Professional Services for Strategic Planning

TO: Professional Planning Service Providers
DATE: April 14, 2026
SUBJECT: Request for proposals from qualified firms to provide professional strategic
planning services to develop a comprehensive, Board-adopted, countywide strategic plan.
You are invited to submit a proposal to the Jackson County Board of Commissioners,
Jefferson, Georgia to provide professional strategic planning services to develop a
comprehensive, Board-adopted, countywide strategic plan.
Attached hereto are the general conditions, technical specifications, and submittal format.
The written requirements contained in this Request for Proposal (RFP) shall not be changed or
superseded except by written addendum from Jackson County Purchasing Department. Failure to
comply with the written requirements for this RFP may result in disqualification of the submittal by
Jackson County.
Submittals are to be submitted with one (1) signed copy and one scanned copy on thumb drive, sealed,
marked with the vendor's name and address and labeled:
"RFP 260004", "Strategic Planning Services"
and delivered to:
Jackson County Board of Commissioners
Finance Department
Attention: Jennifer Scott, Purchasing
4965 Jackson Parkway
Jefferson, GA 30549
not later than THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2026 AT 10:00 AM, local time prevailing.
A qualified interpreter for the hearing impaired is available upon request at least 10 (ten) days in
advance of the proposal receipt date. Please call (706) 367-6312 for more information for the hearing
impaired. This service is in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Jackson County reserves the right to reject any and all submittals, to waive any technicalities or
irregularities and to award contracts based on the highest and best interest of Jackson County.
Inquiries regarding this Request for Proposal (RFP) should be made to Purchasing by
email bidopportunities@jacksoncountygov.com.

JACKSON COUNTY GOVERNMENT
REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL
FOR
STRATEGIC PLANNING SERVICES
SUBMISSIONS ARE DUE AT THE ADDRESS SHOWN BELOW NO LATER THAN
THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2026 AT 10:00 AM, local time prevailing
JACKSON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ATTENTION: JENNIFER SCOTT, PURCHASING
4965 JACKSON PARKWAY
JEFFERSON, GA 30549
RFP # 260004
THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR SUBMITTING A RESPONSE TO THIS RFP ON OR BEFORE
THE STATED DATE AND TIME WILL BE SOLELY AND STRICTLY THE
RESPONSIBILITY OF THE OFFEROR.
ISSUE DATE: APRIL 14, 2026

JACKSON COUNTY, GEORGIA
REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL
FOR
STRATEGIC PLANNING SERVICES
SECTION I - REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL OVERVIEW
A. Introduction & Purpose
Jackson County, Georgia ("County") is soliciting sealed proposals from qualified firms to
provide professional strategic planning services to develop a comprehensive, Board-adopted,
countywide strategic plan.
B. Background
Jackson County is experiencing rapid population and economic growth and seeks to establish a
coordinated strategic framework aligning departmental priorities, budgeting, and performance
measures.
C. Project Objectives
* Develop a 3-5 year strategic plan
* Establish 4-6 countywide goals
* Align departments to priorities
* Create measurable KPIs
* Integrate with budgeting
* Develop public dashboard
D. Scope of Services
Phase 1: Planning & Stakeholder Engagement
Phase 2: Strategic Plan Development
Phase 3: Board Adoption
Phase 4: Department Alignment
Phase 5: Implementation & Monitoring
E. Cost Proposal Requirements
Proposers must provide detailed, itemized pricing including phase-based costs, meeting costs,
hourly rates, deliverables, and reimbursable expenses. Proposal must include cover letter,
qualifications, approach, work plan, team, cost proposal, and references.

F. Evaluation Criteria - 100 points total
Understanding - 20 points
Experience - 20 points
Methodology - 20 points
Team Members - 15 pints
Cost - 15 points
References - 10 points
G. Information to Vendors
1. RFP TIMETABLE
The anticipated schedule for the RFP is as follows:
RFP Available April 14, 2026
Deadline for questions May 11, 2026, 2:00 PM
Submittal deadline Thursday, May 14, 2026
10:00 AM, local time prevailing
2. RFP SUBMISSION:
One (1) original and one (1) thumb drive of the complete cost proposal must be
received THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2026, by 10:00 AM, local time prevailing.
Proposals must be submitted in a sealed envelope stating on the outside, the vendor's
name, address, the RFP Number 260004 and title "Strategic Planning Services" to:
Jackson County Board of Commissioners
Attention: Jennifer Scott, Purchasing
4965 Jackson Parkway
Jefferson, GA 30549
Hand delivered copies may be delivered to the above address ONLY between the
hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday, excluding holidays
observed by the Jackson County Government.
Vendors are responsible for informing any commercial delivery service, if used, of all
delivery requirements and for ensuring that the required address information appears
on the outer wrapper or envelope used by such service.
The Submittal must be signed by a company officer who is legally authorized to enter
into a contractual relationship in the name of the vendor.

3. CONTACT PERSON:
Vendors are encouraged to contact Purchasing at email
bidopportunities@jacksoncountygov.com to clarify any part of the RFP
requirements. All questions that arise prior to the DEADLINE FOR QUESTIONS
due date shall be directed to the contact person in writing via email. Any
unauthorized contact shall not be used as a basis for responding to this RFP and also
may result in the disqualification of the vendor's submittal. The technical point of
contact for questions shall be Jackson County Finance Department, Alisha
Gamble, Finance Director, agamble@jacksoncountygov.com. Again, all questions
must be submitted via email prior to the deadline for questions due date.
Vendors may not contact any elected official to discuss the proposal process or
proposal opportunities. Contact of this nature will result in immediate disqualification
of the vendor.
4. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ADDENDA
Jackson County will issue responses to inquiries and any other corrections or
amendments it deems necessary in written addenda issued prior to the due date.
Vendors should not rely on any representations, statements or explanations other than
those made in this RFP or in any addendum to this RFP. Where there appears to be a
conflict between the RFP and any addenda issued, the last addendum issued will
prevail.
Vendors must acknowledge any issued addenda by including the Addenda
Acknowledgement Form with the submittal. Proposals which fail to acknowledge
the vendor's receipt of any addendum will result in the rejection of the offer if
the addendum contains information which substantively changes the Owner's
requirements
5. LATE SUBMITTAL, LATE MODIFICATIONS AND LATE WITHDRAWALS
Submittals received after the due date and time will not be considered. Modifications
received after the due date will not be considered. Jackson County Government
assumes no responsibility for the premature opening of a proposal not properly
addressed and identified, and/or delivered to the proper designation.
6. REJECTION OF PROPOSALS
Jackson County Government may reject any and all submittals and reserves the right
to waive any irregularities or informalities in any submittal or in the submittal
procedure.
Submittals received after said time or at any place other than the time and place
as stated in the notice will not be considered.

7. MIMINUM RFP ACCEPTANCE PERIOD
Valid submittals shall not be withdrawn for a period of 90 days from the date specified
for receipt of submittals.
8. NON-COLLUSION AFFIDAVIT
By submitting a response to this RFP, the vendor represents and warrants that such
proposal is genuine and not a sham or collusive or made in the interest or in behalf of
any person not therein named and that the vendor has not directly or indirectly induced
or solicited any other vendor to put in a sham proposal, or any other person, firm or
corporation to refrain from submitting and that the vendor has not in any manner
sought by collusion to secure to that vendor any advantage over any other vendor.
By submitting a proposal, the vendor represents and warrants that no official or
employee of Jackson County Government has, in any manner, an interest, directly or
indirectly in the proposal or in the contract which may be made under it, or in any
expected profits to arise there from.
9. COST INCURRED BY VENDORS
All expenses involved with the preparation and submission of the RFP to the Jackson
County Board of Commissioners, or any work performed in connection therewith is
the responsibility of the vendor(s).
10. AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA)
A qualified interpreter for the hearing impaired is available upon request at least ten
(10) days in advance of the proposal due date. This service is in compliance with the
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Please call (706) 367-6312 for more
information for the hearing impaired.
11. RFP OPENING
A list of names of firms responding to the RFP may be obtained from Purchasing after
the RFP due date and time stated herein.
12. TAXES.
Selected vendor will be provided with Jackson County's Sales and Use Tax
Certificate of Exemption number upon request.
13. VENDOR INFORMATION
All submissions shall include a completed vendor master form and current W-9.
Vendors whose place of business is other than the State of Georgia may be required
to provide the Purchasing Manager with copies of your state's regulations and/or
laws concerning the application of certain vendor preference requirements to
vendors whose place of business is in the applicable state. Failure to provide this
information will result in the disqualification of the vendor from submitting a
proposal.

14. INSURANCE
Selected vendor will be required to provide proof of liability and workman's
compensation insurance before work can begin on this County project. Workman's
Compensation Insurance should be as required by the State of Georgia. General
Liability should cover $1,000,000 per incident for bodily injury, personal injury,
and property damage and must specifically include the County as an additional
insured. Automobile Liability shall be in the amount of $1,000,000 combined
single limit for bodily injury and property damage. All policies will be endorsed to
provide the County with a 30-day notice of cancellation and/or restrictions.
15. TERMINATION
Federal, State, and other Local government agencies may terminate this Agreement
in the event funds are not appropriated for it in future periods; provided, however,
that funds are also not appropriated for equipment or services that replace those
contracted for under this Agreement. Customer shall be obligated for any future
annual period if Company is not notified in writing at least thirty (30) days prior to
the beginning of the annual period for which non-appropriation is being claimed.
16. ANTI-DISCRIMINATION
During the performance of this contract, the Contractor, its employees, agents and
subcontractors agree as follows:
a) The Contractor shall not discriminate against any employee or applicant for
employment because of race, religion, color, sex, disability or national
origin, except where religion, sex, disability or national origin is a bona fide
occupational qualification reasonably necessary to the normal operation of
the Contractor. The Successful Contractor agrees to post in conspicuous
places, available to employees and applicants for employment, notices
setting forth the provisions of this nondiscrimination clause.
b) The Contractor, in all solicitations or advertisements for employees placed
by or on behalf of the Successful Contractor, shall state that such contractor
is an equal opportunity employer.
c) Notices, advertisements and solicitations placed in accordance with federal
law, rule or regulation shall be deemed sufficient for the purpose of meeting
the requirements of this section.
d) The Contractor shall include the provisions of the foregoing paragraphs of
this section in every subcontract or purchase order so that the provisions
will be binding upon each subcontractor or vendor.
17. ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION REFORM AND ENFORCEMENT ACT OF 2011
Vendors submitting a response to this RFP must complete the Contractor
Affidavit under O.C.G.A. 13-10-91(b)(1) which is provided with the RFP
package to verify compliance with the Illegal Immigration Reform and
Enforcement Act of 2011.
A. The form must be signed by an authorized officer of the contractor or
their authorized agent.

B. The form must be notarized.
C. The contractor will be required to have all subcontractors and sub-
subcontractors who are engaged to complete physical performance of
services under the final contract executed between the County and the
contractor complete the appropriate subcontractor and sub-
subcontractor affidavits and return them to the County a minimum of
five (5) days prior to any work being accomplished by said
subcontractor or sub-subcontractor. Format for this affidavit can be
provided to the contractor if necessary.
SECTION II - GENERAL CONDITIONS
1. Purpose:
Jackson County, Georgia ("County") is soliciting sealed proposals from qualified firms to
provide professional strategic planning services to develop a comprehensive, Board-adopted,
countywide strategic plan.
2. Project Scope:
Jackson County Board of Commissioners is issuing this Request for Proposal (RFP) for Strategic
Planning Services.
It is the responsibility of the proponent to understand the Request for Proposal (RFP) and to inform
themselves of any and all conditions under which the resulting contract is to be executed.
Questions regarding the Request for Proposal may be submitted in writing no later than 2:00 PM
on May 11, 2026 to provide a timely response to all proposers in the form of an addendum, if
required. Questions should be addressed to Purchasing by email at
bidopportunities@jacksoncountygov.com The Board of Commissioners will not be held
responsible for verbal responses given to potential proponents.
As part of their proposal, proposers should clearly state assumptions used and may provide
comment on any of the requirements of the RFP and offer any additions, deletions, or
modifications in the scope of services and proposal. Such assumptions and/or comments,
deletions, or modifications should be clearly identified by the proponent in the proposal.
UNDERSTANDING OF CONDITIONS REGARDING SUBMITTALS
Upon submittal of a proposal in response to this RFP, the Proposer acknowledges and consents
to the following conditions relative to the submittal:

* All costs incurred in connection with submitting a Proposal will be borne by the Proposer.
* The Board of Commissioners reserves the right to reject any proposal not meeting the
minimum criteria and requirements set forth in this RFP. The Board of Commissioners
shall have sole discretion in evaluating the intent of the respondent, respondent
qualifications, and the proposed project or services.
* The Board of Commissioners is not bound to accept any proposal deemed contrary to the
best interest of the County.
* The Board of Commissioners is not bound to accept the lowest financial proposal.
* The Board of Commissioners reserves the right, without prior notice, to supplement, or
otherwise modify the RFP at any time.
* When two or more proposals are deemed equal, the Board of Commissioners reserves the
right to make distinctions between the two at their discretion.
* It is the Proposer's responsibility to review and verify the completeness of its proposal.
* The Board of Commissioners may request additional information or more detailed
information from any proponent at any time after the proposal opening.
* All responses become the property of the Board of Commissioners and will not be returned.
* The Board of Commissioners may request proponents to send representatives at the
proponent's cost, to meet with the Board of Commissioners or their designated
representatives as part of the proposal evaluation process.
* The Board of Commissioners may conduct investigations with respect to the qualifications
and experience of any proponent.
* The Board of Commissioners may designate another public entity, agency, or consultant
to act on its behalf.
* Proposals will not be considered from any company, firm, person, or party for whom the
Board of Commissioners has an outstanding claim against or a financial dispute relating to
any prior association.
SERVICES BEING SOUGHT
Phase 1: Planning & Stakeholder Engagement
Phase 2: Strategic Plan Development
Phase 3: Board Adoption
Phase 4: Department Alignment
Phase 5: Implementation & Monitoring
The provision of all requested services will be the responsibility of the selected company. The
provision of all requested services will also be subject at all times to all applicable federal, state,
and local laws, ordinances, rules, regulations, and requirements (including, but not limited to, those
relating to environmental matters).
3. Proposal Requirements:
To assist in the evaluation of proposals resulting from this RFP, it is requested that each proposal
be written in a brief and concise manner. Proposals should include:

Cover letter, qualifications, approach, work plan, team, cost proposal, references.
Proposers must provide detailed, itemized pricing including phase-based costs, meeting
costs, hourly rates, deliverables, and reimbursable expenses.
The following information should be described within the proposal in such a fashion as to be easily
identified and extracted for evaluation by the Board of Commissioners. Additional explanations
and information can also be provided in the proposal narrative.
Required Information. Each respondent to this RFP must furnish the following information:
1. Full name, complete address, telephone numbers, and primary contact. State if
respondent is a corporation, partnership, sole proprietorship, or individual.
2. If respondent is a corporation, supply the following information: (1) State in which
incorporated (attach certificate); (2) if foreign corporation, attach authorization to
conduct business in this State; (3) If more than 80% of outstanding stock is owned by
another corporation, provide the same information on that corporation; and (4) provide
an explanation if an individual owns more than 33% of the outstanding stock.
3. If respondent is a partnership, supply the following additional information: (1) type of
partnership, date partnership formed, State in which partnership was formed (attach
copy of agreement); (2) list all partners, their complete address, and percentage of
participation. State the extent of participation of each partner in day-to-day operations.
4. If this is a joint undertaking, then respondent must list all major participants proposed
in the execution of this project and services provided. Provide each participant's name,
complete address, telephone numbers, and primary contact. If any participant in this
disclosure is a "licensed professional" indicate their registration number for this state.
THERE MUST BE CLEAR IDENTIFICATION OF WHO WILL HAVE ULTIMATE
RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS PROJECT AND SERVICES PROVIDED.
Additional Information/County Forms. The respondent may provide any additional
information that will assist in evaluating the respondent's ability to fulfill the obligations
outlined in this RFP. Additionally, the following County forms have been provided in this
RFP and must be returned: Immigration Affidavit and Addenda Acknowledgement.
4. Proposal Evaluation Criteria:
The Jackson Board of Commissioners and/or the Board's designated representatives will be
responsible for reviewing and evaluating all proposals submitted in response to this RFP. A
recommendation will then be made to the Board of Commissioners for consideration. The
recommendation for selection of a firm will be made on the basis of the following criteria:
Understanding, experience, methodology, team, cost, references.
5. Administration: