HECC Housing Production Workforce Study

The State of Oregon's Higher Education Coordinating Commission (HECC) is seeking a qualified consultant to conduct a comprehensive Housing Production Workforce Study through a competitive Request for Proposal (RFP) process. The primary objective is to perform an in-depth assessment of Oregon's housing construction workforce, which includes defining the current workforce, analyzing workforce demand across near-term, mid-term, and long-term horizons, and evaluating the existing talent development system. Key deliverables will encompass a detailed description of the housing construction workforce, a Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Access (DEIA) analysis, and recommendations for best practices. Proposers must demonstrate a minimum of three years of professional experience within the past five years providing comparable services, with a preference for those with government entity experience. The proposal will be evaluated on a 100-point scale, considering the proposer's experience (35 points), project approach (25 points), cost proposal (20 points), resources (10 points), and past performance (10 points). The RFP was posted on July 3, 2024, with proposals due by July 22, 2024, and the initial contract term set to expire on December 31, 2024.

The RFP does not explicitly specify set-aside designations or restrict participation to specific types of organizations, though proposers must be registered in OregonBuys, the state's electronic procurement system. The study is funded through a combination of federal and state funds, with an estimated budget under $100,000. Proposers must certify compliance with various state laws, including tax regulations, non-discrimination policies, and prevention of sexual harassment. The certification document also requires proposers to confirm they are not on any exclusion lists and have no conflicts of interest. While no incumbent vendors are mentioned, the successful proposer will be expected to collaborate with existing stakeholders in Oregon's housing and workforce development sectors. The contract includes potential for amendment to extend services and time frame as determined necessary by HECC, suggesting flexibility for future engagement beyond the initial December 2024 contract termination.