County Funding and Mandated Services Research

The Association of Oregon Counties (AOC) is seeking a professional services firm to conduct comprehensive research on county fiscal challenges across Oregon's 36 counties. The procurement involves developing a detailed research strategy and implementation plan focused on understanding structural budget deficits, county revenue sources, and mandated services. Key deliverables include establishing a data collection framework, collecting and analyzing data from counties, the Oregon Department of Revenue, and legislative sources, and generating a comprehensive report in Word and PowerPoint formats. The research must specifically address the impacts of Measures 5 and 50, underfunded mandates, shared revenue changes, and fee restrictions on county fiscal health. Evaluation criteria will emphasize demonstrated understanding and approach (25%), methodology and work plan clarity (30%), firm qualifications and experience in financial analysis and local government reporting (25%), and cost reasonableness (20%). The submission deadline is February 23, 2026, with a Notice of Intent to Award anticipated on March 13, 2026, and a contract period running from April through December 2026. Proposals must not exceed 12 pages and must include a signed transmittal letter, key personnel identification, at least three business references, a detailed work plan with timeline, and comprehensive cost information.

No specific set-aside designations or restrictions on responding organizations were identified in the documentation. The RFP indicates that the Association reserves the right to reject all proposals, waive irregularities, conduct finalist interviews, and renegotiate terms with selected proposers. While no incumbent vendor is mentioned, the project requires sophisticated financial analysis capabilities and experience with local government reporting. Proposers must provide detailed pricing information, including total project cost, itemized fee schedules with labor rates, and any promotional or discounted rates. The RFP suggests a comprehensive research project with significant scope, though a specific budget range is not explicitly stated. AOC plans to conduct monthly meetings throughout the project period, indicating a collaborative approach to the research and potential for ongoing engagement with the selected vendor.