Economic Development Consulting Services

SPECIFICATIONS
AND
BID DOCUMENTS
Bid Number 2026-006
Economic Development Consulting Services
Request for Qualifications (RFQ)
Office of the First Selectman
501 Main Street South
Southbury, CT
April 1, 2026

1. Introduction
The Town of Southbury is seeking Statements of Qualifications from individual economic
development consultants to provide ongoing professional economic development services to the
Town.
The selected consultant will work approximately 10 hours per week and will function as an
extension of Town staff, supporting municipal leadership, boards, local businesses, and
community partners in advancing the Town's economic development goals.
This RFQ is intended to identify a qualified individual with demonstrated municipal experience,
practical economic development expertise, and the ability to provide consistent, hands-on
support.
2. Anticipated Scope of Services
The consultant will provide ongoing economic development support, which may include:
1. Business recruitment activities aimed at attracting new businesses to Southbury.
2. Grant identification, application support, and coordination.
3. Strategic planning to outline actionable steps for economic growth.
4. Marketing efforts to promote the Town and its economic opportunities.
3. Time Commitment and Term
Anticipated commitment: Approximately 10 hours per week
Work schedule to be coordinated with the Town
Term: Ongoing and can be terminated by either party with 30 days' written notice.
4. Submittal Requirements
Interested individuals shall submit a Statement of Qualifications that includes the following,
organized in the order listed.
A. Consultant Information
Name, address, and contact information.
Description of consulting practice (sole practitioner or independent consultant)
Years of experience in economic development
Availability to meet the anticipated time commitment
B. Relevant Experience
Description of experience providing economic development services to municipalities or public
agencies.
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Experience working directly with:
o Town or city staff
o Elected officials
o Local businesses and stakeholders
Experience with communities of similar size or character.
Familiarity with Connecticut economic development programs, funding sources, and
agencies.
Description of marketing experience for private-sector companies.
Market research and competitive analysis
Brand development and positioning
Target industry identification and outreach strategies
Digital and traditional marketing campaigns
Messaging for site selectors, investors, and business decisionmakers
C. Qualifications and Expertise
Education, training, and professional background
Relevant certifications or credentials (if applicable)
Areas of specialization
D. Approach to Ongoing Engagement
Approach to serving as an ongoing, part-time consultant
Methods for prioritizing tasks and managing limited weekly hours
Approach to collaboration with Town staff and leadership
Experience balancing strategic planning with day-to-day implementation
E. Understanding of the Town
Demonstrated understanding of Southbury's economic context
High-level observations regarding opportunities and challenges
Description of how services would be tailored to the Town
F. References
Contact information for at least three (3) municipal, public, or private sector references
H. Compensation Structure
Proposed hourly rate or fee structure
6. Evaluation Criteria
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Submissions will be evaluated based on:
Relevant municipal economic development experience or private-sector marketing
experience
Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively
Understanding of municipal economic development needs
Practical, implementationoriented approach
References and past performance
Availability and overall fit with the Town's goals
The Town may conduct interviews prior to selection.
7. Submission Instructions
Deadline: April 23, 2026, 10 am
Format: Three (3) physical copies and one (1) electronic copy
Submission Address:
Timothy O'Neil, First Selectman
Town of Southbury
501 Main St South
Southbury, CT 06488
Email: selectman@southbury-ct.gov
Late submissions may not be considered.
8. General Conditions
The Town reserves the right to reject any or all submissions.
Issuance of this RFQ does not commit the Town to award a contract.
All submissions become the property of the Town, subject to public records laws.
9. Questions
Questions regarding this RFQ shall be submitted in writing to:
Timothy O'Neil, First Selectman
Email: selectman@southbury-ct.gov
Deadline for Questions: April 9, 2026
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TOWN OF SOUTHBURY
NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS
CODE OF ETHICS/CONFLICT OF INTEREST ORDINANCE
The Contractor shall comply with all applicable provisions of said Ordinance. The Contractor
acknowledges receiving a copy of said Ordinance. The Contractor further agrees that any instance of
it violating any provisions of the Code of Ethics/Conflict of Interest Ordinance will be sufficient cause
for the Town to terminate any or all of the Contractor's contracts or pending contracts with the Town.
The Contractor agrees that the above clause will also be incorporated in all of its contracts with its
subcontractors and consultants.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF RECEIPT
I have read the Code of Ethics/Conflict of Interest Ordinance and agree to abide by its terms.
Name _______________________
Signature___________________________
Company Name______________________
Date_______________________________
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Code of Ethics/Conflict of Interest Ordinance
A. Declaration of Policy.
1. The proper operation of the government of the Town of Southbury requires that public
officers, employees, and members of boards, commissions and committees be independent,
impartial and responsible to the people; that governmental decisions and policies be made in the
proper channels of the government structure and free from coercive or other improper influence;
that public office and employment not be used for personal gain; and that the public have
confidence in the integrity of its government.
2. The purpose of this Ordinance is to set forth standards of ethical conduct to assist
public officers, employees, members of boards, commissions and committees and persons
dealing with them, when they are in the performance of their duties, so as to maintain
and enhance a tradition of responsible and effective public service.
3. In the interest of ensuring that concerns regarding possible conflict of interests are promptly
raised, this Ordinance permits a concern that a conflict of interest may exist to be raised by any
person, regardless of whether the person would be considered an aggrieved party as that term is
interpreted under Connecticut law. Any failure to observe the procedures set forth in this Ordinance
shall not, however, afford a basis for an action for damages against the Town, any Town board,
commission, agency or employee, or any member of any Town board or commission, or for
challenging a decision, license, permit or other action of a Town employee, board or commission or
member of same by a person who would not, but for the provisions of this Ordinance, have standing
to bring such an action.
B. Definitions.
The following definitions shall apply to this Ordinance:
1. Conflict of Interest. A conflict of interest shall be deemed to exist if any Town officer,
employee, or member of any board or commission has a financial or personal interest, direct
or indirect, in any purchase, contract, transaction, or decision involving his office, board,
commission, or employment. Indirect interest is defined as an interest in which an officer,
member or employee might influence a decision or event so as to achieve gain, financial or
otherwise, on behalf of a family member, friend or associate or that creates an actual or
perceived monetary or personal indebtedness to any party.
2. Financial Interest. A financial interest shall be deemed to exist if:
a. Any such officer, member or employee might, directly or indirectly, derive pecuniary or
financial gain or suffer loss from any purchase, contract, transaction or decision involving
his office, board, commission or employment; or
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b. A business or professional enterprise in which such officer, employee, or member has
any interest as an owner, member, partner, officer, employee, or stockholder or has any
other form of participation that will be affected by the outcome of the matter under
consideration.
3. Personal Interest. A personal interest shall be deemed to exist if any such officer, member,
or employee shall have an interest with a person involved in any such contract, transaction,
or decision by reason of:
a. Relationship within the fourth degree by blood or marriage; or
b. Close business relationship; or
c. An interest that is averse to the interests of the Town with respect to the
matter under consideration.
4. Material Conflict of Interest. A conflict of interest shall be deemed to be material where
a reasonable person would conclude that the financial or personal interest:
a. is incompatible, or would to a reasonable person appear to be incompatible, with
the proper discharge of official duties; or
b. would tend to impair, or would to a reasonable person appear to impair,
independence of judgment and action in the performance of official duties.
5. Public Official. An elected or appointed official, whether paid or unpaid, full or part-time,
of the Town.
6. Ethics Commission. The Town of Southbury Commission on Ethics as authorized by
Section 7-148h of the Connecticut General Statutes.
C. Disclosure of Conflict.
1. Any Town officer, employee, or member of any Town board or commission who has a
conflict or potential conflict of interest as defined herein, whether or not such conflict or
potential conflict is material, shall disclose the interest causing such conflict or potential
conflict in writing to the Board of Selectmen.
2. Any member of any Town board or commission who has a conflict of interest, whether or not
such conflict is material, shall, in addition to the disclosure required by this Ordinance, disclose
the interest causing such conflict to such board or commission, and such disclosure shall be
recorded in the board's or commission's minutes.
D. Determination of Materiality
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1. In the event that a disclosure or a claim of a conflict of interest with respect to any Town
officer or employee has been made to the Board of Selectmen, and the officer or employee does
not disqualify himself from matters with respect to which the conflict of interest allegedly exists,
the Board of Selectmen promptly shall inquire into the facts of the matter and determine
whether or not a conflict exists and if so, whether it is material.
2. In the event that a disclosure or a claim or a conflict of interest with respect to any member of a
Town board or commission has been made to such board or commission, and the member does not
disqualify himself from matters with respect to which the conflict of
interest allegedly exists, the board or commission shall forthwith determine by a majority of
those members present, excluding the member whose interest is in question, whether or not
a conflict exists and, if so, whether it is material.
E. Disqualification.
If it has been determined that a material conflict of interest exists, the Town officer, employee
or member of any Town board or commission who has the conflict shall be disqualified from
discussing or acting upon any matter encompassed by that conflict of interest, and shall leave
the room during any public hearing, discussions or deliberations regarding the matter. Any
Town officer, employee, or member of any Town board or commission may disqualify himself
even though the conflict of interest is not material.
F. Claim of Conflict.
If a formal written complaint is made to the Ethics Commission that any Town officer,
employee, or member of any Town board or commission has an undisclosed conflict of
interest, the Ethics Commission shall record the claim in its minutes.
G. Gifts and Favors.
No Town officer, employee, or member of any Town board or commission shall accept or receive,
directly or indirectly, anything of value (whether by rebate, gift, promise, obligation or contract for
future reward or Compensation or otherwise) for awarding or influencing the award of any decision,
permit, license, contract or purchase order by the Town. Anything of value when in the form of a
gift shall not be deemed relevant if the actual cost of that item is less than $10.00.
H. Representation.
1. Without the prior written consent of the Ethics Commission, no Town employee or public
official shall appear for Compensation before any Town board or agency in which he/she was
formerly employed or served as an official at any time within a period of one (1) year after
termination of his/her service with the Town.
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2. Without the prior written consent of the Ethics Commission, no present or former Town
employee or public official shall represent anyone other than the Town concerning any
particular matter in which he/she participated personally and substantially while in municipal
service.
3. No Town employee or public official shall disclose or use confidential information
acquired in the course of and by reason of his/her official duties, for personal and/or
financial gain for himself/herself or others.
4. No former Town employee or public official who participated substantially in the negotiation
or award of municipal contract or who supervised the negotiation or award of such a contract
shall accept employment with a party to the contract other than the Town for a period of one
(1) year after such contract is signed.
I. Independent Contractors.
Before hiring any consultant, independent Contractor or other advisor, the officer, employee, board
or commission that proposes to hire the independent Contractor shall inquire whether the
independent Contractor has any conflict of interest as that term is defined in this Ordinance or as
defined in any code of ethics or similar code applicable to the independent Contractor. Any such
conflict shall be specified in the appropriate Town records (such as minutes of any relevant board or
commission). Prior to hiring any independent contractor with a conflict, the officer, employee, board
or commission proposing to hire the independent Contractor must make a determination that the
conflict is not material and/or that despite the conflict, the independent Contractor should be hired.
The decision and the reasons therefore must be a matter of public record.
No consultant, independent Contractor or other advisor of the Town shall represent a private interest
in any action or proceeding against the interest of the Town, which is in conflict with the performance
of his/her duties as such, consultant, independent Contractor, or advisor. No consultant, independent
Contractor, or advisor may represent anyone other than the Town concerning any matter in which
he/she participated personally and substantially as a consultant to the Town. Neither shall such
consultant, independent Contractor or advisor disclose confidential information learned while
performing his/her duties for the Town, nor shall he/she use such information for the personal and/or
financial interests of himself/herself or others.
J. Procedure.
All claims pertaining to a violation of this Ordinance shall be made, in writing, to the Ethics
Commission in accordance with the rules and regulations promulgated by that Commission which
shall be found in the Town of Southbury Ethics Commission Statement of Procedures. These rules
shall require the Complainant to specify the facts that gave rise to his/her claim and the specific
provision of this Ordinance that has been breached on a Form provided by the Ethics Commission.
The Ethics Commission may, but is not required to consider claims made
against individuals formerly in office or formerly employed.
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Any allegations and any information learned, supplied to or received from or by the Ethics
Commission shall remain confidential until a finding of Probable Cause is determined by the
Ethics Commission.
The Ethics Commission is authorized to issue advisory opinions at its discretion.
K. Penalties.
1. In addition to any penalty contained in any other provision of law, any person who violates any of
the provisions of this Ordinance may be censured or reprimanded or may be suspended or removed
from office or employment, as the case may be, in the manner provided by law.
2. Any violation of this Ordinance shall render any purchase, contract, or transaction or any part
thereof affected thereby voidable by the Board or Selectmen.
3. Any violation of this Ordinance with respect to any decision of a board, commission or
committee shall be subject to any remedies deemed proper by the Board of
Selectmen and permitted by law.
4 The penalties provided above are in addition to any other penalties provided by law
to address violations of the provisions of this Ordinance.
L. Concurrent Offices.
1. No official or employee of the Town, full or part-time, shall serve on any board or commission
to which the official or employee reports or acts as staff, except as otherwise stated in the Town
Charter or Ordinances. Notwithstanding the foregoing, an official or employee may serve on
any board, commission, or committee in an advisory capacity.
2. Except as otherwise provided in the Charter or by Ordinance, the First Selectman, the Selectmen,
the Town Clerk, members of the Board of Finance and members of the Ethics Commission shall hold
no other Town office, and the provisions of Section 9-210 of the General Statutes concerning
incompatible Town offices shall apply to the officers described therein.
3. Subject to the restrictions set forth in applicable law and in Section L. 2 of this Ordinance, nothing
in this Ordinance shall prevent the appointment of the same person to more than one office,
provided the offices are not incompatible, provided the duties of the offices to which he is appointed
may, in the opinion of the Board of Selectmen, be satisfactorily fulfilled by one person, and provided
further that inability to fulfill satisfactorily the duties of all offices to which he is appointed shall be
cause for removal from any one or more of said offices.
M. Meetings.
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