This is a service / maintenance or supply contract in Waterville, Washington. Contact the soliciting agency for additional information.

Board of County Commissioners of Douglas County is seeking Statements of Qualifications (SOQ) from qualified long-range professional/ technical consultant firms necessary to complete elements of the Comprehensive Plan Periodic Update 2026. The project is expected to begin work immediately upon receiving funds from the Periodic Update Grant (PUG) through the Washington Department of Commerce, anticipated by July 1, 2024. The County is seeking consultant support from teams experienced in land use planning and zoning, writing ordinances, housing policy, visioning, climate, demographic analysis, environmental analysis/SEPA, community engagement, and all other aspects of comprehensive planning. The expected timeline for the Comprehensive Plan Update is to begin in Feb -March 2024, with a completion timeline of January 31, 2026. Douglas County is preparing for its 2026 Comprehensive Plan Periodic Update and is looking for an experienced long-range planning consultant team to assist the County through the update process. The consultant team will be required to: help the County clearly define and refine the project Scope of Work; create detailed project work plans for project phases; and identify gaps in the County's existing planning and policy documents using the Washington Department of Commerce (Commerce) guidance; plan and carryout the Public Participation Plan (PPP) based on the Board adopted PPP, conduct broad community outreach and engagement efforts; work with Board of County Commissioners to define a clear direction and vision for the 2026 Comprehensive Plan; coordinate with multiple county departments, partner agencies, and stakeholder groups; complete the 2026 Comprehensive Plan update and as well as an update to the Critical Areas Ordinance, by the state-mandated deadline. The County seeks to contract with a consulting firm that possesses extensive experience working with the Department of Commerce, knowledgeable on the latest GMA requirements, community planning and development, and economic development strategies. Selection Process and Award Proposals will be evaluated based on the demonstrated qualifications, experience with GMA requirements, periodic updates reviews and amendments for Comprehensive Plan and or other studies, and ability to follow guidelines according to the Periodic Update Grants (PUG) agreement with the Department of Commerce. Based on the number of qualified candidates received, interviews may be requested. The selected consultant will be offered a contract with the County to perform the work consistent with this RFQ and the Periodic Update Grants (Commerce) agreement with the Department of Commerce and Douglas County procurement policy. Budget The maximum budget for the Periodic Update Grants (Commerce) for this project shall not exceed $350,000, and it is possible to begin the work before Commerce releases the funds on July 1, 2024. Solicitation Process and Important Dates Douglas County is not liable for any costs incurred by the consultant (proposer) prior to the full execution of a contract. All costs incurred in response to the RFQ, including meeting with the proposal evaluators, or contract negotiation sessions, are solely the responsibility of the consultant (proposer). Douglas County reserves the right to reject any and all proposals if such a rejection is in the County's best interest. This RFQ is a solicitation for offers and is not to be construed as an offer, guarantee, or promise that the solicited services will be purchased by the County. The County may withdraw this request for proposals at any time and for any reason without liability for damages, including, but not limited to, bid preparation costs. Additionally, the County reserves the right to negotiate with the successful consultant (proposer) and may request additional information or modification from a consultant (proposer). Interested parties are requested to provide a response containing all required elements herein to the County by the deadline given. Submittals will be examined by a selection committee and ranked based on the rating system criteria in Section 5. Interviews will be scheduled for top-ranking consultant teams to supplement the submission; subconsultants should be present at the interview. Final consultant team selection and award are contingent on Board of County Commissioner approval. Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Information. This material can be made available in an alternate format by emailing Kazi Haque at khaque@co.douglas.wa.us or by calling 509-884-7173. Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Information: This material can be made available in an alternate format by emailing Kazi Haque at khaque@co.douglas.wa.us or by calling 509-884-7173. Equity and Diversity: To directly address supplier diversity, the County encourages Minority/Women-Owned and Disadvantaged Small Businesses (M/WBE) to apply. Prime contractors are strongly encouraged to have a documented M/WBE inclusion plan. The County intends to provide opportunities for increased participation by M/WBE-owned and controlled businesses, as long as such businesses are underrepresented, and to ensure that County contracting practices do not support discrimination when the County procures goods and services from the private sector. Title VI Statement Notice to Public: Douglas County, in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, (78 Stat. 252, 42 U.S.C. 2000d to 2000d-4) and the Regulations, hereby notifies all bidders that it will affirmatively ensure that in any contract entered into pursuant to this advertisement, disadvantaged business enterprises will be afforded full and fair opportunity to submit bids in response to this invitation and will not be discriminated against on the grounds of race, color, or national origin in consideration for an award. The method of Contractor Selection has not been Determined at this time.