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Approve the terms of a proposed Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for non-profit agencies to submit project proposals funded utilizing the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund (SLFRF)
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Published Notice Required? Yes_______ No___X___
Public Hearing Required? Yes_______ No ___X___
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
The County Administrator’s Office (CAO) recommends the Board of Supervisors approve the terms of a proposed Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for non-profit agencies to submit project proposals funded utilizing the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund (SLFRF).
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
On June 11, 2024, the Board directed staff to bring back draft terms for a proposed Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to allow non-profits to submit project proposals which the Board may consider funding utilizing ARPA SLFRF funds. This item brings back draft RFQ terms for Board approval which are included in Attachment A.
The terms include but are not limited to the following:
1. Eligible applicants are non-profit agencies who provided services in Solano County during the COVID-19 pandemic.
2. Agencies may apply for projects utilizing one-time funding, such as capital investments, or for the delivery of programs or services during a maximum contract term of September 2024-September 2026.
3. Projects need to be eligible under a designated Treasury Category
4. Applications need to include:
§ Description of activities/scope of services.
§ How the activities qualify under the selected qualifying Treasury Category.
§ Description of need, including the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
§ Sustainability plan for how the activities will continue beyond the ARPA funding.
§ Capacity of the organization to carry out the activities, including fiscal capacity to manage ARPA funds.
§ Line item or fee for service budget which includes how funds will be leveraged with other resources.
At this time, the Board is requesting applications for ARPA eligible projects, but has not allocated ARPA funds toward the RFQ. The Board will consider an allocation and possible awards of funding at the conclusion of the RFQ.
Should the Board approve the proposed terms, the RFQ would be available June 28, 2024 with Applications due August 14, 2024. See additional details on the proposed RFQ timeline in Attachment A.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Solano County received a direct federal funding allocation under the ARPA SLFRF program of $86,949,405. These funds are intended to provide support to the County in responding to the economic and public health impacts of COVID-19 and impacts on our communities, residents, and businesses. The Board of Supervisors has had multiple discussions on ARPA guidelines, received significant public input, and in March 2023 the Board of Supervisors completed its initial allocation of funding for the full amount.
Since that time, staff have continued to monitor ARPA projects and provided updates to the Board of Supervisors. In connection with this process staff have identified some projects which completed under budget, and a limited number of other projects which were determined as not feasible to move forward with ARPA funding. At several previous Board meetings, the Board considered and/or approved reallocations related to these identified projects.
As of June 11, 2024, the total ARPA funding available for reallocation was $7,116,747, of which $1,689,291 is categorized under Revenue Replacement allowing for a broad range of projects and $5,427,456 which must be allocated toward a project that meets the terms of one of the other Treasury Categories.
Release of an RFQ does not obligate the Board to allocate ARPA funds but allows the Board to have a list of eligible projects which have met the federal public procurement requirement should the Board choose to allocate funds in the future.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board could choose not to approve the terms of the RFQ or could request modifications to the terms. This is not recommended as this would delay the release of the RFQ which would decrease the amount of time the Board has to consider projects prior to the obligation deadline of December 31, 2024.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The County Administrator’s Office and the Auditor Controller’s Office has been working together to ensure the County is meeting ARPA requirements.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION