1507-20251215133851 BYHALIA.pdf

Request for Proposals (RFP)

Feasibility Study for Community, Economic, and Workforce Development Town of Byhalia, Mississippi

Funded by a Delta Regional Authority (DRA) Federal Planning Grant

Release Date: December 2, 2025

Proposals Due: February 3, 2026

Contact: Jennifer Moody, Town Clerk

Email: jmoody@townofbyhalia.com | Phone: 662-838-3709

1. Introduction The Town of Byhalia, in partnership with the Delta Regional Authority (DRA), invites qualified consultants to submit proposals to conduct a Feasibility Study for the redevelopment of the Old School Commons, a municipally-owned facility located in Byhalia, Mississippi. The 20,366-square-foot Old School Commons is a historic community asset that is currently underutilized. The Town envisions the site as a multi-use community hub that fosters workforce readiness, small business development, and arts and cultural enrichment. A completed design study for the building preserves its historical character, with a two-phase renovation strategy

• Phase I (underway) includes a new and expanded library location, a public auditorium, and multi-use classroom spaces for arts programs, and senior and youth activities. This phase will also house a City of Byhalia Museum and an office for the Main Street program.

• Phase II is slated for business development, workforce development, and nonprofits that provide wrap-around services in support of economic and workforce development. For instance, there are resources such as the old cafeteria kitchen, which can be renovated into a commercial kitchen for incubating small food and beverage companies, as well as providing food services to the community.

2. Goals and Objectives This project addresses two major goals for the Old School Commons facility:

1) Identifying high-demand business and workforce development uses for phase II renovations, including updated cost estimates for completing renovations.

• Promote entrepreneurship and small business development by providing training, technical assistance, and incubation space. Engaging the Industrial Development Authority, Byhalia Area Chamber of Commerce, Main Street, and area businesses to identify the types of business space and technical assistance that could be supported in this facility.

• Provide workforce training and job support services. Gathering input from employers, educational institutions, workforce and community organizations to understand the gaps in local training, job preparedness programs, and support services, and identify potential uses of the facility to fill those gaps.

2) Create an operating framework to effectively run and manage space and programs

• Identify strategic partnerships with regional and state organizations and agencies that can leverage outside resources and bring expertise and services to Byhalia.

• Outline a governance framework for the Town and program providers, identifying the roles, responsibilities, and structures for managing these partnerships.

By having the space to provide education and training programs and creating shared resources such as a commercial kitchen and a business incubator, Byhalia can bring resources into the community that are not currently offered.

3. Scope of Work The selected consultant will be asked to provide a Feasibility Study that includes the following deliverables:

A. Needs Assessment: Using an array of data and interviews to identify high-priority needs for business development, workforce training, and community uses for Phase II of the facility.

B. Use Scenarios: Creating 2-3 scenarios for how the facility could accommodate high-priority programming identified in the Needs Assessment. This would include recommendations on the best uses for classrooms and meeting spaces, business incubation space, event space, etc. Recommended uses should also note the types of capital improvement needs for ADA compliance and modernization. To support these recommendations, the study should include examples of multi-use facilities in other regions of similar size.

C. Operational and Governance Structures: Identifying potential organizations to deliver programs and services, and outlining a governance structure for how the Town and partnering organizations would manage the use of space.

D. Updated Cost Estimates and Potential Funding Sources: Providing an updated cost estimate based on the use scenarios, building on the cost estimate developed in 2023, and identifying potential state and federal funding sources that could assist with renovations.

The Town will establish an advisory committee of key partners to review each deliverable and provide connections to various stakeholders. The consulting team will present its findings and recommendations at a public meeting.

The Town will offer potential consultants a Pre-Bid conference either in person or via Zoom prior to deadline.

4. Project Timeline RFP Release: December 2, 2025 Deadline for Questions: January 23, 2026 Proposal Due: February 3, 2026 Consultant Selection: February 17, 2026 Project Start: March 10, 2026 Draft Report: September 30, 2026 Final Report: October 30, 2026

5. Proposal Requirements Proposals must include the following:

1. Cover Letter

2. Firm qualifications, including relevant project experience and qualifications of team members who will be involved in the project.

3. Project approach, including a detailed work plan and schedule.

4. References from three similar projects.

5. Budget: Itemized by key activities/deliverables listed in the work plan with not-to-exceed total.

Proposals should be no longer than 15 pages total.

6. Evaluation Criteria Proposals will be evaluated based on understanding of project goals, approach, qualifications and relevant experience, and budget.

7. Submission Instructions Submit proposals electronically in PDF format to:

Jennifer Moody, Town Clerk Town of Byhalia Email: jmoody@townofbyhalia.com Subject: “RFP – Feasibility Study for Old School Commons – DRA Planning Grant”

Proposals must be received by February 3, 2026. Late submissions will not be considered.

8. Funding and Compliance This project is funded through a Federal Planning Grant from the Delta Regional Authority (DRA). The selected consultant must comply with 2 CFR Part 200 (Uniform Guidance), maintain active registration in SAM.gov, possess a valid Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and secure business liability insurance of at least $1,000,000.00.

9. Contact Information All inquiries must be submitted in writing to:

Jennifer Moody, Town Clerk Town of Byhalia Email: jmoody@townofbyhalia.com | Phone: 662-838-3709