RFP for 2050 Comprehensive Plan

Request for Proposals (RFP) for
2050 Comprehensive Plan
RFP release date: April 27, 2026
Submission due date: June 5, 2026
Government Center | 14949 62nd Street North | P. O. Box 6 | Stillwater, MN 55082-0006
P: 651-430-6001 | F: 651-430-6017 | TTY: 651-430-6246
www.washingtoncountymn.gov
Washington County is an equal opportunity organization and employer

Table of Contents
1. Introduction ...................................................................................................................................................... 3
1.1. Background Information .......................................................................................................................... 3
1.2. County Authorized Representative .......................................................................................................... 4
1.3. Schedule ................................................................................................................................................... 4
1.4. Budget ...................................................................................................................................................... 5
2. Scope of Services ............................................................................................................................................... 5
2.1. Mandatory Services .................................................................................................................................. 5
2.2. Deliverables .............................................................................................................................................. 8
2.3. Other Requirements ................................................................................................................................. 8
2.4. Optional Services ...................................................................................................................................... 9
3. Proposal Content............................................................................................................................................... 9
3.1. Cover Letter .............................................................................................................................................. 9
3.2. Table of Contents ..................................................................................................................................... 9
3.3. Project Understanding.............................................................................................................................. 9
3.4. Scope of Work and Deliverables .............................................................................................................. 9
3.5. Stakeholder Engagement Plan ................................................................................................................. 9
3.6. Project Team Qualifications and Experience .......................................................................................... 10
3.7. Project Examples .................................................................................................................................... 10
3.8. References .............................................................................................................................................. 10
3.9. Cost and Fee Schedule............................................................................................................................ 10
3.10. Proposal Summary ...................................................................................................................................... 10
3.11. Appendix A - County's Standard Terms and Conditions ............................................................................ 10
3.12. Conflict of Interest ...................................................................................................................................... 10
4. Proposal Submittal .......................................................................................................................................... 11
5. Proposal Evaluation and Selection .................................................................................................................. 11
5.1. Evaluation Committee ............................................................................................................................ 11
5.2. Evaluation Criteria .................................................................................................................................. 11
5.3. Interview/Presentation .......................................................................................................................... 12
5.4. Final Selection......................................................................................................................................... 12
5.5. Conditions of this RFP ............................................................................................................................. 12
6. Proposal Questions ......................................................................................................................................... 12
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2050 Comprehensive Plan RFP
1. Introduction
The purpose of this Request for Proposals (RFP) is for Washington County to secure services to develop a
2050 Comprehensive Plan that will guide growth across the county in the areas of land use, transportation,
housing, water resources, parks and trails, natural resources, and climate through 2050.
The Comprehensive Plan will establish the County's policy direction for growth through 2050, supported by
clear goals and implementation strategies. The selected consultant will evaluate current conditions and
future growth trends to identify key challenges and opportunities and ensure the plan reflects both existing
realities and long-range needs.
The consultant will work closely with County leadership and staff and build upon existing long-range plans to
ensure alignment and continuity. The final document must include clear implementation steps and
measurable outcomes to guide policy while maintaining consistency with regional requirements. Once
adopted by the County Board, the plan will serve as a framework for policy and investment in the areas of
land use, transportation, housing, water resources, parks and trails, and climate.
1.1. Background Information
1.1.1. About Washington County
Washington County, Minnesota is the fifth most populous county in Minnesota with a diverse
population, including longtime residents, young professionals and families, and new immigrant
communities. Over the last 20 years, Washington County has experienced rapid growth from a rural,
farming community to an expanding urban area.
The County was established in 1849 and has the powers, duties, and privileges granted counties by state
law, codified in Minn. Stat. 373. The County serves an area of 423 square miles, with an estimated
population of 262,748. The County's fiscal year begins on January 1 and ends on December 31. The
County is governed by a five-member County Board of Commissioners representing separate districts. In
addition, the Offices of County Attorney and Sheriff are elected on a countywide basis.
The County offers a full range of services including property tax administration, law enforcement and
corrections, public works, parks, solid waste management, library, community health, county extension,
human resources, courts, and general administration. The County employs approximately 1,400
employees.
1.1.2. About Imagine 2050
In 1976, the State of Minnesota enacted the Metropolitan Land Planning Act and gave the Metropolitan
Council the responsibility to plan for the infrastructure needs of the seven-county metropolitan area.
The Metropolitan Council has adopted a new regional growth strategy, Imagine 2050. All cities and
counties within the seven-county metropolitan area are required to adopt new Comprehensive Plans
that build off of regional forecasted growth through the year 2050. The Metropolitan Council completed
its most recent update of system statements in 2025, which provide impacts of regional policy plans on
each local community. Communities must submit updated local comprehensive plans to the Council for
review by the end of 2028.
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The comprehensive plan will compile and establish clear goals and strategies to guide the
implementation of planning initiatives for the county's regional transportation systems, parks, water,
and other core county services needed to respond to the county's continued growth.
1.1.3. Related Plans
Washington County has developed several plans relevant to the 2050 Comprehensive Plan.
* Washington County 2025-2035 Groundwater Plan
* Washington County Long Range Transportation Plan
* Washington County 2021 MOVE Bike and Pedestrian Plan
* Washington County 2022-2040 Comprehensive Housing Needs Assessment
* Washington County 2024-2029 Countywide Strategic Plan
* Washington County 2024-2042 Solid Waste Management Plan
* Washington County 2025 Community Health Improvement Plan
* Washington County 2025 Community Survey
* Washington County 2040 Comprehensive Plan
* Washington County Climate Action Plan (expected approval 2026)
* Washington County 2026 Transit Needs Study (expected approval 2026)
* Washington County 2027-2050 Comprehensive Housing Needs Assessment (expected
completion 2027)
The Washington County 2050 Comprehensive Plan should also be aligned with Imagine 2050, including
the Land Use Policy Plan, Transportation Policy Plan, Housing Policy Plan, Water Policy Plan, and
Regional Parks and Trails Plan.
1.1.4. Comprehensive Plan Sections
The Washington County 2050 Comprehensive Plan will include the following sections. Specific
responsibilities related to these sections and other plan elements are described in Section 2 of this RFP.
1. Introduction, Purpose, Vision, Guiding Principles
2. Background, History, Demographics
3. Land Use
4. Transportation
5. Housing
6. Water Resources
7. Parks, Trails, and Natural Systems
8. Climate
9. Implementation
1.2. County Authorized Representative
The County Authorized Representative for this RFP is:
Name: Macklyn Hutchison, Planner II, Office of Administration
Email: macklyn.hutchison@washingtoncountymn.gov
1.3. Schedule
Washington County anticipates the following schedule. All deadlines are at 4:00 p.m. Central Time unless
otherwise indicated.
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Schedule Due Date
RFP Release Date April 27, 2026
Questions Due May 8, 2026
Addendum Release Date May 22, 2026
Proposals Due June 5, 2026
Anticipated Interviews June 29 - July 2, 2026
Notification of Intent to Award July 13, 2026
Scoping with Selected Consultant July 14 - 31, 2026
Contract Review and Negotiation August 1 - 24, 2026
Anticipated County Board Presentation September 1, 2026
Anticipated Award of Consultant Contract September 1, 2026
Completion Date April 1, 2028
1.4. Budget
The County anticipates a total project amount of up to $300,000 for the duration of the Contract. The
County has budgeted $150,000 for the first year of work. Costs for the remainder of the Contract are
estimated to be $150,000 subject to annual budget adoption. Consultants should prepare cost proposals for
the full scope of work covering the full duration of the Contract.
2. Scope of Services
Washington County anticipates a collaborative planning process in which county staff and the selected
Consultant share responsibility for the development of the 2050 Comprehensive Plan. The plan will build on
goals, strategies, and community engagement from recent county planning efforts and integrate that work
into a long-range framework.
County staff will manage tasks including the facilitation of community engagement, graphic design of the
final plan, and writing the narrative for the Land Use; Transportation; Housing; Water Resources; Parks,
Trails, and Natural Systems; and Climate plan chapters. The Consultant will manage tasks including the
development of engagement materials, inventorying previous county planning efforts, technical analysis,
mapping, and writing the narrative for introductory and implementation plan chapters. The Consultant will
also be responsible for ensuring all plan elements, including those drafted by county staff, are supported by
appropriate data and are integrated into a cohesive document that meets Metropolitan Council
requirements.
Section 2.1. describes in detail the services to be provided by the Consultant, and Section 2.3.1. details
responsibilities to be completed by Washington County staff. The successful Consultant will have the ability
to perform all the functions listed in Section 2.1. Consultants who cannot provide the full range of requested
services may submit a proposal but must clearly note any services listed in this request which would not be
provided. Consultants are also encouraged to highlight any services for which they possess particularly
notable qualifications.
2.1. Mandatory Services
The successful Consultant will have the ability to perform all the functions under mandatory services.
2.1.1. Project Management
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The Consultant will perform all work necessary to coordinate project development; maintain project
schedule and budget; facilitate stakeholder engagement; create final project deliverables; and
coordinate a Project Management Team (PMT) comprised of staff from the Administration, Public
Works, Public Health and Environment, and Community Services departments and the Washington
County Community Development Agency. This includes, but is not limited to, regular updates to county
staff and leadership, stakeholder identification, and the development of a detailed work plan that
includes a timeline of tasks and milestones.
Washington County requires review from staff and leadership throughout the planning process.
Consultants should structure their proposed timelines and workplans to incorporate multiple, iterative
rounds of review and revision for all interim and final deliverables.
Deliverables: A detailed project work plan including approach to stakeholder engagement; regular
check-ins; monthly PMT meetings; and biweekly virtual meetings with the county Project Manager.
2.1.2. Engagement
The Consultant will organize and lead both internal and external engagement efforts to assess needs
and priorities for all elements of the county's 2050 Comprehensive Plan. The engagement strategy
should make a concerted effort to meaningfully include underrepresented and under-engaged
populations. Engagement efforts should include:
* Community engagement. Comprehensive Plans serve different needs for counties than for cities.
Consultants should submit a proposal for community engagement geared toward the needs of a
county, leveraging relevant input from engagement completed for recent planning efforts (Section
1.1.3.). Proposals should include approximately 10 engagement activities (e.g., pop-up events and
online surveys), reflecting geographic equity between commissioner districts. The Consultant will
develop all materials for engagement activities, but county staff will facilitate the events. Proposals
should also incorporate strategies to reach diverse populations and historically underrepresented
communities across the county, including by translating engagement materials into Spanish, Hmong,
and Somali. County staff will leverage existing partnerships with Trusted Messengers, or partner
organizations that work to increase access to culturally specific information on county services, to
reach diverse communities.
* Engagement with appropriate county staff, county leadership (e.g., Department Directors, Deputy
Directors, and Administrators), and elected officials. The Consultant will prepare materials for up to
six (6) County Board workshops and meetings and may be required to provide support at up to three
(3) in-person presentations upon request.
Deliverables: An engagement plan; materials, including graphic design, for all engagement activities and
presentations; brief engagement summaries following all key engagement activities.
2.1.3. Metropolitan Council Coordination
The Consultant will be familiar with all Metropolitan Council requirements for Washington County's
comprehensive plan and ensure all plan elements are consistent with those requirements. While staff
will maintain primary responsibility for engagement with Washington County's Metropolitan Council
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Sector Representative and plan submission, the Consultant will be responsible for ensuring compliance,
preparing submission materials, and incorporating all required revisions into the final plan.
Deliverables: Annotated outline of all Metropolitan Council requirements; audit of draft plan for
compliance with Metropolitan Council requirements; preparation of materials for plan submission to
Metropolitan Council; incorporation of Metropolitan Council required revisions.
2.1.4. Assessment of Existing County Initiatives
The Consultant will review goals and strategies from all relevant county plans, including but not limited
to those listed in Section 1.1.3., and compile them into a comprehensive list. In coordination with the
county Project Manager, the Consultant will convene subject-matter experts to evaluate which existing
goals should be directly incorporated into the Comprehensive Plan, which should be updated, and which
are not relevant. Where appropriate, the Consultant will extend the scope of existing shorter-term goals
to a 2050 timeline. This work is intended to ensure the Comprehensive Plan builds on existing county
initiatives and integrates separate plans into a long-term vision, rather than duplicating or replacing
recent planning efforts.
Deliverable: List of all existing county goals and strategies, indicating whether they should be
incorporated into the Comprehensive Plan and updating language to reflect recent developments or a
2050 timeline where necessary.
2.1.5. Traffic Model
The county aims to accurately forecast future transportation needs and how best to meet those needs
(roadways, transit, multi-use trails, etc.). To achieve this goal, a traffic model providing a level of detail
for Collector roadways and higher classifications is needed.
Deliverable: A unified, countywide transportation model that can be utilized by both the County and its
municipalities, including, but not limited to, an inventory of existing Roadways and system elements,
alternative modes of transportation, traffic forecasts, and analyses of capacity deficiencies. The model
must provide a shapefile map with 20-year traffic forecasts for all segments, and the model shall be
made available to the county for future modification and analysis purposes upon completion of the task.
2.1.6. Introduction, Purpose, Vision, Guiding Principles Plan Section
The Consultant will draw upon community engagement and recently adopted plans (Section 1.1.3.) to
develop a vision and goals for the 2050 Comprehensive Plan, in collaboration with county staff. This will
be incorporated into an introductory plan chapter which will also explain the community engagement
process in accordance with Metropolitan Council requirements.
In 2024, the county approved the 2024-2029 Countywide Strategic Plan, which includes a countywide
mission, vision and values. Though the county recognizes that a unique vision may be developed specific
to the 2050 Comprehensive Plan, the consultant should integrate the county's existing mission, vision,
and values.
Deliverable: An introduction, purpose, vision, and guiding principles section based on community
engagement and incorporating the county's existing vision, mission, and values.
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2.1.7. Background, History, Demographics Plan Section
Develop a background, history, and demographics section to reflect current demographic trends and
economic data.
Deliverable: Background, history and demographic trends section.
2.1.8. Implementation Plan Section
The Consultant will develop an implementation plan and strategy for all required plan elements.
Deliverable: Implementation section that meets the requirements specified by the Metropolitan Council.
2.1.9. Maps
The Consultant will create maps for all plan sections, including those written by county staff (Section
2.3.1.), consistent with the Washington County Style and Brand Guide. Collaborate with county staff to
share map files and ensure they are able to be updated by the county in the future.
Deliverable: All maps for the Comprehensive Plan.
2.1.10. Technical Analysis
The Consultant will complete technical and data analysis for all plan sections, including those written by
county staff (Section 2.3.1.). When relevant, the Consultant will pull and compile data from public
sources for use in analysis. Technical analyses from recent planning efforts (Section 1.1.3.) will be used
where possible.
Deliverable: Technical and data analysis for all plan sections.
2.1.11. Integration of All Plan Elements
The Consultant will incorporate all plan chapters, including those written by county staff (Section 2.3.1.),
into a cohesive plan with a consistent tone and voice. Integrate maps and charts into the overall plan
narrative.
Deliverable: Integration of all draft plan elements into a cohesive document.
2.2. Deliverables
The deliverables for the 2050 Comprehensive Plan will include, but are not limited to, the deliverables
outlined in Section 2.1 - Mandatory Services. The Consultant should provide a final draft of the complete
Comprehensive Plan to Washington County no later than April 1, 2028.
2.3. Other Requirements
The consultant firm should have substantial experience working with public sector organizations, particularly
with counties comparable to Washington County. The successful consultant firm will be experienced with
Comprehensive Planning within the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area and have experience working with the
Metropolitan Council on behalf of local governments.
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2.3.1. County Responsibilities
Washington County staff will:
* Write the narrative for the following chapters: Land Use; Transportation; Housing; Water Resources;
Parks, Trails, and Natural Systems; and Climate.
* Facilitate stakeholder engagement and collaborate with Trusted Messengers.
* Manage communications with the Metropolitan Council and submit the final plan for approval.
* Present at County Board workshops at key project milestones and present the final plan at a County
Board meeting.
* Review and provide feedback on all deliverables developed by the selected Consultant.
* Maintain regular and open communication with the selected Consultant.
* Complete graphic design of the final plan.
2.4. Optional Services
If Consultants believe there are services not listed in Section 2.1. which would significantly enhance
Washington County's Comprehensive Plan, they may suggest optional services for Washington County's
consideration. Optional services may not lead the total proposal to exceed the county's identified budget
(Section 1.4.). Any proposed additional tasks should be separated from the required material and include a
clear description and separate cost estimate.
3. Proposal Content
The following will be considered minimum contents of the proposal and must be submitted:
3.1. Cover Letter
Introduce the Consultant submitting the proposal and state the Consultant's understanding of the services.
Include name, address, telephone number, and email address of the contact person(s), as well as the names
of any others participating in the proposal. Cover letter not to exceed one page.
3.2. Table of Contents
Identify the proposal material by section and page number.
3.3. Project Understanding
Demonstrate an understanding of Washington County's project purpose and scope.
3.4. Scope of Work and Deliverables
Respond the scope of work included in the RFP, provide a detailed outline of your approach to the
Comprehensive Plan, methodologies used, and typical approach to set local governments up for successful
plan implementation. Include a work plan and schedule that is itemized by tasks as well as hour summaries
per staff for each task.
3.5. Stakeholder Engagement Plan
Provide an overall approach to engagement, as well as specific engagement activities, techniques, strategies,
and how these specific tasks will integrate into the overall process, demonstrating understanding of
involvement in project management versus traditional methods.
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3.6. Project Team Qualifications and Experience
The consultant firm must identify key team members (including any subconsultants), detail their
qualifications and experience as it relates to each of the required comprehensive plan elements, and provide
a summary of project roles and responsibilities.
3.6.1. Project Manager
A project manager who will lead and provide focus for the team on the various tasks, work
collaboratively with Washington County, align with the project's goal and objectives, and ensure the
team's progress adheres to the schedule.
3.6.2. Key Team Members
List all team members who will work on the project. Include the team member's area of expertise,
work experience, qualifications, and availability to perform the proposed work. Any change in
personnel assigned to this project must have approval from Washington County.
3.7. Project Examples
Provide up to three (3) project examples that demonstrate your expertise in comprehensive planning for
public sector organizations with similar characteristics to Washington County. Include organization, contact
name, email address, phone number, the responder's level of involvement in the project, and a summary of
the scope of work for the project that includes community engagement methods.
3.8. References
List a minimum of three (3) references - including organization name, contact name email address, phone
number, and brief description of the services you provided - from contracts similar in size and/or scope of
work.
3.9. Cost and Fee Schedule
Provide all costs associated with the proposed Contract for services in a complete and understandable form.
Include an overall project amount, estimated cost per calendar year, a detailed cost breakdown by project
phase or task, and hourly rates for all personnel expected to work on the project.
3.10. Proposal Summary
Summarize the key elements of the proposal and state reasons why your firm should be selected for the
2050 Comprehensive Plan.
3.11. Appendix A - County's Standard Terms and Conditions
Submit a signed Appendix A as the Consultant to whom the contract is awarded shall be required to comply
with the terms and conditions contained therein.
3.12. Conflict of Interest
The Consultant must identify any potential conflict of interest it may have with the County or any other
party or entity that may be affected by the terms of this RFP and responsive proposals. The Consultant
agrees that, should any conflict or potential conflict of interest become known, it will immediately notify the
County of the conflict or potential conflict, and will advise the County whether it will or will not resign from
the other engagement or representation. Unless waived by the County, a conflict or potential conflict may,
in the County's discretion, require withdrawal or rejection of the Consultant's proposal.
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