IT Associate

Friends of Recovery Association Request for Proposal (RFP) for:
IT Support and Computer Consulting Services

1. Overview: Friends of Recovery Association (FORA) a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to advocating for Kansas Oxford Houses. Oxford Houses are an international concept in providing recovery from drug and alcohol addiction, through democratically run, self-supporting, drug-free homes to prevent relapses. FORA is seeking proposals from qualified vendors to provide comprehensive IT support and computer consulting services. The selected vendor will be responsible for ensuring the stability, security, and efficiency of our IT infrastructure, as well as providing expert guidance on technology solutions to enhance our operations.
2. Organization Background: FORA is a non-profit organization with an annual budget of less than $750,000. We serve the recovery community which includes communicating with multiple Federal, state, county, and local governments for grant funding. Our current IT structure is preventing effective and efficient communication with the government agencies due to increased security measures. Therefore, technology is critical to carry out our mission effectively. However, as a non-profit, we have limited resources and require cost-effective solutions to meet our IT needs.
3. Scope of Services: The selected vendor will be required to provide the following services:

• Strategic IT consulting to assess our current infrastructure, identify areas for improvement, and recommend cost-effective technology solutions to enhance our operations.
  • Current IT infrastructure consists of sixteen individual workstations (desktops and laptops)
  • FORA network consists of two primary switches with 8 individual ports including Power over Ethernet (POE)
  • FORA WIFI network is provided by building owner through guest WIFI access.
  • Internet connectivity provided by building owner.
    • Building internet connectivity through Google 1.0GB
  • Operating system combination of Windows 10.0 and Windows 11.0
  • Collaboration software is Google Suite for sharing and storing documents.
  • Telephone VOIP provider is Nextiva
• Regular maintenance and monitoring of our IT systems, including servers, workstations, networking equipment, and software applications.
• Help desk support for end-users to address technical issues and provide guidance on using IT resources effectively.
• Proactive security measures to protect our data and systems from cyber threats, including malware protection, firewall management, and vulnerability assessments.
• Backup and disaster recovery planning to ensure business continuity in the event of data loss or system failure.
• Assistance with IT procurement, including vendor selection, product evaluation, and negotiation of favorable pricing for hardware and software purchases.
• Training and knowledge transfer to our staff to improve their IT skills and maximize the value of our technology investments.
• Collaboration with building IT consultants for recommendations on new cabling, points of access, or any other IT need requiring access to the building IT infrastructure.

1. Proposal Requirements: Interested vendors are requested to submit proposals that include the following information:

• Company background and experience providing IT support and consulting services to non-profit or other small organizations.
• Description of the proposed approach to providing IT support and consulting services to FORA, including the specific services to be provided and the anticipated timeline for implementation.
• Qualifications and certifications of key personnel who will be involved in delivering the services.
• Pricing structure, including any recurring fees, hourly rates, and additional costs for hardware, software, or other expenses.

1. Evaluation Criteria: Proposals will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

• Experience and expertise in providing IT support and consulting services to non-profit organizations.
• Responsiveness and ability to meet the needs of FORA within our budget constraints.
• Quality and comprehensiveness of the proposed services and solutions.
• Cost-effectiveness of the proposed pricing structure.

This is a Hybrid position that will require at least one day per week onsite in Overland Park, KS.