All companies bidding on a Calhoun County Land Bank Authority project must be registered and in good standing with the State of Michigan. In addition, interested parties must be able to supply the necessary insurance, suitable references, submit a complete bid response packet as well as meet the minimum requirements of each bid.

Interested bidders can register on the Calhoun County website. All registered bidders are responsible for maintaining their own account and ensuring that the information is correct. Questions regarding registration can be directed to the Purchasing Department at 269-781-0981.

Once you have registered with on the County website, you will receive automatic email notifications of bids that fall under the codes you selected. Notifications will be sent for all applicable County projects.

One original and two unbound copies of your bid response should be submitted by the required deadline.

Each bidder should strive to include all required documents because the Calhoun County Land Bank Authority staff may disqualify incomplete applications.

All questions must be submitted in writing by the deadline in each bid document. These questions are then answered and posted on the County’s procurement website so that all interested bidders receive the same information.

Insurance requirements are based on individual project needs. All insurance documents must be submitted at the time of bid and should have the Calhoun County Land Bank Authority added as an additional insured.

Section 3 is a provision of the Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Act of 1968 that helps foster local economic development, neighborhood economic improvement, and individual self-sufficiency. This program requires the recipient of certain HUD financial assistance, to the greatest extent feasible, provide job training, employment, and contracting opportunities to low or very low income residents in connection with projects and activities in their neighborhoods. The preferences provided under this Federal Act are based on income and location.

1. Low income is defined as 80% or below the median income of a given area.
2. Very-low income is defined as 50% or below the median income of a given area.

1. Public Housing residents; or
2. Persons who live in an area where a HUD-assisted project is located and who have a household income that falls below HUD’s Income limits.

A Section 3 business concern is one that:

1. Is 51% or more owned by Section 3 residents;
2. Employs Section 3 residents for at least 30% of its full-time, permanent staff; or
3. Provides evidence of a commitment to subcontract, to Section 3 Business Concerns, 25% or more of the dollar amount of the awarded contract.

A Section 3 resident or business concern can document his/her/it’s status by providing the following information:

Section 3 resident:

• Lease for a property owned by a housing commission;
• Most current tax return demonstrating that his/her income is at or below 80% of the area median income or;
• Determination from the Department of Health Services:
  • Confirmation of Medicare or Medicaid for themselves or their children;
  • Evidence of food assistance;
  • Copy of Section 8 Voucher; or
  • Evidence of cash assistance from DHS

Section 3 business concern:

• Copy of the payroll and applicable Section 3 resident documentation; or
• Written commitment and supporting documentation from subcontractors.

Section 3 applies to HUD-funded public and Indian housing assistance for development, operating, and modernization expenditures. It also applies to certain HUD-funded Housing and community development projects for housing rehabilitations, construction, demolitions, and other public construction.

Job Training, employment, and contracts.

1. For training and employment: Persons in public or assisted housing; persons in the area where the HUD financial assistance is spent; participants in HUD Youthbuild programs; and homeless persons.
2. For contracting: Businesses that meet the definition of a Section 3 Business Concern.

Businesses can recruit Section 3 residents in public housing developments and in neighborhoods or communities where HUD assistance is being spent. In addition, businesses can reach out to local union affiliates. Business may contact potential employees through local agencies or neighborhood groups, by distributing flyers, posting signs, or placing ads in newspapers.

Recipients are required, to the greatest extent feasible, to provide ALL types of employment opportunities to low and very-low income persons, including permanent employment and long-term jobs. In addition, recipients and contractors are encouraged to have Section 3 residents make up at least 30% of their permanent, full-time staff. To encourage recipients to continue hiring Section 3 residents, Section 3 residents who have been employed for three years may no longer be counted towards meeting the 30% requirement.

Yes, Section 3 requirements are monitored by HUD, or by the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) on HUD’s behalf, through reviews and reports. HUD and / or MSHDA also examine employment and contract records for evidence that recipients are training and employing Section 3 residents and awarding contracts to Section 3 businesses.

Section 3 residents or a Section 3 business concern, or their representative, may file a complaint with HUD if it seems a recipient is violating Section 3 requirements of a HUD funded project.

A written compliant can be filed with the local HUD field office, and should include the following: name and address of person filing the complaint; the name and address of the subject of the complaint (HUD recipient, contractor, or subcontractor); description of the acts or omissions in alleged violation of Section 3; and statement of corrective action sought, e.g. training, employment, or contracts.