Technical Assistance Consultant: Movement of Food Study

Denver Department of Public Health and Environment 

Request for Proposal

Technical Assistance Consultant: Movement of Food Study 

 

Request for Proposal   Posted 

May 21, 2026

Written Questions   Due 

May 31, 2026

City Response to   Questions 

June 5, 2026

Proposal Due Date 

June 12, 2026

Applications Reviewed and Interviews, if applicable 

Week of June 15, 2026

Notice of Award   (Estimated) 

June 22, 2026

Contract Begins   (Estimated) 

July 31, 2026

 

Instructions for Submission: Completed proposals must be submitted via email on or before the proposal due date. 

 

Any questions regarding this RFP are encouraged and should be submitted in writing via email to Jason Smith, DPHE Contract and Fiscal Administrator at jason.smith1@denvergov.org. Questions received up to deadline to submit questions will be answered in writing. Answers to questions from any applicants will be provided to all applicants and will be shared via email to all those who posed questions by the deadline. 

 

All communications regarding this proposal shall only be through the City’s Procurement facilitator listed above. No communication should be directed to any other City personnel. 

 

A. BACKGROUND AND OVERVIEW 

The Denver Department of Public Health & Environment (DDPHE) is Denver’s nationally accredited public health entity. We empower Denver’s communities to live better, longer by providing people with opportunities that support their well-being and by improving services that enrich our community.

The Community & Behavioral Health Division promotes population health and health equity by developing, implementing, and evaluating sustainable, evidence-based public health policies, interventions, and systems. The Division comprises programs within Behavioral Health, HIV Resources and Community Health that conduct health-related assessments, creates, implements and evaluates programs, and develops policies and initiatives aimed at improving the health of Denver residents while advancing equity at all levels. Additional information and resources can be found on the Division’s website at: DDPHE: Community and Behavioral Health.  

The Denver Department of Public Health and Environment’s food systems team is charged with implementing the Denver Food Vision. The team focuses on equitable, healthy, accessible, and culturally affirming accessible food for all. Through policy, systems, and environment change, the team focuses on food system resilience, food waste reduction, food access, healthy food for kids, institutional food purchasing, and neighborhood scale food systems. 

 

B. ORGANIZATIONAL ELIGIBILITY  

 

ORGANIZATIONAL REQUIREMENTS 

• Organization must be (or be able to) register with the Colorado Secretary of State. 

• Organization cannot be de-barred and must have (or be able to have) a certificate of non-debarment and federal UEI #. 

• Organization must have demonstrated experience with food systems and food resiliency.  

• Organization must have experience organizing stakeholder meetings and facilitating meetings. 

• Organization must have strong writing and summarizing skills. 

 

C. SCOPE OF WORK  

 

SCOPE OF WORK OVERVIEW AND REQUIREMENTS

 

DDPHE is looking to do a movement of food study which aims to inform future DDPHE efforts to increase resilience in Denver’s food distribution system to ensure it can withstand and adapt to disruptions, whether they are natural or anthropogenic. This study was a recommendation that came out of the 2026 Denver Food Systems Resiliency Assessment. 

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted vulnerabilities to the food system across the world. Denver was not immune to the disruptions arising from the pandemic, such as difficulties by residents accessing food whether due to empty grocery store shelves, particularly in low-income and minority population neighborhoods, or lack of available food at food banks and pantries across the city. Farmers, wholesalers and restaurants also had to make radical shifts in supply chains, retailing options and delivery methods in response to public health closures.

Objectives

The Movement of Food Study will entail:

· Conducting research into food distribution routes and bottlenecks to better understand where risks and constraints exist in the current food system. Use relevant examples, including  New York’s Five Borough Food Flow  study and Austin’s Supply Chain Vulnerability Assessment, to guide the research.

· Include research or consideration of small scale and resilient mobility infrastructure for last-mile delivery (e.g., refrigerated vans, e-cargo support, alternative route planning).

· Visually showcasing data using maps and other tools. 

· Developing a set of recommendations on how Denver might support more resilient and dispersed food distribution pathways especially during disasters. The recommendations should be unique to this Study and not duplicate recommendations found in other Denver reports, such as the Denver Food Systems Resiliency Assessments, or the SNAP After Action Report. 

· Developing a set of recommendations on how Denver could develop a centralized, shared-used facility for storage, distribution and processing (see recommendation #4 of the Denver Food Systems Resiliency Assessment under Infrastructure and Asset Investment) 

 

It is expected that the contractor will:

Task 1: Conduct A Supply Chain Vulnerability Analysis 

Timeframe: Upon contract execution-September 2026

· Analysis & Engagement Plan – A document outlining the methodology, data sources, and evaluation framework (due within 2-4 weeks of contract initiation).

· Literature review: identify and review existing data sets related to the movement of food in and around Denver. Including, but not limited to the Denver Food Systems Resiliency Assessment (linked above) and the Denver Food Vision. 

• Develop and refine a supply chain vulnerability analysis questionnaire that will guide interviews and focus groups. 
• Develop and refine Scope of Work for Supply Chain Focus Groups and/or key stakeholder interviews. 
• Develop stakeholder database
• Develop and refine focus group agenda and activities 
• Conduct outreach and facilitation for focus groups/key stakeholder interviews. 
• Organize and convene at least one stakeholder meeting with experts such as wholesalers, distributors, food producers, retailers, and other relevant stakeholders. 
• Organize and convene at least 15 stakeholder interviews with supply chain experts including wholesalers, distributors, food producers and retailers. 
• Distribute supply chain vulnerability analysis questionnaire via survey for stakeholders unable to join interviews/focus group. 
• Meet regularly with DDPHE staff to invite feedback on scope and format of deliverables and provide updates on progress and key findings.
• Present findings, including key takeaways to city departments such as the Sustainable Food Policy Council (SFPC) and the Food Interagency Group (FIG). Provide copy of slide deck to DDPHE. 

 

Task 2: Draft Supply Chain Vulnerability report (Movement of Food Study)

Timeframe: October 2026 – December 2026

1. Develop a supply chain vulnerability report modeled on New York’s Five Boroughs Food Flow and Austin’s Supply Chain Vulnerability Assessment. At a minimum, the report should include the following data points: 

· Amount of food distributed throughout Denver

• Number of point-of-sale outlets
• Percent of food that is refrigerated, frozen or with specific infrastructure requirements
• Volume of food by main transportation channels (e.g., how is food transported into Denver). 
• Size, structure, and resiliency of Denver’s last mile distribution system. 
• Location of distributors and food manufacturing facilities in the Denver Metro Area. 
• Quantity and type of food purchased in Colorado. 
• Food flow chart 
• Number of warehouses with food storage capacity 
• Quantity and location of major food imports. 

2. An analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of Denver’s supply chain 

3. A set of recommendations on how Denver can strengthen any potential weaknesses identified in the Study.

 

It is also expected that the contractor will: 

• Coordinate project details, review project materials, schedule outreach, and provide any updates related to the project budget, timeline, and deliverables with DDPHE at least monthly. 
• Provide draft materials (e.g., the Analysis & Engagement Plan; the Supply Chain Vulnerability Analysis questionnaire) to DDPHE for review prior to organizing stakeholder engagement and incorporate required changes.
• Provide draft Supply Chain Vulnerability report to DDPHE for review. 
• Provide all copies of data, draft and final reports and analyses to DDPHE within 40 days of the completion of the project. 

 

 

D. FUNDING AND GRANT TERM 

 

PROGRAM FUNDING 

Funding for this RFP is anticipated to be up to $60,000. Rules regarding use of funds from the City, State and Federal level may apply. 

 

Funds can be used for a variety of purposes, including within the following categories and example purpose: 

A. Materials and Supplies: Expenses for hosting stakeholder, development, or production of focus group materials.  

B. Travel: Mileage to attend local partner meetings

C. Personnel Services and Fringe: Organizational staffing support; Include if position is on staff or to be hired; Fringe can be a percentage of personnel salary to estimate cost of benefits

D. Subcontracts: Subject matter experts, services your organization does not directly provide.

E. Indirect Costs: Up to 10% of the amount requested is allowed for indirect/administrative costs 

Funds can only be used for the purposes outlined in the service agreement. Applicants who may not already meet the minimum insurance requirements, may include insurance costs in the proposed budget. 

 

Proposers are requested to submit a budget that reflects the operational needs to complete the project. DDPHE anticipates the total funding for the project (through 12/31/2026) to be approximately $60,000. If additional funding becomes available, DDPHE at its discretion, can increase the dollar amount and amend contracts to include additional scope tasks with agreement from contractors. 

TERM 

The project term is anticipated to be from 7/1/2026 – 12/31/2026. 

 

 

E. PROPOSAL QUESTIONS & RESPONSE 

 

Responses  must be submitted in Submittable. Responses submitted through other means will not be accepted. For technical assistance, email Jason Smith at jason.smith1@denvergov.org.  When submitting documents, the files do not need to be combined into one. Proposer may email multiple files. 

 

Submitted applications confirm the understanding of the scope, objectives of the services, deliverables, work product, or documents, timing, staffing and fees for this RFP. 

 

The quality and detail of your responses to the topics below will figure significantly in the overall evaluation of your proposal. Applicants are encouraged to give examples and provide concrete information to support your proposal on each point. Proposals should not exceed the page maximums noted for each section.

 

SECTION 1

Background and Experience  

• Describe how your organization meets the organizational requirements and qualifications as described in section B. 
• Describe experience relevant to the project scope of work, in particular the project objectives. Include examples which can help explain your style and approach. 

 

Project Approach and Methods 

• Provide a narrative description of your project approach, including:
• Overview of how you will initiate and deliver on, at minimum, the project objectives within the two phases. Include and describe additional activities as the applicant deems beneficial to the project.
• Approach to collaboration and communication with DDPHE and any other partners, including examples of methods. 

 

SECTION 2

Project Work Plan

• Please upload your work plan. The work plan should outline the key project activities, responsible party and timeline for project. 
• The work plan should be detailed enough to serve as a roadmap for the full project implementation period.  

 

SECTION 3

Budget

• Please complete the Budget template linked in the application. 
• Please include all anticipated costs for the project term of 7/1/26-12/31/26
• The budget should include a description of each line item to justify its expense, in addition to including quantity and rate of items as appropriate. 

 

F. SELECTION AND SCORING 

 

SELECTION PROCESS 

 

The criteria to be used for scoring applications include but are not limited to: 

• Required application topics/questions 
• Service need and requirements 
• Budget 
• Previous contract performance 
• Other documents that may be requested, including but not limited to: 
• Copy of Letter of Good Standing from Secretary of State 
• Annual operating budget(s) for the previous and current year 
• Financial Disclosure Statement and/or IRS Form 990 (for all organizations) 
• Response to the City’s proposed Sample Grant Agreement provisions 
• Applications with subcontractors receiving over $50,000 may require additional information. 

 

The award will be made to the Applicant whose proposal meets the requirements of the RFP and is determined to be most responsive, responsible, and best value to the City and County of Denver, in accordance with the scope of work, community needs, and Denver Revised Municipal Code. 

 

The City may request oral presentations as part of the review process and may interview applicant finalists. Additionally, the City reserves the right to conduct negotiations with one or more Applicants. 

 

APPENDIX:

 

APPENDIX A:  REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL STANDARD TERMS AND CONDITIONS

 

A. Notification of Open Records Act: All material submitted regarding this application becomes the property of the City and County of Denver and is subject to the Colorado Public (Open) Records Act (“CORA”). If the applicant believes that any material in its proposal constitutes trade secrets, privileged information, or confidential commercial or financial data, then the applicant should mark those items as confidential or proprietary. The City is not bound by the applicant’s determination as to whether materials are subject to disclosure under CORA; and reserves the right to independently determine whether the materials are required to be made available for inspection or otherwise produced under CORA. If the City receives a request for such information marked as confidential, it will notify the applicant. If a suit is filed to compel disclosure of such information, the City will notify the applicant, and the applicant shall be responsible for taking appropriate action to defend against disclosure of its confidential information. The City and County of Denver has the right to use any or all information/material presented in the proposal, subject to limitations for proprietary or confidential information. Disqualifications or denial of the application does not eliminate this right. The contents of the proposal may become contractual obligations if the project is funded, subject to mutual modifications in the contracting process. 

 

B. The City and County of Denver reserves the right to: postpone, cancel, modify, or suspend any or all parts of the RFP process and can reject any or all proposals at its sole discretion, and to waive informalities and minor irregularities in proposals received and to accept any portion or all items proposed if deemed in the best interest of the City and County of Denver. As the City determines appropriate, it may issue additional requirements to this RFP. 

 

C. The Statement of Work and/or Technical Requirements shall form the basis of a Contractual Agreement covering the subject matter of this RFP. Exceptions or deviations to this proposal must not be added to the proposal pages but must be on Proposer's letterhead and accompany proposal. Any exceptions to this documentation will be taken into consideration when evaluating proposals submitted. The City reserves the right to reject any or all of your proposed modifications. The City welcomes cost saving proposals which still satisfy all technical and business objectives. 

 

D. The successful Applicant shall follow all of the specifications, terms and conditions of this proposal as outlined above. The City shall have the right to inspect the facilities and equipment of the successful Proposer to ensure such compliance. 

 

E. Expenses for developing a proposal are entirely the responsibility of the proposer, and the City shall not be liable in any manner for any costs incurred in connection with preparation, submittal, or subsequent negotiation. 

 

F. It shall be a breach of ethical standards for any person to offer, give, or agree to give any employee or former employee (within six months of termination from City employment), or for any employee or former employee (within six months of termination from City employment) to solicit, demand, accept, or agree to accept from another person, a gratuity or an offer of employment in connection with any decision, approval, disapproval, recommendation, preparation of any part of a program requirement or a purchase request, influencing the 

content of any specification or procurement standard, rendering of advice, investigation, auditing, or in any other advisory capacity in any proceeding of application, request for ruling, determination, claim or controversy, or other particular matter, pertaining to any program requirement or a contract or subcontract, or to any solicitation or proposal, therefore. 

 

G. By the submission of this proposal, the Applicant certifies that: 

• The proposal has been arrived at by the Applicant independently and has been submitted without collusion with any other Applicant. 
• The contents of the proposal have not been communicated by the Applicant, nor, to its best knowledge and belief, by any of its employees or agents, to any person not an employee or agent of the Applicant or its surety on any bond furnished herewith and will not be communicated to any such person prior to the official opening of the proposal. 

 

H. Successful Applicants that are corporations or limited liability companies will be required to furnish a Certificate of Good Standing from the Colorado Secretary of State’s Office, as proof that they are properly registered to do business in the State of Colorado, prior to finalization of award and contracting. 

 

I. The City shall not be bound, and the Applicant shall not request or rely on any oral interpretation or clarification of this RFP. Questions and Answers will be provided to all Applicants. 

 

J. All communications regarding this proposal shall only be through the RFP main contact, listed above. No communication is to be directed to any other City personnel. 

 

K. Any award because of this proposal shall be contingent upon the execution of an appropriate contract. The Sample Contract in this proposal contains our proposed terms and conditions. These terms and conditions shall form the basis of a Contract covering the subject matter of this proposal. If there is contention(s) with the Terms and Conditions, a brief explanation and alternative language, if any, should be included in your response to the Sample Contract. Any exceptions to the Terms and Conditions will be taken into consideration when evaluating proposals submitted. The City reserves the right to reject any or all of your proposed modifications.