Economist or Economic Consulting Firm RFP

The Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) is seeking an economic consultant or consulting firm to provide comprehensive economic analysis and strategic support for California's economic development initiatives. The Request for Proposal (RFP) calls for a contractor to conduct labor market analyses, economic impact studies, develop interactive data visualization tools, and provide policy and legislative evaluations. The contract will run from May 15, 2025, through December 2026, with a potential extension to June 2028. Proposals are due by April 1, 2025, at 8:00 AM Pacific Time, with a tentative award notice expected on April 10, 2025. The evaluation process will utilize a scoring system with a maximum of 70 technical points, requiring bidders to score at least 60 points to advance. Key evaluation criteria include the proposer's experience, proposal quality, sample materials, oral presentation, and budget/cost estimates. The selected firm must have a proven track record of working with government agencies and a Principal Investigator with an advanced degree in economics.

The RFP specifically encourages participation from small businesses, microbusinesses, and Disabled Veteran Business Enterprises (DVBEs), offering a five percent preference in the bidding process. Proposers must complete several mandatory compliance documents, including the Darfur Contracting Act Compliance form, Payee Data Record (STD 204), Bidder Declaration, and Drug-Free Workplace Certification. The contract will be structured as a time and materials agreement, with compensation based on a retainer or capacity-based fee, paid according to actual hours worked and deliverables completed. While no specific budget range is explicitly stated, the comprehensive nature of the required services suggests a significant investment in economic consulting services. The contract requires extensive documentation and compliance with California state contracting regulations, including detailed reporting on business certification status, international business activities, and workplace standards.