Lease Addendum Secret Shopper Program

Agency: City of Austin
State: Texas
Type of Government: State & Local
NAICS Category:
  • 541611 - Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services
  • 541618 - Other Management Consulting Services
Posted Date: Aug 17, 2026
Due Date: Aug 28, 2026
Solicitation No: RFP 7200 HAW3000
Original Source: Please Login to View Page
Contact information: Please Login to View Page
Bid Documents: Please Login to View Page

Description


Solicitation Details
Type:
Request For Proposals (RFP)

Status: Open
Solicitation Number: RFP 7200 HAW3000
Description: Lease Addendum Secret Shopper Program
Summary: The City of Austin is seeking a qualified Contractor to provide a Lease Addendum Secret Shopper Program to test compliance with Rental Housing Development Assistance (RHDA) program requirements. Services shall include testing related to applicant screening criteria, voucher holder applicants, and application denial and appeals processes.
Basic Information
Contact Information
Authorized Contact Names:
Solicitation Specific
Questions:

Harley Wilson
harley.wilson@austintexas.gov
Small Minority Business
Resources Questions:

Donna Powell-Maddox

(512) 9746668
smbrcompliancedocuments@austintexas.gov
Dates & Times
Important Solicitation Dates:

Solicitation Published:
08/17/2026 07:20 AM

Response Due:

Prior to 08/28/2026, 02:00 PM

Response Opening:

08/28/2026, 03:00 PM
Special Notes
Special Notes:
Insurance is Required. Required
Attachments
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Commodities
Associated Commodities
Description Code
Homelessness Prevention Services 95255
Trade Summary
Description Category Code
Housing Consulting Non-professional 9186325
Course Development Services, Instructional/Trainin Non-professional 92416
Homelessness Prevention Services Non-professional 95255

Attachment Preview

IDENTIFICATION
Number RFP 7200 HAW3000
Title
Summary The City of Austin is seeking a qualified Contractor to provide a Lease Addendum Secret Shopper Program to test compliance with Rental Housing Development Assistance (RHDA) program requirements. Services shall include testing related to applicant screening criteria, voucher holder applicants, and application denial and appeals processes.
Type
Version (Addenda) 1
AUTHORIZED CONTRACT PERSONS
Primary
Secondary Eric Banda, Procurement Specialist III; (512) 974-2057; eric.banda@austintexas.gov
Subcontractor Questions
Notes See Solicitation Instructions, 3.1 Authorized Contact Persons.
IMPORTANT DATES
OFFERS DUE:
Date and Time
Notes See Solicitation Instructions, 5 Offer Submission.
OFFER OPENING:
Date and Time August 28, 2026, at 3:00PM CT
Notes See Solicitation Instructions, 5 Offer Submission.
QUESTIONS DUE:
Date and Time August 24, 2026, at 2:00 PM CT
Submission Method
Notes See Solicitation Instructions, 3.2 Questions.

Solicitation
RFP
COVER SHEET
IDENTIFICATION
Number RFP 7200 HAW3000
Title Lease Addendum Secret Shopper Program
The City of Austin is seeking a qualified Contractor to provide a Lease
Addendum Secret Shopper Program to test compliance with Rental
Summary Housing Development Assistance (RHDA) program requirements.
Services shall include testing related to applicant screening criteria,
voucher holder applicants, and application denial and appeals processes.
Type Request for Proposals (RFP)
Version (Addenda) 1
AUTHORIZED CONTRACT PERSONS
Harley Wilson, Procurement Specialist III; (512) 974-2922;
Primary
harley.wilson@austintexas.gov
Eric Banda, Procurement Specialist III; (512) 974-2057;
Secondary
eric.banda@austintexas.gov
Austin Small Minority Business Resources; (512) 974-7600;
Subcontractor Questions
SMBRComplianceDocuments@austintexas.gov
Notes See Solicitation Instructions, 3.1 Authorized Contact Persons.
IMPORTANT DATES
OFFERS DUE:
Date and Time August 28, 2026, at 2:00 PM CT
Notes See Solicitation Instructions, 5 Offer Submission.
OFFER OPENING:
Date and Time August 28, 2026, at 3:00PM CT
Notes See Solicitation Instructions, 5 Offer Submission.
QUESTIONS DUE:
Date and Time August 24, 2026, at 2:00 PM CT
Submission Method Email Only
Notes See Solicitation Instructions, 3.2 Questions.
(061720)
Revised 10/26/2023

Conference (Yes/No) No
Date August 17, 2026
Available Online
Available Hardcopy Austin Financial Services-Central Procurement, 721 Barton Springs Road,
Austin, TX 78704
SOLICITATION DOCUMENTS
Document name Pages Date
Solicitation Packet - RFP #### XXX#### Includes the following:
Solicitation Cover Sheet 1 08/17/2026
Solicitation Instructions 10 08/17/2026
Terms and Conditions 22 08/17/2026
Scope of Work 6 08/17/2026
Pricing Submittal - RFP #### XXX#### - Complete and return 1 08/17/2026
Offer and Certifications - RFP #### XXX#### - Complete and return 13 08/17/2026
NIGP CODES
Code Description
9186325 Housing Consulting
92416 Course Development Services, Instructional/Training
95255 Homelessness Prevention Services

CITY OF AUSTIN Solicitation Cover Sheet
PRE-OFFER
CONFERENCE:
Conference (Yes/No) No
PUBLISHED:
Date August 17, 2026
Available Online https://www.austintexas.gov/page/solicitations
Austin Financial Services-Central Procurement, 721 Barton Springs Road,
Available Hardcopy
Austin, TX 78704
SOLICITATION DOCUMENTS
Document name Pages Date
Solicitation Packet - RFP #### XXX#### Includes the following:
Solicitation Cover Sheet 1 08/17/2026
Solicitation Instructions 10 08/17/2026
Terms and Conditions 22 08/17/2026
Scope of Work 6 08/17/2026
Pricing Submittal - RFP #### XXX#### - Complete and return 1 08/17/2026
Offer and Certifications - RFP #### XXX#### - Complete and return 13 08/17/2026
NIGP CODES
COMMODITY CODES:
Code Description
9186325 Housing Consulting
92416 Course Development Services, Instructional/Training
95255 Homelessness Prevention Services
(061720)
Revised 10/26/2023

Solicitation
RFP
INSTRUCTIONS
1 REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
1.1 Invitation. The City of Austin invites all Responsible Offerors to submit Proposals to provide the goods
and/or services described in this Solicitation.
1.2 Documents. This Request for Proposals ("RFP" or "Solicitation") is composed of all documents listed in
the Attachments section of the Solicitation Cover Sheet.
1.3 Process. The process described in this RFP is the Competitive Sealed Proposals process. This process is
procedurally compliant with the competitive proposal processes prescribed by Texas Local Government
Code Ch. 252 and Ch. 271.
1.4 Changes. The City may change or revise any of the contents of this Solicitation through the issuance of a
written Addendum. Any Addenda issued will be added to the Attachments section of the Solicitation Cover
Sheet. The Version number displayed in the Solicitation Cover Sheet will indicate the number of Addenda
issued. Any explanation, clarification, interpretation or change to the Solicitation made in any other
manner is not binding upon the City, and Offerors shall not rely upon such explanation, clarification,
interpretation, or change. Oral explanations or instructions given before the award of the Contract are not
binding.
1.5 Review of Documents. Offerors shall review the entire Solicitation, as revised. Offerors shall notify the
Authorized Contact Person(s) listed on the Solicitation Cover Sheet in writing of any omissions,
ambiguities, inconsistencies or errors in the Solicitation prior to the Offer Due Date and Time displayed in
the Important Dates section of the Solicitation Cover Sheet. Offerors shall also notify the City of any
Solicitation contents the Offeror believes may be unreasonably restrictive.
1.6 Cancellation. The City reserves the right to cancel this Solicitation at any time for any reason and to
resolicit the goods and services included in this Solicitation.
2 PUBLICATION AND NOTICES
2.1 Publication. This Solicitation was published on the City's financial services website, Austin Finance
Online, as of the Published date displayed in the Solicitation Cover Sheet section.
2.2 Email Notices. On the Solicitation's Published date, email notices regarding this Solicitation were issued
to all vendors registered in Austin Finance Online, that had previously selected the NIGP Codes displayed
in the Solicitation Cover Sheet section. All subsequent email notices regarding this Solicitation will be
limited to those vendors or other persons that subscribe to this Solicitation in Austin Finance Online.
2.3 Newspaper Notices. If applicable, one or more notices of this Solicitation were published in the
newspaper as required by statute.
2.4 Third-Party Notices. Austin Finance Online is the only source of official notices regarding this Solicitation.
Prospective Offerors shall not rely on any notices concerning this Solicitation received from sources other
than Austin Finance Online.
3 COMMUNICATIONS AND MEETINGS
3.1 Authorized Contact Persons. The names and contact information for the authorized contact persons for
this Solicitation are displayed in the Solicitation Cover Sheet. Offerors needing assistance contacting an
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Authorized Contact Person regarding this Solicitation may also contact Austin Financial Services - Central
Procurement's main line at (512) 974-2500 and request assistance from any member of Austin Financial
Services - Central Procurement's management team. Offerors may direct specific questions concerning
subcontractors and responding to the Minority-owned Business Enterprise and Women-owned Business
Enterprise Procurement Program requirements to the ASMBR contact, also listed on the Solicitation Cover
Sheet.
3.2 Questions. Offerors shall submit any questions concerning this Solicitation in writing via e-mail to the
Authorized Contact Persons displayed on the Solicitation Cover Sheet. The City will respond to all
questions received by the Questions Due Date and Time displayed on the Solicitation Cover Sheet. The
City will publish one or more Addenda displaying all timely received questions and the City's responses to
each for any information not already contained in the solicitation.
3.3 Vendor Help Desk. For general questions concerning the City's online financial services system, Austin
Finance Online, Vendor Connection ("Vendor Connection"), Offerors may contact the Vendor Help Desk
at (512) 974-2018. Assistance from the Vendor Help Desk is limited to navigating and using Vendor
Connection only. The Vendor Help Desk will not respond to any questions concerning a specific
Solicitation.
3.4 Pre-Offer Conferences. The City may hold one or more pre-offer conferences to review the Solicitation
and to receive verbal questions. The Solicitation Cover Sheet will display if a Pre-Offer Conference is being
held and if attendance at this meeting is mandatory. If a Pre-Offer Conference is planned, the date,
location, time, and any other necessary information regarding this meeting will also be displayed in the
Solicitation Cover Sheet. Attendance at any Pre-Offer Conference will be recorded and will be included in
an Addendum published following the meeting. As the Solicitation is subject to changes (See Solicitation
Instruction, 1.4 Changes.) Offerors shall not rely on verbal exchanges that may occur at a Pre-Offer
Conference. Offerors shall continue to submit all questions in writing. (See Solicitation Instructions, 3.2
Questions.)
3.5 Site Visits. The City may hold one or more site visits to allow prospective Offerors to inspect the location(s)
where work under any resulting contract will be performed and to receive verbal questions. The
Solicitation Cover Sheet will display if a Site Visit is being held and if attendance at this meeting is
mandatory. If a Site Visit is planned, the date, location, time, and any other necessary information
regarding this meeting will also be displayed in the Solicitation Cover Sheet. Attendance at any Site Visit
will be recorded and will be included in an Addendum published following the meeting. As the Solicitation
is subject to changes (See Solicitation Instruction, 1.4 Changes.) Offerors shall not rely on verbal
exchanges that may occur at a Pre-Offer Conference. Offerors shall continue to submit all questions in
writing. (See Solicitation Instructions, 3.2 Questions.)
3.6 No-Lobbying. In accordance with Austin City Code, sec. 2-7-101, et. seq., Austin City Ordinance no.
20180614-056, and applicable Administrative Rules, this Solicitation is subject to certain limits on
communication by Offerors and their agents. The No-Lobbying period for this Solicitation starts on the
Published Date displayed on the Solicitation Cover Page and continues through the earliest of the
following: (i) the Solicitation is cancelled, (ii) the last of any resulting contract(s) are executed, or (iii) 60-
days following Council authorization of the last contract resulting from this Solicitation. The No-Lobbying
Period continues throughout the completion of the solicitation process. During the No-Lobbying Period,
Offerors, Respondents and/or their Agents shall not make any prohibited communications to City Officials
or City employees other than the Authorized Contact Persons. Respondents include both prospective and
actual Offerors.
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4 OFFER PREPARATION
4.1 Offer Submittals. Offerors intending to respond to this Solicitation shall download and complete each of
the Submittal documents listed in the Solicitation Cover Sheet. Submittal documents will include
additional Solicitation instructions specific to its contents. Offerors will complete each Submittal in
accordance with the instructions in the submittal. At a minimum, submittals will include a Price Offer, a
Technical Offer, and an Offer and Certifications submittal.
4.2 Alternate Offers. Unless excluded elsewhere in the Solicitation, Offerors may submit alternative Offers,
in addition to their primary Offer. Offerors seeking to submit an alternative Offer may include with their
completed Submittals, any alternative Submittals as applicable.
4.3 Exceptions. Offerors shall indicate if they take exception to any portions of the Solicitation in their
Proposal. Any exceptions included in the Proposal may negatively impact the City's evaluation of the
Proposal or may cause the City to reject the Proposal entirely.
4.4 Offer Acceptance Period. All Offers are valid for a period of one hundred and eighty (180) calendar days
subsequent to the RFP closing date unless a longer acceptance period is offered in the proposal.
4.5 Proprietary and Confidential Information. All Offers received and opened by the City are subject to the
Texas Government Code, Ch. 552, and will be made available to the public. Offerors seeking to keep any
portions of their Offer confidential shall mark each such portion as "Proprietary." The City will, to the
extent allowed by law, endeavor to protect such information from disclosure. The City may request a
review and determination from the Attorney General's Office of the State of Texas, of any Proposal
contents marked as "Proprietary." A copyright notice or symbol is insufficient to identify proprietary or
confidential information.
4.6 Cost of Offer Preparation and Participation. Offerors are responsible for all costs related to the
preparation of their Offer and incurred while participating in this Solicitation process.
4.7 Wage Theft. This Solicitation is subject to City Code, Chapter 4-22 Wage Theft (Ordinance No. 20221201-
031 | Code of Ordinances | Austin, TX | Municode Library). In accordance with City Code, Ch. 4-22, any
Employer that submits an Offer to the City is required to provide certification (see the Employer
Certification Wage Theft Ordinance - Responsibility Criteria included in this the Solicitation) that they have
not been adjudicated for Wage Theft related incidents within five (5) years prior to the date set forth within
the Employer Certification Wage Theft Ordinance - Responsibility Criteria. Additionally, City Code, Ch. 4-
22 Wage Theft, requires all Employers to complete a training program designed by the Wage Theft
Coordinator on federal and state wage laws and the provisions of City Code, Ch. 4-22 Wage Theft. All
Employers must complete the City of Austin Wage Theft Training within 30 days of being awarded a
contract with the City. Contact the Wage Compliance Training to register for training or additional
information at wagetheft@austintexas.gov.
5 OFFER SUBMISSION
5.1 Electronic Offers. All Offers in response to this solicitation shall be submitted electronically (electronic
documents) to the City of Austin using the Solicitation's eResponse function, available through the City's
online financial system, Austin Finance Online. To submit Electronic Offers using the eResponse function,
Offeror's must first be registered as a vendor with the City of Austin in Austin Finance Online. See
Instructions, Submitting Offers in Austin Finance Online. For any questions or problems concerning
eResponse, please contact vendor@austintexas.gov and copy the Procurement Specialist listed on the
Cover Sheet. For immediate attention, call 512-974-2467.
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5.2 Due Date and Time for Electronic Offers. Electronic Offers in response to this Solicitation shall be
submitted via eResponse by the Offer Due Date and Time displayed in the Important Dates section of the
Solicitation Cover Sheet. The system time within Austin Finance Online shall be the official time of record
for Electronic Offers.
5.3 Withdrawing Electronic Offers. Electronic Offers submitted online in response to this Solicitation may
be withdrawn, revised, and resubmitted using the eResponse function any time prior to the Solicitation's
Due Date and Time. Withdrawn Electronic Offers may be resubmitted, with or without modifications, up
to the Solicitation's Due Date and Time.
5.4 Late Electronic Offers. The Solicitation's eResponse function in Austin Finance Online will not allow
Electronic Offers to be submitted past the Solicitation's Due Date and Time.
5.5 Opening Electronic Offers. The information regarding Electronic Offers will become available on or
shortly after the Offer Opening Date and Time stated on the Solicitation's Cover Sheet. When Electronic
Offers are opened, the names of each Offeror would be displayed within the Solicitation's eResponse
section. For Solicitations conducted via Competitive Sealed Bidding, the Price Offer for each Offeror will
also be displayed in the eResponse section.
6 OFFER EVALUATION
6.1 Bases of Competition. The City may compare Offers based on groups or categories and will choose the
basis or bases of competition that best meets the City's needs for the resulting contracts. The basis or
bases of competition for each RFP will be described in section 11, Evaluation of Offers below.
6.2 Minimum Responsiveness. Proposals are Minimally Responsive when they include all of the Submittals
listed in this Solicitation, completed and with sufficient detail in each to evaluate the Proposal in
accordance with the Solicitation's Instructions. Proposals that are not Minimally Responsive may be
deemed non-responsive and rejected.
6.3 Responsibility. An Offeror is responsible if they have the financial and practical ability, resources,
expertise, past performance, and positive compliance history with all City ordinances. An Offer may be
rejected if an Offeror is determined to not be responsible.
6.4 Clarifications. Any time after the opening of Proposals, the City may contact Offerors to ask questions
about their Proposal's contents in order to better understand these contents as-written. Responses to
clarification questions, whether done verbally or submitted in writing, do not change the Proposal's
contents. Clarifications are not to be confused with Discussions as described herein.
6.5 Evaluation. Proposals that are Minimally Responsive will be evaluated based on the Evaluation Factors
listed in Section 11.1 of the Solicitation Instructions. Evaluation Factors correspond to their specified
Submittals and shall indicate their respective weighting next to each. Proposal submittals not identified
as Evaluation Factors will be evaluated on a pass / fail basis in accordance with the Solicitation's
Instructions and any further instructions within each Solicitation. Although minimum responses are
required in all Submittals, the Submittals identified as Evaluation Factors will be used to differentiate the
Proposals and to identify which Proposal(s) represent the Best Value to the City. The City's evaluation may
be made without Clarifications or Discussions with Offerors. Proposals should, therefore, include the
Offeror's most favorable terms.
6.6 Discussions and Proposal Revisions. After completing initial evaluations, the City may enter into
discussions (communications which may include negotiations and feedback about the Proposal
submitted) with one or more Offerors submitting the highest rated Proposal(s). Following the completion
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AUSTIN INSTRUCTIONS
of Discussions, the City may request Proposal revisions from these Offerors. The City may seek multiple
rounds of Discussions and Proposal revisions as deemed necessary by the City. The City may revise its
initial evaluations depending on the contents of any Proposal revisions received following these
Discussions.
6.7 Interviews/Presentations. The City may require that one or more Offeror submitting the highest rated
Proposals participate in interviews and/or presentations.
7 CONTRACT AWARD AND EXECUTION
7.1 Award Determination. City staff will recommend Contract award to the Offeror(s) submitting the highest
rated Proposal(s) based on the Evaluation Factors set forth in this Solicitation. The Award Determination
will be published to Austin Finance Online and notice will be sent to all Offerors subscribed to the
Solicitation.
7.2 Multiple Awards. If the City determines that multiple contracts are needed, the City will award one or
more additional contracts to the Offeror(s) submitting the next highest rated Proposal(s).
7.3 Contract Execution. Contracts within the City Manager's authority will be awarded and executed
simultaneously. Contracts above the City Manager's authority will be executed following their
authorization by the Austin City Council.
8 ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
8.1 Solicitation File. All documents included in this Solicitation, and all timely received Offers in response to
this Solicitation, except for Offer contents deemed by Offerors to be proprietary and confidential, will be
available for public inspections upon the execution of the contract.
8.2 Debriefings. Offerors may request a debriefing meeting to ask any questions concerning the Solicitation's
contents, process, or the evaluation of their Offer. Debriefing meetings are informal exchanges and may
be requested anytime following the earlier of (i) after the contract resulting from this Solicitation is
executed, or in the case of multiple awards, the last contract is executed; (ii) the date the Solicitation is
cancelled. Debriefings are not public called meetings in accordance with the Texas Open Meetings Act
and are usually limited to a single Offeror and any of their representatives. Only information regarding the
Solicitation documents and the Offeror's Offer (including City's evaluation of the Offer) in response to the
Solicitation will be discussed.
8.3 Reservations. The City reserves the right to: (i) specify approximate quantities in the Solicitation; (ii)
extend the Solicitation due date and time; (iii) add additional terms or modify existing terms in the
Solicitation; (iv) reject an Offer containing exceptions, additions, qualifications or conditions not called for
in the Solicitation; (v) reject an Offer received from an Offeror who is currently debarred or suspended by
the City, State, or Federal Government; (vi) reject an Offer that contains fraudulent information; (vii) reject
an Offer that has material omissions; (viii) reject any or all Offers; (ix) procure any goods or services
included in this Solicitation by other means; (x) consider and accept alternate Offers, if specified in the
Solicitation, when most advantageous to the City; (xi) reject an Offer if prices in the Offer are unbalanced
(some prices are significantly high and other prices are significantly low) and/or (xii) waive any minor
informality in any Offer or procedure so long as the deviation does not affect the competitiveness of the
Solicitation process.
8.4 Protests. Austin Financial Services - Central Procurement has the authority to settle or resolve any claim
of an alleged deficiency or protest. The procedures for notifying the City of Austin of an alleged deficiency
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or filing a protest are listed below. If you fail to comply with any of these requirements, Austin Financial
Services - Central Procurement may dismiss your complaint or protest.
8.4.1 Protest regarding the Solicitation (Pre-Submittal Protest). Any protest regarding the Solicitation by
the City shall be filed no later than five (5) business days prior to the due date and time for proposals.
Any protest filed after that date which raises issues regarding the Solicitation will not be considered.
8.4.2 Protests regarding the evaluation of Proposals. Any protest regarding the evaluation of Proposals by
the City shall be filed with the City no later than five (5) business days after the notification of award
recommendation is posted on Austin Finance Online, or notification that the protestor's status as
a Offeror has changed, such as notification that an Offer has been found to be non-responsive or
an Offeror has been found to be non-responsible. Any protest filed after such date which raises
issues regarding the evaluation will not be considered. Offerors may only protest the evaluation of
their Proposal.
8.4.3 Protest Regarding Award of Contract (Post-Award Protest). Any protest regarding the award of the
contract shall be filed no later than ten (10) business days after the date of award. Any protest
regarding the award of the contract filed after such date will not be considered.
8.4.4 You shall submit your protest in writing, and it shall include the following information: (i) your name,
address, telephone, and email address; (ii) the Solicitation number; (iii) the specific facts and/or
law upon which the protest of the Solicitation or the award is based, including all pertinent
documents and evidence thereto; and (iv) the form of relief requested.
8.4.5 Your protest shall be concise and presented logically and factually to help with the City's review.
8.4.6 When the City receives a timely written protest, Austin Financial Services - Central Procurement will
determine whether the grounds for your protest are sufficient. If Austin Financial Services - Central
Procurement decides that the grounds are sufficient, Austin Financial Services - Central
Procurement will schedule a protest hearing, usually within five (5) business days. If Austin
Financial Services - Central Procurement determines that your grounds are insufficient, the City will
notify you of that decision in writing.
8.4.7 The protest hearing is informal and is not subject to the Open Meetings Act. The purpose of the
hearing is to give you a chance to present your case, it is not an adversarial proceeding. Those who
may attend from the City are: representatives from the department that requested the purchase,
the Department of Law, Austin Financial Services - Central Procurement, and other appropriate City
staff. You may bring a representative or anyone else that will present information to support the
factual grounds for your protest with you to the hearing.
8.4.8 A decision will usually be made within fifteen (15) calendar days after the hearing.
8.4.9 The City will send you a copy of the hearing decision after the appropriate City staff has reviewed
the decision.
8.4.10 When a protest is filed, the City usually will not make an award until a decision on the protest is
made. However, the City will not delay an award if the City Manager or Austin Financial Services -
Central Procurement determines that the City urgently requires the supplies or Services to be
purchased, or failure to make an award promptly will unduly delay delivery or performance. In those
instances, the City will notify you and make every effort to resolve your protest before the award.
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9 DEFINITIONS. Whenever a term defined by the Uniform Commercial Code, as enacted by the State of Texas, is
used in the Contract, the UCC definition shall control, unless otherwise defined in the Contract.
"Addendum" means a written instrument issued by the Contract Awarding Authority that modifies or clarifies
the Solicitation prior to the Due Date. "Addenda" is the plural form of the word.
"Austin Financial Services - Central Procurement" refers to the line of business within the City of Austin's,
Austin Financial Services, responsible for the City's procurement business function.
"Best Offer" means the best evaluated Offer in response to a Request for Proposals or Request for
Qualifications/Statements.
"Best Offeror" means the Offeror submitting the Best Offer.
"City" means the City of Austin, a Texas home-rule municipal corporation.
"Offer" means a complete signed response to a Solicitation including, but not limited to, a Request for
Proposals.
"Offeror" means a person, firm, or entity that submits an Offer in response to this Solicitation. Any Offeror may
be represented by an agent after submitting evidence demonstrating the agent's authority. The agent cannot
certify as to his own agency status.
"Proposal" means a complete, properly signed Offer to a Request for Proposals.
"Chief Procurement Officer" means the officer of Austin Financial Services - Central Procurement and the
principal recipient of procurement authority from the City Manager.
"Request for Proposals" means all documents utilized for soliciting Proposals.
"Responsible Offeror" means the financial and practical ability of the Offeror to perform the Contract and
takes into consideration resources, expertise, and past performance of the Offeror as well as compliance with
all City ordinances concerning the purchasing process.
"Responsive" means meeting all the requirements of a Solicitation.
"Solicitation" means this Request for Proposals or RFP.
"Wage Theft" means any action by an employer that secures performance of a service by agreeing to provide
compensation for the service and, after the service is rendered, fails to make full payment.
10 PROPOSAL SUBMITTALS.
10.1 Executive Summary. Provide an Executive Summary that summarizes your RFP response and confirms
you will comply with the requirements, provisions, terms, and conditions specified in this solicitation. The
Executive Summary should be in the form of a standard business letter on official business letterhead and
signed by an authorized representative of Offeror. Include the complete name and address of your firm,
telephone number, and email address of the person the City of Austin should contact regarding your firm's
response.
10.2 Authorized Negotiator: Include name, address, email, and telephone number of a person in your
organization authorized to negotiate Contract terms and render binding decisions on Contract matters.
10.3 Independence and Relevant Experience. Offerors shall provide a description of the Offeror's and, if
applicable, Subcontractor's relevant experience accomplishing the services described in the Scope of
Work. Offeror's response must include the following:
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a. Provide a brief history of the Offeror's and, if applicable, Subcontractor's experience delivering
programs to individuals.
b. Identify the number of years of experience delivering programs to individuals.
c. Describe the Offeror's and, if applicable, Subcontractor's experience providing policy
recommendations to elected officials.
d. Identify the number of years of experience providing policy recommendations to elected officials.
e. Describe how the Offeror will ensure Secret Shopper applicants do not have a current relationship with
Rental Housing Development Assistance (RHDA) or Affordability Unlocked properties that could
create bias.
10.4 Recruitment and Resident Engagement. Offerors shall provide a proposed approach to recruiting and
engaging residents to participate in the Secret Shopper Program as described in the Scope of Work.
Offeror's response must include the following:
a. Describe the Offeror's proven method of recruiting residents in Austin, specifically the resident groups
identified in the Scope of Work.
b. Identify the number of years of experience recruiting some or all of the identified resident groups.
c. Describe the Offeror's proven method of engaging residents in Austin, specifically the resident groups
identified in the Scope of Work.
d. Identify the number of years of experience working with some or all of the identified resident groups.
e. State the planned number of Secret Shoppers to be recruited and trained.
10.5 Program Approach, Training, and Shopper Support. Offerors shall provide a proposed approach to
accomplishing the Secret Shopper Program services described in the Scope of Work. Offeror's response
must include the following:
a. Provide an expected project timeline for accomplishing the services described in the Scope of Work.
b. Describe how the Offeror and, if applicable, Subcontractors will engage with Secret Shoppers through
training, coaching, and reporting, including how often engagement will occur.
c. Describe how the Secret Shopper training curriculum will be created and delivered and identify the
Contractor or Subcontractor personnel responsible for these activities.
d. Provide examples of past training curricula developed by the Offeror or Subcontractor.
e. Describe the Offeror's Shopper onboarding and coaching procedures, including who will perform the
onboarding and coaching, how it will occur, and when it will occur.
f. Describe how Secret Shoppers will learn their civilian rights and their roles in the Secret Shopper
Program.
10.6 Reporting and Administrative Capacity. Offerors shall provide a description of the Offeror's reporting
and administrative capacity to accomplish the services described in the Scope of Work. Offeror's
response must include the following:
a. Describe the Offeror's experience providing reports to contractors or grantors.
b. Describe the Offeror's experience delivering presentations to elected officials, including the number
of years of experience.
Solicitation Instructions Page 8
Revised 06/15/2026

This page summarizes the opportunity, including an overview and a preview of the attached documents.
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