​​​​On
September 20, 2017, Hurricane María slammed Puerto Rico causing catastrophic
island-wide damages, knocking out power and telecommunications for the entire
island and its municipalities. In
response to this major disaster, the Governor of Puerto Rico issued Executive
Order Number OE-2017-047, declaring a state of emergency in Puerto Rico. Additionally,
on September 21, 2017, President Trump issued a Major Disaster Declaration for
Puerto Rico, ordering federal assistance to supplement the Government of Puerto
Rico’s (GPR’s) recovery efforts and authorizing federal funding for emergency
works in all 78 municipalities of our island, in order to begin to recover from
the effects of this catastrophic disaster. The
Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, Public Law
93-288, as amended, 42 U.S.C. § 5121 et seq., was enacted for the purposes of
providing an orderly and continuing means of assistance by the Federal
Government to DOH and local governments in carrying out their responsibilities
to alleviate the suffering and damage which result from disasters.
  
    
    The GPR through the Department of Housing (DOH) desires to offer people displaced from their properties an option to return to their homes so they can shelter at their own homes under Section 403 of the Stafford Act for a Sheltering and Temporary Esential Power (STEP) Pilot Program to enable the GPR to perform minor emergency repairs in single-family owner-occupied residences. The DOH is requiring qualified contractors to repair said properties so they can become habitable as shelters. STEP is not a comprehensive repair program and 
    will not result in the
    ​ 
    complete restoration of
the dwelling
    .
    The measures taken
under this program are directed at preventing the progression of deterioration
of the dwelling because of the passing of Hurricanes Irma and María and to
provide minimal steps necessary to render the dwelling safe and sanitary. In order to be elegible under the STEP program, each home shall be habilitated for less than $20,000. This program reduces the
demand for costlier shelter options and allows individuals to return to their
homes. 
  

  
    
    GPR anticipates receiving up to 75,000 applications, but
there is no guarantee of the number of units to be served, as ability to
estimate at this point in time is extremely limited. Work under these contracts
will be generally consistent with conducting emergency disaster operations
pursuant to the Stafford Act, as amended. Because of the number of displaced
residents, and the ensuing temporary housing crisis, as well as the large
number of people remaining in their homes without adequate utility service,
work under this procurement must be able to start immediately.
  

  
    
    Under
STEP the DOH will contract directly with multiple construction firms capable of
delivering minor critical services on a large scale and who possess or can
obtain the resources required to deliver in an expedited manner. 
  

  
    
    The
successful Respondent  shall be immediately engage in the required services
    .

The RFP process is designed to promote fair and open competition while seeking a cost competitive solution.The RFP package may be obtained from the DOH’s Finance Office at no charge on business days at the Procurement Office located on the 6th floor of the Department of Housing, Avenida Barbosa 606, Edificio Juan C. Cordero, San Juan, Puerto Rico, Attention: Ms. Abigail Romero, Purchase Official. For any additional information, you may contact us at (787)759-9407 responses to this RFP should be prepared in accordance with the attached instructions and will be evaluated by the DOH as described in this RFP and otherwise in accordance with applicable laws and regulations, including FEMA requirements.P​roposals will be held in confidence and not released for public review until after the final award is made.The DOH is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate as to sex, gender or identity sexual, race, age, national origin, religious creed, civil status, war veterans, handicap or disable status.We appreciate your interest in being considered for the performance of the services described in this RFP.​​​​​