Physical Inspection and Inspection Review Services
Introduction
Housing and Finance Consultants is responding to this request due to the fact this company fits perfectly for all aspects of this contract. In this brief introduction I will explain why HFC is not only a strong candidate for the sources sought but should be considered for awarding as a sole source. The POC Ben Washington has an excellent and storied background in Government Contract Administration, Compliance Regulations and Physical Quality. Mr. Washington is the only Public Housing Administrator and REAC Contactor for HUD and has been listed as an expert witness in Government Housing. Mr. Washington’s career began and a Quality Control Auditor and Bank Examiner for a local National Bank. As CEO of HFC, LLC Mr. Washington has handled similar contracts in size to the proposed. Mr. Washington biggest contract consisted of implementing the award of a Major Contract after Hurricane Katrina, the contract was for Maintenance, Inspections, Installation and Deactivation of more than 4,000 FEMA Travel Trailers. He started from ground zero and hired a staff of 40 plus employees and designed the web-based data system (Approved and accessible to FEMA) to handle the issuance of all task orders. The monthly billing cycle was also managed through this system. Of the 7 to 10 Contractors awarded during this period HFC was able to maintain with half the staff of the other contractors.
HFC is very familiar with the current reverse auction process of REAC Inspection bidding and has a database of current REAC Inspectors. HFC is aware that coordinating inspectors logistic will be the major factor in carrying out this contract. We are also aware of the need to target alternative sources of inspectors; we plan to carry this out by indentifying Home Inspectors in each State and training them for REAC Inspectors. HFC will plan to pre train these inspectors prior to Phase I Training. (HFC recommends that a mobilization/training CLIN Item be added for this purpose- i.e. Zero REAC Inspectors in Mississippi and limited in other states).
Currently as the Draft Proposal is written and based on my past experience with CLIN 0006, the 50 mile travel rule needs to be refined; If not properly interpreted it will greatly skew the bid value.
It is also HFC’s assumption the contracts will be issued to multiple bidders and regionalized. It’s HFC, Knowledge and experience that REAC Inspections are more conducive for carrying out the task order high in quantity and HQS Inspections that are high by density. And obviously those tasks that are high in quantity and density will be more economically feasible. Therefore the pricing structure will be different in the Southeast than that of the Northeast.
HFC, LLC has performed REAC Training for Public Housing Authorities and Management Companies. Implementing Quality Control is Mr. Washington’s core training. His Quality Control knowledge and training is always revealing due to the fact he has always had extensive experience on both sides of the applicable system.
Profile
Housing and Finance Consultants, LLC (HFC) is a small business that offers full-service, project management, and consulting company. We offer extensive experience in construction management, Low-Income housing, inspections and consulting service. We have the common sense to implement cost-effective, reliable solutions for your construction projects. Our approach to serving our clientele is simple. We do quality work for a reasonable price. We establish a site-specific team approach, and hold ourselves accountable for our work. HFC focuses on providing quality services that offer innovative, cost-effective alternative approaches wherever possible whether they are schedule, cost, technical, or regulatory-driven.
Furthermore, our project management solutions provide a continuous stream of project information that is tailored to specific project needs, from individual on-site project management to executive level multi-project program oversight. The principal formed the firm to implement his unique hands-on approach to planning and project management, backed by customized program management information systems development and innovative use of emerging, internet-based technologies.
Housing and Finance consulting services are center around the implementation of providing sound business solutions in all realms of Business Administration. HFC, LLC posses a strong background in business operations from financial evaluation, to regulatory compliance to policy implementation.
Company Information
Housing and Finance Consultants, is a small start-up company that began in 2005. Over a relatively short time frame the company has been impacted by conducting large performances for Government Agencies. The company is owned and operated by Bennett (Ben) Washington. Ben has an extensive background in housing that evolved over a 22 year span that began with his Banking background. Over his career has Ben has served as a Bank Examiner and senior loan officer for a local national bank and Tax Credit Officer for the State Housing Finance Agency. As senior loan officer Ben was introduced to low-moderate-housing through his banking relationship with the local housing authority and the City of Jackson Housing and Planning Department. Ben also served as the Contract Administrator for HUD’s Section 8 HAP Program in Mississippi, maintaining responsibilities for over 15,000 rental units in the State. Ben is a certified HUD REAC Inspector. He has OSHA Training, he has completed the Army Corp of Engineers class for Quality Construction Management for Contractors (5 year certification), and completed FEMA class for Coastal Construction (2006).
Housing and Finance Consultants, LLC has performed services for Banks, HUD, FEMA, private management groups and various housing authorities throughout the Southeast. The company is currently operating under contracts with HUD and a Subcontracting Partnering agreement with Tri County Contractors as a prime for Motorola. Our DUNS number is 604108121 and we operate under NAICS code 541350. Our FEI is 20-8182317. Our registration/profile in the Central Contractor Registry is current.