Notice_of_Funding_Availability_for_Affordable_Housing_Development.pdf

DEPARTMENT OF GENERAL SERVICES

Central Services Division

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP)

NUMBER: RFP 2023-00015

FOR

NOTICE OF FUNDING AVAILABILITY FOR

AFFORDABLE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT

RELEASE DATE: October 6, 2023

RESPONSE DUE: November 8, 2023, 5:00 pm

SUBMIT PROPOSAL TO: RFP COORDINATOR

Solano County digitally via OpenGov Solano County

Portal website at:

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

ANNE PUTNEY

Phone: (707) 784-6933 amputney@solanocounty.com

Any proposer participating in this solicitation is required to have a vendor application on file with the County.

This application may be downloaded from the Solano County website at www.solanocounty.com . Include the application with your proposal. The County will post any changes and information relating to this RFP digitally via OpenGov. Proposers are responsible for frequently checking OpenGov at https://procurement.opengov.com/portal/solanocounty for any changes or information relating to this

RFP.

“Smoking is not permitted in County Buildings or around Solano County campuses. Thank you in advance for your compliance.”

Bill Emlen

County Administrator

MMGreve@SolanoCounty.com

(707) 784-7900

DUSTIN D. LENO

Assistant Director ddleno@solanocounty.com

LORRAINE TANG

Support Services Manager lctang@solanocounty.com

(707) 784-3426

675 Texas Street, Suite 2500

Fairfield, CA 94533-6342

Fax (707) 784-6320 www.solanocounty.com https://procurement.opengov.com/portal/solanocounty http://www.solanocounty.com/ mailto:MMGreve@SolanoCounty.com mailto:ddleno@solanocounty.com mailto:lctang@solanocounty.com http://www.solanocounty.com/

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Introduction

2. Funding Availability

3. Prerequisites - Mandatory Pre-Proposal Conference

4. Instructions to Applicants

5. Evaluation, Selection and Award Criteria

6. Contract Information

7. Award Notice and Acceptance Period

8. Protest and Appeal

9. Terms and Conditions

10. Electronic Proposal

Attachments:

A - Attachment A - NOFA Application Form

B - Attachment B - County Standard Contract

C - Exhibit A - Scope of Work

D - Exhibit B - Budget Detail and Payment Provisions

E - Exhibit C - General Terms and Conditions

F - Exhibit D -Special Terms and Conditions

RFP NO.RFP 2023-00015

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1. Introduction

The purpose of this Request for Proposals ("RFP") is to define the the County of Solano's minimum requirements, solicit proposals, and gain adequate information by which the County of Solano may evaluate the services offered by Proposers that fall within the Scope of Service/Project as further described in this RFP.

1.1. Summary

The County of Solano, County Administrator's Office, hereinafter referred to as the "County", intends to secure a contract with a qualified Proposer to develop affordable housing. The full Notice of Funding Availability is available on the County website at https://www.solanocounty.com/civicax/filebank/blobdload.aspx?BlobID=41704

1.2. Background

The Solano County Administrator’s Office is seeking developers, city partners, and other experienced housing providers to apply for $3.2 million in loan funding to develop new affordable housing units within Solano

County. Points will be awarded for projects/programs that will create these new units in the unincorporated areas of Solano County.

Data shows that in the Vallejo-Fairfield Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA), 58.3% of renters pay more than

30% of their income towards their housing costs, or their housing cost-burden, and 31.2% experience a severe housing cost-burden due to paying more than 50% of their income. Housing cost-burden creates a barrier to getting individuals experiencing homelessness back into stable housing and also for housed individuals to maintain their housing.

1.3. Contact Information

ANNE PUTNEY

Principal Management Analyst 675 Texas St.

Suite 6500 Fairfield, CA 94533 Email: amputney@solanocounty.com Phone: (707) 784-6933

Department:

County Administrator's Office

Department Head:

Bill Emlen County Administrator

1.4. Timeline

The County reserves the right to adjust this schedule as it deems necessary. Notifications of any adjustments to the schedule will be posted here on OpenGov and Proposers will be emailed directly regarding any such updates or Addenda posted to this procurement.

To receive electronic notifications regarding this opportunity with the County, click the follow button while viewing this solicitation on the County's bidding website.

RFP Issued October 6, 2023 https://www.solanocounty.com/civicax/filebank/blobdload.aspx?BlobID=41704 mailto:amputney@solanocounty.com tel:(707)784-6933

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Mandatory Pre-Proposal Conference October 17, 2023, 9:30am Online Register by calling the County Administrator's

Office at 707-784-6100

Question Submission Deadline October 17, 2023, 5:00pm

County's Responses to Questions October 20, 2023

Proposal Submission Deadline November 8, 2023, 5:00pm

Interviews and Presentations (if required)

To Be Determined

Notice of Intent to Award To Be Determined

Board of Supervisors Approves

Award

December 12, 2023

Contract Development Week of December 13 - 19, 2023

Completed Contract Signed by

Contractor

Friday, December 22, 2023

Request for Draw of Funds May be

Submitted

As of January 1, 2024

Desired Contract Start Date February 1, 2024

2. Funding Availability

Funding Availability

Funding is available in the form of low-interest, 60 month loans (3%) and/or grants not to exceed $100,000 each, through this NOFA in the aggregate amount of $3.2 million, of which $3 million are federal American

Recovery Plan Act (ARPA) State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) to aid the County in its recovery from the pandemic. These funds must be fully obligated by September 30, 2024, and fully expended by the County no later than December 31, 2026. Timelines related to this NOFA have been established to ensure Solano County will meet both of these deadlines.

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Awards under this NOFA may be one award for the full amount available of $3.2 million, or multiple awards for lesser amounts. The number and amount of the award(s) will be dependent upon the final score assigned to each qualified application by the Evaluation Committee and their recommendations. Final awards are subject to the discretion of the Board of Supervisors. The funding will be available for a one-year period (approximately

January 1, 2024 -October 31, 2024) with the potential for a one-year extension at the County’s discretion and only if necessary to complete implementation of the project/program.

No monies from this program may be used to supplant federal, state, county, or local general fund monies available to the applicant for any purpose.

The funding for the contract(s) resulting from this NOFA is contingent upon receipt of funds from and/or obligation of ARPA funds by the federal government; and inclusion of sufficient funding for the services in the budget approved by the County’s Board of Supervisors for each fiscal year covered by the contract(s). If such approval, funding, or appropriations are not forthcoming, or are otherwise limited, the contract(s) may be immediately terminated, reduced, or modified without penalty.

Household Eligibility

As noted above, the majority of funding available under this NOFA is provided by the American Recovery Plan

Act. ARPA guidelines require that funding be utilized only to assist eligible households. There are three paths to eligibility:

A. Presumption 1: Any project that is eligible to be funded under any of the following federal housing programs is presumed to be an eligible use of SLFRF funds:

o The National Housing Trust Fund o The HOME Investment Partnerships Program o The Low-Income Housing Tax Credit o The Public Housing Capital Fund o Section 202 Supporting Housing for the Elderly Program ad Section 811 Supportive Housing for

Persons with Disabilities Program o Project-Based Rental Assistance o Multifamily Preservation and Revitalization Program

B. Presumption 2: The Treasury will presume that an investment in the development, repair, or operation of any affordable rental housing unit is an eligible use of SLFRF funds if the unit has a limited maximum income of 65% of the area median income (AMI) as imposed through a covenant, land use restriction agreement or other enforceable legal requirement for a period of at least 20 years.

C. Other Affordable Housing Projects: Other projects/programs may be eligible if they are related and reasonably proportional to addressing the negative economic impacts of the pandemic and otherwise meet the final rule’s requirements. It is the responsibility of the applicant to illustrate the nexus between the final rule and the proposed project/program.

For purposes of determining household eligibility under 2. Presumption 2 above, the following income limits will be used:

ELIGIBLE INCOME LIMITS – 65%

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Household

Size

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Income Limit

- 65% AMI

$52,065

$59,540

$66,950

$74,360

$80,340

$86,320

$92,235

$98,215

Solano County is a community where data shows there are gaps in financing for units serving households between 50% and 80% of AMI and/or significantly higher than average housing costs relative to AMI. Due to this, the County will fund units up to 80% of AMI for purposes of determining household eligibility under Other

Affordable Housing Projects above, ELIGIBLE INCOME LIMITS – 80%

Household

Size

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Income Limit

- 80% AMI

$64,050

$73,200

$82,350

$91,500

$98,850

$106,150

$113,500

$120,800

Affordability Restrictions

Successful applicant(s) will be required to sign an Affordability Covenant, Regulatory Agreement, or other legally binding document, depending on the successful project(s)/program(s), that will ensure long-term affordability for the new affordable housing units for a minimum of 20 years as per ARPA requirements and a maximum of 55 years. This may be negotiated with the County upon award.

The successful applicant(s) will be required to ensure only eligible residents occupy the new affordable housing units funded under this NOFA by certifying income prior to occupancy and re-certifying income annually thereafter to ensure the household continues to meet the income limits throughout occupancy of the unit.

The successful applicant(s) may only increase rents in amounts that will maintain affordability according to the unit restriction. For example, if the unit is restricted to be affordable to households with incomes at 50% of the area median income, rent charged for the unit may not exceed 30% of the amount of the 50% income limit.

The income limits used to determine eligibility shall be published annually by U.S. Department of Housing and

Urban Development (HUD).

Applicable Laws, Regulations and Policies

It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure projects/programs that receive funding under this NOFA comply with ARPA requirements as set forth in the documents below as they relate to affordable housing:.

2023 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds Interim Final Rule

2023 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds Overview of the 2023 Interim Final Rule

2022 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds Final Rule

2022 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds Overview of the 2022 Final Rule

2022 Final Rule FAQs

Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds Affordable Housing How-To Guide https://home.treasury.gov/system/files/136/2023-Interim-Final-Rule.pdf https://home.treasury.gov/system/files/136/Overview-of-the-2023-Interim-Final-Rule.pdf https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2022-01-27/pdf/2022-00292.pdf https://home.treasury.gov/system/files/136/SLFRF-Final-Rule-Overview.pdf https://home.treasury.gov/system/files/136/SLFRF-Final-Rule-FAQ.pdf https://home.treasury.gov/system/files/136/Affordable-Housing-How-To-Guide.pdf

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Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds Compliance and Reporting Guidance

In addition to these ARPA requirements, applicants must comply with any and all other federal, state and local laws and regulations applicable to applicant’s performance, including, but not limited to:

• Fair housing laws

• Licensing, employment and purchasing practices, wages, hours and conditions of employment

• Executive Order 11246 entitled “Equal Employment Opportunity”, as amended and supplemented in

Department of Labor regulations

• The Copeland “Anti-Kickback” Act (18 U.S.C. §874) and its implementing regulations (29 C.F.R. part 3)

• The Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. §7401 et seq.)

• The Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. §1251)

• The Energy Policy and Conservation Act (Pub. L. 94-165)

• Applicable cost principles and administrative requirements including claims for payment or reimbursement by County as set forth in 2 C.F.R. part 200

Refer to the contract template in Attachment B for additional information.

Monitoring Requirements

Prior to offering an award under this NOFA, and annually thereafter, the County will conduct a risk assessment and a subrecipient determination in compliance with requirements under the federal Office of Management and

Budget’s Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards

(2 CFR §200.331-200.333). This requires the County to undertake several tasks, including:

• Identification of subrecipients and contractors

• Evaluation of each subrecipient’s risk of noncompliance

• Determination of the appropriate level of monitoring

• Confirmation that the sub-award (funding under this NOFA) is in compliance with applicable federal statues, regulations and terms of the sub-award

• Verification that subrecipients are audited as required by Subpart F of the Uniform Guidance

If it is determined that the applicant receiving the award is a subrecipient, the County must:

• Review financial and performance reports

• Follow-up on identified deficiencies

• Issue a management decision for applicable findings

• Confirm a Single Audit was completed if applicable

• Provide training and technical assistance

• Perform on-site reviews of program operations

• Agree upon procedures conducted by an auditor https://home.treasury.gov/policy-issues/coronavirus/assistance-for-state-local-and-tribal-governments/state-and-local-fiscal-recovery-funds/recipient-compliance-and-reporting-responsibilities

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Additionally, the County must conduct any other monitoring activities specified under ARPA guidelines.

3. Prerequisites - Mandatory Pre-Proposal Conference

Eligible Applicants

“Applicant” is any individual or entity that submits an Application in response to this NOFA. Non-profit developers, for-profit developers, public agencies, and non-profit services providers in partnership with a developer are eligible to submit an Application. Departments of the County of Solano are not eligible to submit an Application.

Applicants’ Conference

Potential Applicants must attend a Mandatory Applicants’ Conference on Tuesday, October 17, 2023 from 9:30 A.M. to 10:30 A.M. via Microsoft Teams. The Mandatory Applicants’ Conference requires advanced registration. To register for the Mandatory Applicants’ Conference, call the Solano County

Administrator’s Office at (707) 784-6100 no later than Monday, October 16, 2023 1:00 P.M. PST.

After registering, you will receive a confirmation e-mail containing information about joining the meeting. When you log onto the Teams Applicants’ Conference, you must put your name, agency, and e-mail address in the chat to record attendance.

The purpose of the conference is to provide an opportunity for potential Applicants to ask specific questions about the NOFA and to request Application Form clarification. Potential Applicants may submit questions in writing before or during the conference (see below). The County will entertain questions written in the chat or verbal questions asked at the conference, but responses may be deferred and provided at a later date.

Subcontractors may not represent a potential Applicant at the conference. The County will not accept any applications from organizations that do not attend the conference.

Inquiries regarding the NOFA may be made via e-mail to the NOFA Coordinator at

AMPutney@solanocounty.com with the Subject line: NOFA, Affordable Housing Development.

All emailed inquiries must be received by Tuesday, October 17, 2023, 12:00 p.m. PST. E-mailed inquiries will be answered via e-mail and posted on the Solano County website.

4. Instructions to Applicants

4.1. Instructions to Applicants

Mandatory Application Form

The County will provide an Application Form (see Attachment A) in an electronic format on Solano County’s website.

Applicants must fully complete and sign the Application Form, respond to every question, and attach all necessary requested documents. Applicants must fill in desired check boxes and adhere to page limits where indicated.

Failure to follow the specified Application Form and format may, at the County’s sole discretion, result in the rejection of the Application.

Application Format

Notwithstanding the format required by the Application Form in Attachment A, all Applicants must follow additional formats set forth herein:

mailto:AMPutney@solanocounty.com

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• Standard, 8 1/2" x 11" format, with 1-inch margins

• Arial font size 11

• All Application pages sequentially numbered

• All responses, as well as any reference material presented, written in English, adhering to character limits where applicable

• All monetary amounts detailed in United States currency and rounded to the nearest whole dollar

Signatures

All signatures must be “wet-signed” and scanned or signed digitally using an eSignature program, such as

DocuSign, by the Applicant’s authorized signatory.

Application Submittal and Withdrawal

Applicant must fully complete the Application Form in the format required by the County and respond to every question.

Narrative answers will be required in some sections of the Application.

Applications must be e-mailed to AMPutney@solanocounty.com with the subject line of NOFA Affordable

Housing Development Application Submission and must be received by 5:00 PM PST on Wednesday, November 8, 2023.

The Applicant is solely responsible for and the County assumes no responsibility for delays caused by email delay or errors on the part of the Applicant.

The County will not pay any costs associated with the preparation, submittal, or presentation of any Application.

To withdraw an Application, the Applicant must submit a written request, signed by an authorized representative, to the County. After withdrawing a previously submitted Application, the Applicant may submit another

Application at any time up to the deadline for submitting Applications. Applications submitted after the deadline will not be considered.

5. Evaluation, Selection and Award Criteria

Compliance

The County will review all Applications to determine compliance with basic Application requirements as specified in this NOFA. Incomplete Applications may disqualify the Applicant from further consideration in this process.

Evaluation Process

The evaluation process is designed to recommend award(s) of funding to the Applicant(s) that can develop new affordable housing units that best support the need of Solano County residents. Applications will be evaluated as set forth below.

An Evaluation Committee (EC) will evaluate all Applications found to comply with the basic Application requirements. The EC will score and recommend Applications in accordance with the evaluation criteria set forth in this NOFA. Evaluation of the Applications shall be within the sole judgment and discretion of the EC.

Final award(s) of funds is at the discretion of the Board of Supervisors who may choose to award all, some, or none of the funds.

mailto:AMPutney@solanocounty.com

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A maximum number of points will be assigned to each Application Element (Project Narrative, Contribution to

Affordable Housing Stock, Population Served/Equity, Budget and Project Schedule, Partnerships and Local

Support, Access to Opportunity, and 2 Bonus elements) in the Application Packet as follows:

Section Maximum Points

A: Project Narrative 20

B: Contribution to Affordable Housing Stock 25

C: Population Served/Equity 20

D: Budget and Project Schedule 25

E: Partnerships and Local Support 5

F: Access to Opportunity 5

Bonus: Project primarily serves the elderly, veterans, or people with disabilities

Bonus: Project is “Shovel Ready” (All approval permits are in place)

OVERALL TOTAL: 106

Application Review Criteria

Item Possible

Points

Points

Total

Project Narrative 20

Applicant clearly articulates their experience, including key personnel, in developing affordable housing and ability to complete the project

Project summary is detailed, complete, and well planned 10

Contribution to Affordable Housing Stock 25

How many new affordable housing units will be created? 10

Are the units located in the unincorporated areas of Solano County? 10

Does the proposed affordability period exceed the minimum of 20 years? 3

Does the project align with and meet the goals of the County’s Housing

Element?

Population Served/Equity 20

What is the percentage breakdown of eligible populations by AMI? 10

How will diversity and equity of occupants be ensured by the project? 5

Will local (Solano County) residents be given a preference/priority to rent the units?

Budget and Project Schedule 25

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What percentage of funding is requested in relation to the total project cost?

(Higher points will be allocated to lowest percentages)

The Applicant provides a detailed budget and timeline that demonstrates how

100% of ARPA funds will be spent prior to October 31, 2024.

Is the Applicant making any equity investment? If yes, how much? 4

Project is scheduled to be completed within one year 5

Complete audited financial statements for the last three years are provided 3

Partnerships and Local Support 5

Does the application include a letter of support from the local jurisdiction where the project will be located?

Have there been or will there be any community outreach efforts? 3

Does the application indicate adequate knowledge of the local jurisdiction to comply with all local laws, regulations, and policies?

Access to Opportunity 5

Is the project within 1 mile of transportation? 3

Is the project within 1 mile of employment opportunities? 1

Is the project within 1 mile of medical facilities, a grocery store, and other shopping locations?

Bonus: Project primarily serves the elderly, veterans, or people with disabilities

Bonus: Project is “Shovel Ready” (All approval permits are in place) 3

Some permits are in place 1

Total Possible Points 106

6. Contract Information

Contract Qualifications

Complete a statement of acknowledgment (Attachment A - Application Form, page 1) that the Applicant has reviewed the Proposed Solano County Standard Contract (Attachment B and all Exhibits A through D-2) and has accepted it with or without qualification. If the Applicant makes qualifications, those qualifications must be identified and listed along with requested modifications to the contract that will be subject to later negotiation.

Note: Contract Exhibits A and B - the scope of work and budget - will be finalized during the contracting process; the examples included in this NOFA packet are to provide a general idea of what Exhibits A and B may look like. If the Applicant makes no qualifications to the Standard Contract, including its exhibits, then it shall be deemed that the Applicant accepts these items without reservation or any qualifications and not subject to further negotiation.

Contract Term/Duration

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A contract that results from this NOFA may be awarded for up to one year (approximately November 1, 2023 –

October 31, 2024) with the potential for a one-year extension at the County’s discretion and only if necessary to complete implementation of the project/program.

Note: The timeframe above is estimated. The award of funds does not authorize work to begin. Contracts must be fully executed before any work for which reimbursement will be requested can begin.

Funding and Payment Structure

Funding is available through this NOFA in the total amount of $3.2 million over one year to develop affordable housing units.

The contract to be negotiated will be a cost reimbursable contract unless another methodology is requested in the Application and accepted by Solano County during contract negotiations. Funding will be negotiated and allocated based on the Application submitted, and reimbursement for the program/services will be based on actual costs incurred. All costs such as personnel, subcontractors, operating expenses, and indirect costs must be reflected in the proposed budget.

Budget Definitions

A. Personnel Costs must include positions, salary, and “FTE” (actual percentage of time devoted to the project) for each position. Salary and fringe benefits must be pro-rated for non-full-time employees if agency provides fringe benefits to part-time employees. Salaries are fixed compensation for services performed by staff that are directly employed by the Applicant and are paid for on a regular basis. Employee benefits and employer payroll taxes include employer's contributions or expenses for social security, employee's life and health insurance plans, unemployment insurance, pension plans, and other similar expenses. These expenses are allowable when they are included in the contract and are in accordance with the agency's approved written policies.

B. Salaries and Benefits of personnel involved in more than one project or program must be charged to each project or program based on the actual percentage of time spent on each. The annualized actual percentage charged for a particular position (e.g., Project Director) cannot exceed the annual percentage approved in the award. Similarly, the dollar amount charged for a particular position also must not exceed the dollar amount in the approved award. Functional timesheets or an allocation plan must be maintained which support the time charged.

C. Operating Expenses are defined as necessary expenditures exclusive of personnel salaries, benefits, and equipment. Such expenses include specific items directly charged to the project or program. The expenses must be project/program-related (i.e., to further the project/program objectives) and be incurred during the award period. The County reserves the right to make the final determination if an operating expense is allowable and necessary.

D. Indirect costs are shared costs that cannot be directly assigned to a particular activity but are necessary to the operation of the Applicant agency and the performance of the project/program. The costs of operating and maintaining facilities, accounting services and administrative salaries are examples of indirect costs. For this program, indirect costs cannot exceed 10% of the total of Salaries and Benefits, and Operating Expenses.

Contract Award Process

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A. After the evaluation of Applications and final consideration of all pertinent information available, Solano

County will either reject all Applications or issue a written notice of intent to award. The notice shall not create rights, interests, or claims of entitlement in the apparent best evaluated proposers.

B. This NOFA, its attachments, submitted questions and their answers, and the Application shall be incorporated into the final contract.

C. The apparent best evaluated Applicants should be prepared to enter into a contract with Solano County which shall be substantially the same as the Standard Contract included in Attachment B (including

Exhibits A through D-2) to this NOFA. Notwithstanding this, Solano County reserves the right to add terms and conditions, deemed to be in the best interest of the County, during final contract negotiations.

D. Contracts must be fully executed before work can begin. Work for which reimbursement will be requested cannot begin prior to the contracted start date.

E. If an Applicant fails to sign and return the contract drawn pursuant to this NOFA and final contract negotiations within 14 days of its delivery to the Applicant, Solano County may cancel the award and award the contract to the next best evaluated Applicant.

7. Award Notice and Acceptance Period

After the evaluation of proposals and final consideration of all pertinent information available, the County will either reject all proposals or issue a written notice of intent to award the Contract to the highest rated responsive Proposer. The notice shall identify the highest rated proposal. The notice shall not create rights, interests, or claims of entitlement for the highest rated Proposer and all proposals may still be rejected.

The highest rated Proposer should be prepared to enter into a Contract with the County which shall be substantially the same as the Standard Contract included as an attachment to this RFP. The Contract provided with this RFP is to be considered a sample and the County reserves the right to add terms and conditions, deemed to be in the best interest of the County based on the selected proposal, during final contract negotiations.

If a Proposer fails to sign and return the Contract drawn pursuant to this RFP and final Contract negotiations within 14 days of its delivery to the Proposer, the County may cancel the award and award the Contract to the next highest rated Proposer.

8. Protest and Appeal

Any actual Proposer who wishes to protest the notice of intent to award a Contract may submit a protest. The protest must be submitted in writing to the Director of the County Administrator's Office Department within 7 calendar days after such Proposer knows or should have known of the facts giving rise to the protest, but in no event later than 7 calendar days after the date of the notice of intent to award the Contract. All letters of protest shall clearly identity the reasons and basis for the protest. The protest must also state the law, rule, regulation, or policy upon which the protest is based. The Director of the County Administrator's Office Department will issue a written decision within 10 working days after receipt of the protest which shall include the reason for the action taken and the process for appealing the decision. Proposers shall frequently check the County website and https://procurement.opengov.com/portal/solanocounty for any updates related to this RFP.

9. Terms and Conditions

A. The County’s Purchasing & Contracting Policy Manual, found at http://www.solanocounty.com/civicax/filebank/blobdload.aspx?blobid=21595, is fully incorporated into and made a part of this RFP by this reference and governs this RFP.

https://procurement.opengov.com/portal/solanocounty http://www.solanocounty.com/civicax/filebank/blobdload.aspx?blobid=21595

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B. RFP Amendment, Cancellation and Right of Rejection.

1. The County reserves the unilateral right to amend this RFP in writing at any time by posting of an

Addendum to the County’s bidding website. Proposers are responsible for staying up to date on the project by reviewing all notifications and Addenda released through the bidding website. Proposers shall respond to the final written RFP and any Exhibits, Attachments, and Addenda to the RFP. The

County also reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to reject any and all proposals or to cancel or reissue the RFP.

2. The County reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to waive variances in proposals provided such action is in the best interest of the County. Where the County waives minor variances in proposals, such waiver does not modify the RFP requirements or excuse the applicant from full compliance with the RFP. Notwithstanding any minor variance, the County may hold any proposal to strict compliance with the RFP.

C. Confidentiality. The County will retain a master copy of each response to this RFP, which will become a public record after the award of a Contract unless the qualifications or specific parts of the qualifications can be shown to be exempt by law under Government Code section 6250 et seq. Proposers may clearly label part of a submittal as "CONFIDENTIAL" if the Proposer agrees to indemnify and defend the County for honoring such a designation. The failure to have so labeled any information shall constitute a complete waiver of all claims for damages caused by any release of the information. If a public records request for labeled information is received by the County, the County will notify the

Proposer of the request and delay access to the material until 7 working days after notification to the

Proposer. Within that time delay, it will be the Proposer’s duty to act in protection of its labeled information. Failure to so act shall constitute a complete waiver.

10. Electronic Proposal

10.1. Please download the below documents, complete, and upload.* Please download the below documents, complete, and upload.

• ATTACHMENT_A_-_NOFA_APPLICA...

*Response required https://government-project.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/61460/f8f59eb5-586e-461a-92ff-bafbcd4d87b4_ATTACHMENT_A_-_NOFA_APPLICATION_FORMS.pdf?AWSAccessKeyId=AKIARC2J5PZDGOGWDMYG&Expires=1696702500&Signature=duuyV%2F3uKnrAyL1bglURFJDAIrM%3D&response-content-disposition=attachment%3B%20filename%3D%22ATTACHMENT_A_-_NOFA_APPLICATION_FORMS.pdf%22