Request for Proposals: City Assessing Services

CITY OF WINOOSKI, VERMONT
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
CITY ASSESSING SERVICES
I. Purpose
The City of Winooski is seeking proposals from qualified individuals or certified professional
contracting services to provide Municipal Assessing services to the City for a five-year
period.
II. Background
The community: The City of Winooski has a population of 7,997 (source: 2020 U.S. Census),
and is located in Chittenden County, Vermont. Winooski has a vibrant downtown, an
industrial park, and a range of residential building types. It is home to perhaps the most
linguistically diverse residents in Vermont, with around 30 languages spoken at home.
Parcel information: Winooski had 1,805 parcels in 2025. The following is a breakdown of the
parcel count:
Residential I 1,339
Mobile Homes - L 9
Commercial 71
Commercial Apts 65
Industrial 15
Utilities-E 4
Utilities-O 1
Other 275
Miscellaneous 26
We also have 221 personal property accounts.
Software: The City's assessing information is currently contained on "Microsolve" CAMA
software.
III. Scope

The City of Winooski is seeking a firm to perform the full range of services related to the
assessing which may include, but are not limited to:
A. Oversee the day-to-day, and annual, functions of City Assessing as required by the
City Charter, municipal rules, regulations or bylaws in compliance with State of
Vermont Statutes and Court Rulings in order to complete all tasks required to lodge
the 2026 and subsequent Grand Lists in a timely manner, including but not limited to:
1. Review all permits to assure the Grand List property descriptions remain
current and accurate;
2. Appraisal of changes with values from the existing, 2026 base set as of April
1st;
3. Complete calculations of proportional homestead declaration values;
4. Track and complete the business personal property accounts;
5. Lodge the Grand List with the City Clerk and State of Vermont;
6. Conduct and attend grievance hearings and appeals beyond that level;
7. Complete the annual sales study of 140 +/- real estate transactions;
8. Correct and respond to and, as appropriate participate in other duties such as
attendance at the City Council (Manifest Errors & Omissions), Board of Civil
Authority appeals, Board of Abatement Requests, etc.
9. Any appraisals completed by the APPRAISER covered by this Contract will be
appraised by the methods and standards of value, as required under Vermont
law. APPRAISERS will use the Vermont State Appraisal Manual modified as
required and will assume responsibility for producing all data required for
those properties appraised as part of the assessing of the CITY.
10. The Cost Approach to Value - adjusted to the market conditions in the CITY -
shall be the primary method used by the APPRAISER to develop individual
property values established in the existing Grand List base unless otherwise
specified by state law or best appraisal practices. Where possible and
appropriate, an Income Approach to value will be used by the APPRAISER.
The sales comparison approach will be used in appeals or, as deemed
appropriate. The APPRAISER will be responsible for reconciling the various
approaches and working to come up with the most reasonable and
appropriate final estimate of value for each property in the CITY.
11. Physically inspect specified real properties with inside inspection of all taxable
buildings (unless prevented from doing so by circumstances beyond the
APPRAISER'S control). Set new property values within the CAMA 2000
appraisal system with the Marshall & Swift cost tables -adjusted to market
conditions in the CITY from the existing base.
12. Complete the contact with the owner, making appointments, inspections and
all data entry for those properties appraised; CAMA & Apex CAD Diagram of
each principal structure.
13. Review every appraisal and pass judgment thereon. Conduct periodic
informational meetings with the CITY Officers and/or staff, as requested.
14. Make determinations of tax exempt eligibility of properties.
15. Abide by the professional practices and ethics as prescribed by the
International Association of Assessing Officers, of which organization
APPRAISER is a member.
B. Accessibility:

1. Always remain professional and courteous to the public, property owners and
Winooski City Officers and staff;
2. Be physically present in Winooski on a predictable and regular basis up to
twenty two (22) full or forty-two (42) part-time days per year, subject to
negotiation;
3. Remain accessible on "off days" to Winooski City Officers and staff; and
4. Provide training to Winooski staff in the annual appraisal work requirements
and software applications both as specified in the proposal and on an ongoing
basis.
IV. City responsibilities
A. Provide such assistance to the APPRAISER(s) as APPRAISER may require to locate
properties, identify property records, isolate factors affecting value, and postal mail
notifications of property owners.
B. Provide, at its expense, office space, materials and supplies to assure the public
records are typically accessible to the public, staff and APPRAISER, and to reasonably
ensure that the APPRAISER is able to perform the City Assessor's Work.
C. Provide and maintain, at its expense, any computer system hardware, software
licenses, supplies, and computer processing mutually determined by the CITY and
APPRAISER to be necessary to document and calculate the appraisal of property.
D. Incur the cost of (i) postage, notices, and clerical work involved in notifying taxpayers
of all the changes of appraisal; and (ii) producing the Grand Lists and accompanying
certificates, schedules, reports and tax bills.
E. Entry of sales data into Grand List software.
F. The administrative responsibility and costs to satisfy any Vermont programs
unrelated to market value (ie Personal Property valuation process or Homestead
declaration process).
V. Schedule
Proposals due by 1:00 PM May 6, 2026
Target award date by City Council: June 15, 2026
Contract start date: July 1, 2026
VI. Proposal Instructions
Content
A. Qualifications, including experience, of the bidder (individual, or firm and personnel
assigned to the City of Winooski)
B. Plan to meet the obligations of the assessor outlined in this document.
C. Signed Ethics attestation
D. Monthly price and minimum labor hours per month
E. Between three and five references of similar-sized municipalities
F. Any proposed deviations from the Scope of Work described in this Request for
Qualifications.
Submittals
Proposals are due by 1:00 PM, May 6, 2026. All documents must be submitted in hard copy,
in a sealed envelope with, "Proposal: Assessing Services" written on the outside. Proposals

may be hand-delivered, or mailed to, or put in the drop box at 27 West Allen Street,
Winooski, Vermont 05404, Attention: Finance Department.
As the City determines appropriate, it will issue addenda to supplement this RFP. Addenda
will be posted on our website at https://www.winooskivt.gov/bids.
All deliverables submitted for review will become the property of the City of Winooski.
VII. Questions
Questions are to be addressed to Elaine Wang, City Manager, at ewang@winooskivt.gov.
Answers will be provided in the form of addenda posted to the same websites this RFP was
posted (https://www.winooskivt.gov/ and https://www.vermontbusinessregistry.com/), and
emailed to any direct solicitations and those who have posed questions.
VIII. Selection Process and Evaluation Criteria
The City intends to "short-list" firms responding to this RFP and may interview one or more
firms to better assess their qualifications. The City will negotiate a scope of services and a
fee proposal with the selected firm. The City will evaluate and select the firm based on the
following criteria, in order of importance:
* Qualifications
* Ability to provide sufficient service
* Cost
* Experience with similar communities and references, and
* Opportunities and constraints if any.
The selected firm must be also able to meet all municipal, state and federal equal
employment opportunity practices and guidelines.
IX. RFP Administration
This RFP solicitation is issued by the City of Winooski. As the City's best interests may
require, the City reserves the right to terminate, modify or suspend the process, reject any
or all submittals, modify the terms and conditions of this selection process and/or waive
informalities in any submission, all as the best interests of the City may appear. The
administrator for this selection process is responsible for coordination of the procedures and
rules specified in this RFP, managing this process and all other matters related to this
process. The RFP administrator will serve as the primary intermediary between the
proposers and the City.
The City reserves the right to issue contracts to multiple vendors. The City will not accept
any unsolicited information, in any form whatsoever, from bidders after the proposal due
date.
A. General Conditions
Submission of a Proposal indicates the Respondent agrees to the terms, conditions,
and other provisions contained in this document and any other proposal
documents, unless the Respondent clearly and specifically presents in its Proposal
any exceptions to the terms, conditions, and other provisions contained in the
proposal documents. Exceptions presented in a Proposal shall not be incorporated

into a contract between the City and the selected Respondent unless and until the
City agrees to accept such exceptions. No oral statements or any person shall
modify or otherwise change or affect terms, conditions, or specifications stated in
the Proposal documents or the resulting contract.
B. No Late Bids
Bids received after the deadline will be considered late and thus will not be
considered.
C. No Contract
By submitting a Proposal and participating in the process as outlined in these
proposal documents, Respondents expressly agree that no contract of any kind is
formed, or arises from, these proposal documents, prior to the signing of a formal
written contract.
D. Respondents Expenses
Respondents are solely responsible for their own expenses in preparing and
submitting proposals, and for any meetings, negotiations or discussions with the
City or its representatives and consultants, relating to or arising from these
Proposal documents. The City and its representatives, agents, consultants and
advisors will not be liable to any Respondent for any claims, whether for cost,
expenses, losses or damages, or loss of anticipated profits, or for any other matter
whatsoever, incurred by the Respondent in preparing and submitting a Proposal, or
participating in negotiations for a Contract, or other activity related to or arising
out of these Proposal documents. All supporting documentation and manuals
submitted with a Proposal will become the property of the City of Winooski unless
otherwise requested by the Respondent at the time of submission.
E. Conflict of Interest
Respondents shall disclose any potential conflicts of interest and existing business
relationships they may have with the City. If requested by the City, Respondents
should provide all pertinent information regarding ownership of their company
within two (2) days of the City's request.
F. Solicitation of Council Members
Respondents and their agents shall not contact any member of the City Council or
City staff with respect to these Proposal documents at any time prior to the award
of a contract or the termination of these Proposal documents. The City may reject
the Proposal of any Respondent that makes such contact.
G. Independent Contractor
It is expressly agreed and understood that the vendor selected is, in all respects, an
independent contractor as to work, and that the vendor is in no respect an agent,
servant, or employee of the City; however, in certain aspects the vendor is bound
to follow the directions of the City's appointed designee. To that end, the
Respondent shall determine the method, details, and means of performing the
work. However, all work shall conform to all applicable federal, state, county, and
local requirements. The contractor is assumed to be familiar with all federal, state,
and local laws, ordinances, rules and regulations that in any manner affect the
work. Ignorance on the part of the Contractor will in no way relieve it from
responsibility. The parties agree that the Respondent nor its Principal are an
employee of the City or any of its departments, agencies, or related entities. The
parties also agree that neither the Respondent nor its Principal are entitled to any

employee benefits from the City including but not limited to worker's
compensation benefits, health insurance, dental insurance, life insurance, or any
other benefit plan offered by the City. The Respondent agrees to execute any
certifications or other documents and provide any certificates of insurance
required by the City and understands this contract is conditioned on its doing so, if
requested. The Respondent understands and agrees that it is responsible for the
payment of all taxes on the above sums and that the City will not withhold or pay
for Social Security, Medicare, or other taxes or benefits or be responsible for any
unemployment benefits.
H. Indemnification
The Contractor will act in an independent capacity and not as officers or
employees of the City. The Contractor shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless
the City and its officers, agents and employees from liability and any claims, suits,
expenses, losses, judgments, and damages arising as a result of the Contractor's
negligent acts and/or omissions in the performance of this contract, and including
acts or omissions of the City or its officers, agents or employees in connection with
said contract.

Ethics Attestation
By signing this form and submitting it with our bid, if selected, we agree not to engage in
any unethical appraisal practices including, but not limited to:
* Perform all appraisal/assessment duties in a manner consistent with statutory
requirements without advocacy for, or accommodation of, any particular interests.
Be factual, objective, unbiased, and honest in all conclusions;
* Treat as confidential all information obtained in any official capacity by the
member concerning persons or their property, permitting and making only those
uses of such information that are authorized by law, such as the exchange of
factual information concerning persons or their property, for the sole purpose of
assisting in the assessment of property legally subject to taxation;
* Expressing an interest in any real estate in the City of Winooski unless that
individual discloses their potential interest in advance and excuses themselves
from any part of the valuation;
* Having improper communication(s) with a property owner that could jeopardize
the integrity of the appraisal process; or
* Behaving in any manner that may bring any negative attention or discredit the City
of Winooski or Vermont Appraisal Company.
* If a matter arises in which a member of my company or their family have a
financial interest in the City of Winooski, they must advise the City Manager and
refrain from any participation in the matter.
* Contracting or subcontracting all or any part of the annual assessment work to any
other individual or firm without express, written approval of the City Manager in
advance of this action. It is understood the City reserves the right to terminate the
service as outlined in the final, binding agreement.
Signature
Name
Title
Company
Signed Date