title
Authorization to award and execute Professional Service Agreements for the Summer Youth Employment Program.
presenter
Presenter: Mary Howard, Chief Administrative & Resident Services Officer
Recommendation
The Interim Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) of the Chicago Housing Authority (“CHA”) recommends that the CHA Board of Commissioners (“Board”) approve the award of contract to the below listed contractor(s) in the approximate aggregate value of $28,561,650 consisting of an aggregate original contract value of $11,067,101 for a two year base term from April 1, 2025 through March 31, 2027; and three one year option years in the combined amount of $17,494,549 to provide summer youth employment program services.
The Board further authorizes the CEO to approve each request to exercise the options awarded under the contract and re-allocate contract values amongst awardees, as necessary.
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Recommended Awardee |
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Bright Leadership Institute |
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Centers for New Horizons |
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Lifeline to Hope, Inc. |
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Metropolitan Family Services |
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Near West Side Community Development Corporation |
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The Kindness Campaign |
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UCAN |
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Total: $28,561,650 |
The requested action complies in all material respects with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, and CHA policies. CHA staff has completed all necessary due diligence to support the submission of this initiative.
Funding
MTW Funds
Background
Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) is part of the Mayor’s One Summer Chicago initiative, which brings together government institutions, community-based organizations, and companies to offer over 30,000 employment and internship opportunities to youth and young adults. Chicago Housing Authority (CHA) participation in SYEP contributes to the One Summer Chicago total enrollment goal.
SYEP is a six-week program that typical operates from late June through early August, offering meaningful, paid work and skill development for youth ages 15 - 24. CHA has provided summer employment programming for CHA youth since 2009.
CHA will offer SYEP to 1,600 youth annually. Youth are paid City of Chicago minimum wage for up to 120 hours of work experience. Our goal is to foster safe and inclusive spaces for academic and career development through virtual and in person services, using a holistic approach.
Procurement Activities
Specifications prepared by CHA staff were publicly advertised as Request for Proposals (RFP) Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) Event # 3265 on November 22, 2024. A pre-proposal was held on December 4, 2024. Nine (9) responses were received on January 7, 2025. The respondents to the RFP are listed in the table below:
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Vendor Responses |
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Airzone Heating & Cooling |
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BBF Centers for the Arts |
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Centers for New Horizons |
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Kay Ray World of Services |
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Metropolitan Family Services |
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Near West Side CDC |
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Changing Oasis, Inc |
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Helping Greater Community |
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Kleo Community Family Life Center |
The following three (3) bids were deemed Non-Responsive due to failing to provide the required submittal documents: Changing Oasis, Inc., Helping Greater Community and Kleo Community Family Life Center.
The recommended vendor(s) were selected through a competitive procurement process in accordance with HUD regulation CFR 200.318 that evaluated responses in the following areas:
1. Approach and Work Plan (Technical) 55 points
2. Past Performance (Technical) 15 points
3. Qualifications of Key Personnel (Technical) 10 points
4. Diversity and Inclusion Goals 10 points
5. Proposed Fees 10 Points
Final scores received from the Evaluation Committee were used to determine to be in the competitive range. The top highest scoring firm and final offers were received. Based on the overall scoring, CHA staff recommends Centers for New Horizons, Metropolitan Family Services and Near West Side CDC for award to provide Summer Youth Employment Program services as needed to CHA for 850 of 1600 youth.
In an effort to ensure all 1600 CHA youths are served, CHA used the exigency procurement approach to directly engage numerous social service entities to fill the remaining 750 slots in compliance with HUD rule CFR 200.320 (c) (3). Quotes requested and were received on February 14, 2025 as depicted in the table below:
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Exigency Vendor Responses |
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UCAN |
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Lifeline To Hope |
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Bright Leadership Institute |
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Kindness Campaign |
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Next Wave Stem |
After reviewing the proposed quotes and negotiating with the above referenced respondents, CHA staff recommends awards to UCAN, Lifeline To Hope, Bright Leadership Institute, and Kindness Campaign to provide Summer Youth Employment Program services for the remaining 750 youth.
Diversity Contracting Requirements
CHA staff has reviewed the proposed vendors and has determined the vendors utilization plans meets with the CHA’s stated goals.
Centers for New Horizon will satisfy the CHA 20% M/W/DBE compliance goal through a combination of partial waiver request, direct and indirect subcontracting with the following certified firms: Arrow Supply Company (DBE) at 0.73%, S.V Enterprise of Illinois (DBE) at 3.55%, Educational Advantage (WBE) at 0.82% as the direct subcontractors and C&C Dairy (WBE) at 0.42%, Alexis Taubert (WBE) at 0.13%, and RB Pest Solutions (DBE) at 0.13%, as the indirect subcontractors. Additionally, the prime vendor will be self-performing as a Section 3 Business Concern at 94.44% direct participation. The vendor is a 75+ LI Hours. The prime has served as a prime on eight (8) contracts and a sub on two (2). The vendor met M/W/DBE requirements with a combination of Direct/Indirect subcontracting commitments and via Full /Partial Waiver. The projects span through 2008 to current.
Metropolitan Family Services will satisfy the CHA 20% M/W/DBE compliance goal through a combination of partial waiver and subcontracting with VersityLink (MBE) at 13.42% certified by National Minority Supplier Development Council. Since these are direct services to our residents Section 3 subcontracting is not required, however, the vendor has also provided an Other Economic Opportunity commitment to “providing financial literacy and training services to 400 youth each summer. MFS will leverage our staff at our Financial Opportunities Center to provide financial literacy workshops/presentations and individualized services. Sign in sheets will be used to document attendance and an excel spreadsheet will document the total number of youths. Quantifiable Value - $50,000 for the two-year base contract and three optional add on years. MFS also proposes to provide mental health workshops to 400 youth each summer. MFS will leverage our behavioral health staff to provide mental health workshops/presentations. Sign in sheets will be used to document attendance and an excel spreadsheet will document the total number of youths. Quantifiable Value -$50,000 for the two- year base and three optional add on years. The total economic opportunities for the two-year base term plus the three optional years is a total of $100,000. The vendor has been awarded seven (7) contracts as a prime of which two (2) are currently open. The vendor has met compliance on contracts through a combination of direct, indirect and waiver request.
Near West Side Dev. Corp. will satisfy the CHA 20% M/W/DBE compliance goal through a combination of partial waiver and direct subcontracting with the following certified firms: Essex Technology (MBE) at 0.91%, Ammons Transportation (MBE) at 0.34%, Educational Advantage (WBE) at 1.30%, Holistic Care for Women & Children (WBE) at 7.80%,%), all certified by the City of Chicago, and Windy City Silk Screen (WBE, 0.52%) certified by NWBE. Since these are direct services to our residents Section 3 subcontracting is not required, however, the vendor has elected to subcontract with Ms. B’s Kitchen, a 51%+ CHA ROB S3BC at 0.26%. This vendor has been awarded seven (7) contracts as a prime of which one (1) are currently open. The vendor has met compliance on contracts through a combination of direct, indirect and waiver request.
Bright Leadership Institute will satisfy the CHA 20% M/W/DBE compliance goal through a combination of partial waiver, direct and indirect participation utilizing. Since these are direct services to our residents Section 3 subcontracting is not required. The vendor has no previous/current award contracts with CHA.
Lifeline to Hope will satisfy the CHA 20% M/W/DBE compliance goal through a combination of partial waiver, direct and indirect participation. The vendor Bon Manger Catering and Events will serve as a direct/indirect subcontractor an MBE (2.34%) certified by the National Minority Supplier Development Council. Since these are direct services to our residents Section 3 subcontracting is not required. The vendor has no previous/current award contracts with CHA.
The Kindness Campaign will satisfy the CHA 20% M/W/DBE compliance goal through a combination of waiver, direct and possible indirect participation. The vendor will be subcontracting directly with United Promotions Group an MBE (1.3%), certified by Cook County. Additionally, the vendor is currently working on obtaining funding to build a grocery store + café, as a solution to food apartheid historically marginalized communities. This project will include funding from Illinois department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity which also has 28% M/WBE requirements. The contract awards to subcontractors are still pending. Since these are direct services to our residents Section 3 subcontracting is not required. The vendor has no previous/current award contracts with CHA.
UCAN will satisfy the CHA 20% M/W/DBE compliance goal through an indirect subcontracting with VersityLink (MBE) at 20.12% certified by National Minority Supplier Development Council. Since these are direct services to our residents Section 3 subcontracting is not required. This vendor has been awarded seven (7) contracts as a prime of which one (1) is currently open. The vendor has met compliance on contracts through a combination of direct, indirect and waiver request.
Vendor Background Information
Renell Perry, Executive Director; 5820 West Chicago Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60651.
Bright Leadership Institute (BLI) was founded in 2008 and provides development and training to leaders in Black Chicago communities. BLI develops and trains youth and adults through education, seminars, workshops, work experience, with the goal of increasing exposure to resources that are vital to their mental, physical, and fiscal health. Through community leadership and career connection, BLI focuses on youth and young adults, providing a holistic approach by connecting them to mentoring and enrichment programs, career and entrepreneurship opportunities, leadership opportunities within in their community.
Lakisha McFadden, CEO/Executive Director; 4150 South King Drive, Chicago, IL 60653.
Centers for New Horizons (CNH), founded in 1971, assists children, youth, and families in becoming self-reliant, improving the quality of their lives, and participating in rebuilding their community. With 200+ full-time staff, most of whom live in or near its service communities, Centers provides programs in 10 locations throughout Chicago that reach over 6,000 families daily.
Autry Phillips, Executive Director; 2308 W. Harrison St., Chicago, IL 60612.
Lifeline to Hope was established because of an anti-violence debriefing on the southside of Chicago. The goal was to prevent youth from joining gangs and engaging in negative activities, by changing their mindset. For over two decades the Executive Director has personally engaged in this effort as the organization strives to create thriving and sustainable communities in which all residents have access to social and financial equity.
Ricardo Estrada, President & CEO; 101 North Wacker Drive, 17th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606.
Metropolitan Family Services (MFS) has been serving the Chicago area since 1857. MFS provides employment training and placement services; early childhood education services; before and afterschool programs; adult protection services; mental health services and more. MFS has offered programming in collaboration with CHA for the FamilyWorks Program, Resident Service Coordination and Summer Youth Employment Program.
Earnest Gates, Executive Director; 216 South Hoyne Avenue, Chicago, IL 60612.
Near West Side Dev. Corp (NWS), founded in 1988, has been organizing and providing supportive services to low and moderate income residents in the West Haven community. NWS works with residents to develop, design, and execute sustainable strategies for the comprehensive development of the community. NWS provides job preparation, life skills training, financial literacy, social services and more. NWS has offered programming in collaboration with CHA for the FamilyWorks Program and Summer Youth Employment Program.
Christopher Watts, Chief Executive Officer; 703 E. 75th St., Chicago, IL 60619
The Kindness Campaign (TKC) works to initiate social change and improvement using innovative new ideas and engaging community stakeholders. TKC strives to dismantle systemic, structural racism to achieve equity. The four pillars that drive TKC initiatives are: Health Equity; Education Equity, Workforce Equity and Public Equity. Summer Youth Employment & Training is a core component of the Workforce Equity pillar.
Christa Hamilton, CEO 3605 W. Fillmore St. Chicago IL 60624. UCAN has operated programs for Chicagoland's most disadvantaged youth since its founding 152 years ago. UCAN’s Career Services help families achieve economic and social self-sufficiency. UCAN has offered programming in collaboration with CHA for the FamilyWorks Program, Employment Placement Services and Summer Youth Employment Program.
Based on the foregoing, it is in the best interest of the CHA for the Board to authorize the Interim CEO or her designee, to enter into a contract(s) for Summer Youth Employment Program services with: Bright Leadership Institute, Centers for New Horizons, Lifeline to Hope, Metropolitan Family Services, Near West Side Community Development Corporation, The Kindness Campaign and UCAN in the aggregate amount of $28,561,650.
Respectfully Submitted:
______________________
Angela Hurlock
Interim Chief Executive Officer