I. RECOMMENDATION:
City Council Approval of a Draft Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for Full Service Grant Writing Services and Further Direct the City Manager to Advertise the RFQ to Qualified Consulting Firms.
II. BACKGROUND:
The City of Coalinga is interested in obtaining a grant consultant to assist the City in researching, writing and monitoring grants that the City is eligible to apply for and possibly be awarded. This is the best opportunity for the City to address severe deficiencies in the water and wastewater treatment and distribution, grounds and maintenance, current and long range planning, housing, economic development and public safety.
III. DISCUSSION:
Staff has prepared a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to seek out consultants who have a high level of experience in the field of grant research, writing and grant management/reporting support. The City will be looking for an on-going on-call contract for services that would service as many departments as possible. A copy of the RFQ has been attached to this report. Once staff has received the statements of qualifications, staff will review the submittals and select the most qualified based on the evaluation criteria in the RFQ and then negotiate a contract for services to bring back to the City Council for approval. The contract for services will include a full service contract with department distribution of ongoing costs.
Staff is expecting to release the RFQ on July 15, 2019 and circulate for 30 days, review proposals, negotiate a contract for services and then bring a contract before the City Council at the September 19, 2019 meeting.
IV. ALTERNATIVES:
Do not direct the City Manager to circulate the draft RFQ for grant research, writing and support services - Staff does not recommend.
V. FISCAL IMPACT:
Several departments within the City have professional services and grant writing budgets where this contract may be accommodated. Depending on the cost of the contract, there may be budget appropriations needed as well as allocation changes to ensure that all departments within the City share the costs. | | |