The Department of Community Affairs (DCA) is seeking a public or non-profit entity or entities to administer the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) in Hardee, Highlands, Okeechobee and Polk Counties. Entities interested in ...

 

DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AFFAIRS
Division of Housing and Community Development

The Department of Community Affairs announces the following public meetings to which all interested parties are invited.

DATE AND TIME: January 17, 2007, 8:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.

PLACE: Quality Inn and Suites Conference Center, 6525 U.S. 27 North, Sebring, Florida

DATE AND TIME: January 17, 2007, 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

PLACE: Courtyard by Marriott, 3725 Harden Boulevard, Lakeland, Florida

GENERAL SUBJECT MATTER TO BE CONSIDERED: The Department of Community Affairs (DCA) is seeking a public or non-profit entity or entities to administer the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) in Hardee, Highlands, Okeechobee and Polk Counties.

Entities interested in contracting with DCA to provide this service should attend one of these meetings to learn about the application requirements.

Selection will be based on the entity’s experience and performance in related federal or state programs in assisting low-income persons in the area to be served, and the entity’s capacity to undertake a timely and effective program. Special consideration in the designation of a service provider will be given to any Community Action Agency or other public or nonprofit entity which is currently administering an effective program under any low-income energy assistance program or weatherization program under the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964. The following qualities will be reviewed: (1) the extent to which the past or current program achieved or is achieving goals in a timely fashion; (2) the quality of work performed by the entity; (3) the number, qualifications, and experience of the staff members of the entity; and (4) the ability to maintain compliance with administrative and financial management requirements.

ACTIONS TO BE TAKEN: At this meeting, the DCA will disseminate information about the programs, the application requirements, the deadline for submitting all applications and the appeals information. Only one entity will be selected per county, but an entity may apply for and be designated to serve more than one county. After the application deadline date (due to be submitted to DCA by 5:00 p.m. (EST), March 19, 2007), DCA staff will review the applications received and make a decision regarding each entity’s eligibility to provide program services in the unserved counties. A recommendation for the selected entity or entities will then be prepared by DCA staff for subsequent consideration and approval or disapproval by DCA’s Secretary. Announcement of the selected entity or entities along with the appeals process for non-selected entities wishing to challenge the selection will then be sent by U.S. Mail to all applicants.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Requests for an application, additional information or questions may be addressed to: Ms. Hilda Frazier, Planning Manager, Florida Department of Community Affairs, Community Assistance Section, Sadowski Building, 2555 Shumard Oak Boulevard, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2100, [phone], or Fax [phone] or e-mail at [e-mail]

SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS: Any person requiring a special accommodation at this meeting because of a disability or physical impairment should contact the Department of Community Affairs, [phone], at least five (5) calendar days prior to the meeting. If you are hearing or speech impaired, please contact the Department of Community Affairs using the Florida Dual Party Relay System which can be reached at 1(800)955-8770 (Voice) and 1(800)955-8771 (TDD).