5-Scope of Services.pdf

SCOPE OF SERVICES

Purpose:

Marion County is seeking qualified firms to provide professional consulƟng services to perform individual feasibility analyses for various tourism development opportuniƟes throughout the County. These analyses will support strategic planning, funding pursuits, and implementaƟon of projects that enhance the County’s tourism assets and economic impact.

Background:

Marion County conƟnues to expand its porƞolio of tourism-related faciliƟes and aƩracƟons, including outdoor recreaƟon areas, parks, trail systems, and event venues. To ensure sound investment and sustainable growth, the County intends to engage mulƟple qualified firms under contract to provide feasibility analysis services on an as-needed, task order basis.

General Approach:

The Tourist Development Department will manage project assignments under this contract. Projects will be assigned among the awarded firms on a rotaƟng basis, to the extent that fair and equitable distribuƟon is pracƟcable, while accounƟng for the specific needs, Ɵming, and urgency of each project.

In making project assignments, the Tourist Development Department may consider factors including, but not limited to, the firm’s qualificaƟons, relevant experience, demonstrated Ɵmeliness, current workload, available capacity, past performance, and ability to meet County-required schedules and deadlines.

• The County places significant emphasis on Ɵmeliness. Project schedules and the required compleƟon Ɵmeframe will be a primary factor in determining which firm is assigned a given task.

• Firms shall submit, as part of their proposal, a schedule outlining their typical turnaround Ɵme for projects of a similar nature, and each assigned task will include a project-specific schedule that must be agreed upon by the County and the selected firm prior to commencement of work.

• The County does not guarantee any minimum or maximum amount of work under this RFQ.

• Firms may be assigned more than one project concurrently, provided their workload and capacity allow them to meet all required schedules.

• Project assignments may vary based on operaƟonal needs, scheduling requirements, and the best interest of the County.

• If a firm selected for a project is unable to negoƟate pricing or agree to a schedule acceptable to the County, the County reserves the right to disconƟnue negoƟaƟons for that project and proceed to the next most qualified firm, in the best interest of the County.

Services to Be Provided:

The selected firms shall furnish all labor, materials, experƟse, and data necessary to complete feasibility analyses, which may include but are not limited to:

1. Market Analysis:

o Assess tourism and recreaƟon trends at local, regional, and state levels.

o IdenƟfy potenƟal user groups, visitaƟon demand, and compeƟƟve benchmarks.

2. Economic and Financial Feasibility:

o Prepare revenue and operaƟng cost projecƟons for proposed faciliƟes or ameniƟes.

o Conduct return-on-investment (ROI) and/or cost-benefit analyses.

o IdenƟfy potenƟal funding and partnership opportuniƟes, including grants or public-private ventures.

3. Site and Infrastructure EvaluaƟon:

o Review exisƟng condiƟons, access, and compaƟbility with surrounding land uses.

o Full review and analysis of current venue and park assets throughout Marion County (both public and private) o Evaluate infrastructure needs, including uƟliƟes, parking, and accessibility.

4. Concept Development and ComparaƟve Analysis:

o Develop preliminary project concepts, alternaƟves, or enhancement opƟons.

o Compare project scenarios to idenƟfy the most viable and maintainable opƟon.

5. Trail, Park, and/or Facility Enhancements:

o Evaluate opportuniƟes to expand trail connecƟvity, park ameniƟes, and visitor faciliƟes.

o IdenƟfy potenƟal economic, recreaƟonal, and environmental benefits.

6. ReporƟng and PresentaƟons:

o Provide wriƩen reports summarizing findings, recommendaƟons, and implementaƟon strategies.

o Present results to County staff, advisory boards, and/or the Board of County Commissioners as requested.

Deliverables:

Individual feasibility reports for each assigned project or opportunity.

SupporƟng data, maps, and conceptual layouts (as applicable).

ExecuƟve summaries and presentaƟon materials suitable for stakeholder and public meeƟngs, including delivery of final presentaƟons when requested by the County. The consultant may be required to present findings and recommendaƟons at stakeholder, public, or other meeƟngs, even aŌer submission of the final report.

Firms will be evaluated on:

Experience conducƟng tourism, recreaƟon, and economic feasibility studies for public-sector clients.

QualificaƟons of key personnel assigned to the project(s).

Demonstrated understanding of Florida tourism (F.S.S. 125.0104) as well as outdoor recreaƟon markets, hospitality development, and related tourism-driven industries.

Ability to meet project schedules and budgets.

Relevance and applicability of the submiƩed case study

Case Study Response:

As part of the proposal, firms shall submit one representaƟve case study demonstraƟng relevant experience with tourism-related feasibility analysis or similar public-sector work. The response should generally address the firm’s analyƟcal approach, key assumpƟons related to tourism demand and economic impact, and the type of data typically required from the County. Original data collecƟon is not required, as the County is evaluaƟng the firm’s approach, judgment, and understanding of tourism feasibility rather than a completed study.

Contract Term:

The iniƟal term of the contract shall be three (3) years, with the opƟon to renew for up to two (2) addiƟonal two-year renewal periods, conƟngent upon mutual agreement and saƟsfactory performance.

AddiƟonal Resources:

The following will all be provided to assist with scope development and ensure focus is placed on approved short- and long-term community iniƟaƟves.

The Ocala/Marion County Visitors and ConvenƟon Bureau operaƟonal, strategic plans and long-range plans

Marion County Parks & RecreaƟon OperaƟonal and Master Plans;

The Marion County strategic plan, Empowering Marion for Success I and II, 2035 Bicycle/Pedestrian Master Plan The Marion County TransportaƟon Plan

AddiƟonal available research and insights including, but not limited to, economic impact of tourism studies, visitor tracking studies, Arrivalist data, media insights, Ocala Vision 2035 (and related plans), Marion Cultural Alliance Strategic Plan, Florida Horse Park Master plan and any other relevant available research.