PRESS RELEASE
City of Long Beach
Public Information Office
411 W. Ocean Blvd,
Long Beach, CA 90802
www.longbeach.gov
562.570.7441
Rebecca.Kauma@longbeach.gov
Economic and Digital Inclusion Officer
Economic Development Department
Long Beach, CA – As part of the City of Long Beach’s ongoing effort in addressing digital inequities and advancing digital equity and inclusion in Long Beach, the Economic Development Department (ED), in collaboration with the Technology and Innovation Department (TID), have launched two Request for Proposals (RFPs) for organizations to implement digital inclusion resources and services, including distributing internet hotspots and computing devices and offering computer literacy training to communities most impacted by the digital divide stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic. Eligible organizations are encouraged to submit proposals through the City’s Vendor Portal, PlanetBids, by 11 a.m. (PST) on March 1, 2022.
The following funding opportunities are available for organizations to apply to:
- Hotspots & Computing Devices RFP (Purchasing & Management): Seeking a for-profit organization, non-profit organization or community-based organization (CBO) to coordinate the purchasing and management of free hotspots and computing devices.
- Hotspots & Computing Devices RFP (Community Outreach & Distribution): Seeking CBOs to implement community outreach efforts that connect residents and business owners most in need to free digital inclusion resources and services including (e.g. hotspots, computing devices, digital literacy training, Digital Inclusion Resources Hotline).
- One-on-One Computer Literacy Support Services RFP: Seeking a CBO to provide additional one-on-one computer literacy support services on hotspots, computers, email and Internet usage to residents and business owners.
Specific details related to project scope areas, eligibility requirements and submission instructions are available at PlanetBids. The City is hosting a virtual information for interested organizations on Feb. 17 at 2 p.m. via Zoom, and has also developed an instructional video on the registration process.
These programs are made possible by the Long Beach Recovery Act, a plan to fund economic and public health initiatives for Long Beach residents, workers and businesses critically impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of $1,362,000 has been allocated from the Recovery Act to support these digital inclusion programs in alignment with the City’s Digital Inclusion Initiative (Initiative). Additional information about the Long Beach Recovery Act is available at longbeach.gov/recovery.
As part of the Initiative, in June 2021, the Long Beach City Council approved the City’s first Digital Inclusion Roadmap (Roadmap) to address the digital inequities and advance digital equity and inclusion in Long Beach. The foundation of the Roadmap includes a vision statement, goals, objectives and strategies through a Collective Impact Approach and equity lens in the following focus areas: capacity, connectivity, technology.
For more information on the City’s Digital Inclusion Initiative, visit longbeach.gov/ti/digital-inclusion.