Byhalia RFP DRA Planning Grant

Location:	Mississippi
Posted:	Dec 17, 2025
Due:	Feb 3, 2026
Agency:	State Government of Mississippi
Type of Government:	State & Local
Category:	C - Architect and Engineering Services - Construction
Solicitation No:	1507-20251215133851 Byhalia
Publication URL:	To access bid details, please log in.

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Request for Proposals (RFP)

Feasibility Study for Community, Economic, and Workforce

Development

Town of Byhalia, Mississippi

Funded by a Delta Regional Authority (DRA) Federal Planning Grant

Release Date: December 2, 2025

Proposals Due: February 3, 2026

Contact: Jennifer Moody, Town Clerk

Email: jmoody@townofbyhalia.com | Phone: 662-838-3709

1. Introduction

The Town of Byhalia, in partnership with the Delta Regional Authority (DRA), invites qualified

consultants to submit proposals to conduct a Feasibility Study for the redevelopment of the

Old School Commons, a municipally-owned facility located in Byhalia, Mississippi. The

20,366-square-foot Old School Commons is a historic community asset that is currently

underutilized. The Town envisions the site as a multi-use community hub that fosters

workforce readiness, small business development, and arts and cultural enrichment. A

completed design study for the building preserves its historical character, with a two-phase

renovation strategy

• Phase I (underway) includes a new and expanded library location, a public

auditorium, and multi-use classroom spaces for arts programs, and senior and

youth activities. This phase will also house a City of Byhalia Museum and an office

for the Main Street program.

• Phase II is slated for business development, workforce development, and

nonprofits that provide wrap-around services in support of economic and workforce

development. For instance, there are resources such as the old cafeteria kitchen,

which can be renovated into a commercial kitchen for incubating small food and

beverage companies, as well as providing food services to the community.

2. Goals and Objectives

This project addresses two major goals for the Old School Commons facility:

1) Identifying high-demand business and workforce development uses for phase II

renovations, including updated cost estimates for completing renovations.

• Promote entrepreneurship and small business development by providing

training, technical assistance, and incubation space. Engaging the Industrial

Development Authority, Byhalia Area Chamber of Commerce, Main Street, and

area businesses to identify the types of business space and technical

assistance that could be supported in this facility.

• Provide workforce training and job support services. Gathering input from

employers, educational institutions, workforce and community organizations to

understand the gaps in local training, job preparedness programs, and support

services, and identify potential uses of the facility to fill those gaps.

Create an operating framework to effectively run and manage space and programs

• Identify strategic partnerships with regional and state organizations and

agencies that can leverage outside resources and bring expertise and services

to Byhalia.

• Outline a governance framework for the Town and program providers,

identifying the roles, responsibilities, and structures for managing these

partnerships.

By having the space to provide education and training programs and creating shared

resources such as a commercial kitchen and a business incubator, Byhalia can bring

resources into the community that are not currently offered.

3. Scope of Work

The selected consultant will be asked to provide a Feasibility Study that includes the

following deliverables:

A. Needs Assessment: Using an array of data and interviews to identify high-priority

needs for business development, workforce training, and community uses for

Phase II of the facility.

B. Use Scenarios: Creating 2-3 scenarios for how the facility could accommodate

high-priority programming identified in the Needs Assessment. This would include

recommendations on the best uses for classrooms and meeting spaces, business

incubation space, event space, etc. Recommended uses should also note the

types of capital improvement needs for ADA compliance and modernization. To

support these recommendations, the study should include examples of multi-use

facilities in other regions of similar size.

C. Operational and Governance Structures: Identifying potential organizations to

deliver programs and services, and outlining a governance structure for how the

Town and partnering organizations would manage the use of space.

D. Updated Cost Estimates and Potential Funding Sources: Providing an updated

cost estimate based on the use scenarios, building on the cost estimate developed

in 2023, and identifying potential state and federal funding sources that could assist

with renovations.

The Town will establish an advisory committee of key partners to review each deliverable

and provide connections to various stakeholders. The consulting team will present its

findings and recommendations at a public meeting.

The Town will offer potential consultants a Pre-Bid conference either in person or via Zoom

prior to deadline.

4. Project Timeline

RFP Release: December 2, 2025

Deadline for Questions: January 23, 2026

Proposal Due: February 3, 2026

Consultant Selection: February 17, 2026

Project Start: March 10, 2026

Draft Report: September 30, 2026

Final Report: October 30, 2026

5. Proposal Requirements

Proposals must include the following:

1. Cover Letter

2. Firm qualifications, including relevant project experience and qualifications of team

members who will be involved in the project.

3. Project approach, including a detailed work plan and schedule.

4. References from three similar projects.

5. Budget: Itemized by key activities/deliverables listed in the work plan with not-to-exceed

total.

Proposals should be no longer than 15 pages total.

6. Evaluation Criteria

Proposals will be evaluated based on understanding of project goals, approach,

qualifications and relevant experience, and budget.

7. Submission Instructions

Submit proposals electronically in PDF format to:

Jennifer Moody, Town Clerk

Town of Byhalia

Email: jmoody@townofbyhalia.com

Subject: “RFP – Feasibility Study for Old School Commons – DRA Planning Grant”

Proposals must be received by February 3, 2026. Late submissions will not be considered.

8. Funding and Compliance

This project is funded through a Federal Planning Grant from the Delta Regional Authority

(DRA). The selected consultant must comply with 2 CFR Part 200 (Uniform Guidance),

maintain active registration in SAM.gov, possess a valid Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and

secure business liability insurance of at least $1,000,000.00.

9. Contact Information

All inquiries must be submitted in writing to:

Jennifer Moody, Town Clerk

Town of Byhalia

Email: jmoody@townofbyhalia.com | Phone: 662-838-3709

This is the opportunity summary page. It provides an overview of this opportunity and a preview of the attached documentation.

Smart Number	1507-20251215133851 Byhalia	Advertised Date	12/17/2025 12:00 PM
RFx #	3170034645	Submission Date	02/03/2026 12:00 AM
RFx Status	Open	Major Procurement Category	CONSTRUCTION
RFx Opening Date	N/A	Sub Procurement Category	CONSTRUCTION - SERVICES
RFx Type	MDA - RFx
Agency	MPTAP
RFx Description	The Town of Byhalia, in partnership with the Delta Regional Authority (DRA), invites qualified consultants to submit proposals to conduct a Feasibility Study for the redevelopment of the Old School Commons, a municipally-owned facility located in Byhalia,

PRODUCT CATEGORY	PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
90652	Serv ArchitectInter

Byhalia RFP DRA Planning Grant - V2

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