Consultant Services for Countywide Retail Market Analysis, Recruitment Strategy, and Staff Training
| Location: | Virginia |
|---|---|
| Posted: | Sep 1, 2026 |
| Due: | Oct 1, 2026 |
| Agency: | Franklin County |
| Type of Government: | State & Local |
| Category: |
|
| Solicitation No: | 2026-9 #1 |
| Publication URL: | To access bid details, please log in. |
| Bid Number: |
2026-9 #1
|
| Bid Title: |
Consultant Services for Countywide Retail Market Analysis, Recruitment Strategy, and Staff Training
|
| Category: | Franklin County Bids & Requests for Proposal |
| Status: | Open |
|
Attachment Preview
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
For
Consultant Services for Countywide Retail Market Analysis,
Recruitment Strategy, and Staff Training
RFP #: 2026-9 #1
RFP Issue Date: 9/1/2026
Proposal Due Date: Thursday, October 1, 2026, by 4:00PM
(Local Prevailing Time)
I. Introduction
Franklin County, Virginia, seeks proposals from qualified firms or consultants to provide
countywide retail market data, analysis, recruitment tools, and staff training that will equip the
Franklin County Office of Economic Development (FCED) to execute an ongoing retail and
restaurant recruitment strategy. The work must address the full geographic area of Franklin
County, including established commercial centers, designated growth areas, and rural
communities, while recognizing the distinct opportunities and needs of individual submarkets.
The selected consultant will provide the research, real estate analysis, actionable strategy,
implementation tools, marketing materials, and practical training detailed below. The
engagement is intended to build FCED’s internal capacity; County staff will lead implementation
and direct recruitment activity using the consultant’s data, recommendations, and tools.
II. Scope of Work
The selected consultant will provide a countywide, data-driven retail market analysis,
recruitment strategy, implementation tools, and training program that enable FCED staff to
attract desired retailers and restaurants. All analysis and recommendations must consider the
County as a whole and identify meaningful differences among local trade areas and submarkets.
The consultant’s primary role is to transfer market intelligence, methodology, and practical skills
to County staff. FCED staff will be responsible for carrying out the strategy, maintaining
prospect relationships, and leading ongoing recruitment following the engagement; the
consultant will provide guidance and coaching but will not function as the County’s outsourced
retail recruiter.
1. Research
• Custom demographic research—historical, current, and projected demographics—to
include market trade areas by political boundaries, radius/drive times, and custom trade
area.
• Identification of the retail trade area using political boundaries, drive times and radii, and
custom boundary geographies.
• Mobile data collection from a major retail node using aggregated and anonymized cell-
phone mobility data to analyze visitation patterns, origin/destination, trade area, and
dwell time.
• Retail gap analysis for the trade area (i.e., leakage and surplus).
• Peer market identification and trade area comparison analysis.
• Peer market retailer void analysis.
• Tapestry Lifestyle Segmentation Analysis—psychographic profile of the trade area.
2. Real Estate Analysis
• Retail real estate analysis, performed by licensed retail real estate professionals,
identifying five or more geographically diverse sites from throughout Franklin County.
• Identify target zones and opportunities for short- and long-term retail development across
all areas of the County.
• Countywide property catalog in an editable, staff-usable format.
3. Retail Recruitment Strategy
• Identification of priority retail categories for recruitment and/or local expansion,
including opportunities appropriate to different areas and submarkets of the County.
• Retail prospect list identifying a minimum of 10 qualified prospects, with the market
rationale, location criteria, and Franklin County areas or sites most likely to fit each
prospect.
• Retail site selection criteria and a practical prospect-prioritization process that FCED staff
can apply and update over time.
4. Marketing Materials
• Development of a customized, editable marketing guide and reusable templates that
FCED staff can maintain and use in direct recruitment efforts.
• Creation of countywide and submarket aerial imagery with traffic counts, including
aggregated and anonymized cell-phone mobility data, and other relevant market
indicators.
5. Retail Training
• Access for FCED staff to retail education, current market resources, and practical
implementation tools.
• A hands-on retail education and training workshop focused on interpreting the data,
qualifying prospects, positioning sites and submarkets, conducting outreach, and
maintaining an actionable recruitment pipeline.
• An industry overview from commercial real estate professionals that translates current
retail trends and site-selection practices into actionable guidance for FCED staff.
• Quarterly one-on-one coaching meetings during the contract term to review staff-led
implementation, address questions, and refine the County’s approach.
III. Deliverables
The consultant will provide:
• A countywide retail research and market analysis addressing the research items listed
above, with findings for relevant local trade areas and submarkets.
• A retail real estate analysis identifying five or more geographically diverse sites,
countywide target zones, and an editable property catalog.
• An actionable retail recruitment strategy, qualified prospect list, site-selection and
prioritization criteria, editable marketing guide and templates, and countywide/submarket
aerial imagery with traffic counts, including aggregated and anonymized cell-phone
mobility data.
• Retail resources, a hands-on staff training workshop, an industry overview, and quarterly
one-on-one coaching meetings designed to transfer knowledge and support FCED-led
implementation.
• An implementation package for FCED staff, including editable source files, data tables,
maps, recommended outreach steps, prospect-tracking guidance, and a prioritized action
plan with near-, mid-, and long-term activities.
IV. Specific Proposal Content
Interested firms should submit a proposal that includes:
• Statement of Interest/General Qualifications: A statement of interest and general
description of the qualifications, capabilities, and organization of the offeror. Offerors
must have a demonstrated record of working with localities or other comparable entities,
completing studies of a similar nature.
• Resumes of Potential Team: Resumes of Offeror and team most likely assigned to the
this project and the role each would play in the project.
• Experience in providing the services and/or items requested by this RFP: Demonstration
of prior experience working on similar projects.
• Presentation: A detailed and comprehensive presentation of the firm’s approach,
methodology, and plan to complete the planning process.
• Ability to perform in a timely manner: A project timeline that identifies milestones and
key deliverables. The offeror should provide a statement that it will be able to complete
the requested project in a timely manner. Included should be a description of other
projects currently underway or planned that could potentially affect the ability to
complete the strategic plan within the specified time.
• Price: Prospective offerors shall submit the price such offeror proposes to charge for
services. Include a fixed price for all travel required to perform the proposed project as
well as any additional travel cost for any supplementary services requested by FCED
department. FCED is not bound to select the offeror who proposes the lowest fees or
most benefits for services. FCED reserves the right to negotiate fees and/or benefits with
the selected offeror.
V. Evaluation Criteria
Offerors will be evaluated for selection based on those most qualified to meet the requirements
of the RFP. FCED will use a scoring system when evaluating selection criteria. Major criteria to
be considered in the evaluation may include, but shall not necessarily be limited to, the following
criteria:
Criteria:
Experience & Qualifications
Presentation
Understanding of Scope & Approach
Timeline
Budget
Total Base Points Available
Maximum Points
20
20
30
10
20
100
VI. Submission Guidelines
• Digital copies emailed to: corey.white@franklincountyva.gov by Thursday, October
1, 2026 by 4:00PM
• Not required but hard copies along with a USB flash drive can be mailed or delivered to:
Corey White, Assistant Director of Finance, 1255 Franklin Street, Suite 111, Rocky
Mount, VA 24151; must be received by Thursday, October 1st, 2026, by 4:00PM.
• Late submissions will not be accepted.
VII. Questions & Clarifications
• All questions regarding this RFP should be submitted in writing to
Danielle.Poe@franklincountyva.gov by Thursday, September 24th, 2026.
This is the opportunity summary page. It provides an overview of this opportunity and a preview of the attached documentation.
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