Submitted By: James Haynes
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Presentation By: James Haynes
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Department: Community Development Services
FORMAL TITLE:
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Contract for rehabilitation of the Suggs Cadet-Hopson residence located at 631 West Silver Springs Place to Florida Home Contractors, Inc. for a total project cost not to exceed $98,000
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OCALA’S RELEVANT STRATEGIC GOALS:
Quality of Place
PROOF OF PUBLICATION:
Made available to the Public 6/23/2026 via ProRFx
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BACKGROUND:
The City of Ocala provides housing rehabilitation assistance to low-income homeowners. The Consolidated Plan approved by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) includes rehabilitation of owner-occupied housing for income-qualified applicants. The proposed project aligns with the West Ocala Community Redevelopment Area (CRA) Redevelopment Plan by advancing goals to improve neighborhoods and remediate blighted properties.
Evaluation of the home on West Silver Springs Place revealed the need to replace the leaking roof and HVAC system; upgrade the plumbing system; repair the hall and bathroom; replace damaged flooring and kitchen cabinets; complete interior and exterior repairs and painting; and replace 12 windows.
FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS:
On June 11, 2026, the City’s Community Programs Division received two bids for ITB# CHS/260751, the Suggs Cadet-Hopson rehabilitation. The lowest, responsive bidder was The Ford Design Group LLC of Orlando, Florida, with a bid of $120,000. Because the bid was over budget, the Director of Community Housing Services (CHS Director) rejected the proposal. He requested that the City’s Procurement and Contracting Department re-open the solicitation tied to the project.
On June 23, 2026, ITB# CHS/260751 was republished with a close date of July 9, 2026. The City received five bids, with the lowest, responsive bidder being Universal Contracting Services of Tampa, Florida, with a bid of $78,450. Because this bid was so far under budget, the CHS Director and Rehabilitation Specialist expressed concerns to the City’s Procurement staff (Buyer). The primary concern was whether the contractor could adequately complete the project at the bid amount. After the Buyer asked the contractor to ensure all line items were included in their bid, the contractor indicated they had failed to quote the 12 windows on the job. This made their bid unresponsive.
The next lowest, responsive bidder was Florida Home Contractors, Inc. (Florida Home) of Salt Springs, Florida, with a bid of $115,000. On July 14, 2026, the CHS Director asked the Buyer to contact Florida Home to confirm whether it was their best and final offer. On July 16, 2026, Florida Home amended its bid to $98,000, which the CHS Director accepted. This project will be funded by the City’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and the West Ocala Community Redevelopment Area (CRA).
Staff recommends approval. Refer to the attached contract and the included solicitation documents.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The $98,000 project will be paid with $56,550 from CDBG account 346-060-644-554-55-34010 and $41,450 from the West Ocala CRA account 623-016-560-559-55-82010. The West Ocala CRA grant will cover replacing the existing roof and HVAC system, both eligible expenditures under the guidelines. The CDBG account has a current available balance of $287,234.76, and the West Ocala CRA account has a current available balance of $752,537.
PROCUREMENT REVIEW:
These services were procured in compliance with the City’s procurement policy.
LEGAL REVIEW:
This Agreement will be reviewed and approved for form and legality by City Attorney, William E. Sexton.
ALTERNATIVE:
• Approve with Changes
• Table
• Deny