Downtown Master Plan Update

The City of Sarasota is seeking qualifications from consulting firms to update the Sarasota Downtown Master Plan 2020, with a comprehensive scope of work that includes reviewing and analyzing existing conditions, identifying needs, and developing recommended solutions. The procurement is structured as an Invitation to Negotiate (ITN) with a focus on selecting a consultant with expertise in urban planning, particularly emphasizing areas such as waterfront amenities, parks and open spaces, streetscape improvements, community engagement, transportation planning, historic preservation, workforce housing, and climate resiliency. Minimum qualifications require proposers to have at least two years (preferably five years) of urban master planning experience, and the project team must include a Florida-registered architect, a Florida Professional Engineer, and an American Institute of Certified Planner (AICP) certified professional. The evaluation criteria will allocate points across five categories: Proposer Experience (25 points), Team Experience (25 points), Approach (40 points), Capacity (5 points), and Cost (5 points). The solicitation was posted on January 15, 2026, with proposals due by March 3, 2026, and an anticipated timeline of evaluations in March, interviews and negotiations in March/April, and City Commission approval in April.

The contract opportunity does not specify explicit set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises, though the required forms package suggests opportunities for minority business enterprise certifications. The initial contract term is three years, with two potential one-year renewal options, allowing for a maximum contract period of five years. While no incumbent vendors are mentioned, the solicitation requires proposers to submit comprehensive documentation including conflict of interest disclosures, non-collusive affidavits, public entity crime certifications, and scrutinized companies certifications. Proposers must utilize the E-Verify system and provide proof of insurance, including commercial general liability coverage of one million dollars. Though a specific budget range is not explicitly stated, the pricing proposal requires an all-inclusive cost for the entire project to be submitted through the OpenGov portal, with proposers required to provide pricing for the initial three-year term and two potential one-year renewals. The City reserves the right to reject any or all proposals and to negotiate pricing with selected respondents before making a final award recommendation to the City Commission.