Community Development Block Grant Consultant Services

The URA is committed to creating more affordable housing for the average Pittsburgher, encouraging entrepreneurship and small business development, promoting inclusive growth and quality job creation, expanding efforts to revitalize neighborhoods and main streets, and developing a talented workforce equipped with the skills of the future.

Part of implementing this mission involves deploying Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds into projects and programs. The URA regularly (1) undertakes projects using CDBG funds and (2) provides assistance to homeowners, businesses, and developers using CDBG funds.

The URA receives CDBG funding from the City of Pittsburgh, which is allocated to the URA for specific programs and purposes. Cooperation Agreements between the City of Pittsburgh and the URA outline the approved uses for these funds. The URA aims to utilize technical assistance to gain a better understanding of the most efficient deployment of these funds.

The selected firm will carry out the following duties:

1. Act as the designated advisor for all CDBG related questions, providing technical assistance on a project or program basis.

2. Provide CDBG technical assistance, guidance and related training to designated URA staff, including specifics on eligible uses and spending considerations.

3. Perform other services as required.

October 19, 2023 - RFP Applications Opens

October 31, 2023 - RFP Question Submissions are due by 5 PM EDT

November 3, 2023 - Response to RFP questions uploaded to IWT by 5 PM EDT 

November 20, 2023 - Proposal Submissions due by 5 PM EDT 

December 4 - 8, 2023 - Interviews (if deemed necessary) 

December 14, 2023 - Board Authorization of Contract

1. Title Page

2. Table of Contents

3. Transmittal Letter— include the following:

• A signed statement regarding the respondent’s understanding of the work to be done.
• A statement attesting that the firm will perform the work according to professional standards.
• A statement that the firm understands that, after a selection is made, all qualifications may be public records under the Pennsylvania Right to Know Law,
• A statement that neither the firm nor any partner, principal, member, or officer of the firm is currently in violation of or being investigated for violation of any regulatory agency rules that may have a material impact on the ability to provide the services requested.

4. Cover Letter 

• Brief description of experience providing CDBG services with specific, relevant projects and clients who you have provided similar work for previously.
• Company name(s), contact name, address, and email address.

5. Firm Profile & Biography of Assigned Personnel

• Provide a brief profile of the firm that describes the type of organization and includes the names and qualifications of your staff. Specifically indicate which staff provide CDBG services.
• Identify the staff within the firm who would be providing CDBG services to the URA and provide a brief biography that includes relevant experience

6. Conflict of Interest

• Respondents and team members must disclose any conflict of interest, or potential conflict of interest, regarding any work performed by the respondents with/for a member or employee of the URA or any related entity.
• Provide a complete list of other clients that members of the team are currently serving as registered lobbyists for and identify potential conflicts of interest.

7. References

• Provide three (3) references to agencies or parties that have worked with the proposed, assigned personnel from section 5. Include the reference’s name, title, email, and direct telephone number.

8. Proposed Method 

• A detailed narrative of methods and plan to carry out the scope of work that explains why your firm is best qualified to serve as the URA’s CDBG advisor.

9. M/WBE Participation

• The URA strives to provide equal opportunities for business growth and development to minority and female business owners. All contracts above $250,000 are required to submit a Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise (MWBE) Plan to achieve or exceed the goal of awarding 18% of the total project costs to MBEs and 7% of total project costs to WBEs.
• While the total cost of this contract may fall short of $250,000, the URA requests a description of how the award of this contract will promote opportunities for women and minority professionals in your organization and/or through the services that the URA would pay for through this contract. MBE/WBE participation can be satisfied by:
  • Ownership/Partnership of firm.
  • Employment levels of minorities and/or women in the firm.
  • Firm's use of minority or women-owned businesses as vendors for legal, printing, office supplies, travel, etc.
  • Subcontracting with firms owned and controlled by minorities and/or women. If this is to be done, that fact, and the name of the proposed subcontracting firms, must be clearly identified in the proposal.
• Please include any relevant third-party certification and/or documentation of MWBE status.

10. Fee Proposal and Pricing Methodology

• Briefly describe your fee proposal and pricing methodology for serving as the CDBG advisor. All applicants must provide pricing in the retainer model structure. Alternative pricing strategies will also be considered but must be included as a supplement. Please note any distinctions based on the type of activity or any other factor that you deem significant.
• Please provide a breakout of pricing per each anticipated interaction as well as price for general CDBG training of staff.
• Include hourly rate for each staff member proposed for the project.

11. Other Information

• Please provide any other information which you believe is pertinent to the URA’s consideration of
  your firm. Please limit your response to this item to no more than five (5) pages.