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South King County Fund Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

COVID-19 and travel at SEA Airport More Information

The Port of Seattle established the South King County Fund (SKCF) to develop equity-based partnerships and provide resources and support in historically underserved near-airport communities. The fund will award $10 million between 2019 and 2023 to address noise mitigation, environmental health and sustainability in these ethnically and culturally diverse communities.

In response to the devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our community, the Port of Seattle Commission has added economic development as an additional focus for the South King County Fund. With ties to all of Washington’s key economic sectors and connections to more than 500 employers operating at our facilities, the Port stands uniquely positioned to help lead the regional recovery.

The South King County Fund plays an important role in the Port’s regional recovery strategy. This year, we will award grants to organizations serving communities most deeply impacted by the current economic crisis for projects connected to Port-related industries, including aviation, maritime, construction trades, and green career industries.

How do I apply?

1. Download documents and review the proposal guidelines

Register at VendorConnect to download the complete South King County Fund Request for Proposal (RFP) package
For detailed instructions about registering, read the VendorConnect External User Guide
Reiew Guidelines in the South King County Fund Economic Recovery RFP document under the "documents" tab on the South King County Fund Solicitation Overview page in VendorConnect.
You must register as a Plan Holder at VendorConnect to ask questions and receive ongoing updates by going to the South King County Fund solicitation Overview page. To ask a question, select the "Ask Question" button.

What are Port-related industries?

Port-related industries are aviation, maritime, construction trades, and green career industries.

If I have questions, who should I contact?

Preview South King County Fund Economic Recovery guidelines – Guidelines are available in VendorConnect.

Once you are registered in VendorConnect, you may view the guidelines on the South King County Fund solicitation page under the "Documents" tab.

Download the Request For Proposal (RFP) package – Go to VendorConnect. The full package includes the guidelines and other attachments, and is only available through VendorConnect. The site works best using either Chrome, Firefox, or Safari web browsers.

Go to VendorConnect.
Create your login, password and basic profile (a VendorConnect External User Guide is available here).
Select the "Current and Past Solicitations" button.
Scroll down the Dashboard page to find the South King County Fund RFP or do a search for "SKCF Economic Recovery - Cycle 2" in the "Search Solicitations" box in the upper left.
Select the SKCF Economic Recovery - Cycle 2 solicitation link. This will take you to the solicitation Overview page where you will find several tabs (below the main body of text) that provide all the information you need about the solicitation.
If you need assistance, select the “Contact CPO” button.

Ask a question or receive updates – You must register and become a Plan Holder at VendorConnect to ask a question or get updates.

Please see the instructions above to register in VendorConnect (a VendorConnect External User Guide is available here).
Join as a new vendor.
Find the SKCF Economic Recovery - Cycle 2 solicitation (see steps 3-5 above).
From the solicitation Overview page, select the "Become a Plan Holder" button.
When you are a Plan Holder, you may ask questions on the solicitation Overview page by selecting the "Ask Question" button.
Responses to questions will be posted in the Documents tab and titled: Question and Answer Publication #1, Question and Answer Publication #2 (the following week), and so on. These responses will also be posted on the South King County Fund webpage.

How do I sign up for an information session?

You can sign up using the links provided in the Information Session section on the South King County Fund Economic Recovery webpage. All sessions will be held online.

Do NOT RSVP in VendorConnect.

What kinds of organizations work with the Port?

The Port partners with organizations on a variety of programs, including job training and placement, pre-apprenticeship, job advancement and retention, youth training and employment, small business technical assistance, tourism promotion, environmental health and public improvement.

What are the eligibility requirements?

Proposers must be a 501(c)3 or 501(c)6 nonprofit organization or be an organization that has a 501(c)3 or 501(c)6 fiscal sponsor.

An organization serving as a fiscal sponsor may submit its own proposal in addition to a proposal submitted on behalf of its sponsored organization.
Collaboratives may apply, but a 501(c)3 or 501(c)6 nonprofit organization in the collaborative must submit the proposal on behalf of the group.

Additionally, proposers must demonstrate experience in serving near-airport communities that are most economically vulnerable and face great challenges, including people of color, Native people, immigrants and refugees, those with less English proficiency, veterans, seniors, youth, and/or people with disabilities.

How do you define "near-airport communities"?

Near-airport communities are those that are around the airport, for example: Burien, Des Moines, Federal Way, Normandy Park, SeaTac, and Tukwila.

Do I have to be a nonprofit organization to apply?

Yes. If your organization does not have 501(c)3 or 501(c)6 nonprofit status, you can apply through a fiscal sponsor that is a 501(c)3 or 501(c)6 nonprofit organization.

Can an individual apply?

No, proposers must be 501(c)3 or 501(c)6 nonprofit organizations, collaboratives, or fiscally sponsored organizations. All proposals must have one nonprofit organization identified as the proposed Prime contractor; other partners can be listed as sub-partners. Only one nonprofit, the Prime, will be listed on the agreement.

Can a collaborative submit a proposal?

Yes, collaboratives may apply, but the applicant submitting the request on behalf of the group must be a 501(c)3 or 501(c)6 nonprofit organization. The organization submitting will act as the prime for the contract.

My group in Seattle serves a community based in Burien. Can we apply?

Yes, as long as the proposed project is focused on serving people in near-airport communities.

How much money can I request?

One-Year Projects can range from $20,000 to $100,000 or Multi-Year Projects up to three years, ranging from $60,000 to $250,000.

Can I submit my proposal in a language other than English?

All written proposal materials must be submitted in English. However, you may use your preferred language when you have your discussion with the review panel. We will be happy to provide an interpreter.

Do I have to participate in a discussion with the Evaluation Team?

Yes, this is a requirement for shortlisted prospers. This discussion will give you the chance to talk in person with the Evaluation Team about your project. These conversations are in addition to — and not in place of – written proposals. Presentations will be conducted in English, and interpreters will be provided upon request. If you would like an interpreter for your discussion, please let us know in your proposal form. We will contact you with scheduling options.

How do I ask for an interpreter for my discussion with the Evaluation Team?

If you would like an interpreter at your discussion with the review panel, please let us know in the proposal form.

Can I submit more than one proposal?

Organizations can only apply under one funding option (one-year contract duration or multi-year contract duration), except if the nonprofit organization is serving as a fiscal sponsor for another project. Proposers can participate as a sub-partner on other projects submitted by a separate organization.

How long should my proposal be?

The narrative section should be no more than six (6) pages for one-year projects and eight (8) pages for multi-year projects, but if you can tell us your story in fewer pages, that is fine. Just briefly give us details about what you are going to do. The proposal form, IRS letter, and exhibits do not count towards the page limit.

Are funds for general operating expenses or for projects?

Funds will be awarded for project-related expenses, not for general operating expenses.

Will you fund existing projects?

Yes, existing projects are eligible for funding. But funding will only cover activities that occur after the awarded contract has been executed. If awarded a contract from the SKCF Economic Recovery program, an organization can only be awarded funding in a future cycle once their SKCF contract has expired.

If we receive a contract, how often will we need to submit a report?

Depending on your contract duration, you will be asked to provide monthly progress reports, a mid-year report and check-in, annual reporting, and/or end-of-year project report.

When will I receive the funds?

Compensation is based on a firm-fixed-price (lump sum) reimbursement schedule, in accordance with the mutually agreed upon milestone payment schedule in Attachment B of the Agreement. Fifty percent of the annual funding will be reimbursed on a monthly basis for milestones satisfactorily completed and reported to the PORT Project Manager.

Can funds pay for staff time?

Yes, funds can be used for staff time, direct expenses, or sub-partners working on the project.

What are the credentials required for a Prime versus a Sub?

Prime: A Prime is the Consultant. Consultant is defined in RCW 53.19.010 (3) as an independent individual or firm contracting with the Port to perform a service or render an opinion or recommendation according to the Consultant's methods and without being subject to the control of the Port except as to the result of the work.

Sub: The Port authorizes the Consultant to subcontract, as necessary for services related to the Consultant’s performance under and as specified by the contract. See Exhibit 4: Terms and Conditions, Section 6. Subcontracts.

Can new programs/small organizations apply? What experience is needed?

Yes. Proposers should demonstrate experience in serving populations in near-airport communities that are most economically vulnerable and that disproportionately face greater challenges.
Both new and existing projects are welcomed. In either case, proposers must be able to demonstrate their ability to implement the project successfully.
Please see Section XI.A& B of the RFP for more information.

Can a nonprofit subcontract to a for-profit to do the work?

Yes. While the contracted Prime must have a 501(c)3 or 501(c)6 tax-exempt status, it can contract to nonprofits or for-profits.

Subcontracting to a for-profit: Nonprofit organizations may subcontract a portion of the scope of work to for-profit entities. No more than 25% of the total project budget may be allocated to for-profit subcontractors.

Can this funding support purchasing equipment and up to how much?

No. Projects that do not directly support PORT-related industries (aviation, maritime, construction trades, green jobs/green careers) in all aspects of the project will not be eligible for award.

Wraparound Services is defined as services and support systems including, but not limited to, public transportation assistance, work-related clothing, tools, and work-related food assistance as they relate to work needs, and as allowable by law, regulations, and funding sources that promote access and stronger alignment of workforce, education, vocational rehabilitation, and other human services systems. Please see Section XI.A.4 of the RFP for activities not eligible for funding and reference RCW 53.08.245.

What are required documentation?

Please see the Proposal Form located under the Documents tab in VendorConnect.
These documents make up the proposal package:
•   Exhibit 1: Proposal Form
•   Exhibit 2: Funding Request Narrative
•   Exhibit 3: Company Information Form
•   Current IRS letter verifying the nonprofit organization’s 501(c)3 or 501(c)6 tax-exempt status (yours or your fiscal sponsor’s)
•   If relevant: a fiscal sponsorship agreement signed by the fiscal sponsor and the proposing organization

What is the Equity Index and how will it be used?

The Equity Index (Index) produced by the Port helps individuals understand how people living in the South King County area experience historic disadvantages where they live. The Index shows which communities face the greatest impacts due to historical disparities based on numerous sociodemographic factors (education, economy, environmental pollutants, and many more).

View the Index.

Information from the Index may be used as an evaluation factor.

Where can I find a list of definitions (e.g., wrap around services, port related industries)?

Please see Section XII. Definitions within the RFP are located in VendorConnect.

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