Financial literacy training

The South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT), in collaboration with the SC State Housing Finance and Development Authority, is issuing a Request for Proposal (RFP) for Financial Literacy Training services related to the I-526 Lowcountry Corridor WEST interstate improvement project. The procurement seeks a HUD-certified housing counseling provider to deliver comprehensive financial literacy and first-time homebuyer training services for residents impacted by the interstate project. Required services include homeownership education, credit counseling, budgeting assistance, and application support for mortgage and assistance programs. Specific deliverables involve establishing a local office in the North Charleston area and submitting quarterly activity reports documenting program metrics. Evaluation criteria will assess bidders based on experience and capacity, financial capability, project design effectiveness, budget reasonableness, and DBE/WBE/MBE status. Key procurement dates include a pre-proposal conference on February 20, 2025 at 11:00:00, questions due by February 24, 2025 at 12:00:00, proposal submissions due March 11, 2025 at 14:30:00, and award announcement scheduled for April 8, 2025.

The procurement targets households with incomes up to 150% of the Area Median Income (AMI), with priority given to residents directly affected by the interstate project. Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE), Women's Business Enterprise (WBE), and Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) status will be considered during evaluation. The total allocated budget for counseling and education services is $250,000, with an initial state grant funding of $100,000 for the first year. The initial contract term is one year, with potential renewals possible through December 31, 2027, contingent upon performance and ongoing community needs. Proposing organizations must be HUD-certified housing counseling providers with demonstrated expertise in delivering comprehensive financial literacy and homeownership training programs. The selected vendor will be required to serve residents of communities directly impacted by the I-526 Lowcountry Corridor WEST project, with a focus on providing targeted support for potentially displaced households. Funding for the program is subject to renewal based on documented program performance and continued community requirements.