DHCD 2018-02 RFQ Questions and Answers.docx

Commonwealth of Massachusetts

DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING &

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

Charles D. Baker, Governor Karyn E. Polito, Lt. Governor Chrystal Kornegay, Undersecretary

DHCD 2018-02

Economic Prosperity Services Pre-Qualification Request Q & A

1. How does my organization submit a quote in COMMBUYS?

Please see section XIII in the RFQ for directions on submitting a quote in COMMBUYS.

2. If, as a result of the RFQ process, my organization is added to DHCD’s pre-qualified list of providers, will my organization be guaranteed to work on future programming?

No, being on the list of pre-qualified providers is not a guarantee to work on future programming. Being added to DHCD’s pre-qualified list of providers means that your organization will have the opportunity to respond to scopes of work that DHCD issues only to this list and, if chosen, contract with DHCD to carry out that work without going through the usual procurement process.

3. Can an organization bidding on the RFQ also bid on the Youth Pathways to Prosperity RFR that was released simultaneously?

Yes, as long as the organization meets the requirements for both opportunities it can apply for both. DHCD expects that some interested organizations will be a fit for both opportunities; it will neither help nor hurt an organization’s chances to apply for both.

4. Will the list of pre-qualified providers ever have a chance to work on projects that are outside the Boston area?

Yes, although the Pathways to Prosperity RFR - released simultaneously with this RFQ - is limited to organizations in the Boston area, in the future DHCD expects to issue scopes of work for programming that may be state wide and / or for other regions of the state besides the Boston area.

5. Can 501(c) 3, non-profit organizations apply for this RFQ?

Yes, any organization that provides one of the three services outlined in the RFQ (Career & Employment Development, Financial Capability, and Education & Training) may apply to be pre-qualified to carry out programming for DHCD in the future.

6. Is it possible for Community Development Corporations (CDCs) who provide financial capability services to apply for this RFQ?

Yes, any organization that provides one of the three services outlined in the RFQ (Career & Employment Development, Financial Capability, Education & Training) may apply to be pre-qualified to carry out programming for DHCD in the future.

7. Is it possible for “housing organizations” to apply for this RFQ?

Yes, as long as the organization provides one of the three services outlined in the RFQ (Career and Employment Development, Financial Capability, Education and Training), it may apply to be pre-qualified to carry out programming in these service areas for DHCD in the future.

8. If my organization offers education and vocational training but contracts out part of these services can I still apply under this category?

Yes, working with partners to deliver some part of your direct services does not preclude your organization from qualifying for the service provider list. However, your organization must offer the majority of the services in a category in house. See section II of the RFQ for a list of outcomes. Joint applications are also welcome.

9. In Section V of the RFQ it says the following list of eligible entities may contract under this RFQ:

· DHCD,

· Other state agencies,

· HCECs,

· CAP agencies,

· Local housing authorities, and;

· Regional administering agencies.

What does this mean?

This is not a list of entities who can apply for the RFQ but rather a list of entities who may put out a scope of work to the list of organizations vetted during the RFQ process in order to request their assistance carrying out programs.

10. If my organization is pre-qualified under this RFQ for the list of vetted providers, must we respond to all future scopes of work issued to the list?

No, just as being on the list is no guarantee that your organization will be funded to do any future programming, DHCD understands that organizations on the list may choose not to respond to scopes of work issued to this list if they do not believe the opportunity to be a fit for the mission of their organization or the services they provide.

11. How many points does a bidder need to get to qualify for the DHCD service provider list?

A bidder must receive at least 51 points.

12. Is the Participant budget based on 12 months of services?

Yes.

13. Can an organization propose a schedule of cost-per-participant rates based on number of referrals?

Yes. If you are proposing a schedule of cost-per-participant rates based on number of referrals please indicate this in the program component line of Attachment B.

14. May the respondent indicate minimum or maximum number of referrals?

Yes. If you indicate a minimum or maximum number of referrals, please do so in the program component line of Attachment B. However, parameters such as minimum or maximum number of referrals will be negotiated for each scope of work that this vetted list of providers will have the ability to respond to.

15. What are the insurance requirements for those organizations that become vetted providers?

The insurance requirements governing each future contract will be established at the time that scopes of work are issued for that contract.

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