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HomeMy WebLinkAbout26 - Instructions - Professional Services in Support of Economic Development, TIF Projects, and Development PlanningPage 1 of 10 REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP/Q) PROFESSIONAL SERVICES IN SUPPORT OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, TAX INCREMENT FINANCE PROJECTS, AND DEVELOPMENT PLANNING CITY OF BOZEMAN Bozeman, MT City of Bozeman PO Box 1230 Bozeman, MT 59771-1230 May 2026 INSTRUCTIONS NOTICE IS HEREBY given that the City of Bozeman (City) is seeking proposals from firms to provide professional services in support of Economic Development, Tax Increment Finance Projects and Development Planning. Copies of the Request for Proposals are available on the City’s website. All proposals must be provided as a single, searchable PDF document file and be submitted digitally as an email attachment to the City email address below. All proposals must comply with level A and AA Success Criteria and Conformance Requirements as defined by current Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). Respondents are advised that City’s email attachment size limit is 25MB and that only one PDF file will be allowed per response. The subject line of the transmittal email shall clearly identify the RFP title, company name and due date/time. File sizes greater than 25MB in size may be uploaded to the City Clerks’ Office upon special arrangement with the City Clerk. It is the Respondent’s sole responsibility to ensure the file upload is completed, and that the City is separately notified via email of same, prior to the given deadline. Deliver RFPs via email to the City Clerk by June 5 at 5:00pm MST. It is the sole responsibility of the Respondent to ensure that proposals are received prior to the closing time as late submittals will not be considered. The email address for submission is: procurement@bozemanmt.gov Any administrative questions regarding proposal procedures should be directed to: Mike Maas, City Clerk 406.582.2321, procurement@bozemanmt.gov Questions relating to the RFP should be directed to: Jesse DiTommaso, Economic Development Coordinator; jesse.ditommaso@bozemanmt.gov; (406) 579-2494 Respondents will be required to agree to the City’s non-discrimination and equal pay affirmation, attached as Appendix A. DATED at Bozeman, Montana, this May 13, 2026 Mike Maas City Clerk City of Bozeman For publication on: Saturday, May 16, 2026 Saturday, May 30, 2026 I. INTRODUCTION The City of Bozeman (City), is seeking proposals from firms to undertake economic development, tax increment finance, and development planning projects initated by the Economic Development Department, Community Development Department, or Downtown Bozeman Partnership. The City intends to enter into a contract with the selected firm that will include economic development, tax increment finance, and development planning projects. This RFP shall not commit the City to enter into an agreement, to pay any expenses incurred in preparation of any response to this request, or to procure or contract for any supplies, goods or services. The City reserves the right to accept or reject all responses received as a result of this RFP if it is in the City’s best interest to do so. II. PROJECT BACKGROUND AND DESCRIPTION The City of Bozeman is seeking strategic development consultants to provide technical expertise for facilitating projects initiated by the City of Bozeman. We want long-term economic development partners with experience creating and implementing economic development plans. Our new partners will have extensive experience in redeveloping corridors, neighborhoods and community mixed-use districts. Using tax increment financing, public infrastructure, and creative incentives as tools, the consultants must demonstrate experience facilitating significant new investment. The successful firm(s) will demonstriate experience in writing economic development action plans, attracting private investment via incentives, drafting and analyzing financial pro formas for development, providing incentive analysis, negotiating development agreements and facilitating public-private partnerships. The selected firm will be able to provide data driven analysis to support economic development strategty and assess Bozeman and Gallatin County’s real estate and housing market. The successful consultant team will understand the intersection between development regulations and the viability of redevelopment projects. The firm must also demonstrate planning expertise to advise the City on the intersection of real estate market conditions and the community development vision of the City. They will have the competency to suggest, analyze and draft for codification development code modifications. Demonstrated knowledge of Bozeman’s Economic Vitality Strategy, Unified Redevelopment Code (UDC), and Housing Strategy is preferred. One or more qualified firms may be selected in response to this RFP/Q. The selected firms will be retained for a contract term of three (3) years, which may be extended annually, at the sole discretion of the City of Bozeman, for up to five (5) years. The contract may allow the consultants to perform any tasks from a general scope of work. The suggested preliminary scope of work, as well as the general scope of work, may be directed by written task order, at the sole discretion of the City of Bozeman during the contract term. III. SCOPE OF SERVICES The selected consultant may assist the City on any task defined by the general scope of work as directed by written task order. 1) Economic Development Strategy and Data Analysis (30%) • Provide strategic, data-driven advice regarding the feasibility of various development types and projects and provide guidance on the tools, public infrastructure, programs, partnerships, incentives and policies that can stimulate the desired development. • Background and experience in analyzing regulations and development codes and policies to support strategic objectives • Commercial and Mixed-Use District Development strategies and implementation. • Perform market analysis to support policy and land use decisions. • Create strategic Economic Development Strategies and Action Plans • Create data driven marking materials that reflect community assets to welcome talent and business for key clusters 2) Economic Development and Real Estate Financial Analysis (30%) • Provide robust and data rich assessments of Bozeman and Gallatin County’s real estate and housing market. o Regional growth trends related to population, employment including tracking key employment sectors, and demographic data o For-sale Market o Rental Market o Commercial and Residential Market Trends o Affordability Indicators • Provide data driven analysis to support economic development strategy and implementation of that strategy. 3) Public-Private Partnerships (30%) • Assist in negotiating and structuring public-private partnerships that are beneficial to the City of Bozeman. o Provide guidance on the development of shared structured and surface parking facilities. o Provide guidance on attracting and facilitating mixed use investment in key districts. o Provide guidance on the development of workforce and affordable housing projects, deal structures and incentives • Provide robust and detailed analysis and financial pro formas to examine the financial feasibility of specific projects and provide gap financing analysis to right size economic development incentives. • Project TIF cash flows based on existing projects and projected projects to assist with obtaining financing, including bonding. 4) Building and Development Conceptualization (10%) • Provide ongoing assistance in developing Bozeman’s mixed-use districts as a specific kinds of places by working with property owners and developers to advance building concepts and formats that are consistent with the aspirations of Bozeman’s guiding plans, while staying feasible in Bozeman’s real estate market. The firm or team will demonstrate competency in urban and landscape planning and design and be able to produce visioning documents that show the integration of plans and projects with the built environment. IV. PROPOSAL REQUIREMENTS Firms interested in providing the services described above are requested to submit the following information. Responses to each item should appear in the same order as in this RFP and should identifythe item to which the responses applies. Respondent must disclose whether Respondent intends to use Generative AI in the fulfillment of the services if awarded a contract. Firms interested in providing the services described above are requested to submit the following information. Responses to each item should appear in the same order as in this RFP and should identifythe item to which the responses applies. a) Executive Summary b) Firm/Team Profile c) Qualifications of the Firm for Scope of Services a. The Proposer must describe its qualifications and experience in providing the work described in this RFP/Q. Experience should include examples of performing similar or related plans/studies; this also should include details as to the type of projects, approximate date of service delivery. The Proposer shall provide a team organization chart, which lists the names of at least 4 key personnel that will be assigned to this project along with a brief resume for each individual that describes their education and relevant professional work experience. A description of the work expected to be performed by each individual. Any subcontractors anticipated to be utilized to perform work on this project, should be identified and brief resumes submitted. d) Related Experience with Projects Similar to the Scope of Services a. To demonstrate relevant experience related to Scope of Services, provide 2 case studies of no more than 1 page each showing projects that demonstrate experience with each of the 4 core areas listed in the Scope Services (8 case studies total.) e) Recent and Current Work for the City of Bozeman f) References a. The Proposer must submit three (3) references of similar engagements during the last three (3) years, including Bozeman experience. The references must have had experience with the Firm similar in scope to those described in the RFQ. The Proposer must name a contact person and contact information for whomever is responsible for the review at each provided reference. g) Price Proposal a. Provide hourly rates for the 4 team members who will be expected to be principally responsible for interaction with the client and delivery of projects under the scope of services. h) Affirmation of Nondiscrimination (see Appendix A) Non-completion of the Affirmation of Nondiscrimination is cause for disqualification of firms. V. TIMELINES, DELIVERY DEADLINE, AND INSTRUCTIONS EVENT DATE/TIME Publication dates of RFP Saturday, May 16, 2026 Saturday, May 30, 2026 Deadline for Emailed Expression of Interest and Questions Wednesday, June 3, 2026 Deadline for receipt of proposals Friday, June 5, 2026 Evaluation of proposals TBD Interviews (if necessary) and Selection of consultants TBD With the exception of the advertising dates and advertised due date, the City reserves the right to modify the above timeline. Deliver RFPs via email to the City Clerk (procurement@bozemanmt.gov) by June 5, 2026 at 5:00pm MST. It is the sole responsibility of the Respondent to ensure that proposals are received prior to the closing time as late submittals will not be considered. All proposals must be provided as a single, searchable PDF document file and be submitted digitally as an email attachment to the RFP City email address procurement@bozemanmt.gov. Respondents are advised that City’s email attachment size limit is 25MB and that only one PDF file will be allowed per response. The subject line of the transmittal email shall clearly identify the RFP title, company name and due date/time. File sizes greater than 25MB in size may be uploaded to the City Clerks’ Office upon special arrangement with the City Clerk. It is the Respondent’s sole responsibility to ensure the file upload is completed, and that the City is separately notified via email of same, prior to the given deadline. VI. AMENDMENTS TO SOLICITATION Any interpretation or correction of this RFP will be published on the City’s webpage. The deadline for questions related to this document is 5:00pm MST on June 3, 2026. VII. CONTACT INFORMATION Any administrative questions regarding this RFP should be directed to: Mike Maas, City Clerk, 406.582.2321, procurement@bozemanmt.gov Questions relating to scope of services should be directed to: Jesse DiTommaso, Economic Development Coordinator; Jesse.ditommaso@bozemanmt.gov; (406)579- 2494. VIII. SELECTION PROCEDURE A review committee will evaluate all responses to the RFP that meet the submittal requirements and deadline. Submittals that do not meet the requirement or deadline will not be considered. The review committee will rank the proposals and may arrange interviews with the finalist(s) prior to selection. Selection may be made directly based on the written RFP submission. If interviews occur, the selection of finalists to be interviewed will be made by a selection committee representing the City. The selection of interview candidates will be based on an evaluation of the written responses to the RFPs. All submitted proposals must be complete and contain the information required as stated in the "Request for Proposals.” IX. SELECTION CRITERIA Proposals will be evaluated based on the following criteria: • [5 points] Executive Summary and Firm Team Profile • [70 points] Qualifications of the Firm for Scope of Services; Cost (Value:Cost) • [35 points] Related Experience with Similar Projects • [5 points] Recent and Current Work for the City of Bozeman References X. FORM OF AGREEMENT The selected Respondent will be required to enter into a contract with the City in substantially the same form as the agreement attached as Appendix B. Selected Respondent acknowledges that City may make changes to the agreement as required by the nature of the scope of services. XI. CITY RESERVATION OF RIGHTS / LIABILITY WAIVER All proposals submitted in response to this RFP become the property of the City and public records and, as such, are subject to public disclosure. A submission in response to this RFP confers no rights upon any respondents and shall not obligate the City in any manner whatsoever. The City reserves the right to not make an award or to solicit additional proposals at a later date. A. This RFP may be canceled, or any or all responses may be rejected in whole or in part, as specified herein, when it is in the best interests of the City. If the City cancels or revises this RFP, all Respondents who submitted will be notified. B. The City reserves the right to accept or reject any and all proposals; to add or delete items and/or quantities; to amend the RFP; to waive any minor irregularities, informalities, or failure to conform to the RFP; to extend the deadline for submitting proposals; to postpone award; to award one or more contracts, by item or task, or groups of items or tasks, if so provided in the RFP and if multiple awards or phases are determined by the City to be in the public interest. C. The City reserves the right to consider in its evaluation of the proposal if any Respondent has; previously failed to perform properly to the satisfaction of the City, fail to complete on time agreements of similar nature, or who is not in a position to perform such an agreement satisfactorily as determined by the City. D. The City reserves the right to determine the best qualified Respondent and negotiate a final scope of service and cost, negotiate a contract with another Respondent if an agreement cannot be reached with the first selected Respondent, or reject all proposals. E. The professional services contract between the City and the successful Respondent will incorporate the Respondent’s scope of service and work schedule as part of the agreement (see Appendix B for form of agreement. The agreement presented to the Respondent may differ from this form as appropriate for the scope of services). F. This RFP does not commit the City to award a contract. The City assumes no liability or responsibility for costs incurred by firms in responding to this request for proposals or request for interviews, additional data, or other information with respect to the selection process, prior to the issuance of an agreement, contract or purchase order. The Respondent, by submitting a response to this RFP, waives all right to protest or seek any legal remedies whatsoever regarding any aspect of this RFP. G. The City reserves the right to cancel, in part or in its entirety, this RFP including, but not limited to: selection procedures, submittal date, and submittal requirements. If the City cancels or revises this RFP, all Respondents who submitted proposals will be notified. H. Projects under any contract are subject to the availability of funds. XII. NONDISCRIMINATION AND EQUAL PAY POLICY The City requires each entity submitting under this notice shall affirm, on a separate form provided, that it will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex, age, marital status, national origin, or because of actual or perceived sexual orientation, sexual preference, gender identity, or disability in fulfillment of a contract entered into for the services identified herein and that this prohibition on discrimination shall apply to the hiring and treatment of the submitting entity’s employees and to all subcontracts it enters into in the fulfillment of the services identified herein. Failure to comply with this requirement shall be cause for the submittal to be deemed nonresponsive. The City also requires each entity submitting under this notice shall affirm it will abide by the Equal Pay Act of 1963 and Section 39-3-104, MCA (the Montana Equal Pay Act). XIII. MISCELLANEOUS A. No Oral Agreements. No conversations or oral agreements with any officer, employee, or agent of the City shall affect or modify any term of this RFP. Oral communications or any written/email communication between any person and City officer, employee or agent shall not be considered binding. B. No Partnership/Business Organization. Nothing in this RFP or in any subsequent agreement, or any other contract entered into as a result of this RFP, shall constitute, create, give rise to or otherwise be recognized as a partnership or formal business organization of any kind between or among the Respondent and the City. C. Employment Restriction and Indemnity. No person who is an owner, officer, employee, contractor, or consultant of a respondent shall be an officer or employee of the City. No rights of the City’s retirement or personnel rules accrue to a Respondent, its officers, employees, contractors, or consultants. Respondents shall have the responsibility of all salaries, wages, bonuses, retirement, withholdings, worker’s compensation and occupational disease compensation, insurance, unemployment compensation other benefits and taxes and premiums appurtenant thereto concerning its officers, employees, contractors, and consultants. Each Respondent shall save and hold the City harmless with respect to any and all claims for payment, compensation, salary, wages, bonuses, retirement, withholdings, worker’s compensation and occupational disease compensation, insurance, unemployment compensation other benefits and taxes and premiums in any way related to each Respondent’s officers, employees, contractors and consultants. D. Accessibility. Upon reasonable notice, the City will provide assistance for those persons with sensory impairments. For further information please contact the ADA Coordinator at 406-582- 3232. E. Procurement. When discrepancies occur between words and figures in this RFP, the words shall govern. No responsibility shall attach to a City employee for the premature opening of an RFP not properly addressed and identified in accordance with these documents. F. Governing Law. This solicitation and any disputes arising hereunder or under any future agreement shall be governed and construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Montana, and venue for all legal proceedings shall be in the 18th Judicial District Court, Gallatin County. By offering to perform services under this RFP, all Submitters agree to be bound by the laws of the State of Montana and of the City, including, but not limited to, applicable wage rates, payments, gross receipts taxes, building codes, equal opportunity employment practices, safety, non-discrimination, etc. XIV. ATTACHMENTS The following exhibits are incorporated in this RFP: Appendix A: Non-Discrimination Affirmation END OF RFP Appendix A NONDISCRIMINATION AND EQUAL PAY AFFIRMATION ____________________________________(name of entity submitting) hereby affirms it will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex, age, marital status, national origin, or because of actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity or disability and acknowledges and understands the eventual contract will contain a provision prohibiting discrimination as described above and this prohibition on discrimination shall apply to the hiring and treatments or proposer’s employees and to all subcontracts. ____________________________________(name of entity submitting) hereby affirms it will abide by the Equal Pay Act of 1963 and Section 39-3-104, MCA (the Montana Equal Pay Act). ______________________________________ [Name and title of person authorized to sign on behalf of Respondent]