CDBG_-_Mortgage_Reduction_Assistance.pdf

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL

42705-CDBG-MR

CDBG - MORTGAGE REDUCTION ASSISTANCE

Dane County Department of Human Services

1202 Northport Dr.

Madison, WI 53704

RELEASE DATE: May 12, 2026

DEADLINE FOR QUESTIONS: May 29, 2026

RESPONSE DEADLINE: June 22, 2026, 11:59 pm

RESPONSES MUST BE SUBMITTED ELECTRONICALLY TO:

https://procurement.opengov.com/portal/countyofdane

Dane County Department of Human Services

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL

CDBG - Mortgage Reduction Assistance

I. Introduction II. RFP Overview

III. Scope of Services IV. RFP Response Requirements & Evaluation Criteria V. RFP Application

VI. General Guidelines VII. Standard Terms and Conditions

Attachments:

A - Dane County UCC Participation List - 2025

B - Dane County 2027 Evaluation Criteria - Final

C - CDBG - Policies - Mortgage Reduction Assistance - REV 12.03.2024

D - CDBG - Policies - Environmental Reviews - REV 04.02.2024

Request For Proposal #42705-CDBG-MR Title: CDBG - Mortgage Reduction Assistance

1. Introduction

Please scroll down for RFP timeline. Vendors are invited to view a Dane County Dept of Human Services -

RFP 101 Video at this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g4FeRx7WN38

1.1. Summary

Dane County is soliciting applications from organizations interested in operating a mortgage reduction program to promote homeownership opportunities for low-and-moderate income residents of the Dane

County Urban County Consortium. Funding is expected to be available under the HUD-funded

Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. The County reserves the right to fund this project with Home Investment Partnership (HOME) funds. This change in funding source and its implications will be discussed with prospective Subrecipient(s). Please refer to the attached documents for more details..

The maximum amount of funding for the Mortgage Reduction Assistance project area is approximately

$448,000.00 and it is expected that multiple projects will be funded in this category.

The maximum request amount per application is $225,000.00.

Dane County requires that all applicants complete the CDBG application in its entirety and electronically sign at the end of the questionnaire. Failure to do so may result in the application being ineligible for funding and may not be scored.

1.2. Background

To align with the Dane County 2025-2029 Consolidated Plan, the estimated maximum amount of funding available for the Mortgage Reduction Assistance project area in 2027 is approximately

$448,000.00, and it is expected that multiple applicants will be funded in this category.

The maximum request amount per application for CDBG-Mortgage Reduction RFP is $225,000.00

1.3. Contact Information

Katie O'Brien

Purchasing Officer

Email: obrien.katie@danecounty.gov

Phone: (608) 381-5593

Department:

Human Services

1.4. Timeline

Release Project Date May 12, 2026 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g4FeRx7WN38 mailto:obrien.katie@danecounty.gov tel:(608)381-5593

Question Submission Deadline May 29, 2026, 5:00pm

Question Responses Posted June 5, 2026, 5:00pm

Proposal Submission Deadline June 22, 2026, 11:59pm

Preliminary Funding Recommendations to

CDBG Commission

September/October, 2026

Public Hearing on Final Funding

Recommendations

November, 2026

Approval of County Board January, 2027

2027 All Grantee Meeting (required) January, 2027

Funds Available for Reimbursement

(tentative)

April, 2027

2. RFP Overview

2.1. INTRODUCTION

The purpose of this document is to provide interested parties with information to enable them to prepare and submit a proposal according to the specifications set forth within this document.

Dane County is soliciting applications from organizations interested in operating a mortgage reduction program to promote homeownership opportunities for low-and-moderate income residents of the Dane

County Urban County Consortium. Funding is expected to be available under the HUD-funded

Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. The County reserves the right to fund this project with Home Investment Partnership (HOME) funds. This change in funding source and its implications will be discussed with prospective Subrecipient(s). Please refer to the attached documents for more details.

The contact listed in this RFP is the sole point of contact for questions and issues that may arise during the RFP process.

2.2. CLARIFICATION OF THE SPECIFICATIONS

All inquiries concerning this RFP must be submitted via the County's eProcurement Portal.

Any questions concerning this RFP must be submitted before 5:00 pm on Friday, May 29, 2026.

Proposers are expected to raise any questions, exceptions, or additions they have concerning the RFP document at this point in the RFP process. If a proposer discovers any significant ambiguity, error, conflict, discrepancy, omission, or other deficiency in this RFP, the proposer should immediately notify the contact person of such error and request modification or clarification of the RFP document.

Proposers are prohibited from communicating directly with any employee of Dane County, except as described herein. No County employee or representative other than those individuals listed as County contacts in this RFP is authorized to provide any information or respond to any question or inquiry concerning this RFP.

2.3. CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Specific and estimated dates and times of actions related to this RFP are listed in the timeline in the

Introduction section above. The actions with specific dates must be completed as indicated unless otherwise changed by the County. In the event that the County finds it necessary to change any of the specific dates and times in the calendar of events listed below, it will do so by issuing an addendum to this RFP and posting such addendum on the Dane County eProcurement Portal. There may or may not be a formal notification issued for changes in the estimated dates and times.

2.4. SUBMITTAL INSTRUCTIONS

Dane County reserves the right to accept any part of this bid deemed to be in the best interest of the

County. The County also retains the right to accept or reject any or all bids.

Proposals must be submitted via the County's eProcurement Portal before 11:59 pm on Monday, June

22, 2026. Late, faxed, mailed, hand-delivered, or incomplete proposals will be rejected unless otherwise specified. Dane County is not liable for any cost incurred by proposers in replying to this RFP.

To Submit a Proposal:

1. Register at the County's eProcurement Portal at https://procurement.opengov.com/portal/countyofdane

2. Once registered, click on the "draft" button to draft your proposal.

3. Provide company information

4. Answer Vendor Questionnaire

5. Where indicated upload the required documents.

6. The file upload status can be seen for each document uploaded.

7. Confirm all files have been uploaded

8. Review your work and click on "submit" proposal

9. Acknowledge any addenda

3. Scope of Services

3.1. DEFINITIONS & LINKS

The following definitions and links are used throughout the RFP.

County: Dane County

Department: Dane County Department of Human Services

Dane County Department of Human Services' Website: https://dcdhs.com/

Dane County Procurement Portal: https://procurement.opengov.com/portal/countyofdane

Fair Labor Practices websites: www.nlrb.gov and http://werc.wi.gov

Proposer/Vendor/Firm/Contractor: a company submitting a proposal in response to this RFP.

3.2. CONTRACT TERM AND FUNDING

The contract shall be effective on the date indicated on the contract execution date and shall remain in effect for the full grant term.

At the time of contracting with the Department of Human Services, agencies must be registered entities in good standing with the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions.

3.3. PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Dane County is soliciting applications from organizations interested in operating a mortgage reduction program to promote homeownership opportunities for low-and-moderate income residents of the Dane

County Urban County Consortium. Funding is expected to be available under the HUD-funded

Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. The County reserves the right to fund this project with Home Investment Partnership (HOME) funds. This change in funding source and its implications will be discussed with prospective Subrecipient(s). Please refer to the attached documents for more details.

The maximum amount of funding for the Mortgage Reduction Assistance project area is approximately

$448,000.00 and it is expected that multiple projects will be funded in this category.

The maximum request amount per application is $225,000.00.

3.4. ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS

Public or private non-profit agencies or organizations including faith-based organizations, units of local government, and Community-Based Development Organizations.

This grant is a direct award to the applicant agency, and is not intended to be passed through to other entities. In instances where both HUD and Dane County can allow a pass-through activity, exceptions to this rule may be negotiated at the time of contract drafting.

3.5. NEEDS AND EXPECTATIONS

Applicants must meet the following eligibility requirements in order to receive grant funding.

1. Project must be an eligible activity.

https://dcdhs.com/ https://procurement.opengov.com/portal/countyofdane http://www.nlrb.gov/ https://www.nlrb.gov/ http://werc.wi.gov/

2. Address one of the funding priority areas established by the CDBG Commission.

3. Be located in, or provide services to residents of, one of the member communities of the Dane

County Urban County Consortium identified in Appendix A.

4. Project must be ready to be implemented by the first quarter of 2027 (implementation-ready or shovel-ready).

5. Agency must have a Language Access Plan (translation and interpretation)

6. Agency must have an Appeals Process/Policy for persons that have a complaint or dispute about the services provided or program operated by your organization

7. An applicant with more than $1,000.00 in unexpended funds in a single project area, from contracts executed before 2025, as of July 1, 2026, is not eligible to apply for additional funds in that project area.

8. An applicant with more than $250,000.00 in unexpended funds in a single project area, as of July

1, 2026, is not eligible to apply for additional funds in that project area.

9. Agency cannot be a HUD-listed debarred or ineligible contractor.

10. If CDBG eligible, meet one of the three national objectives.

3.6. NATIONAL OBJECTIVES

The primary objective of Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, as amended, is the development of viable urban communities. This is achieved by providing decent housing, a suitable living environment, and expanding economic opportunities. Every funded project must meet one of the national objectives:

1. Benefitting low- and moderate- income (LMI) persons;

2. Aid in the prevention or elimination of slums or blight; and

3. Meet a particular urgency for which other resources are not available requiring the use of CDBG funds (such as for floods or tornadoes).

Mortgage Reduction activities are categorized as meeting the national objective of benefiting low and moderate-income persons.

3.7. PROJECT BASICS

Applicants may target the program to a specific community, a specific development, or to the entire

Dane County Urban County Consortium.

Organizations selected as sub recipients to operate a mortgage reduction program will be expected to comply with the requirements in the CDBG & Home Mortgage Reduction Assistance – Deferred Payment

Loans Program Standards for operating the program.

These include, in part:

• Marketing the program.

• Conducting initial pre-screening, intake, and income eligibility determinations of applicants.

• Providing information to the County on the addresses of each household requesting assistance in order for the County to conduct an environmental review. Typically, this step would occur once an accepted offer to purchase on a home has occurred.

• Not beginning any work on a home until the County issues a notice to proceed for that home.

• Assuring prospective homebuyers complete an approved homebuyer education course.

• Conducting required underwriting. Documenting the size and combined income of each household receiving assistance, including collecting income documentation.

• Documenting the eligibility of the property receiving assistance.

• The County will also arrange for an on-site Housing Quality Standards (HQS) inspection to be conducted by the County’s representative. All offers to purchase will be contingent on the property passing the environmental review and HQS inspection.

3.8. ELIGIBLE BORROWERS

• Eligible borrowers must be purchasing a single-family home and not own any other real estate.

• Borrower must be an owner-occupant of the property and take occupancy within 60 days of acquisition.

• Borrower must meet the definition of a first-time homebuyer as defined in 24CFR92.

• Eligible borrowers must meet the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) income requirements for low-and-moderate income households at the time of application.

Verification of income will be required.

• The minimum amount of “liquid assets” the borrower can have in reserves after closing must be at least $500 and the maximum amount of “liquid assets” the borrower can have in reserves cannot exceed the equivalent of twelve months of PITI (principal, interest, taxes, and insurance).

“Liquid assets” includes: checking accounts, savings accounts, life insurance net cash value, stocks, bonds and annuities. Excluded are: IRA’s, 401K plans, pension profit sharing, other pensions, employee retirement funds and personal property, including automobiles.

• All household members must be legal citizens of the United States or qualified aliens.

• Borrower must complete a homebuyer education course that complies with the Housing

Counseling Certification requirements of 81 FR 90632.

• Eligible borrowers must qualify for a first mortgage that does not exceed the prevailing market rates. First mortgages must be fixed rates loans with no negative amortization, balloon payments or adjustable rate features.

• Borrower’s maximum housing debt to income ratio, after including CDBG or HOME assistance, may not exceed 38%. Borrower’s total debt to income ratio must not exceed 55%. Loan requests with a housing ratio below 25% will be approved on a case-by-case basis.

• The County will also calculate a third ratio which includes PITI + other debts + maintenance & utility expenses, which is calculated by multiplying the finished square footage of the home by

$0.14, which cannot exceed 75.0%

• Borrower must contribute $500 of the purchase price from the borrower’s own funds.

• Eligible borrowers may receive only one Dane County mortgage reduction loan at the time of purchase.

• Subrecipients administering programs on behalf of Dane County, may, in agreement with the

County, choose to implement more stringent eligibility standards.

3.9. ELIGIBLE PROPERTIES

• One- to four-unit property, a condominium unit, or a manufactured home (manufactured housing must be connected to permanent utility hookups and must be located on land that is owned by the manufactured housing owner).

• Property must be located in one of the participating municipalities of the Dane County Urban

County Consortium.

• The property being purchased must be owner-occupied or vacant at the time the purchase contract is signed. Mortgage Reduction Assistance funds cannot be used to purchase a property that will displace any tenants.

• The sales price of the property may not exceed 95 percent of the median purchase price for that type of single-family housing for Dane County as published by HUD.

• Total debt secured by the property, including the CDBG-or HOME-funded loans, cannot exceed

103% of the value of the property based on the purchase price of the property or the appraised value, which ever amount is less.

• Property must meet all applicable State and local code requirements, and must meet the housing quality standards in 24 CFR 982.401.

• Properties constructed or manufactured before 1978 must be inspected for lead-based paint hazards. If deteriorated paint is found it must be properly remediated in compliance with the

Lead Safe Housing Rule before closing.

• Property must pass an environmental review conducted by Dane County Community

Development Block Grant staff.

3.10. ELIGIBLE COSTS

In addition to the loan itself, the County’s Mortgage Reduction loan will cover the following reasonable and necessary costs incurred by the homebuyer:

• Appraisal fee

• Credit reports

• Title closing fee

• Title insurance

• Recording fee

• Legal fee

• Survey

• Reasonable loan origination and processing fees. Reasonable will be based on WHEDA fees

• Prepaid escrows

• First Year Mortgage Insurance Premium or funding fee

• Home buyer education fee

• Other WHEDA fees, as appropriate

If funded under the CDBG Program, staff costs DIRECTLY related to carrying out the activity specified in

24 CFR 570.201-204, such as providing direct services to consumers, work specifications preparation, loan processing inspections, and other services related to assisting potential homebuyers may be charged to project costs. This may include staff time spent supervising staff who are carrying out the activities specified in 24 CFR 570.201-204 when that time is spent addressing a direct consumer, service, or property issue. It does not include supervisory time spent on such functions as employee evaluations.

If funded under the HOME program, staff costs DIRECTLY related to carrying out the project, such as loan processing, credit verification, and other services related to assisting potential homebuyers, e.g., housing counseling, may be charged to project costs only if the project is funded and the individual becomes the owner of the HOME-assisted project.

3.11. MATCHING FUNDS

HOME projects require 25% matching funds made from nonfederal resources. Forms of eligible match are defined under §92.220.

3.12. TYPES OF ASSISTANCE

0% interest, deferred loans for eligible first-time low- to moderate-income homebuyers.

This grant is a direct award to the applicant agency and is not intended to be passed through to other entities. In instances where both HUD and Dane County can allow a pass-through activity, exceptions to this rule may be negotiated at the time of contract drafting.

3.13. OBJECTIVES

To promote homeownership for low-and moderate-income households in the Dane County Urban

County Consortium through the provision of mortgage reduction loans.

3.14. NEEDS

1. Projects must assist low-and-moderate-income persons in the participating municipalities of the

Dane County Urban County Consortium.

2. It is expected that projects will meet documented community needs. This includes needs documented through “hard” data sources.

3. Any additional funding needed to make the project viable must be secured in order for a contract to be executed.

4. Projects must be consistent with the Dane County Consolidated Plan.

5. Projects must be shovel-ready, meaning that work will begin in the year in which the contract is awarded. (i.e., 2026) The criteria for shovel readiness means that the project can be shovel-ready by Quarter 1 of 2027.

6. Projects must be delivered in a cost-effective manner with measurable performance outcomes.

7. Projects must submit monthly financial and beneficiary reports, and semi-annual/final program narrative reports, or at a frequency to be determined by Dane County.

8. It is expected that all or a portion of funds will be targeted to areas of greatest need.

9. Subrecipients that are directly funded under the CDBG Program may not engage in inherently religious activities, such as worship, religious instruction, or proselytization, as part of the program. If a Subrecipient conducts such activities, the activities must be offered separately in time or location, from the CDBG-funded program, and participation must be voluntary for the beneficiaries of the CDBG-funded program.

10. The project may not begin until the environmental review requirements at Part 58 are met and the County has given notice to proceed.

3.15. CURRENT OPERATIONS

The 2026 funds were awarded to:

• Habitat for Humanity of Dane County, Inc., in the amount of $120,000.00 in HOME funds;

• Habitat for Humanity of Dane County, Inc., in the amount of $108,000.00 in CDBG funds; and

• Movin' Out, Inc., in the amount of $120,000.00 in HOME funds.

2025 funds were awarded to:

• Habitat for Humanity of Dane County, Inc., in the amount of $150,000.00 in HOME funds;

• Movin' Out, Inc., in the amount of $49,715.75 in HOME funds;

• Movin' Out, Inc., in the amount of $164,862.00 in CBDG funds; and

• Operation Fresh Start, Inc., in the amount of $50,000.00 in HOME funds.

2024 funds were awarded to:

• Movin' Out, Inc. in the amount of $15,000.00 in HOME funds; and

• Movin' Out, Inc. in the amount of $195,000.00 in CDBG funds.

4. RFP Response Requirements & Evaluation Criteria

General Instructions and Format for Submitting Proposal Responses

RFP Response - Proposers shall respond to the questions contained within the RFP Application.

Responses should be concise yet complete, addressing each component of every question. Vendors are advised to review each question carefully prior to responding.

For convenience, vendors may choose to draft responses in a Microsoft Word document and then copy and paste them into the RFP Application fields.

No. Evaluation Criteria Scoring Method Weight (Points)

1. Need and Priorities Points Based 20 (20% of Total)

2. Project Approach Points Based 35 (35% of Total)

3. Experience and Qualifications Points Based 15 (15% of Total)

4. Financial Information Points Based 20 (20% of Total)

5. Past Performance

New applicants will be automatically awarded

10 points.

Points Based 10 (10% of Total)

5. RFP Application

5.1. ORGANIZATION INFORMATION

5.1.1. Legal Status*

Please identify your organization's legal status

☐ Municipality

☐ Private, Non-profit

☐ Private, For profit

☐ Other, LLC, LLP, Sole Proprietor

*Response required

5.1.2. Federal Employer Identification Number (EIN)*

Please enter the Organization's Federal EIN in the space below

*Response required

5.1.3. Organization Name*

Please enter the Organization’s legal name as listed in the Wisconsin Department of Financial

Institutions.

*Response required

5.1.4. Organization Name - Documentation*

Please attach a screenshot from the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions website showing the corporate record.

Source to search: https://apps.dfi.wi.gov/apps/corpSearch/Search.aspx

*Response required

5.1.5. Unique Entity Identifier (UEI)*

Please enter the Organization's Unique Entity Identification (UEI) Number in the space below:

*Response required

5.1.6. Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) - Documentation*

Please attach a screenshot from the sam.gov website showing the Unique Entity Identification Number.

Source to register: https://sam.gov/content/entity-registration

*Response required

5.1.7. Highest Ranking Person - Name*

Please provide the full name of the highest-ranking person (Executive Director, President, Chief

Executive Officer, or Chief Elected Official) at the applicant’s organization.

*Response required

5.1.8. Highest Ranking Person - Phone Number*

https://apps.dfi.wi.gov/apps/corpSearch/Search.aspx https://sam.gov/content/entity-registration

Please provide the phone number of the highest-ranking person (Executive Director, President, Chief

Executive Officer, or Chief Elected Official) at the applicant’s organization.

*Response required

5.1.9. Highest Ranking Person - E-Mail*

Please provide the e-mail address of the highest-ranking person (Executive Director, President, Chief

Executive Officer, or Chief Elected Official) at the applicant’s organization.

*Response required

5.1.10. Board of Directors or Governing Body*

Please upload a list of your organization's Board of Directors or Governing Body

*Response required

5.1.11. Commitment to Project - Board Approval*

Please upload Board or Governing Body meeting minutes that show approval for the agency to apply for

CDBG or HOME grant funds, and that the Board or Governing Body will support the project services if awarded the grant funds.

*Response required

5.2. PROJECT INFORMATION

5.2.1. Project Name*

Please enter the Project Name for your application.

*Response required

5.2.2. Project Address*

Please enter the Project's address.

*Response required

5.2.3. Project Contact Person - Name*

Please provide the full name of the Project Contact Person. This person will receive all correspondence from the CDBG/HOME team as it relates to this grant opportunity.

*Response required

5.2.4. Project Contact Person - Phone Number*

Please provide the phone number of the Project Contact Person.

*Response required

5.2.5. Project Contact Person - E-mail*

Please provide the e-mail address of the Project Contact Person.

*Response required

5.2.6. Project Financial Contact - Name*

Please provide the name of the project's financial contact person.

5.2.7. Project Financial Contact - Phone Number*

Please provide the phone number of the project's financial contact person.

*Response required

5.2.8. Project Financial Contact - E-mail*

Please provide the e-mail of the financial contact for this project.

*Response required

5.2.9. Funding Request*

Please enter the dollar amount of funding you are requesting.

The maximum amount you may apply for is $225,000.00.

Maximum response length: 11 characters

*Response required

5.2.10. Funding limit verification*

Is your request under 225,000.00?

☐ Yes

☐ No

*Response required

5.2.11. Minimum Level of Project Funding*

Would you be able to accept grant funding that is less than what you requested, if available? If yes, what is the minimum amount of funding you would request in order to have a viable, meaningful project?

Note that your application may not be funded if available funds are less than your minimum request.

Explain how your project would proceed with the minimum amount requested.

Maximum response length: 11 characters

*Response required

5.2.12. Implementation (Shovel)-Ready*

Will the project be implementation-ready (or “shovel-ready”) by Quarter 1 of 2027?

☐ Yes

☐ No

*Response required

5.2.13. Brief Project Summary*

Please provide a 3-5 sentence summary of the project.

Maximum response length: 300 characters

5.3. NATIONAL OBJECTIVE (not scored)

This section is not scored, but will be reviewed to determine agency or project eligibility to receive

CDBG/HOME grant funds.

5.3.1. National Objective: Benefiting Low- and Moderate- Income Persons* All projects must meet a National Objective in order to be eligible for grant funds. Confirm that the activity will meet the National Objective – benefitting low- to moderate- income persons.

☐ Please confirm

*Response required

5.4. NEED & PRIORITIES (20 points maximum)

5.4.1. Community Needs and Priorities*

Please describe and identify the needs in the community as they relate to your agency’s specific project and service area, including:

• Meeting a National Objective

• How the project will align with the priorities in the most recent Dane County Consolidated Plan

• Identify the target population/community to be served

Maximum response length: 5000 characters

*Response required

5.5. PROJECT APPROACH (35 points maximum)

5.5.1. Section Upload: Project Milestones & Timeline*

Using the attached spreadsheet, please provide a work plan for how the project will be organized, implemented, operated, and administered. Include a reasonable timeline and accomplishments from initiation through project completion. Projects should be implementation-ready by Quarter 1 of 2027.

This should assume that the CDBG funding will be available in the second quarter of 2027 (April 1 – June

30, 2027).

This upload will support your agency's responses for this section.

• 2027_Work_Plan_Timeline_Mil...

*Response required

5.5.2. Project Description & Scope of Work*

In the space below, provide a clear description of the work that will be undertaken. You must include:

• Describe how the work will address the identified need in 4.1

• Program structure, https://government-project.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/263239/ae19793c-2b22-41fe-ac17-f549e44ea761_2027_Work_Plan_Timeline_Milestones.xlsx

• Relevant eligibility guidelines,

• A clear referral process,

• Application Process,

• Income documentation of clients,

• First-Time Homebuyer Education,

• Program capacity to serve clients,

• Any language access needs, and

• Waitlist process

Maximum response length: 10000 characters

*Response required

5.5.3. Loan Processing*

In the following space, provide a description of the loan processing that will be conducted, including credit checks, income and debt verifications, appraisals, etc.

*Response required

5.5.4. Underwriting Criteria*

If using more restrictive standards than those specified in the RFP and Program Standards, in the following space, provide a description of the loan underwriting criteria that will be considered when making a loan to a first-time homebuyer. Include how CDBG/HOME funds will be used to reduce the monthly carrying costs by providing gap financing.

*Response required

5.5.5. Outreach and Accessibility (5 points)*

Describe any initiatives that will inform potential participants of the services/activities to be provided.

What do you do to make people aware of your program, or to get the word out (i.e. newsletters, presentations, radio shows, word-of-mouth, newspaper ads, etc.)?

*Response required

5.5.6. Outcomes/Proposed Accomplishments*

List the total number of households that your program is proposing to serve.

Each household = 1 beneficiary self-certification form

No duplication of households will be allowed. Do not overestimate your proposed

Outcomes/Proposed Accomplishments.

5.5.7. Outcomes/Proposed Accomplishments - Narrative (5 points)*

In the space below, please describe how the outcomes can be reasonably be expected to be achieved.

Describe your implementation plan as it relates to the attached Project Timeline/Milestones. How will your agency measure the success of the project?

*Response required

5.5.8. Outcomes/Proposed Accomplishments (minimum amount requested)* List the total number of households that your program would serve if your project was funded with the minimum amount requested.

Each household = 1 beneficiary self-certification form

No duplication of households will be allowed. Do not overestimate your proposed

Outcomes/Proposed Accomplishments.

*Response required

5.5.9. Outcomes/Proposed Accomplishments - Narrative (minimum amount requested)*

In the space below, please describe how the outcomes can be reasonably be expected to be achieved with the minimum amount requested. Describe your implementation plan as it relates to the attached

Project Timeline/Milestones. How will your agency measure the success of the project?

*Response required

5.6. THRESHOLD AND COMPLIANCE

These are non-scored threshold and compliance questions.

5.6.1. Housing Quality Standards (HQS) Inspections*

In the space below, provide a description of who, when, and how the required Housing Quality

Standards (HQS) inspection will be conducted. Provide information on the background and training of the individual(s) who will conduct the inspections. If this individual is yet to be selected, identify the criteria and process that will be used for selection.

*Response required

5.6.2. Displacement*

As a result of this proposed project, has or will any households and/or businesses be displaced whether temporary or permanent?

☐ Yes

☐ No

*Response required

When equals "Yes"

5.6.3. Displacement Plan*

If the answer above was yes, please describe the notices, specific assistance that has or will be provided to households and/or businesses that will be displaced, and the amount of funds allocated to do so.

5.6.4. Language Access Plan*

Please upload your organization's language access plan.

*Response required

5.6.5. Appeals Process and Policy*

Please upload your organization's appeals process and policy.

*Response required

5.7. EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATIONS (15 points maximum)

5.7.1. Organizational and Staff Experience and Qualifications (10 points)* Please respond to the items below:

• Describe the experience and qualifications of your organization related to the proposed project, or any similar projects or community-based programs your organization has undertaken in the past. Include how the organization has experience providing services to low- and moderate-income populations.

• Describe the experience and qualifications of key staff to be assigned to the project. Key staff are identified as the individuals (paid or volunteer) with a large decision-making role within the agency. Include name and titles of all key staff to be assigned to the project.

• Describe the experience and qualifications of your organization related to performing income documentation for program eligibility.

*Response required

5.7.2. Personnel Schedule*

Using the attached spreadsheet, please complete the Personnel Schedule for all staff who will be assigned to this project.

Column 1) Each individual staff position by title.

Column 2) Indicate the full time equivalent (FTE) of each position in the noted year.

Column 3) Indicate the estimated total salary for that staff position for noted year.

Column 4) Indicate the estimated number of hours that this staff person will work on this project.

Column 5) For each staff person whose time will be charged to this project, please indicate the amount of funds being requested for this individual through the CDBG Program. Do not include payroll taxes or benefits in this table.

• 2027_Personnel_Schedule.xlsx https://government-project.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/263239/a5190293-b1b3-40c1-b6d0-42a14c758a28_2027_Personnel_Schedule.xlsx

5.7.3. Turnover/Retention (up to 5 points total): Percent of Staff Turnover * 0-5 points TOTAL assigned to this question and the question below.

For the entire organization, divide the number of resignations or terminations in calendar year 2025 by the total number of budgeted positions. Do not include seasonal positions.

*Response required

5.7.4. Turnover/Retention (up to 5 points total): Explanation, if Applicable* 0-5 points TOTAL assigned to this question and the question above.

If your organization experienced 20% or higher turnover in any staff position or category, explain the reasons and describe any other significant staff retention challenges, as well your efforts to retain employees. If under 20% turnover, write N/A.

*Response required

5.8. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (20 points maximum)

5.8.1. Detailed Project Budget*

Please download the below documents, complete, and upload.

• 2027_Detailed_Project_Budge...

*Response required

5.8.2. Budget Summary and Justification*

In the space below, please describe the project budget and summary with justification for budget line items. Describe why CDBG funds are needed to ensure the viability of this project.

Can all funds awarded in 2027 be reasonably expected to be expended?

*Response required

5.9. PAST PERFORMANCE (10 points maximum)

Applicants that have received CDBG or HOME funds in the last 5 years will be evaluated on:

• Accurate/consistent spending of funds,

• Timely submission of program and financial reports, and

• Responsiveness to communications from CDBG/HOME staff or Dane County personnel involved with the CDBG/HOME program.

New applicants (who have never received funding, or have not received funding in the last 5 years) will automatically receive 10 points in this section.

5.9.1. Previously Funded with Dane County CDBG/HOME Funds*

Has your organization been selected to receive Dane County CDBG/HOME funds in the past five years?

https://government-project.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/263239/ee959fec-41b7-40e5-9d82-fe23a9872e69_2027_Detailed_Project_Budget_-_Non-Construction.xlsx

Note: Select “yes” even if your organization was selected to receive funding in the past 5 years, but the funds were declined or returned. Dane County defines ‘returned’ as any funds awarded that were not fully expended.

☐ Yes

☐ No

*Response required

5.9.2. Funds Declined or Returned*

Has your organization declined or returned Dane County CDBG/HOME funds in the last five years?

☐ Yes

☐ No

*Response required

When equals "Yes"

5.9.3. Funds declined or returned - explanation*

If yes, please explain.

*Response required

5.9.4. Grant Funds Balance

If your agency has a balance of funds from prior grant years, as of July 1, 2026, you will be ineligible to receive additional funding in 2027:

1. An applicant with more than $1,000.00 in unexpended funds in a single project area, from contracts executed before 2025, as of July 1, 2026, is not eligible to apply for additional funds in that project area.

2. An applicant with more than $250,000.00 in unexpended funds in a single project area, as of July

1, 2026, is not eligible to apply for additional funds in that project area.

Please explain any balance of prior year(s) grant funds, and plans to spend the funds by July 1, 2026, if applicable.

5.10. Legal Information

5.10.1. Has the applicant or any owner been involved in any lawsuits or judgements in the last five (5) years or have any lawsuits pending?* ☐ Yes

☐ No

*Response required

5.10.2. Has the applicant or any owner been involved in any bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings or have any proceedings pending?*

☐ Yes

☐ No

5.10.3. Has the applicant or owner had any civil or criminal charges in the last five (5) years or have any charges pending?*

☐ Yes

☐ No

*Response required

5.10.4. Does the applicant or any owner have any outstanding tax liens or judgements?*

☐ Yes

☐ No

*Response required

5.10.5. Fair Labor Practice Certification*

Has your company been found by the National Labor Relations Board ("NLRB") or the Wisconsin

Employment Relations Commission ("WERC") to have violated any statute or regulation regarding labor standards or relations in the seven years prior to the date this bid submission is signed?

Additional information about the NLRB and WERC can be found using the following links:

www.nlrb.gov and http://werc.wi.gov.

☐ Yes

☐ No

*Response required

When equals "Yes"

5.10.6. Please upload relevant information*

If yes is answered in response to the question above, a copy of any relevant information regarding such violation is required to be uploaded with your bid submission.

*Response required

5.10.7. Cooperative Purchasing*

Reference Guidelines - Section F.

Does your company agree to furnish the commodities or services of this bid to municipalities and state agencies?

☐ Yes

☐ No

*Response required

5.10.8. Designation of Confidential and Proprietary Information* http://www.nlrb.gov/

Please specify what information you wish to designate as confidential and proprietary. Please identify section/ pages/ topic /documents, etc.

NOTE: Pricing sections cannot be designated as confidential and proprietary.

If nothing will be designated, simply type "None" in the section below.

*Response required

5.11. RFP ADDENDA

5.11.1. I understand that if any addendum is issued I will have to acknowledge the posted addendum. * ☐ Yes

☐ No

*Response required

5.11.2. If an addendum is posted after I have submitted my proposal response and the resulting addendum requires action to be taken either in the Specification Section or Pricing Section, I understand that:*

1. I will have to unsubmit my proposal response.

2. I will have to acknowledge the posted addendum.

3. I will have to take action in responding to the changes on either the Specification Section or Pricing

Section.

4. I will then have to resubmit my proposal response.

Further instructions on addendum(a) postings can be found here.

☐ Yes

☐ No

*Response required

5.12. SIGNATURE DECLARATION

5.12.1. Solicitation Response Declaration *

In submitting and confirming this solicitation response, we certify that we have not, either directly or indirectly, entered into any agreement or participated in any collusion or otherwise taken any action in restraint of free competition; that no attempt has been made to induce any other person or firm to submit or not to submit a solicitation response; that this solicitation response has been independently arrived at without collusion with any other vendor competitor or potential competitor; that this solicitation response has not been knowingly disclosed prior to the opening of bids to any other vendor or competitor; that the above statement is accurate under penalty of perjury.

Further, by submitting this solicitation response, firm agrees with all the terms, conditions, and specifications required by the County in this solicitation and declares that the corresponding solicitation response and pricing are in conformity therewith.

https://help.procurement.opengov.com/en/articles/4413350-managing-addenda

I have read and understood the entire document.

I declare under penalty of false swearing under the law of Wisconsin that the foregoing is true and correct.

☐ Please confirm

*Response required

5.12.2. Signed on:*

Write in month, day, year and city/state in which the submission occurred.

Example: June 27, 2025 in Madison, WI

*Response required

5.12.3. Electronically signed by: *

Provide First Name, Last Name and Title

6. General Guidelines

6.1. REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS

The County will provide reasonable accommodations, including the provision of informational material in an alternative format, for qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. If you need accommodations, contact the Department of Human Services at (608) 242-6439 (voice) or Wisconsin

Relay (711).

6.2. ADDENDA & REVISIONS

In the event that it becomes necessary to provide additional clarifying data or information, or to revise any part of this RFP, revisions/amendments and/or supplements will be posted via the County’s

Procurement Portal.

It shall be the responsibility of the proposers to regularly monitor the web site for any such postings.

Proposers must acknowledge the receipt/review of any addendum(s) via the Procurement Portal.

6.3. CONTRACT TERM & FUNDING

The contract shall be effective on the date indicated on the contract execution date and shall run for one year from that date, with an option by mutual agreement of the County and contractor, to renew for four (4) additional one-year periods.

At the time of contracting with Dane County Department of Human Services, agencies must be registered entities in good standing with the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions.

Contracts with the Department of Human Services limit administrative costs/expenses to a 15% ceiling.

6.4. MULTIPLE PROPOSALS

Multiple proposals from a vendor will be permissible; however each proposal must conform fully to the requirements for proposal submission. Each such proposal must be separately submitted and labeled as

Proposal #1, Proposal #2, etc.

Multiple proposals from a vendor will be permissible; however, the proposer must create separate accounts with separate log-in sequences, emails, and passwords on the County’s eProcurement

Portal.

Please message procurementsupport@opengov.com with any questions regarding set up.

6.5. PROPOSAL ORGANIZATION & FORMAT

Proposers must respond to the Vendor Questionnaire via the Procurement Portal and organize based on submission instructions.

6.6. DESIGNATION OF CONFIDENTIAL & PROPRIETY INFORMATION

All restrictions on the use of data contained within a proposal and all confidential information must be clearly stated in the Questionnaire/Application under the “Designation of Confidential and Proprietary

Information” section.

Proprietary information submitted in a proposal, or in response to the RFP, will be handled in accordance with the applicable Wisconsin State Statute(s).

Submitted pricing will always become public information when proposals are opened and therefore cannot be designated as confidential.

Other information cannot be kept confidential unless it is a trade secret. Trade secret is defined in Sect.

134(80)(1)(c) Wis. State Statutes, as follows: "Trade secret" means information, including a formula, pattern, compilation, program, device, method technique or process to which all of the following apply:

1. The information derives independent economic value, actual or potential, from not being generally known to, and not being readily ascertainable by proper means by other persons who can obtain economic value from its disclosure or use.

2. The information is the subject of efforts to maintain its secrecy that are reasonable under the circumstances.

To the extent permitted by law, it is the intention of Dane County to withhold the contents of the proposal from public view until such times as competitive or bargaining reasons no longer require non-disclosure, in the opinion of Dane County. At that time, all proposals will be available for review in accordance with the Wisconsin Open Records Law.

In the event the Designation of Confidentiality of this information is challenged, vendor is required to provide legal counsel or other necessary assistance to defend the Designation of Confidentiality.

Failure to designate confidential and proprietary information within the Designation of Confidential and

Proprietary Information section of the Questionnaire/Application may mean that all information provided as part of the proposal response will be open to examination or copying. The County considers other markings of confidential in the proposal document to be insufficient. The undersigned agrees to hold the County harmless for any damages arising out of the release of any material unless they are specifically identified within the Designation of Confidential and Proprietary Information section of the

Questionnaire/Application.

6.7. COOPERATIVE PURCHASING

Participating in cooperative purchasing gives vendors the opportunity for additional sales without additional bidding. Municipalities and state agencies use cooperative purchasing to expedite purchases.

A “municipality” is defined as any county, city, village, town, school district, board of school directors, sewer district, drainage district, vocational, technical and adult education district, or any other public body having authority to award public contracts (s. 16.70(8), Wis. Stats.). Federally recognized Indian tribes and bands in this state may participate in cooperative purchasing with the state or any municipality under ss. 66.0301(1) and (2), Wis. Stats.

In the Questionnaire/Application, you will have the opportunity to participate in allowing municipalities and state agencies to piggyback this bid. Participation is not mandatory. A vendor’s decision on participating in this service has no effect on awarding the bid.

Dane County is not a party to these purchases or any dispute arising from these purchases and is not liable for delivery or payment of any of these purchases.

6.8. VENDOR REGISTRATION

Vendors are required to register at the County’s Procurement Portal. Registration is free and will ensure that you receive notifications of solicitations that match your profile and category code(s).

Registering allows a vendor the opportunity to receive notifications for bids issued by the County and provides the County with up-to-date company contact information.

Once registered, please check to make sure your vendor information including commodity codes is up to date by signing into your account at:

https://procurement.opengov.com/portal/countyofdane.

6.9. LOCAL PURCHASING ORDINANCE

Under County ordinances, a Local Vendor is defined as a supplier or provider of equipment, materials, supplies, or services that has an established place of business within the County of Dane. An established place of business means a physical office, plant or other facility. A post office box address does not qualify a vendor as a Local Vendor.

County ordinance provides that a local vendor automatically receive five points toward the evaluation score.

Vendors located within the counties adjacent to Dane County (Columbia, Dodge, Green, Iowa, Jefferson, Rock, or Sauk) automatically receive two points toward the evaluation score.

6.10. DANE COUNTY SUSTAINABILITY PRINCIPLES

On October 18, 2012, the Dane County Board of Supervisors adopted Resolution 103, 2012-2013 establishing the following sustainability principles for the county:

• Reduce and eventually eliminate Dane County government’s contribution to fossil fuel dependence and to wasteful use of scarce metals and minerals;

• Reduce and eventually eliminate Dane County government’s contribution to dependence upon persistent chemicals and wasteful use of synthetic substances;

• Reduce and eventually eliminate Dane County government’s contribution to encroachment upon nature and harm to life-sustaining ecosystems (e.g., land, water, wildlife, forest, soil, ecosystems);

• Reduce and eventually eliminate Dane County government’s contribution to conditions that undermine people’s ability to meet their basic human needs.

6.11. FAIR LABOR PRACTICES CERTIFICATION

Dane County Ord. 25.09 (1) is as follows:

(28) BIDDER RESPONSIBILITY. (a) Any bid, application or proposal for any contract with the county, file:///C:/portal/countyofdane including public works contracts regulated under chapter 40, shall include a certification indicating whether the bidder has been found by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) or the Wisconsin

Employment Relations Committee (WERC) to have violated any statute or regulation regarding labor standards or relations within the last seven years. The purchasing manager shall investigate any such finding and make a recommendation to the committee, which shall determine whether the conduct resulting in the finding affects the bidder’s responsibility to perform the contract.

If you indicate that you have been found by the NLRB or WERC to have such a violation on the

Questionnaire/Application, you must include a copy of any relevant information regarding such violation with your proposal, bid or application.

Additional information about the NLRB and WERC can be found using the following links:

www.nlrb.gov and http://werc.wi.gov.

6.12. PRELIMINARY EVALUATION

The proposals will first be reviewed to determine if requirements are met. Failure to do so will result in the proposal being rejected. In the event that all vendors do not meet one or more of the requirements, the County reserves the right to continue the evaluation of the proposals and to select the proposal which most closely meets the requirements specified in this RFP.

6.13.…