Responding to the RFP Inquiries

Suggestions for All Applicants in Completing a Grant Application

Suggestions for Standard RFP Applicants in Competition

Suggestions for New Applicants

Suggestions for Current or Former LSC Grantees

Suggestions for All Applicants in Completing a Grant Application

Participate in an Applicant Informational Session (AIS)

These free online conferences are designed to provide an understanding of the information needed to prepare the grant application. One AIS will provide information for Standard RFP Applicants in Competition. The other AIS will provide information for Post-PQV Applicants (Renewal and Competition). 

Research the LSC Resource Initiative (LRI)

LRI is an online library containing innovative delivery approaches, strategies and tools.  The LRI web site provides many articles and publications on topics such as outcomes, quality, technology, case management systems, community economic development projects, and pro se to name a few; and information links to LSC and non-LSC funded civil legal services providers and other law-related organizations and institutions.  Review the information available on LRI before responding to the RFP inquiries. 

Review the Reference Materials

Consider the ABA Standards, LSC Performance Criteria, the LSC Act and regulations, and other materials such as LSC program letters that are referenced in the RFP. Every application is evaluated against these sources of practice standards. Applicants’ policies and practices should reflect these standards and requirements, and reflect the overall goal of providing high quality legal services to clients. 

Be Specific Rather Than General

Applicants should provide examples to support general propositions stated in the proposals. For example, in addition to saying that the Applicant has (or is planning to have) good working relationships with many organizations, list the organizations and the nature of the present or future working relationship with each. Instead of just saying that client eligible persons were surveyed, state the number of persons surveyed, the number of survey respondents, how they were identified, and what information they were asked to supply.

Make the Application Consistent and Error-Free

The care with which a proposal is crafted affects the way it is perceived. Check to make sure that your proposal is consistent throughout. Inconsistencies in the information and data presented raise questions for reviewers about the reliability of the information. Examples of inconsistencies from previous proposal submissions include budgets that did not reflect the work described in the narrative and estimates of casework to be done that did not reflect the Applicant’s priorities. A well-drafted proposal should be presented clearly and be free of spelling, typographical, and major grammatical errors.

Applying to More Than One Service Area

Address the unique aspects of each grant when applying for more than one service area. For example, delivery of services for a Basic Field-General service area may differ from delivery for a Basic Field-Native American or Basic Field-Migrant service area in many respects because of the different needs and priorities of the different communities. There may be differences in the priority setting processes, priorities, goals and objectives, delivery strategies, intake systems, legal work management, and in other aspects of the delivery systems. Applicants are required to complete separate applications when applying for more than one service area type.  

Suggestions for Standard RFP Applicants in Competition

Consider the Weight

Consider the weight assigned to each section of the RFP narrative. Each section of the RFP is assigned a percentage weight, which is applied during the review process. The weighting reflects LSC's evaluation priorities and should be considered in program design and implementation, as well as the proposal narrative.

Address All Aspects of Each RFP Topic

Many of the RFP topics ask the Applicant to address several elements. For example, the question on coordination within the delivery system references the Applicant's activities with legal services providers and with other community organizations that provide services to the low-income community. The response should thoroughly address activities with both types of organizations.

Prepare the Proposal Narrative Using the Proposal Narrative Outline

The Proposal Narrative Outline is Attachment 1 to the RFP Narrative Instructions. Responses should correspond to each particular section and subsection of the RFP, and should be labeled accordingly. Do not assume that information given in one section will be considered in response to another section. If necessary, either repeat information that you consider relevant to two sections, or cross-reference your responses. For example, if the Applicant has established a pro se clinic on domestic violence in conjunction with the local spouse abuse clinic, that information should be referred to in the section on “other services” and in the section on cooperative efforts to deliver services.

Draw the Connection to the Applicant’s Priorities

Legal services provider activities should evolve from a priority-setting process. Examples of practices influenced by program priorities include goals and objectives, case acceptance policies, other legal services provided, office and staffing configurations, and private attorney involvement. Proposals should describe the relevant connections that exist.

Suggestions for New Applicants

Provide Details about Plans for Implementation

Provide specific information about how and when the proposed delivery approach will be implemented.  Applicants that have not been recipients of LSC funding should provide as much detail as possible about how and within what time frame the proposal will be implemented. For example, if a priority setting process has not been conducted, the Applicant should describe the proposed process and when it is expected to be completed. Similarly, the Applicant should describe the process and time line for hiring staff, opening intake and becoming fully operational, implementing a private attorney involvement effort, etc.

Demonstrate the Applicant’s Capacity

Describe in detail the Applicant’s experience that demonstrates the ability to deliver high quality legal services.  New Applicants should provide as much detail as possible about their experiences that demonstrate the capacity of the Applicant to provide quality legal services to low-income people, such as prior legal experience, law office management, significant accomplishments in representing clients, and how the experience and accomplishments are transferable to the provision of effective and efficient services to low-income clients.

Suggestions for Current or Former LSC Grantees

Explain Any Proposed Changes in the Delivery System

​Explain proposed changes in practice, structure, facilities, resources or other aspects of the program’s work. The Applicant should describe the specific changes proposed, whether a decision has been made to implement the changes, and, if so, when the changes will be implemented or how they will be phased in.

Explain Any Changes that Have Occurred

Explain changes or differences in the program’s current operations that have occurred since the submission of the previous application for funding. For example, if an office has been closed, the narrative should explain the reason for the change and how clients in the area formerly served by the office have access to the program. Similarly, an explanation should be provided if the last application proposed a significant change or action that was not implemented.