Micro-Retail Pilot Program

COMMUNITY & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
MICRO-RETAIL PILOT PROGRAM
SPECIFICATION NO. ED26-0222F

City of Tacoma
Community and Economic Development
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS ED26-0222F
Micro-Retail Pilot Program
Submittal Deadline: 11:00 a.m., Pacific Time, Tuesday, November 10, 2026
Submittals must be received by the City's Procurement and Payables Division by 11:00 a.m. Pacific Time.
For electronic submittals, the City of Tacoma will designate the time of receipt recorded by our email server as
the official time of receipt. This clock will be used as the official time of receipt of all parts of electronic bid
submittals. Include the specification number in the subject line of your email. Your submittal must be sent as
an attachment, links to your electronic submittal will not be accepted.
For in person submittals, the City of Tacoma will designate the time of receipt recorded by the timestamp
located at the lobby security desk, as the official time of receipt. Include the specification number on the
outside of the sealed envelope. Late submittals will be returned unopened and rejected as non-responsive.
Submittal Delivery: Sealed submittals will be received as follows:
By Email: In Person:
sendbid@tacoma.gov Tacoma Public Utilities Administration Building North,
Maximum email size including attachments: 35 MB. Main Floor, Lobby Security Desk
Multiple emails may be sent for each submittal. 3628 South 35th Street
Tacoma, WA 98409
Note: Email may pass through multiple servers before arriving Monday - Friday 8:00 am to 4:30 pm
at its destination. Please allow sufficient time for email delivery
of submittals. Timely electronic delivery is at the risk of the
supplier.
Bid Opening: Submittals must be received by the City's Procurement and Payables Division prior to 11:00
a.m. Pacific Time. Sealed submittals in response to a RFB will be opened Tuesday's at 11:15 a.m. by a
purchasing representative and read aloud during a public bid opening held at the Tacoma Public Utilities
Administrative Building North, 3628 S. 35th Street, Tacoma, WA 98409, conference room M-1, located on the
main floor. They will also be held virtually Tuesday's at 11:15 a.m. Attend a Zoom meeting via this link or call 1
(253) 215 8782, using meeting ID # 884 0268 0573, passcode # 070737.
Submittals in response to an RFP, RFQ or RFI will be recorded as received, but not read at bid opening. As
soon as possible, after 1:00 PM, on the day of submittal deadline, preliminary results will be posted to
www.TacomaPurchasing.org.
If you believe your submittal was sent timely and was not read at bid opening, please contact
sendbid@tacoma.gov immediately.
Solicitation Documents: An electronic copy of the complete solicitation documents may be viewed and
obtained by accessing the City of Tacoma Purchasing website at www.TacomaPurchasing.org.
* Register for the Bid Holders List to receive notices of addenda, questions and answers and related updates.
* Click here to see a list of vendors registered for this solicitation.
Pre-Proposal Meeting: A pre-proposal meeting will be held on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, from 3:00pm to
4:00pm in Room 248, at the Tacoma Municipal Building, 747 Market St, Tacoma, WA
Project Scope: Micro-Retail Marketplace Pilot Program
Estimate: $500,000
Paid Sick Leave: The City of Tacoma requires all employers to provide paid sick leave in accordance with
State of Washington law.
Form No. SPEC-040C Revised: 06/03/2024

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA Information: The City of Tacoma, 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 of its programs and activities. Specification materials can be
made available in an alternate format by emailing the contact listed below in the Additional Information section.
Title VI Information:
"The City of Tacoma" in accordance with provisions of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, (78 Stat. 252, 42
U.S.C. sections 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, national origin in consideration of award.
Additional Information: Requests for information regarding the specifications may be obtained by contacting
Aaron Bratton by email to Abratton@Tacoma.gov.
Protest Policy: City of Tacoma protest policy, located at www.tacomapurchasing.org, specifies procedures for
protests submitted prior to and after submittal deadline.
Meeting sites are accessible to persons with disabilities. Reasonable accommodations for persons with
disabilities can be arranged with 48 hours advance notice by calling 253-502-8468.
Form No. SPEC-040C Revised: 06/03/2024

TABLE OF CONTENTS
SUBMITTAL CHECK LIST ............................................................................................ 5
1. BACKGROUND ..................................................................................................... 6
2. MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS ................................................................................. 7
3. SCOPE OF SERVICES AND DELIVERABLES...................................................... 8
4. CONTRACT TERM ................................................................................................ 9
5. CALENDAR OF EVENTS ...................................................................................... 9
6. INQUIRIES ............................................................................................................ 9
7. PRE-PROPOSAL MEETING.................................................................................10
8. DISCLAIMER ........................................................................................................10
9. EVALUATION CRITERIA ......................................................................................10
10. CONTENT TO BE SUBMITTED - This section represents 100% of the possible
scoring criteria..............................................................................................................11
11. INTERVIEWS / ORAL PRESENTATIONS ........................................................16
12. RESPONSIVENESS ........................................................................................16
13. ACCEPTANCE / REJECTION OF SUBMITTALS .............................................17
14. CONTRACT OBLIGATION ...............................................................................17
15. STANDARD TERMS AND CONDITIONS / GENERAL PROVISIONS ..............17
16. INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS .......................................................................17
17. PARTNERSHIPS .............................................................................................18
18. COMMITMENT OF FIRM KEY PERSONNEL ..................................................18
19. AWARD ............................................................................................................18
20. ENVIRONMENTALLY PREFERABLE PROCUREMENT .................................18
21. PROPRIETARY OR CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION .....................................19
22. ADDENDUMS ..................................................................................................19
23. LEAP REQUIREMENTS...................................................................................19
24. EQUITY IN CONTRACTING ............................................................................19
APPENDIX A - Examples ............................................................................................20
APPENDIX B - Submittal Package ..............................................................................21
APPENDIX C - Sample Documents ............................................................................22
Request for Proposal Specification No. ED26-0222F
Template Revised: 08/01/2025

SUBMITTAL CHECK LIST
This checklist identifies items to be included with your submittal. Any submittal received
without these required items may be deemed non-responsive and not be considered for
award.
Submittals must be received by the City of Tacoma Purchasing Division by the date and
time specified in the Request for Proposal page.
The following items make up your submittal package:
One electronic copy of your complete submittal package
Signature Page (Appendix B)
Information in Section 10 (Content To Be Submitted)
After award, the following documents will be executed:
Services Contract
Certificate of Insurance and related endorsements
Request for Proposal Specification No. ED26-0222F
Template Revised: 08/01/2025

1. BACKGROUND
The City of Tacoma Community & Economic Development Department (CED) is
seeking proposals from qualified organizations to establish and operate a Micro-Retail
Marketplace Pilot within the City of Tacoma. The City anticipates awarding a single
contract for $500,000 and a term of three years.
The pilot is intended to address a gap within Tacoma's small business ecosystem
between early-stage entrepreneurship and traditional brick-and-mortar occupancy.
Tacoma businesses may successfully develop customers and demonstrate demand
through markets, pop-ups, online sales, home-based operations, and other lower-cost
sales channels, while still facing significant barriers to entering permanent commercial
space. These barriers may include commercial lease rates, tenant improvement costs,
long-term lease commitments, access to capital, and the operational requirements
associated with maintaining an independent storefront.
The Micro-Retail Marketplace Pilot will test a shared retail model that provides market-
ready Tacoma businesses with access to affordable physical retail space while pairing
that opportunity with structured technical assistance, business development, and
practical experience operating within a commercial environment.
The pilot will be supported with federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)
funds and is intended to expand economic opportunity for low- and moderate-income
(LMI) Tacoma residents and entrepreneurs. The CDBG program's primary objective is
the development of viable urban communities through decent housing, a suitable living
environment, and expanded economic opportunities, principally for persons of low and
moderate income. Accordingly, the Micro-Retail Marketplace Pilot will be designed and
administered to meet an applicable CDBG national objective and will prioritize
measurable economic benefit to eligible LMI beneficiaries.
The selected Contractor will be responsible for working with the City to implement
participant eligibility, documentation, and program administration procedures necessary
to demonstrate CDBG compliance. Depending on the final CDBG activity and national-
objective structure established by the City, this may include income qualification of
participating business owners, documentation related to qualifying microenterprises,
and/or collection and reporting of information necessary to demonstrate LMI.
The multi-year pilot is intended to provide sufficient time to launch and stabilize the
marketplace, serve multiple participating businesses, evaluate business and program
outcomes, refine the operating model, and determine whether the marketplace can
develop a sustainable operating model that could continue beyond the initial City
investment.
To learn more about the City of Tacoma, visit tacoma.gov
Submittals submitted and/or the selected Consultant(s) may be used for projects of
similar type and scope at the sole discretion of the City for up to one year.
Request for Proposal Specification No. ED26-0222F
Template Revised: 08/01/2025

2. MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
Respondents must meet the following minimum requirements to be considered
as responsive for this RFP.
2.1 Tacoma Location. Respondent must identify a specific commercial
property located within the City of Tacoma from which the proposed Micro-Retail
Marketplace will operate.
2.2 Site Control. Respondent must provide documentation demonstrating
existing control of the proposed property or a documented commitment/pathway
sufficient to demonstrate that the property will be available for the project if the
Respondent is selected. Documentation may include property ownership, an
existing lease, executed letter of intent, option, contingent lease agreement,
property-owner commitment, or comparable documentation acceptable to The
City. A proposal identifying only a prospective or conceptual location without
documentation of availability will not meet this requirement.
2.3 Lease/Property Management Capacity. Respondent must demonstrate
the organizational and legal capacity to enter into and administer a master
commercial lease or otherwise maintain legal control of the proposed premises
for the required program period.
2.4 Small Business Development Experience. Respondent or its
proposed project team must demonstrate experience providing small business
technical assistance, business incubation, entrepreneurial development, or
comparable business capacity-building services.
2.5 Commercial Space Operations/Activation Experience. Respondent
or its proposed project team must demonstrate experience operating, managing,
programming, activating, or otherwise overseeing commercial, retail, shared-
use, incubator, market, or comparable community-serving space.
2.6 Organizational Capacity. Respondents must demonstrate sufficient
staffing, financial administration, project management, and organizational
capacity to perform the services described in this RFP.
Request for Proposal Specification No. ED26-0222F
Template Revised: 08/01/2025

2.7 Federal Funding and CDBG Compliance Capacity. Respondent must
demonstrate the organizational and administrative capacity and experience to
operate a federally funded program and comply with applicable Community
Development Block Grant (CDBG) requirements. This includes the capacity to
establish and administer participant eligibility and income-verification
procedures; collect and verify required low- and moderate-income (LMI),
business, employment, and demographic information; maintain adequate
program and financial records; support monitoring and reporting; and implement
procedures necessary to demonstrate compliance with the CDBG eligible
activity and national objective requirements established by the City.
2.8 Federal Compliance. In addition, all selected CDBG recipients will be
subject to applicable federal cross-cutting requirements and are expected to
comply with all applicable federal laws, regulations, and program requirements.
These requirements may include, but are not limited to, requirements related to
civil rights and nondiscrimination, regulations established by HUD's Section 3,
accessibility, conflict of interest, financial management, recordkeeping,
procurement, and other requirements applicable to the funded activities. The
requirements identified in this notice are not exhaustive. Selected recipients will
be responsible for complying with all requirements applicable to their CDBG-
funded program, as further specified in the subrecipient agreement and
applicable HUD regulations and guidance
3. SCOPE OF SERVICES AND DELIVERABLES
It is the City's intent to select a consultant based on respondents' proposal,
qualifications and abilities of the firm and key project individuals.
3.1 The City of Tacoma seeks a qualified Contractor to develop, launch, and
operate a Micro-Retail Marketplace Pilot within the City of Tacoma for an
anticipated 3-year pilot period.
3.2 The selected Contractor will be responsible for providing and maintaining
a suitable commercial location; holding and managing the master lease or
otherwise maintaining legal control of the property; preparing the location for
marketplace operations; staffing and managing the marketplace; recruiting,
evaluating, and selecting participating businesses; providing ongoing technical
assistance and business development support; conducting community
programming and marketplace activation; tracking participant and program
outcomes; and developing and testing a financial model intended to support
longer-term sustainability.
Request for Proposal Specification No. ED26-0222F
Template Revised: 08/01/2025

3.3 The Contractor will be expected to develop an intentional pathway
through which participating businesses can strengthen their financial and
operational capacity and, where appropriate, prepare to transition into
independent commercial space. The marketplace is intended to function as a
business incubation and commercial-readiness program, rather than solely as
subsidized retail space.
3.4 The City anticipates making up to $500,000 available for the project over
an anticipated 3 year term. Respondents must submit a comprehensive project
budget incorporating all costs necessary to deliver the proposed model,
including rent and occupancy expenses associated with the proposed
commercial location.
4. CONTRACT TERM
The contract will be for a three-year period. The City reserves the right to cancel the
contract for any reason, by written notice, as stipulated in the contract.
5. CALENDAR OF EVENTS
This is a tentative schedule only and may be altered at the sole discretion of the City.
The anticipated schedule of events concerning this RFP is as follows:
Publish and issue RFP: 10/13/2026
Pre-Proposal Meeting: 10/21/2026
Questions due to the City: 10/25/2026
Answers posted (on or about) 10/30/20206
Submittal Due: 11/10/2026
Award Recommendation: November/December
6. INQUIRIES
Questions should be submitted to Aaron Bratton via email to Abratton@tacoma.gov.
Subject line to read: ED26-0222F - Micro-Retail Pilot Program - VENDOR NAME
6.1 Questions are due by 3pm on the date included in the Calendar of
Events section.
6.2 Questions marked confidential will not be answered or included.
6.3 The City reserves the discretion to group similar questions to provide a
single answer or not to respond when the requested information is confidential.
6.4 The answers are not typically considered an addendum.
Request for Proposal Specification No. ED26-0222F
Template Revised: 08/01/2025

6.5 The City will not be responsible for unsuccessful submittal of questions.
6.6 Written answers to questions will be posted alongside the specifications
at www.tacomapurchasing.org
7. PRE-PROPOSAL MEETING
A pre-proposal meeting will be held at Wednesday, October 21, 2026 from 3:00pm to
4:00pm at the Tacoma Municipal Building, 747 Market St, Room 248, Tacoma, WA
8. DISCLAIMER
The City is not liable for any costs incurred by the Respondent for the preparation of
materials, or a submittal submitted in response to this RFP, for conducting any
presentations to the City, or any other activities related to responding to this RFP, or to
any subsequent requirements of the contract negotiation process.
9. EVALUATION CRITERIA
A Selection Advisory Committee (SAC) will review and evaluate submittals. The relative
weight of each scoring criteria is indicated in the table below.
Criteria Max Points
Qualifications, Relevant Experience & Organizational Capacity 20
Understanding of Project Objectives & Tacoma Commercial 10
Context
Proposed Location & Site Readiness 15
Program Design, Marketplace Operations & Community Activation 20
Business Recruitment, Market Readiness, Technical Assistance & 20
Commercial Transition
Financial Model, Sustainability & Budget 15
Credit Card Acceptance 0
Contract Exceptions 0
Total 100
After the evaluation, the SAC may conduct interviews of the most qualified
Respondents before final selection.
9.1 The SAC may select one or more respondent to provide the services
required.
9.2 The SAC may use references to clarify information in the submittals and
interviews, if conducted, which may affect the rating. The City reserves the right
to contact references other than those included in the submittal.
9.3 A significant deficiency in any one criteria is grounds for rejection of the
submittal as a whole.
Request for Proposal Specification No. ED26-0222F
Template Revised: 08/01/2025