Central County Economic Development Master Plan

Palm Beach County's Procurement Department is soliciting proposals for development of a Central County Economic Development Master Plan covering seven municipalities and the unincorporated county area (approximately 57 square miles, 280,908 residents) under RFP 26-048/CB, with proposals due August 27, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. Small Business Enterprise (SBE) participation weighted at 15 percent of the evaluation score is a material factor; local preference also applies and comprises 5 percent of scoring. This is a multi-jurisdictional engagement involving the City of Atlantis, City of Greenacres, Town of Haverhill, Town of Lake Clarke Shores, City of Lake Worth Beach, Town of Lantana, and Village of Palm Springs.

The scope spans seventeen major tasks including economic analysis, public engagement, land use planning, infrastructure assessment, workforce development strategy, branding, corridor design, policy recommendations, and implementation strategy, with deliverables required throughout and final plan completion within eighteen months of Notice to Proceed. Proposers must submit samples of similar economic development master plans approved within the last ten years at national or international levels. The contract term is thirty months from anticipated October 1, 2026 Notice to Proceed, with three optional one-year renewal periods at the County's discretion.

Evaluation criteria are Experience/Qualifications (30 percent), Project Approach/Understanding (25 percent), Key Personnel and Operations (15 percent), Price Proposal (10 percent), SBE participation (15 percent), and Business Location/Local Preference (5 percent). No predetermined contract amount is specified; $1 million has been allocated for the current fiscal year. Out-of-pocket expenses including travel must be included in the total contract amount.

Proposers must register in the County's Vendor Self Service system, provide recent audited financial statements (CPA-reviewed statements acceptable as alternative), maintain Professional Liability or Errors & Omissions insurance with limits of not less than $1 million per occurrence and $2 million per aggregate, and submit a drug-free workplace certification. Performance bond or letter of credit is not required. The Selection Committee meets September 17, 2026 at 10:00 a.m.; oral presentations and BAFO timing remain to be scheduled. Questions were due July 17, 2026. Acknowledgment of Amendment No. 3 (posted August 18, 2026) must accompany proposal submission.