Expanding Tiered Healthy Home Training and Credentialing Opportunities_Draft.doc

Expanding Tiered Healthy Home Training and Credentialing Opportunities for the Office of Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes’ (OLHCHH) Grant Program 4Vision Statement

1 General Information

1.1 Introduction

1.2 Background

1.3 Constraints

1.4 SCOPE OF REQUIREMENTS

1.5 Non-Personal Services

1.6 Period of Performance

1.7 Place of Performance

1.8 Hours of Operation

1.9 Special Qualifications

1.10 Past Experience

1.11 Post Award/Kickoff Conference

1.12 Status Meetings

1.13 Contractor Travel

1.14 Transition In

1.15 Transition Out

2 Definitions and Acronyms

2.1 Definitions

2.2 Acronyms

3 Government-Furnished Property and Services

3.1 Government Services

3.2 Facilities

3.3 Equipment

3.4 Materials

3.5 Quality Assurance (QA)

4 Contractor-Furnished Items and Services

4.1 Facilities

4.2 Equipment

4.3 Material

4.4 Contractor Responsibilities

4.5 Contractor Personnel

4.6 Identification of Contractor Employees

4.7 Quality Control

4.7.1 Quality Control Plan

5 KEY TASKS

5.2 Create a Healthy Home Practitioner Certification to Meet HUD’s Needs

5.3 Develop a Healthy Housing Advocate Certification

5.4 Develop a National Standard for Healthy Home Assessment Protocols

5.5 Coordinate the Delivery of Healthy Housing Training in Support of the New Certifications

5.8 Management and Reporting

DELIVERABLES AND SCHEDULE

6.1 Deliverables

6.2 Quality Control Plan

6.3 Acceptance Criteria

7 Performance Requirements Summary

Performance Work Statement (PWS) Expanding Tiered Healthy Home Training and Credentialing Opportunities for the OLHCHH Grant Program Vision Statement

The Office of Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes (OLHCHH) wishes to utilize contractor support to establish a certification and credentialing program that provides healthy housing professionals a pathway to nationally recognized certification to assess and characterize health and safety risks in housing.

1 General Information

1.1 Introduction

The purpose of this contract is to establish a Certification Program to Meet HUD’s Needs.

1.2 Background

The Office of Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes (OLHCHH) has a long history supporting the development, implementation, and evaluation of our Lead and Healthy Homes grant programs to identify and address lead and other health and safety hazards in the homes of low-income, privately owned households. As HUD’s Office of Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes (OLHCHH) expands its network of grantees, there is a need to provide training and a pathway to certification for both new and existing grantees.

1.3 Constraints

The services identified in this PWS will adhere to the rules, regulations, laws, standards, and conventions identified by HUD as well as within the Federal Government. Constraints include the following:

1. 24 CFR 15.108

2. 2 CFR 200.30248 CFR 52.203-13

3. FAR 31.205-46

4. HUDAR 2452.237-70

5. HUDAR 2452.237-73

6. 36 CFR 1194.1

1.4 SCOPE OF REQUIREMENTS

The major objectives of this delivery order include the following:

1. Create a Healthy Home Practitioner Certification to Meet HUD’s Needs

2. Develop a Healthy Housing Advocate Certification to Meet Federal Needs

3. Develop a National Standard for Healthy Home Assessment Protocols

4. Coordinate the Delivery of Healthy Housing Training in Support of the New Certifications

5. Communicate with Key Audiences

6. Expand the Healthy Home Evaluator Certification to include specific skills and open the certification to a larger professional audience including HUD Grantee staff

7. Perform Management and Reporting

1.5 Non-Personal Services

The Government will neither supervise Contractor employees nor control the method by which the Contractor performs the required tasks. Under no circumstances shall the Government assign tasks to, or prepare work schedules for, individual Contractor employees. It shall be the responsibility of the Contractor to manage its employees and to guard against any actions that are of the nature of personal services or give the perception of personal services.

If the Contractor believes that any actions constitute, or are perceived to constitute personal services, it shall be the Contractor's responsibility to notify the Contracting Officer (CO) immediately. These services shall not be used to perform work of a policy, decision-making, or management nature, i.e., inherently Government functions. All decisions relative to programs supported by the Contractor shall be the sole responsibility of the Government.

1.6 Period of Performance

The potential period of performance shall be four (4) years (a 24-month base with 2 one-year option periods) from the award of the contract.

1.7 Place of Performance

All work shall be performed at the contractor(s) facilities. No government facilities will be provided.

1.8 Hours of Operation

The Contractor is responsible for providing services during the hours of operation as determined by the task order, except for Federal holidays or when the Government facility is closed due to local or national emergencies, administrative closing, or similar Government-directed facility closings. Weekly hours shall not exceed a forty (40) hour work week and a typical workday will be 8 hours each day Monday through Friday. The Government reserves the right to change hours of operation or restrict contractor access. Work outside of these daily hours is prohibited without the Contracting Officer's approval. Government agencies will not be available during scheduled holidays, inclement weather, weekends, and after-duty hours.

The Contractor shall at all times maintain an adequate workforce for the uninterrupted performance of all tasks defined within the contract when the Government facility is not closed for the above reasons. When hiring personnel, the Contractor shall keep in mind that the stability and continuity of the workforce is essential.

1.9 Special Qualifications

1.10 Past Experience

Contractor shall be accredited by the American National Standards Institute, Inc. (ANSI) as a developer of American National Standards and by the ANSI National Accreditation Board under ISO/IEC 17024 as a certifying body for the Energy Auditor professional certification.

2 Definitions and Acronyms

3 Government-Furnished Property and Services

The Contractor shall ensure accurate control and accountability of all Government-Furnished Property in accordance with the terms and conditions of this contract. The Government will furnish, at no cost to the Contractor, the GFP shown below.

3.1 Government Services

The Government will provide no services.

3.2 Facilities

The Government will provide no facilities.

3.3 Equipment

The Government will provide no equipment.

3.4 Materials

Copies of required materials may be provided to the Contractor in hard copy or soft copy. All materials will remain the property of the Government and will be returned to the COR upon request or at the end of the contract period.

3.5 Quality Assurance (QA)

The Government shall evaluate the Contractor's performance under this contract in accordance with the Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan. This plan is primarily focused on what the Government must do to ensure that the Contractor has performed in accordance with the performance standards. It defines how the performance standards will be applied, the frequency of surveillance, and the minimum acceptable quality level.

4 Contractor-Furnished Items and Services

The Contractor shall furnish, all facilities, equipment, and supplies required to perform the work under this contract that is not listed under Government-Furnished Property and Services.

4.1 Facilities

The Contractor shall furnish all facilities required to perform the work under this contract that are not listed under Government-Furnished Property and Services.

4.2 Equipment

The Contractor shall furnish all equipment required to perform the work under this contract that is not listed under Government-Furnished Property and Services.

4.3 Material

The Contractor shall furnish all material required to perform the work under this contract that is not listed under Government-Furnished Property and Services.

4.4 Contractor Responsibilities

The Contractor shall only conduct business with designated Government personnel listed as points of contact (POCs). Names of authorized personnel shall be provided to the Contractor by the Government, in writing, and updated as necessary throughout the contract period.

U.S. Government records, copies of original results, reports and/or documents, verified original data, corrected data, and corrected supporting final reports which are maintained by the Contractor remain the property of the U.S. Government. These files/results must be surrendered to the COR.

4.5 Contractor Personnel

The Contractor shall provide a Contract/Project Manager who shall be responsible for the performance of work. An alternate shall also be designated to act in the absence of the Contract/Project Manager. These Contractor personnel (main point of contact and alternate point of contact) are considered Key Personnel by the Government and shall be listed as such in accordance with HUDAR 2452.237-70, "Key Personnel. The Contract/Project Manager and alternate shall have full authority to act on all contact matters relating to daily operations of this contract. Accordingly, at a minimum, the points of contact shall have the technical knowledge of the requirement and be in the position to actually receive assignment, guidance, and direction from the COR, PM and CO per HUDAR 2452.237-73, "Conduct of Work and Technical Guidance" and shall be allocated enough hours to the requirement to ensure successful performance. These points of points of contact shall each be an employee of the Contractor. An employee of a subcontractor is not acceptable for either of these positions. The Contract/Project Manager or alternate shall be available between the hours of 8:00am to 4:30pm Monday through Friday EST, except Federal Holidays or when the Government facility is closed for administrative reasons.

4.6 Identification of Contractor Employees

4.7 Quality Control

The Contractor shall establish and maintain a complete quality control program that shall ensure services are performed in accordance with this contract. The Contractor shall develop and implement procedures to identify, prevent, and ensure non reoccurrence of defective services. The Contractor's quality control program is the means by which he assures himself that his work complies with the requirements of the contract. The Contractor shall provide the associated Quality Control Plan to the Government as directed.

4.7.1 Quality Control Plan

The Contractor shall develop, maintain, enforce, and document a Quality Control Plan (QCP). The QCP shall ensure the Government receives the level of quality that is consistent with the requirements specified in this contract. The QCP shall be sufficiently detailed to provide the Contractor's methodology for identifying and recruiting qualified personnel. The QCP shall also provide the Contractor's methodology for resolving problems identified by the Government during reviews conducted in accordance with its Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP). The QCP shall also provide the Contractor's methodology for establishing an internal feedback system for support personnel, and for resolving problems identified by that feedback system. The QCP shall demonstrate and validate that the services or deliverables to be provided under the contract are completed with a level of quality that meets the minimum performance threshold established in the Government's QASP. The QCP shall address Quality Management Approach, Quality Assurance, Quality Control and Quality Standards.

5 KEY TASKS

5.1 Develop a Workplan

Within 30 days of contract award the contractor shall submit a draft work plan to HUD for review and comment. Within 10 days of receiving HUD’s comments, the contractor shall submit a final work plan reflecting HUD’s comments.

5.2 Create a Healthy Home Practitioner Certification to Meet HUD’s Needs The contractor shall create a certification program to evaluate HUD grantees expertise in assessing and characterizing health and safety risks in housing, as well as their ability to develop targeted intervention plans aimed at improving indoor environmental conditions in homes.

5.2.1 Develop a New Credential

The contractor shall develop a new credential, the Healthy Home Practitioner (HHP). This credential shall be designed to accommodate the requirements of professionals working in this field. This certification shall establish a standardized level of knowledge and skills for practitioners in this domain.

5.2.2 Convene Subject Matter Expert Group (SME)

The contractor shall coordinate with HUD staff and the National Center for Healthy Housing (NCHH) to develop the new HHP credential. Work closely with these organizations to ensure alignment with their objectives and standards. Define the scope of the new HHP credential to accommodate the needs of professionals performing home environmental assessment work. Ensure the scope aligns with the requirements of HUD and other federal agencies. Ensure the credential will be valuable to the healthcare sector, including managed care institutions. Ensure that the new credential meets the needs and requirements of HUD and other relevant federal agencies. Ensure that the new HHP credential provides tangible benefits to the healthcare sector, including managed care institutions. Highlight how the credential can contribute to improving health outcomes and addressing environmental concerns in residential settings. Incorporate any specific guidelines or standards provided by these agencies into the credential development process. Establish a timeline for the development process, including milestones for each phase of development. Ensure that the development process is completed within the specified timeframe to meet the needs of stakeholders. Identify and engage up to 10 SMEs from relevant disciplines related to the new credential. Collaborate with SMEs to develop a comprehensive scope that reflects industry standards and best practices. Organize a series of three or four 2-3 hour meetings with SMEs to:

1. Confirm the revised scope of the new HHP credential.

2. Discuss and incorporate feedback from stakeholders.

3. Ensure consensus on the final scope and requirements.

4. Document all discussions, decisions, and revisions made during the meetings.

5. Maintain clear records of the agreed-upon scope and requirements.

6. Implement quality assurance measures to ensure the integrity and validity of the new HHP credential.

7. Regularly review and validate the credential against industry standards and evolving best practices.

5.2.3 Prerequisite Requirements

The Healthy Home Practitioner (HHP) credential must address prerequisite requirements to ensure alignment with the new Healthy Home Environment (HHE) initiative (refer to Task 5.7 below). One crucial aspect to be addressed is the prerequisite requirements for HHP candidates. The contractor shall define the types of experience that would fulfill this prerequisite requirement, as well as establish minimum thresholds of experience.

5.2.4 Testable Knowledge and Skills Requirements

The testable knowledge and skills of the Healthy Home Practitioners (HHPs) shall align with key aspects of the previous Healthy Home Environment (HHE) certification(s). The contractor shall review the test item database, making necessary adjustments to questions and formulating new questions pertinent to the updated knowledge and skills required for the HHP certification. This process typically involves several key steps:

Review of Existing Knowledge and Skills: The current knowledge and skills required for HHP certification should be thoroughly assessed to identify any gaps or areas for improvement.

Expert Input: Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) who possess extensive experience and expertise in healthy home assessments should be engaged to provide input and guidance throughout the review process.

Database Review: The existing test item database should be thoroughly reviewed by the SMEs to assess the relevance and accuracy of the questions. Any outdated or inaccurate questions should be identified for revision or removal.

Adjustment of Test Questions: Based on the review findings, existing test questions may need to be adjusted or revised to ensure alignment with the updated knowledge and skills requirements for HHP certification.

Development of New Questions: In areas where new knowledge or skills have been identified, new test questions should be developed to adequately assess candidates' proficiency in these areas.

Validation: Once the updated test item database is developed, it should undergo validation to ensure that the questions effectively assess candidates' knowledge and skills related to healthy home assessments.

By engaging SMEs and systematically reviewing and updating the testable knowledge and skills for HHP certification, the certification process can remain robust and reflective of current best practices in the field of healthy home assessments. This ensures that certified HHPs are well-prepared to effectively identify and mitigate health and safety risks in housing environments.

5.2.5 Enhance/Update existing healthy housing resources

The contractor shall update the existing healthy housing resources and guides to add chapters on healthy housing assessments and interventions. This update shall encompass general protocols for in-home assessment, intervention strategies, and introductory information on environmental measurement and sampling techniques.

5.2.6 Pilot Testing for New Certification Exams

The contractor shall, in collaboration with HUD, undertake the recruitment and execution of pilot testing for the revised Healthy Home Practitioner (HHP) exam as per the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) procedures for developing new certification exams. The objective shall be to recruit 200 candidates for the pilot testing phase. Pilot testing shall be utilized to evaluate the validity and reliability of test questions and to determine an appropriate passing score for the exam. The contractor shall psychometrically analyze test questions and pilot exam results, and from this analysis shall establish a "cut score" or passing grade for the exam.

5.2.7 Revise Existing Curriculum(s) for Trainers

The Healthy Home Practitioner (HHP) certification shall leverage existing training materials and resources previously developed by HUD through its contract with Healthy Housing Solutions, as well as materials developed by BPI. These resources shall undergo review and updating to incorporate the new in-home assessment and measurement protocols, along with other relevant and current information specified in this task order. All updated materials shall be accessible to training centers and providers nationwide through the planned training materials repository.

5.2.8 Produce Comprehensive Reports

The contractor shall produce comprehensive reports detailing the outcomes of various tasks related to the Healthy Home Environment (HHE) initiative. These reports shall summarize the efforts of the Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) in developing testable knowledge and skills, updating reference guides, and developing training curricula. The reports shall note the completion of pilot exams and provide an analysis of the cut scores determined. These reports shall be submitted within 30 days of the completion of these tasks: test development, updates to reference guides, completion of training curricula, completion of pilot exams, and analysis of cut scores.

5.2.9 Publish Updated Schema Handbook

The contractor shall update and expand the existing schema handbook for the Healthy Home Environment (HHE) certification to incorporate the necessary information for the newly developed Healthy Home Practitioner (HHP) certification. This updated handbook shall serve as a comprehensive guide, summarizing the testable knowledge and skills required for grantees preparing to take the certification exam.

5.2.10 Conduct Train-the-Trainer Sessions

The contractor shall conduct Train-the-Trainer sessions across the country in regional settings, covering up to five of the ten HUD regions as determined by HUD staff. These sessions shall span a two-week period and shall entail the presentation of new materials, breakout sessions to assist trainers in integrating problem-solving tips and techniques into their training, and full-day sessions involving practical in-home walk-through assessments with the trainers. This initiative shall establish a common curriculum within the training network for delivering training to candidates.

5.2.11 Report on Completion of Trainer‐the‐Trainer Sessions

The contractor shall produce a report summarizing the Train-the-Trainer sessions, including details such as locations, attendees, and the number of training instructors trained. This report shall be submitted within 30 days of the completion of the Train-the-Trainer sessions.

5.3 Develop a Healthy Housing Advocate Certification

The contractor shall develop a Healthy Housing Advocate Certification program to address the needs of a broader audience. This program shall provide a basic understanding of the principles of healthy housing advocacy, without requiring full in-home assessment capabilities like those of the Healthy Home Environment (HHE) certification. The primary target audience includes community health workers, in-home nurses, nurse practitioners, federal program grantee staff, public health staff, and occupational therapists. Secondary target groups may include housing program staff, environmental professionals, weatherization technicians, HVAC technicians/office staff, and insulation/air sealing technicians, home performance contractor staff, home inspectors, realtors, parent/teacher advocates, and students from technical high schools or community colleges.

5.3.1 Convene Subject Matter Expert Group

The contractor shall collaborate with HUD OLHCHH staff to form a Subject Matter Expert (SME) group comprising up to 10 experts representing various stakeholders listed in the previous section. This SME group shall be responsible for defining the scope of the Healthy Housing Advocate certification to align with the requirements of HUD, other state and federal agencies, as well as the healthcare sector and managed care institutions. Additionally, the SME group shall develop a list of testable knowledge and determine the weighting of exam questions by domain category.

5.3.2 Review and convert existing HHP exam to create HH Advocate exam and certification The contractor shall assemble a Subject Matter Expert (SME) group to review and convert the Healthy Home Practitioner (HHP) exam into the Healthy Housing Advocate Exam and certification. The SMEs shall assess existing exam questions in accordance with the scope of the new certification and develop new exam items as needed.

5.3.3 Conduct Pilot Testing of the Revised HH Advocate Exam

The contractor shall conduct pilot testing of the revised Healthy Housing Advocate exam across the country, involving a minimum of 200 individuals. The results of these pilot exams will be analyzed by a psychometrician to assess the appropriateness of individual exam questions and to establish a cut score for determining a passing grade.

5.3.4 Create new Healthy Housing Education and Action Guide

The contractor shall develop a new Healthy Housing Education and Action Guide building on the concepts established in BPI’s Healthy Housing Principles reference guide to better serve the needs of various audiences. The contractor shall streamline the content of the guide to emphasize introductory concepts and provide practical guidance on how to apply these concepts in a broad context.

5.3.5 Translate new Education and Action Guide and Exam into Spanish The contractor shall translate the new Healthy Housing Education and Action Guide and Exam from English into Spanish to ensure accessibility for native Spanish speakers. The contractor shall engage a translation service to perform the adaptation into Spanish and will subsequently publish the Reference Guide and Exam in Spanish.

5.3.6 Revise the HHP to become HH Advocate Curriculum for Trainers The contractor shall revise the existing Healthy Home Practitioner (HHP) curriculum to become the Healthy Housing Advocate Curriculum for Trainers. The updated curriculum shall be made available to trainers who provide online or classroom training, supplementing the information provided in the HHP Reference Guide.

5.3.7 Deliver Train‐the‐Trainer Sessions Through an Online Format The contractor shall deliver an online Train-the-Trainer series consisting of one to two-day sessions in each of the four U.S. mainland time zones. These sessions shall be open to all interested healthy housing training partners nationwide. The training shall cover the key elements of the eight "keep it" principles relevant to healthy housing work, as well as provide instruction on the basics of collecting an environmental history and conducting in-home assessments for advocates and educators.

5.3.8 Report on Completion of Train‐the‐Trainer Sessions

The contractor shall provide a report summarizing the train-the-trainer sessions, including details such as locations, attendees, and the number of training instructors provided with training. This report must be submitted within 30 days of the completion of the train-the-trainer tasks.

5.4 Develop a National Standard for Healthy Home Assessment Protocols The contractor shall develop a standard and framework for conducting healthy housing assessments in both single and multifamily buildings. The standard shall cover procedures, methodologies, and criteria for conducting healthy home assessments. The standard shall include identification of potential health hazards, assessment of indoor air quality, evaluation of water quality, inspection of building materials, assessment of pest infestation, examination of environmental factors affecting occupant health, and recommendations for remediation measures.

The contractor shall assemble a working group of Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) to develop the standard. The development process shall adhere to ANSI protocols for transparency, consensus, and rigor. The contractor shall facilitate the accreditation process through ANSI at the request of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The standard shall use the ANSI/BPI-1100 Energy Auditing standard as a model. The format, structure, and rigor of the standard shall be consistent with ANSI/BPI-1100. The standard shall be developed during the base period of the contract. Regular meetings and consultations with stakeholders shall be scheduled to ensure timely progress and the incorporation of feedback. The draft standard shall undergo review involving public comment periods and stakeholder feedback sessions.

The final standard shall be subject to approval by the HUD before submission for ANSI accreditation. Upon accreditation, the standard shall be made publicly available for adoption by industry professionals, government agencies, and relevant stakeholders.

5.4.1 Single Family Housing Standard Healthy Home Assessment Protocol Develop a Single-Family Housing Standard Healthy Home Assessment Protocol

5.4.1.1 Convene Subject Matter Expert Group

Collaborate with HUD staff and the National Center for Healthy Housing (NCHH) to assemble up to 10 Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) from various professional disciplines and sectors of the housing industry. Develop and field test a new Assessment Protocol for healthy home assessments.

Establish a common framework for healthy home assessments while accommodating regional variations in climate, housing design, and construction practices. Organize meetings and workshops across the country to develop a scope and practice framework for the Standard Healthy Home Assessment Protocol. Schedule and conduct meetings and workshops as necessary to develop and field test the Assessment Protocol. Implement quality assurance measures throughout the development and field-testing process to ensure the accuracy, reliability, and effectiveness of the Assessment Protocol. Archive all project-related documentation, including meeting minutes, field testing reports, and the final Assessment Protocol, for reference purposes. Ensure compliance with relevant regulatory requirements and standards governing the development of assessment protocols and standards.

5.4.1.2 Review existing assessment protocols and create framework for assessment components The contractor shall gather and scrutinize existing environmental assessment protocols and checklists utilized in assessment work. The contractor shall collaborate with HUD staff to collect current assessment protocols and operating procedures from successful grantees, aiming to identify best practices for integration into a unified framework for residential healthy home assessments.

The contractor shall create an assessment framework, model assessment forms, and standard procedures that can be utilized by HUD grantee programs for grant-related activities. The framework shall standardize practices and streamline assessment activities for Grant Technical Representatives overseeing grantees across multiple regions. The framework shall accommodate regional variations in climate, housing design, and construction practices.

The contractor shall develop the draft standard for a single-family healthy housing assessment protocol. The draft standard shall be submitted to HUD for review and consideration.

5.4.1.3 Distribute to HUD staff, grantees for review and feedback Upon completion of the draft Standard Healthy Home Assessment Protocol, the contractor shall disseminate copies to designated key personnel for review.

Key personnel shall be selected from various regions across the country and shall represent a diverse range of stakeholders in the healthy housing sector, including national and regional housing organizations, public health agencies, HUD grantees, weatherization programs, community organizations, home performance programs, radon contractors, general contractors, and other relevant stakeholders.

Feedback shall be collected and compiled from the stakeholders to ensure comprehensive input. The gathered feedback shall be assimilated and summarized by the contractor to refine and finalize the draft protocol.

The finalized protocol shall be distributed to pilot testers for further evaluation and validation.

5.4.1.4 Conduct Pilot testing of new protocols

The draft Standard Healthy Home Assessment Protocol shall be distributed to representatives of stakeholders listed in task 5.4.1.3, encompassing a diverse range of individuals and organizations across the country. Stakeholders shall utilize the assessment protocol to evaluate three houses within their respective regions. Stakeholders shall provide copies of completed protocols along with feedback, including any logistical complications, issues, or concerns encountered during field use of the new data collection instrument.

The contractor shall collect and assimilate feedback from stakeholders regarding their experiences with the draft protocol and its implementation. Feedback shall be summarized to identify areas for improvement and refinement of the protocol.

Based on the assimilated feedback, The contractor shall finalize the draft protocol to create the final version of the Standard Healthy Home Assessment Protocol. The final protocol shall be provided to HUD staff for evaluation and approval.

5.4.1.5 Single Family Standards Technical Committee review

The contractor shall evaluate the standard to determine if it is ready for public comment, ensuring that it meets all necessary criteria and requirements. The contractor shall collaborate with HUD to determine whether the standard will proceed to the public comment phase.

5.4.1.6 Public Comment Process

Once approved by HUD, the standard will be published and made widely available for review and comment by the public. The contractor shall ensure widespread dissemination of the standard and publicize the availability of standardized public comment forms.

A 45-day public comment period will be initiated following the publication of the standard. During this period, stakeholders and the public will have the opportunity to review the standard and submit comments using the standardized public comment forms. The contractor shall compile and release the comments to HUD for review. The contractor shall prepare the standard for publication based on the outcomes of the public comment process.

5.4.1.7 Publication of the Final Standard Protocol

Once approved by HUD, the contractor shall publish the completed standard on its web site and make it available to all stakeholders to download and use at no charge.

5.4.2 Establish Standard Multifamily Housing Healthy Home Assessment Protocol

5.4.2.1 Convene Subject Matter Expert Group

The contractor shall collaborate with HUD staff and the National Center for Healthy Housing (NCHH) to assemble up to 10 Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) from various disciplines and sectors of the multifamily housing industry.

The contractor shall develop, and field test a new Assessment Protocol for multifamily healthy home assessments; establish a common framework for multifamily healthy home assessments, accommodating regional differences in climate, housing design, and construction practices; conduct a series of meetings and workshops across the country to develop a scope and practice framework for the Standard Multifamily Healthy Home Assessment Protocol.

5.4.2.2 Review existing assessment protocols and create framework for assessment components

The contractor shall gather and review existing multifamily environmental assessment protocols and checklists utilized in assessment work. The contractor shall collaborate with HUD staff to collect current multifamily assessment protocols and operating procedures from successful grantees and shall identify best practices for integration into a common framework for multifamily healthy home assessments.

The contractor shall create an assessment framework, model assessment forms, and standard procedures that can be utilized by HUD grantee programs for grant-related activities in multifamily settings. The framework shall standardize practices and streamline assessment activities for Grant Technical Representatives overseeing grantees across multiple regions. The framework shall accommodate regional variations in climate, housing design, and construction practices.

The contractor shall develop the draft standard for a multifamily healthy housing assessment protocol. The draft standard will be submitted to HUD for review and consideration.

5.4.2.3 Distribute to HUD staff, grantees for review and feedback Once a draft Standard Multifamily Healthy Home Assessment Protocol is available, the contractor shall distribute copies to key personnel identified to serve as reviewers and seek feedback. Reviewers shall be recruited from across the country and shall represent a variety of multifamily housing stakeholders including national and regional multifamily housing organizations, public health agencies, HUD grantees, weatherization programs, community organizations, home performance programs, radon contractors, general contractors, and other key audiences. The gathered feedback shall be assimilated and summarized by the contractor to finalize a draft multifamily assessment protocol that can be distributed to pilot testers.

5.4.2.4 Conduct Pilot testing of new protocols

A draft Standard Multifamily Healthy Home Assessment Protocol shall be distributed to individuals who represent the stakeholders listed in task 5.4.2.3. These stakeholders shall use the multifamily assessment protocol to assess three multifamily units that have at least 2 units in the building in their respective regions of the country and provide copies of completed protocols, along with their feedback including complications with any logistics any issues or concerns that came up in the field while use of this new data collection instrument. The gathered feedback shall be assimilated and summarized by the contractor and a final version of a Standard Multifamily Healthy Home Assessment Protocol shall be provided to HUD staff for evaluation. The final multifamily assessment protocol may be distributed to select HUD multifamily housing grantees for use in performing their work to gather additional feedback from the grantee network prior to distribution to the rest of the grantee programs.

5.4.2.5 Multifamily Standards Technical Committee review

The contractor shall ensure that proper procedures have been followed to develop the standard and that it is ready to release for public comment. HUD will determine whether or not to release the standard for public comment.

5.4.2.6 Public Comment Process

Once HUD approves the standard for public comment, the contractor shall publish the standard and make it available widely for review and comment. Standardized public comment forms will be made available and publicized widely. A 45‐day public comment period will follow. At the end of the public comment process, the contractor shall provide the comments to HUD for review. After review and approval by HUD, the contractor shall prepare the standard for publication.

5.4.2.7 Publication of the Final Standard Protocol

After approval by HUD, the contractor shall publish the completed standard on its web site and make it available to all stakeholders to download and use at no charge.

5.5 Coordinate the Delivery of Healthy Housing Training in Support of the New Certifications The contractor shall foster collaboration with a national network of training centers and professional development schools. These partners will integrate newly developed educational resources, training curricula, and national certifications into their programs. This initiative shall support professionals and students interested in acquiring knowledge and certifications related to healthy housing concepts for their career development. The contractor shall engage experts in workforce development to facilitate collaboration with community colleges, junior colleges, and other technical education programs across the United States.

5.5.1 Coordinate with current HUD Healthy Housing Training Network

The contractor shall obtain a HUD approved, comprehensive list of current healthy housing training organizations. This list will serve as a foundation for outreach efforts. The contractor shall proactively reach out to each center to introduce them to the Test Center network. Special emphasis will be placed on connecting with testing centers in their respective regions. The contractor shall facilitate information sharing regarding healthy housing education and professional development initiatives.

5.5.2 Coordinate with Community Colleges, Technical Preparation Schools, Junior Colleges, and Technical High Schools The contractor shall include experts in workforce development who shall work with community colleges, junior colleges, and other technical education programs to establish strategic collaboration across the US in the delivery of healthy housing‐related curriculum and professional certifications.

5.5.3 Develop a training instructor evaluation and quality control process to verify consistency in instructional delivery of the training curricula across the country

The contractor shall develop a robust training instructor evaluation and quality control process to uphold the standard of professional training delivery. The contractor shall integrate training instructor development and mentoring protocols, extending these procedures to encompass healthy home training instruction.

The contractor shall compile a roster of experienced mentors capable of shadowing new instructors and providing on-site evaluation and constructive feedback. This initiative shall ensure consistency in the delivery of the healthy housing training curriculum nationwide. Once implemented, this evaluation and mentoring system shall be accessible to all organizations currently functioning as training and testing centers, as well as those aspiring to become such centers.

5.6 Communicate with Key Audiences

The contractor shall collaborate with HUD OLHCHH to develop a communication strategy to coordinate activities between the national training network of Test Centers, and HUD's existing training organizations. This effort shall focus on recruiting candidates from HUD's grantee network to participate in the training and credentialing process.

5.6.1 Identify and Recruit Potential Candidates into the Training and Credentialing Process

The contractor shall spearhead the development and execution of a comprehensive marketing and communications plan to identify and recruit individuals into the training and credentialing process for healthy housing initiatives. This plan shall involve identifying key stakeholders for each tier of credentials and tailoring specific messages to resonate with each audience.

For instance, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data highlights significant numbers of community health workers, occupational therapists, home health and personal care aides, and home health nurses across the country. This vast pool presents an opportunity to engage a wide range of professionals who could benefit from obtaining healthy housing credentials. Notably, there is currently no nationally recognized healthy housing credential to cater to these audiences, further emphasizing the need for targeted outreach efforts.

The contractor shall coordinate messaging efforts between HUD OLHCHH, and a substantial portion of this demographic (> 30%). This collaborative approach shall raise awareness about the available credentials and their relevance to various professional roles within the healthcare and housing sectors, ultimately expanding the reach and impact of healthy housing initiatives.

5.6.2 Develop a Media and Marketing Plan

The contractor shall craft media and marketing plans for these certifications and standards. The contractor shall orchestrate targeted marketing campaigns for each new certification and assessment protocol to effectively promote these resources and certifications to the intended audiences.

The contractor shall collaborate closely with HUD staff and the National Center for Healthy Housing, to devise comprehensive market strategies, social media campaigns, and other initiatives. These efforts shall target professionals from various sectors, including housing, healthcare, federal and state agencies, public health agencies, and nonprofit organizations. This campaign shall employ a multifaceted approach to maximize visibility and engagement, ensuring that these resources and certifications effectively meet the needs of their intended audience and contribute to advancing healthy housing initiatives nationwide.

5.6.3 Develop a National Repository of Resources and References The contractor shall establish a centralized online platform, the National Repository of Resources and References. This repository shall serve as a one-stop destination where housing and health professionals can access essential resources to enhance their knowledge and performance in serving clients.

The repository shall encompass a wide range of materials, including research publications, reports, data collection instruments, sample questionnaires and surveys, educational handouts and pamphlets, videos, and online educational resources. The contractor shall collaborate with HUD to develop and maintain the structure of the repository.

This collaborative effort shall involve creating a system for regularly adding new resources to keep the information relevant and valuable to its intended audience.

5.7 Expand the Healthy Home Evaluator Certification to include specific skills and open the certification to a larger professional audience including HUD Grantee staff The contractor shall expand the certification process to ensure that professionals including HUD grantee staff possess the necessary knowledge and skills to conduct thorough and accurate healthy home assessments. This certification shall evaluate candidates on their proficiency in assessing and characterizing health and safety risks in housing environments.

Key components of such a certification shall address:

Assessment Competency: Candidates shall demonstrate a deep understanding of the various factors that contribute to health and safety risks in housing, including indoor air quality, moisture and mold issues, lead and other contaminants, structural hazards, and more.

Intervention Oversight: Professionals shall be equipped with the skills to oversee and manage interventions aimed at mitigating identified risks. This includes understanding best practices for remediation, retrofitting, and implementing preventive measures.

Regulatory Knowledge: Familiarity with relevant regulations and guidelines pertaining to healthy housing. This includes federal, state, and local regulations, as well as industry standards and best practices.

Communication Skills: Effective communication with clients, colleagues, and other stakeholders for conveying assessment findings, recommendations, and risk implications clearly and comprehensively.

Ethical Considerations: Professionals should adhere to ethical principles and standards of conduct, prioritizing the well-being of clients and communities while maintaining professionalism and integrity in their work.

5.7.1 Convene Subject Matter Expert Group

The contractor shall change and update the scope of the HHE credential to allow this credential to fully accommodate the needs of HUD’s grantee network. The contractor shall work with HUD staff to bring together up to 10 Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) from disciplines relating to the credential to revise the scope to ensure it meets HUD’s and other federal agencies’ needs, as well as the needs of the health care sector and managed care institutions. HUD recommends a series of three or four 2‐3-hour meetings to confirm the revised scope.

5.7.2 Address Prerequisite Requirements

The contractor shall ensure that the prerequisite requirements for Healthy Home Evaluator (HHE) candidates align with the needs and circumstances of HUD grantees. To ensure that the prerequisite requirements are suitable for the HUD grantee network, the SME group should evaluate alternative approaches. This could involve considering documented in-field experience and/or specific training as potential prerequisites. The group will need to define what types of experience would meet this prerequisite requirement and establish minimum thresholds of experience to ensure candidates are adequately prepared to pursue HHE certification.

5.7.3 Define the Testable Knowledge and Skills and Exam Items of the expanded HHE

The contractor shall review and update the testable knowledge and skills for a Healthy Home Evaluator (HHE) to ensure that the certification process remains relevant and comprehensive. This process typically involves several key steps:

Review of Existing Knowledge and Skills: The current knowledge and skills required for HHE certification should be thoroughly assessed to identify any gaps or areas for improvement.

Expert Input: Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) who possess extensive experience and expertise in healthy home assessments should be engaged to provide input and guidance throughout the review process.

Database Review: The existing test item database should be thoroughly reviewed by the SMEs to assess the relevance and accuracy of the questions. Any outdated or inaccurate questions should be identified for revision or removal.

Adjustment of Test Questions: Based on the review findings, existing test questions may need to be adjusted or revised to ensure alignment with the updated knowledge and skills requirements for HHE certification.

Development of New Questions: In areas where new knowledge or skills have been identified, new test questions should be developed to adequately assess candidates' proficiency in these areas.

Validation: Once the updated test item database is developed, it should undergo validation to ensure that the questions effectively assess candidates' knowledge and skills related to healthy home assessments.

By engaging SMEs and systematically reviewing and updating the testable knowledge and skills for HHE certification, the certification process can remain robust and reflective of current best practices in the field of healthy home assessments. This ensures that certified HHEs are well-prepared to effectively identify and mitigate health and safety risks in housing environments.

5.7.4 Develop additional skills for healthy home measurement and sampling The contractor shall develop a reference guide to align with the evolving needs of HHEs and provide comprehensive training on conducting in-home assessments effectively. The updated guide shall be branded as an in-home assessment guide for HHEs to better reflect its focus and purpose.

5.7.5 Recruit and Conduct Pilot Skills Testing of the Updated HHE Skills

The contractor shall work with HUD to identify and recruit 200 candidates for the pilot round of testing. A round of pilot testing is required to evaluate the test question validity and reliability, and to define an appropriate passing score for the exam. The contractor shall utilize psychometric analysis of test questions and the results of the pilot exams to establish a “cut score” or passing grade for the exam.

5.7.6 Revise the Curriculum for Trainers in the Healthy Home Training Network The contractor shall revise the curriculum for delivering training on the revised HHE to include the new in‐home assessment and measurement protocol and to provide more current information as applicable.

5.7.7 Deliver Train‐the‐Trainer Sessions Across the Country in Regional Settings The contractor shall deliver train-the-trainer sessions in up to five of the ten HUD regions, as determined by HUD staff, with each session spanning a…