Request for Proposals for Commercial-Locational Criteria Study

Overview

West Park Village main entrance

The Hillsborough County City-County Planning Commission (the “Planning Commission”) provides long-range planning services for four local governments including: unincorporated Hillsborough County and the Cities of Tampa, Plant City, and Temple Terrace. Planning Commission staff is in the process of updating the Future of Hillsborough: Comprehensive Plan for Unincorporated Hillsborough County Florida. It has been determined that additional research and assistance for the update of the Future Land Use Element is needed. This study will update the frameworks for allowing non-residential development in residential land use categories and balance the changing demands for retail and non-residential uses in residential areas based upon the continued need to prevent strip commercial along major roadways. The Planning Commission is seeking proposals from qualified planning consultants regarding the unincorporated Hillsborough County Commercial-Locational Criteria.

The deadline for electronic submittal of proposals is 5:00 pm on July 6, 2021, to Andrea Papandrew (papandrewa@plancom.org). Proposals submitted after the stated closing date and time will not be accepted.

Service providers who have experience working with governmental projects in the Hillsborough County area, as well as women and minority-owned firms, are encouraged to respond. The Planning Commission is an equal opportunity employer.

Below are the questions submitted by interested parties ahead of the June 11 deadline:

Q: Do we need to be an Approved Consultant on the Service Provider list to submit a proposal?

A: Consultants do not need to be on the Approved Consultant Service Provider list to submit a proposal. Consultants will need to fill out the Consultant Information Form. If a consultant is not on the approved list, they will need to provide additional documentation that address the requirements stated in the following weblink: Request for Qualifications: Approved Consultant Service Provider list. The additional documentation does not count towards the 20 page limit.

Q: Do subconsultants fill out the Consultant Information Form?

A: Subconsultants do not need to fill out the Consultant Information Form as long as the primary consultant has completed in full and submitted the form with the proposal. The Consultant Information Form does not count towards the 20 page limit.

Q: Does the 20 page limit include resumes?

A: Resumes are required but do not count towards the 20 page limit.

Q: How many in-person meetings/presentations are expected for this project? Do you expect the status updates to be in-person, virtual, or communicated by memo?

A: As stated in Task 5, one workshop to the Planning Commission and two briefings or workshops to the BOCC are expected for this project. Additional meetings may be required depending on the consultants proposed public outreach strategy. It is unknown at this time if the meetings will be hybrid or in-person. Proposals should be presented with the assumption that any local meetings will be in-person. Status updates may be in-person or virtual, depending on the consultants preference and budget.

Q: Specifically, what quantitative analysis do you expect as part of this study?

A: The Commercial-Locational Criteria Study is looking for a new method to evaluate where commercial properties should be located. Planning Commission staff will provide access to any up-to-date County data sources, such as the functional classification map, that may be helpful in this evaluation. If any additional quantitative analysis is required, staff would like to see a proposed strategy.

Q: What percentage of the project is estimated to be public outreach efforts?

A: Planning Commission staff estimates that public outreach efforts will be 20-25% of the project. The policy must reach all of the County’s jurisdictional limits, therefore the percentage is dependent on the outreach strategy proposed.

Q: For “Review of existing research and studies” under Task 2, how many studies will need to be reviewed? Will these be provided?

A: The existing studies will be provided to the Consultants. There are approximately 5-10 documents which vary in size and scope. Other studies or documents may be deemed necessary as Task 2 is underway.

Q: Is there a preference for local firms? How is the “Location” in “Location and qualifications of the firm” scored?

A: The location aspect is worth 8 points out of the total 40 points for the location and qualifications of the firm scoring category. Local firms may be preferred, as a portion of this project will include in-person meetings and a public outreach component. Any travel will need to be accommodated within the proposed budget.

Q: SEPI, Inc is a woman owned business recognized by the State of North Carolina with offices in Florida. Would they be able to use the NC certification in place of a FL MBE certification to meet that requirement?

A: All firms will need to be certified with Hillsborough County to qualify for the Minority Business Enterprise.

Timeline

June 4, 2021

Request for Proposal (RFP) Release Date

June 11, 2021 by 12:00pm (noon)

Electronic Submittal of Questions

June 18, 2021

Answers to Questions posted to RFP Webpage

July 6, 2021 by 5:00 pm

Due Date

July 9, 2021

Interview Notification

July 13 & 14, 2021

It is recommended to note the above dates in case you are selected for an interview.

Interviews with Top Three Applicants

July 16, 2021

Planning Commission Staff Selection

August 24, 2021

Planning Commission Approval of Consultant Selection