The City of Fort Myers, located in Lee County, Florida, is seeking qualified developers, builders, or contractors through a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to execute the White Coral Affordable Housing project. The procurement aims to construct 26 single-family affordable homes along the Edison Ave. corridor for income-qualified families earning 30-80% of the Fort Myers Area Median Income. Key deliverables include high-quality, Gold Fortified Standard homes, infrastructure improvements, and comprehensive support programs such as HUD-certified housing counseling, financial literacy workshops, homeownership education, and home maintenance classes. The project's primary objectives are to create affordable homeownership opportunities, facilitate wealth creation for residents, and develop a resident-led Homeowners Association. Evaluation criteria will focus on demonstrable experience in affordable housing construction, proposed methodology, project management expertise, sustainable practices, and regulatory compliance. The project timeline indicates site work will commence in July 2025, with completion targeted for December 2027, and the RFQ (RSQ 0038-24) is currently open for submissions.
The procurement emphasizes Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) participation with a 15% goal and includes Build America, Buy America (BABA) requirements mandating the use of domestic iron, steel, manufactured products, and construction materials. The project is funded through Community Development Block Grant - Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) resources, which introduces specific procurement and compliance standards for interested entities. Respondents must demonstrate a proven track record in affordable housing development and the capacity to provide comprehensive housing support services. While no specific incumbent vendors are mentioned, the City requires strict adherence to federal and state regulations, including Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) guidelines with an overall 10.67% participation goal. Although a precise budget is not explicitly stated, the project's scope suggests a significant investment in creating affordable housing and community infrastructure, with the selected entity responsible for managing site preparation, construction, vendor procurement, and community engagement throughout the development process.