Department of Housing and Urban Development Awarded a Contract to FEASIBILITY RESEARCH GROUP OHIO LLC for $590,000.00

Summary of Award

The contract under review is an Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDV) agreement between the U.S. federal government and a small business, Feasibility Research Group Ohio LLC, for Rent Comparability Studies (RCS) in the Midwest region. The contracting agency, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), awarded this contract with a total potential value of $590,000. The contract was signed on August 6, 2019, with a performance period extending until August 5, 2024.

This type of contract allows the government to issue orders for goods or services as needed, up to predetermined limits, offering flexibility in responding to changing needs. It is particularly useful for services that don't have consistent or predictable demand. The contract is categorized under Professional Services, specifically Real Property Appraisals, acknowledged by the Product or Service Code R411.

Feasibility Research Group Ohio LLC, operating out of Cleveland, Ohio, specializes in real estate appraisals. The company is characterized as a small U.S.-owned business, participating in several programs intended to support minority and disadvantaged sectors, including the 8(a) Program, and is certified as a Minority-Owned, Black American Owned, and a Small Disadvantaged Business. This indicates the company’s alignment with federal goals to promote diversity and support small enterprises. The contracting process involved full and open competition following the exclusion of sources, with five offers received, showcasing a healthy competitive environment within the small business sector. The procurement used a Negotiated Proposal/Quote process, indicating a collaborative approach where details such as pricing and delivery terms were likely discussed to ensure mutual agreement. Interestingly, the awarded contract doesn’t involve any foreign funding, nor does it require interagency contracting authority, which streamlines its administration within HUD’s framework. The firm fixed price agreement means the contractor is paid a predetermined amount for the delivery of services, offering budget predictability for HUD but placing the performance risk on the contractor. The terms of this contract also reflect on systematic procurement strategies characterized by a Small Business Set-Aside. By prioritizing small and minority-owned business participation, such contracts endorse the efforts for economic inclusiveness and the strengthening of community-based enterprises. Account outlays associated with this contract amount to $427,750, specific to the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s focus on housing program services. The records show a negative obligation entry of $13,766.77, which might suggest adjustments or corrections to initial transactions, possibly due to de-obligations or returned funds related to the scope of work under IDV orders. Though the subaward count and amount remain zero, the possibility exists for subcontracting should the primary contractor see fit or require additional expertise that aligns with their approved obligations. This arrangement keeps the contractual focus streamlined under Feasibility Research Group’s existing capabilities unless circumstances necessitate further collaboration. Additionally, the solicitation used to procure these services involved no preferences nor any requirement under the Clinger Cohen Act, construction wage rates, or specific labor standards, simplifying the compliance landscape. This is typical for service-oriented contracts where technological development and construction-related considerations are minimal or nonexistent. The commitment by HUD to execute this agreement through its Chicago Operations Branch underscores a strategic regional focus for Rent Comparability Studies, integral to programming and housing strategy assessments in the Midwest. RCS are crucial in determining market rents for properties subject to government assistance or regulation, providing a balanced measurement to ensure affordability and fairness. Feasibility Research Group Ohio LLC thereby plays an essential role by producing appraisals that influence policy decisions regarding housing support schemes, rent assistance, and market competitiveness analyses, aligning their work with HUD's broader mission to create strong, sustainable, inclusive communities and quality affordable homes for all. Overall, this IDV contract facilitates a flexible, responsive approach to meet HUD’s evolving requirements surrounding rent comparability in the region, leveraging the expertise of a small, minority-owned business to achieve targeted neighborhood and housing outcomes. This demonstrates the partners’ mutual commitment to ensuring service delivery while fostering economic participation amongst diverse business communities.