City Council
Report
City Council Meeting: September 8, 2026
Agenda Item: 4.C
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To: Mayor and City Council
From: Aileen Reynolds, Director, Housing and Human Services Department Subject: Award RFP #478 and Authorize the City Manager to enter into an Agreement With Cloudburst Consulting Group, Inc. for Administration of Funds Received Though the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Office of Community Planning and Development (CPD)
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Adopt a finding of no possibility of significant effect pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) (Common Sense Exemption) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines;
2. Award RFP #478 to Cloudburst Consulting Group, Inc. for administration of funds received through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Office of Community Planning and Development (CPD) for the Housing and Human Services Department; and
3. Authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute an agreement with Cloudburst Consulting Group, Inc. in an amount not to exceed $100,000 for one year, with four additional one-year renewal option(s), subject to 3% annual cost increases on the same terms and conditions, for a total amount not to exceed $531,000 over a 5-year period, with future year funding contingent on Council budget approval.
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Executive Summary
The City of Santa Monica (City) receives and administers entitlement funds for community development and affordable housing from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). These include annual Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) funds. The City has previously contracted with various firms to provide targeted technical assistance to these programs and is now seeking a more robust and sustained level of support.
In June 2026, the City issued Request for Proposals (RFP) #478 for the administration of CDBG and HOME received through HUD’s Office of Community Planning and Development (CPD). Staff recommends that the City Council award RFP #478 to and authorize the City Manager to negotiate and enter into an agreement with Cloudburst Consulting Group, Inc.
Discussion
Santa Monica is a longtime recipient of HUD’s CPD funds, including CDBG and HOME entitlement funds. The CDBG program is designed to benefit the residents of eligible low- and moderate-income neighborhoods, while the HOME Program is the largest Federal block grant to state and local governments designed exclusively to support lowincome households. Activities eligible for funding include community facilities and improvements, preservation of affordable housing, public services, economic development, and program administration.
Following years of contracting with various firms to provide limited scope technical assistance and administrative guidance, and in response to a rapidly changing regulatory framework for CPD programs, the City undertook efforts to seek a more robust, reliable, and sustainable level of support.
On June 8, 2026, the City issued RFP #478 on the City’s OpenGov Procurement Portal inviting proposals from qualified individuals or firms interested in providing ongoing administration, oversight, and technical assistance for program funds received through 3 of 5
HUD’s CPD. Over 8,600 registered vendors were notified. Forty-six vendors downloaded the RFP, and the City ultimately received eight proposals for consideration.
Proposals were evaluated by a committee of Housing and Human Services staff responsible for administration and oversight of the City’s CDBG and HOME programs.
Consultant Selection
Bidder Recommendation
Best Qualified Firm Cloudburst Consulting, Inc.
Evaluation Criteria Qualifications / Technical Ability, Ability to Fulfill Scope of Work, Cost, References / Work Samples, Value Add /
Breadth of Service
Municipal Code SMMC 2.24.100 (b)
RFP Data
Posted On Posted On
Advertised In
(City Charter & SMMC)
Vendors
Downloaded
Date Publicly
Opened
6/8/2026 City's Online
Bidding Site Santa Monica Daily Press 46 7/7/2026
Proposals Received
Advanced Avant Garde Corporation Harris & Associates
Advanced Business Software National Council for Community Development BKF Engineers The Ramsay Group
Cloudburst Consulting Group, Inc. Willdan Engineering
Justification to Award
The evaluation committee evaluated proposals using the criteria set forth in RFP #478 and in accordance with SMMC Section 2.24.100(b). In determining the best qualified firm, staff considered criteria relevant to the solicitation, including technical knowledge and demonstrated relevant experience, the proposed work plan’s alignment with the scope of work, ability to demonstrate cost-effective pricing, work for similar engagements, as demonstrated by references and associated work samples, and ability to provide unique insight, apply industry best practices, and provide technical training or resources.
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Based on the evaluation criteria, the committee recommends awarding the RFP to Cloudburst Consulting Group, Inc. as the best qualified firm. Cloudburst possesses over twenty years of experience as one of HUD’s leading technical assistance providers for CPD programs and demonstrates expertise in the administration, compliance, and financial and performance management of the CDBG and HOME programs. Their balanced and complete proposal yielded the top score for each individual evaluation category and in the aggregate.
Environmental Review
The professional services agreement is exempt from CEQA pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) (Common Sense Exemption) of the CEQA Guidelines. The agreement is covered by the common-sense exemption, which states that CEQA does not apply, “where it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment.” The award of the RFP and authorization to enter into the agreement is administrative in nature and will provide professional services to support administration of federal funds. Therefore, it can be seen with certainty that the agreement would not result in adverse physical impacts on the environment, and as such, is exempt from CEQA.
Financial Impacts and Budget Actions
Staff seeks authority to approve available funding from the CDBG Fund to award an agreement with Cloudburst Consulting Inc. for administration of CDBG and HOME funds received through HUD’s Office of Community Planning and Development (CPD).
Funds are available in the approved FY 2026-27 budget.
Agreement Request
FY 2026-27
Request Amount
Future Year
Modified
Request Amount
Department Account #
Total NTE
Revised
Agreement
Amount
$100,000 $431,000 19800004.550170 $531,000
Future year funding is contingent on Council budget approval. 5 of 5
Prepared By: Marc Amaral, Administrator
Approved Forwarded to Council
Attachments:
A. Attachment A: Oaks Initiative - Cloudburst
B. Attachment B: Levine Act Disclosure - Cloudburst