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HomeMy WebLinkAboutRFP - FY 2024-2029 Consolidated PlanPage 1 of 15 REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP) FY 2024-2029 CONSOLIDATED PLAN CITY OF BOZEMAN Bozeman, MT City of Bozeman PO Box 1230 Bozeman, MT 59771-1230 September 2023 NOTICE IS HEREBY given that the City of Bozeman (City) is seeking proposals from firms to prepare a Consolidated Plan (Plan) that includes a housing and homeless needs assessment, housing market analysis, strategic plan, action plan, and certifications. Copies of the Request for Proposals are available on the City’s website. All proposals must be provided as a single, searchable PDF document file and be submitted digitally as an email attachment to the RFP Recipient email address below. Respondents are advised that Recipient’s email attachment size limit is 25MB and that only one PDF file will be allowed per response. The subject line of the transmittal email shall clearly identify the RFP title, company name and due date/time. File sizes greater than 25MB in size may be uploaded to bzncloud.bozeman.net upon special arrangement of the Recipient; however, it is the respondent’s sole responsibility to ensure the file upload is completed, and that the Recipient is separately notified via email of same, prior to the given deadline. Deliver RFPs via email to the City Clerk by October 26, 2023 at 5:00 pm MST. It is the sole responsibility of the proposing party to ensure that proposals are received prior to the closing time as late submittals will not be accepted and will be returned unopened. The email address for submission is: agenda@bozeman.net NON-DISCRIMINATION AND EQUAL PAY The City of Bozeman is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Discrimination in the performance of any agreement awarded under this RFP on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex, age, marital status, national origin, or actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity or disability is prohibited. This prohibition shall apply to the hiring and treatment of the awarded entity’s employees and to all subcontracts. As such, each entity submitting under this notice shall include a provision wherein the submitting entity, or entities, affirms in writing it will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex, age, marital status, national origin, or because of actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity or disability and which also recognizes the eventual contract will contain a provision prohibiting discrimination as described above and that this prohibition on discrimination shall apply to the hiring and treatment of the submitting entity’s employees and to all subcontracts. In addition, pursuant to City Commission Resolution 5169, the entity awarded a contract under this RFP and any subcontractors must abide by the Equal Pay Act of 1963 and Section 39-3-104, MCA (the Montana Equal Pay Act), and affirm it will abide by the above and that it has visited the State of Montana Equal Pay for Equal Work “best practices” website, or equivalent “best practices publication and has read the material. Any administrative questions regarding proposal procedures should be directed to: Mike Maas, City Clerk (406) 582-2321, agenda@bozeman.net. Questions relating to the RFP should be directed to: Renata Munfrada, Community Housing Program Coordinator, 406-589-4709, rmunfrada@bozeman.net. DATED at Bozeman, Montana, this September 28, 2023. Mike Maas City Clerk City of Bozeman For publication on: Saturday, September 30, 2023 Saturday, October 14, 2023 I. INTRODUCTION The City of Bozeman (Owner), is seeking proposals from firms to undertake a citizen participation plan and prepare a Consolidated Plan (Plan) that includes a housing and homeless needs assessment, housing market analysis, strategic plan, and action plan. The Owner intends to enter into a contract with the selected firm that will include a multiyear consolidated plan, a consultation and citizen participation plan, a needs assessment (including housing needs, disproportionately greater needs, and non-homeless needs), a market analysis (including number of housing units, cost of housing, and condition of housing, special needs facilities and services, non-housing community development assets, broadband needs of housing, and hazard mitigation) and use of local data from various sources. This RFP shall not commit the Owner to enter into an agreement, to pay any expenses incurred in preparation of any response to this request, or to procure or contract for any supplies, goods or services. The Owner reserves the right to accept or reject all responses received as a result of this RFP if it is in the Owner’s best interest to do so. This procurement is governed by the laws of the State of Montana and venue for all legal proceedings shall be in the 18th Judicial District Court, Gallatin County. By offering to perform services under this RFP, all Submitters agree to be bound by the laws of the State of Montana and of the Owner, including, but not limited to, applicable wage rates, payments, gross receipts taxes, building codes, equal opportunity employment practices, safety, non-discrimination, etc. II. PROJECT BACKGROUND AND DESCRIPTION The City of Bozeman has the sufficient population to meet the definition of a Metropolitan City under the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. This means that Bozeman is entitled to an annual formula allocation of CDBG funds in Federal Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 and in each subsequent year. The City must follow a citizen participation plan and prepare a Consolidated Plan (Plan) that includes a housing and homeless needs assessment, housing market analysis, strategic plan, action plan, and certifications. The plan must be submitted to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Region VIII Office of Community Planning and Development (HUD) between November 15, 2023, and August 16, 2024. The consolidated planning process will provide the City of Bozeman the opportunity to assess local housing and community development needs and make informed decisions about how to target available resources most effectively to address those needs. A robust consolidated planning process incorporates both quantitative and qualitative data to identify needs and inform the creation of effective housing and community development programs and services. The City will use this data to set the community development priorities and multiyear goals for Community Planning and Development (CPD) formula program funds. III. SCOPE OF SERVICES Community Housing Action Plan • Identify strategies that represent a balanced approach to addressing community housing that are tailored for Bozeman, including State law, local mandates, prescribed flexibility, and incentives to encourage Bozeman’s major employers to develop workforce housing • Identify strategies to secure substantial, broad-based and reliable funding for the construction of affordable housing including affordable housing loans and programs • Identify actions already taken by the City to support creation of a diverse housing stock and correclation to the Affordable Housing Ordinance and 2019 Community Housing Action Plan • Review the Affordable Housing Ordinance and Planned Development Zone Ordinance for consistency internally and to the rest of the Unified Development Code and enabling legislation. Consolidated Plan • Incorporate both quantitative and qualitative data to identify needs and inform the creation of effective housing and community development programs and services • Use this data to set the community development priorities and multiyear goals for HUD Community Planning and Development (CPD) formula program funds • Assess local housing and community needs and make informed decisions about how to target available resources most effectively to address those needs o Inform decisions and planning  Focus data collection and analysis on most relevant community needs o Target resources to the most underserved populations  With limited resources, we must think intentionally about how to target resources to the most underserved populations within the community o Utilize program data for evaluating programs  Program data shows the program’s effectiveness, help improve programs, and track trends over time and establish baseline metrics Consultation and Citizen Participation Plan • Engage citizens and stakeholders to assist in identifying housing and community development needs • Engage a wide range of citizens, placing particular emphasis on encouraging participation from the following populations: o Low- and moderate-income (LMI) community members o People living in areas designated by the jurisdiction as revitalization areas o People with limited English proficiency o People with disabilities (including physical disabilities, hearing or visual impairments, behavioral health concerns, or learning disabilities) o Affordable housing residents and residents of predominantly LMI neighborhoods Consultation • Consult with agencies and organizations that manage essential natural resources and serve a wide spectrum of human services needs: o Public and private agencies that provide assisted housing, health services, and social and fair housing services (including those focusing on services to children, elderly people, people with disabilities, people with HIV/AIDS and their families, homeless people o Broadband internet service providers, organizations engaged in narrowing the digital divide, agencies whose primary responsibilities include the management of flood prone areas, public land or water resources, and emergency management agencies o Prioritize equity by collecting data on populations that have been understudied or underreported in traditional data sources Citizen Participation • Provide opportunities for the public to comment on the consolidated planning process, engaging a wide range of citizens, placing particular emphasis on encouraging participation from the following populations: o LMI community members o People living in areas designated by the jurisdiction as revitalization areas o People with limited English proficiency o People with disabilities (including physical disabilities, hearing or visual impairments, behavioral health concerns, or learning disabilities) o Affordable housing residents and residents of predominantly LMI neighborhoods Community Housing Action Plan • Identify strategies that represent a balanced approach to addressing community housing that are tailored for Bozeman, including State law, local mandates, prescribed flexibility, and incentives to encourage Bozeman’s major employers to develop workforce housing • Identify strategies to secure substantial, broad-based and reliable funding for the construction of affordable housing including affordable housing loans and programs • Identify actions already taken by the City to support creation of a diverse housing stock and correclation to the Affordable Housing Ordinance and 2019 Community Housing Action Plan • Review the Affordable Housing Ordinance and Planned Development Zone Ordinance for consistency internally and to the rest of the Unified Development Code and enabling legislation. Needs Assessment • Collect and analyze quantitative data including demographic information; any racial or ethnic disproportionality in households with severe housing problems; the housing and services needs of households with low- or moderate-income (LMI), people experiencing homelessness, and other special needs Housing Needs Assessment and Disproportionately Greater Needs • Identify the housing needs within the community for specific populations, including those with housing problems or severe housing problems and households experiencing cost burden or severe cost burden • Analyze the racial or ethnic groups whose needs are disproportionately greater than the needs of that population as a whole Non-Homeless Special Needs • Identify the housing and supportive services needs of people who are elderly; single people and large families; people with HIV/AIDS and their families; people who have experienced domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking; and people with disabilities Equity Action Plan • Identify homeownership barriers for black, brown, latino, tribal communities, LGBTQ+ and other underserved household that face significant barriers to homeownership • Evaluate employment and income data to understand the role of specific sectors in providing jobs that can be accessed by magenalized communities • Develop merics to analyze gentrification and/or equitable economic development and monitoring over time • Document pressures in Bozeman related to equity, including: displacement of residents, businesses, and access to organizations and institutions • Identify racially or ethnically concentrated areas of poverty (R/ECAPs) in Bozeman • Develop plan to take proactive steps to address longstanding patterns of segregation, discrimination, and disinvestment • Intergrate diversity, equity, and inclusion into housing program policy in order to affirmatively further fair housing Market Analysis • Use quantitative data to identify community housing assets and challenges, understand the private market dynamics, and determine where to focus public investment Number of Housing Units, Cost of Housing, and Condition of Housing • Describe the housing market conditions in the community including the number, cost, and condition of housing units • Evaluate both market rate housing and affordable housing and determine whether the availability of all housing meets the needs of LMI households Special Needs Facilities and Services • Identify the supportive housing needs of special-needs populations such as people who are elderly or frail elderly, people with disabilities, people with alcohol or other drug addictions, and people with HIV/AIDS and their families Non-Housing Community Development Assets • Evaluate the community’s workforce and business activity to understand the economic development needs and opportunities Broadband Needs of Housing • Assess the broadband needs of housing occupied by people with LMI, including the need for broadband wiring and connection to broadband services, and the need to increase broadband competition among internet service providers that serve the community Hazard Mitigation • Evaluate the vulnerability of housing occupied by LMI households to natural hazards expected to increase due to climate change Use Local Data • Use local data that gives greater insight into and a more accurate understanding of the community’s housing and development needs Public Housing and Public Assisted Housing • Obtain the following data from the local Human Resource Development Council: o Housing Authority waiting list data o HUD Public Housing Physical Inspection Scores o PHA Section 508 Needs Assessment o 5-Year / PHA Annual Plan o HUD’s PHA supportive service programs: Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS), Resident Opportunity and Self Sufficiency (ROSS) Grants, Jobs Plus Initiative (JPI) Homeless Facilities and Services and Homeless Needs Assessment • Obtain the following data from the local Continuum of Care (CoC): o Point in Time (PIT) Count and Housing Inventory Count (HIC) data o System Performance Measures o Local racial disparities reports/analysis o CoC strategic plans/coordinated entry policy and procedures o Collaboration with CoC planning body Non-Housing Community Development Needs, Barriers to Affordable Housing, and Needs and Market Analysis Discussion • Local Comprehensive Plans • Local transportation plans • Local park plans • Local capital improvement plans • Facility master plans • Section 508 self-evaluations • Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice (AI) or Assessment of Fair Housing (AFH) • Dissimilarity Index • School district data • Local economic development plan • Local health data IV. PROPOSAL REQUIREMENTS Firms interested in providing the services described above are requested to submit the following information. Responses to each item should appear in the same order as in this RFP and should identify the item to which the responses applies. a) Letter of Transmittal. Include an introductory letter expressing interest in the project. The letter should include name of firm, RFP contact person, email address, mailing address, telephone number, and must be signed by person authorized to contractually bind the firm. b) Project Description and Approach. Provide a statement of the goods and/or services to be provided including a detailed explanation of how the goods and services are to be provided. c) Project Team. List the experience and qualification of staff who will be working on the project. Describe the applicable skills and accomplishmnets of the project manager. Confirm availability and commitment of named key staff to the project. If the project managetr is not local, identify and local contact and describe how project management, coordination and communications wih the City will be accomplished. Do not include persons who will not be working on the project. Include resumes at the back of the proposal which reflect education, registrations, and experience of key staff. d) Related Experience. Provide project descriptions for up to five recent projects similar in nature to the proposed project completion, and a client reference name and phone number. Indicate the involvement of proposed key staff on those or similar projects. Indicate the team’s familiarity with the local area. Provide any background information on the size, capability, and location of the firm that may be beneficial. e) Cost Proposal. Provide a cost proposal to perform the scope of work. Include estimated person hours, labor costs, and expenses for each task required. Include a listing of hourly rates for all employee classifications anticipated to work on rate consulting and/or financial analysis projects, as well as rates for non-labor direct expenses. Include similar information for any major subconsultants. The listed rates will be used in preparation of any future change orders. f) Proposed Schedule. Provide a deliverables schedule, including details for the timeline showing main tasks, key phases and milestones, as well as the estimated duration, dependencies, and responsibilities. g) Affirmation of Nondiscrimination (see Appendix A) Non-completion of the Affirmation of Nondiscrimination is cause for disqualification of firms. V. TIMELINES, DELIVERY DEADLINE, AND INSTRUCTIONS EVENT DATE/TIME Publication dates of RFP Saturday, September 30, 2023 Saturday, October 14, 2023 Deadline for expression of interest October 20, 2023 Deadline for receipt of proposals October 26, 2023 Evaluation of proposals TBD Interviews (if necessary) and Selection of consultants TBD With the exception of the advertising dates and advertised due date, the City reserves the right to modify the above timeline. Deliver RFPs via email to the City Clerk (agenda@bozeman.net) by October 26, 2023 at 5:00 pm MST. It is the sole responsibility of the proposing party to ensure that proposals are received prior to the closing time as late submittals will not be accepted and will be returned unopened. All proposals must be provided as a single, searchable PDF document file and be submitted digitally as an email attachment to the RFP Recipient email address agenda@bozeman.net. Respondents are advised that Recipient’s email attachment size limit is 25MB and that only one PDF file will be allowed per response. The subject line of the transmittal email shall clearly identify the RFP title, company name and due date/time. File sizes greater than 25MB in size may be uploaded to bzncloud.bozeman.net upon special arrangement of the Recipient; however, it is the respondent’s sole responsibility to ensure the file upload is completed, and that the Recipient is separately notified via email of same, prior to the given deadline. VI. AMENDMENTS TO SOLICITATION Any interpretation or correction of this request will be published on the City’s webpage. The deadline for questions related to this document is 5:00 pm MST on October 20, 2023. VII. CONTACT INFORMATION Any administrative questions regarding proposal procedures should be directed to: Mike Maas, City Clerk, (406) 582-2321, agenda@bozeman.net Questions relating to scope of services should be directed to: Renata Munfrada, Community Housing Program Coordinator, 406-589-4709, rmunfrada@bozeman.net. VIII. SELECTION PROCEDURE A review committee will evaluate all responses to the RFP that meet the submittal requirements and deadline. Submittals that do not meet the requirement or deadline will not be considered. The review committee will rank the proposals and may arrange interviews with the finalist(s) prior to selection. Selection may be made directly based on the written RFP submission. If interviews occur, the selection of finalists to be interviewed will be made by a selection committee representing the City of Bozeman. The selection of interview candidates will be based on an evaluation of the written responses to the RFPs. All submitted proposals must be complete and contain the information required as stated in the "Request for Proposals.” IX. SELECTION CRITERIA Proposals will be evaluated based on the following criteria: • 5 points Executive Summary • 40 points Qualifications of the Firm for Scope of Services • 40 points Proposal Requirements • 5 points Related Experience with Similar Projects • 10 points Price of Services X. FORM OF AGREEMENT The Contractor will be required to enter into a contract with the City in substantially the same form as the professional services agreement attached as Attachment B. XI. CITY RESERVATION OF RIGHTS / LIABILITY WAIVER All proposals submitted in response to this RFP become the property of the City and public records and, as such, may be subject to public review. A SUBMISSION IN RESPONSE TO THIS REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS CONFERS NO RIGHTS UPON ANY RESPONDENTS AND SHALL NOT OBLIGATE THE CITY IN ANY MANNER WHATSOEVER. THE CITY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO MAKE NO AWARD AND TO SOLICIT ADDITIONAL REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS AT A LATER DATE. A. This RFP may be canceled or any or all responses may be rejected in whole or in part, as specified herein, when it is in the best interests of the City. If the City cancels or revises this RFP, all Respondents who submitted will be notified using email. B. The City reserves the right to accept or reject any and all proposals; to add or delete items and/or quantities; to amend the RFP; to waive any minor irregularities, informalities, or failure to conform to the RFP; to extend the deadline for submitting proposals; to postpone award for up to 60 days; to award one or more contracts, by item or task, or groups of items or tasks, if so provided in the RFP and if multiple awards or phases are determined by the City to be in the public interest. C. The City of Bozeman reserves the right to reject the proposal of any person/firm who previously failed to perform properly to the satisfaction of the City of Bozeman, or complete on time agreements of similar nature, or to reject the proposal of any person/firm who is not in a position to perform such an agreement satisfactorily as determined by the City of Bozeman. D. The City of Bozeman reserves the right to determine the best qualified Contractor and negotiate a final scope of service and cost, negotiate a contract with another Contractor if an agreement cannot be reached with the first selected Contractor, or reject all proposals. E. The professional services contract between the City of Bozeman and the successful Contractor will incorporate the Contractor's scope of service and work schedule as part of the agreement (see Appendix B for form of professional services agreement. The professional services agreement presented to the Contractor may differ from this form as appropriate for the scope of services). F. This RFP does not commit the City to award a contract. The City assumes no liability or responsibility for costs incurred by firms in responding to this request for proposals or request for interviews, additional data, or other information with respect to the selection process, prior to the issuance of an agreement, contract or purchase order. The Contractor, by submitting a response to this RFP, waives all right to protest or seek any legal remedies whatsoever regarding any aspect of this RFP. G. The City reserves the right to cancel, in part or in its entirety, this RFP including, but not limited to: selection procedures, submittal date, and submittal requirements. If the City cancels or revises this RFP, all Contractors who submitted proposals will be notified using email. H. Projects under any contract are subject to the availability of funds. XII. NONDISCRIMINATION AND EQUAL PAY POLICY The City of Bozeman requires each entity submitting under this notice shall affirm, on a separate form provided, that it will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex, age, marital status, national origin, or because of actual or perceived sexual orientation, sexual preference, gender identity, or disability in fulfillment of a contract entered into for the services identified herein and that this prohibition on discrimination shall apply to the hiring and treatment of the submitting entity’s employees and to all subcontracts it enters into in the fulfillment of the services identified herein. Failure to comply with this requirement shall be cause for the submittal to be deemed nonresponsive. The City also requires each entity submitting under this notice shall affirm it will abide by the Equal Pay Act of 1963 and Section 39-3-104, MCA (the Montana Equal Pay Act), and has visited the State of Montana Equal Pay for Equal Work “best practices” website, https://equalpay.mt.gov/BestPractices/Employers, or equivalent “best practices publication and has read the material. XIII. MISCELLANEOUS A. No Oral Agreements. No conversations or oral agreements with any officer, employee, or agent of the City shall affect or modify any term of this solicitation. Oral communications or any written/email communication between any person and City officer, employee or agent shall not be considered binding. B. No Partnership/Business Organization. Nothing in this solicitation or in any subsequent agreement, or any other contract entered into as a result of this solicitation, shall constitute, create, give rise to or otherwise be recognized as a partnership or formal business organization of any kind between or among the respondent and the City. C. Employment Restriction and Indemnity. No person who is an owner, officer, employee, contractor, or consultant of a respondent shall be an officer or employee of the City. No rights of the City’s retirement or personnel rules accrue to a respondent, its officers, employees, contractors, or consultants. Respondents shall have the responsibility of all salaries, wages, bonuses, retirement, withholdings, worker’s compensation and occupational disease compensation, insurance, unemployment compensation other benefits and taxes and premiums appurtenant thereto concerning its officers, employees, contractors, and consultants. Each Respondent shall save and hold the City harmless with respect to any and all claims for payment, compensation, salary, wages, bonuses, retirement, withholdings, worker’s compensation and occupational disease compensation, insurance, unemployment compensation other benefits and taxes and premiums in any way related to each respondent’s officers, employees, contractors and consultants. D. Accessibility. Upon reasonable notice, the City will provide assistance for those persons with sensory impairments. For further information please contact the ADA Coordinator Mike Gray at 406-582-3232 or the City’s TTY line at 406-582-2301. E. Procurement. When discrepancies occur between words and figures in this solicitation, the words shall govern. No responsibility shall attach to a City employee for the premature opening of an RFP not properly addressed and identified in accordance with these documents. F. Governing Law. This solicitation and any disputes arising hereunder or under any future agreement shall be governed and construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Montana, without reference to principles of choice or conflicts of laws. XIV. ATTACHMENTS The following exhibits are incorporated in this RFP: Appendix A: Non-Discrimination Affirmation Appendix B: Form of Professional Services Agreement END OF RFP Attachment A NONDISCRIMINATION AND EQUAL PAY AFFIRMATION ____________________________________(name of entity submitting) hereby affirms it will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex, age, marital status, national origin, or because of actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity or disability and acknowledges and understands the eventual contract will contain a provision prohibiting discrimination as described above and this prohibition on discrimination shall apply to the hiring and treatments or proposer’s employees and to all subcontracts. In addition, ____________________________________(name of entity submitting) hereby affirms it will abide by the Equal Pay Act of 1963 and Section 39-3-104, MCA (the Montana Equal Pay Act), and has visited the State of Montana Equal Pay for Equal Work “best practices” website, https://equalpay.mt.gov/BestPractices/Employers, or equivalent “best practices publication and has read the material. ______________________________________ Name and title of person authorized to sign on behalf of submitter