2026 CDBG Annual Competition

The City of Mount Vernon, Georgia is issuing a Request for Proposals seeking engineering firms licensed in Georgia to provide grant services for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program implementation. The procurement specifically targets engineering firms with demonstrated experience assisting local governments with CDBG, EIP, RDF, and other DCA grant programs, and the project involves designing a sidewalk along a highway to create a safe pedestrian transportation route. Responding firms must submit comprehensive proposals addressing firm history and resources, relevant grant program experience, key personnel qualifications, current workload capacity, proposed scope and level of service, experience with similar projects and client references, fee structures for preliminary architect report (PAR) development and design/construction management services, and proof of errors and omissions insurance. Firms must provide a draft PAR no later than January 23, 2026 (updated to February 19, 2026 in the most recent notice), with all proposals due by 5:00 PM on January 5, 2026. Evaluation criteria include the firm's ability to provide necessary disciplines for the project, experience with the type of construction involved, key personnel experience with similar construction types, quality of reference information, previous experience with comparable projects, and price competitiveness, each scored on a 0-2 point scale. Evaluators will also verify the firm's ability to meet project delivery deadlines and confirm errors and omissions insurance coverage.

Section 3 Business Concerns are specifically encouraged to apply for this procurement, which is covered under Section 3 of the HUD Act of 1968, as amended, and must comply with federal and state provisions prescribed by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs, Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 109 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, the Fair Housing Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and the Architectural Barriers Act of 1968. Contractors claiming Section 3 status must submit a Section 3 Certification Form with their proposals and comply with mandatory requirements including the completion of Section 3 Self-Certification and Action Plan forms, Previous Section 3 Compliance Certification, and Assurance of Compliance Certification. Section 3 eligible firms may elect preference status by establishing a business owned 51% or more by Section 3 residents, employing Section 3 residents for at least 30% of the aggregate full-time workforce, or subcontracting 25% of the total award to qualified Section 3 business concerns, with non-compliance subject to cure requirements or contract termination with liquidated damages. No incumbent vendors or current contractors are identified in the solicitation materials. The RFP does not specify a budget range or award value, instead requesting firms to propose their own fee structures and percentages for preliminary architect report preparation and contingent design and construction management services if the project is funded.