Committee raises capacity and reference concerns about vendor 'Horn'

Committee members described Horn as an experienced firm in housing and large HUD-funded programs but raised concerns about local staffing capacity, reference availability and use of proprietary technology. Rob Hendrickson, the committee chair, said Horn “is 1 of the big players” in housing program administration and noted its case studies and tools, but several members worried that Horn might be stretched across other contracts and rely on a bench that could leave the county with less-experienced staff on day‑to‑day work. Deborah Benavides and other reviewers flagged reference-check irregularities: phone numbers that were no longer active, references listed for subcontractors rather than primes, and some contacts who could not recall the work cited. One committee member reported follow-up calls that yielded mixed clarity about Horn’s past projects. Members also discussed technology risk. Some proposals relied on Neighborly, a county‑familiar platform, while Horn appears to use proprietary systems. Committee members warned that proprietary platforms can complicate data access and contract transitions if a vendor withdraws. Why it matters: Horn emerged as a respected contender with deep housing experience, but potential capacity constraints, uneven reference responses, and platform interoperability concerns will be points to probe in oral presentations and reference checks. Direction given: Staff will verify references, ask Horn to clarify staffing availability and substitution plans during orals, and request details about platform interoperability and data‑export provisions. Ending: No selection was made at the meeting; committee members asked for clearer staffing commitments and verifiable reference contacts before scoring Horn more favorably.