ON-CALL RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS SERVICES

The City of Charlottesville is issuing this Request for Proposal (RFP) to solicit sealed proposals from qualified firms to provide on-call policy and market research, design, and planning services. The selected firm(s) will support various City initiatives, including but not limited to the Charlottesville Development Code, the Affordable Dwelling Unit (ADU) Ordinance, and the Comprehensive Plan, through a series of task-based assignments. The purpose of this solicitation is to establish competitive term contracts through competitive negotiation with firms that can offer specialized technical and professional assistance on an as-needed basis. Offerors may submit a proposal for policy and market research services, design and planning services, or both. The City reserves the right to make multiple awards as a result of this solicitation to ensure that a wide range of expertise is available to meet the City’s needs.

The City of Charlottesville is committed to fostering a sustainable and inclusive community through policies and programs that align with its Comprehensive Plan , Affordable Housing Plan , and Strategic Framework . In response to the city’s ongoing growth and evolving housing needs, Charlottesville 2023 adopted a Development Code and subsequently effectuated its 2024 Affordable Dwelling Unit (ADU) Ordinance/ Program Manual . These regulatory frameworks were created to promote the development of affordable housing and ensure equitable access to housing for all residents.

To effectively monitor and assess the performance of these initiatives, Charlottesville requires ongoing support in policy and market research, as well as design and planning services. This RFP seeks to engage a qualified firm or consultant to provide on-call policy and market research and analysis services, or design and planning services, no less than once per year. The purpose of this engagement is to ensure that the city’s housing and development strategies remain aligned with its broader goals and continue to meet the needs of its residents.

The on-call services will provide the City with timely and relevant data to assess the impact of its affordable housing programs, analyze market trends, and evaluate the effectiveness of its development code and ADU ordinance. This effort will be crucial in supporting the City’s efforts to address housing affordability, promote equitable development, and meet the evolving demands of the community.

This RFP is an essential component in the city’s broader strategic framework, including the Comprehensive Plan, which outlines Charlottesville’s vision for growth and development, the Affordable Housing Plan, which provides a blueprint for increasing affordable housing options, and other related city plans. By engaging in ongoing research, analysis, and design, the City aims to adapt its strategies in response to changing conditions, identify areas for improvement, and ensure that its policies continue to reflect the community’s priorities. Ultimately, this process will ensure that the City of Charlottesville is equipped with the insights and tools necessary to make informed decisions about land use, housing, and development that serve the long-term well-being of its residents.