Homeownership Education Counseling (Pre- and Post-Home Purchase) and Foreclosure Prevention Counseling Services

The City of St. Petersburg Housing and Community Development Department is requesting proposals for homeownership education counseling (pre- and post-home purchase) and foreclosure prevention counseling services, with proposals due October 1, 2026 at 3:00 PM. The contractor must be HUD-certified and designated as a nonprofit under Florida state law. A pre-proposal meeting is scheduled for August 26, 2026 via Zoom (non-mandatory); written questions are due September 23, 2026.

The scope includes participant intake and assessment, a minimum eight-hour HUD-compliant homeownership education course, individualized pre-purchase housing counseling, post-purchase housing counseling to promote long-term stability, and confidential foreclosure prevention counseling for homeowners experiencing financial hardship. Services must be delivered in English and Spanish through in-person and virtual options in compliance with HUD Housing Counseling Program requirements and National Industry Standards for Homeownership Education and Counseling. The contractor will educate participants about the City's down payment and closing cost assistance programs and assist prospective homebuyers in developing individualized action plans. Services target City residents at or below 140 percent of Area Median Income or other eligibility requirements established by the City or applicable funding source.

The initial contract term is three years with an option for the City to renew for one additional two-year period at mutually agreed terms. The contractor must be registered with the Florida Department of State Division of Corporations, maintain minimum insurance requirements ($1,000,000 commercial general liability per occurrence), provide three references for similar projects, and be located within the greater Tampa Bay area.

Evaluation criteria are Qualifications and Experience of Firm and Staff (30 percent), Project Approach (40 percent), Cost Analysis (20 percent), and Business Enterprise Program Outreach and Utilization (10 percent). Subcontractor utilization goals for small business enterprises, women business enterprises, veteran-owned businesses, and minority business enterprises are voluntary with no minimum threshold mandated. Proposals must not exceed 30 pages and be submitted as a single PDF through the OpenGov Procurement portal. Multiple awards are anticipated.