Update: OHCS to Remain PBCA for Short Term, With Opportunity to Re-Compete for Contract

On August 11, HUD publically released a letter sent to applicants for the recent Performance-Based Contract Administrator (PBCA) awards announcing that most states will be “re-competed” soon. The decision affects the 42 states, including Oregon, where more than one entity applied to be the PBCA and a protest of the award was filed. HUD aims to release a Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) within 60 days, as opposed to the Invitation for Submission of Applications that it used previously, that will address the concerns of protesting entities that the original bidding process did not adequately disclose how it would evaluate applications. Currently, it is unclear the extent to which switching to a NOFA will affect the application and award process.

In the meantime, current PBCAs, such as Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS), will be offered a six-month contract extension so that owners of properties with HUD project-based rental assistance contracts will continue to receive payments. However, this extension will include reduced tasks and a lower administrative fee than in the existing contract, though further details were not released. As such, it is also unclear how this new development will affect staffing levels at OHCS moving forward.

— Posted on 8/11/2011