PORT OF BELLINGHAM
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
Economic analysis, planning, and management services in support of the Whatcom
County Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) and
Economic Data Research and Review for Port programs
The Port of Bellingham (Port) is soliciting proposals from qualified consultants to provide
economic analysis, planning, and management services in support of the Whatcom
County Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS).
The selected consultant will manage implementation, evaluation, community
engagement, data coordination, and planning for the transition from the current 2022–
2026 CEDS to the 2027–2031 CEDS. The consultant will also provide economic analysis
support and collaborate with Western Washington University’s Center for Economic and
Business Research (CEBR) on various Port initiatives.
This contract will cover the period January 1, 2026 – December 31, 2026, with the
possibility of extension depending on funding availability and performance.
The scope of work criteria should therefore include but is not limited to:
1. Manage the CEDS 2022-2026 Implementation and Evaluation. This may include
but is not limited to:
a. Attending and running monthly Team Whatcom meetings
b. Engaging Team Whatcom and the CEDS Review Committee regarding
CEDS deliverables, preparing presentations on CEDS deliverables and
progress.
c. Creating a CEDS annual report that details progress and changes.
d. Working with jurisdictions within Whatcom County to evaluate progress on
CEDS Goals and update the CEDS Project List for 2026.
2. Manage the CEDS 2027-2031 Update. This task may include but is not limited to:
a. Preparing for, hosting, and running regular CEDS Review Committee
meeting for the 2027-2031 update.
b. Coordinating with County, Cities, and Tribes to align the CEDS update
with other existing and relevant strategies, plans, and reports.
c. Executing the community engagement plan developed in 2025.
d. Regularly updating the project schedule, community engagement plan,
and ultimately the 2027-2031 updated document.
3. Manage the CEDS 2027-2031 Community Engagement
a. The consultant will conduct stakeholder engagement with the public,
private, and nonprofit sectors that includes but is not limited to 1)
introducing business and industry leaders to the CEDS, 2) engaging them
in a SWOT analysis of the region and/or their industry of interest, 3)
collecting feedback and inputs from industry and nonprofit leaders as well
as all Whatcom County jurisdictions to incorporate into the final document
as appropriate, 4) providing regular updates regarding the status of the
CEDS 2027-2031 to key stakeholders such as Whatcom County Council,
the POB Directors and Commission, the City of Bellingham, Small Cities,
Team Whatcom, and Whatcom County Business and Commerce Advisory
Committee throughout the process, 5) conducting 1:1 interviews with
private sector and elected leaders to inform priorities and opportunities,
and 6) preparing for and leading two Community Forums, one for the
private sector and one for workforce development stakeholders.
4. Manage the Development of a Deliverables and Metrics Dashboard. The
consultant will work with the POB Economic Development Team, the CEDS
Review Committee, and Western Washington University’s Center for Economic
and Business Research (CEBR) to create a dashboard plan by the end of 2026.
This work may include but is not limited to:
a. Reviewing data dashboard software options.
b. Participating in discussions about where the dashboard will be hosted and
posted.
c. Leading discussions regarding measurable outcomes and appropriate
metrics to track over time as they relate to deliverables. The plan will be
incorporated into the Evaluation Framework of the 2027-2031 CEDS
Update.
This task does not include creating the dashboard, hosting or maintaining the
dashboard, or collecting the data.
5. Research and Data Review for Port Programs
a. The consultant will provide research and data review for the POB at the
direction of the POB EDD Director. This task includes reviewing and
commenting on research and data related projects for the POB, managing
work that CEBR is completing for the Port such as economic impact
studies and data collection tasks, and any other studies that the Port is
currently conducting.
This task does not include project management or data analytics services.
All proposals shall address and be evaluated against the following items in the
order listed:
1. Proposal Summary (20 points)
This section shall discuss the highlights, key features and distinguishing points
of the proposal.
2. Qualifications (40 points)
This section shall include a description of the firm’s experience in managing the
CEDS process, including experience working with the Port or other public
agencies. This section shall also include consultants’ understanding and
knowledge base of Whatcom County’s Economy. This section shall also include
references with contact information.
3. Work Plan (25 points)
This section shall present a proposed service plan and timeline with deliverables,
including significant tasks and subtasks.
4. Proposal Costs (15 points)
This section shall present the fee information for providing the services
required. Include all potential costs or other price information contained in a
possible agreement with the Port.
The deadline for submitting proposals to this RFP is 4:00pm (PT) on December 15,
2025. Electronic submittals are preferred and will be accepted in a single PDF file
format only. If providing hard copies, please submit four (4) copies of the Proposal to:
TylerS@portofbellingham.com
or
Port of Bellingham
Attn: Tyler Schroeder
P.O. Box 1677
Bellingham, Washington 98227-1677
The Port reserves the right to reject any and all proposals submitted. If deemed
necessary, the Port may schedule interviews within a week of the deadline for submittal.
The successful firm will be contacted by the Port and shall sign the Port’s Standard
Agreement for Personal Services; see attached. It is encouraged for consultants
responding to the RFP include solicitation and recruitment of certified MBE, WBE or
DBE firms, to the maximum extent possible.
Direct all inquiries on this Request for Proposals(RFP) to Tyler Schroeder, Director of
Economic Development, at 360.676.2500, or TylerS@portofbellingham.com.
PORT OF BELLINGHAM
AGREEMENT FOR PERSONAL SERVICES
This AGREEMENT FOR PERSONAL SERVICES (“Agreement”) is made and entered into as of
the later of the two signature dates below, by and between:
PORT OF BELLINGHAM
1801 Roeder Ave.
P.O. Box 1677
Bellingham, WA 98227
P: (360) 676-2500
E:
And
(“Port”)
[CONSULTANT]
P:
E:
(“Consultant”)
T I. SCOPE OF WORK. The Consultant’s Scope of Work is incorporated herein and attached as Exhibit
A (the “Work”). In the event of a conflict between any provision of the Port’s General Provisions and
the attached Exhibit A, the Port’s General Provisions shall prevail.
F II. COMPENSATION. The Consultant shall be compensated on the basis set forth in Exhibit A. The
Consultant shall not adjust any compensation rates without written authorization from the Port.
A This Agreement is limited to a total expenditure of $0.00.
III. TERM. The term of this Agreement shall commence with the execution of this document and will
terminate when all tasks associated with the scope of Work herein, and as modified by written
R Amendment, have been completed by the Consultant on or before
.
This Agreement may be extended for multiple terms or reinstated at the sole discretion of the Port; if
D so extended, all of the terms and conditions herein shall apply to such extension.
IV. GENERAL PROVISIONS. The Work covered by this Agreement shall be performed in accordance
with the General Provisions (which are attached hereto and form a part of this Agreement) and any
attachments or schedules.
V. ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement supersedes all prior agreements and understandings and
may only be changed by written amendment executed by both parties.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the later of the dates
indicated below. By signing below, each signatory represents that they have authority on behalf of their
respective party to enter into this agreement, which shall be binding upon the parties according to its terms.
***Signatures on Subsequent Page***
Personal Services Agreement
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CONSULTANT
Signature:
Name:
Title:
Date:
PORT OF BELLINGHAM
Signature:
Name:
Title:
Date:
DRAFT
Personal Services Agreement
Page 2 of 9
This is the opportunity summary page. It provides an overview of this opportunity and a preview of the attached documentation.
