Request for Proposals (RFP) for Economic Recovery Coordinator for Adams County, Ohio

Request for Proposals (RFP) for
Economic Recovery Coordinator for Adams County, Ohio 

Due Date: August 23, 2019

General Information
Document Type: Request for Proposals (RFP)
Posted Date: July 22, 2019
Response Due Date: August 23, 2019
Contract Period: up to two years with possibility for one-year renewal

Point of Contact:
John W. Hemmings III
Executive Director
Ohio Valley Regional Development Commission
(740) 947-2853
jhemmings@ovrdc.org

Request for Proposals

The Ohio Valley Regional Development Commission (OVRDC) is requesting proposals from experienced firms, groups, or individuals to perform economic recovery coordinator duties in Adams County, Ohio in response to the closure of two coal-fired power plants in 2018.  This is a contract-based position and the selected contractor shall be responsible for all expenses incurred while performing services.  Compensation which shall include related expenses will be negotiated but will include consideration for experience.

Background & Description

The successful RFP respondent will serve as the Economic Recovery Coordinator for Adams County, Ohio under the general supervision of the OVRDC and Adams County.

The Ohio Valley Regional Development Commission (OVRDC) is a public regional planning commission established in 1967 that serves as a Local Development District for the Appalachian Regional Commission, as an Economic Development District for the U.S. Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration, and as a Regional Transportation Planning Organization for the Ohio Department of Transportation. OVRDC coordinates federal, state and local resources to encourage development and improve quality of life by offering technical assistance, planning and support for economic development, community development and transportation projects in 12 southern Ohio counties: Adams, Brown, Clermont*, Fayette, Gallia, Highland, Jackson, Lawrence, Pike, Ross, Scioto and Vinton.

Adams County, which is located one hour east of Cincinnati and less than two hours from Columbus, Dayton, Lexington, and Huntington, has the tranquility of a small community while maintaining easy access to the resources of a larger city.  Adams County has a population of 28,550 and is located in the beautiful rolling hills of Southern Ohio. It is bounded on the southern side by the Ohio River and traversed in the north by Route 32, the main east/west four lane highway in Southern Ohio and the Norfolk Southern Railway.  Besides it’s natural beauty Adams County is noted for its abundant resources including fertile farmland, forests, wildlife, and limestone deposits. Agriculture is an important part of the county economy.

Scope of Services/ Specific Responsibilities:

This is an independent contractor/consulting position.  The Economic Recovery Coordinator will be offered a contract of up to two (2) years, which may be extended based on the mutual agreement of the parties for up to one (1) additional year.

The firm, group, or person selected should be flexible and able to work independently, able to structure their own workdays and able to complete their work within the general timetable established by OVRDC and Adams County per the contract.

Other relevant skills include the ability to work well with others and undertake joint projects; and a willingness to participate in special training programs, conferences, workshops, and classes as required.  The work environment may involve flexible hours, including availability outside normal office hours, as needed.  The Economic Recovery Coordinator must be available for travel.

Specific Responsibilities include:

1. Assist Adams County Economic Development Office and OVRDC in working with the US Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration (EDA), and other federal and State of Ohio economic development assistance programs and maintain regular communication with representatives of these agencies.
2. Provide technical assistance to Adams County, municipalities, and other political subdivisions and organizations in implementing strategies and projects identified in the Adams County Strategic Plan which is being developed by Ohio University’s Voinovich School.
3. Assist the Adams County Economic Development Office with the planning and development of a workforce development center. This work will include but not be limited to grant application development and grant award management functions.
4. Assist the Adams County Economic Development Office with the planning and development of a small business incubator/maker space facility. This work will include but not be limited to grant application development and grant award management functions.
5. Assist the Adams County Economic Development Office with the planning and development of a virtual jobs center. This work will include but not be limited to grant application development and grant award management functions.
6. Assist the Adams County Economic Development Office with the planning and development of the Winchester Industrial park. This work will include but not be limited to grant application development, grant award management functions, and assistance with responding to Request for Information inquiries.
7. Conduct other appropriate economic recovery-related functions as assigned by Adams County Economic Development Office and/or OVRDC as assigned and become priority in Adams County.
8. Keep the Adams County Economic Development Office and OVRDC regularly updated on progress of work completed, obstacles encountered, solutions to any obstacles, etc.
9. Assist Ohio University Voinovich School and OVRDC with preparation of regular written progress reports and the final report for the Economic Development Administration grant supporting this contract position.
10. Assist Ohio University Voinovich School and OVRDC with preparing a follow-up EDA application for continuation of project if funding is available and pursued.

Procedure for RFP Submittal

Submit electronic copies of Proposals. Submittals should include the information outlined below. Proposals should be submitted electronically by 12 Noon EST on August 23, 2019:

John W. Hemmings III
Executive Director
Ohio Valley Regional Development Commission
73 Progress Drive
Waverly, Ohio 45690
jhemmings@ovrdc.org

Proposals received after 12 Noon EST August 23, 2019 will not be considered.

Qualification Statements

Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) should include the following:

 Qualifications, Experience and Capabilities: Describe the qualification and capabilities of implementing the scope of services. Include qualifications associated with writing & managing federal & state grants, working with multiple stakeholders, experience in economic and community development particularly related to economic recovery from significant job loss in an area.  Include knowledge and familiarity with the people and socio-economic conditions of the Appalachia Ohio, the OVRDC region, and Adams County in particular. Include project summaries of relevant projects completed.  Summarize the scope of services and provide client contact information.

 Key Staff Assigned to Project: Provide an organization chart identifying personnel assigned to this proposal, including their roles and anticipated level of involvement. Personnel identified in the proposal must be the principal staff that will work with OVRDC and Adams County and represent the majority of hours billed. Resumes shall not exceed 3 pages in length.

 History of Company: Full disclosure regarding the company status, and status of parent companies, subsidiaries, affiliates, and subcontractors as potential responsible parties, including but not limited to:

o Business Background
o Legal name of business
o Age of business
o Names, addresses, and position of all persons having a financial interest in the company
o State of formation
o Number of employees
o Licenses and certifications relevant to the described work

 Professional Practice (Limited to the Project Team, all employees assigned to this project):

o Ever been cited by any authority for unscrupulous practice?
o Have any past or present suits with any current or former clients? Explain as necessary
o Including parent company, subsidiaries, affiliates, and subcontractors, ever been or are currently disbarred from receiving Federal funds?
o Any certification indicating that staff assigned to this project is equipped to carry out the provisions of this proposal
o Three (3) references from clients for which the firm or person has provided similar services
o Other: Provide any other information that may be useful when reviewing this proposal

Estimate of Cost

Proposals must include a total cost to complete the scope of work as provided above.  Please be advised this will be a contract position and all cost associated with completing the scope of work above, including travel, supplies, office, etc., should be included in the total cost figure.

Consultant Selection

Proposals will be evaluated and ranked based on the selection criteria outlined below. The OVRDC may ask the top ranked firms, groups, or persons to interview as part of the evaluation process. After the conclusion of the evaluation process, the firms, groups, or persons will be ranked in priority order with the highest-ranking firm, group, or person being selected to negotiate a contract and scope of services with OVRDC. If a contract satisfactory to both parties cannot be negotiated, OVRDC will then enter into negotiations with the next highest ranked firm, group, or person and so on until an agreement is reached.

In the event OVRDC elects to negotiate a contract with a selected firm, group, or person, OVRDC reserves the right to negotiate such terms and conditions of the contract, including, but not limited to scope, role, price, and staffing which may be in the best interests of OVRDC.

The selected firm, group, or person shall provide written proof of insurance coverage for personal injury and property damage, including comprehensive general and automobile liability and contractual liability.

OVRDC member organizations are not eligible for consideration under this RFP.

Selection Criteria

OVRDC will evaluate the proposals based upon the following criteria:

 Experience and ability to successfully complete the scope of services
 Demonstrated experience including successful economic and community development work for similar clients
 Familiarity with the Appalachia Ohio region, the OVRDC region particularly Adams County
 Proven track record of effective recovery efforts in other rural communities
 Ability to complete the scope of work within the project budget (budget maximum is $200,000 for a two-year contract)

Rights Reserved

OVRDC reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to reject all submissions, reissue a subsequent RFP, terminate, restructure or amend this procurement process at any time.  Evaluation criteria contained herein shall be used in evaluating interested firms, groups, or persons for selection. OVRDC may contact any RFP respondent after receiving its submittal to seek clarification on any portion thereof. OVRDC reserves the right to request additional information from any RFP respondent if OVRDC deems such information necessary to further evaluate selection. OVRDC reserves the right to select several consultants to perform task under the contract. All RFP material submitted to OVRDC becomes property of OVRDC and will not be returned to the RFP respondents.