TITLE
Recommendation to adopt Specifications to RFP No. HE20-050 and award a contract to Volunteers of America of Los Angeles, of Los Angeles, CA, to provide operational services for the Year-Round Shelter, Atlantic Avenue Bridge Community (ABC), in an annual contract amount not to exceed $2,080,500, for a one-year period, with the option to extend the agreement for three additional one-year periods, at the discretion of the City Manager; authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute all necessary documents to enter into the contract, including any necessary amendments;
Authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute an agreement, and all necessary documents and any subsequent amendments, including amending the terms or changing the amount of the award, with the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA), to accept and expend grant funding, in an amount not to exceed $2,079,000, for the operation of the Year-Round Shelter, Atlantic Avenue Bridge Community (ABC), for a one-year period estimated to begin on July 1, 2020, with the option to extend the agreement for three additional one-year periods at the discretion of the City Manager; and
Increase appropriations in the Health Fund Group in the Health and Human Services Department by $2,079,000, offset by grant revenue. (District 9)
DISCUSSION
On February 5, 2019, the City Council authorized the City Manager to purchase real property, located at 6841-6845 Atlantic Avenue, with the intention of utilizing it as a year-round homeless shelter, branded as the Atlantic Avenue Bridge Community (ABC). The Health and Human Services Department (Health Department) has been awarded a grant for an amount not to exceed $2,079,000, by the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA), to fund operational costs for one year. The ABC shelter will have a 125-bed capacity each night of the year, and will be designed to address the needs of individuals who have not been successful in a traditional shelter setting. The goal of this shelter model is to create an environment where people can sleep safely, spend the day inside, and allow providers to engage and build rapport with the goal of housing stability.
In compliance with the City’s Purchasing guidelines, a formal Request for Proposals (RFP) was conducted to select an agency to provide shelter operations. The RFP was advertised in the Long Beach Press-Telegram on April 21, 2019, and 690 potential proposers specializing in shelter services were notified of the RFP opportunity. Of those proposers, 20 downloaded the RFP via the City's electronic bid system. The RFP was also made available from the Purchasing Division, located on the sixth floor of City Hall, and the Purchasing Division's website at www.longbeach.gov/purchasing. <http://www.longbeach.gov/purchasing> An RFP announcement was also included in the Purchasing Division's weekly update of Open Bid Opportunities, which was sent to 28 local, minority-owned, and women-owned business groups.
Three proposals were received on April 29, 2020. Of those three proposers, none were Minority-owned Business Enterprises (MBEs), Woman-owned Business Enterprises (WBE), or certified Small Business Enterprises (SBEs); one proposal was from a Long Beach business (Local). The selection committee determined that Volunteers of America of Los Angeles, of Los Angeles, CA (not a MBE, WBE, SBE, or Local), was the most qualified firm to provide the services, based on their experience working with the target population, expertise on the subject matter, and capability to provide the needed services for the ABC shelter.
Local Business Outreach
In an effort to align with the City's outreach goal, Long Beach businesses are encouraged to submit proposals for City contracts. The Purchasing Division also assists businesses with registering on the PlanetBids database to download RFP specifications. 34 Long Beach businesses were notified to submit proposals, of which five downloaded the RFP and one submitted a proposal. The Purchasing Division is committed to continuing outreach to local vendors to expand the bidder pool.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Taylor M. Anderson and Deputy Finance Director Sandy Tsang-Palmer on May 22, 2020, and by Revenue Management Officer Geraldine Alejo on June 10, 2020.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on June 23, 2020, to ensure contracts are in place expeditiously to commence the program, estimated to begin on July 1, 2020.
FISCAL IMPACT
The annual contract with Volunteers of America of Los Angeles will not exceed $2,080,500 for a one-year period. The contract will be funded by a grant award from the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) in the amount up to $2,079,000, and $1,500 from existing resources currently budgeted in the Health Fund Group in the Health and Human Services Department. An appropriation increase of $2,079,000 is requested in the Health Fund Group in the Health and Human Services Department, offset by grant revenue. The grant has no match or in-kind requirement. This recommendation has no staffing impact beyond the normal budgeted scope of duties and is consistent with existing City Council priorities. The contract to support the operations of the ABC shelter with Volunteers of America of Los Angeles will provide continued support to our local economy by employing approximately 30 (thirty) full-time employees.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
BODY
[Enter Body Here]
Respectfully Submitted,
KELLY COLOPY
DIRECTOR
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
APPROVED:
THOMAS B. MODICA
ACTING CITY MANAGER