A ‘Keep Out’ sign posted on a tree warns visitors to stay away from an encampment of tents in Stony Creek Park in Lansdale on Tuesday, June 10, 2025. (Dan Sokil – MediaNews Group)
Montgomery County officials allocated more than $4 million to fund a series of contracts last week, with the lion’s share used for resources to combat the housing and homelessness crises locally.
The eight-item package authorized during the July 16 Montgomery County Board of Commissioners meeting featured several county departments related to law enforcement, elections and health; housing dominated with a seven-figure agreement for three organizations.
“[The] contract provides housing administrative assistance for persons with significant mental health challenges who are homeless, experiencing housing instability, or stepping out of mental health 24-hour residential facilities,” the contract states.
A previously advertised request for proposals netted three bid submissions, according to the contract. Pro-rated figures were identified for varying contract periods.
A pro-rated amount of $2.04 million agreement with the Fort Washington-based Access Services covered the contract period of Aug. 1 to June 30, 2026, but “the contract is for an approved annual amount of $2,225,058.”
While the Abington-based Hedgwig House Inc. was awarded a pro-rated amount of roughly $410,669 for the contract period of Oct. 1 to June 30, 2026, $547,559 was listed as an “approved annual amount.”
Columbus Property Management Inc., of Philadelphia received a pro-rated quote of $71,404 for the contract period of Oct. 1 to June 30, 2026. The agreement identified “$95,206 as an “approved annual amount.”
Language stipulated terms for four optional annual renewals for each awardee. Funding was obtained through Pennsylvania’s Mental Health Human Services block grant and HealthChoices Reinvestment program.
Another $840,000 was allocated to renew a contract between the county’s Office of Voter Services and Phoenix Graphics Inc., of Rochester, New York, for upcoming election-related printing and mailing services. Of that, $350,000 covered the 2025 general election services, $260,000 went to the 2026 primary election services, as well as $240,000 for a “2026 postcard mailing and the 2026 annual voter mailing,” the contract states.
The agreement authorized last week was listed as the sole renewal option, with funding expected through the county’s general-operational budget.An existing food service contract was renewed and amended at $198,750, with $8,750 required for the agreement with US Foodservice, of Allentown as officials cited due to “increased costs in market pricing.”
The original contract covered food for the Youth Center Food Services through the 2024-25 school year. The one-year renewal procures food for the 2025-26 school year.
The contract was sourced through the Tri-State Food Services Group cooperative, according to the agreement, which was funded through the county’s general-operational budget.
Additionally, a $156,880 agreement with Fred Beans Ford of Doylestown, Bucks County, covered two Hyundai Santa Fe hybrid AWD SUVs and two Ford Ranger EcoBoost trucks for the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office. The vehicles were made available through the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s cooperative purchasing program, according to the contract.
In other business, the county’s human resource department is seeking a firm to conduct a “leadership compensation review.” The request for proposal advertised last week solicits assistance to “provide comprehensive analysis and consulting services related to the compensation and classification of the county’s senior leadership positions.”
“The review will evaluate the competitiveness, internal equity, and strategic alignment of compensation practices to support effective talent management and organizational performance,” the request for proposal states.
Bids are due by 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 12. Funding is expected to come from the county’s general-operational budget.
The next Montgomery County Board of Commissioners meeting will take place at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 14 on the eighth floor of One Montgomery Plaza, 425 Swede St. Those interested in attending the meeting can do so virtually. Visit montgomerycountypa.gov.
