Morris County court authorizes RFP to pursue $1 million CFC grant

The Morris County Commissioner—s Court on Nov. 7 authorized county staff to issue a request for proposals and a request for qualifications to secure grant-administration and engineering services for the FY2026 Colonial Fund Construction (CFC) program administered by the Texas Department of Agriculture. The court identified eligible work as water and sewer system improvements and housing rehabilitation and instructed staff to move forward with procurement to meet the application deadline.

President Johnson, presiding officer, said the county would seek grant administrators and engineers through the RFP and RFQ process and proposed an RFP response deadline of Dec. 1 so staff would have time to open, score and recommend awards before the application deadline. "It's a million dollars with no match required," President Johnson said, and "we can't let a million dollars go by." The court discussed scheduling a special meeting either Dec. 2 or Dec. 5 to review proposals so staff can meet a Jan. 8 submission deadline.

Commissioners asked what project types the program would cover. Staff answered that, as discussed, the solicitation would focus on water system improvements, source-system work and housing rehabilitation; staff said they did not have the full NOFO text in front of them and recommended confirming eligibility with TDA during the procurement. The court clarified the grant is countywide and that no local match was required.

A motion to authorize issuance of the RFP and RFQ was made, seconded and approved by voice vote. The motion carried and the court directed staff to advertise the solicitation and return with a recommendation to award after proposals are reviewed.

Staff instructions and deadlines included (as discussed): RFP/RFQ responses due Dec. 1, a possible special meeting on Dec. 2 or Dec. 5 to open and score proposals, and a Jan. 8 application deadline to TDA for the FY2026 CFC funding.