The Office of Economic Development (OED) presently administers the City’s U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and State of California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) grants. In light of recent State mandates to promote affordable housing production, staff has seen an increase in requests for Density Bonus project applications and projects requiring environmental assessments.      

To augment staffing resources and enhance responses to Density Bonus applicants and related affordable housing projects, OED issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) to identify qualified consultants that can perform HUD and HCD grant administration duties. The availability of a consulting firm would be on an as needed basis, and provide technical support and resources on special projects as the need arise.

An RFP was issued to solicit proposals from qualified firms with demonstrated skills and experience administering funds received by HUD and HCD. The RFP was released on June 10, 2022 and two (2) formal proposals were received by the June 24, 2022 deadline. An internal selection panel completed an evaluation and rated the proposals on the basis of qualifications, proposal quality, budget, time management, and prior record of performance with other Governmental Agencies. 

Based on the evaluation results, staff determined that Michael Baker International was the most qualified and experienced organization to perform the duties that will be required under the contract. In addition, Michael Baker International showed that they have the capacity to handle the entire scope of work that was outlined in the proposal. 

Rating Summary is as follows:

1. The Ramsay Group has nearly 25-years of experience managing and providing technical support for HUD and HCD programs. The Ramsay Group prepared the City’s 2020 -2025 Consolidated Plan and Analysis of Impediments and has prior work experience with the City.

2. Michael Baker International has over 80-years of experience and is a leading global provider of engineering, planning, HUD program management, and other consulting services. Michael Baker International has more than 3,300 employees over 100 locations nationwide that would be available to City staff, if needed. Michael Baker International is currently funded by the City to perform HUD and HCD consultation services, and has a great track record of performance.

While both organizations have experience related to the scope of work outlined in the RFP, the proposal submitted by Michael Baker International showed a high level of expertise and knowledge in every area outlined in the scope of work. In addition, Michael Baker International outlined their organizational capacity that will allow the City to utilize various departments within their organization. Given the results and details outlined above, it is recommended that the contract be awarded Michael Baker International the for FY 2022-23.  

There is no impact to the General Fund. The contract will be established for a one (1) year period with options to extend annually for a maximum performance period of up three (3) years in the amount not-to-exceed $200,000, per year. Funding will be provided by a combination of the City’s Community Development Block Grant funds (CDBG), HOME Investment Partnership Program grant funds (HOME), and Emergency Solutions Grant Coronavirus (ESG-CV) funds.

It is recommended that the City Council:

•  Award a contract for HUD and HCD consultation services to Michael Baker International, in the not-to-exceed amount of $200,000 per year, for a total performance period of up to two (2) years; and

•  Authorize the City Manager, or his designees to execute the contracts referenced above, and make minor modifications as appropriate thereto, on behalf of the City; and

• Authorize the City Manager, or his designees to exercise option year terms and execute the option year amendments on behalf of the City.