Addendum No 1 -RFP 367-OC5437.pdf

Finance and Administrative Services Department – Purchasing Division

RFP Addendum No 1

October 22, 2024

ORANGE COUNTY RFP No 367-OC 5437

Request for Proposals to Develop an Orange County Economic Development Department Strategic Plan

To All Interested Consultants:

Please see the following questions and responses below.

1. So that we can best tailor our response, can you share the budget range that has been established for this project?

Response: The County has not established a firm project budget. However, the selected proposal will be presented to the County Manager for funding consideration.

2. Will the slides presented earlier be distributed?

Response: Yes, the file is attached.

3. If the County decides to interview proposers, will those interviews be in-person or virtual?

Response: Proposers will have the option to do the interviews in-person or virtually.

4. Is a Project Management Team for this project already in place?

Response: The Project Management Team will consist of three members of the Orange County Economic Development Department and an Orange County Economic Development Advisory Board Representative. Consultation with the Orange County Advisory Board and County Manger’s office will occur throughout the project.

5. What is your anticipated budget or budget range for this effort?

Response: The County has not established a firm project budget. However, the selected proposal will be presented to the County Manager for funding consideration.

6. Are industry clusters already defined?

Response: There are five or six main industry clusters that make sense for Orange County. For example, medical, biopharma, auto parts, logistics, food processing. The Research Triangle Region of Raleigh and Durham have preexisting clusters in biopharma and IT, and it is logical that spillover from these industries could also come to Orange County.

7. What is the process to approve final deliverables via the Economic Development Advisory Council and County Board?

Response: In working with the Economic Development Staff and Advisory Board, a recommendation to the County Manager’s office and ultimately through a presentation to the Orange County Board of County Commissioners will occur. We anticipate frequent dialogue with the consultant throughout the process that should result in an effective strategic plan document.

8. There are bullets under the research section, such as leveraging partners and enhancing livability, that could include research, but can you elaborate on the type of research you envision for those items?

Response: Our intent is to have the Economic Development Strategic Plan align with several ongoing plans within the County such as Orange County’s Strategic Plan (Diverse and Vibrant Economy Section), the Orange County Department of Planning and Inspection’s update to the Comprehensive Land Use Plan, and The Chamber for a Greater Chapel Hill-Carrboro’s Big Bold Ideas goals.

9. Will the department negotiate the scope to be provided if the proposed budget does not align with the county's resources?

Response: The selected proposal will be presented to the County Manager for funding consideration.

10. What is driving the need for a strategic plan?

What is the overall goal you hope to achieve through this study?

Response: The Economic Development Department has not updated a Strategic Plan in the past ten years. In addition there are several ongoing plans within the County that have elements of economic development goals to be achieved over the next five years such as Orange County’s Strategic Plan (Diverse and Vibrant Economy Section), the Orange County Department of Planning and Inspection’s update to the Comprehensive Land Use Plan, and The Chamber for a Greater Chapel Hill-Carrboro’s Big Bold Ideas goals. And the Economic Development Department desires to increase its role and funding availability needed to support small business and large business recruitment, retention, and expansion.

11. Regarding the E-Verify Affidavit on page 15 of the RFP, are we permitted to edit the Affidavit to match the state and county our business is in? The top of the page and the notary line currently include "North Carolina," but as we are not a North Carolina employer, we cannot complete it as is.

Response: Yes, the Consultant is permitted to edit the E-Verify affidavit to match the state and county where the business is located.

12. Regarding item 4.3 Insurance Requirements on page 6 of the RFP, is the $2 million umbrella liability required if our coverage total meets the requirement?

Response: No umbrella coverage is needed if your coverage meets the totals or maximum policy amounts.

13. What challenges do you anticipate that might impact the successful development of an effective Economic Development Strategic Plan?

Response: Key action items recommended in a final strategic plan which require additional funding or policy changes will be dependent on approval by the Orange County Board of Commissioners. In addition, the overall effectiveness of the strategic plan will be influenced by the actual collaboration of our local economic development partners.

14. Can the County explain why it would like all work completed by August 31, 2025?

Response: We believe the amount of time necessary to complete outreach with economic development partners, conduct research, meet with staff and county leadership may require this timeline for deliverables to be accomplished. The estimated completion date is eight months after the contract effective date. The completion date is subject to change based on the actual contract effective date.