ORDINANCE approving and authorizing contract between the City of Houston and VOLUNTEERS of AMERICA TEXAS, INC, for Re-Entry Services for the Houston Health Department in connection with the Community Re-Entry Network Program; providing a maximum contract amount - 1 Year with four one-year options - $739,241.00 - Grant Fund

Request for Proposals received October 26, 2017 for S69-T26323 – Approve an Ordinance awarding a contract between the City of Houston and Volunteers of America Texas in the amount not to exceed $739,241.00 for the provision of reentry services to newly released offenders from the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) prison or state prison returning to the community for the Houston Health Department (HHD) Community Re-Entry Network Program.

Specific Explanation:
The Director of the Houston Health Department and the Chief Procurement Officer recommend that City Council approve an Ordinance awarding a one (1) year, with four (4) one-year options to Volunteers of America Texas in an amount not to exceed $729,241.00 for the provision of reentry services to formerly released offenders from the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) prisons or state jails returning to the community for the Houston Health Department (HHD) Community Re-Entry Network Program.

The Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) funded a grant opportunity called Community Re-Entry Network Program. The purpose of this program is to provide reentry services with the goal of reducing recidivism by offering permanent employment and housing solutions, and other supportive services either directly or through subcontracts to formerly incarcerated individuals identified through community outreach and referrals and through receiving referrals from the HHD Community Re-Entry Network Program.

The scope of work requires the contractor to operate a pilot program to demonstrate tangible reductions in recidivism rates for individuals who are at the highest risk of returning to incarceration among those re-entering the community from incarceration at a Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) facility. The pilot program shall demonstrate practices that have proven effective in addressing factors that predict recidivism and that lead to successful reintegration into the community after incarceration which include but are not limited to the following:

1. Cognitive and behavioral factors that contribute to breaking the law.
2. Skills and abilities.
3. Individual motivation to successfully reintegrate.
4. Positive reinforcement and ongoing support from family, friends or other supporters.
5. Access to basic needs including, but not limited to income and employment, housing, health services, and transportation.

The Request for Proposals (RFP) was advertised in accordance with the State of Texas bid laws, and thus, proposals were received from five (5) firms: Edwards Institute for Dental Assisting, Volunteers of America Texas, BakerRipley Community Developers, Second Chance Consulting, SER-Jobs for Progress of the Texas Gulf Coast, Inc. The evaluation committee consisted of evaluators from the Houston Health Department. The evaluation was based upon the following criteria:

1. Responsiveness of Proposal
2. Technical Competence
3. Price Proposal

Volunteers of America Texas was deemed as having met all requirements.

M/WBE Participation:
This RFP was issued with an eleven (11%) percentage goal for M/WBE participation.

Pay or Play Program:
The proposed contract requires compliance with the City's 'Pay or Play' Ordinance regarding health benefits for employees of City contractors. In this case, Volunteers of America Texas has selected to provide health benefits to eligible employees in compliance with City policy.

Hire Houston First:
Hire Houston First does not apply to this expenditure because it involves the use of federal funds and is subject to specific procurement rules of the federal government.


Fiscal Note:
Funding for this item is included in the Reentry and Integration Texas Department of Criminal Justice Grant Program. Therefore, no Fiscal Note is required as stated in the Financial Policy Ord. 2014-1078.

$739,241.00 – State Grant Fund (5010)