Requestor: | Delaware County Economic Development Oversight Board Under the umbrella of Delaware County Commerce Center Laura Goodrich Cairns; Executive Director (610) 566-2225 [email protected] |
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Timing: | Approximate six-month process from contract execution to deliverables | |
Proposal: | Economic Development Strategic Plan for Delaware County, Pennsylvania Where we are, where we want to be, how we get there both internally and externally. |
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Download this Request For Proposal ![]() Questions and Responses to RFP: Q) Whether companies from Outside USA can apply for this? (like, from India or Canada) Any potential vendor will have to have the ability to make required connections remotely given the current pandemic. However, as the health crisis eases with vaccine distribution we are hopeful there may be opportunity to have some in person conversations or events Q) Can we submit the proposals via email? Q) As we begin the process, is there any guidance regarding the anticipated budget for this project? Delaware County Planning Department 2035 Plan: https://www.delcopa.gov/planning/delawarecounty2035.html
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Deadline for submission: May 10, 20201 3:00pm EST.
Pre-Bid Meeting for RFP/RFQ ReviewPre-Bid Meeting will be held on April 13, 2021 at 10:00am EST virtually with members of the decision-making team. All interested bidders are required to attend by having at least one team member present. All questions and responses will be shared with all bidders and posted on the Commerce Center website. For a link to this virtual meeting please email Laura Goodrich Cairns [email protected] or request by phone (610) 566-2225.
The Delaware County Commerce Center is currently seeking proposals from qualified consultant firms to develop an economic development strategic plan to be implemented within the next three to five years. The resulting plan should reflect and complement Delaware County Council’s policy goals, Delaware County Planning Department’s Countywide Comprehensive Plan, and Delaware County Workforce Development Board’s new Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act plan. Special consideration should also be made within the work product for the enduring economic repercussions of the current pandemic recession, and its impacts to Delaware County’s economy. Delaware County seeks to build a stronger economy than existed pre CV19, by creating a more diverse, sustainable, and supportive economic ecosystem.
Overall, the strategic plan should address the needs, impediments, strengths, and opportunities in our existing business climate, while defining county strengths and potential to attract and grow new economic opportunities. The Delaware County Commerce Center wants to encourage and promote desirable economic development within Delaware County consistent with planning and policies, to maintain and attract an equitable and diverse tax base.
BackgroundDelaware County is strategically located between two Metropolitan Centers, with an International Airport, Private Marine Terminal, and over 550,000 residents. Road and rail access make the entire Mid-Atlantic Region accessible. It is a very socio-economically diverse County, with a wide range of communities ranging from some of the wealthiest zip codes on the east coast to an impoverished third-class city. In addition, the county hosts a wide range of diverse populations and in one public school district there are over 82 languages and dialects spoken.
Delaware County Planning Department’s Comprehensive Plan 2035 can be accessed on the Delaware County Government Website Here: https://www.delcopa.gov/planning/delawarecounty2035.html
SCOPE
Interested firms should have demonstrable knowledge of the Federal and Pennsylvania Economic Development laws, policies, practical abilities, and regulatory limitations in practicing economic development within the Commonwealth.
The scope of work should include a market analysis, (defined later in this document) identify and prioritize a program of work and provide a realistic implementation and development strategy set over the course of no more than three years. The final work product will be developed in direct coordination with Delaware County Commerce Center and solicit and include stakeholder input, hosting issue specific focus groups, and other such related meetings as determined by direction of Delaware County Commerce in conjunction with the selected consultant.
The selected consultant will work with Delaware County Commerce Center to refine project objectives, clarify and coordinate deliverables, develop a detailed project schedule for deliverables resulting from the consult, community outreach, and public meetings. The selected consultant should also be prepared for some on-site meetings when more acceptable according to public health guidelines.
DELIVERABLES
EXPECTATIONS
PROPSAL REQUIREMENTS
To be considered, any proposal must be received no later than Monday May 10th, at 3:00pm. EST
By Mail:
Electronically: [email protected]
*If file size is too large for email, please contact Laura Goodrich Cairns in advance to arrange delivery ahead of deadline through a file sharing service.
Approach:
Proposals should provide a narrative statement demonstrating an understanding of intent of this RFP. The narrative should also provide details on the methods your firm would engage to complete the study. We are specifically seeking how your firm would engage our business and community leaders to receive a broad spectrum of input across industry and ownership. The plan should be actionable.
Budget:
Please provide a detailed budget to include hourly rate for all-assigned personnel, number of hours assigned to personnel, breakdown of non-labor costs, allocation between consultant and any subcontractor, travel for potential meetings by 3rd Quarter of 2021, and a cost not-to-exceed price.
Additional:
Applicant shall defend, indemnify, save and hold the Delaware County Commerce Center harmless from any and all claims, suits, judgments and liability for death, personal injury, bodily injury, or property damage arising directly or indirectly from the performance by the consultant, its employees, subcontractors, or assigns, including legal fees, court costs and other legal expenses. Applicant Consultant acknowledges that it is solely responsible for complying with the terms of this RFP.
The selected consultant understands and agrees that all services and activities.
performed under the terms of this proposal are as an independent contractor.
Once selected, the consultant will provide and maintain comprehensive general liability and property damage insurance in the minimum amount of $250,000.00 per person for injury and death in a single occurrence; $1,000,000.00 per occurrence for injury or death of more than one person in a single occurrence; and $500,000.00 for a single occurrence of property damage, and which shall be endorsed to protect the Commerce Center from claims of bodily injury and of property damage arising out of any services or activities performed by the Applicant or its employees, agents, officers, assigns, or subcontractors under its proposal.
The Commerce Center shall be listed on the above insurance policies as an additional insured. Such policies shall not include any provision limiting any potential sovereign immunity of the Commerce Center or its agents or employees. Applicant certifies, by submitting its proposal, that it will secure the requisite insurance coverage required by this section; that such coverage will be in effect for the duration of the services provided; and that the policies will not be cancelled or changed unless at least 30 days prior notice has been given to the Commerce Center.
EVALUATION CRITERIA:
From the complete proposals received before the deadline, finalists may be selected to present their respective proposals to the selection committee for review. Finalists shall be scored and ranked based on criteria that includes but is not limited to:
*Delaware County reserves the right to accept or reject any or all proposals, and at its discretion, may select a firm outright or select a finalist(s) for video interview.
SCHEDULE:
RFP Available: | March 1, 2021 |
Q & A Conference Call with interested bidders: | April 13, 2021 10:00am EST |
Proposals Due: | May 10, 2021 3:00pm EST |
Optional Interviews: | May 14, 2021 |
Consultant Selected: | May 19, 2021 |
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