title
Authorization to enter into professional service agreement for accessibility consulting services.
presenter
Presenter: Kemena Brooks, Chief of Staff
end
Recommendation
The Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) of the Chicago Housing Authority (“CHA”) recommends that CHA’s Board of Commissioners (“Board”) authorize the CEO or his designee to: 1) enter into a contract with HUSarchitecture Inc. for accessibility consulting services for an aggregate amount not to exceed $2,500,000, consisting of a three (3) year base term in the amount of $1,500,000, and two one (1) year option terms not to exceed $500,000 each; and, 2) implement processes and procedures to manage the contract as well as to approve each request to exercise the options awarded under the contract, if required, with each option term only to be exercised individually and upon expiration of the prior.
Table 1: Recommended Vendors and Contract Amounts by Service Category
|
Recommended Awardee |
Base Term (Years) |
Base Contract Maximum |
Option Year 1 |
Option Year 2 |
Total Contract Maximum |
|
HUSarchitecture Inc. |
3 Years |
$1,500,000 |
$500,000 |
$500,000 |
$2,500,000 |
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
CHA uses the professional services of firms with strong knowledge of accessible design regulations and best practices to provide accessibility review and survey services in connection with the agency’s housing modernization, rehabilitation, new construction, capital maintenance, and other development activities. The primary applicable compliance standards for CHA are Uniform Federal Accessibility Standards (UFAS) and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Under the laws and policies that govern CHA’s capital projects, accessibility services may be needed to confirm CHA complies with the number of accessible units required in a project, with design standards during and after construction, and with requirements for specific accessibility features for accessible units.
The professional services to confirm compliance in these areas may include accessibility assessments; review of architectural drawings, specifications, and other design documents; construction and site inspections; accessibility surveys; preparation and review of scopes of work; accessibility certifications; technical assistance; training; and other accessibility-related services for dwelling and non-dwelling buildings throughout CHA’s portfolio.
The recommended contract awards and contract amounts do not represent a firm commitment to spend the maximum contract amount with the recommended vendor. Services will only be requested based on operational needs and requested on a task order basis. The need for services will arise primarily from capital projects (such as capital repairs in existing buildings, full-building rehabilitation projects, and new construction).
By ensuring CHA maintains a valid contract with a qualified accessibility consultant, CHA will ensure that these services are readily available to meet ongoing compliance and operational requirements. The recommended aggregate contract amounts are based on historical expenditure levels for these services and anticipated service need.
Procurement Activities
Specifications prepared by CHA staff were publicly advertised as RFP Event 3344 for Accessibility Consultant released July 7, 2026. A Pre-Proposal Conference was held on July 16, 2026, and six (6) firms attended. Six (6) proposals were received on July 31, 2026.
The responsive proposals were as follows:
|
Vendor Responses |
|
AltusWorks |
|
Globetrotters Engineering Corporation |
|
HUSarchitecture Inc |
|
METIS Design LLC |
|
Senga Architects |
|
SMNG A |
The recommended vendor was selected through a competitive procurement process in accordance with HUD regulation CFR 200.318 that evaluated responses in the following areas:
1. Specialized Experience and Past Performance - 30 points max
2. Approach and Work Plan - 30 points max
3. Organization Structure and Key Personnel - 10 points max
4. Contract Requirements - 10 points max
5. Proposed Fees - 20 points max
Final scores received from the Evaluation Committee were used to determine the competitive range. Oral Presentations were waived and Best and Final Offers were completed. Based on the overall scoring, CHA staff recommend HUSarchitecture Inc. for award to provide Accessibility Consulting.
Contracting Requirements
The CHA Staff has reviewed the proposed vendors and has determined the vendors' utilization plans meet with the CHA's stated goals.
HUSARCH will satisfy the CHA 20% compliance goal through direct participation, by sub-contracting to M/W/DBE businesses, UrbanWorks certified by Cook County (MBE). Latent certified by City of Chicago (WBE). HUSARCH will satisfy the Section 3 subcontracting goal by subcontracting to Antigua Construction certified as a 75% LI Section 3 Business and A&G Construction G.C. Inc certified as a 51% ROB Section 3 Business.
Vendor Background Information
Chyanne Husar, Founder and CEO, 2202 S Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60608. Chyanne Husar is the Principal of Sustainability and Architecture at HUSarchitecture (HUSARCH), a Chicago‑based firm she founded and continues to lead. She provides overall leadership and oversight of the organization, including strategic direction, project delivery, workforce development, and external partnerships with public agencies and community organizations. Her portfolio emphasizes energy efficiency, building performance, and Section 3 workforce pathways in alignment with housing authority and utility program goals.
Since 2014, Husar has guided HUSARCH through steady growth, completing more than 200 projects across public housing, utility programs, and private property assessments. Under her leadership, the firm secured a national General Services Administration (GSA) contract in 2024 and delivered facade assessment and commissioning services for the Chicago Housing Authority. She also participates in the AIA Small Firm Exchange and convenes equity‑centered energy discussions through the HUSARCH Conversations series.
Husar earned her Bachelor of Architecture degree from the Illinois Institute of Technology and has pursued continuing education in energy efficiency and community resilience programs. She is active in professional networks including the Building Energy Hub and regional sustainability coalitions.
Based on the foregoing, it is in the best interest of the CHA for the Board to authorize the CEO or his designee to enter into contract to provide Accessibility Consultant Services with HUSarchitecture Inc. in the aggregate amount of $2,500.000.
Respectfully Submitted:
______________________
Keith Pettigrew
Chief Executive Officer