Creation_of_Economic_Development_Strategic_Plan_for_Rosenberg,_TX.pdf

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

RFP #2023-27P

CREATION OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIC PLAN FOR

ROSENBERG, TX

City of Rosenberg

2110 4th Street

Rosenberg, TX 77471

RELEASE DATE: May 8, 2023

DEADLINE FOR QUESTIONS: May 19, 2023

RESPONSE DEADLINE: June 1, 2023, 2:00 pm

RESPONSES MUST BE SUBMITTED ELECTRONICALLY TO:

https://secure.procurenow.com/portal/rosenbergtx https://secure.procurenow.com/portal/%7bproject.government.code%7d

City of Rosenberg

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

Creation of Economic Development Strategic Plan for Rosenberg, TX

I. Introduction II. Legal Notice

III. Instructions, Terms and Conditions IV. Specifications V. Evaluation Criteria

VI. Vendor Questionnaire

Request For Proposals #2023-27P Title: Creation of Economic Development Strategic Plan for Rosenberg, TX

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1. Summary

Rosenberg Development Corporation seeks sealed statement of proposals for services to create an

Economic Development Strategic Plan from consultants interested and qualified to perform such tasks.

It is the intent of the Rosenberg Development Corporation to select a single consultant to accomplish all the services outlined in this Request for Proposals.

City of Rosenberg will receive sealed proposals for an Economic Development Strategic Plan to provide for a contract commencing within thirty (30) days after the date of the award by the Rosenberg

Development Corporation and continuing for a period sufficient to complete the original scope of work but no more than a twelve (12) month period.

IT IS UNDERSTOOD that the Rosenberg Development Corporation reserves the right to negotiate all elements that comprise the proposal and to accept or reject part or all of any proposal.

1.2. Background

Founded in 1883, Rosenberg is situated in Fort Bend County just 30 minutes southwest of downtown

Houston on US59 and State Highway 36. The City has over 37 square miles in its City limits and over 70 square miles in it ETJ. With only 40% of the available land developed the City is primed for growth.

Among the development opportunities in Rosenberg are two rail served business parks including Kansas

City Southern intermodal facility of ~900 acres and Union Pacific 1,600 acres rail business park.

It is part of the Houston-The Woodlands - Sugar Land MSA. The City has ~41,000 residents and is one of the fastest growing cities in the State of Texas, The City’s quality of life, stellar public schools, premier residential options, and proximity to major transit routes in to Houston employment centers, have driven steady growth of the community.

Rosenberg has a council manager form of government with a Mayor and 6 council members. The Mayor and two council positions are elected at large and there are four district council seats.

Major employers in Rosenberg include:

• Aldi Distribution Center

• Biotics

• Dollar Tree Distribution Center

• FW Murphy

• Hudson Products

• OCuSOFT

• Seatex

• Si Environmental

City Mission:

To anticipate community needs and deliver exceptional service; and to cultivate an enhanced quality of life through leadership, innovation, and cooperative partnerships.

Economic Development Department Duties:

The Department collaborates with local businesses, government officials, business-based non-profit agencies and educational institutions to create and maintain an effective business environment based on the needs and demands of the particular industries and entities involved and those they serve. The

Department provides staff support to the Rosenberg Development Corporation.

Departments Areas of Focus:

• US90A Corridor redevelopment

• US59/I69 Corridor

• FM2218

• Brazos Town Center

• Epicenter, County Fairgrounds Entertainment District

• Retail, Dining and Entertainment

• Small Business

• Transportation and other infrastructure

• Highway 36 Development

• Business Communication and Support

• Workforce Development

1.3. Contact Information

Blake Skiles

Purchasing Manager

2110 4th Street

Rosenberg, TX 77471

Email: tskiles@rosenbergtx.gov

Phone: (832) 595-3363

Department:

Economic Development mailto:tskiles@rosenbergtx.gov tel:(832)595-3363

1.4. Timeline

Release Project Date May 8, 2023

Question Submission Deadline May 19, 2023, 5:00pm

Proposal Submission Deadline June 1, 2023, 2:00pm

2. LEGAL NOTICE

2.1. Notice to Respondents

The City of Rosenberg is soliciting sealed proposals from qualified vendors for Creation of Economic

Development Strategic Plan for Rosenberg, TX.

Sealed Proposals must be submitted electronically or received by the City Secretary’s Office no later than:

2:00 pm, Thursday, June 1, 2023.

All sealed proposals must be received either electronically or at the designated location by the deadline shown. Proposals received after the deadline will not be considered for the award of the contract and shall be considered void and unacceptable.

All proposals will be opened, and bidder’s names publicly read aloud promptly in the City Hall Council

Chamber, at 2110 4th Street, Rosenberg, Texas 77471, at 2:00 pm, Thursday, June 1, 2023.

To obtain a copy of the Request for Proposals or submit an electronic proposal please visit:

https://procurement.opengov.com/portal/rosenbergtx

If a Respondent chooses to submit a Hard Copy Proposal, it must be delivered in a sealed envelope with a return address and clearly marked “City of Rosenberg Request for Proposals (RFP No. 2023-27P). DO

NOT OPEN IN THE MAIL ROOM.” The respondent’s firm name shall appear on the outside of the envelope.

Submit Hard Copy Proposals to:

City of Rosenberg

City Secretary’s Office

2110 4th Street * P.O. Box 32

Rosenberg, Texas 77471

RFP No. 2023-27P – DO NOT OPEN IN MAIL ROOM

The point of contact for this solicitation is City of Rosenberg Purchasing Manager Blake Skiles, NIGP-CPP, CPPB, CPPM, CPP, CPC. Should you have any questions or require additional information or clarification on information contained in the RFP, please submit your questions via OpenGov Procurement at the website listed above no later than 5:00 pm on Friday, May 19, 2023.

The City reserves the right to reject any or all proposals and to waive informalities in proposals. In case of ambiguity or lack of clearness in stating the prices in any proposal, the City reserves the right to consider the most advantageous construction thereof, or to reject the proposal. The award will be made to the respondent who provides services at the best value to the City.

https://procurement.opengov.com/portal/rosenbergtx

Danyel Swint, TRMC, City Secretary

3. INSTRUCTIONS, TERMS AND CONDITIONS

3.1. General Instructions

The City of Rosenberg will receive sealed proposals for the goods/services described in this RFP.

IT IS UNDERSTOOD that the City Council of the City of Rosenberg reserves the right to reject any or all proposals for any or all products and/or services covered in this RFP and to waive any informalities or defects in such proposals.

RESPONDENT'S RESPONSIBILITY

Proposals must be submitted via the City's eProcurement Portal. Each proposal shall be acknowledged by a person having the authority to bind the firm in a contract.

FACSIMILE AND/OR EMAIL TRANSMITTALS SHALL NOT BE ACCEPTED AND WILL BE VOIDED IF

RECEIVED.

Respondents should carefully examine all terms, conditions, specifications and related documents.

Should a respondent find discrepancies in, or omissions from, the specifications or related documents, or should there be a doubt as to their meaning, the City of Rosenberg Purchasing Office should be notified immediately for clarification prior to submitting the proposal. In the event of any conflict between the terms and conditions of these requirements and the specifications, the specifications shall govern. In the event of any conflict of interpretation of any part of this overall document, the City of

Rosenberg’s interpretation shall govern.

DOCUMENTATION

Respondent shall provide with this proposal response all documentation required by this RFP. Failure to provide this information may result in rejection of proposal .

DESCRIPTIONS

Specifications may reference any catalog, brand name or manufacturers’ model numbers. It is the intent of the City of Rosenberg to be DESCRIPTIVE – NOT RESTRICTIVEand to establish a desired quality level of merchandise or to meet a pre-established standard of quality. Respondents may offer items of equal quality and the burden of proof of such quality rests with them.

PRICING

Respondents are instructed to propose the price on the item(s) specified. Prices for all goods and/or services shall be firm for the initial contract term and shall be stated on the proposal. Prices shall be all inclusive. No price changes, additions or subsequent qualifications will be honored during the course of the contract unless approved by both parties. Additional charges not shown on the proposal will not be honored.

FIRM PRICING

Pricing and discounts submitted are firm for the initial contract term specified in the solicitation. Price decreases are allowed at any time. Price increases shall only be considered as stipulated below in paragraph, “PRICE ADJUSTMENTS”.

PRICE ADJUSTMENTS

Prices must be firm for a period of one year from date of contract award. Any request for price adjustment must be based on the Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land Statistical Area (HWS) Consumer

Price Index (CPI), as determined by US Bureau of Labor Statistics. The price will be increased or decreased based upon the April index, published mid-May for the HWS CPI or the most recent index published, if April index not yet published. The maximum escalation will not exceed +/- 2.5% for any individual year. The escalation will be determined annually at the renewal date. The supplier should provide documentation as percentage of each cost associated with the unit prices quoted for consideration.

Request(s) must be submitted in writing with supporting evidence for need of such increase to the

Purchasing Office at least 60 days prior to contract expiration of each year. Respondent must also provide supporting documentation as justification for the request.

Upon receipt of such request, the City of Rosenberg reserves the right to either: accept the escalation as competitive with the general market price at the time, and become effective upon the renewal date of the contract award or reject the increases within 30 calendar days after receipt of a properly submitted request. If a properly submitted increase is rejected, the Contractor may request cancellation of such items from the Contract by giving the City of Rosenberg written notice. Cancellation will not go into effect for 15 calendar days after a determination has been issued. Pre- price increase costs must be honored on orders dated up to the official date of the City of Rosenberg approval and/or cancellation.

PRICE DECREASES / DISCOUNT INCREASES

Vendors are required to immediately implement any price decrease or discount increase that may become available. The City of Rosenberg must be notified in writing for the purposes of updating the contract.

SALES TAX

City of Rosenberg is exempt by law from payment of Texas Sales Tax and Federal Excise Tax. As such, tax should not be included in proposal.

ADDENDA

Any interpretations, corrections or changes to this Invitation to Proposals and Specifications will be made by addenda. Sole issuing authority of addenda shall also be vested in the City of Rosenberg

Purchasing Office.

ISSUANCE OF ADDENDA

As addenda is issued, it shall be posted via the City's eProcurement Portal. It is the respondent's responsibility as the supplier to review all addenda posted prior to the completion and submission of the proposal. All addenda should be reviewed and considered in the submission of the proposal as it pertains to the pricing and scope of work outlined herein.

Respondents are responsible for checking the City's eProcurement Portal regularly for any changes to the proposal documents, such as addenda, clarifications, and questions. The City can only guarantee the accuracy and completeness of information in the eProcurement Portal. If another agency or construction data website references this project, please also refer to the eProcurement Portal or contact the City of Rosenberg Purchasing office at (832) 595-3363 to verify completeness of the data.

LATE PROPOSAL

Proposals received by the City after the submissions deadline will be considered VOID and unacceptable.

City of Rosenberg is not responsible for lateness, failure on technology or non-delivery of mail, carrier, etc. The dateime stamp in the City Secretary’s office shall be the official time of receipt.

PROPOSAL WITHDRAWAL

Any proposal may be withdrawn via the City's eProcurement Portal prior to the scheduled time for opening via the City's eProcurement Portal. Proposals can be amended and resubmitted prior to the opening time and date.

PROPOSAL REJECTION

City Council may choose to reject all proposals and not award any contract.

PROPOSAL AWARD

The City shall award the contract to the respondent providing the best value to the City meeting or exceeding the terms, conditions and specifications of the RFP. The City has the right to award contracts upon the conditions, terms and specifications contained in a proposal submitted to the City for a period of up to one hundred and eighty (180) days following the date specified for the opening of proposals.

3.2. Contract Term

Contract shall commence on the latest date executed by both parties and continue until project completion. The contract may extended only by written amendment as mutually agreed between the

City and respondent.

3.3. Mandatory Terms and Conditions

Because the City of Rosenberg is a governmental entity that must follow State and Federal Laws and has an obligation to protect its taxpayers, the City requires that certain terms be included in the contract that results from this solicitation. Your response to this solicitation is an offer to contract with the City based on the terms, conditions and specifications contained in this solicitation. If any of the mandatory contract terms are unacceptable to your firm, please do not respond to this solicitation.

CONFLICTING PROVISIONS

The contract consists only of the city-prepared contract and any additional city or vendor contract documents incorporated by reference as a part of the contract. If a conflict or inconsistency exists between the city-prepared contract and a document incorporated by reference, the city-prepared contract controls. If a conflict or inconsistency exists between an additional contract documents incorporated by reference, the city’s additional contract document takes precedence over the contractor’s additional contract document.

PAYMENT PROVISIONS

The City’s payments are under the Contract, including the time of payment and payment of interest on overdue amounts, are subject to Chapter 2251, Texas Government Code.

MULTIYEAR CONTRACTS

If the City Council does not appropriate funds to make any payment for a fiscal year after the City’s fiscal year in which the contract becomes effective and there are no proceeds available for payment from the sale of bonds or other debt instruments, then the Contract automatically terminates at the beginning of the first day of the successive fiscal year. (Section 5, Article XI, Texas Constitution)

LIABILITY AND INDEMNITY

Any provision of the Contract is void and unenforceable if it:

1. Limits or releases either party from liability that would exist by law in the absence of the provision;

2. Creates liability for either party that would not exist by law in the absence of the provision; or

3. Waives or limits either party’s rights defenses, remedies or immunities that would exist by law in the absence of the provision (Section 5, Article XI, Texas Constitution)

INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS

Successful respondent (as Contractor) must maintain the insurance types and coverages and comply with the insurance requirements shown in the Owner’s Minimum Insurance Policy Limits outlined as part of the Request for Proposals.

Within ten (10) days of the initial request; prior to City Council’s award of the contract, the successful respondent must furnish original certificates of insurance and corresponding endorsements that meet these insurance requirements.

CONFIDENTIALITY

Any provision in the Contract that attempts to prevent the City’s disclosure of information subject to public disclosure under federal or Texas law or regulation, or court or administrative decision or ruling, is invalid. (Chapter 552, Texas Government Code)

TAX EXEMPTION

The City is not liable to Vendor for any federal, state or local taxes for which the City is not liable by law, including state and local sales and use taxes (Section 151.309 and Title 3, Texas Tax Code) and federal excise tax (Subtitle D of the Internal Revenue Code). Accordingly, those taxes may not be added to any item. The city’s Tax Exemption Certificate will be furnished by the city on request of the contractor.

CONTRACTUAL LIMITATIONS PERIOD

Any provision of the Contract that establishes a limitations period that does not run against the City by law or that is shorter than two years is void. (Sections 16.061 and 16.070, Texas Civil Practice and

Remedies Code)

GOVERNING LAW AND VENUE

Texas law governs this Contract and any lawsuit on this Contract must be filed in a court that has jurisdiction in Fort Bend County, Texas.

TERMINATION FOR CONVENIENCE

The City may terminate the Contract and/or any other Agreement(s) for convenience and without cause or further liability, upon no less than thirty (30) calendar day’s written notice to the Successful

Respondent. The City reserves the right to extend this period if it is in the best interest of the City. In the event the City exercises its right to terminate without cause, it is understood and agreed that only the amounts due to the Successful Respondent for goods, commodities and/or services provided and expenses incurred to and including the date of termination, will be due and payable. No penalty will be assessed for the City's termination for convenience.

TERMINATION FOR CAUSE

The City of Rosenberg reserves the right to terminate the contract immediately in the event the successful respondent:

1. Fails to meet delivery schedules;

2. Defaults in the payment of any fees;

3. Otherwise fails to perform in accordance with this contract;

4. Becomes insolvent and/or files for protection under bankruptcy laws.

Such termination is in addition to and not in lieu of any other remedies that City of Rosenberg may have in law or equity. Respondent, in submitting this proposal, agrees that City of Rosenberg shall not be liable to prosecution for damages in the event that the City declares the respondent in default.

FORCE MAJEURE

If the party obligated to perform is prevented from performance by an act of war, order of legal authority, act of God, or other unavoidable cause not attributable to the fault or negligence of said party, the other party shall grant such party relief from the performance. The burden of proof for the need of such relief shall rest upon the party obligated to perform. To obtain release based on force majeure, the party obligated to perform shall file a written request with the other party.

EX-PARTE COMMUNICATION

Please note that to ensure the proper and fair evaluation of a response to a solicitation, the City prohibits ex-parte communication (e.g. unsolicited) initiated by the Respondent to any Department

Head, City Employee or Committee Member evaluating or considering the responses prior to the time a formal decision has been made. Questions and other communication from vendors will be permissible by the means established in the solicitation until the day and time specified as the deadline for questions. Any communication between Respondent and the City after the deadline for questions will be initiated by the appropriate City Employee in order to obtain information or clarification needed to develop a proper and accurate evaluation of the response. Ex-parte communication may be grounds for disqualifying the offending Respondent from consideration or award of the solicitation then in evaluation. If a Respondent violates these provisions more than once in a three (3) year period, the

Purchasing Manager may debar the Respondent from the sale of goods or services to the City for a period not to exceed three (3) years.

3.4. Other Terms and Conditions

REMEDIES

The successful Respondent and City of Rosenberg agree that both parties have all rights, duties and remedies available as stated in the Uniform Commercial Code.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

No public official shall have interest in this contract except in accordance with Vernon’s Texas Codes

Annotated, Local Government Code Title 5, Subtitle C, Chapter 171.

ETHICS

The respondent shall not offer or accept gifts or anything of value or enter into any business arrangement with any employee, official or agent of City of Rosenberg. More than one proposal on any one contract from a Respondent or individual under different names shall be grounds for rejection of all proposals in which the Respondent or individual has an interest. One or all proposals will be rejected if there is any reason to believe that collusion exists between Respondents.

Respondents must make every effort tocomply with Chapter 176 of the Texas Local Government

Code. Chapter 176 mandates the public disclosure of certain information concerning persons doing business or seeking to do business with City of Rosenberg, including affiliations and business and financial relationships such persons may have with City of Rosenberg officers.

By doing business or seeking to do business with City of Rosenberg, including submitting a response to this Request for Proposals, you acknowledge that you have been notified of the requirements of

Chapter 176 of the Texas Local Government Code and you are representing that you are in compliance with them.

Conflict of Interest Questionnaire (CIQ) must be filled out and returned with each proposal.

PURCHASE ORDER

City of Rosenberg shall generate a purchase order to the successful respondent. The Purchase order number must appear on all invoices, packing lists and all related correspondence. City of Rosenberg will not be responsible for any orders placed and / or delivered without a valid Purchase Order number.

DELIVERY

Any delivery and freight charges (FOB Rosenberg designated location) are to be included in the proposal price.

PACKING SLIPS

Packing Slips or other suitable shipping documents shall accompany each shipment and shall show:

1. Vendor Company Name and Address

2. Name and address of City of Rosenberg department the shipment is being made to

3. City of Rosenberg purchase order number

4. Descriptive information as to the items delivered, including quantity and part numbers

INVOICES

Invoices submitted for payment shall be addressed to:

City of Rosenberg - Accounts Payable

P.O. Box 32

Rosenberg, TX 77471

Email: accountspayable@rosenbergtx.gov and shall reference the City of Rosenberg approved purchase order number. Periodic payments will be made within 30 days of invoice date or satisfactory delivery of the product or service, whichever is later, provided that all other requirements as detailed in the contract have been fulfilled.

QUALITY CONTROL

Goods supplied under this contract shall be subject to approval as to quality and must conform to the highest standards of manufacturing practice. Items found defective or not meeting specifications shall be replaced at the supplier’s expense within a reasonable period of time. Payment for defective goods or goods failing to meet specifications is not due until 30 days after satisfactory replacement has been made.

WARRANTY

Successful respondent shall warrant that all items or services shall conform to the proposed specifications and all warranties state in the Uniform Commercial Code and be free from all defects in material, workmanship and title.

PATENTS / COPYRIGHTS

The successful respondent agrees to protect City of Rosenberg from claims involving infringements of patents and/or copyrights.

NOTICE

Any notice provided by this RFP or required by law to be given to the successful respondent by City of

Rosenberg shall be deemed to have been given and received on the next business day after such written notice has been deposited in the US Mail in Rosenberg, Texas, by Registered or Certified Mail with sufficient postage affixed thereto, addressed to the successful respondent at the address so provided;

provided this shall not prevent the giving of actual notice in any other manner.

ASSIGNMENT

The successful respondent shall not sell, assign, transfer or convey this contract, in whole or in part, without the prior written consent of City of Rosenberg.

SILENCE OF SPECIFICATIONS

The apparent silence of the specifications as to any detail or to the apparent omission from it of a detailed description concerning any point, shall be regarded as meaning that only the best commercial practices are to prevail. All interpretations of the specifications shall be made on the basis of this statement.

COOPERATIVE PURCHASING PROGRAM

During the term of the Contract resulting from this RFP, the City would like to afford the same prices, terms and conditions to other political subdivisions or public entities. Another entity's participation in the Contract resulting from this RFP is subject to a properly authorized Purchasing Cooperative Inter-local Agreement with the City. Any liability created by purchase orders issued against the Contract shall be the sole responsibility of the governmental agency placing the order.

4. SPECIFICATIONS

4.1. Purpose

The RDC is requesting proposals from potential consultants for a Plan, more specifically, development of the City’s Economic Development Strategic Plan.

A. Coordinate with economic development department staff to conduct meetings and interviews with various stakeholders, officials and citizens;

B. Evaluate strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and challenges regarding economic development;

C. Evaluate the local economy to identity the contributory sectors, target industries and potential development areas;

D. Conduct necessary review of existing research, City and stakeholder master plans, regional strategic plans, and existing relevant programs;

E. Conduct additional research as required to establish basis for SWOT analysis and targeted industry recommendations.

F. Prepare and present a final report to the RDC and City including new recommendations and implementation plans to attract target industries;

G. Identify the best method for organizing, funding, and operating a superior City-wide economic development program;

H. Identify key catalyst projects to impact economic development and present an implementation plan to the City regarding same; and, I. Craft recommendations on the role of the Rosenberg Development Corporation in support of related allowable Type B programs, projects and efforts undertaken by the city which support economic development and quality of life and financially supported by the Rosenberg

Development Corporation. Examples may include but are not limited to, sidewalks, parks improvements, streets and other civil infrastructure.

These documents will build upon the City’s existing plans including the City Council’s strategic vision, Comprehensive Plan, Parks and Pathways Masterplan, Capital Improvements Plan, Livable Centers

Study, along with other relevant studies that have set forth goals and objectives for economic growth and sustainability.

4.2. Scope of Service

The Consultant’s overall responsibility and scope of work is to prepare an original Plan containing vision, scope, role, goals, objectives, implementation plans, and metrics, in coordination with the economic development department staff. The Consultant will also provide meeting facilitation services, supporting materials and research, and social media services during the public outreach process as necessary. The

Consultant shall provide professional services to support the following tasks:

APPROACH:

A. Community Involvement: A well conceived community and stakeholder involvement and outreach process, facilitated by the Consultant, is an essential part of the Plan. The Consultant will utilize the appropriate facilitation techniques, marketing strategies including press outreach, website, and social media efforts to both inform stakeholders and seek their input. Likewise, the

Consultant will gather input and data through fitting means which may include conducting focus groups, public input meetings and interviews with the relevant stakeholders. The following is a list of stakeholders the Consultant should consider in their response:

1. RDC and City government elected/appointed officials and staff;

2. Ad hoc committees (if applicable);

3. Stakeholder groups;

4. Citizens and landowners;

5. Current business owners, developers, realtors, and downtown merchants;

6. Chamber of Commerce members;

7. Education leaders (K-12, higher education); and

8. Special event organizers, both non-profit and for-profit.

B. Meetings: The Consultant will conduct meetings as follows:

1. Initial staff meetings for organizational, technical and substantive issues;

2. Initial meetings with community representatives to discuss issues of concern;

3. Ongoing review and discussion of drafts with City staff;

4. Public input meetings to review issues and obtain general direction;

5. Presentation of draft plan components to City; and

6. Presentation of draft plan at public meetings and final adoption.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT VISION AND STRATEGIC PLAN:

A. Facilitation of public visioning process specific to Economic Development to define and determine collective vision, goals and priorities.

B. Community Assessment, Workforce and Educational Institution Analysis: Analyze strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and constraints of the local and regional economy. The review will include social, demographic, economic and physical factors, including, but not limited to, the following:

1. Existing and planned infrastructure;

2. Residential housing growth and development;

3. Existing economic base and competitive advantages;

4. Local land and building availability;

5. Locations for commercial and industrial growth;

6. Regional competition and competitive assets;

7. Special initiatives for economic growth;

8. Comparative analysis of benchmark communities; and

9. Evaluation of local and regional labor characteristics, market trends, employment development resources, and workforce training opportunities.

C. Shift Share, Target Industry and Operational Analysis: The consultant will utilize appropriate and accepted methods of assessing the local economy and identifying areas of focus and alternatives. This may include Shift Share Analysis, Target Industry and Operational

Analysis. The consultant will include as a part of their proposal the methods they intend to use and the pros and cons of the methods they propose. The outcomes sought from use of those assessment methods include the determination of how much regional job growth can be attributed to national trends and how much is due to unique regional factors, including specific industries and business types, considering strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threat constraints.

D. Included in their assessment the consultant will describe how they will:

1. Identify focused areas of strategic focus for the program best suited for the community;

2. Determine needed improvements and actions that will accelerate business attraction and recruitment of such development;

3. Identify State and federal programs or other programs that will be developed or implemented including, but not limited to, entrepreneurial development, business incubation and strategies for any special new industries;

4. Analyze the potential impact to Rosenberg from events in surrounding areas and venues and other tourist attractions in the area; and the impact of events held within the City of

Rosenberg;

5. Determine the role of retail within the community and provide for a business diversification analysis. What are best practices in diversifying tax base to bring in other revenue streams to offset property tax and unpredictable sales tax collection given the changing dynamic of the retail industry; and

6. Analysis of existing economic development organizations locally, regionally and statewide.

E. Business Recruitment Program

1. Prioritize site location opportunities and plans for location of new business in the ETJ with the ability to annex property into City for long term benefit of increasing quality of life and managing financial obligations of the City;

2. Development of programs and services to attract new capital investment and business;

3. Analysis of existing business retention and expansion needs including any infill and redevelopment.

F. Business Retention Expansion Program: The Consultant will provide recommendations related to existing business development to include:

1. Development of programs and services to assist and retain existing business;

2. Analysis of existing business retention and expansion needs including any infill, redevelopment, “

3. Identification of programs and services to assist existing businesses with growth and training.

G. Infrastructure Analysis: The Consultant will analyze existing infrastructure and planned infrastructure and make suggested recommendations for the City to fund key projects to aide timelier economic growth in the community.

H. Land Use Analysis: Recognizing the City does not have zoning, the Consultant will analyze existing land use plans and make recommendations to ensure that the available land in

Rosenberg and its ETJ is used for the highest and best use as it relates to the City’s long-term economic diversification and stability.

I. Quality of Life and infrastructure projects. The Consultant will recognize the ability, need and relevance quality of life and infrastructure projects have on economic development programs. The Consultant will make recommendations to the City on areas of ongoing support and funding for quality of life and infrastructure projects. In this area the RDC will support economic development through the funding of quality of life projects and infrastructure elements identified by the City and provided to the RDC for inclusion in their budget and plan of work.

J. Workforce Analysis/Development: The Consultant will provide an analysis of the workforce of the community including:

1. Analysis of the workforce that are employed by Rosenberg businesses, who may or may not be residents of the community.

2. Analysis of the workforce that are residents of the community but employed outside

Rosenberg.

3. Identification of issues that result in Rosenberg businesses’ inability to hire residents and residents’ inability to be employed in Rosenberg.

4. Identification of programs and services that will address the issues identified.

K. Implementation Plan: In addition to any items mentioned above that identify strategies, approaches or recommendations, the Consultant will provide an implementation plan to include:

1. Assessment of the fit between resources, business attraction targets and existing employment base;

2. Assessment of independent businesses/start-ups in community;

3. Identification of general training needed to improve the skills of the local workforce to meet existing and potential employment needs;

4. Assess and provide strategies for business and industrial park development within City and surrounding areas that may impact Rosenberg’s economy, such as marketing existing and planned developments, and identification of potential future needs for locations, and speculative commercial building construction, including discussion of public-private partnership methodologies to achieve same;

5. Provide strategies for funding economic development in Rosenberg through programs and assets complementary to the sales tax corporation’s funding.

6. Incorporation of strategies into a 10-year economic development implementation plan that includes the provision of an immediate course of action and short-term, mid-term, and long-term action plans that include benchmarks, needed resources, timelines, goals, and metrics with realistic and achievable milestones to facilitate the creation of implementation of recommended economic development program(s).

7. Provision of budget and implementation schedule for economic development program(s).

L. Final Document Format: The successful Consultant will provide one (1) original and twenty-five

(25) copies of both the draft and final version of the Plan in hard copy, in electronic format acceptable to the City (i.e. .DOC, and .PDF), and web-ready electronic format acceptable to the

City. The successful Consultant will create all associated maps in a CITY-approved geographical information systems application. Maps and supporting documentation will be maintainable using current City software programs. All final map files will be presented in an Arc GIS shape file.

4.3. Response to the RFP

The following items are required in each proposal. In order to expedite the evaluation of response, proponents will organize their submission in the same sequence. Instructions regarding scope and contents are given in this section. These instructions are designed to ensure the submission of information essential to the understanding and comprehensive evaluation of each proposal. Responses must contain a concise presentation of sufficient length to be complete. Brevity is appreciated when possible. All documents and attachments shall be no larger than 8- 1/2” by 11”. Proposals for

‘boilerplate’ plans will not be acceptable.

A. COVER LETTER: A cover letter with company name, address, phone number, email address, project contact and principal signature is required, expressing interest in the project and certifying that sufficient resources in personnel, equipment, and time are available and can be committed to this project.

B. WORK PLAN: Explain the work plan with detailed specific tasks as noted in Scope of Service

Section of this RFP. Note all tasks and the responsible parties including the City and sub-consultants.

C. PROJECT SCHEDULE: A project schedule showing key task target dates (including community meetings, public meetings and staff team meetings) and estimated task duration. Given the planning duration of 12 months, the project schedule should include options for phased deliverables and programs implementation throughout the development of the plan.

D. FEE FOR SERVICE: The fee proposal shall include costs associated with the delivery and provision of finished product(s), and costs associated with carrying out all tasks specified herein.

E. PROJECT TEAM: A resume for the principle of the firm along with a resume for the project manager. Provide primary contact, names and titles of employees and all subconsultant team members, partnering firms and their team members who will have responsibilities under the subsequent agreement. Provide a brief background on all participants to include professional work and areas of expertise.

F. RELEVANT EXPERIENCE AND REFERENCES: List projects of a similar nature with which the successful proponent has had direct experience. Be specific on why the referenced projects are similar to this project and provide links to completed plans of a similar nature/scope when appropriate. Also include at least one contact for each project (email and phone) that may be contacted as a reference.

G. QUALITY CONTROL: Describe how the successful consultant will handle quality control to monitor and resolve issues and check and cross-reference documents.

Failure to address items A through G in the Response to the Request for Proposals Section in detail will be sufficient reason to eliminate a proposal from consideration.

4.4. Evaluation of Proposals

A. EVALUATION CRITERIA: The City will evaluate the qualifications of consultants submitting proposals based on, but not limited to, the criteria listed in Section 5 and will award points in each category up to the maximum number of points listed.

B. EVALUATION & RANKING: A group comprised of City staff and RDC Board/Council representatives shall review and rank all proposals according to qualifications, and consultants may be selected for interviews or oral presentations as deemed necessary by the group. The group shall make a recommendation to the City for final selection. The City makes no commitment to any respondent to this RFP beyond consideration of its written response.

C. INTERVIEWS: The City may conduct interviews with one or more qualified consultants that timely and properly submit a proposal. The City reserves the right to select a consultant without interviews based solely on the information contained in the proposal.

D. CONTRACT: The selection of the consultants and the execution of a contract, while anticipated, are not guaranteed by the City. The City reserves the right to determine which proposal is in the

City’s best interest and to award the contract on that basis, to reject any and all proposals or portions thereof, waive any irregularities of any proposal, negotiate with any potential proponent (after proposals are opened) if such is deemed in the best interest of the City.

5. EVALUATION CRITERIA

No. Evaluation Criteria Scoring Method Weight (Points)

1. Accuracy of Proposal Submission

All information requested has been submitted as defined by the specifications.

Points Based 5 (5% of Total)

2. History, Background, Staffing, & Capabilities

The consultant’s history, background, staffing, and capabilities to complete this assignment.

Points Based 10 (10% of Total)

3. Proposed Methodology and Timeline

Proposed methodology and timelines relative to the provision of immediate course of action with short, mid, and long-term actions as outlined in the scope of service. Project

Management Services. Commitment to meeting project agendas, time frames and budgets.

Points Based 15 (15% of Total)

4. Personnel

Personnel or sub-consultants’ background, qualifications, demonstrated creativity and experience in the economic development industry.

Points Based 10 (10% of Total)

5. Experience

Experience and demonstrated expertise in developing a Plan for similar sized communities. Municipal references and samples provided for work of similar scope.

Knowledge and demonstrated success in facilitation and success in integrating the concerns of local citizens, the business community, quality of life issues, state transportation issues, target industries and other such issues.

Points Based 30 (30% of Total)

6. Project Fee

Project fee for service and per hour rate for staff/sub consultants.

Points Based 30 (30% of Total)

6. VENDOR QUESTIONNAIRE

6.1. ........................................................................................................ Pr oposal*

Please upload your entire proposal here as one complete PDF document.

Please do not upload multiple files.

*Response required

6.2. ........................................................................................................ Ce rtification

6.2.1. Proposal Certification *

Respondent certifies that neither the respondent nor the firm, corporation, partnership or institution represented by the respondent, or anyone acting for such firm, corporation, or institution has violated the anti-trust laws of this State, codified in Section 15.01, et. Seq., Texas Business and

Commerce Code, or the Federal antitrust laws, nor communicated directly or indirectly the proposal made to any competitor or any other person engaged in such fine of business.

Respondent has examined the specifications and has fully informed themselves as to all the terms and conditions. Any discrepancies or omissions from the specifications or other documents have been clarified with City representatives and noted on the proposal submitted.

Respondent guarantees product offered shall meet or exceed specifications identified in this RFP.

☐ Please confirm

*Response required

6.2.2. Cooperative Purchasing Participation*

Please select Yes or No. By selecting Yes the Respondent is agreeing to offer the quoted prices to all authorized entities during the term of the City's contract. By selecting No the Respondent is stating they will not offer the quoted prices to all authorized entities. A non-affirmative Proposal will in no way have a negative impact on the City's evaluation of the Proposal.

☐ Yes

☐ No

*Response required

6.3. ........................................................................................................ Re quired Verifications

6.3.1. Anti-Boycott & Anti-Terrorism Verifications*

In the event the ensuing contract has a value of $100,000 or more and the company has 10 or more full-time employees:

Nondiscrimination against firearm and ammunition industries. Company verifies that it does not have a practice, policy, guidance, or directive that discriminates against a firearm entity or firearm trade association and will not discriminate during the term of this contract against a firearm entity or firearm trade association, as those terms are defined by Chapter 2274, Government Code, as enacted by S.B. 19, 87th Legislature, Regular Session.

Anti-Boycott of Energy Companies. Company verifies that it does not boycott energy companies and will not boycott energy companies during the term of this contract, as those terms are defined by

Chapter 2274, Government Code, as enacted by S.B. 13, 87th Legislature, Regular Session.

Anti-Boycott of Israel. Company verifies that it does not boycott Israel and will not boycott Israel during the term of this contract, as those terms are defined by Chapter 2271, Texas Government

Code, as enacted by H.B. 4170, 86th Legislature, Regular Session.

Foreign Terrorist Organizations. Company verifies that it is not engaged in business with Iran, Sudan, or a foreign terrorist organization, as those terms are defined by Chapter 2252, Texas Government

Code, as enacted by S.B.252, 85th Legislature, Regular Session.

☐ Yes

☐ No

*Response required

6.3.2. COVID-19 Anti-Passport Verification*

In the event the ensuing contract is to be paid in whole or in part with State Funds:

Company Certification Regarding COVID-19 Vaccination. Company certifies that it does not require a customer to provide any documentation certifying the customer's COVID-19 vaccination or post-transmission recovery on entry to, to gain access to, or to receive service from Company’s business during the term of this contract, and will not require such documentation during the term of this contract, as those terms are defined by Section 161.0085, Texas Health and Safety Code, as enacted by S.B. 968, 87th Legislature, Regular Session.

☐ Yes

☐ No

*Response required

6.4. ........................................................................................................ Co nflict of Interest

6.4.1. Conflict of interest Questionnaire *

Sec. 176.006. DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENTS FOR VENDORS AND OTHER PERSONS; QUESTIONNAIRE. (a)

A vendor shall file a completed conflict of interest questionnaire if the vendor has a business relationship with a local governmental entity and:

(1) has an employment or other business relationship with a local government officer of that local governmental entity, or a family member of the officer, described by Section 176.003(a)(2)(A);

(2) has given a local government officer of that local governmental entity, or a family member of the officer, one or more gifts with the aggregate value specified by Section 176.003(a)(2)(B), excluding any gift described by Section 176.003(a-1); or

(3) has a family relationship with a local government officer of that local governmental entity.

Does the vendor have a business relationship with a local government officer of the City of

Rosenberg that requires disclosure pursuant to Texas Local Government Code Section 176.006 as defined above?

☐ Yes

☐ No

*Response required

6.4.2. CIQ Form

If vendor answered YES above. Please download the attached CIQ Form, complete and upload.

*This form is not required if you answered no to question 4.1.

• CIQ_Form.pdf https://government-project.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/23969/5370e6ed-2b48-4a41-9ea9-35599cc5f9db_CIQ_Form.pdf?AWSAccessKeyId=AKIARC2J5PZDGOGWDMYG&Expires=1683621000&Signature=n%2B8Seem3fBH7WoHErYssaRFREVE%3D&response-content-disposition=attachment%3B%20filename%3D%22CIQ_Form.pdf%22