Request for Qualifications for Adult Use Marijuana Retail Establishment

This is a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) issued by the Town of Dartmouth, Massachusetts, seeking applications from entities interested in obtaining a Host Community Agreement to operate an Adult Use Marijuana Retail Establishment within the town. The town will enter into up to three Host Community Agreements for such establishments. Applicants must submit their responses by March 27, 2020, including two certified checks - one for $500 as an application fee and one for $15,000 for expert review costs. Additional information, interviews, and presentations may be required at the Town's option. The term of each Host Community Agreement is expected to be five years. The RFQ outlines detailed minimum and comparative evaluation criteria the Town will use to assess and rank the applications, including the applicant's knowledge of licensing procedures, key personnel and prior cannabis experience, business plan, proposed timeline and development plan, staffing and job creation, community involvement, and willingness to agree to specified Host Community Agreement terms. The agreement requires the selected applicant to make various payments and contributions to the Town, including a 3% community impact fee on gross sales, $25,000 per year in charitable donations, and $85,000 per year in community benefit contributions.

The RFQ does not mention any set-aside designations or restrictions on the types of organizations that can respond. It also does not provide information on any incumbent vendors or current contractors, or any existing infrastructure or technology that requires integration. The RFQ does not specify an award value or budget range, but it indicates that the town will enter into up to three Host Community Agreements for the operation of adult use marijuana retail establishments.