Page 14

DEO LIHEAP Policies and Procedures Manual Page 14

PHASE ONE

DEO will notify all current LIHEAP provider subrecipients, county commissions within the unserved counties, and other interested parties. The notice will announce the date for a public informational meeting to be held in the unserved county(ies) to inform potential provider entities of the requirements of the LIHEAP program and to provide information concerning the qualification process and timeline. This announcement will be published in the Florida Administrative Register, local newspaper(s) in circulation in the unserved areas and be sent to other interested parties. This notice will also:

A. Inquire if there are any existing LIHEAP provider subrecipients or other non-profit or public organizations geographically located in the unserved county, or an area contiguous to or within reasonable proximity of the unserved area, if they are interested in providing LIHEAP services to the unserved county(ies).

B. State that special consideration shall be given to an organization with demonstrated effectiveness in providing a broad range of services to low-income populations. Priority shall be given to existing LIHEAP provider subrecipients in good standing with DEO that are providing related services in the unserved area or in areas contiguous to or within reasonable proximity of the unserved area.

C. Provide information on submitting a Letter of Interest and obtaining a “Request for Qualifications” package.

D. Announce the due date of the “Request for Qualifications” package.

E. Announce the anticipated annual LIHEAP award amount for each unserved county.

Within 30 days of the date of the public announcement:

DEO will conduct a public informational meeting in the unserved county(ies). The county commission in the unserved county(ies) may either elect to hold this informational meeting on behalf of DEO or notify DEO that it chooses to not hold the meeting, in which case DEO will conduct the meeting.

After the public informational meeting is held, a second public announcement will be published in: the Florida Administrative Register, the local newspaper(s) in circulation in the unserved areas and be sent to other interested parties. The announcement will provide proposal instructions and deadlines for filing a Letter of Interest. Interested entities who wish to be considered will mail the following to DEO and to the unserved county’s commission chairperson:

(a.) A Letter of Interest signed by the chief executive officer/executive director of the organization, or mayor/county administrator of the county organization stating their interest in becoming the LIHEAP service provider in the unserved county(ies); and