Purpose:
To conduct two one-day training sessions with current Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) recipients on how to administer federal program funds for current Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) recipients. The training sessions are scheduled for May 13, 2010 and November 17, 2010 in Concord, NH. The training locations and food are paid for and provided by the New Hampshire Community Development Finance Authority (CDFA). The budget for this proposal is $6,000.
Background:
The CDBG program is authorized under Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, as amended. The primary purpose of the CDBG program is the development of viable communities, by providing decent housing, a suitable living environment and expanding economic opportunities, principally for persons of low and moderate income. The program is sponsored by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and is administered by CDFA. Since 1983, over 920 grants and $236 million dollars have been awarded throughout the State. Projects have included housing rehabilitation, affordable housing initiatives through nonprofit sub-recipients, improvements to public water/sewer systems, child care centers, and the creation and expansion of job opportunities.
CDBG project awardees are responsible for administering their grant funds. This is often done by hiring private consultants and/or Regional Planning Commissions through a Request for Proposal (RFP) process. In many instances, grant administration has proven to be a daunting task for municipal officials and employees who are unfamiliar with CDBG so these training sessions are offered.
Scope of Work:
The successful respondent will perform the following tasks:
1. Meet with CDFA staff, as necessary, to prepare a curriculum and necessary materials for the training sessions including the electronic Grants Management System.
2. Conduct two single-day training sessions on grant administration in the following areas:
A. Environmental Review procedures for compliance with the HUD Regulations at 24 CFR 58, the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and other statutory requirements.
B. Federal procurement procedures as required by 24 CFR 85.36 and procurement by nonprofit organizations in compliance with OMB Circular A-110, Attachment O.
C. Financial management, internal control systems, payroll systems, tracking and disbursement of program income, payment request procedures and filing systems.
D. Reporting requirements for semi-annual progress and closeout reports.
E. Contract Administration for local grantees and nonprofit subrecipients including but not limited to: labor standards administration; bonding requirements and contract documents.
F. Civil RightsEqual Opportunity and Fair Housing requirements including but not limited to: employee tracking; beneficiary tracking; planning requirements for Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, and federal and state fair housing regulations and requirements.
G. Acquisition and Relocation procedures in accordance with the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970 (URA), as amended, including but not limited to: appraisals, owner notification, tenant notification, temporary relocation procedures and payments, economic displacement; involuntary acquisition requirements for purchase of property and relocation payments, and relocation payments made under Section 104(d) of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, as amended.
H. Audit requirements for local grantees and nonprofit sub-recipients under OMB Circular A-133.
I. Monitoring requirements for local grantees responsible for overseeing nonprofit sub-recipients.
Proposal Review Criteria:
1. Initial screening of proposals will determine if they are within the budget presented in this RFP and at a minimum include the work tasks presented in the Scope of Work above.
2. Following the initial screening, the review will focus on the quality of the proposal and the qualifications of the consultant or staff to be assigned to the project. Respondents must demonstrate extensive knowledge of CDBG administration of local projects and nonprofit sub-recipients, as well as all federal and state rules, regulations, statutes and guidelines that govern the administration of the program, such as the Housing and Community Act of 1974, as amended, HUD Regulations for the State CDBG program at 24 CFR 570 Subpart I and related regulations, State CDBG Administrative Rules, OMB Circular A-87, A-110, A-122, A-128 and A-133, 24 CFR 85, URA requirements and the NH CDBG Implementation Guide 2007 Update.
Personnel:
The proposal shall clearly name the consultant in charge and other personnel and shall state their qualifications and related experience. The consultant in charge shall be made available for an interview.
Submission Information:
Two hard copies of the proposal shall be submitted by 4:30 p.m. on Friday, February 26, 2010, to the Community Development Finance Authority, 14 Dixon Ave., Suite 102, Concord NH 03301. An electronic proposal can be submitted, with the same deadline date of February 26, 2010, via email to: ghunton@nhcdfa.org.
Following a review of the proposals received, up to three will be selected for follow-up interviews, and the contract award will be announced no later than March 12, 2010. Once the contract has been awarded, all other respondents will be informed of the decision in writing.
This request does not commit CDFA to award a contract nor to pay any costs incurred in the submission of a proposal or in making necessary studies for the preparation thereof, nor to procure or contract for services or supplies. The CDFA reserves the right to reject any or all proposals.
Funding for this training is provided through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Therefore, all federal requirements of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, as amended, and all state requirements must be adhered to and will be part of the contract. EOE/AA
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