, due back on March 28th.
What is expected of me as a millage partner?
*See P&P Manual for all requirements
- Compliant with Policies and Procedures aaawm.org/partners
- Service Definition standards
- Annual Program and Financial Assessment
- Submit Annual Program Outcomes
- Monthly Reporting:
- Client Registration or Aggregate data collection
- Monthly unit reporting for reimbursement
- Client Cost Share and Program Income (if applicable)
You can review the Policy and Procedures Manual for partners, here.
Is there a question-and-answer period?
Before the RFP is released on January 16th, interested organizations can contact the Vice President of Contract Services and Program Development, Cassie Caple, at CassieC@aaawm.org with questions up to January 15. There will be an informational meeting on Tuesday, January 23rd via Zoom. If you would like to receive the meeting invitation, you can reach out to CassieC@aaawm.org
Will there be a presentation element?
If you move on to the next round and are asked to submit a full proposal, you must present to the Kent County Senior Millage Review Committee at funding meetings, currently scheduled for April 29th and April 30th, 2023.
