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Request for Qualifications (RFQ): Econometrica is seeking new Consultants and Subcontractors

Request for Qualifications (RFQ): Econometrica is seeking new Consultants and Subcontractors

Request for Qualifications (RFQ)

HOUSING, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, AND RELATED TOPIC TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE CONSULTANT PARTNERS

Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 and FY 2023 Community Compass Technical Assistance and Capacity Building Program Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)

Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) No.: FR-6600-N-06

For over a decade, Econometrica, Inc., has participated in the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) integrated technical assistance and capacity building initiative, Community Compass, which helps HUD customers navigate complex housing and community development programs and initiatives. We are seeking qualified firms and individuals to join us in our response to HUD’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 and FY 2023 Community Compass Technical Assistance and Capacity Building Program Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) (Opportunity No. FR-6400-N-06).

For more information from HUD regarding the FY 2022 and FY 2023 NOFO, the full announcement is accessible at the following link: https://www.hud.gov/sites/dfiles/SPM/documents/HUD_FY2020andFY2021_ccta.pdf.

Established in 1998, Econometrica has provided research, data analytics, program evaluation, and management services and technical assistance to local, state, and federal government clients, including HUD and its grantees.

QUALIFICATIONS DEADLINE

Complete responses to the Econometrica Consultant/Contractor Partner Request for Quotation (RFQ) are due by 5 p.m. ET on Thursday, March 9, 2023. HUD’s NOFO invites competitive applications for 2 funding years, FY 2022 and FY 2023, and Econometrica intends to request funding from both funding years.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

In accordance with 2 CFR Part 200, Sections 200.317 through 200.326, Econometrica is providing in this RFQ a description of the technical requirements of functions to be performed or performance required, including the range of acceptable characteristics or minimum acceptable standards. The Community Compass initiative is designed to support HUD’s local and state grantees to address a range of challenges or obstacles to full program implementation. The goal of the technical assistance and capacity-building initiatives is to equip HUD’s grantees with the knowledge, skills, tools, organizational capacity, and systems to implement HUD programs and policies successfully and in compliance with state and federal rules, regulations, and program requirements. Therefore, Econometrica is searching for qualified firms and individuals who can provide experience and skills relevant to HUD programs, policies, systems, and initiatives. These programs, policies, systems, and initiatives include but are not limited to:

    • Affordable housing, mixed finance (including Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) and the Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD)), and homeownership.
    • Community and economic development and disaster resilience (including Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) and HOME).
    • Homelessness and related programs, such as Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG), Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS (HOPWA), and McKinney-Vento Act programs.
    • Public housing operations and programs, including public housing accounting, Moving to Work, Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS), Jobs Plus, and Section 3.
    • Choice Neighborhoods, Promise Zones and Opportunity Zones.
    • Disaster Recovery Grant Reporting (DRGR), Integrated Disbursement and Information System (IDIS), Line of Credit Control System (LOCCS), Section 3 Performance Evaluation and Registration System (SPEARS), Physical Needs Assessment (PNA), and Energy and Performance Information Center (EPIC).
    • Supportive housing and services, the digital divide, education and housing, and health and housing.
    • Housing preservation, tenant participation, and capacity building.
    • Policy Development and Research (PD&R).
    • Fair housing, procurement, Davis-Bacon, energy and environment, and other cross-cutting requirements.
    • Workforce development.

Based on HUD’s 2022–2026 Strategic Goals, the agency is also seeking experience in the following areas, with an overarching focus on the advancement of racial equity:

    • Supporting underserved communities.
    • Advancing housing and racial justice.
    • Increasing climate resilience and community sustainability.
    • Strengthening environmental justice and integrating health and housing.
    • Wealth building initiatives, particularly in underserved communities.
    • Improving housing inclusivity and accessibility.
    • Innovation in housing finance.

EVALUATION CRITERIA

All submissions received will be reviewed against the following selection criteria:

  • Experience and Technical Qualifications: The extent to which each respondent demonstrates skills and abilities related to the description above and acceptable experience with Econometrica, as applicable.
  • Rate Reasonableness: The extent to which rates are considered reasonable compared to the respondent’s experience and qualifications, market prices, and any rate limitations imposed by HUD. Before assigning a funded task, rates must be determined to be fair and reasonable. Respondents must be able to provide evidence of their past pattern of compensation. This evidence includes customary rates, including rates on nongovernment contracts or cooperative agreements.
    • Please note: Due to HUD restrictions on approval of hourly consultant rates of $200 or above, Econometrica may need to request additional documentation and rate justification from a consultant to provide to HUD for approval.
  • Debarment/Suspension Check: Potential consultants found to be suspended or debarred from federal government business will not be solicited for or awarded task orders. This status is verified by searching the System for Award Management: https://www.sam.gov.
  • Small Business: Econometrica is committed to utilizing small disadvantaged businesses, minority-owned firms, American Indian- and Alaska Native-owned firms, veteran-owned firms, and women’s business enterprises whenever possible.
  • Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs):Econometrica is also interested in partnering with MSIs and HBCUs wherever possible and appropriate.

All consultants will be selected in compliance with the procurement procedures and standards codified in 2 CFR 200. Selection of consultants will be competitive, as required by 2 CFR § 200.320.

QUALIFIED APPLICANTS

The qualifications and experience of selected individual consultants or partner firms may be included in Econometrica’s application to the NOFO. Those included may also be asked to assist with contributing expert knowledge in areas of the application response.

QUESTIONS AND INQUIRIES

Respondents are encouraged to submit questions about this RFQ in writing to: FY2022NOFO@EconometricaInc.com. Please use the subject line “Your Name – FY2022 NOFO Questions.”

Econometrica Develops CDBG Toolkit for HUD

Econometrica Develops CDBG Toolkit for HUD

CDBG Income Survey Guidebook Cover

Econometrica has developed a complete toolkit that enables communities to conduct a local income survey that meets the guidelines developed by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for allocating Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds. CDBG funds can be used to improve local infrastructure and meet other community needs, and some communities are required to demonstrate that the residents of the service area for CDBG activity meet low- to moderate-income (LMI) requirements. They can use the American Community Survey income data or conduct their own income survey.

The CDBG Income Survey Toolkit includes the following resources and tools:

  1. A 40+ page guidebook that includes detailed, step-by-step instructions for the entire survey process.
  2. Ready-to-use survey instruments for both in-person and mailed surveys, including both English and Spanish versions.
  3. Detailed user guides for each of the survey instrument options.
  4. Outreach materials, such as customizable flyers, letters, and more.
  5. Pre-programmed Excel tools to analyze the data, with easy-to-follow instructions.
  6. Case management documents to track attempts to survey each address.

Econometrica’s staff combined their expertise in Federal housing programs, data analytics, software application programming, and project management to develop the complete toolkit for HUD and communities across the country.

 

Access the toolkit online at:

Fair Market Rents

Fair Market Rents

Is rent rising unpredictably fast in your community?

Econometrica specializes in conducting surveys to help communities get accurate HUD Fair Market Rents (FMRs) so that families using House Choice Vouchers can find affordable housing in areas of greater opportunity.

In fact, last year, Econometrica completed 50% of all successful FMR reevaluations in the entire country!

To learn more or to find out if your housing authority might be a good candidate for an FMR survey, visit https://econometricainc.com/fair-market-rents/

Press Contact
Kurt von Tish

FMR Infographic Flyer web LR
Housing Impacts on Maternal Health

Housing Impacts on Maternal Health

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Housing plays a significant role in infant and maternal health outcomes. From poor housing conditions that lead to negative environmental exposures, to neighborhood conditions that can be unsafe and lead to stress and unhealthy environments, to even the affordability and instability challenges in trying to stay housed and avoid homelessness, housing plays a significant role in the wellbeing of infants and birthing individuals.

To learn more, visit the following resource:

Housing Impacts on Maternal Health

Housing Instability Has an Inverse Relationship with Mental Illness

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July is National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, and this year, Econometrica is highlighting the intersection between minority mental health and housing stability.

Studies have shown that while housing security contributes to better health and economic stability, housing insecurity is often associated with increased stress and anxiety, exposure to environmental hazards, and lack of access to food and other resources. As a result, housing insecurity has been found to increase a person’s risk for many mental health issues, including depression, suicide, and behavioral issues.

There are also significant racial disparities in housing insecurity, with Black, Hispanic, and other minority households more likely to be housing insecure than White households. Many of the States with the highest rates of housing insecurity—including Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, and New York—have large minority populations. These disparities have been further exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, during which housing insecurity has risen more dramatically for minority renters than their White counterparts.

These disparities in housing insecurity likely contribute to disparities in mental health outcomes, as housing insecurity intensifies mental ailments among those who are most impacted. Econometrica welcomes any opportunity to assist HUD and other organizations that are supporting minority mental health through secure housing options.

To learn more, visit the following resources: