Nutrition Navigators Direct Services

The Nutrition Navigators-Direct Services (Nutrition Navigators-DS) program is administered by the Food and Nutrition Policy Bureau of the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA). This Request for Proposals (RFP) seeks to expand outreach efforts for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in underserved areas across New York State. OTDA aims to select nonprofit organizations capable of implementing innovative strategies to connect potentially eligible individuals and households with SNAP benefits, particularly in regions historically lacking such outreach. This initiative forms part of a broader statewide effort to address food insecurity by increasing access to federal nutrition assistance. The Nutrition Navigators-DS program is structured as a reimbursement initiative. Selected applicants must demonstrate they have funding in place to cover at least 75% of their total annual budgeted expenses, as reimbursement only occurs post-service. Organizations may use a mix of state general funds and other approved local sources such as non-federal donations, local tax dollars, or in-kind public contributions. Federal SNAP outreach funds reimburse up to 25% of total expenses, while state general funds may cover additional eligible costs. OTDA anticipates allocating up to 60% of available state general funds to Nutrition Navigators-DS providers. Budgets must meet a minimum threshold of $50,000 annually, and no advance payments are permitted under this program. Eligibility is restricted to nonprofit organizations incorporated under 501(c)(3) status. These organizations must be registered and prequalified in the Statewide Financial System (SFS) and must also be compliant with the NYS Attorney General Charities Bureau. Applicants are required to demonstrate the organizational capacity and relevant experience to engage low-income populations—such as the newly unemployed, working poor, elderly, non-citizens, and college students—who may be unaware of their eligibility or discouraged from applying due to perceived stigma or expected low benefit amounts. Applicants must propose a service strategy that includes at least two of the approved SNAP outreach activities. These activities may include prescreening, application assistance, translation of materials, and community-based information dissemination efforts, among others. Some additional services—such as acting as an authorized representative for clients or providing transportation support—are allowable but not reimbursable with federal funds. Program design must incorporate collaboration with local social service districts and participation in training offered by a designated Technical Assistance (TA) provider. Annual Civil Rights training and SNAP policy training are mandatory for all program staff engaging with SNAP populations. Applications are due electronically via the SFS Vendor Portal by 2:00 pm on April 3, 2026. A question submission window closes on February 11, 2026, and responses will be published by February 27, 2026. The anticipated notification of awards is July 8, 2026, with the program term beginning October 1, 2026, and extending through September 30, 2031. Contracts will be issued for five years, contingent upon continued funding and satisfactory performance, including timely reporting and adherence to Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise (MWBE) requirements. Submissions must include a detailed response to 14 application questions, a project description using OTDA's required template, and a complete line-item budget. Evaluation will be based on these components, totaling 100 points: 40 points for application questions, 40 for the project description, and 20 for the budget. Additional uploads include MWBE documentation, attestations, local funding agreements, and policy compliance certifications. OTDA emphasizes compliance with MWBE and Equal Employment Opportunity policies and encourages participation from Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Businesses (SDVOBs) to the greatest extent possible.