TITLE
Recommendation to adopt Specifications No. RFP HE-23-190 and award contracts to First to Serve, Inc., of Los Angeles, CA, and Interval House, of Long Beach, CA, to provide operation and supportive services for homeless prevention and rapid rehousing, in annual amounts not to exceed $637,500 and $355,618, respectively, through September 30, 2023, with the options to renew for one additional one-year period, at the discretion of the City Manager; and, authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute all necessary documents to enter into the contracts, including any subsequent amendments. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
City Council approval is requested to enter into contracts with First to Serve, Inc., (First to Serve) and Interval House. First to Serve will provide operation and supportive services for Homeless Prevention (HP) and Interval House will provide operation and supportive services for Rapid Rehousing (RRH). These activities are funded through annual allocations of Emergency Solution Grant (ESG) funding received from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), as well as Los Angeles County Measure H funding received via an operating agreement with the Los Angeles County Chief Executive Office.
The Request for Proposals (RFP) was advertised in the Long Beach Press-Telegram on December 15, 2022, and 167 potential proposers specializing in Rapid Re-Housing and Homeless Prevention were notified of the RFP opportunity. Of those proposers, 48 downloaded the RFP via the City’s electronic bid system. The RFP document was made available from the Purchasing Division, located on the sixth floor of City Hall, and the 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 is sent to 44 local, minority-owned, and women-owned business groups. There were six proposals received on January 26, 2023. Of those six proposers, three were Minority-owned Business Enterprises (MBE), two were Women-owned Business Enterprise (WBE), two were certified Small Business Enterprises (SBEs), and one was a Long Beach vendor (Local). The selection committee determined that First to Serve (MBE) was the most qualified firm to provide Homeless Prevention services, and Interval House (Local) was the most qualified firm to provide Rapid Re-Housing Services for the City of Long Beach (City).
Selection of these agencies was based on their demonstrated experience in operating publicly funded Rapid Rehousing and Prevention programs for persons experiencing and at risk of homelessness within the region, ability to quickly meet the needs of the terms of the RFP, contract, and program, extensive history of successful comparable engagements, demonstrated training, knowledge, and expertise of key personnel; and having the most cost-effective rate.
The Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) is a formula allocation from HUD as part of the City Consolidated Plan, which the Development Services Department, Housing and Neighborhood Services Bureau manage. The Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services Homeless Services Division implements this component of the Consolidated Plan, in addition to the HOME move-in deposit assistance program, as leveraged resources to the Continuum of Care (CoC) system. The purpose of the ESG program is to provide funding for emergency shelter, outreach services, rapid rehousing, and homelessness prevention projects that work in collaboration with the broader CoC system in Long Beach.
In March 2017, Measure H was passed by Los Angeles County voters to create a quarter of a cent sales tax to create a revenue stream dedicated to addressing and preventing homelessness in Los Angeles County. Measure H funds are designed to enable County departments, agencies, cities, and non-profit service providers with developing, implementing, coordinating, operating, and managing a comprehensive regional approach to homelessness, which includes funding for homelessness prevention, street outreach, interim housing, permanent housing, affordable housing, and supportive services for persons experiencing and/or at imminent risk of homelessness.
These contracts strive to expand and enhance the services available for persons experiencing, or at imminent risk of homelessness. The RRH projects will provide funding to assist persons experiencing homelessness with housing search and placement, short-and medium-term financial assistance, and rental assistance, as well as case management and supportive services designed to help participants in achieving housing stability. The HP program will provide short-term, targeted interventions to immediately address and resolve a housing crisis to prevent an episode of homelessness.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Anita Lakhani On May 25, 2023, Purchasing Agent Michelle Wilson on May 19, 2023, and Budget Analysis Officer Greg Sorensen on May 25, 2023.
EQUITY STATEMENT
The City has incorporated the Equity Toolkit and strategies outlined in the Everyone Home Long Beach plan into this recommendation.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action to adopt specifications No. RFP HE23-190 and award contracts concurrently is requested on June 13, 2023, to ensure the contracts are in place expeditiously to provide services without interruption.
FISCAL IMPACT
The annual aggregate amount with First to Serve and Interval House will not exceed $993,118. Expenses for these contracts are offset by grant funding from the Emergency Solutions Grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and Measure H funding through the Los Angeles County Chief Executive Office. With the Development Services Department as the lead agency to administer homeless services grants across the Long Beach CoC, ESG program expenses incurred by the Health and Human Services Department are being transferred to the Development Services Department on a quarterly basis, where ESG program funding is currently appropriated. Sufficient funds are appropriated in the Health Fund Group in the Health and Human Services Department and the Community Development Grants Fund Group in the Development Services Department. Any indirect costs that might not be eligible for grant funds will be funded by the Health Operating Fund, General Fund, or other eligible grant funds. There is no match or in-kind service mandate. This recommendation has no staffing impact beyond the normal budgeted scope of duties and is consistent with existing City Council priorities. There is no local job impact associated with this recommendation.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
KELLY COLOPY
DIRECTOR
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES