1-RFP Solicitation Document.pdf

Commercial District Activation Strategy

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Request for Proposals:

Commercial District Activation Strategy Proposals Due: Tuesday, November 4, 2025, by 9:00 AM EST in Bonfire Portal

Section 1: Project Definitions and Abbreviations This section consists of abbreviations, definitions, and general rules of interpretation.

ABI. Atlanta BeltLine, Inc. – a funding partner for the project, the agent for the Owner of the Atlanta BeltLine corridor property, technical lead for the project, and the contracting entity.

ABI is the Georgia nonprofit corporation created by The Atlanta Development Authority d/b/a Invest Atlanta to coordinate the administrative, development and redevelopment activities of the City of Atlanta’s BeltLine Tax Allocation District (TAD) and implement the Atlanta BeltLine program.

Agreement/Contract. The document executed by ABI and the Consultant that defines the terms under which the Consultant will provide the strategic implementation plan updates to ABI. ABI reserves the right to make changes to this draft agreement based upon the final agreed upon scope of work and the negotiations with the selected Offeror.

Apparent Successful Offeror. The Offeror that submits the Proposal that ABI, in its sole opinion, considers the best overall value in accordance with the procedures set forth in the RFP. The Apparent S uccessful Offeror will not be awarded the Contract if:

A. The Offeror fails to comply with all applicable pre-award and pre-execution requirements of the RFP and/or Contract, B. The parties are unable to reach agreement during negotiations on the final terms of the Contract, or

C. ABI chooses not to award a Contract.

BeltLine Planning Area (BPA). Areas located within a half-mile on either side of the planned or established BeltLine trail.

Business Association. Membership organizations that are engaged in supporting the business

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interests of their members.

City of Atlanta (COA). A funding partner for the Atlanta BeltLine, and the ultimate Owner of primarily the infrastructure portions of the project assets.

Commercial District. An area of a city or town in which the primary land use is commercial use, such as shops, offices, restaurants, or entertainment venues.

Community Improvement District (CID). Special purpose, autonomous, nonprofit, public-private partnerships with the power to self-tax industrial and commercial property owners within their districts and pool those funds for public improvement projects.

Consultant. The Successful Offeror that enters into an Agreement with ABI to execute the negotiated scope of work or services generally outlined herein.

Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE). A for-profit small business concern where socially and economically disadvantaged individuals own at least a 51% interest and control management and daily business operations. African Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans, Asian-Pacific and Subcontinent Asian Americans, and women are presumed to be socially and economically disadvantaged. Other individuals can also qualify as socially and economically disadvantaged on a case-by-case basis. For the purposes of this RFP, a DBE must be certified through one of the programs listed in Section 7 of this RFP, and meet the specific guidelines contained therein.

Equity Priority Subareas. Subareas within the BeltLine Planning Area (BPA) that appear particularly vulnerable to gentrification and displacement.

Evaluation Committee. The group of individuals appointed by ABI to assess the proposals submitted in response to this procurement.

Joint Venture (JV). A legal association of two or more firms to carry out a single, for-profit business enterprise, for which the parties combine their property, capital, efforts, skills, and knowledge, and who are responsible for a distinct, clearly defined portion of the Contract scope of work/services. The parties’ share in the capital contribution, control, management, risk, and profits of the joint venture are commensurate with their ownership interest.

Major Participant. Major Participant means:

A. The Consultant and any related entities

B. A sub-contractor that completes a significant portion of the Scope of Work/Services

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C. A sub-consultant that completes a significant portion of the Scope of Work/Services

D. Any firm intended to perform 20% or more of the work of the Contract and the Consultant, regardless of level of participation

E. Any firm providing more than the percentage specified in the Scope of Work/Services of the value of the work and all related entities

Notice to Proceed. “Notice to Proceed” means “Notice to Commence Work”.

Key Personnel. Those persons that the responding Offeror identifies as critical to the successful completion of the work and/or services that are the subject of this solicitation.

Project. This term is used to describe the basis for this solicitation and includes all work and services necessary to design and build the Atlanta BeltLine Trail. Lowercase “project” refers to the specific project in this solicitation (Business Façade pARTnership Grant Facilitation and/or Commercial District Support Grant Design & Facilitation).

Project Manager. The person, who, on behalf of the Consultant, is responsible for the management and integration of all components described in any Contract that results from this procurement. The Project Manager shall be responsible for all aspects of the project including the quality of the product/deliverable.

Offeror. One who submits a proposal in response to a Request for Proposals in competitive solicitation.

Owner(s). The legal or record owner of the property on which the project is to be constructed.

Plans. When the context so indicates, “Plans” mean applicable conceptual, planning, design, and drawings including plan, profile, typical cross sections, Working Drawings, Standard Details, Supplemental Standard Details, Design Standards and Supplemental Drawings or reproductions thereof or electronically displayed equivalents that show the location, character, dimensions, and details of the work.

Project Records. Records or data of any type on any media including those produced by the Consultant of Record or its subcontractors, suppliers, or manufacturers that are related to the project. Project Records may include, but are not limited to:

A. Plans

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B. Working Drawings C. Specifications D. Stakeholder comments E. Design notes and computations F. Catalog cuts G. Schedules and schedule updates or revisions H. Quality control Plans and related documentation I. Equal opportunity and affirmative action J. Progress Meeting records K. Partnering records L. Correspondence M. DBE participation records N. E-mails O. Any other documents related to the scope of work.

Special Service District (SSD). A targeted tax district where property owners pay slightly more in property taxes to fund improvements from which they will benefit.

Stakeholder. A person or group with an interest in the successful completion and subsequent use of a project.

Successful Offeror/Offeror/Bidder. A person or entity whose proposal/qualifications/bid is responsive and responsible to all requirements within a solicitation and is determined by the Evaluation Committee as providing a solution in the best interest of ABI.

The Atlanta Development Authority d/b/a Invest Atlanta (IA). IA is the redevelopment agent for the City of Atlanta, and a public body corporate and politic of the State of Georgia.

Tax Allocation District (TAD). A redevelopment tool that uses the increased property taxes generated by new development in a designated redevelopment area to finance costs related to development including, but not limited to, public infrastructure, demolition, utilities, and planning costs.

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Section 2: Atlanta Beltline Overview The Atlanta BeltLine is a transformative project shaping the way the City of Atlanta will mature as a city, by creating parks, trails, transit, and new development along a 22-mile loop of rail segments that encircle the city’s urban core. The Atlanta BeltLine, by attracting and organizing a portion of the region’s future growth around parks, transit, and trails located in the inner core of Atlanta, will lead to a vibrant and livable Atlanta with an enhanced quality of life for all city residents. The revival of this historically industrial landscape will become a uniquely Atlanta solution and an exemplary national model for effectively managing growth by providing:

• Trails and pedestrian-friendly streets to link neighborhoods previously severed by freight rail and industry,

• A 22-mile streetcar/light rail transit loop providing an alternative to vehicle travel among jobs, residences, and cultural attractions,

• Compact mixed-used development that supports transit, parks, and trails, as well as businesses,

• A connected network of beautiful parks and greenspaces,

• Affordable workforce housing,

• Preservation of historic buildings and structures; and environmental remediation of underutilized brownfield areas.

• People-centered and partnership oriented economic opportunities to enhance the quality of life for Atlanta residents and businesses.

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Section 3: Scope of Work Background: The Atlanta Beltline is a transformative project shaping the way the City of Atlanta will mature as a city, by creating parks, trails, transit, and encouraging new development along a 22-mile loop of rail segments that encircle the city’s urban core. The Beltline takes a people-centered and partnership-oriented approach to economic development to enhance the quality of life for Atlanta residents and businesses. The Beltline Economic Development department focuses on five main pillars:

• Small Business Support

• Workforce Development

• Digital Inclusion & Innovation

• Commercial Affordability

• Commercial District Support

Support for economic activities along commercial corridors is part of ABI’s commitment for $12 million to support small businesses with TAD funding with the passage of the Special Service District. As such, the Economic Development team works in partnership with the numerous commercial district organizations around the Beltline corridor to build capacity for continued small business support.

The Atlanta Beltline encompasses diverse commercial districts, each with unique characteristics and organizations. However, some districts lack formal organizational support or resources to maximize their potential to support small businesses during high-profile regional events. The selected partner will assist in district assessments, identify resource gaps, and create a toolkit that commercial districts can utilize to enhance their visibility and help small businesses benefit from the influx of visitors during large-scale regional events. Additionally, the selected partner should be prepared to offer tailored technical assistance to each commercial district as they develop their individual plans.

Purpose: The Atlanta Beltline seeks to engage a partner to develop a Commercial District Activation Strategy designed to capitalize on the economic opportunities presented by large-scale events, such as large sporting events or concerts. This strategy will focus on building capacity within the commercial district organizations to activate approximately 15 commercial districts along the Beltline, ensuring they are well-positioned to attract and engage visitors while driving business activity during significant regional events.

Kelvin Collins Add language that states commercial district support is part of ABI’s Economic Development framework.

Support for economic activities along commercial corridors is part of ABI’s commitment of $12 million to support small business with TAD funding with the passage of Special Service District (SSD).

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Timeline: October 2025 to November 2026 (13 months)

• Primary deliverables (assessment tool and general toolkit) – 6 months o Delivery before March 31, 2026

• Technical assistance – 3 months o Delivery before June 2026

• Metrics and Evaluation – 4 months o Finalize by the end of November 2026

Scope of Work: The selected partner will perform the following tasks:

1. Activation Opportunities

• Create an assessment tool Commercial District organizations can conduct on their own that assesses readiness and identifies key nodes of activation.

• Propose activations, such as pop-up markets, live performances, and themed events, to attract and retain visitors along the commercial corridor.

• Collaborate with local businesses and organizations to ensure community alignment and buy-in.

2. Resource Gathering and Identifying Gaps

• Conduct a resource inventory for the commercial districts, mapping existing assets such as funding, staffing, technical assistance, and infrastructure.

• Identify gaps that hinder the ability to host activations or attract visitors.

• Recommend resources, partnerships, or funding opportunities to bridge these gaps.

3. Development of a Commercial District Toolkit

• Create a comprehensive toolkit tailored to commercial district organizations, including:

o Marketing campaign templates and strategies.

o Event activation ideas and best practices.

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o Guidelines for promotions and partnerships to enhance district visibility.

o Tips for leveraging social media and digital platforms to engage with event attendees.

• Ensure the toolkit is user-friendly and adaptable to districts with varying levels of resources and organizational support.

4. Technical Assistance

• Provide strategic guidance to commercial district organizations as they develop tailored activation plans based on their assessments that considers the district’s unique assets, existing infrastructure, and community needs.

• Advise on partnerships and collaborations that can amplify the reach and impact of district activations.

• Support districts lacking formal organizations by offering templates and guidance for community-led initiatives.

• Identify training opportunities or workshops on event planning, marketing, and visitor engagement.

5. Metrics to Track Impact

• Define key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the success of the strategy and its initiatives.

• Identify tools and develop methodologies for collecting data on:

o Visitor numbers and engagement levels during activations.

o Revenue generated by local businesses.

o Social media and marketing campaign reach.

o Community and stakeholder satisfaction.

• Provide recommendations for ongoing monitoring and evaluation to inform future strategies.

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Deliverables:

1. Organization-conducted assessment tool identifying activation opportunities for each commercial district.

2. Resource inventory and gap analysis report.

3. Comprehensive Commercial District Toolkit.

4. Technical assistance plan and training opportunities and/or materials.

5. Metrics framework and recommendations for impact tracking.

6. Final strategy document summarizing findings, recommendations, and actionable next steps.

Qualifications: The ideal partner will have:

• Expertise in urban planning, economic development, and/or activation strategy.

• Experience working with commercial districts or similar community organizations.

• Proven track record in resource gap analysis and toolkit development.

• Strong facilitation and stakeholder engagement skills.

Proposal Requirements: Interested parties should submit a proposal including: (10 – page maximum)

• Approach and methodology for the scope of work.

• Relevant experience and qualifications.

• Proposed timeline and budget.

o Please itemize each deliverable with clear timeframes and list them as separate line items.

• Examples of similar projects completed.

• Three references from past clients.

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Evaluation Criteria:

• Approach & Methodology - Clarity, feasibility, and innovation in addressing all five scope areas: activation, resource gaps, toolkit, technical assistance, and metrics. (25pts)

• Relevant Experience & Qualifications - Demonstrated expertise in urban planning, economic development, activation strategy, and working with commercial districts. (20pts)

• Toolkit & Resource Gap Strategy - Quality and adaptability of proposed toolkit and thoroughness of resource inventory and gap analysis. (15pts)

• Technical Assistance Plan - Strength and practicality of proposed technical assistance, especially for districts with limited organizational capacity. (10pts)

• Metrics & Evaluation Framework - Robustness of KPIs, data collection methods, and recommendations for ongoing monitoring and evaluation. (10pts)

• Timeline & Deliverables - Realism and clarity of proposed timeline, with itemized deliverables aligned with the 13-month project schedule. (10pts)

• Budget & Cost Effectiveness - Reasonableness of budget and cost-effectiveness of proposed activities and deliverables. (5pts)

• References & Past Projects - Quality and relevance of past projects and client references. (5pts)

The maximum possible score is 100 points

Procurement Timeline:

• Post Date: Tuesday, October 7th, 2025, at 9:00 AM EST

• Questions Due: Wednesday, October 15th, 2025, at 4:00 PM EST

• Submissions Due: Friday, October 24th, 2025, at 4:00 PM EST in Bonfire Portal:

https://beltline.bonfirehub.com/portal/?tab=openOpportunities

• Evaluation: begins Monday, October 27, 2025 https://beltline.bonfirehub.com/portal/?tab=openOpportunities

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Addenda and Interpretation:

Questions by prospective Offerors as to the interpretation of the RFP document must be submitted in Bonfire no later than the Question due date/time specified in the Procurement Timeline listed herein. Every interpretation made to an Offeror will be in the form of an addendum to the RFP document. All addenda will be posted in Bonfire. It is the Offeror's responsibility to find out what addenda have been issued. All such addenda shall become part of the Agreement, and all Offerors shall be bound by such addenda, whether received by the Offeror. Please double check Bonfire to ensure that you have all documents that have been issued prior to submitting your response to this Solicitation.

ABI shall not be bound by any information, explanation, clarification, or interpretation, oral or written, by whosoever made, that is not incorporated into an addendum to the RFP. No response shall be made to inquiries received later than the time and date specified in the RFP.

Bonfire Registration:

Proposals must be submitted only in the ABI Bonfire link below by the Proposal submittal deadline:

https://Beltline.bonfirehub.com/portal/?tab=openOpportunities

If your firm is already registered with ABI in Bonfire, sign into your ABI Bonfire account or to see the current open solicitations go directly to Bonfire:

https://Beltline.bonfirehub.com/portal/?tab=openOpportunities

Vendors who are not registered with ABI in Bonfire, visit the ABI website at https://www.beltline.org/procurement. Next, follow the instructions and click the Bonfire vendor registration link to register your company. Registration is easy and free.

During registration, select commodity codes based on the types of services your firm provides.

Exparte Communications:

All communication regarding this Procurement is only done in Bonfire. Any other communication is prohibited. Do not contact any ABI staff or external contacts regarding this Procurement.

https://beltline.bonfirehub.com/portal/?tab=openOpportunities https://beltline.bonfirehub.com/portal/?tab=openOpportunities https://www.beltline.org/procurement