Affordable_Housing_Nexus_Study_for_Mandatory_Housing_Affordability_Requirements.pdf

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL # OPCD-RFP-PC026-026

Consultant Contract

Project Title: Affordable Housing Nexus Study for Mandatory Housing Affordability

Requirements

Table 1: Solicitation Schedule

Solicitation Release November 2, 2026

Deadline for Questions November 5, 2026, 5:00pm

Response Submission Deadline November 10, 2026, 5:00pm

The City reserves the right to modify this.

Changes will be posted on the City website or as otherwise stated.

RESPONSES MUST BE SUBMITTED ELECTRONICALLY TO:

https://procurement.opengov.com/portal/seattle/projects/322116

Procurement Contact Information

Procurement Contact: Brennon Staley, Strategic Advisor on Housing and Development • PCD, brennon.staley@seattle.gov, (206) 684-4625

Unless authorized by the Procurement Contact, no other City official or employee may speak for the City regarding this solicitation until award is complete. Any Proposer contacting other City officials or employees does so at Proposer’s own risk. The City is not bound by such information.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Procurement Contact Information

2. Purpose and Background

3. Performance Schedule

4. Solicitation Objectives

5. Minimum Qualifications

6. Scope of Work

7. Contract Modifications

8. Procedures and Requirements

9. Selection Process

10. Proposal Evaluation

11. Award and Contract Execution

12. Response Materials and Submittal

1. Procurement Contact Information

Procurement Contact: Brennon Staley, Strategic Advisor on Housing and Development • PCD, brennon.staley@seattle.gov, (206) 684-4625

Proposals are to be submitted through the e-Procurement portal at https://procurement.opengov.com/portal/seattle, no later than 5:00 pm on Tuesday, November 10, 2026.

Unless authorized by the Procurement Contact, no other City official or employee may speak for the City regarding this solicitation until award is complete. Any Proposer contacting other City officials or employees does so at Proposer’s own risk. The City is not bound by such information.

2. Purpose and Background

The City of Seattle’s Mandatory Housing Affordability (MHA) program requires that developers of residential projects in certain zones limit the rental or sales price of some units to affordable levels or provide an in-lieu payment to the City’s Office of Housing to fund affordable housing. In the coming months, the City expects to update MHA requirements.

As one of many datapoints to inform MHA requirements, the City is conducting a nexus study. The purpose of the nexus study is to quantify the demand for affordable housing created by certain market-rate residential development prototypes.

3. Performance Schedule

We hope to execute the contract before December 15, 2026, and have initial results in March 2027.

4. Solicitation Objectives

The purpose of the nexus study is to quantify the demand for affordable housing created by certain market-rate residential development prototypes.

5. Minimum Qualifications

Minimum qualifications are required for a Consultant to be eligible to submit a proposal response. Your submittal response must show compliance to these minimum qualifications. Those that are not responsive to these qualifications shall be rejected by the City without further consideration:

• Consultant must have completed an affordable housing nexus study for another municipality in the past 10 years.

6. Scope of Work

6.1. Affordable Housing Nexus Study for Mandatory Housing Affordability Requirements

The purpose of the nexus study is to quantify the demand for affordable housing created by certain market-rate residential development prototypes.

Task 1: Project Kickoff, Confirmation of Assumptions, and General Coordination https://procurement.opengov.com/portal/seattle

The Consultant will conduct a kickoff meeting at the beginning of work including key staff from Seattle’s

Mayor’s Office, Office of Planning & Community Development (OPCD), and Office of Hosing (OH). This meeting will be used to verify assumptions and develop a shared understanding among the parties.

The consultant will also facilitate regular coordination with project management staff at OPCD and OH. The coordination shall include an initial review and discussion of preliminary findings from Task 3, plus a final review of draft findings from Task 3 before the task is completed. This coordination also includes review and discussion and a round of revisions of the summary report (Task 4) before it is finalized.

Estimated share of project budget: 10%

Task 2: Market Overview and Affordability Analysis

The Consultant will:

• Examine both for-sale and rental housing product types.

• Review and summarize the cost of market-rate housing.

• Review and summarize rent and sales prices that would be affordable to Seattle renters and owners.

• Prepare a comparison of affordable rent and sales prices to market rent and sales prices.

In consideration of the broad range of housing market conditions in different parts of Seattle, the market overview should analyze up to four separate market strength conditions. The consultant may use the City’s

MHA cost areas (see Map A for SMC 23.58C.050) or other approaches.

Estimated share of project budget: 20%

Task 3: Residential Demand Analysis

The Consultant will provide an estimate of the demand for affordable housing generated by new market-rate housing development among households with incomes in specified ranges. The demand analysis is derived from a series of prototype development projects intended to represent generalized hypothetical developments. Prototype development projects are projections of the most likely development outcomes that would be built in a variety of zones and locations across the city. The development prototypes are intended to represent a wide enough variety of development to cover residential development in all existing or potential future MHA residential areas. The consultant will be expected to analyze at least 6 development prototypes and up to 8 development prototypes. Initial prototypes for consideration would include the following:

A. For-sale townhouse development

B. Four-story stacked flat apartments

C. Seven-story condominiums

D. Seven-story apartments

E. Twenty-four-story condominiums

F. Twenty-four-story apartments

Prototypes details (such as building and unit size) shall be provided by the City and then vetted, adjusted and verified by the Consultant.

The Consultant will calculate the demand for affordable housing that would be created by each prototype development.

The Consultant should then calculate an implied performance requirement (expressed as a % of units) for the prototype developments as if the new affordable housing demand would be accommodated in the development on site. Additionally, the consultant should identify a per square foot in-lieu fee amount based on the cost of providing affordable units off site. The consultant would advise City of Seattle staff on appropriate methodologies.

In calculating demand, it is expected that the consultant will consider the income profile of households expected to occupy newly developed housing along with other relevant factors. It is also expected that an economic model of aggregate conditions such as the IMPLAN model or similar would be used.

As part of this analysis, each prototype would be analyzed for up to four market strength areas, with the specific approach to be informed by discussions with the Consultant. Performance amounts and in-lieu fees would be calculated for up to two AMI ranges for rental prototypes and up to two AMI ranges for ownership prototypes. The ranges would be determined based on discussions with the Consultant, but not to exceed the

60% of AMI for rental prototypes and 100% of AMI for ownership prototypes.

Given up to 8 prototypes, up to 4 geographic areas, and 2 AMI ranges, this could result in tables with up to 64 separate performance and fee estimates.

Estimated share of project budget: 60%

Task 4. Prepare Summary Report and Document Findings

The consultant will:

• Document the findings and recommendations from Tasks 2 and 3 into a concise summary report.

• Deliver the summary report as a static document such as a PDF.

• Deliver tables showing the calculations used to generate the report

Estimated share of project budget: 10%

7. Contract Modifications

The City consultant contract is attached (See Attachments Section).

Consultants submit proposals understanding all Contract terms and conditions are mandatory. Response submittal is agreement to the Contract without exception. The City reserves the right to negotiate changes to submitted proposals and to change the City's otherwise mandatory Contract form during negotiations. If the

Consultant is awarded a contract and refuses to sign the attached Contract form, the City may reject the

Consultant from this and future solicitations for the same work. Under no circumstances shall Consultant submit its own boilerplate of terms and conditions.

8. Procedures and Requirements

This section details City instructions and requirements for your submittal. The City reserves the right in its sole discretion to reject any Consultant response that fails to comply with the instructions.

8.1. Registration into the City's Procurement Portal

If you have not previously done so, register at: https://procurement.opengov.com/portal/seattle, then subscribe to the City’s Procurement Portal. The Procurement Portal is used by City staff to identify companies for future solicitation lists and check certifications. Women- and minority-owned firms are asked to self-identify their business as such within the Procurement Portal. Registration in the City's Procurement Portal is required to submit a response to this solicitation.

8.2. Pre-Submittal Conference

There will be no pre-submittal conference. Questions can be submitted to Brennon Staley at brennon.staley@seattle.gov or 206-684-4625.

8.3. Questions

Proposers are encouraged to email questions to the Procurement Contact until the deadline stated in the

Timeline. Failure to request clarification of any inadequacy, omission, or conflict will not relieve the Consultant of responsibilities under any subsequent contract. It is the responsibility of the interested Consultant to assure they receive responses to questions if any are issued.

8.4. Changes to the RFP

The City may make changes to this RFP if, in the sole judgment of the City, the change will not compromise the

City’s objectives in this solicitation. Any change to this RFP will be made by formal addendum issued by the City, through the Procurement Portal at https://procurement.opengov.com/portal/seattle and shall become part of this RFP.

8.5. Receiving Addenda and/or Question and Answers

It is the obligation and responsibility of the Consultant to learn of addenda, responses, or notices issued by the

City, through the Procurement Portal. Some third-party services independently post City of Seattle solicitations on their websites. The City does not guarantee that such services have accurately provided all the information published by the City.

All submittals sent to the City may be considered compliant with or without specific confirmation from the

Consultant that any and all addenda was received and incorporated into your response. However, the Project https://procurement.opengov.com/portal/seattle mailto:brennon.staley@seattle.gov https://procurement.opengov.com/portal/seattle

Manager reserves the right to reject any submittal that does not fully incorporate Addenda that is critical to the project.

8.6. Proposal Submittal

Proposals must be received by the City no later than the date and time in the Timeline, except as revised by

Addenda. The submitter has full responsibility to ensure the response is submitted to the City's Procurement

Portal within the deadline. The Procurement Portal will not allow vendors to upload submissions past the deadline.

8.7. Proposer Responsibility to Provide Full Response

It is the Proposer’s responsibility to respond in a manner that does not require interpretation or clarification by the City. The Proposer is to provide all requested materials, forms and information. The Proposer is to ensure the materials submitted properly and accurately reflect the Proposer’s offering. During scoring and evaluation

(prior to interviews if any), the City will rely upon the submitted materials and shall not accept materials from the Proposer after the RFP deadline; this does not limit the City’s right to consider additional information (such as references that are not provided by the Proposer but are known to the City, or past City experience with the consultant), or to seek clarifications as needed.

8.8. Prohibited Contacts

Proposers shall not interfere in any way to discourage other potential and/or prospective proposers from proposing or considering a proposal process. Prohibited contacts includes but is not limited to any contact, whether direct or indirect (i.e. in writing, by phone, email or other, and by the Proposer or another person acting on behalf of the Proposer) to a likely firm or individual that may discourage or limit competition. If such activity is evidenced to the satisfaction and in sole discretion of the City department, the Proposer that initiates such contacts may be rejected from the process.

8.9. License and Business Tax Requirements

The Consultant must meet all applicable licensing requirements immediately after contract award or the City may reject the Consultant. Companies must license, report and pay revenue taxes for the Washington State business License (UBI#) and Seattle Business License, if required by law. Carefully consider those costs before submitting an offer, as the City will not separately pay or reimburse such costs.

Seattle Business Licensing and associated taxes

A. If you have a “physical nexus” in the city, you must obtain a Seattle Business license and pay all taxes due before the Contract can be signed.

B. A “physical nexus” means you have physical presence, such as: a building/facility/employee(s) in

Seattle, you make sales trips into Seattle, your own company drives into Seattle for product deliveries, and/or you conduct service work in Seattle (repair, installation, service, maintenance work, on-site consulting, etc).

C. We provide a Consultant Questionnaire Form in our submittal package items later in this RFP/RFQ, and it will ask you to specify if you have “physical nexus”.

D. All costs for any licenses, permits and Seattle Business License taxes owed shall be borne by the

Consultant and not charged separately to the City.

E. The apparent successful Consultant(s) must immediately obtain the license and ensure all City taxes are current, unless exempted by City Code due to reasons such as no physical nexus. Failure to do so will cause rejection of the submittal.

F. The City of Seattle Application for a Business License and additional licensing information can be found on this page here: https://www.seattle.gov/city-finance/business-taxes-and-licenses/business-licenses

G. For Questions and Assistance, call the Revenue and Consumer Protection (RCP) office which issues business licenses and enforces licensing requirements. The general e-mail is tax@seattle.gov. The main phone is 206-684-8484.

H. Self-Filing You can pay your license and taxes on-line https://www.filelocal-wa.gov/Default_FileLocal.aspx

I. If a business has extraordinary balances due on their account that would cause undue hardship to the business, the business can contact the License and Tax Administration office at tax@seattle.gov or 206-

684-8484 to request additional assistance.

J. Those holding a City of Seattle Business license may be required to report and pay revenue taxes to the

City. Such costs should be carefully considered by the Consultant prior to submitting your offer. When allowed by City ordinance, the City will have the right to retain amounts due at the conclusion of a contract by withholding from final invoice payments.

8.10. State Business Licensing

Before the contract is signed, you must have a State of Washington business license (a “Unified Business

Identifier” known as a UBI#). If the State of Washington has exempted your business from State licensing (some foreign companies are exempt and sometimes, the State waives licensing because the company has no physical presence in the State), then submit proof of that exemption to the City. All costs for any licenses, permits and associated tax payments due to the State because of licensing shall be borne by the Consultant and not charged separately to the City. Instructions to apply for a business license can be found at https://dor.wa.gov/open-business/apply-business-license and the State of Washington Department of Revenue contact help page at https://dor.wa.gov/contact.

8.11. Federal Excise Tax

The City is exempt from Federal Excise Tax.

8.12. No Guaranteed Utilization

https://www.seattle.gov/city-finance/business-taxes-and-licenses/business-licenses mailto:rca@seattle.gov https://www.filelocal-wa.gov/Default_FileLocal.aspx https://www.filelocal-wa.gov/Default_FileLocal.aspx mailto:tax@seattle.gov https://dor.wa.gov/open-business/apply-business-license https://dor.wa.gov/open-business/apply-business-license https://dor.wa.gov/contact

The City does not guarantee utilization of any contract(s) awarded through this RFP/RFQ process. The solicitation may provide estimates of utilization; such information is for Consultant convenience and not a usage guarantee. The City reserves the right to issue multiple or partial awards, and/or to order work based on

City needs. The City may turn to other appropriate contract sources or supplemental contracts to obtain these same or similar services. The City may re-solicit for new additions to the Consultant pool. Use of such supplemental contracts does not limit the right of the City to terminate existing contracts for convenience or cause.

8.13. Expansion Clause

The contract limits expansion of scope and new work not expressly provided for within the RFP.

Expansion for New Work (work not specified within the original Scope of Work Section of this Agreement, and/or not specified in the original RFP as intended work for the Agreement) must comply with the following:

(a) New Work is not reasonable to solicit separately; (b) is for reasonable purpose; (c) was not reasonably known by the City or Consultant at time of solicitation or was mentioned as a possibility in the solicitation (i.e. future phases of work, or a change in law); (d) is not significant enough to be regarded as an independent body of work; (e) would not attract a different field of competition; and (f) does not change the identity or purpose of the Agreement.

The City may make exceptions for immaterial changes, emergency or sole source conditions, or other situations required in City opinion. Certain changes are not subject to these limitations, such as additional phases of Work anticipated during solicitation, time extensions, and Work Orders issued on an On-Call contract. Expansion must be mutually agreed and issued by the City through written Addenda. New Work performed before an authorizing Amendment may not be eligible for payment.

The City reserves the right to independently solicit and award any New Work to another firm when deemed appropriate or required by City policy.

8.14. Effective Dates of Offer

Solicitation responses are valid until the City completes award. Should any Proposer object to this condition, the

Proposer must object prior to the Q&A deadline in the Timeline.

8.15. Cost of Preparing Proposals

The City is not liable for costs incurred by the Proposer to prepare, submit and present proposals, interviews and/or demonstrations.

8.16. Readability

The City’s ability to evaluate proposals is influenced by the organization, detail, comprehensive material and readable format of the response.

8.17. Changes or Corrections to Proposal Submittal

Prior to the proposal submittal closing date and time established for this RFP, a Consultant may change or correct its proposal by following the Instructions here:

https://opengov.my.site.com/support/s/article/4f4218bf-7da6-4fc6-b0c3-7eade0776ebe. No change to a proposal shall be made after the proposal closing date and time.

8.18. Errors in Proposals

Proposers are responsible for errors and omissions in their proposals. No error or omission shall diminish the

Proposer’s obligations to the City.

8.19. Withdrawal of Proposal

A submittal may be withdrawn at any time through the Procurement portal prior to the closing date or by written request of the submitter.

8.20. Rejection of Proposals

The City may reject any or all proposals with no penalty. The City may waive immaterial defects and minor irregularities in any submitted proposal.

8.21. Incorporation of RFP and Proposal in Contract

This RFP and Proposer’s response, including promises, warranties, commitments, and representations made in the successful proposal once accepted by the City, are binding and incorporated by reference in the City’s contract with the Proposer.

8.22. Independent Contractor

The Consultant works as an independent contractor. The City will not provide space in City offices for performance of this work. Consultants will perform most work from their own office space or the field.

8.23. Equal Benefits

Seattle Municipal Code Chapter 20.45 (SMC 20.45) requires consideration of whether Proposers provide health and benefits that are the same or equivalent to the domestic partners of employees as to spouses of employees, and of their dependents and family members. The Consultant Questionnaire requested in the

Submittal instructions includes materials to designate your equal benefits status.

8.24. Insurance Requirements

Consultants will be expected to have the following insurance:

A. Commercial General Liability (CGL) or equivalent insurance including coverage for:

• Premises/Operations, Products/Completed Operations, Personal/Advertising Injury

• Contractual and Stop Gap/Employers Liability (coverage may be provided under a separate policy). Minimum limit of liability shall be $ 1,000,000 each occurrence Combined Single Limit bodily injury and property damage (“CSL”) except:

o $ 1,000,000 each offense Personal/Advertising Injury o $ 1,000,000 each accident/disease Stop Gap/Employers Liability.

https://opengov.my.site.com/support/s/article/4f4218bf-7da6-4fc6-b0c3-7eade0776ebe

B. Automobile Liability insurance for owned, non-owned, leased or hired vehicles, as applicable. The minimum limits shall be $1,000,000 CSL.

C. Worker's Compensation insurance for Washington State as required by Title 51 RCW Industrial Insurance.

Consultants are encouraged to immediately contact their Broker to begin preparation of the required insurance documents, if the Consultant is selected as a finalist. Proposers may elect to provide the requested insurance documents within their Proposal.

8.25. Proprietary Materials

The State of Washington’s Public Records Act (Release/Disclosure of Public Records): Under Washington State

Law (reference RCW Chapter 42.56, the Public Records Act) all materials received or created by the City of

Seattle are considered public records. These records include but are not limited to bid or proposal submittals, agreement documents, contract work product, or other bid material.

The State of Washington’s Public Records Act requires that public records must be promptly disclosed by the

City upon request unless that RCW or another Washington State statute specifically exempts records from disclosure. Exemptions are narrow and explicit and are listed in Washington State Law (Reference RCW 42.56 and RCW 19.108).

Bidders/proposers must be familiar with the Washington State Public Records Act and the limits of record disclosure exemptions. For more information, visit the Washington State Legislature’s website at http://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=42.56.

If you have any questions about disclosure of the records you submit with your bid, contact the Procurement

Contact named in this document.

Marking Your Records Exempt from Disclosure (Protected, Confidential, or Proprietary)

As mentioned above, all City of Seattle offices (“the City”) are required to promptly make public records available upon request. However, under Washington State Law some records or portions of records are considered legally exempt from disclosure and can be withheld. A list and description of records identified as exempt by the Public Records Act can be found in RCW 42.56 and RCW 19.108.

If you believe any of the records you are submitting to the City as part of your bid/proposal or contract work products, are exempt from disclosure you can request that they not be released before you receive notification.

To do so you must complete the City Non-Disclosure Request Form (“the Form”) provided by the City (see page

4 on the Consultant Questionnaire) and very clearly and specifically identify each record and the exemption(s) that may apply. (If you are awarded a City contract, the same exemption designation will carry forward to the contract records.)

The City will not withhold materials from disclosure simply because you mark them with a document header or footer, page stamp, or a generic statement that a document is non-disclosable, exempt, confidential, proprietary, or protected. Do not identify an entire page as exempt unless each sentence is within the exemption scope; instead, identify paragraphs or sentences that meet the specific exemption criteria you cite on the Form.

Only the specific records or portions of records properly listed on the Form will be protected and withheld for notice. All other records will be considered fully disclosable upon request.

http://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=42.56

If the City receives a public disclosure request for any records you have properly and specifically listed on the

Form, the City will notify you in writing of the request and will postpone disclosure. While it is not a legal obligation, the City, as a courtesy, will allow you up to ten business days to file a court injunction to prevent the

City from releasing the records (reference RCW 42.56.540). If you fail to obtain a Court order within the ten days, the City may release the documents.

The City will not assert an exemption from disclosure on your behalf. If you believe a record(s) is exempt from disclosure you are obligated to clearly identify it as such on the Form and submit it with your solicitation. Should a public record request be submitted to Purchasing for that record(s), you can then seek an injunction under

RCW 42.56 to prevent release. By submitting a bid document, the bidder acknowledges this obligation; the proposer also acknowledges that the City will have no obligation or liability to the proposer if the records are disclosed.

Requesting Disclosure of Public Records

The City asks bidders and their companies to refrain from requesting public disclosure of bids until an intention to award is announced. This measure is intended to protect the integrity of the solicitation process particularly during the evaluation and selection process or in the event of a cancellation or re-solicitation. With this preference stated, the City will continue to be responsive to all requests for disclosure of public records as required by State Law. If you do wish to make a request for records, visit https://www.seattle.gov/public-records/public-records-request-center.

8.26. Ethics Code

Familiarize yourself with the City Ethics code: http://www.seattle.gov/ethics/etpub/et_home.htm. For an in-depth explanation of the City’s Ethics Code for Contractors, Vendors, Customers and Clients, visit:

http://www.seattle.gov/ethics/etpub/faqcontractorexplan.htm. Any questions should be addressed to Seattle

Ethics and Elections Commission at 206-684-8500.

No Gifts and Gratuities.

Consultants shall not directly or indirectly offer anything (such as retainers, loans, entertainment, favors, gifts, tickets, trips, bonuses, donations, special discounts, work, or meals) to any City employee, volunteer or official, if it is intended or may appear to a reasonable person to be intended to obtain or give special consideration to the Consultant. An example of this is giving sporting event tickets to a City employee who is also on the evaluation team of a solicitation to which you submitted or intend to submit. The definition of what a “benefit” would be is broad and could include not only awarding a contract but also the administration of the contract or evaluating contract performance. The rule works both ways, as it also prohibits City employees from soliciting items from Consultants.

Involvement of Current and Former City Employees.

The Consultant Questionnaire within your submittal documents prompts you to disclose any current or former

City employees, official or volunteer that is working or assisting on solicitation of City business or on completion of an awarded contract. Update that information during the contract.

Contract Workers with over 1,000 Hours.

https://www.seattle.gov/public-records/public-records-request-center https://www.seattle.gov/public-records/public-records-request-center http://www.seattle.gov/ethics/etpub/et_home.htm http://www.seattle.gov/ethics/etpub/faqcontractorexplan.htm

The Ethics Code applies to Consultant workers that perform over 1,000 cumulative hours on any City contract during any 12-month period. Any such employee must abide by the City Ethics Code. The Consultant is to be aware and familiar with the Ethics Code accordingly.

No Conflict of Interest.

Consultant (including officer, director, trustee, partner or employee) must not have a business interest or a close family or domestic relationship with any City official, officer or employee who was, is, or will be involved in selection, negotiation, drafting, signing, administration or evaluating Consultant performance. The City shall make sole determination as to compliance.

Campaign Contributions (Initiative Measure No. 122)

Elected officials and candidates are prohibited from accepting or soliciting campaign contributions from anyone having at least $250,000 in contracts with the City in the last two years or who has paid at least $5,000 in the last 12 months to lobby the City. See Initiative 122, or call the Ethics Director with questions.

8.27. Background Checks and Immigrant Status

The City may require background checks for the Consultant, as well as some or all of their employees and contracted workers who may perform work under this Agreement. The City reserves the right to require such background checks at any time. The City has strict policies regarding the use of background checks, criminal checks, and immigrant status for contract workers. The policies are incorporated into this Agreement and available for viewing on-line at http://www.seattle.gov/purchasing-and-contracting/social-equity/background-checks.

8.28. Use of Hyperlinks and URLs in Submittals

Hyperlinks and URLs to web sites or references to attachments may not be used in documents submitted in response to this solicitation, unless specifically requested in the submittal requirements. The City is not obligated to evaluate, review, or score any information submitted in the form of a hyperlink or URL. Information and documentation requested for the evaluation process must be submitted in the format indicated in the solicitation instructions.

9. Selection Process

9.1. Initial Screening

The City will review responses to identify past experience conducting affordable housing nexus studies. A significant failure to perform on past City projects may also be considered in determining the responsibility of a firm.

9.2. Proposal Evaluation

Proposals shall be evaluated using the evaluation criteria in the Proposal Evaluation Section.

9.3. Interviews

The City may interview top ranked firms from the proposal evaluation. If interviews are conducted, rankings of firms shall be determined by the City, using the combined results of interviews and proposal submittals.

http://www.seattle.gov/purchasing-and-contracting/social-equity/background-checks http://www.seattle.gov/purchasing-and-contracting/social-equity/background-checks

9.4. References

The City may contact one or more references. The City may use references named or not named by the Proposer.

The City may also consider the results of performance evaluations issued by the City on past projects.

9.5. Selection

The City shall select the highest ranked Proposer(s) for award, including written proposal and the interview (if applicable). The City reserves the right to make a final selection based on the combined results and/or the overall consensus of the Consultant Evaluation Committee.

9.6. Contract Negotiations

The City may negotiate elements of the proposal as required to best meet the needs of the City, with the apparent successful Proposer. The City may negotiate any aspect of the proposal or the solicitation. The City does not intend to negotiate the base contract, which has been attached (See Attachments).

9.7. Right to Award to next ranked Consultant

If a contract is executed resulting from this solicitation and is terminated within 90-days, the City may return to the solicitation process to award to the next highest ranked responsive Consultant by mutual agreement with such Consultant. New awards thereafter are also extended this right.

9.8. Repeat of Evaluation

If no Consultant is selected at the conclusion of all the steps, the City may return to any step in the process to repeat the evaluation with those proposals active at that step. The City shall then sequentially step through all remaining steps as if conducting a new evaluation process. The City reserves the right to terminate the process if no proposals meet its requirements.

10. Proposal Evaluation

The City will evaluate proposals using the criteria below. Responses will be evaluated, scored and ranked.

No. Evaluation Criteria Scoring Method Weight (Points)

1. Experience with affordable housing nexus studies

Points Based 40

(44.4% of Total)

2. Project Approach Points Based 30

(33.3% of Total)

3. Project Team Points Based 10

(11.1% of Total)

4. Cost Points Based 10

(11.1% of Total)

11. Award and Contract Execution

The Procurement Contact will provide timely notice of an intent to award to all Consultants responding to the

Solicitation.

11.1. Protests

Interested parties that wish to protest any aspect of this RFP selection process shall provide written notice to the Procurement Contact. Note the City shall notify Federal Transit Administration if protesting a solicitation for contracts with FTA funds.

11.2. Limited Debriefs

The City issues results and award decisions to all bidders. The City provides debriefing on a limited basis for the purpose of allowing bidders to understand how they may improve in future bidding opportunities.

11.3. Instructions to the Apparently Successful Consultant(s)

The Apparently Successful Consultant(s) will receive an Intent to Award Letter from the Procurement Contact after award decisions are made by the City. The Letter will include instructions for final submittals due prior to execution of the contract.

Once the City has finalized and issued the contract for signature, the Consultant must execute the contract and provide all requested documents within ten (10) business days. This includes attaining a Seattle Business

License, payment of associated taxes due, and providing proof of insurance. If the Consultant fails to execute the contract with all documents within the ten (10) day time frame, the City may cancel the award and proceed to the next ranked Consultant, or cancel or reissue this solicitation. Cancellation of an award for failure to execute the Contract as attached may disqualify the firm from future solicitations for this same work.

11.4. Checklist of Requirements Prior to Award

The Consultant(s) should anticipate the Letter will require at least the following. Consultants are encouraged to prepare these documents when possible, to eliminate risks of late compliance.

• Seattle Business License is current and all taxes due have been paid.

• State of Washington Business License.

• Evidence of Insurance

• Form W-9 if a new Consultant for the City

11.5. Insurance Requirements for Award

Proof of insurance is required, see Attachments for Insurance Transmittal Form.

12. Response Materials and Submittal

Prepare your response as follows. Use the following format and provide all attachments. Failure to provide all information below on proper forms and in the order requested, may cause the City to reject your response. Items with an asterisk are required.

1. Proposal Response*

Consultant should submit a short document providing an overview of your qualifications, proposed approach, the staff team that would undertake this work, and an initial cost estimate.

*Response required