REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS AND PROPOSALS FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SERVICES. Proposals are due to Renville County by 4 pm CST Friday, February 8, 2019

Transcription

1 REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS AND PROPOSALS FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SERVICES Prpsals are due t Renville Cunty by 4 pm CST Friday, February 8, S 5 th Street Olivia, MN 56277

2 APPLICATION NOTICE Due t a vacancy in the Renville Cunty EDA Office, the Renville Cunty HRA/EDA Bard (the HRA/EDA ) is requesting prpsals frm ecnmic develpment firms r individuals (hereinafter vendr ) t prvide ecnmic develpment services. The HRA/EDA expects t select a vendr wh will serve the HRA/EDA until December ; prir t that time an evaluatin will take place t determine the feasibility f cntinuance. Ecnmic Develpment services are expected t begin n a date t be determined by the HRA/EDA in crdinatin with the vendr. The selected vendr will be expected t play a practive rle in assisting the HRA/EDA and Cunty staff, and make apprpriate recmmendatins regarding ecnmic develpment. The cmmunity desires t select the best-qualified ecnmic develpment vendr thrugh the Request fr Prpsal (RFP) prcess. The ideal vendr shuld have extensive experience in ecnmic develpment including management f ecnmic develpment prgrams, ecnmic develpment marketing, and business utreach t fster strng relatinships with existing and perspective businesses. The vendr will wrk clsely with the HRA/EDA, a seven-member bdy. The HRA/EDA desires a vendr t prvide services in lieu f hiring a full time emplyee engaged in ecnmic develpment. COMMUNITY PROFILE Renville Cunty is an agricultural cmmunity lcated 80 miles west f Minneaplis, with the Minnesta River cmprising its suthern brder. Renville Cunty has 10 twns, 27 twnships, and a ppulatin f apprximately 14,982. Our missin is t keep and enhance the quality f life fr ur family f citizens thrugh services, stewardship f resurces, and shared respnsibility. Renville Cunty HRA/EDA website: Renville Cunty website: SUBMITTAL REQUIREMENTS INSTUCTIONS TO PROPOSERS All prpsals shuld be sent and all questins and crrespndence shuld be directed t: Renville Cunty Attn: Lisa Herges 105 S 5 th Street, Suite 315 Olivia, MN Phne: lisah@renvillecuntymn.cm Prpsals must be received n later than February 8, 2019 at 4:00pm CST. The cpies shall be sealed and clearly identified with Ecnmic Develpment Services RFP by the submittal deadline. Prpsals submitted after the deadline will nt be cnsidered. Each prpsal must be signed by an fficer f yur rganizatin wh can be held accuntable fr the representatins. Page 1 f 7

3 The prpser shall designate ne cntact persn wh will be the nly representative f the ecnmic develpment services vendr t which the HRA/EDA will respnd. Please nte that all questins pertaining t the RFP are t be ed t Lisa Herges; an answer will be frmulated as sn as pssible and sent t all RFP participants by fr clarificatin purpses. All questins shuld be received by February 1, Questins received after this date will nt receive a respnse. Prpsals submitted must prvide cmplete infrmatin as indicated in this request. The HRA/EDA will review the prpsals and may schedule interviews fr the finalists. 1. Schedule (subject t change based n the needs f the HRA/EDA): Distribute / Advertise RFP s January 11, 2019 Due Date fr RFP Submittals February 8, 2019 Staff Finalizes Recmmendatin fr Firms t Interview February 15, 2019 Selectin Cmmittee Interviews February 27 March 1, 2019 HRA/EDA Apprval March 7, 2019 REQUIRED CONTENTS FOR PROPOSALS A. Title Page a. Shw prpsal subject, vendr s name, address, telephne number, name f cntact persn, and the date. B. Prpsing Vendr Overview a. Describe the vendr s backgrund and histry, including the number f years in business and the number and breakdwn f persnnel in the prpsing ffice. b. Prvide a list f ther services ffered by vendr that may benefit the HRA/EDA. C. Identificatin and Qualificatin f Assigned Persnnel a. Describe yur staffing prpsal fr prviding ecnmic develpment services as indicated in the RFP. Describe the training and experience (including years) f the persn wh wuld be designated as the principal ecnmic develpment cntact, as well as ther principals wh will be prviding ecnmic develpment services and the estimated percentage f time each individual will be prviding services under the cntract. Prvide resumes fr all key staff that will be prviding ecnmic develpment services. b. Describe yur wrklad capacity and the types f wrk that yu wuld be able t handle. c. Describe yur staff and resurce capacity t respnd t time-sensitive r shrt ntice requests and/r shrt ntice requests and/r cmplicated issues. Include the prpsed hurs f availability f ecnmic develpment and supprt staff. d. Describe yur philsphy f prviding ecnmic develpment services. Page 2 f 7

4 e. Describe the apprach yu wuld use t cmmunicate and crdinate with the HRA/EDA, Cunty emplyees, the public and the media. D. Related Experience a. Describe yur rganizatin s experience and current practice in prviding ecnmic develpment services t gvernment entities, including the names f current gvernment clients. Describe yur experience in prviding advice and services t Cunty management, staff and plicy-making bards. Include a discussin f hw yur current and past experience will enable yu t effectively represent the HRA/EDA. b. Describe yur experience and expertise as it specifically relates t fstering real estate develpment and redevelpment. c. Prvide at least tw examples f cmplex issues yur rganizatin has successfully handled fr clients, including the names f staff members wh wrked n thse prjects. d. Please prvide yur rganizatin s experience and wrking relatinship with ecnmic develpment agencies including Chambers f Cmmerce, Minnesta Department f Emplyment and Ecnmic Develpment (DEED), and reginal ecnmic develpment agencies (e.g., Suthwest SBDC). e. Prvide any ther infrmatin that yu believe is relevant t the RFP. E. Prpser s Detailed Apprach t the Scpe f Services a. The prpsal shall address in detailed fashin the apprach f the firm t the Scpe f Services. F. Basis fr Cmpensatin a. Prvide a prpsed fee schedule and include a detailed descriptin and explanatin f all ther fees and/r charges that may arise fr ecnmic develpment services. G. List f References, Ptential Cnflicts and Claims a. Prvide a reference frm a client fr whm similar services have been prvided during the past 3 years. b. Describe the prcedure emplyed by yur firm fr identifying and reslving cnflict f interest issues. State any ptential cnflict(s) f interest (i.e., real estate develpers, ther units f gvernment, etc.) yu may have in prviding cunty ecnmic develpment services as utlined in the RFP. c. Prvide a statement f any insurance claims and/r ethics cmplaints taken against yu r yur persnnel ver the past five years and the status r utcmes f such actins. Indicate whether the actin is pending r is currently under review by the State Ethics Bard. H. Disclsures and Assurances Page 3 f 7

5 Page 4 f 7 a. Applicant Authrity. Assurance that the signatry making representatin in the prpsal n behalf f the vendr has the authrity t d s. b. Insurance Cverage. Prvide dcumentatin f current insurance cverage and limits, including prfessinal liability. GENERAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DESCRIPTION The HRA/EDA is searching fr a vendr that will prvide prfessinal services fr ecnmic develpment. The current fcus f the HRA/EDA is daycare, bradband, husing & wrkfrce develpment, as well as nging prmtin f Renville Cunty. The general wrk elements shall include, but are nt limited, t the fllwing: A. General Duties and Respnsibilities a. Takes directin frm the HRA/EDA. b. Be available t attend regular meetings f the HRA/EDA, generally ccurring n the 4 th Thursday f the mnth at 1:00pm at the Gvernment Services Center in Olivia, MN. c. Prvide wrk directin t Cunty Staff; there is an ffice available at the Renville Cunty Gvernment Services Center fr use by the vendr, as well as a 0.5 FTE Administrative Assistant. d. Practively cmmunicate with the HRA/EDA, Cunty staff, and the public. B. Essential Duties and Respnsibilities a. Renville Cunty Strategic Gal assigned t the HRA/EDA: i. Cnduct an ecnmic develpment needs assessment b Renville Cunty Ecnmic Develpment Authrity Wrk Plan Gals: i. Build a fundatin fr grwth within the cmmunities, rganizatins and current and future residents f Renville Cunty ii. Build relatinships with lcal businesses, lcal leaders and cmmunity members. Identify their needs and expand n their gals in an effrt t practively and psitively shape the future f Ecnmic Develpment in Renville Cunty. iii. Find new pprtunities, audiences and resurces t leverage and ultimately grw the tax base. iv. Utilize, implement, and expand technlgy t becme mre efficient and effective. v. Utilize available resurces t assist with Ecnmic Develpment effrts in the cunty, explre new pprtunities and anticipate future needs and gaps in prgramming. vi. Prmte natural features, rural living, small twn atmsphere and amenities t

6 current and future residents and businesses. c. General ecnmic develpment gals: i. Prvide a leadership rle in the preparatin and implementatin f plans and strategies fr prmting and assisting ecnmic and cmmunity develpment. ii. Develp and implement strategies t successfully market the Cunty t perspective businesses, visitr and residents. iii. Act as a primary cntact fr business inquiries and assist businesses in meeting requirements f Cunty cdes and the develpment prcesses. iv. Develp and implement strategies fr businesses t successfully lcate r expand in the Cunty by prviding necessary guidance, including demgraphics, sites, incentive prgrams, and financing ptins. v. Assist in the negtiatin and implementatin f develpment agreements and redevelpment prjects, including tax increment financing, tax abatement cntracts, and ther state and federal prgrams. vi. Administer and market lcal ecnmic develpment assistance prgrams, including lan and grant prgrams. vii. Identify funding pprtunities fr ecnmic develpment; prepare and submits applicatins t secure funding. viii. Cnduct regular reviews n Cunty develpment-related plicies, regulatins and fees t ensure the Cunty s cmpetitiveness in the marketplace. Recmmends changes t prcess t reduce cmplexity. ix. Build relatinships with the Chambers f Cmmerce and businesses thrugh visits, utreach and cmmunicatin. x. Mnitr legislative changes relating t ecnmic develpment r redevelpment. xi. Attend and make presentatins at HRA/EDA, Cunty Bard, and ther meetings as necessary. xii. Wrk with Cunty staff n marketing strategies and disseminatin f infrmatin thrugh the HRA/EDA website and ther cmmunicatin mediums. C. Knwledge, Skills, and Abilities a. Thrugh knwledge f marketing strategies fr industrial and cmmercial prperties. b. Thrugh knwledge f financing techniques and prgrams fr ecnmic develpment and redevelpment including the ability t apply creativity t each situatin. Page 5 f 7 c. Knwledge f business lcatin and expansin cnsideratins and ability t address cncerns using tact, sensitivity and diplmacy.

7 Page 6 f 7 d. Ability t apply fr and prepare grant applicatins. e. Ability t cmmunicate effectively bth verbally and in writing, using prper spelling and grammar. f. Ability t develp and maintain effective wrking relatinships with all cwrkers, cunty staff, the public, and ther agency persnnel. g. Ability t cmmunicate effectively in persn and in writing. h. Pssess slid cmmunicatin and presentatin skills. i. Ability t wrk independently with minimal supervisin. PROPOSAL EVALUATION AND APPOINTMENT A. Qualificatin Based Selectin. The HRA/EDA intends t retain the ecnmic develpment services f the prpser evaluated t be the best qualified t perfrm the wrk fr the Cunty, with cst, cmpatibility, and ther perfrmance factrs cnsidered. Qualificatin fr the tp candidate will be verified and references checked. B. Review and Recmmendatin Prcess. Based upn the evaluatin f the applicatins and pssible interview, the HRA/EDA will determine the finalists wh are judged t be the mst respnsive and respnsible prpser fr the services requested. C. Financial Liability Limitatins. The HRA/EDA shall nt be liable fr any expenses incurred by the prpser including, but nt limited t, expenses assciated with the preparatin and submissin f the prpsal, attendance at interviews, the preparatin f a cst statement, r final cntract negtiatins. D. Rights f Review. The HRA/EDA reserves the right t reject any and all prpsals r t request additinal infrmatin frm any and all prpsers fr purpses f clarificatin, and t accept r negtiate any mdificatin t any prpsal fllwing the deadline fr receipt f all prpsals. E. Selectin Criteria t Finalize Candidates fr Interview. In reviewing the prpsals, the HRA/EDA will carefully weigh the fllwing items: The vendr s apprach t and understanding f the Scpe f Wrk. The vendr s experience and perfrmance with similar cntracts and clients. The experience and qualificatins f the prpsed staff in prviding similar services. The vendr s demnstrated ability t deliver wrk n time and within budget. The extent f invlvement by key vendr persnnel Cst f services. F. Prcess fr Final Selectin. Up t fur firms and/r individuals may be invited t interview with the Selectin Cmmittee. One firm r individual frm that grup may be recmmended t the HRA/EDA fr apprval.

8 CONTRACT EXECUTION A. The cntract will require that the vendr selected t prvide ecnmic develpment services shall maintain liability, autmbile, wrker s cmpensatin, and errrs and missins insurance and shall indemnify the HRA/EDA. B. The cntract will prvide that the Ecnmic Develpment Services vendr is an independent cntractr serving at the will f the HRA/EDA. Ecnmic develpment services representative(s) shall nt be an emplyee f the Cunty and will acquire n rights t tenure, wrkers cmpensatin benefits, unemplyment cmpensatin benefits, medical and hspital benefits, sick and vacatin leave, severance pay, pensin benefits r ther rights r benefits ffered t emplyees f the Cunty, its departments r agencies. Thse engaged in prviding ecnmic develpment services will nt act as the agent, representative r emplyee f the Cunty except as expressly authrized by the cntract. C. Other required prvisins will include the HRA/EDA s right t terminate the agreement, at its sle discretin, upn the prvisin f ntice. The vendr wuld have the ptin f terminating the cntract during the term f the cntract subject t a six (6) mnth ntice perid. D. Thse prviding ecnmic develpment services shall nt accept any private client r prject that places it in ethical cnflict during its representatin f Renville Cunty and shall immediately ntify the HRA/EDA upn learning f the existence f any ptential cnflict f interest. Page 7 f 7