The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) is seeking a public entity or nonprofit corporation to administer the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) in Okeechobee County. Entities interested in contracting with DEO to provide these ...

DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY
Division of Community Development

The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity announces a public meeting to which all persons are invited.
DATE AND TIME: Wednesday, March 14, 2012, 3:00 p.m. (Eastern Time)
PLACE: Okeechobee County Board of County Commissioners, Historic Court House, 304 Northwest 2nd Street, Judge William L. Hendry Court Room, Okeechobee, Florida 34972
GENERAL SUBJECT MATTER TO BE CONSIDERED: The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) is seeking a public entity or nonprofit corporation to administer the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) in Okeechobee County. Entities interested in contracting with DEO to provide these services should be present at this public meeting in order to be informed of the qualifications, application requirements and deadline for submitting applications.
Selection of an entity will be based on the entity’s experience and performance in weatherization or housing renovation activities, in assisting low-income persons in the area to be served, and in its capacity to undertake a timely and effective weatherization program. Preference will be given to any community action agency or other public or nonprofit entity which has, or is currently administering, an effective DEO funded WAP.
The following qualities will be reviewed: (1) the extent to which the past or current program achieved or is achieving weatherization 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; (4) the ability of the entity to secure volunteers, train participants and public service employment workers; and (5) maintain compliance with administration and financial management requirements.
Only one entity will be funded and that entity must be capable and willing to provide services to all eligible low-income citizens in the geographic service area.
ACTIONS TO BE TAKEN: The DEO will review the submitted applications, and make a decision regarding each applicant’s eligibility to provide WAP and ARRA WAP services to Okeechobee County. Recommendations will then be prepared by DEO staff for the selected entity for subsequent consideration and approval or disapproval by the DEO Executive Director.
A copy of the agenda may be obtained by contacting: Mr. Norm Gempel, Planning Manager, Weatherization Assistance Program, Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, 107 East Madison Street, MSC #400, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-4120, [phone], Fax: [phone] or e-mail: [e-mail].
Pursuant to the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act, any person requiring special accommodations to participate in this workshop/meeting is asked to advise the agency at least 5 days before the workshop/meeting by contacting: Mr. Norm Gempel, [phone]. If you are hearing or speech impaired, please contact the agency using the Florida Relay Service, 1(800)955-8771 (TDD) or 1(800)955-8770 (Voice).
If any person decides to appeal any decision made by the Board with respect to any matter considered at this meeting or hearing, he/she will need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceeding is made, which record includes the testimony and evidence from which the appeal is to be issued.
For more information, you may contact: Mr. Norm Gempel, Planning Manager, Weatherization Assistance Program, Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, 107 East Madison Street, MSC #400, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-4120, [phone], Fax: [phone] or e-mail: [e-mail].