REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS FOR CO-DEVELOPERS OF 154 FRANKLIN AVENUE, 148 FRANKLIN AVENUE, AND 125 EAST 3RD ST ON THE CORNER OF EAST 3RD STREET AND FRANKLIN AVENUE IN MOUNT VERNON, NY

The Point of Contact for this RFP is:

Jimmy Miller, Development Consultant

NYLOP@lisc.org

Communications

According to this RFQ, all procurement actions facilitated by LISC NY and OCDC will be conducted openly, transparently, and competitively. Subsequently, LISC NY and OCDC will consider competitive transaction pricing, quality of work, reputation, referrals, and understanding of the solicited deliverables and requirements. LISC NY and OCDC support soliciting proposals from all markets with a geographical preference for applicants with relevant experience. It gives all qualified businesses, including those owned by minorities, women, and small business enterprises, competitive opportunities to do business with LISC NY and OCDC as contractors and subcontractors.

To maintain a fair and impartial competitive process, LISC NY, OCDC, and any outside consultants assisting LISC NY or OCDC with this solicitation shall avoid private communication concerning this procurement with prospective Respondents during the entire procurement process. Accordingly, from the issue date of this RFQ until the final award for each respective Project is announced, revised, or abandoned, Respondents are not allowed to communicate about this RFQ for any reason with any OCDC staff or outside consultants assisting OCDC with this solicitation except:

• Through the RFQ Point of Contact named below,
• As otherwise specified in this RFQ or
• As provided by existing work agreement(s) (if any)

Prohibited communications shall mean all contact, including but not limited to telephonic communications, emails, faxes, letters, or personal meetings, such as lunch, entertainment, or otherwise. LISC NY or OCDC reserves the right to reject the proposal of any Respondent violating this provision.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON ONENESS COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION

OCDC is a mission-driven 501(c) 3 organization whose priority is to develop affordable housing in Mount Vernon, NY. OCDC was formed on October 31, 2018, with a vision to lead in the development of a community free of violence, homelessness, poverty, and trauma, where youth, individuals, and families are safe, stable, and thriving.

The OCDC is under the auspices ORAC. ORAC was founded in 1982. Since its inception, ORAC’s mission is to provide spiritual, emotional physical and social services to its congregants and its community members.

For over 40 years, ORAC has provided Mount Vernon, New York and the surrounding areas with outreach services that include: prison ministry, teaching parolees anger management, teaching Life Skills to the community, serving the homeless and the formerly homeless, visiting nursing homes, providing displaced families with temporary shelter, food, and clothing pantries, as well as serving monthly community dinners.

The OCDC’s mission is to develop and implement programs that empower and improve the quality of life for youth, individuals and families through housing, economic empowerment, health, education, and employment.

Developing their property for affordable housing is aligned with their mission to provide economic empowerment, health, education, and employment. Examples include:

The utilization of the recreation/community spaces within our housing developments to promote financial literacy, health seminars, art, physical fitness, basketball clinic, voter registration, vocational, training, job fairs and employment opportunities.

Quality housing will attract teachers, police, nurses, firefighters, and other key service providers to the community which will in turn increase community governance.

The OCDC’s affordable housing will be the catalyst that will bring about all the other components we seek to attain in our mission and vison statements. The OCDC board of directors is the governing body, and all directors are in full support of the undertaking of this endeavor.

ORAC has approximately 500 congregants who are in support of this endeavor.

OVERVIEW OF NYLOP

For years, LISC NY has partnered with Mission Driven and Faith-Based Organizations (MDOs/FBOs) to promote community and economic development. MDOs/FBOs provide much- needed services to their communities. These services include housing, feeding those in need, helping individuals find stable, family-sustaining employment, supporting small businesses and job creation, providing wrap-around mental health services, and improving community safety to help build and stabilize vulnerable neighborhoods.

• MDOs/FBOs offer vital resources that contribute to these goals, including:
• Community Relationships and Leadership
• Owner of Land in High Opportunity Areas
• Tax-Exempt Status
• Organizational Time, Volunteers, Finances, and Land

LISC NY New York Land Opportunities (NYLOP) focuses on helping MDOs/FBOs use these resources to develop affordable housing on their vacant or underutilized property. LISC NY issued a Request for Expression of Interest (RFEI) to MDOs/FBOs to participate in the 2023 round of NYLOP. The program was expanded to localities outside New York City to include Western New York.

LISC NY has engaged Censere Consulting LLC as the development consultant to lead a team of Housing Development Experts, including Goldstein Hall PLLC as the legal consultant and ESKW/Architects (ESKW) as the architectural consultant, to help move the Oneness Community Development Corporation (OCDC) Project from an idea to a conceptual plan to building affordable housing on their real estate. The NYLOP model calls for these organizations to develop a conceptual plan that will be used as the basis for them to issue an RFQ to select a Co-Developer Partner.

LISC NY in conjunction with the OCDC is issuing this Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to qualified developers to partner with OCDC properties to develop 154 Franklin Avenue, 148 Franklin Avenue and 125 East 3rd Street, and the Corner of 3rd Street, Mt. Vernon, NY (Project). The Project is currently owned by Oneness Rehoboth Apostolic Church (ORAC), an affiliated entity of OCDC. Per this RFQ, LISC NY is requesting qualifications from qualified Respondents to serve as a Co-Developer with OCDC to develop the Project. This RFQ package includes the instructions and requirements governing this solicitation process, the Scope of Services to be performed, and other pertinent information. This information may be downloaded from the LISC NY website at www.lisc.org. In addition, all firms must provide an email address where LISC NY will send subsequent communications.

INVITATION FOR PROPOSALS

The MOMBC invites qualified firms to submit responses to this RFP to serve as Co-Developer for the Development of the Site. Interested respondents must submit their responses per the guidelines outlined in this RFP by Monday, December 9, 2024 at 3:00 P.M. EST. 

1. OCDC is the sole judge of each proposal's conformance with the requirements of this Request for Proposals and the merits of such submission.
2. OCDC reserves the right to waive any condition or modify any provisions of this document concerning one or more Respondents, to negotiate with one or more Respondents, to require supplemental statements and information from any Respondents, to modify any of the terms and conditions herein, and to reject any or all proposals in its sole and absolute discretion.
3. If all proposals are rejected, the disposition of the Project may be conducted by any means, terms, or conditions chosen by OCDC in its sole and absolute discretion.
4. All submitted proposals are the property of OCDC. OCDC is not liable for any costs or expenses incurred by a Respondent in preparing proposals, negotiations, or discussions with OCDC or in connection with any other work. A proposal may be modified at any time before the submission deadline. Only the final version of the proposal will be considered.
5. The  Project Site will be delivered in its "as is" condition, subject to any environmental conditions, hazards, or other title matters.
6. The OCDC, its officers, employees, consultants, attorneys, and agents make no representation or warranty and assume no responsibility of any kind for the accuracy of any of the information set forth herein or otherwise provided by Church Personnel, the physical condition, the status of title or usability of the Site, or any other matter. All due diligence is the sole responsibility of the Respondents, and Respondents are encouraged to satisfy themselves concerning any aspect of the proposed development or condition of the Site.
7. All proposals must conform to and be subject to all applicable laws, regulations, and rules of any governmental authority having jurisdiction over the Site or the development thereof (including, without limitation, any zoning or applicable land use regulations).
8. Upon submission of a proposal to this RFP, Respondents and the representatives and agents will treat their proposals and all information obtained in connection with the RFP (“Confidential Information”) in a confidential manner, and will not discuss, publish, divulge, disclose or allow to be disclosed the Confidential Information to any other respondents or any other person, firm or entity, including press or other media, without the prior written approval of the OCDC.

EXTERNAL ORGANIZATIONAL CONFLICTS

Co-Developer certifies that neither it nor any of its contractors or subcontractors include persons who have an interest (direct or indirect) in this proposed contract and who, during their tenure or for one (1) year after that, are:

1. A present or former member or officer of OCDC’s Board of Directors, Governing Body, or any member of the officer’s immediate family.
2. Any OCDC employee who formulates policy or influences decisions concerning the OCDC project(s) that are connected to this proposed contract, any member of the employee's immediate family, or the employee's Partner(s).
3. Any public official, member of the local governing body, State/Territory or local legislator, or any member of such individual's immediate family.

Respondents may submit a response to this RFP so long as any potential conflict is disclosed. In its sole discretion, the OCDC will determine if any such conflict warrants the Respondent's disqualification.

NOTE: "Immediate family" member means the spouse, mother, father, brother, sister, or child of a covered class member, whether related as a full-blood relative or as a "half" or "step" relative (e.g., half-brother or stepchild).

DISCLOSURE STATEMENT

Before awarding, and while Respondent is conducting business with OCDC, Respondent must disclose any direct or indirect conflicts of interest and organizational conflicts of interest as soon as such conflict becomes known or should have become known. Respondents with a conflict of interest must provide full and complete disclosure, in writing, to OCDC. The Disclosure Statement must be presented on the Respondent's letterhead, notarized, and signed by the individual making the disclosure.  

CONTRACTOR RESPONSIBILITY

OCDC shall make awards only to responsible Co-Developers who can perform successfully under the terms and conditions of a proposed contract. Consideration shall be given to such matters as contractor integrity, public policy compliance, past performance record, and financial and technical resources. Contracts shall not be awarded to any Co-Developer whose previous business or performance indicates that it was not responsible.

MUNICIPAL CHARGES 

All buildings managed or owned by the Respondent must be current with all real property taxes, water, and sewers charges, or have entered into, and be in compliance with binding payment agreements for all outstanding taxes and charges.

CODE VIOLATIONS

A respondent may be rejected at any time during the evaluation process if findings of a substantial record of serious New York City Building Code violations with regard to properties owned or managed by the Respondent or any of its principals or related entities, and such findings have not been adequately addressed.

ADVERSE FINDINGS

A Respondent may be rejected at any time during the evaluation process if adverse findings are made with regard to the Respondent or any of its principals or related entities, including, but not limited to, adverse findings with respect to any of the following:

• Past or pending government or private mortgage foreclosure proceedings or arrears with respect to any property owned or managed by the Respondent
• Past or pending governmental tax or lien foreclosure, or substantial tax arrears
• Findings of tenant harassment or a pending case of harassment
• Arson, fraud, bribery, or grand larceny conviction or a pending case.
• Past or pending default on any obligation to, unsatisfied judgment or lien held by, or contract with, any governmental agency
• Past or pending suspension, debarment, or finding of non-responsibility by any government agency
• A past or pending voluntary or involuntary bankruptcy proceeding
• A negative history with New York City or any other government agency.

CERTIFICATION REGARDING DEBARMENT

Respondent certifies by submitting its proposal that neither it nor its principals are presently debarred, suspended, proposed for debarment, declared ineligible, or voluntarily excluded from participation by a federal department, state, or city agency.

If any of the Respondent's principals, officers, directors, or Partner(s) have been debarred, suspended, or otherwise lawfully precluded from participating in the Scope of Services outlined in the RFP, the Respondent shall disclose that information in its proposal. All Respondents must submit a Disclosure Statement if this is not the case. Failure to provide such information or to complete (Exhibit A – Disclosure Form) shall result in the rejection of the proposal. OCDC will corroborate this information.

Each Respondent's principals, officers, directors, and Partner(s) must be in good standing with OCDC and any Federal or local agency with a contractual relationship with the Respondent or any of its principals, officers, directors, and Partner(s).

OWNERSHIP OF DOCUMENTS

All documents and information generated, prepared, assembled, and provided to OCDC according to this RFP become the property of OCDC upon receipt. Respondents shall not copyright, or cause to be copyrighted, any portion of any document submitted to OCDC because of this RFP.

REJECTION OF PROPOSALS

OCDC may reject any proposals. 

CO-DEVELOPER STATUS

The Co-Developer shall be an independent contractor and will not be an employee of OCDC.

GOVERNMENT RESTRICTIONS

In the event any governmental restrictions may be imposed which would necessitate alteration of the material, quality, or performance of the goods or the material, quality, workmanship, or performance of the goods or services offered, it shall be the responsibility of the successful Respondent to immediately notify OCDC in writing specifying the regulation which requires an alteration. OCDC reserves the right to accept any such alteration, including any reasonable price adjustments, or to cancel the contract at no expense to OCDC.

ADVERTISING

Respondent agrees not to use the fact of or the results from the proposal submitted as part of any commercial advertising. OCDC does not permit the use of OCDC’s relationship with an entity for marketing efforts unless OCDC agrees explicitly otherwise.

NOTICES

All notices, demands, requests, and claims about the award of this contract must be addressed in writing to the following:

Monica Dean

Director of Housing

LISC New York | Local Initiatives Support Corporation

NYLOP@lisc.org

COMPLIANCE WITH LAW

The Co-Developer shall comply with all applicable Federal, State, Territory. Local laws, regulations, ordinances, and requirements applicable to the work described herein, including, but not limited to, those applicable laws, rules, and requirements governing equal employment opportunity programs, subcontracting with small and minority firms, women's business enterprises, and labor surplus area firms, and equal opportunity for businesses, the Americans with Disabilities Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Davis-Bacon Act, and those laws and regulations concerning the abatement and remediation of asbestos and lead-based paint, and shall provide for such compliance in the contract documents. The Co-Developer shall obtain, at Co-Developer's expense, such permits, certificates, and licenses as may be required to perform the work specified

INDEMNIFICATION

OCDC cannot, and by the Agreement relating to this RFP, does not agree to indemnify, hold harmless, exonerate, or assume the defense of the Co-Developer or any other person or entity whatsoever, for any purpose whatsoever.

Each submission will be evaluated based on its responsiveness to this RFP and primarily per the Evaluation Criteria in the following table. Respondents are required to respond thoroughly to each of the following evaluation factors, with a focus on providing answers that are both clear and concise. In its sole discretion, MOMB will select the Respondent whose proposal is in the best interest of the MOMB.

Each submission will be evaluated based on its responsiveness to this RFQ and primarily per the Evaluation Criteria in the following table. OCDC will make every effort to ensure that all Responses are treated fairly and equally throughout the selection process. OCDC will select the Respondent whose proposal is in the best interest of the OCDC. OCDC intend to follow the following selection process:

1. Identify a shortlist of Respondents.
2. Identify a First- and Second-ranked Respondent: OCDC will notify the Respondents selected for the shortlist and may ask them to participate in an interview to discuss their qualifications in further detail. OCDC may select a first-ranked and second- ranked Respondent.
3. Negotiations with First-ranked Respondent: The first-ranked Respondent will be given a defined period to negotiate and execute an MDA with the OCDC. If exclusive negotiations are conducted and an agreement is not reached, OCDC reserves the right to enter into negotiations with the next highest-ranked Respondent without the need to repeat the formal solicitation process.
4. Final selection and subsequent agreements are subject to approval by LISC NY.

SELECTION CRITERIA

The following is a guide to the criteria that will be used in evaluating development teams:

1. Development Team Characteristics
• Quality and completeness of information submitted in response to this RFQ
• Evaluation of the organization’s relevant past projects and experience successfully completing projects of a comparable size and scope as the one outlined in this RFQ
• Experience with affordable housing financing mechanisms, including Low- Income Housing Tax credits, particularly experience working with the New York State Homes and Community Renewal (HCR)
• Relevant experience of key members successfully completing projects of a comparable size and scope as the one outlined in this RFQ
• Experience with transitioning ownership or managing an MDO/FBO after project completion or stabilization
2. Financial Capability
• Demonstrated ability to secure funding, including experience with public- private partnerships
• Degree of capitalization liquidity as an entity 

                                                                                 CANCELLATION OF RFQ

LISC NY, ORAC and OCDC reserve the right to cancel this RFQ or to reject, in whole or in part, all submissions received in response to this RFQ upon their determination to be in the best interest of OCDC. LISC NY and OCDC further reserve the right to waive any minor informality in any submissions. The decision as to who shall receive a contract award or whether an award shall be made because of this RFQ shall be at the OCDC’s sole discretion.