Label
Benevate, Inc. dba Neighborly Software
Dept. of Housing and Community Development
Clemens (x3647)
Revised
Title
Authorizing the Mayor to enter into an amended software license agreement with Benevate, Inc. dba Neighborly Software for the continued operation and development of online application processing portal(s) for existing and future City of Toledo grant programs including but not limited to the Emergency Rental Assistance, Emergency Mortgage Assistance, Rooftops, Sidewalks Grant, and Housing Stability Innovation Grant; waiving the competitive bidding requirements of TMC Chapter 187; and declaring an emergency.
Body
SUMMARY & BACKGROUND:
Benevate Inc. is the producer and sole source vendor of Neighborly Software’s Housing, Economic and Community Development hosted software platforms. Their online platforms allow for the efficient intake, review, funding and administration of federally assisted housing and community development programs. These online platforms are tailored to meet eligibility and compliance requirements of federal funding, allow for assigning of internal and external reviewers to score and make funding decisions, incorporate automated email and letter response features, provide reporting and mapping of program beneficiaries, contain multiple language features; and can be accessed via smart phone, tablet or a computer.
The City entered into an agreement with Benevate, Inc. on April 14, 2021, for the purpose of developing and implementing a customized online application and program administration portal for City of Toledo Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program (EMAP), funded with CDBG-CV2, and the Toledo Lucas County Emergency Rental Assistance Program (TLCERAP), funded with U.S. Department of Treasury Stimulus funding. The City expanded the portal to include the ARPA Rooftops program (authorized by ordinance 483-22) and in 2023 will be including Housing Stability Innovation program (funded by General Fund and ERA2) and the CIP Sidewalks program (funded by Capital Improvement Funds, in partnership with the Engineering Services Department). The Department of Housing and Community Development is satisfied with the platform and its ability to efficiently streamline the application process and award of assistance to eligible beneficiaries.
This ordinance provides that subject to appropriations the Mayor is authorized to enter into an amended agreement with Benevate, Inc. and expend an amount not to exceed $200,000 for continued service, operation, and development, with future appropriations of the various program portals (including emergency rental assistance, mortgage assistance, rooftops, sidewalks, and housing stability) for a period not to exceed five (5) years.
This ordinance authorizes the waiver of the competitive procurement requirements of TMC Chapter 187 as initially authorized by Ordinance 114-21 in order to continue the use of a portal(s) for various programs through the Department of Housing and Community Development.
Continuing to contract with Benevate, Inc. will allow the City and its partners to continue the administration of both programs without interruption through the period of performance for each program.
Summary
NOW, THEREFORE, Be it ordained by the Council of the City of Toledo:
SECTION 1. That the Mayor is authorized to enter into an amended agreement with Benevate, Inc. for continued service, operation, and development of the various city-wide program portals (including but not limited to emergency rental assistance, mortgage assistance, rooftops, sidewalks, and housing stability) for a period not to exceed five (5) years.
SECTION 2. That subject to appropriations the Mayor is authorized to expend an amount not to exceed $200,000 annually for continued service, operation, and development of the various city-wide program portals (including but not limited to emergency rental assistance, mortgage assistance, rooftops, sidewalks, and housing stability) for a period not to exceed five (5) years.
SECTION 3. That this Council finds and determines it is in the best interest of the City to extend the waiver of the competitive bidding requirements of TMC Chapter 187 for the reason that the efficient and accessible application and administration of the mortgage and rental assistance programs has allowed the Division of Housing to include additional programs to allow further efficient engagement with constituents in benefits programs to improve living conditions and quality of life.
SECTION 4. That the Director of Finance is authorized to draw warrant or warrants against approved appropriations in an amount not to exceed $200,000 annually in payment of the above-authorized obligations upon presentation of the proper voucher or vouchers.
SECTION 5. That this Ordinance is declared to be an emergency and shall be in force and effect from and after its passage. The reason for the emergency lies in the fact that this ordinance is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, safety and property of the city and for the further reason that this ordinance must be immediately effective in order to maintain the current operation and administration of this portal(s) to assist with the administration of city-wide grant programs including but not limited to CDBG-CV2, U.S. Department of Treasury Stimulus funds for emergency mortgage and rental assistance, Capital Improvement, General fund, and ARPA funds for sidewalks, rooftops, and housing stability innovation.
Vote on emergency clause: yeas _____, nays _____.
Passed: _________________, as an emergency measure: yeas _____, nays _____.
Attest: ________________________ __________________________________
Clerk of Council President of Council
Approved: _____________________ __________________________________
Mayor