RFP 2027 - 02 Economic Development Plan Update

1.0 PURPOSE
The City of Woodstock, Georgia, herein referred to as the City, is seeking proposals from
experienced firms to develop a comprehensive, action oriented Economic Development Plan
(EDP) that positions Woodstock for continued economic diversification and growth over the
next ten (10) years. The Economic Development Plan must be evidence-based, community-
informed, and implementation ready. The plan should align with the City's Comprehensive Plan
and should provide a long-term plan for increasing commercial investment, attracting new
jobs, and identifying new economic development opportunities for the community to
undertake.
2.0 BACKGROUND
The City of Woodstock, Georgia is a fast-growing community with a population of
approximately 40,000 residents located approximately 30 miles north of Atlanta. The City's
corporate limits cover over 12 square miles and the City's growth boundary agreement with
Cherokee County provides additional area for potential future annexation and development.
The city has experienced a dramatic increase in both residential and non-residential
development over the past 30 years, with strong demand for growth expected to continue,
albeit with less green field development and more infill and redevelopment opportunities.
In addition to the numerous residential neighborhoods, the city has a vibrant downtown and
strong job growth, with retail trade being the City's largest employment sector.
Woodstock also has a wide variety of consumer commercial retail and restaurant businesses,
ranging from large national firms to small locally owned businesses. With many key commercial
areas built out, forward-looking design and future-proofing of future development is critical,
particularly along the Hwy 92 corridor.
A number of parks and trails throughout the city provide opportunities for recreation and
enjoyment of the outdoors. From playgrounds, sports courts, and fitness stations to paved
multi-use trails and mountain biking trails, as well as a free outdoor concert series with
attendance topping 16,400 at the largest show, the city supports an active lifestyle and
superior quality of life.
3.0 SCOPE OF SERVICES
As part of the process the Consultant will:
a. Conduct a situational and comparative analysis, including but not limited to the
following:
i. Economic baseline: current demographic, labor market, and economic
conditions, including trends and key indicators.
ii. Commercial business, industry, and sector analysis
iii. Competitor analysis: benchmark Woodstock's competitiveness against
similar-sized Georgia or Southeastern United States municipalities.
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iv. Investment readiness assessment: review of land supply, infrastructure,
permitting, and incentives.
b. Perform a strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) analysis and
identify key economic development challenges and opportunities
c. Identify existing assets, gapes, and opportunities across business support, land
readiness, infrastructure, innovation, capacity, and talent development
d. Identify key sectors and create sector profiles with targeted strategies for
investment attraction, expansion and retention
e. Conduct a comprehensive tourism infrastructure review to identify gaps, challenges
and areas of opportunity
f. Define ideal target markets and audience segments and outline strategies to attract
and engage these audiences
g. Create a comprehensive list of what tourism products, services, experiences, and
events are currently offered both locally and regionally; identifying and prioritizing
areas of opportunity based on the interests and what is sought by the key target
markets
h. Explore how to best position tourism assets throughout the City's community while
leveraging existing facilities.
i. Develop and implement an engagement strategy that employs multiple methods,
including interviews, focus groups, surveys, public meetings, and online engagement
tools. The Consultant shall document and analyze all engagement activities and
demonstrate how stakeholder feedback informed the development of the plan
3.1 Objectives
a. Prepare a long-term economic development strategy for the City which aligns with
our Comprehensive Plan
b. Create a strategy to support and retain existing businesses and to attract new
businesses and industries to the City
c. Create a strategy to encourage greater commercial investment in the City
d. Engage stakeholders and community members in the development of the strategy
e. Create an implementation plan with specific priorities and approaches for new
initiatives
3.2 Economic Development Strategic Plan
a. Define a strategic vision, guiding principles, and economic development goals
b. Recommend short, medium, and long-term actions with timelines, performance
indicators, resource requirements, and responsible leaders
c. Include a detailed implementation framework, incorporate measurable Key
Performance Indicators (KPIs) and a recommended reporting structure for annual
monitoring
d. Identify funding tools, partnerships, and delivery models for implementation
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e. Identify 3-5 immediate priorities achievable within the first twelve (12) months
f. Present draft and final versions of the Plan to staff, stakeholders, and the Mayor and
City Council
The final plan should be actionable, aligned, accessible, and designed for communication to both
internal and public audiences, consistent with the City's branding and accessibility standards.
3.3 Project Timeline
It is expected that the project duration may be 12-18 months from the time a contract is
awarded to the Consultant to the presentation of a draft plan for adoption by City Council.
Proposals should include any recommended deviations from this approximate timeline.
Proposed timelines should include expected stakeholder/community engagement as well as
consideration of time for Board and Council informational presentations or work sessions,
whether throughout the project or upon completion of a full draft plan.
4.0 RESPONSE FORMAT AND COMMENTS
The responses to this Request for Proposals should be limited to a maximum of 10 pages, not
including examples. Proposals exceeding the limit may be removed from consideration. Example
documents may be provided via web links and not count against page limits.
Section 1: Introduction
Cover Letter
The cover letter shall provide a summary of the information presented in the proposal,
names and contact information of person(s) authorized to provide any clarification
required, and a statement accepting the terms of this solicitation or noting specific
exceptions taken to any of the terms and conditions specified in this document. This
cover letter shall also include the name of the person(s) authorized to conduct final
contract negotiations on behalf of the firm. Any addenda shall be acknowledged in the
cover letter.
Table of Contents
The consultant's proposal should include a Table of Contents referencing each
information section of this RFP. The Table of Contents should be further subdivided to
describe information included within each section of the proposal. *The Introduction
does not count towards page count.
Section 2: Economic Development Plan Expertise/Performance
Executive Summary
The firm will provide an Executive Summary highlighting the firm's unique qualifications
and capabilities for this project.
Statement of Responsibility
The respondent must be the Prime Consultant. The Prime Consultant will be responsible
for all work and subcontractors involved in the project. The Prime Consultant will submit
a list of all participants in the project prior to the actual contract negotiations. If some or
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all of the participants are not known at this stage, a selection strategy shall be identified
noting which participants have not been selected.
Qualifications
A description of the firm with emphasis on work related to performing Economic Plan
updates. Describe at least three (3) similar or related projects successfully completed
within the last ten (10) years. A summary including the following information should be
provided:
a) Overview of Plan(s) or Documents which fit this description;
b) Consultant's role with the Plan(s);
c) Reference name with current contact information for each document;
d) Current status of the document (draft or adopted, level of implementation);
e) Nature of public involvement utilized, if any; and
f) Any innovative techniques employed or special focus areas explored.
Also, please provide a link to at least one complete copy of a Plan cited above.
References
Provide information on at least three (3) economic development contracts similar to the
project proposed for the City that the respondent has successfully implemented within
the last ten (10) years. At least one (1) reference must include a project with public
input incorporated into the project. References shall include:
o Customer Name
o Name, Telephone Number, and Email of Contact
o Brief Description of the Project
o Project Beginning and Ending Dates
o Project Cost and Change Orders
o Public Input (if applicable)
Section 3: Staffing
Provide a description of the qualifications and experience of the key team members who will be
working on this project. Describe the experiences of the team members regarding similar
projects and include any special skills or experience that key personnel might contribute to the
successful completion of this economic plan update. Provide an organizational chart for key
personnel responsible for project completion. Attach resumes of key personnel who will have a
role in the project. Provide the dedication of time available for any team member, playing a
significant role in the project. If sub-consultants are utilized, a detailed explanation of the
responsibilities of each firm should be provided.
Section 4: Approach
This section shall Include any information demonstrating understanding and insights related to
the project's scope of work and the Consultant's approach for addressing the project. The
Consultant shall provide a work plan with a projected schedule and the key members of their
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team involved in each section of the project. The consultant shall demonstrate a plan for
innovative community engagement that will ensure the economic development plan fully
addresses the items in the Scope of Services.
Section 5: Budget
Detailed and itemized project budget with a guaranteed maximum fixed price for all services
provided. Total budget should, at a minimum, be broken down by work phase, work product,
and sub-consultant (if applicable). The Consultant's charge for reimbursable expenses should be
included. If the proposal includes optional items, costs for each item shall be provided. The total
budget for this project is $60,000 split over multiple fiscal years.
Section 6: Additional Information
Responses must also include the Contractor Information Page (Exhibit A), E-Verify (Exhibit B),
Consultant Compliance Certifications (Exhibit C), Conflict of Interest (Exhibit D), W9 and
Certificate of Insurance, all of which will not count against the ten (10) page limit.
5.0 SELECTION CRITERIA
The City will determine the lead consultant and supporting team believed to be most qualified
to provide full consulting services for this project as described in section 3.0. Responses to the
RFP will be ranked in order by the selection committee using an evaluation process based on the
criteria set forth below. The selection criteria are as follows:
Economic Development Plan Update
Economic Development Plan Expertise &
30 points
Performance
Staffing 30 points
Approach 20 points
Availability 10 points
Budget 10 points
Total points possible 100 points
The City may, during the course of the evaluation process, request additional information to
supplement and/or clarify the information provided.
5.1 Economic Development Plan Document Expertise/Performance (30 points)
Review of the Individual's past performance producing an Economic Development Plan. Teams
will be selected based on the provision of a full and complete submittal that demonstrates a
track record of successful completion of comparable projects and that illustrates a commitment
to a high-quality process and product. A summary including the following information should be
provided:
a.) Overview of Economic Development Plan(s) completed for jurisdiction(s);
b.) Individual's role with the Economic Development Plan(s);
c.) Reference name with current contact information for each document;
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d.) Current status of the document (draft or adopted);
e.) Nature of public involvement utilized; and
f.) Any innovative techniques employed.
Also, please include or provide a link to at least one complete copy of an Economic Development
Plan cited above.
5.2 Staffing (30 points)
Evaluation of the Individual specifically proposed for this assignment, including his/her
qualifications, overall experience and recent experience drafting and updating economic
development plans and similar complex visioning documents. Additionally, each member of the
proposed team, if any, in a supporting role, must possess relevant experience with his/her
supporting role and demonstrable experience thereof.
5.3 Approach (20 points)
Evaluation of the overall understanding of the scope of the Deliverable; completeness, adequacy
and responsiveness to the required information of the request for proposals. This should include
details of how you would conduct the update process. Inclusion of a realistic and detailed
project approach that clearly outlines path for achieving the project goals within the proposed
timeline is critical. Consideration will also be given for innovative or otherwise exceptional
concepts and approaches.
5.4 Availability (10 points)
Evaluation of the work load of the Individual(s) to be assigned to the proposed project and their
company to be able to complete the scope of services by the deadline in section 3.4.
5.5 Budget (10 points)
The proposed budget itemized by tasks and total cost stated by firm's fixed fee is within budget
for the project. Labor and direct costs are identified by tasks. Hourly rates for project staff are
provided.
5.6 Interviews
Upon completion of the review period, the City may notify the consultant(s) whose proposal will
be considered for further evaluation and consideration. All consultants so notified may be asked
to make presentations in an interview. Tentative interviews will be scheduled during the week
of October 12 and will last an estimated 30 minutes. Times will be further defined once short-
listed firms are notified.
The interview will provide an opportunity for firms to explain their economic development plan
experience, meet staff and further explain project approach. The interview shall be evaluated
and ranked based on the same criteria above.
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5.7 Selection of Consultant
The successful consultant will be selected in accordance with City procurement policies based
on qualifications and anticipated costs. Final scope and fee will be negotiated with selected firm
upon notice of selection. If the proposed firm and the City cannot negotiate an acceptable scope
and cost, the second firm will be contacted and will enter into negotiations. The City reserves
the right to reject any and all proposals at its discretion, and
to waive any irregularity.
6.0 RFP PROCEDURES
6.1 RFP Submission
Interested parties must submit proposals electronically through Bidnet Direct to the City of
Woodstock, Georgia by the due date for their proposals to be considered. Bidnet Direct can be
found directly at www.bidnetdirect.com//cityofwoodstock or by visiting the City of
Woodstock's website. Fax and e-mail responses are not acceptable.
Responses to this RFP will be accepted until 10:30 a.m. (EST) on September 29, 2026 through
Bid Net Direct.
The City of Woodstock, Georgia reserves the right to reject any and all responses resulting from
this RFP. Late responses will not be accepted. If company response is sent or routed to City
offices, the submission requirement has not been met and any such response will not be
evaluated and will be disqualified from consideration.
6.2 Schedule Overview
This Request for Proposals is scheduled as follows:
August 27, 2026 Release of RFP
September 3, 2026, 3:30 P.M. Pre-Proposal Meeting
September 10, 2026, 5:00 P.M. Question Deadline
September 17, 2026 (Estimated) Responses Posted
September 29, 2026, 10:30 A.M. Proposal Due Date
September 29, 2026, 10:31 A.M. Proposal Opening
Week of October 5th Evaluations
Week of October 12th (Tentative) Interviews
October 26, 2026 RFP Award / Begin Negotiations
Project Kick-Off November 2026
Full Final Draft of Plan February 2028
Final Draft of Plan to City Council for Adoption May 2028
6.3 Pre-Proposal Meeting
A non-mandatory pre-proposal meeting will be held via remote meeting. The meeting will be
conducted virtually via GoTo Meetings on September 3, 2026 at 3:30 pm.
RFP Number 2027 - 02 Page 9

Pre Proposal Meeting - RFP 2027 - 02 - Economic Development Plan Update
Sep 3, 2026, 3:30 - 4:00 PM (America/New_York)
Please join my meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone.
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Join from a video-conferencing room or system.
Meeting ID: 928-399-205
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6.4 RFP Costs
All costs incurred in the preparation and presentation of responses to the RFP shall be
completely absorbed by the RFP respondent. All documents submitted as part of the RFP will
become property of the City. Requests for specific material to be returned will be
considered. Any material submitted that is confidential must be clearly marked as such.
6.5 RFP Questions/Communications
All questions about this RFP and submission requirements must be submitted in writing
through Bid Net Direct. The City's representative listed in this section will serve as the primary
contact for this RFP.
Martyn Detz
Financial Analyst Purchasing
12453 Highway 92
Woodstock, Georgia 30188
770-592-6000 ext. 1205
www.bidnetdirect.com//cityofwoodstock
Any unauthorized contact shall not be responded to and may result in the disqualification of
the responder's submittal. Answers to questions submitted via Bidnet Direct will be
communicated to respondents via Bid Net Direct
Communications by companies, its agents, employees, and/or representatives regarding its
proposals or intention to submit a proposal in response to this RFP with any employee, agent,
or representative of the City of Woodstock, other than the representative listed in Section 1.5,
may be considered inappropriate communications.
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