2018 Mason County Housing RFP INSTRUCTIONS

Transcription

1 2018 Mason County Housing RFP INSTRUCTIONS Welcome to Mason County s consolidated application for homeless housing funds. This notification contains the information and forms needed to prepare an Request For Proposal (RFP) for the Homeless Housing Grant Program (Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill (ESSHB) 2163) funds administered by Mason County for the fiscal period July 1, 2018, through June 30, Multi-year funding may be considered for programs and span a two-year period. Applications that receive a multi-year award will receive a contract that is funded with one year of funding that is renewable for an additional year based on the availability of funding and a review of performance. Mason County is responsible for contracting and compliance activities related to the homeless housing funds. ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS: Any IRS designated non-profit or neighborhood-based organization, local government, Council of Governments, Housing Authority, Community Action Agency, or federally recognized Indian tribe serving residents of unincorporated Mason County, or any of the Mason County Cities and Towns, may apply to use the funds for eligible activities. Mason County requires that all applicants that apply for funding be registered as a business entity with the State of Washington and possess a Washington State Unified Business Identifier (UBI) number and Federal Tax ID number. Prior to completing the workbook, please review the following information and materials: RFP Disclosures January 2017 Washington State's Homeless Housing Strategic Plan ( ) Office of Homeless Youth Plan ( Mason County Website under Reports : o City of Shelton Comprehensive Plan Housing Element o Mason County Comprehensive Plan Housing Element o Homeless Profile Report o Housing and Homelessness Executive Summary In the Excel application workbook, the yellow tabs along with ALL highlighted cells within the workbook are to be completed by the applicant. The first two blue tabs are information only. If you need to make a new line or paragraph within a cell when writing a response, hold the Alt key while pressing Enter. You may also compose your response in a word program and copy and paste it in the highlighted area. APPROXIMATE FUNDING AVAILABLE The annual funding amounts listed in this RFP are considered approximate, and may be subject to change based on specific federal and state allocations and fees collected by the County. 1 P a g e

2 Contract awards are subject to the County receiving projected revenue from federal, state and local sources. In some instances, final funding amounts may not be determined until after awards are announced. Applications that receive a multi-year award will receive a contract that is funded with one year of funding that is renewable for an additional year based on the availability of funding and a review of performance. Considering these funding variables, submit projects/programs that will be viable and have other committed funding sources to offset any difference in requested or projected amounts. All payments will be dispersed on a reimbursement basis and follow the vendor payment cycle of Mason County. All agencies must be in good standing to receive payment for services (i.e. all invoice discrepancies resolved, and all performance reports turned in to a satisfactory level of quality). $368, Local Document Recording Fees ELIGIBILITY AND PRIORITY OF ACTIVITIES Funding is intended for housing providers with the necessary capacity and experience to successfully deliver services to individuals who are literally homeless or at-imminent risk of homelessness in a way that aligns with system goals and strategies of the January 2017 State of Washington Homeless Housing Strategic Plan. Mason County's funding preferences are cost-effective housing interventions: Emergency Shelter, Rapid Re-Housing, and Permanent Supportive Housing. If your application requests funding for homeless prevention, diversion, case management or transitional housing, you will need to explain why this is a strategic funding decision. Community Priority Areas Specifically addresses the mission of: No person living outside End homelessness among target populations such as Families Adults Chronically Homeless Youth Veterans Emergency Shelters Domestic Violence Shelters Rapid Re-housing Permanent Supportive Housing Coordinated Entry Point in Time Count all agencies that receive funding must assume a leadership role and partner with the organizing agency. The agency responsible for the overall leadership and organization of the annual Point in Time Count will be the one that: 1) Receives a majority of the Consolidated Homeless Grant Funds, and 2) Operates Coordinated Entry. Local Funds Washington State Legislature and Document Recording Surcharges: Homeless Housing Grant (2163) End homelessness among those currently experiencing homelessness Reduce returns to homelessness 2 P a g e

3 Rapidly re-house anyone that experiences homelessness Assist in the development of affordable housing options Benefits homeless households with a priority to unsheltered households and the most vulnerable populations; Rental and furnishing of dwelling units for the use of homeless persons; Costs of developing affordable housing for homeless persons, and services for formerly homeless individuals and families residing in transitional housing or permanent housing and still at-risk of homelessness; Operating subsidies for transitional housing or permanent housing serving formerly homeless families or individuals; Services to prevent homelessness, such as emergency eviction prevention programs including temporary rental subsidies to prevent homelessness; Temporary services to assist persons leaving state institutions and other state programs to prevent them from becoming or remaining homeless; Active outreach services for literally homeless individuals and families; Development and management of local homeless plans including homeless census data collection (Point in Time Count); identification of goals, performance measures, strategies and costs and evaluation of progress towards established goals; Rental assistance payable to landlords for persons that prioritizes literally homeless or below thirty percent (30%) of area median income (AMI) or in immediate danger of becoming homeless; and Other activities to reduce and prevent homelessness as identified for funding in the local strategic plan SUBMISSION This RFP application workbook is due electronically to Mason County no later than 4 pm on April 30, 2018 to Todd Parker at tparker@co.mason.wa.us. Preparation of an RFP application does not guarantee that applicants will receive funds. Scan and the signature page (form F in the workbook) along with the electronic submission of the excel workbook. Send all excel workbooks with the following naming convention (replace AGENCY NAME with the name of your organization): AGENCY NAME_2018 Housing RFP Include the following supporting documents along with your application: Organizations Strategic Plan (if available) Annual Report (if available) Overall Organizational Operations Budget (previous year) Organizational Chart Program Policies and Procedures Applications may be deemed unacceptable and will not be considered for review. This includes, but is not limited to, applications submitted that are not responsive to the requirements of the RFP, are submitted after the deadline, do not clearly address the essential requirements of the RFP, change the formatting of the application, demonstrates a lack of understanding of the RFP, is deficient in approach and does not include all of the information and documentation required as part of the application. 3 P a g e

4 WORKSHOP, RFP PRESENTATION & QUESTIONS Mason County will provide an optional in-person RFP workshop on April 11, 2018 from 10 am - 12 pm. For the benefit of each agency to obtain feedback on their application there will be a voluntary opportunity to schedule an oral review of their RFP to Mason County on April 20, 2018, between the hours of 9 am and 12 pm. This review and feedback session is intended for Mason County housing staff to provide suggestions on making your proposal stronger. We ve found that organizations that attend the feedback session have applications that score higher by the Community RFP Scoring Panel. RSVP for both workshops is required. For all other questions, direct them to Todd Parker, Housing & Behavioral Health Program Manager at ext. 293 or tparker@co.mason.wa.us. 4 P a g e

5 2018 Mason County Housing RFP DISCLOSURES Notice of Solicitation Failure of Mason County to notify any interested party or parties directly regarding the availability of these funds shall not void or otherwise invalidate the Request for Proposals (RFP) process Funding Period Mason County may consider making multiple year funding commitments in this 2018 funding round. Multi-year commitments will be subject to the availability of funding, successful performance of contract requirements and any other factors as determined by Mason County. It is intended for funding awards resulting from this RFP application will cover the period July 1, 2018, through June 30, If an application receives a multi-year award, subsequent years will be funded for the same amount as the year 1 award, or at a proportional amount if available funding is reduced. During the award period, failure to comply with contract requirements, such as the use of HMIS, can lead to a termination in the contract or, at a minimum, a reduction in the amount of funding received. About the Funds Consolidated Homeless Grant Program (CHG): Funds are awarded on a two-year cycle July 1, 2017 June 30, The next opportunity to apply for CHG funds will be during the RFP process to begin in the first quarter of The Consolidated Homeless Grant Program (CHG) state funds support a variety of activities, including: operations of emergency shelter, and transitional housing units, rental assistance, rapid re-housing, diversion, coordinated entry, and data collection and reporting. Homeless Housing Grant Program: Funding awarded annually The Homeless Housing Grant Program was created in Washington State by Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill (ESSHB) 2163 on August 1, The law created a document recording fee on certain documents to be utilized by local jurisdictions to reduce homelessness. Administration of the grant funds are shared between local governments and the state. Eligible uses of the funds are broad; if the program funded addresses homelessness through housing and/or services. Competitive Scoring Priority will be given to programs who can demonstrate capacity and procedures are in place to prioritize the most vulnerable clients and work alongside literally homeless clients to remove barriers and successfully help them obtain and maintain permanent housing. Mason County staff will jointly review applications for minimum eligibility requirements. This will include a threshold review to ensure applications meet the minimum threshold requirements as follows: The activity must be eligible under the RCW s associated with ESHB 2163: o RCW Surcharge for local homeless housing and assistance Use. o RCW C Local Homeless Housing Plans: 1 P a g e

6 If serving homeless populations, the activity must clearly indicate alignment to the mission and goals of Washington State s Homeless Housing Strategic Plan, Office of Homeless Youth Plan, Community Priority Areas, and/or Mason County s 5 Year Plan. The applicant can meet and maintain compliance with applicable federal, state, and/or local regulations, as identified. Applications will be scored on the following categories: Responsive RFP Application: All relevant questions are answered, and information is relevant and responsive to the questions asked. Alignment to Community Priority Areas Importance to the Community: Direct impact on addressing the priorities outlined in the application, the WA State s Homeless Housing Strategic Plan and the Mason County 5- year Strategic Plan. Ability to meet the core elements of a high performing homeless crisis response system Clearly defined scope, goals and outcomes/performance measures. Cost effectiveness: The total project cost is appropriate for the expected impact Organization s partnerships and collaboration. Project collaborates with partner organizations to maximize impacts, and where appropriate achieves a collective impact. Financial capacity: Organization has the financial capacity and systems in place to successfully manage the grant Previous contract performance Key Elements of a high performing homeless crisis response system From the Washington State Homeless Housing Strategic Plan located at People living unsheltered are promptly identified and engaged Diversion strategies are used first to solve a housing crisis. Family and friends are engaged if the situation is safe and appropriate People are prioritized based on need, using a transparent and consistently applied coordinated entry process Access to housing and services is not contingent on unnecessary conditions Housing and service goals are client driven Clients are supported in developing housing stability plans that address client safety, barriers to permanent housing and self sufficiency Programs quickly move most clients into market rate housing, and stay available as requested to maintain housing stability Programs provide the minimum assistance needed to secure housing and only offer more when it is necessary to prevent a return to homelessness Programs should intervene with permanent supportive housing when clients have a disability that impacts their ability to live independently and market-rate housing placements have proven ineffective in resolving their homelessness Programs share client data between systems as allowable to improved coordination of services Required Monitoring, Reporting & Participation All awarded contracts will be required to submit performance reports on a quarterly and annual basis for both fiscal year and calendar year using the templates provided by the county. Mason County reserves the right to change the requirements or reporting information to assess and analyze the effectiveness of funding and update the Community Health Improvement Plan. 2 P a g e

7 Mason County staff will work with successful applicants to ensure specific benchmark or milestone requirements are met. The Consolidated Homeless Grant requires financial and file monitoring activities. The county reserves the right to require monitoring activities for all funded programs and services. All agencies awarded funds are an integral part of the continuum of care from understanding homelessness to helping people become housed. The activities listed below are critical to this work and contribute to the determination of how much funding Mason County may receive and can grant. Therefore, all grantees are expected to fully participate in the following activities. Failure to do so, can lead to a probationary status up to termination of the contract. Point in Time Homeless Census Count: Participation by a leadership position in the Point in Time Count is mandatory for all award recipients. This includes from the methodology development, planning meetings, event participation, event sites, data collection (survey), outcomes of event, outreach, through the data entry. A successful event must occur for an organization to receive any funds for activities associated with the PIT Count. Event success will be determined by the number of people that attend the event as a percentage of the estimated homeless population (e.g. 10%). Reports from Coordinated Entry, OSPI and area agencies will determine the base-line number. For example, if 1,000 people come through coordinated entry the event must at least attract 100 individuals. If OSPI reports 400 homeless youth for Mason County, the event must attract at least 40 youth. An event summary report will be required to include, but not limited to, the outreach strategy, marketing efforts, the total number of people attending, the number of adults, families and unaccompanied youth by category of housing status, number and typed of providers, donations distributed, and other services provided. Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) provided through the Washington State Department of Commerce: All grantees will be required to enter data in a timely manner, provide reports and be responsible for data quality. Housing Coalition: participate by a leadership position in a minimum of 80% of the Housing Coalition Meetings Strategic Plans: Provide a leadership role in the development of strategic plans as required by Mason County Landlord Relations: The agency that: 1) Receives a majority of the Consolidated Homeless Grant Funds, and 2) Operates Coordinated Entry will establish, maintain and document all landlord activities, including but not limited to landlord lists, outreach/marketing and stakeholder group meetings pursuant to RCW C and the current version of the Consolidated Homeless Grant Guidelines Name by Name List (i.e. case staffing): participate, at a minimum, in the monthly meetings to the review of client cases with causes of homelessness and problem solve for progress toward permanent housing. Evaluation Plan & Deliverables: accountability to performance measurements, prioritizes literally homeless, and services all of Mason County Coordinated Entry Coordinated Entry refers to the process used to assess and assist in meeting the housing needs of people at-risk of homelessness and people experiencing homelessness. All homeless housing programs funded by local homeless housing surcharge revenue (local document recording fees) must participate in Coordinated Entry. Mason County intends to contract with 3 P a g e

8 one lead agency that will be responsible to the county for the development, implementation, day to day operations of coordinated entry, governance and all reporting requirements of the program. Key elements of Coordinated Entry include: A county-wide, no wrong door system that works for everyone experiencing a housing crisis (e.g. youth, families, chronically homeless, adults, veterans, elderly, etc.) Set up and manage a direct referral system with community agencies; Ensure that all referrals are followed up on and people experiencing homelessness are receiving the services they are eligible for; Offer after-hours hotline or partner with other agencies to respond to crisis after hours; Remain current with all HUD requirements; The use of standardized assessment tools to assess and prioritize client housing needs; Referrals, based on the results of the assessment tools, to homelessness assistance programs (and other related programs when appropriate); Collecting and managing data related to assessment and referrals in a Homeless Management Information System (HMIS); Prioritization of clients with the most barriers to returning to housing. The agency awarded Coordinated Entry will be the lead organizer of the Point in Time Count; and Organize and coordinate all name by name or case staffing meetings Budget & Finances All payments will be dispersed on a reimbursement basis and follow the vendor payment cycle of Mason County. All agencies must be in good standing to receive payment for services (i.e. monthly invoices received, all invoice discrepancies resolved, and all performance reports turned in are accurate and to a satisfactory level of quality). Mason County reserves the right to require some staff positions, such as case management that can vary in the number of people served each month, to be reimbursed in a fee for service or minimum caseload per case manager model. Additional reporting will be required if the minimum caseload is not met. Duplicate Payment: The County shall not pay the Grantee, if the Grantee has charged or will charge any other party under any other grant, subgrant/subcontract, or agreement, for the same services or expenses. Unspent Funds: The Contractor will notify the County at least 60 days in advance if there is a possibility of unspent funds. Any unspent funds require an explanation of why the requested amount differed from the actual. Budget amendments will only be allowed quarterly. The budget amendment form is due by the 15 th of the month that precedes the quarter for the amendments requested. Budget Categories and definitions: Administration: Administrative costs that exceed 10% must provide rationale in the RFP application. Allowable administrative costs benefit the whole organization and cannot be attributed specifically to a program or to the homeless crisis response system. Administrative costs may include the same types of expenses that are listed in program operations (such as IT staff and office supplies), in the case that these costs are benefiting the whole agency and are not attributed to a program or the homeless system. All amounts billed to administration must 4 P a g e

9 be supported by actual costs. Administrative costs may include, but are not limited to, the following: Executive Director salary and benefits General organization insurance Organization-wide audits Board expenses Organization-wide membership fees and dues Washington State Quality Award (WSQA) expenses General agency facilities costs (including those associated with executive positions) such as rent, depreciation expenses, maintenance and operations). Operations: Expenses that are directly attributable to a particular program or to the homeless crisis response system. Salaries and benefits for staff costs directly attributable to the program or to the homeless system, including but not limited to program staff, IT staff, human resources staff, bookkeeping staff and accounting staff. Office space, utilities, supplies, equipment (must be approved by Mason County and no more than $1,500 per grant year), telephone, internet, and training/conference/travel and per diem. Office space/rental shall not exceed 10% of the total program budget. Homeless Crisis Response System Expenses: Point in Time Counts, Annual report/housing inventory, local homeless plans, coordinated entry planning, implementation, and operations, Homeless Management Information System (HMIS), interested landlord list and landlord outreach activities, housing coalition and participation in local Continuum of Care. Program Expenses: Data collection and entry, intake and assessments, housing stability services, landlord mediation, outreach services, optional support services for permanent supportive housing, such as case management, housing search and placement services, and general liability and automobile insurance for program staff. Facility Support: (not allowable for HEN or TANF) Lease Payments: lease or rent payments on a building used to provide temporary housing or permanent supportive housing, hotel/motel expenses for less than 90 days when no suitable shelter bed is available, move-in costs (security deposits, first and last month s rent) for permanent housing. Other Facility Costs: Utilities (gas/propane, phone, electric, internet, water, sewer, and garbage removal), Maintenance (janitorial/cleaning supplies, pest control, fire safety, materials and contract or staff maintenance salaries and benefits associated with providing the maintenance, mileage for maintenance staff), Security and janitorial staff, and essential facility equipment and supplies (e.g. common use toiletries, food served in shelters, bedding, mats, cots, towels, microwave, etc.) Rent and Housing Placement Costs: Rent payments and other housing costs must be paid directly to, and any refunds received from, a third party on behalf of the household. No grant funding shall be paid directly to the household. Monthly rent and any combination of first and last months rent. Rent may only be paid one month at a time, although rental arrears, pro-rated rent and last month s rent may be included with the first month s payment. o Monthly rent is not time-limited for HEN households or households in a permanent supportive housing program. 5 P a g e

10 o For all other households and programs, the targeted rent assistance period is 6 12 months; however, rent assistance is limited to 24 months per episode. Rent and utility arrears and associated late fees for up to three months. Rental arrears may be paid if the payment enables the household to obtain or maintain permanent housing. If funds are used to pay rental arrears, arrears must be included in determining the total period of the household s rental assistance. (Rental arrears for HEN or TANF enrolled clients can be paid for a period of time when the client was not HEN or TANF enrolled). Lot rent for RV or Manufactured homes Costs of parking spaces when connected to a unit Incentives to pay landlords, including reimbursement for damages Security deposits for households moving into new units Hotel/Motel expenses are allowable when a hotel/motel unit is used as emergency shelter OR when a hotel/motel unit is used as permanent housing Utilities which are not included as rent and utility payments for households also receiving rental assistance Utility-only assistance (including arrears) can be provided when no other utility assistance is available to prevent shut-off and must be documented Utility deposits for a household moving into a new unit Application fees, background, credit check fees, and costs of drug testing if necessary to obtain housing Ineligible Expenses: Ongoing rent/utilities for subsidized housing CHG rent and rent/utility assistance in combination with CHG-funded facility support Phone, cable, satellite or internet deposits or services Mortgage assistance and utility assistance for homeowners Replacement or operating reserves Debt services CHG funds construction or rehabilitation of shelter facilities CHG facility support in combination with CHG funded rent and rent/utility assistance Mortgage payment for the facility Retailer or merchant gift cards, vouchers or certificates that can be exchanged for cash or that allow the recipient to purchase alcohol or tobacco products Other Mason County Requirements: Unless stated otherwise by the policies from various funding sources, Rental Assistance funding will prioritize as follows: 1) the most vulnerable (literally homeless and/or fleeing domestic violence); 2) extremely low income (as defined by HUD) which is below thirty percent (30%) of the area median income (AMI), 3) very low income which is defined as below fifty percent (50%) of the AMI; 4) low income as defined by 50 80% of AMI, and 5) homeless prevention for those with an eviction notice. Area Median Income (AMI) is determined periodically by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) based on state and local earnings data and is published for cities and counties. The most up to date income limits will apply to all funded projects and can be found at 6 P a g e

11 Evaluation Plan and Deliverables A program is successful if it can... Verify that, because of its activities, specific individuals or groups are better off than before. Document that the money funding the program was spent to achieve the goals that were stated (accountability). Provide objective proof to people outside the program that it was a worthwhile use of resources. Identify strengths and weaknesses to allow for quality improvement. Programs need to be designed and implemented using the best information available. 2 Evidenced-Based: Strategies, activities, or approaches which have been shown through scientific research and evaluation to be effective at preventing and/or delaying an untoward outcome. Promising Practices: Programs and strategies that have some scientific research or data showing positive outcomes in delaying an untoward outcome, but do not have enough evidence to support generalized conclusions. Evaluation: Systematic efforts to collect and use program information for multiple purposes. Build a picture of what happened. Document what was achieved and whether expectations were met. Identify areas where modifications could improve outcomes. Show someone outside the program whether it has a future. Measuring program outcomes: Most program outcomes are short-term because you need to be able to measure them to see if change occurred over the course of the program. Evidence is used to create the link between short-term and long-term outcomes. The evidence provides correlation; a program does not need to do this research but needs to replicate with fidelity (e.g. adhere to the model). What is an Evaluation Plan? It is a written document that: Identifies questions to be answered through evaluation. Clearly states the anticipated outcome(s). Describes the methods and tools to be used to measure change. Lists the ways in which evaluation findings will be shared. Should be planned as part of program inception. Should have resources needed to carry it out. Contract Award and Notification to Selected Applicants Decisions regarding contract awards for services solicited by this announcement will be made on or before May 31, 2018 and finalized on or before June 30, Awarded contracts will begin services on July 1, 2018 or as soon as possible thereafter. Ownership of Material Responses, applications, and other materials submitted in response to this request become the property of Mason County, are documents of public record, and will not be returned. By 7 P a g e

12 applying, applicants acknowledge and agree that they and/or their organization claim no proprietary rights to the ideas or approaches contained in the applications. Proposal Costs and Payment of Contingent Fees Mason County is not liable for any costs incurred by an applicant prior to the issuance of a contract. All costs incurred in response to this solicitation are the responsibility of the applicant, including travel costs to attend workshops and/or contract negotiation sessions. Acceptance of Terms and Conditions By submitting a response to this RFP, the applicant acknowledges and accepts all terms and conditions of this request and all County, Washington State, and Federal regulations and requirements related to the delivery of the eligible activities. If the applicant is awarded a contract, the application will become part of the contract agreement. The application is bound by the terms of the application unless the County agrees that specific parts of the application are not part of the agreement. The County reserves the right to introduce different or additional terms and/or conditions during final contract negotiations. Applicants will be required to enter into formal written agreement with Mason County. Insurance CONTRACTOR shall provide insurance that meets or exceeds the minimum insurance requirements of the County listed below: 1. Commercial General Liability Insurance using Insurance Services Office Commercial General Liability policy form CG 00 01, with an edition date prior to 2004, or the exact equivalent. Coverage for an additional insured shall not be limited to its vicarious liability. Defense costs must be paid in addition to limits. Limits shall be no less than $1,000,000 per occurrence for all covered losses and no less than $2,000,000 general aggregate, for bodily injury, personal injury, and property damage, including without limitation, blanket contractual liability. 2. Workers Compensation on a state-approved policy form providing statutory benefits as required by law with employer s liability limits for CONTRACTOR's, with two (2) or more employees and/or volunteers, no less than $1,000,000 per accident for all covered losses. 3. Business Auto Coverage on ISO Business Auto Coverage form CA including owned, non-owned and hired autos, or the exact equivalent. Limits shall be no less than $1,000,000 per accident, combined single limit. If CONTRACTOR owns no vehicles, this requirement may be satisfied by a non-owned auto endorsement to the general liability policy described above. If CONTRACTOR or CONTRACTOR s employees will use personal autos in any way on this project, CONTRACTOR shall obtain evidence of personal auto liability coverage for each such person. 4. A Certificate of Insurance naming COUNTY as the Certificate Holder must be provided to COUNTY within five (5) days of CONTRACT execution. Right to Reject or Negotiate Mason County reserves the right to reject any or all applications, if such a rejection is in the County s best interest. This Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) is a solicitation for offers and shall not be construed as an offer, a guarantee, or a promise that the solicited services will be purchased by the County. The County may withdraw this notification at any time and for any 8 P a g e

13 reason without liability to applicants for damages, including, but not limited to, bid preparations costs. Additionally, Mason County reserves the right to negotiate with selected applicants and may request additional information or modification from an applicant. When deemed advisable, and before a contract is issued, Mason County reserves the right to arrange an on-site visit/review to determine the applicants ability to meet the terms and conditions described in this RFP. Cancellation of Applicants Mason County reserves the right, with or without cause, to cancel any contract resulting from this RFP with thirty (30) calendar days written notice sent by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the applicant s address of record, as indicated on the applicant s proposal to this RFP (or last known address on file). Notification of Required Assurances Equal Employment Opportunity: This law prohibits discrimination against any employee or application for employment because of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, or national origin. Provisions to effectuate this prohibition must be included in all construction contracts. The Contractor will not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, or national origin. The Contractor will take affirmative action to ensure that applicants are employed and that employees are treated during employment without regard to their race, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, or national origin. Fair Housing and Affirmative Marketing: All housing construction, purchase or rental projects must comply with the following federal fair housing laws, including but not limited to: Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as amended; The Fair Housing Act; Equal Opportunity in Housing Act; and Age Discrimination Act All housing projects must adopt affirmative marketing procedures in compliance with federal and county policy. An affirmative marketing plan must be provided. The plan must, to the greatest extent possible, provide information to the public and potential tenants that may be underserved in the community. Accessibility: All projects must comply with the accessibility laws, including: Americans with Disabilities Act; and Fair Housing Act Financial Management: The applicant must comply with all relevant accounting/financial standards and have a management system in place that can demonstrate cost reasonableness. 9 P a g e