Request for Qualifications Consultant Services

Matapeake Feasibility Study
Queen Anne's County, Maryland
Submittal Deadline: April 30, 2008

THE STUDY
The Queen Anne's County Department of Economic Development and Agriculture and the Department of Parks and Recreation is seeking proposals from a qualified economic development firm or consultant to perform a feasibility study, that will determine the highest and best use of the 55 acre Matapeake site in Queen Anne's County, Maryland. The site is also known as the former Matapeake Bay Model Site and is located south of US Routes 50/301 on Route 8.

The feasibility study will evaluate the property in the context of the unique prospects the geographic area offers in general and the property specific attributes.

An Advisory Committee (AC) that consists of persons from pertinent County Departments and members of the Economic Development Commission will be selected to serve as the study liaison team. The selected consultant will serve as the principle lead agent for the AC in the preparation of the Feasibility Study. At a minimum the consultant will be expected to lead at least four (4) AC work- sessions held over the approximate three month study span that includes one work session in conjunction with the County Commissioners. In addition, it is expected one presentation will be made jointly before the Economic Development Commission and the Planning Commission.

PROPSED SCOPE OF SERVICES
The scope of services includes identifying new productive uses for the property. The County and State are committed to identifying economically viable long term uses for this property consistent with the extension of the agreement with the State. Equally important is the County's focus on maximizing the economic advantages associated with existing lands that are already appropriately zoned, served with public infrastructure and mapped as Priority Funding Areas (PFAs). Consideration and explanation of the advantages / disadvantages of retaining the remains of the existing Bay Model structure should be provided.

The County and State wish a truly innovative and integrated study be completed, which will provide local and state officials with the knowledge and tools to make sound decisions as the study moves forward to the implementation stage. The Feasibility study should include data collection and infrastructure analysis to determine the ability of the property to support the economic goals identified in the study. Specific emphasis should be placed on facilitating compatible permitted commercial/ industrial uses and employment development, as well as an analysis of the potential for existing businesses or industry segments located in the County to take advantage of the opportunities the site presents and relocate/ expand thus serving to retain a portion of our existing business base. The completed study will result in the delivery of a comprehensive Matapeake Feasibility Study. The Feasibility Study will guide the County and State in their decision making for the study area.

Work Program
The consultant must provide a detailed work program and schedule, showing anticipated start and realistic finish dates for the major tasks associated with the project. The consultant shall define and outline the proposed elements of work, number of meetings, proposed schedule and any assumptions made in the assembly of the fee.

The study will be completed no later than July 30, 2008. Consultants are free to recommend an accelerated schedule for completion of the study prior to July 2008 based on prior experiences and expertise.

For a detailed description of the scope of work please refer to the entire RFP document, which can be obtained on the County's website at www.qac.org or www.choosequeenannes.com and click on the box "Bids and Proposals" or contact Queen Anne's County Dept. of Economic Development and Agriculture at 410-758-4418 to request a copy of the RFP.

Pre-Bid Meeting
A mandatory pre-bid meeting will be held with the members of the Selection Committee on Wednesday, April 2, 2008, at 2:00 p.m., in the Department of Economic Development and Agriculture's meeting room at 160 Coursevall Drive, Centreville, Maryland 21617. For directions contact the Department of Economic Development and Agriculture at 410-758-4418.

Attendance at the pre-bid meeting is mandatory. Questions from prospective consultants will be entertained at this time in a public format. It is requested that questions regarding the RFP be submitted via e-mail prior to the pre-bid meeting. All questions received via e-mail and at the pre-bid meeting will be answered. All consultants intending to submit a proposal for this study must attend the pre-bid meeting and must register with Faith Elliott Rossing or Debbie Carroll at the Department of Economic Development and Agriculture to be included on the bidder's information list and in order to receive any written responses to inquiries as well as any proposal addendums. To register and email RFP questions, please contact Faith Elliott Rossing at felliott-rossing@qac.org.

Proposals Due
All proposals must be received by the Department of Economic Development and Agriculture no later than 4:00 p.m., Wednesday, April 30, 2008. Six (6) copies of the proposal package must be submitted in a sealed envelope bearing the bidder's company name and clearly labeled "Sealed Proposal for the Matapeake Feasibility Study: Attn. Faith Elliott Rossing". No e-mail or faxed proposals will be accepted.

For additional information, please contact:

Faith Elliott Rossing
Queen Anne's County Dept. of Economic
Development and Agriculture
160 Coursevall Drive
Centreville, MD 21617
(P) 410-758-4418
(F) 410-758- 0196