Facilitation of Public Meetings or Events

Washington County, Oregon is seeking a professional facilitator for a comprehensive community engagement initiative through a Request for Proposal (RFP No. 2020.075P) released on July 13, 2020. The procurement targets a contractor to facilitate three distinct community engagement efforts: six community listening sessions addressing racial justice concerns (mid-August through September), a four-meeting Community Investment Conversation series exploring county budget priorities (October), and community engagement activities for Metro's Supportive Housing Services Local Implementation Strategy (October through December). The primary objectives include providing open forums for community members to share concerns, understand public investment strategies, and develop strategies to advance racial equity outcomes, particularly for communities of color and historically marginalized populations. Evaluation criteria are comprehensive, with 100 possible points distributed across experience (20 points), approach (30 points), cost (20 points), diversity/equity/inclusion (20 points), and references (10 points), with an additional potential 20 points from a 10-minute presentation. Proposal submissions are due electronically by July 24, 2020, at 4:00 pm, with contractor selection anticipated by July 31, 2020. Proposers must submit a comprehensive proposal not exceeding ten pages, demonstrating expertise in community facilitation and advancing racial equity.

The RFP demonstrates a strong commitment to social equity, explicitly seeking to maximize participation of diverse consultants and contractors while promoting economic growth for historically marginalized communities. While no specific set-aside designations are explicitly detailed, the evaluation criteria heavily weight diversity, equity, and inclusion, suggesting preference for contractors that represent or meaningfully engage underrepresented communities. The county reserves the right to award the contract to one or more contractors, providing flexibility in selection. Proposers must complete a Certification and Contract Offer form, attesting to their eligibility by disclosing any potential disqualifying factors such as previous contract defaults or criminal history. Insurance requirements are stringent, with mandatory coverage including Commercial General Liability, Automobile Liability, Professional Liability, and Workers' Compensation Insurance, featuring specific coverage limits and additional provisions. While no specific budget range is provided in the documents, the comprehensive nature of the engagement suggests a substantial investment in community dialogue and strategic planning. The county will use a standard Personal/Professional Services Contract template for the selected contractor(s), with terms to be customized to the specific project scope.