FAQ_Pre-app_RFA_9186_20260304.pdf

RFA #S-91400-0001609 (#9186) Page 1 of 5 FAQ No. 1

Date: March 4, 2026

To: RFA # S-91400-0001609 Prospective Applicants

From: Joshua Ratliff, Senior Procurement & Contract Specialist

Re: RFA# S-91400-0001609, FAQ No. 1

Language Access Community Outreach & Engagement

This document is not an Addendum to the subject RFA and does not change the requirements of the RFA. Answers given to the below questions that were submitted by prospective Applicants are for clarification purposes only.

Questions Received:

1. Is the award period one year (7-2026 to 6-2027)?

Response: Per section 1.2 GRANT AMOUNT AND DURATION

The award period is anticipated to be approximately June 2026 and will end by 6/30/2027.

2. How will you be defining a homeownership program that serves 120% AMI?

Response: In this RFA we have not defined homeownership programs, however a homeownership program is any service or activity that helps clients to attain or retain homeownership.

3. Is it a narrative, documentation, etc.?

Response: Per section 5.3 5.3 EVALUATION CRITERIA It is a narrative question in the RFA application. Attachment C, Eligibility question 2

4. Where do I find the specific insurance requirements?

Response: Per section 6.3.2 Insurance

Insurance requirements are found in Exhibit B of Attachment A.

5. To clarify, can eligible activities include efforts not explicitly connected to language access (e.g., serving disabled, veterans, BIPOC, immigrant communities)?

Response:

Oregon Housing and Community Services Department 725 Summer Street NE, Suite B Salem, OR 97301 Email: Joshua.ratliff@hcs.oregon.gov mailto:Joshua.ratliff@hcs.oregon.gov

RFA #S-91400-0001609 (#9186) Page 2 of 5

Please refer to Section 2.3.1.2 Community Outreach and Engagement for the list of eligible additional activities in this RFA.

6. Will this slide deck be made available?

Response: Yes, it is in OregonBuys.

7. Can a culturally specific nonprofit apply primarily for community outreach and language access if partnering with a housing counseling or homeownership provider?

Response: If your organization is providing homeownership services (such as activities that support home purchase and retention) it is not required to partner with housing counseling or homeownership provider. If we have interpreted your question incorrectly, please submit another question.

8. Can an application include both language access and community outreach?

Response: Yes, an organization can apply for language access and community outreach in one application.

9. Can the certified translators used for this grant be employees of the applicant’s organization, or must they be external?

Response:

Per section 2.3.1.1 Language Access:

The activities funded under this category include:

• Translating program and outreach materials for homeowner and homebuyer services into any non-English language spoken by community members in Applicant’s Service

Area.

• Costs allowed under this activity include but are not limited to professional translation services; translation reviews or cultural validation to ensure that translations are culturally sensible; adding closed captions or subtitles to videos; and developing materials in ASL.

• Note: The translation services funded through this opportunity must be provided by professional translators with formal and verifiable qualifications including but not limited to proof of American Translator

Association Certification or proof of paid translation work for a nonprofit organization, educational institution, social service agency, or public body.

In cases where the availability of professional translators is limited or nonexistent due to Applicant’s geographical location or the language needed, Agency’s Homeownership Division may approve the use of noncredentialed translators on a case-by-case basis. The cost of Applicant’s staff time to translate materials is not considered an allowable cost under this activity.

10. Under Oregon Buys there appear “Overall Validation Errors”, can you explain what these are?

Response: (enter OHCS’ response) You will have to reach out to suppliersupport@periscopeholdings.com 1-855-800-5046, I am unable to answer your technical mailto:suppliersupport@periscopeholdings.com

RFA #S-91400-0001609 (#9186) Page 3 of 5

11. If you are a larger organization with a homeownership program, can you apply for strategic plan outreach, or must it be focused on the HO program exclusively?

Response: No, activities must be focused on homeownership.

Per section 2.3.1.2 2.3.1.2 Community Outreach and Engagement:

Funding provided under this category is intended to help increase the visibility of homeowner and homebuyer programs and services for Communities of Color, people with disabilities, and other Underserved Populations. The funds can be utilized to conduct Community Outreach and community engagement activities, to offer community or culturally responsive services, to develop culturally responsive materials, to increase Applicant’s skills for effective Community Outreach and community engagement, and for other activities that contribute to increasing the visibility of services.

12. What could be considered allowable costs if we pursue Language Access?

Per Section 2.3.1.1 Language Access

The activities funded under this category include:

• Translating program and outreach materials for homeowner and homebuyer services into any non-English language spoken by community members in Applicant’s Service

Area.

• Costs allowed under this activity include but are not limited to professional translation services; translation reviews or cultural validation to ensure that translations are culturally sensible; adding closed captions or subtitles to videos; and developing materials in ASL.

• Note: The translation services funded through this opportunity must be provided by professional translators with formal and verifiable qualifications including but not limited to proof of American Translator

Association Certification or proof of paid translation work for a nonprofit organization, educational institution, social service agency, or public body.

In cases where the availability of professional translators is limited or nonexistent due to Applicant’s geographical location or the language needed, Agency’s Homeownership Division may approve the use of noncredentialed translators on a case-by-case basis. The cost of Applicant’s staff time to translate materials is not considered an allowable cost under this activity.

13. Regarding homeownership, is previous knowledge required, or will training be provided?

Response:

To apply, your organization should have services dedicated to supporting people becoming homeowners or remaining homeowners, or a plan to make this part of your services.

14. Validation errors are red and not allowing progress states "Required Category" what does this mean?

Response: (enter OHCS’ response) You will have to reach out to suppliersupport@periscopeholdings.com 1-855-800-5046, I am unable to answer your technical

15. Under language access scope of work, proposers must develop/update a language access plan, will this be provided, or what is the process?

Response: OHCS does not provide a language access plan, it is up to the organization to research and create/develop themselves or with a consultant.

RFA #S-91400-0001609 (#9186) Page 4 of 5

Per section 2.3.1.1 Language Access Funding provided under this category is intended to help create and facilitate access to homeownership programs by community members with Limited English Proficiency, American Sign Language (“ASL”) speakers, and community members with special communication needs due to a disability. These funds can be utilized to cover the costs of translating program and outreach materials, providing interpretation services to current or potential program participants, and to provide notice of language assistance to the public. The funds can also be utilized to develop a Language Access Plan that ensures Applicant provides quality and appropriate language services and that staff members are aware of what to do when language assistance is requested, and for other activities that assist persons with language or communication barriers to have meaningful access to Applicant’s homeownership programs.

16. Can a newer nonprofit that provides housing assistance/resources apply without running a housing program directly, or is a partnership required?

Response:

If your organization is providing or planning on providing homeownership services (such as activities that support home purchase and retention) it is not required to partner with housing counseling or homeownership provider.

17. We serve all Tribal community members but allow participation above 120% AMI. Can we still apply?

Yes, as long as you are also serving households at or below 120% AMI, per section 1.3

ELIGIBILITY.

18. I can't find the application in Oregon Buys, can you provide a link or search keywords?

Search #S-91400-00016009 in Oregon Buys under bid solicitations in the search bar.

19. Is OHCS able to provide materials related to homeownership programs (pamphlets, websites, etc.), or must applicants create their own materials?

Response:

OHCS does not provide any materials, it is up to the organization to create their own pamphlets, websites, etc. as needed.

20. What is the admin percentage cap allowance?

Per section 1.2 GRANT AMOUNT AND DURATION Administrative Costs are limited to 15% of the Grant award. Addenda to follow.

21. Can the grant be used for staffing, and if so, what percentage?

Per section 1.2 GRANT AMOUNT AND DURATION Administrative Costs are limited to 15% of the Grant award. Addenda to follow.

Staff costs may be included in program expenses if the costs are directly related to the performance of a specific approved Project activity

22. Will there be a required in-person education or networking session for awardees?

RFA #S-91400-0001609 (#9186) Page 5 of 5

No, at this time OHCS does not plan on requiring in-person meetings.

23. If the applicant bids on only one subject area, does the budget remain $70k?

Response: Yes, per section 1.2 GRANT AMOUNT AND DURATION The maximum amount of each Grant is anticipated to be $70,000.

24. Can funds be used to help local translators become certified?

Response: Yes, if under the language access activity provided it is in your approved work plan and from an official certification provider.

25. Just to clarify—is a homeownership program required within the organization to be eligible?

Response: If your organization is providing or planning on providing homeownership services (such as activities that support home purchase and retention) it is not required to partner with housing counseling or a homeownership provider.

26. If we contract with an organization for interpretation/translation, do they need to be certified?

Per section 2.3.1.1 Language Access:

Note: The translation services funded through this opportunity must be provided by professional translators with formal and verifiable qualifications including but not limited to proof of American Translator Association Certification or proof of paid translation work for a nonprofit organization, educational institution, social service agency, or public body. In cases where the availability of professional translators is limited or nonexistent due to Applicant’s geographical location or the language needed, Agency’s Homeownership Division may approve the use of non-credentialed translators on a case-by-case basis. The cost of Applicant’s staff time to translate materials is not considered an allowable cost under this activity.

27. Can the grant pay salary for staff performing work such as outreach or community events?

Administrative Costs are limited to 15% of the Grant award. Addenda to follow.

performance of a specific approved project activity.

28. Can we bill salary costs for a staff person specifically working on our homeownership program?

Administrative Costs are limited to 15% of the Grant award. Addenda to follow.

performance of a specific approved project activity.

29. It looks like I am set up as a seller. How do I correct this to supplier so I can bid on RFA#S-91400-00016009.

Oregon Buys is confusing to me so I want to make sure I am set up correctly.

Response: (enter OHCS’ response You will have to reach out to suppliersupport@periscopeholdings.com 1-

855-800-5046, I am unable to answer your technical question.