Hood River County Organizational and Fiscal Sustainability Assessment

Hood River County, Oregon has issued a Qualifications Based Selection Request for Proposal (RFP) seeking a professional firm to conduct a comprehensive Organizational and Fiscal Sustainability Assessment. The RFP requires a detailed evaluation of the county's organizational structure, operational efficiency, and financial sustainability, with proposals due by September 19, 2025, at 4 p.m. PST. The procurement will involve a two-round evaluation process, including written proposal scoring and finalist interviews, with an anticipated project kickoff in late October 2025. Key deliverables include a comprehensive assessment of current county operations, potential organizational improvements, and long-term financial forecasting. The project objectives specifically focus on addressing critical challenges such as balancing public safety costs, identifying capital funding for facilities and infrastructure, and maintaining service levels. The assessment will require a thorough examination of the county's complex financial landscape, including its low permanent tax rate of $1.42 per $1,000 and property tax revenues representing only 35% of the general fund. Evaluation criteria will likely emphasize the firm's expertise in municipal financial analysis, organizational efficiency, and strategic planning.

No specific set-aside designations or restrictions on respondent types were explicitly detailed in the provided documentation. The county's current financial context suggests potential budget constraints, with significant future capital needs estimated at $276 million for courthouse and administrative building replacement and $11.27 million in bridge infrastructure improvements over the next decade. The county manages nearly 34,500 acres of forest land and has a population of 24,357, indicating a need for a highly adaptable and experienced consulting firm. While no incumbent vendors were identified, the RFP implies a preference for firms with demonstrated experience in municipal financial sustainability and organizational restructuring. The precise award value is not specified, but the scope and complexity of the project suggest a substantial consulting engagement that would require comprehensive analytical capabilities and strategic recommendations for long-term fiscal management.