Indirect & External Cost Analysis

Barnstable County is seeking qualified consulting firms to develop a comprehensive Indirect Cost Rate Study and External Service Rate Model through Request for Proposals (RFP) #8109. The project aims to establish federal grant-compatible indirect cost rates for internal operations and fully burdened external service rates for the fifteen municipalities on Cape Cod and other external partners. Proposers must demonstrate a minimum of five years of governmental experience, with at least three comparable engagements within the last five years, and key staff possessing a minimum of ten years of consulting experience. The scope of work includes project initiation, organizational and financial structure review, data collection, cost pool development, indirect cost rate and external municipal service rate development, and creation of an Excel-based model with ongoing use tools. Deliverables include a project work plan, draft and final indirect cost rate study reports, external municipal service rate model and report, allocation models with instructions, presentation materials, and training sessions. The proposal submission deadline is January 26, 2026, at 11:00 AM through the Bonfire Online Bidding Tool, with the County planning to award the contract within 60 days after bid opening. Evaluation criteria will focus on qualifications, technical approach, model development quality, project timeline, references, and deliverables quality.

The RFP does not specify any specific set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises. The procurement appears to be open to all qualified consulting firms that can meet the experience and technical requirements. There is no mention of incumbent vendors or existing infrastructure that requires integration. While a specific budget range is not explicitly stated, proposers are required to submit a total not-to-exceed cost and/or cost per task, including hourly rates for all personnel and identification of direct cost expenses and subcontractor costs. The successful contractor must maintain a minimum of one million dollars in commercial general liability insurance and comply with Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 30B. The project is anticipated to have a duration of 90 to 150 days upon contract execution, suggesting a moderate-sized engagement that would likely fall within a mid-range consulting contract value for a county-level cost analysis project.