New Comprehensive Plan RFQ

 Response to questions (click here for pdf)

Request for Qualifications

RFQ Status:

Open – Accepting qualification submissions

RFQ Due Date:

Thursday, December 17th, 2020 - 4:00pm

Bid/RFP Reference Number:   #21004

New Comprehensive Plan

The City of Opelika (“City”) desires to create a new comprehensive master plan and is seeking the services of a firm or team (“consultant”) with extensive experience and skills in the development of comprehensive plans. The selected consultant will assist the City in defining scope of work, establishing project timeline, facilitating City and public involvement/ participation, and producing an updated Comprehensive Plan. Joint ventures are welcome.

The selected consultant will work with the City to determine the specific elements to be addressed in the new comprehensive plan. Expected areas of emphasis will include future land use and typology, transportation, and cultural elements like parks and recreation.

All professional consulting firms who consider themselves qualified for this work are invited to submit 5 physical copies and 1 digital copy of requested qualifications to:

City of Opelika

Purchasing Department

Attn: Planning Director (RFQ-Comprehensive Plan)

204 S. 7th Street

Opelika, AL 36801

An RFQ sent by fax, e-mail or other electronic means will not be accepted.

The full RFQ can be found at RFQ-Comprehensive Plan (REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS #21004 pdf). Statements of qualifications should be limited to Tab Sections listed below (excluding covers, tabs and references) and received no later than 4:00 p.m., Friday, December 17, 2020.  The City of Opelika will make its selection based upon materials received in this submittal or may seek additional information, which may include interviews.  The following Tabs should be present in submission.

Tab 1 – Cover Letter

Provide a cover letter indicating your firm’s or team’s interest in and ability to perform the requirements of this RFQ.  Limited to no more than two pages.

Tab 2 – Firm or Team Background

Provide the names, titles, organizational structure and responsibilities of team members and relationships of any joint ventures.

Tab 3 – Qualifications

Describe and demonstrate firm or team qualifications and experience, in regard to the stated project.  Provide resumes for key personnel who will be assigned to this project.

Tab 4 – References

Provide examples and references for similar projects for which your firm or team, in whole or in part, have provided service in the previous five years; work portfolio may be provided electronically as discussed later in this document

Tab 5 – Client Support

Describe the firm’s or team’s availability to the City in terms of communication, meetings, and fieldwork. Specific interest will be in the firm’s ability communicate and continue projects during the Covid-19 pandemic.   

Tab 6 – Additional Information (Optional)

Any additional information which you feel will be valuable to the City in making its decision in choosing a consultant; limited to five pages

Selection Criteria

The potential consultant will be evaluated by the following criteria:

•    Professional and technical expertise, experience, and success in producing comprehensive plans

•    Proven experience in community participation and engagement

•    Ability to produce high quality documents and graphics that are user friendly

•    Experience and familiarity with Opelika, similar communities, and/or Southeastern United States

•    Availability of team members and ability to complete project in reasonable time frame

•    Review of references and past work product

The City of Opelika reserves the right to negotiate with any professional consulting firm, after requests for qualifications are opened, if such is deemed necessary.  The City of Opelika reserves the right to reject any or all proposals.

All respondents are responsible for costs associated with the preparation of materials in response to this RFQ. The City of Opelika assumes no responsibility for such costs.

Any questions regarding RFQ must be submitted via email no later than 12:00pm on December 7, 2020, and will be posted online as an addendum to this RFQ on December 8, 2020. Submit questions to:

Matt Mosley, Planning Director, at [email protected]

(REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS #21004 pdf)