Montgomery County Authorizes $7 Million in Contracts

Rachel Ravina | The Reporter•

The entrance to One Montgomery Plaza in Norristown, where many county offices are housed.

Nearly $3 million was allocated recently by Montgomery County Commissioners for eviction prevention as an affordable housing crisis continues in the county.

A roughly $2.9 million agreement between the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services and YWCA Tri-County Area, of Pottstown, was authorized during a county commissioners meeting last month for the organization to serve as a "social services partner for eviction prevention.” Funding for the contract was derived from federal COVID–19 relief dollars.

The Pottstown-based nonprofit is tasked with providing "eviction prevention services” until June 30, 2025, according to the agreement, which includes three optional annual renewal terms. A request for proposals netted bids from Access Services Inc., of Fort Washington; CADCOM, of Norristown; Hedwig House Inc., of Lansdale; the Norristown Hospitality Center, of Norristown, and the Pottstown Cluster of Religious Communities, of Pottstown.

The eviction prevention services will include having three case managers working out of eight courts across Montgomery County, according to Elise Chesson, chief advancement officer with the YWCA Tri-County Area.

The funding will be used for rental assistance, as well as case management and other support services. Chesson stressed the importance of having case managers "developing relationships” with the courts to help prevent evictions or ease burdens on those impacted.

Financial assistance is given on a "case-by-case (basis) based on need,” Chesson said for those who meet the organization’s eligibility requirements. While specific figures weren’t provided, Chesson said a "substantial” amount of the contract is "earmarked for rental assistance.”

The YWCA Tri-County Area helped 800 families with rent or utilities assistance last year, according to the organization website.

Other Contracts

The eviction prevention services agreement took up a bulk of the roughly $7.1 million designated to a 31-item contract package authorized during the Feb. 22 meeting. Work spanned several county departments including assets and infrastructure, public safety and the planning commission.

A previously authorized consultant contract with Philadelphia-based Resources for Human Development Inc. required another $535,670 to account for expenses accrued in 2024.

The original contract, authorized in January 2023, covered consultation, evaluation and renewal systems for criminal justice clients who may be experiencing issues including developmental disabilities, mental health, sex offenses, and substance abuse, according to the contract.

It stipulated a two-year term with two optional annual renewal terms, but the "original award only covered funding for one year,” the contract states. Funds were obtained through the county’s general-operational budget.

"The Supervision Services Department requests an additional $535,670 to cover the 2024 term, not originally included in the total dollar amount awarded for the initial two-year contract term,” the contract states.

A roughly $575,700 agreement with Intergraph Corporation, dba Hexagon Safety & Infrastructure, of Huntsville, Alabama, covered "proprietary hardware and software maintenance” for the county’s 9-1-1 computer aided dispatch system, which receives public safety-related calls for service. Services will take effect on April 1 and continue through March 31, 2025. Funds were obtained through the county’s 911 fund.

A $425,666 agreement with Manns Woodward Studios Inc., of White Marsh, Maryland, covered architectural and engineering services related to a future live fire training building for the Montgomery County Department of Public Safety.

The work would focus on "perform(ing) an initial programming exercise” for the county’s public safety department "in order to subsequently provide design services, which enable construction of a live fire training building,” the contract states.

Four firms submitted bids to a previously advertised request for proposals. Other respondents included NORR, of Detroit, Seiler + Drury Architecture, of Norristown, and Heckendorn Shiles Architects, of Wayne. Funds were obtained through the county’s captial fund.

Additionally, a nearly $400,000 agreement with Boyle Construction Inc., of Allentown, covered construction management services related to the aforementioned live fire training building. The agency is tasked with working "collaboratively with the county and architectural/engineering team to provide services required to enable construction of a live fire training building.”

Funds were obtained through the county’s capital improvement program. Boyle Construction Inc. was one of three firms that responded to a previously advertised request for proposals.

A $378,665 agreement with Bio-habitats Inc., of Baltimore, covered floodplain restoration design services. Specifically, the "Contract provides for survey and assessment, preparation of design through construction documents, and secure all required permits for a floodplain restoration project along the Wissahickon Creek in Whitemarsh Township.”

Funds were provided through a statewide local share account grant, according to the contract. A request for proposals netted seven responses from other firms located in Maryland and Pennsylvania. Other companies included ARRO Consulting Inc. and LandStudies Inc., both of Lititz, as well as Barry Isett & Associates, of Allentown, Johnson, Mirmiran & Thompson, of Hunt Valley, Maryland, RK&K Civil Engineering, of Baltimore, and McCormick Taylor Inc, of Philadelphia.

A $203,400 agreement with O & S Associates Inc., of Blue Bell, covered services required to conducting a parking facility study at three county-owned parking garages. The scope included a physical needs assessment, design, scheduling, and construction administration services. The study is expected to focus on surveys, inspections and maintenance for the "three parking garages utilized by the county.”

Six firms submitted bids to the previously advertised request for proposals. Other respondents included THA Consulting Inc., also of Blue Bell, as well as IMEG Consultants Corporation, of Rock Island, Illinois, NORR, Walker Consultants Inc., of Kalamazoo, Michigan, and Simpson Gumpertz & Heger Inc., of Waltham, Massachusetts.

The next Montgomery County Board of Commissioners meeting is scheduled for 10 a.m. on March 7 on the eighth floor of One Montgomery Plaza, 425 Swede St., Norristown. Those interested in attending can also do so virtually. Visit montgomerycountypa.govfor more information.

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