RFA-2028-DBH-01-COLDW: Cold Weather Programs

Request for Applications
For
Cold Weather Programs
RFA-2028-DBH-01-COLDW
Release Date: 9/21/2026

New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services
Cold Weather Programs
Request For Applications
1. Purpose And Overview
1.1 Introduction
The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services, Division for
Behavioral Health ("Department") is seeking responses to this Request for
Applications (Solicitation) from qualified Vendors to provide cold weather
programming that helps reduce the harmful impacts of homelessness during the
winter and cold weather months, including temporary shelters, hotel stays,
transportation to other housing options, and other services or assistance that mitigate
the adverse effects of cold weather conditions and support the wellbeing of
individuals and families experiencing homelessness.
The Department anticipates awarding multiple contracts, one (1) contract per county
in New Hampshire to the Vendor with the highest score per county. Vendors may
apply to provide services in one (1) or more counties. If the Vendor applies to provide
services in more than one (1) county, the Vendor must submit a separate application
for each county. Each application must be inclusive of the entire county and may
include multiple strategies and providers. New Hampshire counties include Belknap
County, Carroll County, Cheshire County, Coos County, Grafton County, Hillsborough
County, Merrimack County, Rockingham County, Strafford County, and Sullivan
County.
Qualified Vendors must have experience engaging with and providing services to
individuals who are experiencing homelessness.
1.2 Key Information
The information listed below is as anticipated by the Department and is subject to
change. Agreements are contingent upon the availability of funds and approval by the
Governor and Executive Council.
1.2.1 Contract Effective Date: 7/1/2027
1.2.2 Contract End Date: 6/30/2029
1.2.3 Renewal Options: The Department may extend agreement for up to four (4)
additional years.
1.2.4 The Department anticipates funding multiple awards not to exceed $1,920,000
inclusive of all contracts. Funding will be allocated by county as specified in
Section 2.3, below.
1.2.5 Funding Source
The Department anticipates using General funds for resulting Agreements.
Assistance Listing Number (ALN): Not applicable
Award Name: Not applicable
1.2.6 Match Requirements: Not applicable
RFA-2028-DBH-01-COLDW Page 2 of 20 V08/2026

New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services
Cold Weather Programs
1.2.7 Point of Contact:
Shannon Judd, Senior Contract Specialist
Shannon.Y.Judd@dhhs.nh.gov
From the date of release of this solicitation until an award is made and announced
regarding the selection of a Vendor, all communication with personnel employed by
or under contract with the Department regarding this solicitation is prohibited unless
first approved by the Point of Contact listed above. Department employees have been
directed not to hold conferences and/or discussions concerning this solicitation with
any potential contractor during the selection process, unless otherwise authorized by
the Point of Contact. Vendors may be disqualified for violating this restriction on
communications.
Interested Vendors must read this entire Solicitation and submit the required
documents in the specified manner. Vendors are responsible for reviewing the most
updated information related to this Solicitation before submitting responses.
1.3 Procurement Timetable
All times are according to Eastern Time. The Department reserves the right to modify
these dates and times at its sole discretion.
1.3.1 Solicitation release date: 9/21/2026
1.3.2 Letter of Intent Submission Deadline (optional) 9/28/2026
1.3.3 Vendor Questions Submission Deadline: 10/5/2026, 12:00 Noon
1.3.4 Department responses to questions Published: 10/19/2026
1.3.5 Vendor Solicitation Response Due Date: 11/2/2026, 12:00 Noon
1.4 Background
1.4.1 New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services, Bureau of
Housing Services
1.4.1.1 The Department is responsible for promoting the health, safety, and
well-being of the citizens of New Hampshire. To achieve that goal,
the Department provides services for children, families, individuals,
and seniors in areas such as mental health, developmental
disabilities, substance abuse, and public health. The Department
does this work through partnerships with families, community
groups, providers, other state and local entities, and New
Hampshire citizens.
1.4.1.2 The Bureau of Homeless Services assists with connecting
individuals and families who are currently experiencing
homelessness or are at risk of becoming homeless with emergency
sheltering and ongoing housing support and services.
1.4.2 Objective
The Department will provide funding to Vendors to assist with mitigating the
negative outcomes of homelessness in New Hampshire's 10 counties during
RFA-2028-DBH-01-COLDW Page 3 of 20 V08/2026

New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services
Cold Weather Programs
the winter and cold weather months, which is defined for the purposes of this
Solicitation as approximately October 1 through April 30 per state fiscal year.
Funds are to be used to assist with the operation of a county-wide cold
weather program. Program services may include temporary shelters, hotel
stays, transportation to other housing options, or other services that meet the
needs of the county served. Funds are targeted for a winter-specific response
and are not to support year-round emergency shelters. All
towns/municipalities within the county served must have the opportunity to
access the funds.
1.4.3 Covered Populations for this Solicitation are individuals and families who:
1.4.3.1 Are experiencing unsheltered homelessness in New Hampshire;
1.4.3.2 Are in need of shelter during the winter and cold weather months;
and
1.4.3.3 Meet the criteria of "Literally Homeless", as defined by the U.S.
Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Four
Categories of the Homeless Definition, Category 1, Literally
Homeless ( 578.3), as follows:
1.4.3.3.1 Has a primary night-time residence that is a public or
private place not meant for human habitation; or
1.4.3.3.2 Is living in a publicly or privately operated shelter
designated to provide temporary living arrangements,
including congregate shelters, transitional housing,
and hotels and motels paid for by charitable
organizations or by federal, state and local
government programs; or
1.4.3.3.3 Is exiting an institution where they have resided for 90
days or less and who resided in an emergency shelter
or place not meant for human habitation immediately
before entering that institution.
2. Statement of Work
2.1 Scope of Services - See Appendix A - Scope of Services.
2.2 Mandatory Questions
2.2.1 In response to this Solicitation, Vendor(s) must respond to the Mandatory
Questions below, utilizing Appendix E Technical Responses to Mandatory
Questions. Any collaborating organization must be designated as a
subcontractor in solicitation response, also subject to the terms of Appendix B,
P-37 General Provisions and Standard Exhibits.
RFA-2028-DBH-01-COLDW Page 4 of 20 V08/2026

New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services
Cold Weather Programs
a. Your organization's work with the above-mentioned entities across the entire
county to ensure that local community needs are identified, understood, and
incorporated into your shelter response strategy.
b. The ways in which services will complement and support municipal efforts to
assist individuals and families in need, including the ways your organization's
proposed services will strengthen local capacity and avoid duplicating existing
community resources.
a. An organizational chart including the number of full-time equivalent (FTE) staff.
If a position is not currently filled, explain if recruitment and onboarding time is
required and how that will impact your organization's capacity.
b. Description of qualifications, curriculum vitae/resumes, and/or credentials for
key personnel.
c. Any specialized staff training completed relevant to providing services in this
Solicitation.
2.3 Finance
2.3.1 Funding is calculated by county utilizing a base rate plus the preliminary
number of Point in Time (PIT) counts, as reported, in each county in New
Hampshire for those experiencing unsheltered homelessness from the
January 2025 PIT count. The Base and PIT allocations are as follows:
Total
2025 % of +PIT (for entire
County Base
Unsheltered Total Allocation contract
term)
Belknap 50 8% $ 95,522 $ 76,418 $ 171,940
Carroll 46 7% $ 95,522 $ 66,865 $ 162,387
RFA-2028-DBH-01-COLDW Page 5 of 20 V08/2026

New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services
Cold Weather Programs
Cheshire 24 4% $ 95,522 $ 38,209 $ 133,731
Coos 0 0% $ 95,522 $ - $ 95,522
Grafton 36 6% $ 95,522 $ 57,313 $ 152,835
Hillsborough 255 39% $ 95,522 $ 372,544 $ 468,066
Merrimack 77 12% $ 95,522 $ 114,626 $ 210,148
Rockingham 24 4% $ 95,522 $ 38,209 $ 133,731
Strafford 119 18% $ 95,522 $ 171,940 $ 267,462
Sullivan 21 3% $ 95,522 $ 28,656 $ 124,178
Statewide Total 652 100% $ 955,220 $ 964,780 $ 1,920,000
2.3.2 Payment for services will be made on a monthly basis based on approved
budgets, which will be included in the resulting contracts. Selected Vendors
will be required to submit budgets for Department approval upon notification of
award.
2.3.3 The selected Vendor must complete and submit monthly invoices using a form
satisfactory to the Department to initiate and request payment in accordance
with the terms of the resulting contract.
Remainder of this page intentionally left blank
RFA-2028-DBH-01-COLDW Page 6 of 20 V08/2026

New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services
Cold Weather Programs
3. Solicitation Response Evaluation
3.1 The Department will evaluate responses from Vendors based upon the criteria and
standards contained in this Solicitation and by applying the points as set forth below,
which will be used to determine the overall highest scoring Vendor for each county.
Vendors are advised that this is not a low-cost award.
Technical Response Possible Score
Q1 - Experience 200 Points
Q2 - Knowledge 200 Points
Q3 - Collaboration 400 Points
Q4 - Capacity 200 Points
Technical Response - Total Possible Score 1000 Points
3.2 Scoring the Technical Proposals
3.2.1 Vendor Technical Responses will be scored based on the following criteria:
RFA-2028-DBH-01-COLDW Page 7 of 20 V08/2026

New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services
Cold Weather Programs
3.3 Rights of the Department in Evaluating Solicitation Responses
RFA-2028-DBH-01-COLDW Page 8 of 20 V08/2026

New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services
Cold Weather Programs
3.3.1 The Department reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to:
3.3.1.1 Consider information provided in the Vendor's Transmittal Letter
and/or from the Vendor's references in evaluating solicitation
responses;
3.3.1.2 Make independent investigations in evaluating Solicitation
responses;
3.3.1.3 Request additional information to clarify elements of a proposal;
3.3.1.4 Waive minor or immaterial deviations from the Solicitation and
contract requirements, if determined to be in the best interest of the
State;
3.3.1.5 Omit any planned evaluation steps if, in the Department's view, the
step is not needed;
3.3.1.6 Reject any and all Solicitation responses in whole or in part at any
time; and
3.3.1.7 Open contract discussions with the second highest scoring vendor
and so on, if the Department is unable to reach an agreement on
contract terms with the highest scoring vendor(s).
4. Solicitation Response Process
4.1 Letter of Intent
4.1.1 A Letter of Intent to submit a response to this Solicitation is optional.
4.1.2 Receipt of the Letter of Intent by Department will be required to receive
electronic notification of any addenda published to amend this Solicitation.
4.1.3 The Letter of Intent must be transmitted by email to the Contract Specialist
identified in Subsection 1.2 and include the name, telephone number, mailing
address and email address of the Vendor's designated contact as specified in
Appendix D, Transmittal Letter and Vendor Information.
Notwithstanding the Letter of Intent, Vendors remain responsible for reviewing
the most updated information related to this Solicitation before submitting a
response.
4.2 Solicitation Amendment
4.2.1 The Department reserves the right to amend this Solicitation by publishing any
addenda, as it deems appropriate, on the Department's website prior to the
Submission Deadline on its own initiative or in response to issues raised
through Vendor Questions submitted by the date specified in Subsection 1.3,
Procurement Timetable. In the event that an addendum is published, the
Department, at its sole discretion, may extend the Submission Deadline.
4.3 Questions and Answers
4.3.1 Vendors' Questions
RFA-2028-DBH-01-COLDW Page 9 of 20 V08/2026