This is a service / maintenance or supply contract in Hartford, Connecticut. Contact the soliciting agency for additional information.

1. INTRODUCTION AND INTENT The Capitol Region Council of Governments (CRCOG) of Hartford, Connecticut is seeking a qualified and experienced firm or team, hereafter referred to as "Consultant," to assist in developing a Regional Housing Strategy for the Capitol Region. It is CRCOG's intent to award a time and materials based contract for an 18-to-24-month term with an estimated starting time frame of late October or November 2024.We anticipate the Regional Housing Strategy to consist of a number of phases over three to five years, with this Request for Qualifications (RFQ) covering the initial phase. 2. BACKGROUND AND OVERVIEW The CRCOG is a voluntary Council of Governments formed to initiate and implement regional programs of benefit to the towns and the region. It is guided by the chief elected officials of our 38 Metro Hartford municipalities. CRCOG leads as a catalyst to enhance the quality of life, vibrancy, and vitality of the Greater Hartford region. CRCOG provides planning, programs, and services to its member municipalities and is the region's designated Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO). CRCOG is a strong advocate for the region and regional solutions. The mayors, first selectmen, and town council chairs who make up our governing Policy Board recognize that the future of our individual members is tied to the future of our region. Our members have collaborated for more than 50 years on a wide range of projects to benefit our towns individually and the region. Additional information about CRCOG can be found on the CRCOG website. CRCOG is seeking assistance with the development of a Regional Housing Strategy, which, among other tasks, will provide tools to assist municipalities with implementation of their local Affordable Housing Plans, provide training tools and resources, and explore regional roles in creating housing. The strategy will build upon housing goals and strategies contained in the draft CRCOG 2024 Plan of Conservation and Development and local Affordable Housing Plans prepared by CRCOG member municipalities. CRCOG is not seeking a new "plan" comprised of goals and strategies (though we recognize new strategies may emerge during this process). Rather, the Regional Housing Strategy will produce a series of products and tools that can be used by CRCOG and its member communities as they tackle housing challenges in order to tangibly increase housing options in the region. Responses should include recommendations on how to best phase this project and additional tasks not included in our draft Scope of Services that will help CRCOG deploy a successful Regional Strategy. 4. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS The following minimum qualifications must be present for a firm to be considered for award of a contract under this RFQ: o All required licensures, registrations, and certifications to do business in the State of Connecticut, as applicable. Regional Housing Strategy for the Capitol Region: Request for Qualifications o Experience working with public entities to provide consulting services related to planning for affordable housing and housing production. o Project managers assigned to the contract must have at least ten years of relevant experience. o Demonstrated ability to convey complex information in a visually compelling manner and distill into digestible talking points. 5. PREPARING A RESPONSE A. General By submitting a response, respondents represent that they have thoroughly examined and become familiar with the scope of services outlined in this RFQ and are capable of performing the work to achieve the objectives. Responses submitted in response to the RFQ will be publicly available once a contract is executed or negotiations for the award of such contract have ended pursuant to Connecticut General Statutes Section 1-210(b)(24). All documents that the proposer believes to be confidential trade secrets and/or commercial or financial information and except under the above statutes should be clearly marked as such to preserve the Freedom of Information Act exemption for confidential trade secrets pursuant to Connecticut General Statutes (5)(A) and (5)(B). CRCOG may provide reasonable accommodations, including the provision of informational material in an alternative format, for qualified prospective contractors with a disability. Prospective contractors requiring accommodation shall submit requests in writing, with supporting documentation justifying the accommodation, to CRCOG at the following address: CRCOG Re: Accommodation for RFQ: Regional Housing Strategy 350 Church Street, 3rd Floor Hartford, CT 06103 Requests for accommodation must be received by the Deadline for Questions as listed on the cover page. CRCOG reserves the right to grant or reject any request for accommodation. Any questions should be directed in writing via email to Heidi Samokar (hsamokar@crcog.org). No questions will be accepted after 9:00 a.m. on the date indicated on the cover sheet. The clock used will be the timestamp as received by Microsoft 365. CRCOG will post its response to questions and clarifications by the end of the workday on August 26, 2024 on the CRCOG website. It is the respondent's responsibility to check the website for any addenda.