STRATEGIC PRIORITY: Human and Social Needs
AGENDA DATE: October 13, 2020
COUNCIL DISTRICT(S): All
DEPARTMENT: Office of Community Care
EXECUTIVE: Kimberly Bizor Tolbert
______________________________________________________________________
SUBJECT
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Authorize an amendment to Resolution No. 20-1431, previously approved on September 23, 2020, to increase funding for the subrecipient agreement with Services of Hope Entities, Inc., in the amount of $194,451.50, from $194,451.50 to $388,903.00, and authorize the City Manager to execute all documents necessary to implement the making food accessible services project, including amendments - Not to exceed $194,451.50 - Financing: U.S. Department of Treasury - Coronavirus Relief Funds (This item was held under advisement on September 23, 2020)
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BACKGROUND
The City of Dallas is the 9th largest city in the United States and the third largest in Texas. While 20% of Dallas County faces food insecurity, specifically in the city of Dallas, nearly 38% of the population lives in a food desert. The COVID-19 pandemic and resulting economic downturn have exacerbated these disparities, creating increased demand for local food pantries and distribution sites. Many residents of our City are experiencing job loss, pay loss, added expenses and other issues making it difficult to afford healthy and nutritious foods. Additionally, individuals who may be diagnosed with COVID-19 or quarantined due to exposure, may find themselves too sick or otherwise unable to travel and purchase food.
In order to address these needs, the City of Dallas allocated a portion of funding from the CARES Coronavirus Relief Funding to support local nonprofit organizations in the implementation of programming to address food insecurity and support access to food. Services were sought to support 1) Contactless grocery pickup for vulnerable populations, including food distribution, grocery pick/up and/or delivery for clients, or similar services that enable access and 2) Delivery of fresh food to COVID-19 confirmed patients while in isolation.
The City issued a Request for Applications (RFA) to solicit potential subrecipients to administer these programs. The RFA stated that target populations should include the below listed and that Applicants should seek to serve individuals living in communities of concentrated poverty:
• All services should target low income individuals via individual client eligibility, client population eligibility and/or service site or location
• Individuals living in communities with high prevalence of COVID-19
• Individuals living in identified food deserts
• Individuals who are part of populations identified by the 2016/2017 Mayors Task Force on Poverty
• Individuals living in communities of concentrated poverty, defined as 40% or more residents living in poverty
• Individuals identified as higher risk by COVID Risk Impact Assessment
• For # 2, individuals with a COVID-19 diagnosis who are members of the above-identified targets and/or who are low income, experiencing transportation challenges (this can be due to COVID-19) and living in any Dallas zip code
On September 23, 2020, City Council authorized five subrecipient agreements for making food accessible services. Among the authorized agreements was a contract with Services of Hope Entities, Inc. in the amount of $194,451.50, representing half of the original recommended award amount. At Council direction, the remaining $194,451.50 was held under advisement for consideration on October 13, 2020 so that staff could provide City Council members with additional information about the agreement.
SUBRECIPIENT SELECTION PROCESS
A three-member panel reviewed and scored the applications representing the below departments:
- Office of Community Care (1)
- Office of Innovation (1)
- Office of Planning and Urban Design (1)
Applications were evaluated according to the below points allocations. Within the below allocations, specific points in the scoring were allocated to the organization’s demonstrated capacity to expend funding and deliver services in a timely manner and organization’s demonstrated ability to reach and serve identified target populations.
|
Organizational Capacity |
Program and Budget |
|
40 pts |
60 pts. |
As part of the selection process and in an effort to increase the number of applications, the Office of Community Care worked with the Office of Procurement Services (OPS) to send out 365 email invitations to vendors, including nonprofits, registered under respective commodities using the OPS procurement system.
Due to the expenditure deadlines related to the CARES Act funding, the RFA was posted for approximately two weeks. A total of 11 submissions were received.
The City received the following proposals from the solicitation:
1. Abounding Prosperity, Inc.
2. Citizens Development Center dba Achieve
3. CitySquare
4. Dallas Leadership Foundation
5. Equal Heart
6. First Presbyterian Church of Dallas, Texas dba The Stewpot
7. Hope City Dream Center
8. Miles of Freedom
9. Services of Hope Entities, Inc.
10. The Chocolate MINT Foundation
11. The Visiting Nurse Association of Texas
Contracts with the following organizations were authorized on September 23, 2020:
|
Organization |
Rank (Scoring Average) |
Services |
Request Amount |
Award Amount |
Percentage of Request |
|
First Presbyterian Church of Dallas, Texas dba The Stewpot |
1 (90.3) |
Food distribution program for clients who are newly in need and experiencing food insecurity due to COVID |
$111,503.00 |
$105,928.00 |
95% |
|
Citizens Development Center dba Achieve |
2 (88.7) |
Delivery of food boxes to multiple local agencies to distribute to eligible clients |
$100,000.00 |
$90,000.00 |
90% |
|
The Visiting Nurse Association of Texas |
3 (87.7) |
Delivery of supplemental food boxes containing non-perishable groceries to hungry, homebound seniors |
$153,000.00 |
$137,700.00 |
90% |
|
Services of Hope Entities, Inc. |
4 (84.7) |
Weekly food distribution and delivery to seniors and homebound families targeting 23 Dallas zip codes |
$496.080.00 |
$194,451.50 authorized of $388,903.00 |
39% |
|
CitySquare |
5 (80.33) |
Contactless grocery pick-up, including walk up and drive up options, for vulnerable populations |
$149,963.00 |
$127,469.00 |
85% |
PRIOR ACTION/REVIEW (COUNCIL, BOARDS, COMMISSIONS)
On April 22, 2020, City Council authorized the acceptance of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) to aid the COVID-19 response throughout the City by Resolution No. 20-0644.
City Council was briefed on the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES) funds to facilitate assistance to eligible communities and households economically impacted by COVID-19 on June 17, 2020.
On September 23, 2020, City Council authorized five subrecipient agreements for making food accessible services with (1) Citizens Development Center dba Achieve in the amount of $90,000.00; (2) CitySquare in the amount of $127,469.00; (3) First Presbyterian Church of Dallas, Texas dba The Stewpot in the amount of $105,928.00; (4) Services of Hope Entities, Inc. in the amount of $194,451.50 with the directive from City Council to return for approval of the remaining $194,451.50 on October 13, 2020; and (5) The Visiting Nurse Association of Texas in the amount of $137,700.00, for the period September 1, 2020 (or upon contract execution) through December 31, 2020.
On September 23, 2020, half of the amount was approved and remaining amount was held under advisement by Councilmember Chad West.
City Council will be updated by memorandum regarding questions related to this contract on October 2, 2020.
FISCAL INFORMATION
|
Fund |
FY 2020 |
FY 2021 |
Future Years |
|
U.S. Department of Treasury - Coronavirus Relief Funds |
$0.00 |
$194,451.50 |
$0.00 |
OWNER
Services of Hope Entities, Inc.
Daniel B. Prescott, Jr., Executive Director