Introduction.avif

This is a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) issued by Greenwood County, South Carolina, for professional planning services to develop an updated Comprehensive Land Use Plan. The county seeks experienced consulting firms to prepare a forward-looking plan that will guide growth, development, infrastructure planning, and policy decisions over the next ten years in compliance with the South Carolina Comprehensive Planning Enabling Act of 1994 and Section 6-29-510 of the South Carolina Code of Laws. The scope of work requires comprehensive data collection and analysis covering demographics, housing, economic conditions, natural resources, infrastructure, and transportation; extensive public engagement through workshops, stakeholder meetings, and online surveys; and development of plan elements including population, natural resources, economic development, housing, cultural resources, community facilities, transportation, land use, priority investment, and resiliency. Key deliverables include a detailed project work plan, existing conditions analysis report, public engagement summaries, draft and final comprehensive plan documents, future land use maps with supporting policy frameworks, implementation strategy documentation, GIS-compatible mapping files, and presentation materials. The RFQ was released on March 24, 2026, with a response deadline of April 20, 2026, at 2:00 PM. Questions must be submitted by April 6, 2026, with county responses provided by April 13, 2026. No pre-proposal meeting or site visit is scheduled. The selected consultant must commence work within 14 days of receiving notice to proceed and complete work according to an agreed-upon schedule.

Evaluation will be based on a weighted points system: experience with comprehensive planning projects (30 points), qualifications and experience of the project team (20 points), demonstrated understanding of project scope (10 points), quality and creativity of public engagement approach (30 points), and ability to meet project timeline (10 points), with preference given to firms with prior experience preparing comprehensive plans for South Carolina local governments. The RFQ specifies no set-aside designations or restrictions limiting responses to disadvantaged enterprises. All submissions must comply with non-discrimination statements and affirmative action requirements and demonstrate Drug-Free Workplace Act compliance. Respondents must hold a valid and current South Carolina Contractor's License and possess appropriate insurance coverage including commercial general liability, employer's liability, business automobile liability, and professional liability. Required submissions include a Bid Holding and Authorization Form, Certificate of Insurance, three client references, and supporting documentation, with proposals limited to a maximum of 15 pages; bidders must hold proposals firm for 90 days. The RFQ does not establish a specific contract value or pricing structure, and no costs incurred in proposal preparation will be reimbursed. No incumbent vendor is identified. The plan will build upon the previous 2017 Greenwood City/County Comprehensive Plan collaboratively developed by Greenwood County, the City of Greenwood, and the Towns of Ninety Six and Ware Shoals. Greenwood County reserves the right to reject any or all proposals, cancel the solicitation, negotiate with qualified firms, and utilize all submitted ideas regardless of selection.