RFP - Public Farmland Management 2025

Publication Date: April 1, 2025

Purpose

The City of Bainbridge Island is seeking an individual or firm to manage leased and commonly used portions of its publicly owned farmland.  The City owns 60 acres of farmland, 21 acres of which are leased by farmers with additional property, roads, fencing and an irrigation system used by multiple farmers.

The manager will fill a range of responsibilities, including communication, shared resource coordination, identifying and prioritizing repair and maintenance projects, and documentation of the existing conditions.

Bainbridge Island Background

The City of Bainbridge Island is located in the State of Washington, on ancestral territory of the suq ` ? abs ? “ People of Clear Salt Water ” (Suquamish People). We have a Government-to-Government relationship with the Suquamish Tribe which informs some of our work. Bainbridge Island has an area of 26 square miles, with 52 miles of shoreline, dense forests, sparsely populated suburban development, and an estimated population of 25,000. The entire Island is incorporated as one city. The City of Bainbridge Island is located in Kitsap County.

The City of Bainbridge Island uses a Council/Manager form of government and our values are represented through our Climate Action Plan, Sustainable Transportation Plan, Housing Action Plan, Comprehensive Plan, ADA Transition Plan, and the use of a Racial Equity Lens on major projects.

Anticipated Scope of Work

The City’s Farm Manager will ensure that farmers are adhering to the terms of their leases and that common resources are adequately maintained and fairly used.  The City’s goal is to support economically-viable local agriculture. The Farm Manager’s primary scope of work is:

1. Coordinate shared resources and resolve any disputes that may arise between the leasehold farmers.
2. Work with the City to identify, prioritize, and implement repair, maintenance and capital projects, as needed (for example, irrigation systems, fencing, roads).
3. Serve as point of contact with the City of Bainbridge Island for all farmers.
4. Document existing conditions and build document library.
5. Promote the products of the farmers.
6. Recruit and select leasehold Farmers, in substantial alignment with prior practice.
7. Ensure compliance with lease terms and conditions.

Anticipated Compensation

The estimated budget for this service is $5,000 per month for up to one year after contract execution.

Submittals

Individuals or firms wishing to respond to this Request for Proposals should provide a description of their capabilities.

Required information to be included in a letter of interest:

• Description of proposed approach to supporting farmers in their work on the City’s farmland and in achieving economic viability.
• Description of proposed approach to developing a preventive and major maintenance program for all publicly-owned farmland and infrastructure.
• Provide information to demonstrate capacity to deliver services as described, either by providing examples or documenting approach.
• Estimate of when services can begin.

Recommended information:

• Demonstrate an understanding of the City’s values related to sustainability, equity, and inclusion
• Demonstrate an understanding of related local services and programs currently being provided on Bainbridge Island

Review and Selection Process

Submit your qualifications by Tuesday, April 8, 2025.  Submittals should include a cover letter and a resume. Responses should be sent via email under the subject Public Farmland Management to For security reasons, you must enable JavaScript to view this E-mail address.. Submittals must be received by the deadline. Submittals received after the deadline will not be considered.

Email is the preferred method, but responses may also be mailed or dropped off at City Hall (Monday – Friday, from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM). Print copies should be double-sided, with no cover or binding.

City Hall

280 Madison Ave N

Bainbridge Island, WA 98110

Attention: Ellen Schroer, Deputy City Manager

Assurances of nondiscrimination:

Title VI

The City of Bainbridge Island, in accordance with the provisions of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (78 Stat. 252, 42 U.S.C. §§ 2000d to 2000d-4) and the Regulations, hereby notifies all bidders that it will affirmatively ensure that in any contract entered into pursuant to this advertisement, disadvantaged business enterprises will be afforded full and fair opportunity to submit bids in response to this invitation and will not be discriminated against on the grounds of race, color, or national origin in consideration for an award.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Information/Pledge ?

The City of Bainbridge Island in accordance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act (Section 504) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) commits to nondiscrimination on the basis of disability in all its programs and activities. ?

We pledge to make our bid process accessible and user-friendly for everyone. If you are having difficulty viewing or navigating the content of this document, or note any content, feature, or functionality that you believe is not fully accessible to people with disabilities, please contact us at For security reasons, you must enable JavaScript to view this E-mail address. or 206.842.2545 for assistance.

Please note the nature of your accessibility concern, the preferred format in which to receive the online material (hard copies are available), the Web page address of the requested material, and the best way to contact you.

Nondiscrimination Statement

The City of Bainbridge Island hereby notifies all bidders that all bidders and contractors will be selected, compensated and, if necessary,  terminated without regard to sex/gender, race, national origin, religion, creed, color, marital status, veteran status, age, national origin, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, genetic information or any other basis prohibited by law.

In alignment with the City of Bainbridge Island’s equity and inclusion goals, we encourage organizations led by those who identify as women or members of traditionally marginalized communities, or who are or could be certified as Minority Business Enterprise/Women Business Enterprise (MBE/WBE), Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE), or equivalent to respond.

Terms and Conditions ?

Questions regarding this RFP or the submittal process should be directed to Ellen Schroer, Deputy City Manager, 206.780.8619, For security reasons, you must enable JavaScript to view this E-mail address. .

Selected applicants will be required to execute a City of Bainbridge Island Professional Services Agreement, obtain a City of Bainbridge Island Business License, and demonstrate compliance with the City’s insurance requirements (briefly explained below). ? ?

The City reserves the right not to select any of the applicants, and the right to select an individual or firm not from this application process.  The City further reserves the right to waive irregularities and informalities in this process. This RFP does not obligate the City to pay any cost incurred by applicants in responding to this RFP. All such costs shall be borne solely by each applicant. Furthermore, this RFP does not obligate the City to enter into a contract with any applicant responding to this RFP. ??

Insurance requirements

The selected bidder shall maintain the following insurance limits:

1. Automobile Liability insurance with a minimum combined single limit for bodily injury and property damage of $1,000,000 per accident.
2. Commercial General Liability insurance shall be written with limits no less than $1,000,000 each occurrence, $2,000,000 general aggregate.

Other insurance requirements may apply.