Because of the additional accountability requirements and enhanced scrutiny associated with American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funding and operations in general and the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) in particular, DCA must be ...

DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AFFAIRS
Division of Housing and Community Development

The Department of Community Affairs, Housing and Community Development Division, Community Assistance Section announces a public meeting to which all persons are invited.
DATE AND TIME: July 27, 2009, 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
PLACE: Department of Community Affairs, Randall Kelley Training Room, 3rd Floor, 2555 Shumard Oak Boulevard, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2100
GENERAL SUBJECT MATTER TO BE CONSIDERED: Because of the additional accountability requirements and enhanced scrutiny associated with American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funding and operations in general and the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) in particular, DCA must be prepared to replace service providers not meeting production goals or compliance requirements quickly. To that end, DCA intends to pre-qualify service providers to step in and administer this program.
Starting with the Leon County service area, DCA is seeking to pre-qualify a public or nonprofit entity to be designated as an eligible provider to administer the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) in Leon County. If at the time DCA is ready to contract for ARRA WAP services the current WAP service provider is not off of probationary status, DCA will contract with the service provider who is pre-qualified by this solicitation.
Entities interested in applying to be a designated provider of these services should be present at this public meeting in order to be informed of the qualifications and application requirements.
In accordance with the U.S. Department of Energy Regulations, 10 CFR Part 440, selection of an entity will be based on the entity’s experience and performance in weatherization or housing renovation activities, and in assisting low-income persons in the designated service area, and its capacity to undertake a timely and effective weatherization program. In accordance with 10 CFR Part 440.15, preference will be given to any Community Action Agency or other public or nonprofit entity which has, or is currently administering, an effective DCA-funded Weatherization Assistance Program.
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 staff members employed by the entity; (4) the ability of the entity to secure volunteers, train participants and public service employment workers; and (5) the capacity to maintain compliance with administrative and financial management requirements.
Upon pre-qualification and approval of an entity for the ARRA funding, that entity must be fully capable and willing to provide services to all eligible low-income citizens in the geographic service area.
The DCA will review the submitted applications and make a decision regarding each applicant’s eligibility, capability, and capacity to provide American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Weatherization Assistance Program services to Leon County. Recommendations will then be prepared by the Department staff for the selected entity for subsequent consideration and approval or disapproval by the Department’s Secretary.
A copy of the agenda may be obtained by contacting: Mr. Norm Gempel, Manager, Florida Department of Community Affairs, Sadowski Building, 2555 Shumard Oak Boulevard, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2100, telephone [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: Department of Community Affairs at [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.
Anyone who wants a copy of the agenda or additional information on this meeting may write, email or call: Mr. Norm Gempel, Manager, Department of Community Affairs, Sadowski Building, 2555 Shumard Oak Boulevard, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2100, email [e-mail], [phone] or Fax: [phone].