U.S. Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation, J. Edgar Hoover Building, Rm 6875, 935 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W., Washington, DC 20535-0001

R -- CHANNELING AGENT FOR PUBLIC HOUSING AGENCIES POC Storm M. Watkins, (202) 324-5415 17.The Federal Bureau of Investigation seeks information from prospective Channeling Agents (CA) to manually forward FD258 fingerprint cards to the FBI for Public Housing Agencies (PHA) requesting FBI criminal record checks on applicants for and tenants of public housing in accordance with the Housing Opportunity Program Extension Act of 1996, Public Law (Pub.L.) 104-120. There are approximately 3,300 Public Housing Agencies (PHA) located around the nation. Requirements of a CA are as follows: Firms interested in becoming an approved CA for PHAs must submit their qualifications in response to this announcement. Qualifications will be reviewed by the FBI, and U.S. Department Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Upon completion of review the FBI will provide HUD with a list of up to 6 prequalified CA's. 1. The prequalified CA shall: Agree to receive from any authorized PHA noncriminal justice applicant fingerprint cards of adult applicants for, or tenants of, public housing for purposes of applicant screening, and lease enforcement, which the CA will process and then forward to the FBI in accordance with Pub.L. 104-120. 2. Ensure that all fingerprint cards have been properly and adequately completed and are being submitted under the authority of (Pub.L.) 104-120. 3. Charge and collect a fee (currently $24, $2 of which the CA will be allowed to retain to offset its administrative costs) for the processing of (Pub.L.) 104-120 fingerpirnt cards. CAs may negotiate with PHAs an additional service fee payable by the PHAs for channeling services. 4. Shall submit applicant fingerprint cards from the PHAs to the FBI on a daily weekday basis. 5. Submit payment of the FBI fee to the FBI within thirty (30) calendar days from the date upon which it receives a bill from the FBI for those fingerprint cards processed during the preceding month. Factors to be considered in the selection prequalified Cas are: 1. CA's years and breadth of experience as CA. 2. The CA's detailed outline specifying how it plans to facilitate the handling and prompt submission of applicant fingerprint cards to the FBI. 3. The CA's ability to perform basic processing functions such as screening, fine sorting, batching, distribution, and for the proper handling deposit and disbursement of funds. 4. Plans for the development of instructions and information for dissemination to participating PHAs regarding the procedures to be followed to assure the adequacy of the channeling system. This would involve the creation of strategies for the resolution of problems relating to: a. Incomplete or missing data on the fingerprint cards, and/or illegible (i.e., unclassifiable) fingerprints; b. Payment of fees, i.e. no payment, overpayment, underpayment, credit memorandums, etc.; c. Reasonable inquiries by PHAs and applicants regarding processing status of a fingerprint card; and d. Request for special or expedited processing based on extenuating circumstances. Submission of qualifications or comments shall be received by COB 8/18/97. This is not a Request for Proposal and should not be construed as a commitment by the Government. The intent of this publication is only to prequalify up to six (6) Channeling Agencies for use by the PHAs. The PHAs will have responsibility for contracting with the pre-qualified vendor or may continue to use any state agency that currently provides these services in accordance with HUD procurement policy and regulations at 24 CFR 85.85. Only responses with sufficient information will be considered. No award will be made by the FBI based on this announcement. No telephonic inquiries. (0209)

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