Homebuyer Counseling Program

Location:	North Carolina
Posted:	Sep 15, 2025
Due:	Oct 15, 2025
Agency:	State Government of North Carolina
Type of Government:	State & Local
Category:	Q - Medical Services
Solicitation No:	274-HCD-FY26-3
Publication URL:	To access bid details, please log in.

Solicitation Number:	274-HCD-FY26-3
Project Title:	Homebuyer Counseling Program
Description:	The HCD Department seeks proposals from HUD-certified persons or organizations to provide training to first-time home buyers.
Opening Date:	10/15/2025 4:00 PM
Posted Date:	9/15/2025
Status:	Open
Department:	CITY OF RALEIGH


Solicitation Number * 274-HCD-FY26-3	Department CITY OF RALEIGH	Status Reason Open
Opening Date 2025-10-15T16:00:00.0000000	Posted Date * 2025-09-15T12:24:24.0000000Z	Commodity Code Asset recovery service
Mandatory Conference/Site Visit — —	Special Instructions Bid Agent: homebuyer@raleighnc.gov	Solicitation Type * Select RFP IFB RFI

Description The HCD Department seeks proposals from HUD-certified persons or organizations to provide training to first-time home buyers.

Attachments 274-HCD-FY26-3.pdf (492.27 KB)

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Request for Proposals #274-HCD-FY26-3

Title: Homebuyer Counseling Program

Issue Date: September 12, 2025

Due Date: October 15, 2025, no later than 4:00PM EST

*LATE PROPOSALS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED*

Issuing Department: Housing and Community Development

Direct all inquiries concerning this RFP to:

Christine Ratcliff

Homeownership Analyst

Email: homebuyer@raleighnc.gov

(v.041425)

Table of Contents

1. Introduction .............................................................................................. 2

1.1 Purpose ............................................................................................. 2

1.2 Background........................................................................................ 2

1.3 RFP Timeline ..................................................................................... 3

1.4 Pre-Proposal Conference .................................................................. 4

1.5 Proposal Question ............................................................................. 4

1.6 Proposal Submission Requirements & Contact Information .............. 4

1.7 MWBE Participation Form ................................................................. 5

1.8 Rights to Submitted Material.............................................................. 5

1.9 Communications ................................................................................ 6

1.10 Lobbying ............................................................................................ 6

1.11 Conflicts of Interest ............................................................................ 6

1.12 Proposer Expenses ........................................................................... 7

1.13 Proposer Acceptance ........................................................................ 7

2. Proposals ................................................................................................. 8

2.1 Request for Proposals Required Document Format .......................... 8

2.2 RFP Documents .............................................................................. 10

3. Proposal Evaluation .............................................................................. 11

3.1 Proposal Evaluation Criteria (Stage 1)............................................. 11

3.2 Interview/Demonstration (Stage 2) .................................................. 12

3.3 Final Selection ................................................................................. 12

3.4 Notice to Proposers Regarding RFP Terms & Conditions ............... 12

3.5 Contract Term…………………………………………………………….12

4. Scope of Services .................................................................................. 13

4.1 Funding Goals ……………………………………………………………. 13

4.2 Additional Required Materials ……………………………………………14

4.3 Record Keeping ……………………………………………………………14

Appendix I – Proposal Cost Form ................................................................... 15

Appendix II – Proposer Questionnaire ........................................................... 16

Appendix III – Reference Questionnaire (Instructions) ................................. 17

Appendix III – Reference Questionnaire Form ............................................... 18

Appendix IV – MWBE Participation Form ....................................................... 20

Appendix V – Contract Standard Terms & Conditions.................................. 21

Appendix VI – Exceptions to RFP ................................................................... 31

(v.041425)

1 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Purpose

The City of Raleigh (COR) is solicitating proposals from one or more firm(s) with which

to contract for the following services:

The City of Raleigh’s Housing and Community Development (HCD) Department is

making available approximately $38,000 to a firm (“Consultant”) located in the Raleigh

area to provide Homebuyer Counseling.

The HCD Department seeks proposals from HUD-certified persons or organizations to

provide training to first-time home buyers. Raleigh annually spends about $12 million on

housing and community development activities, including housing rehabilitation, second

mortgages, housing development loans and support services for low to moderate

income renters and first-time home buyers. Funding sources include federal Community

Development Block Grant, HOME Investment Partnership funds, and local affordable

housing funds.

A detailed scope of services is provided in Section 4 of this document.

All information related to this solicitation, including any addenda, will be posted to the

North Carolina electronic Vendor Portal (eVP) at https://evp.nc.gov/.

All questions related to this solicitation must be submitted in writing (via email) to the

following individual:

Contact Name

Christine Ratcliff

Email Address

homebuyer@raleighnc.gov

Questions submitted via telephone will not be answered.

1.2 Background

The City of Raleigh, the Capital City of North Carolina, remains one of the fastest growing

areas in the country. A great economy, top educational institutions, and exceptional health

care facilities are some of the characteristics that attract people to the triangle area. The

mild climate, diverse work force and proximity to Research Triangle Park combine to make

Raleigh a great place to live.

Raleigh is a 21st Century City of Innovation focusing on environmental, cultural, and

economic sustainability. The City conserves and protects our environmental resources

through best practice and cutting-edge conservation and stewardship, land use,

infrastructure and building technologies. The City welcomes growth and diversity through

policies and programs that will protect and enhance Raleigh’s existing neighborhoods,

natural amenities, history, and cultural and human resources for future generations. The

City leads to improve quality of life for neighborhoods and standard of living for all citizens.

The City works with universities, colleges, citizens, and local partners to promote new

technology, create new job opportunities, and encourage local businesses and

entrepreneurs. The City enlists and prepares 21st Century staff with the skill sets to carry

out the duties of the City through transparent civic engagement and by providing the very

best customer service to our citizens.

The 2013 HOME Final Rule includes a requirement that any homebuyer that receives

HOME down payment assistance or buys a HOME-assisted unit must have housing

counseling. Any homebuyer that enters into a written agreement for HOME assistance

(i.e., down payment or closing cost assistance) or enters into a sales contract for the

purchase of a HOME-assisted unit must receive housing counseling. HUD recommends

that HOME-participating cities review and adopt the benchmarks for counseling

established by the National Industry Standards for Homeownership Education and

Counseling available at: https://homeownershipstandards.org/home/Standards.aspx.

The City of Raleigh will follow this recommendation from HUD in the evaluation of

proposals submitted in this Request for Qualifications (RFQ) process, as well as the

threshold standard (which means individuals and firms not in conformance will not be

considered eligible for competing in the RFQ process) that ONLY organizations and

individuals that have at least one year of experience as a HUD-certified

counseling agency or counselor may submit proposals.

1.3 Request for Proposal (RFP) Timeline

Provided below is a list of the anticipated schedule of events related to this solicitation.

The City of Raleigh reserves the right to modify and/or adjust the following schedule to

meet the needs of the service. All times shown are Eastern Time (EST):

RFP Process

Date and Time

RFP Date

September 12, 2025

Pre-Proposal Meeting/Site-Visit

(if required)

None

Deadline for Written Questions

September 24, 2025, at 4:00 PM ET

City Response to Questions

(anticipated)

October 3, 2025

Proposal Due Date and Time

Evaluation Meeting (anticipated)

Interviews (if required)

October 15, 2025, at 4:00 PM ET

October 29, 2025

November 5, 2025

Selection Announced (tentative)

November 19, 2025

1.4 Pre-Proposal Conference

If the City of Raleigh elects to conduct a Pre-Proposal Conference or Site Visit, attendance

by prospective proposers is strongly encouraged but is not mandatory. Prospective

Proposers are encouraged to submit written questions in advance. Date, time, and

location of pre-proposal conference is shown above in the RFP Timeline (Section 1.3).

1.5 Proposal Questions

Requests for clarification and questions to this RFP must be received by the City not later

than the date shown above in the RFP Timeline (Section 1.3) for the submittal of written

inquires. The firm’s failure to request clarification and submit questions by the date in the

RFP Timeline above shall be considered to constitute the firm’s acceptance of all City’s

terms and conditions and requirements. The City shall issue addenda reflecting

questions and answers to this RFP, if any, and shall be posted to North Carolina electronic

Vendor Portal (eVP). No information, instruction or advice provided orally or informally by

any City personnel, whether made in response to a question or otherwise in connection

with this RFP, shall be considered authoritative or binding. Proposers can only rely on

written material contained in an Addendum to this RFP.

It is important that all Proposers submitting to this RFP periodically check eVP for

any Addenda. It is the Proposers responsibility to ensure that all addenda have

been reviewed and, if required signed and returned.

All questions related to this solicitation must be submitted in writing (via email) to the

following individual:

Contact Name

Christine Ratcliff

Email Address

homebuyer@raleighnc.gov

Questions submitted via telephone will not be answered.

1.6 Proposal Submission Requirements and Contact Information

Proposals must follow the format as defined in Section 2 (PROPOSALS), and be

addressed and submitted as follows:

DELIVERED BY E-MAIL

City of Raleigh

ATTN: Christine Ratcliff

421 Fayetteville Street

Suite 1200

Raleigh, NC 27601

RFP Title: Homebuyer Counseling Program

RFP No. 274-HCD-FY26-3

FLASH DRIVE SUBMISSION

City of Raleigh

ATTN: Christine Ratcliff

421 Fayetteville Street

Suite 1200

Raleigh, NC 27601

RFP No. 274-HCD-FY26-3

This is the opportunity summary page. It provides an overview of this opportunity and a preview of the attached documentation.

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Homebuyer Counseling Program

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