HUD Sources Sought: FIRST Accessibility

Notice ID: APP-E-2024-017

The purpose of this project is to create the availability of accessible and affordable housing by providing a one-stop resource for development, design, and construction professionals implementing HUD’s legal design and construction accessibility requirements. This project is an increases the services currently being offered under the Fair Housing Accessibility FIRST

( http://www.fairhousingfirst.org ) program on behalf of the HUD’s Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity (FHEO).This program will provide training and technical guidance to real estate developers, architects, builders, code officials, and others in the housing industry on the accessibility design and construction requirements covered by the Fair Housing Act (the Act), HUD’s section 504 regulations under the Rehabilitation Act Titles II and III of the American with Disabilities Act (ADA), and the Architectural Barriers Act (ABA.)

The essential goals then, as now, is to provide accessibility training and technical guidance based on a robust training curriculum and technical guidance plan.  Additionally, to effectively implement a training and technical guidance program, including essential marketing, outreach, and performance measuring activities ensuring that audience needs are met and affected stokeholds are reached. The program, officially launched in January 2003, is currently underway.  The project has been designated Fair Housing Accessibility FIRST (Fair Housing Instruction, Resources, Support and Technical Guidance). The contractor for this project is expected to expand the work of FIRST project, both in terms of volume of services provided, scope of legal requirements addressed, and number of people served.

FHEO seeks to obtain services to provide a one-stop technical assistance and training resources to architects, builders, code officials, and individuals with similar roles in the design and construction industry. Services provided must work cohesively and strategically with the overall intent to increase utilization of relevant design and construction requirements while increasing the availability of accessible and affordable housing.

FHEO, HUD requests a contractor with expertise in the accessible design and construction requirements under:

• Title II and III of the ADA;
• Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968 as amended in 1988 by the Fair Housing Act (FHA) at 42 U.S.C. § 3604(f)(3)(C);
• HUD recognized safe harbors listed at 24 C.F.R. §100.205(e) with a focus on the 2009 ICC A117.1 Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities Standard;
• Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (including effective communication);
• HUD’s Section 504 implementing regulations at 24 C.F.R. Part 8;
• The ABA;
• All accessibility standards and guidelines set under the above mandates including the FHA Guidelines, the Uniform Federal Accessibility Standards, the 2010 ADA Standards, and the ABA; and
• Any new or updated regulations and associated standards, guidelines, policy, or guidance affecting accessible design and construction requirements issued by the Department.

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