Evaluation committee finds Survivor Ventures qualified for Hillsborough County emergency safe housing solicitation
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Summary
Hillsborough County's evaluation committee reviewed three proposals for RFQ Q2600076 and, by consensus, found Survivor Ventures qualified. The committee recorded scores of 60/70 for experience, 15/20 for qualifications and 8/10 for technical approach and asked staff to prepare an evaluation memorandum.
Lisa Demena, the county's chief buyer, opened the evaluation committee meeting and said the county received three proposals for RFQ Q2600076 for emergency safe housing with counseling and support services for human trafficking victims. Demena said the office of management and budget reviewed financial documents and determined only one proposal met the submission requirements; two proposals (Doulas Real Estate Group and Unity for Purpose Community Housing) were deemed unacceptable and Survivor Ventures was the remaining proposer under consideration.
The committee reviewed scoring criteria that allocate 70 points to experience, 20 to qualifications and 10 to technical approach. Major Chris Bowman of the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office led the evaluators' discussion on experience, saying the proposer had provided services since 2019, had operated emergency housing in Hillsborough County and two other states, and had previously managed federal funding dollars. Bowman and other reviewers noted the proposal did not clearly state the current number of beds the proposer manages in Hillsborough County; Bowman initially scored experience 65 out of 70 and the committee later recorded a consensus score of 60.
"They have provided services since 2019," Bowman said, while noting the proposal lacked specific data on bed counts in-county. Another committee member cited a transcript figure of "36,898 direct services" across the proposer's chapters in Delaware and Virginia, which reviewers said illustrated scale but did not clarify local capacity.
On qualifications, evaluators said job descriptions were provided for a housing program director and a holistic care director and that existing staff appeared cross-trained in trauma-informed practice and housing-first principles. However, reviewers repeatedly flagged the absence of supporting documentation for staff education, certifications and resumes. Committee members recorded a consensus score of 15 out of 20 for qualifications.
For technical approach, reviewers commended the proposer's described partnerships and referral coordination with local systems, including the Tampa Hillsborough Homeless Initiative, Tampa Bay Crisis Center, the BRYT Network, law enforcement and medical providers, and a stated collaboration with IBIS Healthcare. The committee said the proposal spelled out referral pathways and avoided hotel-based placements, which evaluators viewed as potentially triggering for survivors, but lacked a clear definition of program success and an exit strategy for clients. The technical approach received a consensus score of 8 out of 10.
After confirming the consensus scores (Experience 60/70, Qualifications 15/20, Technical approach 8/10), the committee indicated that Survivor Ventures was qualified under the RFQ. Demena directed Major Bowman to prepare and send an evaluation summary memorandum documenting the recommendation. Demena also said the meeting recording would be posted and that she would complete the consensus scoring spreadsheet for signatures before adjournment.
The committee did not take a formal public vote on contract award during the meeting; the recorded outcome is a recommendation that Survivor Ventures be listed as qualified and that an evaluation memorandum be prepared for procurement staff and subsequent procurement steps.
