Request for Information for Business Retention and Expansion Services

Marion County's Community and Economic Development Department in Oregon has issued a Request for Information (RFI) under solicitation number CS1775-26 for professional services to support the county's Business Retention and Expansion (BRE) Program. This RFI, released on April 1, 2026, seeks qualified organizations to provide input on the design and delivery of a comprehensive Business Retention and Investment Readiness Program. The county explicitly states that this RFI does not constitute a formal solicitation and will not result in contract awards; instead, it is intended to gather vendor feedback and gauge market interest before issuing a future Request for Proposals for multi-year contract services. The program aims to strengthen Marion County's ability to understand, support, and respond to the needs of existing businesses while preparing them for expansion or new investment opportunities. Three primary objectives guide the RFI: establishing business stability and expansion readiness awareness, ensuring investment and attraction readiness with credible information, and providing reporting and accountability metrics. Questions regarding the RFI are due by April 9, 2026, at 3:00 PM PST, while responses must be submitted by April 30, 2026, at 3:00 PM PST through SurveyMonkey via the Marion County Procurement Collaboration Portal at https://contracts-marioncountygcc.msappproxy.net/gateway/. Prospective respondents must create an account on the portal at least 15 to 30 minutes before submitting any files or responses.

The RFI documents do not identify any specific set-aside designations, restrictions on types of organizations that can respond, incumbent vendors, or contract award values and budget ranges. The program is funded through lottery distribution and must comply with Oregon Revised Statutes 461.540 and 285B.410. Marion County, serving a population of 347,818 across nearly 1,200 square miles in the Mid-Willamette Valley, hosts diverse industries including agriculture, food processing, government, lumber, manufacturing, and tourism, which should inform respondents' understanding of the local business landscape. All submissions become public records subject to Oregon Public Records Law, though organizations may designate trade secrets for confidential treatment if clearly marked on each relevant page. Interested vendors should consult the complete solicitation documents available on the Marion County Procurement Collaboration Portal for comprehensive details regarding evaluation criteria, technical requirements, and any other material terms and conditions governing this business retention and expansion services opportunity.