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.”