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Professional Services Agreement With Florida Housing Coalition, Inc., for Consulting Services for Housing and Urban Development Community Development Block Grant (HUD/CDBG) Citizen Participation Plan and 2024-2026 Consolidated Plan and Associated Budget Resolution (Contract No. 24-RFPG00576/EK; Amount: $67,500.00)
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BRIEF OVERVIEW
On January 17, 2024, the Procurement Department issued a Request for Proposals (RFP No. 24-RFPG00576/EK) for Consulting Services for HUD/CDBG Citizen Participation Plan and 2024-2026 Consolidated Plan.
Funding for this contract is anticipated to be awarded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Entitlement Program by December 2024.
Per HUD (24 CFR Section 570.302, Part 91), the Consolidated Plan is designed to help states and local jurisdictions to assess their affordable housing and community development needs and market conditions, and to make data-driven, place-based investment decisions. The primary goal of the Citizen Participation Plan is to provide citizens - especially low and moderate income citizens of the community where CDBG-funded activities will take place - an opportunity to participate in an advisory role in the planning, implementation, and assessment of the programs and projects. An Equity Plan is the fair housing plan prepared by the HUD program participant to commit the program participant to goals that advance equity in housing, community development programs, and residents' access to well-resourced areas, opportunity, and community assets.
The development of the Consolidated Plan is required prior to the start of a program year. This is the first year Hernando County is eligible to pursue funding as Hernando County’s population now meets the requirements as a metropolitan entitlement county. As articulated in the attached notification letter, the exact award amount is unknown and subject to change, but anticipated to be an annual allocation of $1,277,000. A program year start date for FY 2024 must start no earlier than January 1, 2024, and no later than October 1, 2024. The County is required to prepare and submit our Consolidated Plan 45 days in advance of the selected program year start date. The plan must be submitted prior to receiving any annual grant funding. The anticipated award allows for pre-award costs, including the devolvement of these plans. Should the County not receive the anticipated award, the County would be responsible for payment of services rendered under the award of this contract.
The solicitation was sent to two thousand nine hundred twenty-two (2,922) vendors including a combination of one thousand forty-six (1,046) Certified Small Business, Minority Business Enterprises, and was downloaded by twenty-six (26) potential proposers.
Four (4) proposals were received on the opening date of February 17, 2024, from the following firms:
• Blue Assent Consultant, LLC, Spring Hill, FL
• Chrysalis Research & Consultant, LLC, Atlanta, GA
• Florida Housing Coalition, Inc., Tallahassee, FL 32301
• Wade Trim, Inc., Tampa, FL 33602
The Peer Review Committee (PRC) met on March 4, 2024, to evaluate the proposals. The committee was comprised of Veda Ramirez, Housing and Supportive Services Director; Scott Herring, Department of Public Works Director; Haydee Padin Alvarez, Community Development Specialist; and Helen Gornes, Grants Compliance Analyst.
The PRC consensus evaluation resulted in the following score:
1. Florida Housing Coalition, Inc. - 92.5 out of 100 max points.
2. Wade Trim, Inc. - 83.0 out of 100 max points.
3. Chrysalis Research & Consultant, LLC - 52.8 out of 100 max points.
4. Blue Assent Consultant, LLC - 22.3 out of 100 max points.
A Notice of Intent to award the contract to Florida Housing Coalition, Inc., dated March 6, 2024, was posted to the OpenGov website and posted to the Hernando County Administration electronic public bulletin board. No responses were received.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Funding budgeted as follows:
Revenue: Fund: 0011-General, Department: 35071- FED GRT-CDBG EN AL 14.218, Account: 3315003- HHG CDBG Entitlement - $67,500
Expense: Fund: 0011- General, Department: 35071- FED GRT-CDBG EN AL 14.218, Account: 5303101 - Professional Services - $67,500
LEGAL NOTE
In accordance with Part II, Chapter 2, Article V of the Hernando County Code of Ordinances.
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RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the Board approve and authorize the Chairperson’s signature on the attached budget resolution and the agreement to Florida Housing Coalition, Inc., for Contract No. RFP No. 24-RFPG00576/EK HUD/CDBG Citizen Participation Plan and 2024-2026 Consolidated Plan ($67,500). It is further recommended that the Board authorize the Chief Procurement Officer to approve change orders up to allowable budget amount as they become necessary and required.