Work With Sacramento County
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Interested in partnering with Sacramento County but not sure where to begin? Whether your organization has never worked with Sacramento County before or is looking to expand its opportunities, this page can help you understand how to find opportunities, prepare to apply, and navigate the process.
Working with Sacramento County may involve different processes depending on the type of service, funding opportunity, or department. This guide is designed to help you get started and connect you with resources along the way.
How to Get Started
1. Find Opportunities
Sacramento County contracts with nonprofit organizations to provide a wide range of services to residents. Opportunities may include contracts, grants, requests for proposals, requests for qualifications, and other solicitations. The first step is to explore current opportunities and identify those that align with your organization's mission, services, and capacity.
View Current County Opportunities
Learn More About County Procurement
Stay Informed
Not every opportunity will be a good fit for every organization. New opportunities are released throughout the year by different Sacramento County departments. Register for notifications and check back regularly to stay informed about opportunities that may align with your organization's work. Register for Opportunity Notifications
2. Understand the Opportunity
Before deciding whether to apply, take time to carefully review the solicitation. Each opportunity may have different requirements, eligibility
criteria, timelines, scopes of work, and submission instructions. Consider the following questions:
- Does this opportunity align with our organization's mission and services
- Are we eligible to apply?
- Do we have the staff, experience, and capacity to deliver the requested services?
- Can we meet the contract, insurance, reporting, and other requirements?
- Do we have the time and resources to prepare a competitive response before the deadline?
If an opportunity is a good fit, follow the instructions provided in the solicitation carefully. Many opportunities also include informational
meetings, question-and-answer periods, or other opportunities to learn more before submitting a response.
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3. Prepare Your Organization
- Proof of nonprofit or business status
- Tax identification, organizational and financial information
- Insurance documentation
- Relevant licenses or certifications, when applicable
- Information about your organization's experience and qualifications
- References or examples of previous work
- Policies or other documentation required for the specific opportunity
Requirements vary depending on the solicitation. Always review the specific opportunity for the complete list of requirements.
Tips for Developing a Strong Proposal
Meeting the minimum requirements is the first step. When preparing a proposal, focus on clearly demonstrating how your organization can address the needs described in the solicitation and achieve the expected results.
Depending on the opportunity, a strong proposal may:
- Clearly respond to the solicitation. Address each question, requirement, and evaluation criterion directly, and follow all submission instructions.
- Demonstrate understanding of community needs. Use relevant, credible data and community knowledge to explain the need for the proposed services and how your approach responds to it.
- Describe a clear approach. Explain what your organization will do, who it will serve, how services will be delivered, and how the proposed approach will achieve the desired outcomes.
- Demonstrate relevant experience. Provide specific examples that show your organization's ability to successfully deliver similar services or work with the population identified in the solicitation.
- Use partnerships strategically. When appropriate, demonstrate how collaboration with other nonprofit organizations, public agencies, educational institutions, or community partners can strengthen service delivery and improve outcomes. Clearly describe each partner's role.
- Show how you will measure results. Identify meaningful outcomes and explain how your organization will track progress and use data to improve services.
- Demonstrate organizational capacity. Describe the people, systems, infrastructure, and resources that will support successful implementation.
- Present a realistic budget. Make sure the proposed costs are reasonable, clearly explained, and aligned with the proposed activities and scope of work.
- Center the communities you serve. Where relevant, demonstrate how your organization incorporates community experience, cultural knowledge, accessibility, and participant feedback into program design and delivery.
Tip: The solicitation is your roadmap. Before submitting, review your proposal against every requirement and evaluation criterion to make sure you have addressed what the solicitation is asking for.
Need Help Preparing?
Explore resources designed to help nonprofits better understand County contracting requirements and prepare to pursue future opportunities. Explore Contracting Readiness Resources
4. Submit Your Response
When your proposal is ready, follow the solicitation’s submission process carefully. Sacramento County opportunities may use an online procurement platform, such as OpenGov, to receive responses.
Before submitting, be sure to:
- Follow the required format and submission process.
- Confirm that all required sections and attachments are included.
- Make sure files are complete, readable, and in the requested format.
- Submit your response before the stated deadline.
- Keep a copy of your submitted response and confirmation for your records.
If you have questions about the solicitation, use the designated question-and-answer process and submit them by the stated deadline.
Informational meetings may also provide an opportunity to clarify the requirements. Late or incomplete submissions may not be considered,
so it is important to review your response before submitting it. Learn How to Use OpenGov
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5. What Happens Next?
After the submission deadline, Sacramento County reviews responses according to the process described in the solicitation. The timeline and evaluation process may vary depending on the type of opportunity.
- Review of eligibility and minimum requirements
- Evaluation of qualifications or proposals
- Interviews, presentations, or other additional steps
- Selection and notification
- Contract development and approval
If your organization is selected, Sacramento County staff will work with you through the next steps required to establish the agreement or contract. Not being selected for one opportunity does not necessarily mean your organization will not be a good fit for future opportunities. Organizations are encouraged to continue monitoring Sacramento County opportunities and apply when there is a strong alignment with their mission, experience, and capacity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to have worked with Sacramento County before to apply?
No. Opportunities may be open to organizations that have not previously contracted with Sacramento County. Eligibility and qualifications vary by opportunity, so always review the specific solicitation carefully.
Does my organization need to be a nonprofit?
Not all Sacramento County opportunities are limited to nonprofit organizations. Eligibility requirements are identified in each solicitation.
Where can I find current opportunities?
Current Sacramento County contracting and procurement opportunities can be found through Sacramento County's procurement system and other locations identified by individual departments.
What if I do not understand a requirement?
Review the solicitation carefully and use the designated question-and-answer process identified in the opportunity. Questions submitted during the official question period can help clarify requirements before the submission deadline.
Can I apply if my organization is small or new?
Some opportunities may be appropriate for smaller or newer organizations, while others may require specific experience, capacity, or qualifications. Review each opportunity to determine whether your organization meets the stated requirements.
What happens if I am not selected?
Organizations are encouraged to continue monitoring future opportunities. Each solicitation has its own requirements, and an organization that is not selected for one opportunity may be a strong candidate for another.