Request for Proposals (RFP): Economic Opportunities Analysis

City of Grants Pass, Oregon
Community Development Department
Request for Proposals
ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES ANALYSIS
Submit Proposals to:
Karen Frerk, City Recorder
Administration Department, Room 205
City of Grants Pass
101 NW "A" Street
Grants Pass, OR 97526
Due Date:
April 16, 2026 by 3:00 pm

CITY OF GRANTS PASS
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP)
ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES ANALYSIS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE(S)
ADVERTISEMENT ..................................................................... 1-2
I. OBJECTIVES OF THE RFP ....................................................... 3-5
II. SCOPE OF SERVICES.............................................................. 6
III. SUBMITTAL REQUIREMENTS ................................................. 7
IV. EVALUATION PROCESS .......................................................... 8
V. SELECTION CRITERIA ............................................................. 8
VI. LEGAL REQUIREMENTS .......................................................... 8-11
ATTACHMENTS:
Application Cover sheet ..................................................................... 12

ADVERTISEMENT
City of Grants Pass
ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES ANALYSIS
Request for Proposals
The City of Grants Pass is soliciting sealed written proposals to identify a qualified
consultant to complete an employment Buildable Lands Inventory (BLI) and Economic
Opportunities Analysis (EOA). The EOA will serve as the foundation for updating the
Economic Element of the Comprehensive Plan, meeting the requirements of Statewide
Planning Goal 9. The project outcome will be adoption of an Economic Opportunities
Analysis that meets the requirements in OAR-660-009.
This RFP represents the initial step in soliciting proposals from a qualified agency.
Responses to this RFP must demonstrate the consultant's specific expertise in inclusive
community engagement, visioning for future economic development, preparing an
employment land inventory report, analyzing employment growth and demand, and
completing an Economic Opportunities Analysis document that identifies employment
land supply and demand over the next 20 years.
The deadline for sealed submission in response to this request for proposals is
Thursday, April 16, 2026, by 3:00 pm local time. The sealed submittals should be
labeled and directed to the following:
City of Grants Pass
Economic Opportunities Analysis
Attn: Karen Frerk, City Recorder
Administration Department, Room 205
101 NW "A" Street
Grants Pass, Oregon 97526
Facsimile proposals are NOT acceptable.
The City's selection process will be based upon an evaluation of the submitted
proposals by a selection team and ranked upon the following criteria.
* Completeness of the proposal relating to RFP requirements. (5 pts)
* Demonstrated experience of the consultant the successful completion of
employment Buildable Lands Inventories and Economic Opportunities Analyses.
(40 pts)
* Education and experience of professional personnel including sub-consultants, if
applicable. (15 pts)
* Ability to meet the consulting needs of the City of Grants Pass; i.e., the proposed
approach to accomplish Scope of Work. (25 pts)
* Pricing Information (10 pts)
* Consultant references. (5 pts)
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The selection team will recommend an award based upon the evaluation criteria. At the
City's discretion, interviews may be conducted with the top ranked proposer(s).
The City of Grants Pass reserves the right to reject any and all proposals, to waive
formalities or to accept any submittal that appears to serve the best interest of the City
of Grants Pass.
This RFP will be posted on the "Request for Proposals" page on the City's website at
https://www.grantspassoregon.gov/bids.aspx. for viewing and downloading.
For questions regarding this RFP, contact the City of Grants Pass Community
Development Department located at 101 NW "A" Street by calling Dana Pearce,
Economic Development Manager, at (541) 450-6014, or emailing
dpearce@grantspassoregon.gov.
By: City of Grants Pass, Oregon
Bradley Clark, Community Development Director
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I. OBJECTIVES OF THE REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
General Information
The City of Grants Pass Community Development Department is seeking proposals to
develop an Economic Opportunities Analysis (EOA). The Economic Element of the
Comprehensive Plan and State Goal 9 require the City to ensure that there are enough
available lands and adequate public improvements to realize economic growth for the
next 20-year period. Proposers should develop and implement a community outreach
and engagement plan; prepare an employment Buildable Land Inventory (BLI); conduct
a National, State, regional and local analysis of economic growth and demands; and
develop an EOA which includes policy and action recommendations for the City of
Grants Pass to reach goals and community aspirations, identified through the
community outreach and engagement process. See Section II for a detailed scope of
work.
This RFP represents the initial step in soliciting proposals from a qualified consultant.
Responses to this RFP must demonstrate the consultant's specific expertise in inclusive
community engagement, visioning for future economic development, preparing an
employment land inventory report, analyzing employment growth and demand, and
completing an EOA document that identifies employment land supply and demand over
the next 20 years.
The expected product would be an up-to-date, complete EOA that will serve as the
foundation for updating the Economic Element of the Comprehensive Community
Development Plan. Originally adopted in 2008 with a minor addendum in 2014, the EOA
and Economic Element data in the adopted plan are outdated. The product should fully
encompass current employment conditions and trends; economic opportunities,
limitations, and strategies; the identification of future and feasible employment land
needs; and updated economic policies. Each of these will support more focused and
accurate long-range planning for Grants Pass's Urban Growth Boundary for the 20-year
planning period from 2026-2046 and planning for an Urban Reserve for an additional
10-year period from 2046-2056.
Existing Provisions
The existing economic provisions are in Element 8 - Economic Element of the Grants
Pass and Urbanizing Area Comprehensive Community Development Plan. Originally
adopted in 2008 with a minor addendum in 2014, it has been 18 years since a full
economic opportunities analysis was conducted.
According to Portland State University's Population Research Center, Grants Pass has
added approximately 5,500 people to its city limits since the 2008 EOA was prepared. In
the 11 years that have lapsed since the 2014 EOA update, Grants Pass and nearby
employment centers within unincorporated Josephine County have experienced
significant ebbs and flows of industry, not the least of which was the COVID 19
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pandemic and its impact on local labor and business operations. Spalding Industrial
Park, the City's densest concentration of high-quality industrial lands, and the nearby
Merlin Commerce Way industrial area in unincorporated Josephine County have seen
several new manufacturers and traded sector businesses built and/or relocate since the
last EOA update. From the decision of Dutch Bros to significantly reduce its Grants
Pass headquarters labor force to the expansion of Playcraft Systems to the construction
of WINCO, Home Depot and many other retailers, there are several contributing factors
leading to the need for and importance of a substantial update to the Grants Pass EOA.
Additionally, an updated, definitive, data-based document can be used to defend future
proposals that seek to encroach on the city's employment lands.
RFP Process
Responses to the RFP must be received by 3:00 p.m. local time Thursday, April 16,
2026, in the office of the City of Grants Pass City Recorder located in Room 205 of City
Hall, 101 NW "A" Street, Grants Pass, OR 97526. Facsimile proposals are NOT
acceptable.
The respondent shall submit 6 copies of the proposal for consideration by the City. The
proposal shall be no more than 10 pages. Submission of electronic documents will not
satisfy the printed material submittal requirements; however, delivery of documents in
electronic form is encouraged to allow the City to more easily reproduce materials.
Selection of the consultant will be on weighted criteria as cited in the Request for
Proposal document, which include, but are not limited to experience, education, project
approach, pricing, and references.
Communications during the RFP Process
The City of Grants Pass reserves the right to reject any and all proposals, to waive
formalities or to accept any submittal that appears to serve the best interest of the City
of Grants Pass. Questions regarding this RFP should be directed to Dana Pearce,
Economic Development Manager, Community Development Department, at 541-450-
6014 or dpearce@grantspassoregon.gov.
Proposers shall address all inquiries, if any, in writing to Dana Pearce, Economic
Development Manager, at dpearce@grantspassoregon.gov, not later than 7 days
before the date of opening of the Proposals.
If it becomes necessary to revise any part of this RFP or if additional data is necessary
to enable an exact interpretation of provisions of this RFP, revisions will be posted
electronically on the City website at https://www.grantspassoregon.gov/bids.aspx. It is
the responsibility of the Proposer to frequent the City website to obtain and download
addendums and any other applicable information prior to proposal submission.
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Withdrawal of Proposal
Proposals may be withdrawn upon written request from the Proposer at the address
shown in the solicitation prior to the date and time specified for submission of
Proposals. Negligence on the part of the Proposer in preparing the proposal confers no
right of withdrawal after the date and time specified for submission of Proposals.
Late Submissions
Proposals, amendments thereto, and/or requests for withdrawal of proposals will not be
considered after the date and time specified for submission of Proposals. Late
Proposals will be returned unopened if the proposer's return address is shown.
Acceptance
Unless otherwise specified by the City of Grants Pass, all formal Proposals submitted
shall be binding for City of Grants Pass acceptance for ninety (90) days from the date of
the Proposal opening.
Estimated Timeline and Proposal Activity
Schedule Activity
Publication & Posting of Advertisement for
March 19, 2026
Proposals
April 2, 2026 Deadline for Submission of Proposer Inquiries
April 16, 2026 by 3:00 pm Deadline for Submission of Proposals
April 20- April 24, 2026 Evaluation of Proposals
April 27, 2026 Notice of Intent to Award posted online
May 1, 2026 Contract Award and Notice to Proceed
The City reserves the right to modify this schedule at the City's discretion.
This request for qualifications has been initiated and authorized by the City of Grants
Pass Community Development Department.
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II. SCOPE OF SERVICES
It is anticipated that the consultant will provide the following products:
* Summary of major tasks and action items, including community engagement
tasks, for the Project
* Proposed Project schedule
* Economic development vision and goals memo
* Employment land inventory detailed report and summary memo, including maps
and data
* Employment forecast and demand analysis detailed report and summary memo
* Final Economic Opportunities Analysis document, Comprehensive Plan text
amendments, and draft Findings of Fact.
A detailed project description is included as Exhibit A.
Final Work Product
The completed EOA document will identify employment land supply and demand over
the next 20 years, pulling together information from the land inventory and the forecast
and demand analysis. The document will identify strategies for meeting demand over
the next 20 years, including but not limited to possible land-use map changes,
development code changes, investments, or city programs. Along with the EOA,
complete any necessary updates to the text of the city's Comprehensive Plan, and
findings to support a legislative plan amendment.
Products to be submitted to the City of Grants Pass include but are not limited to those
listed in the above scope of work.
In addition, all documents, including any graphic files, are to be provided in the
appropriate digital format. The City of Grants Pass shall retain ownership of all data
generated.
Cost Competitiveness and Selection
The City will consider the consultant's qualifications as well as pricing in its review of the
RFP responses. The City will award a contract to the respondent who best meets the
City's overall requirements at the most competitive price. Proposals may include a
range, and a final contract will be negotiated with the City.
Timeframe
The proposal shall outline the consultant's best estimate of time to carry out the
proposed planning process to completion. The reasonableness of proposed timeframes
given other work and projects will be considered in the selection of a consultant. The
City expects that the project will be completed in a practical amount of time, but not to
exceed eighteen (18) months from date of award.
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III. SUBMITTAL REQUIREMENTS
The applicant shall submit 6 copies of the response to the RFP for consideration by the
City. The proposal shall address each of the following listed items and shall be
organized in accordance with this section. The response to this RFP shall be no more
than 10 pages. Submission of electronic documents will not satisfy the printed material
submittal requirements; however, delivery of documents in electronic form is
encouraged to allow the City to more easily reproduce materials.
A. Information about Consulting entity
A1. State the name, address, telephone number, e-mail and primary
contact person of the lead organization or firm making the proposal.
A2. If a joint venture or team is submitting the proposal, state this
information for each participating organization or firm and outline each
party's responsibility for the completion of the project.
A3. Describe the experience of each organization or firm and key
personnel. Attach resumes of the lead project manager(s). (This will not
count towards the 10-page limit of the response).
A4. Describe recent and current projects the organization or firm is
engaged in, especially as they relate to community outreach, employment
forecasting, employment land inventory, and economic opportunities
analysis.
A5. Describe the capacity of the organization or firm to undertake this
project in a timely manner in conjunction with current projects and / or
future planned projects.
B. Cost Estimate
B1. Provide a cost estimate reflecting the work requested under Section II
and in Exhibit A.
C. References
C1. Provide client references for similar projects completed or underway.
Include the name, mailing address and current phone number of their
principal representation and a brief description of the project.
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IV. EVALUATION PROCESS
REVIEW PROCESS
Proposals will be reviewed and evaluated by the RFP Review Committee for
recommendations to be forwarded to the City Council.
The selection process is as follows:
Phase One: An RFP Review Committee will evaluate submittals. The initial
review will determine conformance to submission requirements and whether
proposals meet minimum criteria established. Review will include the proposer's
acceptance of RFP terms and completeness of submissions.
Experience in comparable projects will be considered as well as demonstrated
ability of the consultant team to deliver a quality project.
Phase Two: The City may request additional information from the most qualified
consultants and potentially interview the most qualified applicants.
Phase Three: The City will make the final consultant selection and an
agreement between proposer and City will be executed.
V. SELECTION CRITERIA
EVALUATION CRITERIA
Submittals will be evaluated based upon the following weighted criteria:
* Completeness of the proposal relating to RFP requirements. (5 pts)
* Demonstrated experience of the consultant the successful completion of
employment Buildable Lands Inventories and Economic Opportunities Analyses.
(40 pts)
* Education and experience of professional personnel including sub-consultants, if
applicable. (15 pts)
* Ability to meet the consulting needs of the City of Grants Pass; i.e., the proposed
approach to accomplish Scope of Work. (25 pts)
* Pricing Information (10 pts)
* Consultant references. (5 pts)
VI. LEGAL REQUIREMENTS
This RFP and the selection process shall in no way be deemed to create a
binding contract or agreement of any kind between the City and any candidate.
All legal rights and obligations between the successful candidate, if any, and the
City will come into existence only when an agreement is fully executed by the
parties, and the legal rights and obligations of each party shall at that time be
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