HomeMy WebLinkAbout[08a] RFP for EDA Services
CITY OF ST. JOSEPH
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
FOR
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CONSULTING SERVICES
December 2011
P.O. Box 668
25 College Avenue North
St. Joseph, MN 56374
The City of St. Joseph is requesting proposals from experienced economic development
consultant firms to provide services to the Economic Development Authority (EDA) on a weekly
basis.
The firm requesting consideration should be aware that:
Experience in the area of municipal economic development services is a requirement for
consideration.
Comprehensive professional economic development services shall be provided on
location in the City Offices one day per week, each week of the year, for a total of 420
hours per year.
The firm providing services shall not anticipate assistance from City staff in carrying out
professional economic development services.
It is a requirement for consideration that only one individual from the firm shall provide
professional economic development consultation services to the City.
It is a requirement that the proposed consultant shall have sufficient resources to ensure
that all of the demands of the City’s EDA will be met on a timely basis.
In order to ensure a fair review and selection process, firms submitting proposals are specifically
requested not to make contacts to the City staff, EDA Board Members, or Council Members
regarding these proposals. Questions or comments should be directed to the City Administrator,
Judy Weyrens at 320-363-7201.
.
The EDA will review all applicants The term of appointment will be subject to ongoing review
and evaluation by the EDA.
Questions regarding this RFP should be directed to the City Administrator, Judy Weyrens, P.O.
Box 668, 25 College Avenue North, St. Joseph MN 56374.
St. Joseph EDA
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RFP Economic Development Consulting Services
December, 2011
SECTION ONE: INSTRUCTIONS TO PROPOSERS
A.Ten paper copies and two electronic copies of the proposal shall be submitted to the
th
no later than 4:00 pm December 30, 2011.
City. Proposals must be received
Proposals shall be in a sealed envelope labeled: “St. Joseph Economic Development
Consulting Services RFP.” The envelope shall be delivered to:
Judy Weyrens, City Administrator
City of St. Joseph
P.O. Box 668
25 College Avenue North
St. Joseph, MN 56374
B.Proposals not providing complete information as indicated in this request may be
disqualified.
C.Proposals shall not exceed a total of twelve (12) single-sided pages in length,
including cover(s) and supporting documentation.
D.The contract with the firm will provide that it is not exclusive, that the City may
retain other firms for some or all the services described in the RFP, and that the City
may terminate the agreement at any time for any reason upon provision of written
notice as specified in the final agreement.
E.The firm shall not subcontract or assign any interest in the contract and shall not
transfer any interest in the same without prior written consent of the City.
St. Joseph EDA
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RFP Economic Development Consulting Services
December, 2011
SECTION TWO: MUNICIPAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CONSULTING SERVICES
DESCRIPTION
The City of St. Joseph is searching for a firm that will provide comprehensive professional
economic development services in the City Offices one day per week, each week, for a total of
420 hours per year. The firm providing services should not anticipate assistance from City staff
in carrying out economic development duties.
It is anticipated that there will be a close, cooperative working relation between the selected firm
and City staff, the EDA, and the City Council. The general work elements are outlined below.
1.Communicate tangible outcomes of economic development strategies to
policymakers and the public.
2.Provide management and leadership in planning, drafting, developing,
coordinating, supervising, and evaluating economic development strategies,
development programs, available incentives, retention efforts, recruitment efforts,
and funding resources.
3.Develop and/or administer special initiatives including, but not limited to:
a.Improving local amenities (e.g., downtown revitalization, quality of life
amenities).
b.Ensuring adequate infrastructure is available (shovel ready lots, municipal
services, adequate capacity).
c.Nurturing entrepreneurship.
d.Capitalizing on citizen creativity.
4.Develop and maintain relationships with economic developers and economic
development entities also active in the region.
5.Devise and develop marketing programs/literature, including but not limited to
those which promote community assets/opportunities.
6.Manage portion of City website devoted to community development.
7.Respond to public inquiries/concerns.
8.Provide assistance with incentive calculations and incentive program
implementation.
St. Joseph EDA
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RFP Economic Development Consulting Services
December, 2011
9.Provide technical assistance and knowledge resources to business prospects at all
stages of development, from organization of start-up businesses through
expansion of successful businesses.
10.Participation in meetings including, but not limited to:
a.Internal and external meetings with City staff, department heads, civic
groups, development firms, contractors, other governmental entities, and
the like.
b.Meetings with developers and members of the public on proposed
development projects in order to relate the processes and procedures
involved.
c.EDA meetings, Planning Commission meetings, City Council meetings,
work sessions, etc.
11.Preparation of technical reports and project reports.
12.Preparation and delivery of speeches, presentations, and materials at various
public meetings and within various public forums.
13.Preparation and administration of EDA operation and capital project funds as
defined by the City Council and under the direction of the Finance Director for
the City of St. Joseph.
14.Other tasks as assigned by the EDA.
St. Joseph EDA
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RFP Economic Development Consulting Services
December, 2011
SECTION THREE: REQUIRED CONTENT FOR PROPOSALS
A.Company Background.
1.Brief history of Company.
2.Number of principal and key staff, and areas of specialty.
3.Company Support personnel: number and expertise.
4.Company office organization and support capabilities.
5.Company office location(s).
6.Describe Company research capabilities with specific emphasis on
municipal economic development publications, computer links, and
current use of technology, especially capability for sharing and editing
documents electronically.
7.Describe Company insurance coverage: carrier, limits, and exemptions.
8.Signed statement by Company President (or equivocal agent) regarding
any insurance claims and/or ethics complaints taken against the Company
and the Company’s proposed consultant(s) to St. Joseph. The statement
shall cover a period of the last five years and the status or outcomes of
such action. The Company shall indicate whether action is pending or is
currently under review by any local, state, or federal court, the Better
Business Bureau, a ratings agency, and/or licensing/ethics
board/organization.
B.Consultant Proposed and Proposed Consultant Qualifications.
1.Identify the individual consultant who will be supplying services for
which the EDA will be billed as follows:
a.Name, academic training, and professional degrees.
b.Brief statement from the proposed consultant regarding his/her view of
an economic development professional’s role in a small city.
c.Brief statement from the proposed consultant regarding applicable
work areas for an EDP in St. Joseph, MN and proposed percentage of
time spent in each of those work areas.
d.Background and experience of the proposed consultant as it
specifically relates to the general economic development services
St. Joseph EDA
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RFP Economic Development Consulting Services
December, 2011
envisioned by the St. Joseph EDA as described in Section Two of this
RFP.
e.Description of prior municipal experience including cities served in a
similar capacity.
f.List of projects in communities where designated economic
development consultant served and outcomes.
2.Description of the proposed economic development consultant’s approach
the general economic development services as described in Section Two
of this RFP.
C.List of cities the firm and the proposed consultant currently serve and for what
type of service.
D.List of cities the firm and the proposed consultant began serving in the last three
years.
E.List of cities the firm and the proposed consultant stopped serving in the last three
years.
F.Names, telephone numbers and contact person of at least three municipal client
references, at least two of which shall be cities over the population of 5,000.
G.Description of the company’s view of their responsibilities to the EDA and City
in the provision of economic development services.
H.Copy of Liability Insurance Certificate in a minimum amount of $1,000,000.
I.Conflict of Interest Statement.
1.Indicate whether the Company represents, or have represented, any client
whose representation may conflict with the proposed consultant’s ability
to provide economic development services to the City.
2.Indicate whether designated consultant or the Company currently
represents any other local units of government having jurisdiction within,
or contiguous to, the City of St. Joseph.
3.Identify what procedures the Company utilizes to identify and resolve
conflicts of interest.
J.Proposed Compensation.
St. Joseph EDA
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RFP Economic Development Consulting Services
December, 2011
1.Provide a detailed description and explanation of all fees and/or charges
that may arise for services. The description/explanation shall be separated
by proposed staff at an hourly rate and a lump sum not to exceed contract
for 420 hours of service/year.
2.Identify the minimum increment of time billed for each service, e.g. phone
calls, correspondence, personal conference.
3.State separately the rate for any firm cost items to be billed such as
mileage, printing, photocopying, researching, etc.
4.The City requests monthly billing statements which:
a.Itemize the date of services.
b.Identify the person(s) providing the services.
c.Lists time spent.
d.Provides a detail description of the services performed and expense
and/or mileage reimbursements.
e.States the fee for those services, mileage, and/or reimbursement.
St. Joseph EDA
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RFP Economic Development Consulting Services
December, 2011
SECTION FOUR: PROPOSAL EVALUATION AND APPOINTMENT
A.The EDA intends to retain the consulting services of the proposer evaluated to be the
best qualified to perform the work for the City, cost and other factors considered.
B.Based upon the evaluation, the EDA will review and pick the finalists who are judged
to be the most responsive and responsible proposer for services requested. Oral
interviews may be conducted by the EDA. The top firm will be chosen by the EDA
for recommendation to the City Council for final approval.
C.The City will not reimburse the proposer for any expenses incurred by the proposer
including, but not limited to, expenses associated with the preparation and submission
of the proposal, and attendance at interviews.
D.The City reserves the right to reject any and all proposals or to request additional
information from any and all proposers.
4.Indicate whether the company represents, or have represented, any client
whose representation may conflict with your ability to provide development
services to the City.
5.Indicate whether designated consultant or the company currently represents
any other local units of government having jurisdiction within, or
contiguous to, the City of St. Joseph.
6.Identify what procedures your company utilizes to identify and resolve
conflicts of interest.
SECTION FIVE: RIGHT TO REJECT PROPOSALS
Submission of a proposal indicates acceptance by the firm of the conditions contained in this
request for proposal unless clearly and specifically noted in the proposal submitted and
confirmed in the contract between the City of St. Joseph and the firm selected.
The City of St. Joseph reserves the right without prejudice to reject any and all proposals.
St. Joseph EDA
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RFP Economic Development Consulting Services
December, 2011