EXHIBIT 3 - EVALUATION CRITERIA.pdf

EVALUATION CRITERIA

El Monte Mobility Hub Climate Resilience Project – CBO Partnership

Opportunity

Any proposals resulting from this Request for Proposal (RFP) will be evaluated according to the following criteria and associated weights. Sub-criteria are weighted in descending order.

1. Organizational Qualifications, Community Presence, and Demonstrated Capacity

• Established presence in, and trusted relationships with, the communities served by the El Monte Mobility Hub, including residents, transit riders, local businesses, schools, faith institutions, and community organizations. Evidence of sustained local work and demonstrated ability to reach populations most vulnerable to extreme heat, including transit-dependent, low-income, limited-English-proficient, older adult, and outdoor worker populations. (10%)

• Demonstrated experience delivering comparable community engagement, outreach, or programming work such as climate or heat resilience, public space activation, transit access, cultural or arts programming, or place-based design to indicate capability to conduct Task 2 activities - with clear evidence of results achieved, including participation levels reached, partnerships sustained, or community input that measurably shaped a project outcome. (10%)

• Organizational and administrative capacity to perform as a Co-Applicant under the EHCRP program guidelines, including 501(c)(3) status, a staffed operational office within 100 miles of the project site, staff availability and bench depth during the pre-award period, and a demonstrated track record managing public or philanthropic grant funds, including invoicing, narrative and financial reporting, and audit compliance.

(10%)

30%

2. Project Understanding and Proposed Approach

• Creativity of the proposed engagement, programming, and activation concepts for the El Monte Mobility Hub. Ideas are specific to this site and this community rather than generic, and reflect thoughtful consideration of how the space would actually be used, by whom, at what times of day and year, and under what conditions. Identifies opportunities to build upon and expand existing Metro station activation initiatives.

(10%)

• Community relevance and cultural responsiveness of the proposed approach.

Demonstrates working knowledge of local identity, languages, cultural practices, and history, and describes how these would be reflected in engagement methods and in the cultural and place-based elements of the El Monte Mobility Hub. Identifies specific trusted local partners, messengers, and venues as needed, and describes how engagement would reach residents who are typically underrepresented in public processes, particularly transit riders and non-English speakers. (10%)

• Understanding of the Scope of Work and a providing a realistic approach to executing Task 1 within the six-month period of performance, including the anticipated October 13, 2026 grant application submission date. Clearly describes proposed activities, staffing, level of effort, and coordination with Metro and demonstrates understanding of how Task 1 work positions the Co-Applicant partnership for Task 2 implementation.

Demonstrates a clear and feasible initial approach to Task 2 and willingness to collaborate with Metro. (10%)

30%

3. Contribution to Grant Competitiveness

• Ability to strengthen Metro's EHCRP application, including articulating community need and heat vulnerability with local knowledge and evidence, supporting the Disadvantaged Community and Vulnerable Population benefit narrative, and advancing the program values of Harm Reduction, Partnership, Belonging, and Lasting Community Benefits. (12.5%)

• Readiness and responsiveness to grant requirements and timeline, including a commitment to produce a Co-Applicant letter of support, workplan and budget inputs, 25% and required documentation (financial statements from the last two years, most recent Form 990, IRS 501(c)(3) determination letter, and any audit findings from the last five years), and availability to participate in a State applicant interview or site visit on short notice. (12.5%)

4. Cost Proposal

Proposer Cost Score = Lowest Cost Proposed x 15% Proposer's Cost

15%