Title
Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) recommending the Board:
1) Award Request for Qualifications 21-952-038, to the response identified as most appropriate by the evaluation panel, Volunteers of America-Northern California/Northern Nevada (VOA-NCNN), to provide operations and case management services at a homeless interim housing site, contingent on the County’s purchase of an as yet-to-be determined interim housing site; and
2) Authorize HHSA to negotiate a three (3) year Agreement for Services, that will be brought back to the Board for approval, with VOA-NCNN in an estimated annual amount of $326,112.45, for fiscal years 2021-22, 2022-23, and 2023-24.
FUNDING: 100% State and Federal Homeless Grants.
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DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND:
On April 29, 2021, the Chief Administrative Office (CAO) Procurement and Contracts Division, released Request for Qualifications (RFQ) 21-952-038, which was requested by the Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) to solicit responses for Operations and Case Management services at an interim housing site located in County of El Dorado (County), contingent upon purchase of said yet-to-be determined site. The site will provide temporary housing for individuals experiencing homelessness consistent with the Core Components of Housing First Principles as defined in the California Welfare and Institutions Code (WIC) Section 8255(b).
Interim Housing Operations and Case Management
HHSA’s Housing and Homelessness Services has applied for grant funding from State and Federal sources and intends to purchase an interim housing site in the County to provide short-term housing to medically vulnerable individuals experiencing homelessness.
This RFQ was established to meet a requirement in applying for the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Stimulus (CARES) Act associated Community Development Block Grant (CDBG-CV) grant, wherein the County was required to demonstrate both site control and a plan for providing the Operations and Case Management services at the interim housing site. Soliciting and identifying an experienced provider who could provide on-going case management at the acquired site made the CDBG-CV application for funding more likely to receive approval. This RFQ was released following that application process and specifically indicated that these services solicited as a result of the RFQ would be one-hundred percent (100%) contingent upon the completion of the interim housing site purchase, and that an Agreement will not be executed until the property is officially owned by the County.
Three (3) responses were received which met the requirements of the RFQ, and were evaluated by a panel of three (3) raters, each of whom have knowledge of the County’s Housing and Homelessness Services. As a result of this evaluative process, HHSA has identified the most successful respondent to the RFQ, Volunteers of America, Northern California and Northern Nevada (VOA-NCNN), to provide Interim Homeless Housing Operations and Case Management services. Interim housing services, supportive case management and operations of interim housing sites must be provided consistent with eleven (11) Housing First Principles, identified in the California Welfare and Institutions Code (WIC) Section 8255(b).
Housing First, as defined in WIC, means the evidence-based model that uses housing as a tool, rather than a reward for recovery. It focuses on providing or connecting homeless people to permanent housing as quickly as possible, while offering services as needed and requested on a voluntary basis. Housing cannot be contingent on participation in services. All respondents certified that all proposed services will be provided consistent with Housing First Principles.
Board approval of the award of the RFQ to VOA-NCNN will demonstrate the County has an experienced provider who could provide on-going case management at the site, if acquired, and expedite the process for procuring these services. HHSA will begin to negotiate a three-year contract that will be brought back to the Board for approval that will be contingent upon the completion of the interim housing site purchase.
ALTERNATIVES:
Should the Board decline to award the Operations and Case Management services to be provided at the Interim Housing Site component of RFQ 21-952-038, as defined in the Welfare and Institutions Code, Interim Housing Operations and Case Management would not be provided as associated with this RFQ. Since site control and operations are a requirement for the CDBG-CV funding, failure to approve the RFQ award for the Interim Housing Site service component could impact funding for the interim housing site.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION:
N/A
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
Chief Administrative Office, Procurement and Contracts Division.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
There is no financial impact associated with this Agenda Item as the final agreement will be brought to Board for approval at a future date. Funding for these services is generated through various homeless grant programs, including but may not be limited to Emergency Services Grants - Coronavirus (ESG-CV), and Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention (HHAP), which has been included in the Fiscal Year 2021-22 Budget and will be included in future budgets for the term of these Agreements.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
Clerk of the Board to provide a copy of the approved Minute Order to the HHSA Contracts Unit at 3057 Briw Road, Suite B.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT:
County Strategic Goal: “Healthy Communities, Improved Health, Well-being, and Self-sufficiency of El Dorado County communities, residents, and visitors.”
CONTACT
Don Semon, Director