Request for Proposals (RFP)

Housing Study and Needs Assessment

City of Big Rapids, MI

Neighborhood Services Department

General Information

Project Overview

The City of Big Rapids is issuing a Request for Proposals (RFP) for a Housing Study and Needs Assessment for the City of Big Rapids, MI.

The purpose of the assessment is to evaluate the existing housing stock and to identify strategies that will help ensure the City's housing market provides housing opportunities to as many community members as possible while contemplating and accounting for growth over the next several years. Some topic areas include assessment of existing housing conditions, demographic and market demands (present and future), and identification of critical housing gaps and issues.

General Community

Located in west central Michigan 50 miles from Grand Rapids, the City of Big Rapids has a population of 10,601 and is home to Ferris State University which had a Fall 2019 enrollment of 12,472 across all campuses. The University's goal as identified in its most recent strategic plan is to grow enrollment to 14,000 over the next five years. Big Rapids is in Mecosta County, whose population was 42,798 in 2010 and is estimated to have grown by 1.7% since the last census to approximately 43,545.

Big Rapids has an aging housing stock but has experienced some new construction of single and multi-family homes in the last five years. A major issue for the community is use and conversion of properties to rentals. The City has a very active Housing Commission that provides housing for families and seniors.

To make good policy choices the City needs to better understand the local housing market. Therefore, a Housing Study and Needs Assessment for the City of Big Rapids will be a good first step toward attaining a comprehensive understanding of the local housing market.

The goal of this RFP is to work with a firm that has expertise in housing issues with respect to:

1. Identifying existing and future housing stock within the community;
2. Assessing the existing housing conditions;
3. Identifying critical housing gaps and issues; and
4. Identifying current and future demographic and market demands.

Schedule

The City would like to have a completed assessment done and available for business and community use by the end of March 2020. The City reserves the right to revise the following tentative schedule:

Scope of Work

Content of Report Prepared by Consultant

The consultant shall draft a report that specifically addresses the City of Big Rapids' current and future housing needs. The report will include and address the following information:

1. Demographic Review
2. Housing Market Analysis
3. Housing Demand
4. Existing Housing Stock
5. Housing Gaps/Opportunities
6. Recommendations
   1. Strategies to deal with housing issues
   2. Long term and short-term housing needs
   3. Suggested plan to fill housing gaps
   4. Prioritization of projects for funding
7. Other areas determined by the consultant that will allow the City to fully understand the housing needs in the community.

Responsibilities of the City

The City of Big Rapids will provide the following services as part of the project:

1. The City of Big Rapids will provide access to present and historic housing records (i.e. building files and assessor records) and maps.
2. City plans, codes and policies will be made available upon request:
3. Staff will assist in project management and administration. Staff will attend all meetings with the Consultant and assist the Consultant as a liaison between the Public and the Consultant, upon Consultant's request.
4. Staff will coordinate and schedule all meetings involving the Consultant.

Submission

Proposal Content

The City of Big Rapids respectfully requests Proposals for the provision of the services identified above. The Proposal shall include the following:

1. A Cover Letter with the following information:
   Examples of prior experience in Housing Study Needs Assessments and the results of recommendations made. Names and telephone numbers of client references to whom the applicant has provided services like the project described in this RFP. Please include any other projects that the team is working on.
2. A clear description of how your firm would complete this project, including scope and methodology.
3. Specify a Work Plan required to complete the Housing Study Needs Assessment, including a total timeline for the entire project with each task clearly identified in the timeline. The work plan schedule should include completion times for each step and an overall timeframe for completion of project.
4. A brief summary, with resumes attached, of key staff on the project team who will be directly involved in the project, including designation of a single point of contact for coordination of the project.
5. Not to exceed cost for the services to be provided under this proposal.

Any additional terms or conditions, which are deemed necessary for entering into a contract with the City, should be attached or incorporated as part of the proposal.

Evaluation

Selection will be based upon the proposals submitted and will be ranked primarily based upon the following criteria:

1. Consultant's understanding and technical approach to the project.
2. Consultant's ability to meet the project schedule.
3. Pertinent experience and qualifications of the project team.
4. Cost.
5. Reference reviews.

Work Product

The final report will be delivered to the City of Big Rapids' Neighborhood Services Department both as a PDF file and in hard copy consisting of twelve (12) bound copies. The consultant will present the final report to the Planning Commission and City Commission.

Submission Deadline and Delivery

Proposals are due in the Neighborhood Services Department, 226 North Michigan Avenue, no later than 2:00 PM, Friday, November 15, 2019. Interested parties should submit five (5) hard copies of the proposal and a PDF version.

Paula Priebe
Director of Neighborhood Services
Re: Housing Study and Needs Assessment
City of Big Rapids
226 North Michigan Avenue
Big Rapids, MI 49307
ppriebe@cityofbr.org