The Department of Community Affairs (DCA) is seeking a public or nonprofit entity or entities to administer the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) in Hardee and/or Highlands Counties. Entities interested in contracting with DCA to ...

DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AFFAIRS
Division of Housing and Community Development

The Division of Housing and Community Development announces a public meeting to which all persons are invited.
DATE AND TIME: May 24, 2011, 9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
PLACE: Highlands County Commission Building, 600 South Commerce Avenue, Room 251, Sebring, Florida 33870
GENERAL SUBJECT MATTER TO BE CONSIDERED: The Department of Community Affairs (DCA) is seeking a public or nonprofit entity or entities to administer the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) in Hardee and/or Highlands Counties. Entities interested in contracting with DCA to provide this service should attend this meeting 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 their 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) maintain compliance with administration 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 for both counties. After the application deadline date (due to be submitted to DCA by 5:00 p.m. EDT, June 7, 2011), DCA staff will review the application(s) 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 at [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).
A copy of the agenda may be obtained by contacting: 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].
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: 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). 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: 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].