RFP TC FY26-27-001 Economic Development Specialist

RFP TC FY26-07-001 / 07.07.2026
TORRANCE COUNTY
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP)
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST
RFP# TC FY26-27-001
RFP Release Date: July 7, 2026
Proposal Due Date: August 4, 2026
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RFP TC FY26-07-001 / 07.07.2026
Table of Contents
I. INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................................................. 1
A. PURPOSE OF THIS REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS ............................................................................................ 1
B. SCOPE OF PROCUREMENT .......................................................................................................................... 1
C. PROCUREMENT MANAGER......................................................................................................................... 1
D. PROPOSAL DELIVERY .................................................................................................................................. 2
E. DEFINITION OF TERMINOLOGY................................................................................................................... 2
F. PROCUREMENT LIBRARY ............................................................................................................................ 5
II. CONDITIONS GOVERNING THE PROCUREMENT ................................................................................................. 7
A. SEQUENCE OF EVENTS .......................................................................................................................................... 7
II. CONDITIONS GOVERNING THE PROCUREMENT ................................................................................................. 7
A. EXPLANATION OF EVENTS ............................................................................................................................... 7
1. Issue RFP ..................................................................................................................................................... 8
This RFP is being issued on behalf of the County of Torrance and the Torrance County Board of Commissioners
on the date indicated in Section II.A, Sequence of Events. ................................................................................... 8
2. Acknowledgement of Receipt Form ............................................................................................................ 8
3. Deadline to Submit Written Questions ....................................................................................................... 8
4. Response to Written Questions .................................................................................................................. 8
5. Submission of Proposal ............................................................................................................................... 8
6. Proposal Evaluation .................................................................................................................................... 9
7. Selection of Finalists ................................................................................................................................... 9
8. Oral Presentations ...................................................................................................................................... 9
9. Finalize Contractual Agreements ................................................................................................................ 9
10. Contract Awards .................................................................................................................................. 10
11. Protest Deadline................................................................................................................................... 10
B. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS ............................................................................................................................. 10
1. Acceptance of Conditions Governing the Procurement ............................................................................ 10
2. Incurring Cost ............................................................................................................................................ 10
3. Prime Contractor Responsibility ............................................................................................................... 11
4. Subcontractors/Consent ........................................................................................................................... 11
5. Amended Proposals .................................................................................................................................. 11
6. Offeror's Rights to Withdraw Proposal ..................................................................................................... 11
7. Proposal Offer Firm ................................................................................................................................... 11
8. Disclosure of Proposal Contents ............................................................................................................... 11
9. No Obligation ............................................................................................................................................ 12
10. Termination.......................................................................................................................................... 12
11. Sufficient Appropriation ....................................................................................................................... 12
12. Legal Review ........................................................................................................................................ 12
13. Governing Law ..................................................................................................................................... 12
14. Basis for Proposal................................................................................................................................. 13
15. Contract Terms and Conditions ............................................................................................................ 13
16. Offeror's Terms and Conditions ........................................................................................................... 13
17. Contract Deviations ............................................................................................................................. 13
18. Offeror Qualifications .......................................................................................................................... 14
19. Right to Waive Minor Irregularities ..................................................................................................... 14
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RFP TC FY26-07-001 / 07.07.2026
20. Change in Contractor Representatives ................................................................................................ 14
21. Notice of Penalties ............................................................................................................................... 14
22. Agency Rights....................................................................................................................................... 14
23. Right to Publish .................................................................................................................................... 14
24. Ownership of Proposals ....................................................................................................................... 14
25. Confidentiality ...................................................................................................................................... 15
26. Electronic mail address required .......................................................................................................... 15
27. Use of Electronic Versions of this RFP .................................................................................................. 15
28. New Mexico Employees Health Coverage ............................................................................................ 15
29. Campaign Contribution Disclosure Form ............................................................................................. 16
30. Letter of Transmittal ............................................................................................................................ 16
31. Disclosure Regarding Responsibility .................................................................................................... 16
32. New Mexico/Native American Resident Preferences ........................................................................... 18
III. RESPONSE FORMAT AND ORGANIZATION ...................................................................................................... 19
A. NUMBER OF RESPONSES ............................................................................................................................... 19
B. NUMBER OF COPIES ...................................................................................................................................... 19
1. Hard Copy Responses ................................................................................................................................ 19
C. PROPOSAL FORMAT ...................................................................................................................................... 20
IV. SPECIFICATIONS .............................................................................................................................................. 22
A. DETAILED SCOPE OF WORK ........................................................................................................................... 22
1. GENERAL PURPOSE: Under the general direction of the County Manager assists with a variety of
economic development initiatives, including business recruitment, retention/expansion, programs and job
training that promote economic development and improve the quality of life for Torrance County residents,
and the creation and implementation of Economic Development and capital planning for the County. .......... 22
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: ...................................................................................................................................... 22
* Researches, develops, implements, manages, and administers programs and plans for economic
development and capital planning. .................................................................................................................... 22
* Leads projects as assigned by the County Manager or the Deputy County Manager, which includes:
publishing monthly newsletters; responding to business and development inquiries, providing resource
webpages, coordinating business educational services and trainings, and identifying and addressing needs in
the business community. .................................................................................................................................... 22
* Identifies, researches, prepares, submits, and administers grant funding for existing and new
programs/projects and opportunities related to economic development and capital planning........................ 22
* Provides information and analysis to the County Commission, County Manager, and other County
departments regarding economic issues. .......................................................................................................... 22
* Performs economic development and industry research relating to the County's target industries and to the
regional economy. .............................................................................................................................................. 22
* Collaborates with other government entities, non-profit organizations, educational institutions, and
regional entities on behalf of the County for economic development projects; supports local communities in
identifying community issues and developing improvement plans. ................................................................... 22
* Assists in the creation of recruitment and retention strategies for businesses in Torrance County in
coordination with the County Manager's Office. ............................................................................................... 23
* Supervises volunteer or temporary staff in developing projects and finalizing deliverables. .......................... 23
* Develops and implements Economic Development Plans for the County, as well as objectives for specific
identified target industries. ................................................................................................................................ 23
* Plans, monitors, and promotes businesses to the region, further enhancing the economic development of
that region; supports agriculture, agritourism, tourism, and other outreach initiatives. .................................. 23
* Identifies appropriate economic development projects, activities, and opportunities for Torrance County and
administers contracts. ........................................................................................................................................ 23
* Creates and implements entrepreneurial and business development strategies and projects. ...................... 23
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RFP TC FY26-07-001 / 07.07.2026
* Researches, develops, or revises ordinances and resolutions impacting economic development; produces
maps to inform project teams regarding infrastructure, grants, or other economic development projects. .... 23
* Serves as a primary point of contact for the business and development community to assist in maneuvering
county processes and procedures and to connect them with resources and services. ...................................... 23
* Represents Torrance County in meetings with government agencies, members of the public, and the private
sector. ................................................................................................................................................................. 23
* Revises Economic Development website and produces public materials and reports; researches software
options to improve efficiency of economic development programming; and reviews and edits economic
development plans and documents. .................................................................................................................. 23
* Oversees and administers the County's Infrastructure Capital Improvements Plan and other capital planning
processes. ........................................................................................................................................................... 23
* In conjunction with the County Manager's Office, evaluates the County's short- and long-term capital needs
and aids in the management and execution of capital projects. ....................................................................... 23
* Evaluates and makes recommendations on the County's capital infrastructure needs as they related to
business growth and economic development in the region. .............................................................................. 24
* Other duties as assigned as by the County Manager. ..................................................................................... 24
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: ................................................................................................................ 24
* Knowledge of principles, practices, scope, and techniques of economic development; statistical and research
methods and sources of data relating to economic development. .................................................................... 24
* Knowledge of comprehensive planning and land development regulations, policies, rules, and statutes. .... 24
* Ability to read site plans and legal descriptions, to use a variety of maps and map scales, to interpret map
data, and convey that information to the public. .............................................................................................. 24
* Understanding of capital project planning and execution. ............................................................................. 24
* Ability to work independently and as a member of multi-disciplinary teams, exercise sound judgment, and
handle sensitive public relations issues and information with tact and diplomacy. .......................................... 24
* Ability to lead complex projects effectively and through completion. ............................................................ 24
* Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other County officials and
departments, consultants, vendors, contractors, other governmental agencies, and the public. ..................... 24
* Ability to respond courteously, tactfully, and effectively to public concerns and complaints. ........................ 24
* Ability to lead the work of others. ................................................................................................................... 24
* Skilled in planning, organizing, and reviewing work of consultants and steering committees; in designing,
analyzing, writing, and editing research studies, final reports and plans; and in preparing complex forms and
documents. ......................................................................................................................................................... 24
* Skilled in interacting diplomatically with individuals and groups, including government officials and the
media. ................................................................................................................................................................ 24
* Skilled in using GIS mapping and planning software. ..................................................................................... 24
* Skilled in operating various word-processing, spreadsheet, database, and other software programs in a
Windows environment. ...................................................................................................................................... 25
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS .............................................................................................................................. 25
* Must have a valid New Mexico driver's license. .............................................................................................. 25
* Must have High School Diploma or GED. ........................................................................................................ 25
* A bachelor's degree in Economic Development, Public or Business Administration, Economics or a related
field, or 4 years' experience in economic development, economic research, public or business administration,
or a closely related field. .................................................................................................................................... 25
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS ............................................................................................................................. 25
* Two (2) years of experience in economic development, economic research, or business administration. ..... 25
* Two (2) years of experience related to capital planning or capital project management. ............................. 25
The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed.
The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar,
related, or a logical assignment to the position. ................................................................................................ 25
ORGANIZATIONAL REFERENCES ......................................................................................................................... 25
Mandatory Specification .................................................................................................................................... 26
Desirable Specification ....................................................................................................................................... 27
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RFP TC FY26-07-001 / 07.07.2026
B. BUSINESS SPECIFICATIONS ............................................................................................................................ 27
1. Financial Stability ...................................................................................................................................... 27
2. Performance Surety Bond ......................................................................................................................... 27
3. Letter of Transmittal Form ........................................................................................................................ 27
4. Campaign Contribution Disclosure Form .................................................................................................. 27
5. Oral Presentation ...................................................................................................................................... 28
6. Cost ........................................................................................................................................................... 28
7. B. Offeror should submit a proposal with a detailed schedule of total costs per task. Offeror should also
provide unit cost estimated (hourly, etc.) and time schedule for each task within each task. The Offeror shall
quote hourly rates for additional consulting beyond the scope of the tasks described. .................................... 28
8. Resident Business or Resident Veterans Preference ................................................................................. 28
V. EVALUATION ................................................................................................................................................... 29
A. EVALUATION POINT SUMMARY .......................................................................................................................... 29
B. EVALUATION FACTORS ........................................................................................................................................ 30
B. EVALUATION PROCESS .................................................................................................................................. 31
APPENDIX A ............................................................................................................................................................. 32
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF RECEIPT FORM ............................................................................................................... 32
APPENDIX B ............................................................................................................................................................. 33
CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTION DISCLOSURE FORM .................................................................................................... 33
APPENDIX C ............................................................................................................................................................. 36
DRAFT CONTRACT ................................................................................................................................................... 36
APPENDIX D ............................................................................................................................................................. 45
COST RESPONSE FORM ........................................................................................................................................... 45
APPENDIX E ............................................................................................................................................................. 46
LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL FORM ............................................................................................................................. 46
APPENDIX F ............................................................................................................................................................. 48
CONFLICT-OF-INTEREST AFFIDAVIT ...................................................................................................................... 48
APPENDIX G ......................................................................................................................................................... 49
ORGANIZATIONAL REFERENCE QUESTIONNAIRE ................................................................................................. 49
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RFP TC FY26-07-001 / 07.07.2026
I. INTRODUCTION
A. PURPOSE OF THIS REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
The purpose of the Request for Proposal (RFP) is to solicit sealed proposals to establish a contract
through competitive negotiations for the procurement of professional services to provide services
as the Economic Development Specialist for Torrance County.
B. SCOPE OF PROCUREMENT
The Economic Development Specialist provides strategic leadership, management, organization,
direction, and supervision of all operations and activities of the County's Economic Development
Program. This individual is responsible for developing, implementing, and managing programs
within Torrance. This position requires attention to details, ability to work independently and as a
team, strong organizational skills, and the ability to multi-task and prioritize in a fast-paced setting.
The Economic Development Specialist will work closely with other components of the Economic
Development, Grant Program, and other departments.
This RFP will be a single award.
This procurement will result in a contractual agreement between two parties; the procurement may
ONLY be used by those two parties exclusively.
C. PROCUREMENT MANAGER
Torrance County has assigned a Procurement Manager who is responsible for the conduct of this
procurement whose name, address, telephone number and e-mail address are listed below:
Name: Kathryn Dillon, Chief Procurement Officer
Telephone: (505) 464-1116
Email: kdillon@tcnm.us
1. Any inquiries or requests regarding this procurement should be submitted, in writing, to
the Procurement Manager. Offerors may contact ONLY the Procurement Manager
regarding this procurement. Other state employees or Evaluation Committee members do
not have the authority to respond on behalf of the SPD.
2. Protests of the solicitation or award must be submitted in writing to the Protest
Manager identified in Section II.B.13. As a Protest Manager has been named in this
Request for Proposals, pursuant to 13-1-172, NMSA 1978 and 1.4.1.82 NMAC, ONLY
protests delivered directly to the Protest Manager in writing and in a timely fashion
will be considered to have been submitted properly and in accordance with statute,
rule and this Request for Proposals. Protests submitted or delivered to the Procurement
Manager will NOT be considered properly submitted.
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RFP TC FY26-07-001 / 07.07.2026
D. PROPOSAL DELIVERY
All deliveries of proposals via express carrier, courier or hand delivery, must be
addressed and submitted as follows:
Name: Kathryn Dillon
Reference RFP Name: RFP # TC FY26-27-001, Economic Development Specialist
Address: 205 S. Ninth Street, Estancia NM 87016
E. DEFINITION OF TERMINOLOGY
This section contains definitions of terms used throughout this procurement document, including
appropriate abbreviations:
1. "Agency" means the State Purchasing Division of the General Services Department or that
State Agency sponsoring this Procurement.
2. "Award" means the final execution of the contract document.
3. "Business Hours" means weekdays (Monday - Thursday) 8:00 AM thru 5:00 PM
MST/MDT, whichever is in effect on the date given.
4. "Close of Business" means weekdays (Monday - Thursday) 5:00 PM MST/MDT,
whichever is in effect on the date given.
5. "Confidential" means confidential financial information concerning Offeror's organization
and data that qualifies as a trade secret in accordance with the Uniform Trade Secrets Act
57-3-A-1 through 57-3A-7, NMSA 1978,. See also NMAC 1.4.1.45. The following
items may not be labelled as confidential: Offeror's submitted Cost response,
Staff/Personnel Resumes/Bios (excluding personal information such as personal telephone
numbers and/or home addresses), and other submitted data that is not confidential financial
information or that qualifies under the Uniform Trade Secrets Act.
6. "Contract" means any agreement for the procurement of items of tangible personal
property, services or construction.
7. "Contractor" means any business having a contract with a state agency or local public
body.
8. "Determination" means the written documentation of a decision of a procurement officer
including findings of fact required to support a decision. A determination becomes part of
the procurement file to which it pertains.
9. "Desirable" - the terms "may," "can," "should," "preferably," or "prefers" identify a
desirable or discretionary item or factor.
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RFP TC FY26-07-001 / 07.07.2026
10. "Electronic Submission" means a successful submittal of Offeror's proposal in the
eProNM system, in such cases where eProNM submissions are accepted.
11. "Electronic Version/Copy" means a digital form consisting of text, images or both
readable on computers or other electronic devices that includes all content that the Original
and Hard Copy proposals contain. The digital form may be submitted using a compact disc
(CD) or USB flash drive. The electronic version/copy can NOT be emailed.
12. "Evaluation Committee" means a body appointed to perform the evaluation of Offerors'
proposals.
13. "Evaluation Committee Report" means a report prepared by the Procurement Manager
and the Evaluation Committee to support the Committee's recommendation for contract
award. It will contain scores and written evaluations of all responsive Offeror proposals.
14. "Final Award" means, in the context of this Request for Proposals and all its attendant
documents, that point at which the final required signature on the contract(s) resulting from
the procurement has been affixed to the contract(s) thus making it fully executed.
15. "Finalist" means an Offeror who meets all the mandatory specifications of this Request for
Proposals and whose score on evaluation factors is sufficiently high to merit further
consideration by the Evaluation Committee, as explained in Section II.B.8.
16. "Hourly Rate" means the proposed fully loaded maximum hourly rates that include travel,
per diem, fringe benefits and any overhead costs for contractor personnel, as well as
subcontractor personnel if appropriate.
17. "IT" means Information Technology.
18. "Mandatory" - the terms "must," "shall" "will," "is required," or "are required," identify a
mandatory item or factor. Failure to meet a mandatory item or factor may result in the
rejection of the Offeror's proposal.
19. "Minor Irregularities" means anything in the proposal that does not affect the price,
quality and/or quantity, or any other mandatory requirement.
20. "Multiple Source Award" means an award of a contract for one or more items of tangible
personal property, services or construction to more than one Offeror.
21. "Offeror" is any person, corporation, or partnership who chooses to submit a proposal.
22. "Price Agreement" means a definite quantity contract or indefinite quantity contract which
requires the contractor to furnish items of tangible personal property, services or
construction to a state agency or a local public body which issues a purchase order, if the
purchase order is within the quantity limitations of the contract, if any.
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RFP TC FY26-07-001 / 07.07.2026
23. "Procurement Manager" means any person or designee authorized by a state agency or
local public body with the responsibility, authority, and resources to conduct the RFP
procurement, make written determinations regarding the RFP procurement, and/or enter
into or administer contracts as a result of the RFP procurement.
24. "Procuring Agency" means all State of New Mexico agencies, commissions, institutions,
political subdivisions and local public bodies allowed by law to procure items of tangible
personal property, services or construction from the agreement(s) awarded as a result of
this RFP.
25. "Project" means a temporary process undertaken to solve a well-defined goal or objective
with clearly defined start and end times, a set of clearly defined tasks, and a budget. The
project terminates once the project scope is achieved and project acceptance is given by the
project executive sponsor.
26. "Redacted" means a version/copy of the Offeror's proposal with the information
considered proprietary or confidential (as defined by 57-3A-1 to 57-3A-7 NMSA 1978
and NMAC 1.4.1.45 and summarized herein and outlined in Section II.C.8 of this RFP)
blacked-out BUT NOT omitted or removed.
27. "Request for Proposals (RFP)" means all documents, including those attached or
incorporated by reference, used for soliciting proposals.
28. "Responsible Offeror" means an Offeror who submits a responsive proposal and who has
furnished, when required, information and data to prove that his financial resources,
production or service facilities, personnel, service reputation and experience are adequate
to make satisfactory delivery of the services, or items of tangible personal property
described in the proposal.
29. "Responsive Offer" or means an offer which conforms in all material respects to the
requirements set forth in the request for proposals. Material respects of a request for
proposals include, but are not limited to price, quality, quantity or delivery requirements.
30. "Sealed" means, in terms of a non-electronic submission, that the proposal is enclosed in a
package which is completely fastened in such a way that nothing can be added or removed.
Open packages submitted will not be accepted except for packages that may have been
damaged by the delivery service itself. The State reserves the right, however, to accept or
reject packages where there may have been damage done by the delivery service itself.
Whether a package has been damaged by the delivery service or left unfastened and should
or should not be accepted is a determination to be made by the Procurement Manager. By
submitting a proposal, the Offeror agrees to and concurs with this process and accepts the
determination of the Procurement Manager in such cases.
31. "Single Source Award" means an award of contract for items of tangible personal
property, services or construction to only one Offeror.
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RFP TC FY26-07-001 / 07.07.2026
32. "SPD" means State Purchasing Division of the New Mexico State General Services
Department.
33. "Staff" means any individual who is a full-time, part-time, or an independently contracted
employee with the Offerors' company.
34. "State (the State)" means the State of New Mexico.
35. "State Agency" means any department, commission, council, board, committee,
institution, legislative body, agency, government corporation, educational institution or
official of the executive, legislative or judicial branch of the government of this state.
"State agency" includes the Purchasing Division of the General Services Department and
the State Purchasing Agent but does not include local public bodies.
36. "State Purchasing Agent" means the Director of the Purchasing Division of the General
Services Department.
37. "Statement of Concurrence" means an affirmative statement from the Offeror indicating
its response to a required Section IV specification agreeing to comply and concur with the
stated requirement(s). This statement shall be included in Offerors proposal, pursuant to
Section III.C.1. (E.g. "We concur," "Understands and Complies," "Comply," "Will
Comply if Applicable," etc.)
38. "Unredacted" means a version/copy of the proposal containing all complete information;
including any that the Offeror would otherwise consider confidential, such copy for use
only for the purposes of evaluation.
39. "Written" means typewritten on standard 8 12 x 11 inch paper. Larger paper is permissible
for charts, spreadsheets, etc.
F. PROCUREMENT LIBRARY
A procurement library has been established. Offerors are encouraged to review the material
contained in the Procurement Library by selecting the link provided in this document through your
own internet connection. The library contains information listed below:
RFP, Questions & Answers, RFP Amendments, etc.
https://www.generalservices.state.nm.us/statepurchasing/active-procurements.aspx
Other relevant links:
- Torrance County Procurement Policy:
https://www.torrancecountynm.org/departments/finance-department
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