Development - Affordable Housing - Lot # 2220-005-003

The City of Ocala has issued an Invitation to Negotiate (ITN# GRM/260331) for the development of affordable housing on Lot # 2220-005-003, a 0.17-acre parcel zoned Single Family Residential (R-1A) in Marion County, Florida. The procurement seeks qualified for-profit and non-profit developers, builders, partnerships, and agencies to construct affordable residential units targeting households earning up to 120% of Area Median Income. Proposers must develop either multi-family or single-family units for rent or homeownership, with a minimum requirement of 900 square feet of livable area, at least two bedrooms and bathrooms, and compliance with specific design guidelines including concrete block construction, architectural shingles, energy-efficient systems, and specific interior and exterior finishes. Key deliverables include constructing housing units that meet Florida Building Code standards, with developers required to demonstrate a minimum of three years of housing development experience and completion of at least three separate housing projects. The solicitation timeline includes a deadline for questions on February 17, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. EST, and proposal submissions due on March 2, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. EST through the city's e-procurement portal. Evaluation criteria will be weighted as follows: Experience and Capacity of Development Team (20 points), Development Concept and Project Design (30 points), Financing Plan (20 points), and Development Schedule (30 points).

The ITN does not specify specific set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises, but developers must meet comprehensive financial and experiential qualifications. Developers are required to submit detailed financial documentation to a Financial Review Committee, including two years of federal corporate income tax returns, financial statements, project pro forma, cash flow projections, construction cost estimates, and loan commitment letters. The City will offer potential incentives, including a Housing Incentive Fund Request up to $20,000 and potential fee waivers or deferrals for building permits and impact fees. The property will be sold at no less than 100% of the assessed value, with a $1,000 security deposit applied to the purchase price. The desired minimum affordability period is twenty years for both rental and for-sale units, with construction required to commence within six months of closing and be completed within eighteen months. The total development costs must equal or exceed $100,000, and developers must demonstrate a minimum equity investment of $223,878. The City will convey the property via special warranty deed for a nominal purchase price of $7,000, with the fair market value of the property donation estimated at $34,174.