CROPS Farming and Land Management Lease

Multnomah County's Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health (REACH) program and Office of Sustainability are seeking a qualified entity to manage a CROPS Farming and Land Management Lease for 3 acres of arable land located in Troutdale, Oregon. The procurement is a Request for Proposal (RFP) released on November 6, 2020, with proposals due by December 9, 2020, at 4:00 PM PST. The primary objective is to create a community-based farming collaborative that promotes economic development and healthy eating, specifically targeting under-resourced and underserved Black/African American and African immigrant populations. Proposers will be evaluated on their ability to provide culturally specific programming, engage in policy advocacy, demonstrate sustainable farming practices, and support community development. The selected proposer will receive a five-year license to use the land, with potential for five additional one-year renewals, contingent upon meeting performance measures and program deliverables. Key evaluation criteria include the proposer's capacity to implement an Equitable Food Oriented Development (EFOD) model that builds skills, increases employment, and expands access to locally-grown, culturally appropriate food.

The contract is structured as a non-revenue agreement, meaning neither the county will pay the proposer nor will the proposer pay the county. Multnomah County will provide a shipping container and potentially transfer ownership of farming equipment including a tractor, high tunnel, and hand tools. All utility costs and operational expenses will be the responsibility of the awarded proposer. While no specific set-aside designations are explicitly mentioned, the RFP strongly emphasizes serving and empowering Black and African immigrant communities, which suggests a preference for organizations with demonstrated experience and commitment to these populations. The procurement does not list any incumbent vendors or specify integration requirements with existing infrastructure or technology. No specific award value or budget range is provided in the available documentation. Interested proposers must carefully review the RFP and follow the detailed submission instructions outlined in the Multnomah County Marketplace (MMP) Supplier Guide, which provides comprehensive guidance on responding to the sourcing event.