Request for Proposals
Publication Date: December 1, 2025
Public Farmland Manager
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 ʷ̀ abš “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 and Climate 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. Perform routine maintenance of public farmland infrastructure.
3. Assess maintenance and repair needs of public farmland infrastructure
4. Serve as point of contact with the City of Bainbridge Island for all farmers.
5. Document existing conditions and build document library.
6. Promote the products of the farmers.
7. Recruit and select leasehold Farmers, in substantial alignment with prior practice.
8. Ensure compliance with lease terms and conditions.
9. Other activities, as need arises.
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City of Bainbridge Island
Request for Proposals – Public Farmland Management
Publication date: Dec. 1, 2025
Due date (first review): Dec19, 2025
Anticipated Compensation
The estimated budget is up to $5,000 per month for up to one year after contract execution, paid at
an hourly rate of $60 plus approved expenses. Total compensation, including reimbursement for
eligible and approved expenses, will not exceed $60,000.
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.
Information demonstrating capacity to deliver services as described, either by providing
examples or documenting approach.
Strategy for communication with current leasing farmers, community and City sta .
Estimate of when services can begin.
Recommended information:
Demonstrate an understanding of related local services and programs currently being
provided on Bainbridge Island
Demonstrate an understanding of the City’s values related to sustainability, equity, and
inclusion
Schedule
The City is seeking a farmland manager to begin work in January of 2026.
Proposals due (for first review)
Interviews (if desired)
Manager selected
Agreement finalized
Friday, Dec. 19, 2025
Week of January 5, 2026
Week of January 12, 2026
On or before January 21, 2026
The City reserves the right to continue to accept proposals after the initial due date, and to adjust
the schedule accordingly.
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City of Bainbridge Island
Request for Proposals – Public Farmland Management
Publication date: Dec. 1, 2025
Due date (first review): Dec19, 2025
Review and Selection Process
Evaluation Criteria
Methodology and approach to scope of work
Individual/firm/project team experience, qualifications and approach
Applicability of approach to Bainbridge Island
Proposal timeliness and attention to detail
Total possible written submittal
Optional Interviews and Demonstrations
Total Evaluation
Max. Points
30
20
20
10
80
20
100
Submit your qualifications by Friday, Dec. 19, 2025. Submittals should include a cover letter and a
resume. Responses should be sent via email under the subject Public Farmland Management to
CityAdmin@bainbridgewa.gov. Submittals received by the deadline will be included in the first
review process. Submittals received after the deadline may be considered, at the sole discretion of
City sta .
Email is the preferred method, but responses may also be mailed or dropped o at City Hall
(Monday – Friday, from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, except federal holidays). 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 a irmatively ensure that in any contract entered into pursuant to this advertisement,
disadvantaged business enterprises will be a orded 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
di iculty viewing or navigating the content of this document, or note any content, feature, or
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City of Bainbridge Island
Request for Proposals – Public Farmland Management
Publication date: Dec. 1, 2025
Due date (first review): Dec19, 2025
functionality that you believe is not fully accessible to people with disabilities, please contact us at
cityadmin@bainbridgewa.gov 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, eschroer@bainbridgewa.gov.
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.
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This is the opportunity summary page. It provides an overview of this opportunity and a preview of the attached documentation.
