Notice of Funds Available (RFP) Print Apply for this Grant

Specifications

Posted	Applications Due	Start Date	End Date	Amount	Match	Poverty Match	Council Staff
Oct 21, 2025	Nov 30, 2025	Jan 01, 2026	Sep 30, 2026	$36,000.00	$12,000.00	$0.00	Cathy Harmon-Christian

Purpose

To define a housing approach for disability-forward housing in Georgia that would meet the goal of creating accessible and inclusive housing for people with IDD.

Schedule of Events

This Request for Proposals will be governed by the following schedule of Events:
• Applications Due By – November 30, 2025
• Contracts Due By -December 22, 2025
• Project Begins -January 1, 2025

Restrictions on Communication

All questions about this NoFA must be submitted in the following format:
Organization/Individual Name
1. Question
Citation of relevant section of the NoFA

2. Question
Citation of relevant section of the NoFA

Questions must be directed in writing to the Grants Manager, Felicia Dillon at: felicia.dillon@gcdd.ga.gov

Questions must include the company name and the referenced NoFA section.
From the issue date of this NoFA until a contractor is selected and the selection is announced, Applicants are not allowed to communicate for any reason with any State staff except through the Grants Manager, or during the Applicants' conference, or as provided by existing work agreement(s). The State reserves the right to reject the proposal of any Applicant violating this provision.
All questions concerning this NoFA must be submitted in writing by email to felicia.dillon@gcdd.ga.gov. Only written questions will be accepted. No response other than written will be binding upon the State.

The DD Council

The Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities (GCDD) is one of 56 entities of its type in the United States and territories that report to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Administration for Community Living. It is authorized under Public Law 106-402, the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act Amendments of 2000. The Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities (GCDD) makes funds available to fulfill its mission in accordance with the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) and its Five-Year Strategic Plan https://gcdd.org/about/five-year-strategic-plan Through its funding, GCDD works to increase the capacities and resources of public and private nonprofit entities and others to develop a comprehensive community system that responds to the choices, capabilities and needs of persons with developmental disabilities and their families. The purpose of GCDD grants is to expand best practices and contribute to system-wide changes that support the rights of people with developmental disabilities and their full inclusion as community members. Recipients of GCDD grants are expected to be ongoing partners bringing about change. Our activities are governed by a 27-member board, appointed by the Governor and comprised of at least 60 percent individuals with developmental disabilities and family members. Other members include policymakers that represent various agencies and organizations having a vested interested in persons with developmental disabilities. GCDD serves as an advocate for all persons with developmental disabilities. We are charged with creating systems change for people with developmental disabilities and their families by increasing opportunities for independence, inclusion, integration, productivity and self-determination. Activities include public policy research and analysis, reform, project demonstrations, education and training. The GCDD is a state agency, attached to the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD) for administrative purposes.

Scope of Work- Request For Proposals

The Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities (GCDD) is seeking proposals from qualified individuals and/or organizations to form a task force that creates a work plan for implementing specific policy goals and recommendations for the Second Phase of the Housing Project.

Georgians with IDD and their caregivers are struggling to afford housing and living situations that fully meet their needs and preferences. The gap between currently available housing and what is needed puts Georgians with IDD at risk of poorer health, reduced independence and freedom, and financial stress.

Disability-forward housing policy requires changes that are affordable, inclusive, and accessible. The selected contractor will form a task force to develop a work plan and timeline for implementation of these three policy goals:

• Affordability: make housing more financially accessible for individuals with disabilities
• Accessibility: improve the physical accessibility of housing across Georgia
• Inclusivity: foster inclusive communities as defined in the DD Act: The acceptance and encouragement of the presence and participation of individuals with developmental disabilities, by individuals without disabilities, in social, educational, work and community activities, that enables individuals with developmental disabilities to:
o have friendships and relationships with individuals and families of their own choice;
o live in homes close to community resources, with regular contact with individuals without disabilities in their communities;
o enjoy full access to and active participation in the same community activities and types of employment as individuals without disabilities; and
o take full advantage of their integration into the same community resources as individuals without disabilities, living, learning, working, and enjoying life in regular contact with individuals without disabilities.

The awarded contractor will:

Component 1: Develop a task force to design a sound and viable work plan with timeline and budget for implementation of the three policy goals.

Policy Goal: Make housing more financially accessible to individuals with disabilities.
• Recommendation 1: Launch targeted financial assistance programs to help reduce housing costs for residents with disabilities, such as tailored housing vouchers for people who use Home and Community Based Services (HCBS).

• Recommendation 2: Expand the allocation of Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) in Georgia specifically for developments that include a significant percentage of units designed for accessibility, with additional incentives for projects proximate to transit and commercial corridors.

Policy Goal: Improve the physical accessibility of housing across Georgia.

• Recommendation 1: Align affordable, accessible housing requirements with the demographic share of disabled people in Georgia (~13% according to ACS data).

• Recommendation 2: Provide state-funded grants or tax incentives for the retrofitting of existing units to enhance accessibility, with specific programs aimed at older buildings in transit-oriented areas of the Atlanta Metro.

• Recommendation 3: Encourage the creation of accessible housing within areas that have recently expanded zoning laws to allow for more density.

Policy Goal: inclusive communities as defined in the DD Act: The acceptance and encouragement of the presence and participation of individuals with developmental disabilities, by individuals without disabilities, in social, educational, work and community activities, that enables individuals with developmental disabilities to:

(A) have friendships and relationships with individuals and families of their own choice;
(B) live in homes close to community resources, with regular contact with individuals without disabilities in their communities;
(C) enjoy full access to and active participation in the same community activities and types of employment as individuals without disabilities; and
(D) take full advantage of their integration into the same community resources as individuals without disabilities, living, learning, working, and enjoying life in regular contact with individuals without disabilities.

• Recommendation 1: Provide tools to Housing Developers to understand Universal Design, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Olmstead mandate and how they can design housing that is universally accessible.

Use of the recommendations given for the three policy goals are optional based on the professional guidance of task force members.

Component 2: Systems Change and Public Policy Advocacy
• Provide strategic guidance to the Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities (GCDD) and other stakeholders on the completed implementation plan: the how, what, when and why.

• Engage with relevant state agencies to promote affordable, accessible and inclusive housing.

• Support GCDD and partner coalitions in advocacy, research, and development of public policy recommendations for legislative session 2027-2028

PERFORMANCE MEASURES:
IFA 1.1 The number of people with developmental disabilities who participated in Council supported activities designed to increase their knowledge of how to take part in decisions that affect their lives, the lives of others, and/or systems.

IFA 1.2 The number of family members who participated in Council supported activities designed to increase their knowledge of how to take part in decisions that affect the family, the lives of others, and/or systems.

SC 1.1 The number of Council efforts to transform fragmented approaches into a coordinated and effective system that assures individuals with developmental disabilities, and their families participate in the design of and have access to needed community services, individualized supports, and other forms of assistance that promote self-determination, independence, productivity, and integration and inclusion in all facets of community life.

SC 1.2 The number of policy and/or procedures created or changed.

SC 2.1.1 The number of policy, procedure, statute, or regulation changes improved as a result of systems change.

SC 2.1.2 The number of policy, procedure, statute, or regulation changes implemented.

EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:
GCDD is seeking an individual and/or organization with a track record of creating a sound and viable work plan out of recommendations from a specific project. The awarded contractor needs to have proven research and writing skills, experience and knowledge of housing systems in Georgia for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and experience with public policy and the legislative process in Georgia. In addition, the grantee needs to be able to provide strategic and public policy advice and goal-setting to GCDD staff and their partners.

Additional Attachments (References/Sample implementation plan)

Application Submission & Evaluation

The Applicant must submit a complete application in DD Suite which includes a Project Outline, a Project Work Plan and a Project Budget.

Applications must be submitted online via https://www.ddsuite.org, prior to the published deadline. No hard copies will be accepted. Applicants must have or create a DD Suite user account and an organization account in order to submit an application. Go to https://www.ddsuite.org and click on "HELP TAB" for detailed instructions on creating DD Suite user and organization accounts. (See complete application process and Guide to DD Suite attached)
Additional Submission Requirements:
1) Upload of copy of the Federal W-9 (attached to this NoFA)
2) Upload a plain language summary of the submitted application. The plain language summary should be one to two pages, and should include the following headings followed by a short plain language paragraph (5 – 10 sentences):
• Executive Summary
• Qualifications
• Detailed Narrative
• Outcomes Key
• Evaluation
• Diversity
• Budget
• Workplan
Applications that do not include a plain language summary may be rejected.
Each proposal should be prepared simply and economically, avoiding the use of elaborate promotional materials (unless materials have been requested) beyond those sufficient to provide a complete presentation. If supplemental materials are a necessary part of the proposal, the Applicant should reference these materials in the technical proposal, identifying the document(s) and citing the appropriate section and page(s) to be reviewed.
Any proposal received after the due date and time will not be evaluated.

Evaluation Process
The evaluation of proposals received on or before the due date and time will be conducted in the following phases. Any proposal received after the due date and time will not be evaluated.

Administrative Review
The Grants Manager will screen each proposal. The screening will consist of:
(1) determining if the Applicant is eligible to receive Council funds including determining if the Applicant meets eligibility requirements and is registered to do business in Georgia;
(2) the budget is within the funding limits and includes the required match;
(3) the application is complete and all sections in DD Suite have responses; and,
(4) the required forms are attached.

DD Suite will issue an automatic reply acknowledging receipt of your proposal immediately after successful submission.

NOFA Policies

Rejection of Proposals/Cancellation of NoFA

The State reserves the right to reject any or all proposals, to waive any irregularity or informality in a proposal, and to accept or reject any item or combination of items; when to do so would be to the advantage of the State. It is also within the right of the State to reject proposals that do not contain all the elements and information requested in this document. The State reserves the right to cancel this NoFA at any time. The State will not be liable for any cost/losses incurred by the Applicants throughout this process.

NoFA Amendments

The State reserves the right to amend this NoFA prior to the proposal due date. All amendments and additional information will be posted to http://ddsuite.org Applicants are encouraged to check this website frequently.

Proposal Withdrawal

A submitted proposal may be withdrawn prior to the due date by a written request to the Operations and Contracts Director. A request to withdraw a proposal must be signed by an authorized individual.

Cost for Preparing Proposals

The cost for developing the proposal is the sole responsibility of the Applicant. The State will not provide reimbursement for such costs.

Conflict of Interest

If an Applicant has any existing client relationship that involves the State of Georgia, the Applicant must disclose each relationship.

Reciprocal Preference Law OCGA 50-5-60(b)

For the purposes of evaluation only, Applicants resident in the State of Georgia will be granted the same preference over Applicants resident in another State in the same manner, on the same basis, and to the same extent that preference is granted in awarding bids for the same goods or services by such other State Applicants resident therein over Applicants resident in the State of Georgia. NOTE: For the purposes of this law, the definition of a resident Applicant is one who maintains a place of business with at least one employee inside the State of Georgia. A post office box address will not satisfy this requirement.

ADA Guidelines

The State of Georgia adheres to the guidelines set forth in the Americans with Disabilities Act. Applicants should contact the Grants Manager at least 48 hours in advance if they require special arrangements when attending the Applicant's Conference. The Georgia Relay Center at 1-800-255-0056 (TDD Only) or 1-800-255-0135 (Voice) will relay messages, in strict confidence, for the speech and hearing impaired.

Reposting Of NoFA

NoFA 25SC1B2 is a modified reposting of NoFA 25SC1B, which was originally posted on May 15, 2025. The initial award resulting from that posting was terminated on September 19, 2025.

In response, NoFA 25SC1B2 includes a modified Scope of Work, specifically removing the previous component related to Virtual Resource Hub Development that was included in NoFA 25SC1B.

All submissions under NoFA 25SC1B2 are considered new applications and will be evaluated competitively under the criteria outlined in the Application Submission and Evaluation section of this NOFA