Brookings and Brookings County, SD

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

To Perform a Housing Study & Needs Analysis

DEADLINE: June 30th, 2021

The Brookings Economic Development Corporation (BEDC) is soliciting proposals for a comprehensive housing study of Brookings and potentially surrounding communities including Brookings County, South Dakota. In doing so, BEDC reserves the right to negotiate further as to the terms agreed to as well as the potential rejection of all quotes and proposals as may be deemed appropriate.

I. General Community Information

The City of Brookings and Brookings County is a manufacturing hub located in Eastern South Dakota, less than 20 miles from the Minnesota boarder. The total population in Brookings County is 35,077 with approximately 24,700 living with the City of Brookings. Brookings is home to South Dakota State University (SDSU) which has an annual enrollment of over 11,000 students and is known for its College of Engineering and Agricultural studies. SDSU is one of the largest employers in Brookings and has a significant impact on the housing market. We have the third largest city with industry.

City of Brookings and major sectors of the County have growth constraints either environmental or manmade. Much like most college peer communities Brookings cost of housing is higher than most SD towns. The City's growth potential is limited to 15-20 years. The 2017 comprehensive plan (see link) details expected growth. Its anticipated that future growth will be augmented by neighboring communities.

The City is approximately 58 miles North of Sioux Falls; 48 miles South of Watertown and 210 miles Southeast of Minneapolis, MN. Brookings County consists of the following towns:

• Arlington
• Aurora
• Brookings
• Bruce
• Bushnell
• Elkton
• Sinai
• Volga
• White

Additional information about the community can be found here: https://www.cityofbrookings-sd.gov/, https://www.brookingscountysd.gov/ & https://www.brookingsedc.com

II. Project Overview

BEDC has partnered with key community stakeholders (City of Brookings, SDSU, Brookings Chamber of Commerce and Habitat for Humanity) to conduct a housing study and needs analysis. The results of this study will help elected officials, City staff, stakeholders, economic development, and community members develop a meaningful sense of the housing market, as well as an understanding of key housing issues and how they impact the Brookings area. The report is intended to offer community leaders and stakeholders a basis for formulating community-specific housing priorities, policy alternatives and intervention strategies, including land use and zoning decisions. The study should help guide decisions related to the allocation of public funds and other resources.

III. Scope of Work

The study should include an assessment of existing housing conditions, demographic, and market demands, and should identify critical housing gaps and issues. It should identify any current and anticipated unmet housing needs and provide an outlook towards anticipated housing demands over the next 10+ years. The study should identify area, City, county, and neighborhood focused housing priorities and provide policy alternatives and intervention strategies Brookings/County can use to guide decision making for future housing needs. The study should help with answering the following questions:

1. What are the demographic and economic characteristics of households living in our community?
2. Analysis of Housing Stock — The study will create an inventory of the community's housing stock, its value, age, tenure, vacancy, and spatial distribution. The study will examine current and reliable data and provide statistical analysis of the demographic/population attributes that impact the Brookings area's current and future housing resources. Particular attention should be given to affordable housing and its locations in our community. Please also include strategies for the rehabilitation of older housing stock. What strategies might be implemented to address identified deficiencies in the maintenance and repair of both owner-occupied and privately owned rental properties. Also, what impact is the addition of new multi-family housing structures likely to have on aged rental housing stock?
3. Housing Market Demand — The study will determine housing demand including new owner and rental housing units, the preservation or rehabilitation of existing housing units, and the replacement of dilapidated housing. Additionally, the study will provide guidance on mechanisms and policies that encourage redevelopment of declining dwellings/areas as well as infilling of vacant undeveloped parcels. It should also include:
   1. Information and estimates of housing demand in the Brookings area from now until 2031 (low- income, moderate-income, and high-income).
   2. Information and estimates on rental demand (by price point and number of bedrooms) in the Brookings area from now through 2031 (including single family, market rate plus, student housing, and income eligible rentals.)
4. Housing Profile — The study will identify housing trends, local affordable housing options, owners, and renter markets. It will also review and provide alternative zoning, building codes and policies to encourage new development and redevelopment.
5. Economic Profile and Projections — The study will review the existing economy, current projects and targeted businesses, project labor and economic indicators that affect housing. The recommendation should reflect South Dakota opportunities as well as neighboring state incentives for legislative considerations.
6. Develop a Five-Year Housing Plan — The study will suggest strategies for identified housing issues including goals and policies, opportunities, examine projects that have potential for financing, and provide detail of strategic policy recommendations for attainment of desired housing types, including number of housing units by type and price point.
7. Policy and Funding Opportunities — The study will identify available local, State and Federal funding opportunities for both private and public projects.
8. Vacancy Rates — The study will also identify true vacancy rates and projected/recommended rates for a sustainable future.
9. How has student rental market impacted Brookings in terms of pricing and neighborhood livability?
10. What strategies and programs should the Brookings community pursue or provide for the development or redevelopment of necessary housing within the community?
11. What best strategies might be implemented to address identified and perceived shortcomings of our community as it pertains to livability, marketability, and over-all quality of life?
12. How can community partners support Brookings as the community member of choice, and the preferred location for employees to live? How can those partners support the development of quality housing or rehabilitation of existing housing in Brookings County?

IV. Additional Background

Brookings has some unique challenges that many other communities might not be facing. Most of them involve our higher-than-average water table and flood plain (Please refer to Attachment A.) which makes development in certain parts of our community impossible or cost prohibitive.

V. Requested Information

1. Provide a brief description of your firm's background, areas of expertise and examples of successful housing studies for previous clients whose community makeup is like that of Brookings.
2. Identify key personnel within the firm, and their anticipated role of services to be provided to Brookings, should your firm be selected.
3. Provide at least two recent samples of housing analysis materials developed with/for previous clients.
4. Outline your firm's (non-proprietary) approach to housing analysis and forecasting.
5. Describe what distinguishes the ability of your firm from that of your competitors to assist BEDC in effectively and aggressively completing this housing study.
6. Describe how you might obtain the needed data and/or information from local landlords, property owners, contractors and other key stakeholders who may be reluctant to share information and how you have been successful in the past at accomplishing these tasks. Please be as specific as possible.
7. Describe the primary data sources to be used in the analysis.
8. Provide a cost of services and schedule of dates (i.e., timeline) that will include all fees and costs associated with the completion of this project. Please include costs that will include the following options:
   • Option 1 — Housing Analysis for the City of Brookings (See Section I.)
   • Option 2 - Housing analysis for the following cities:
     • Volga
     • Aurora
     • Arlington
   • Option 3 — Housing analysis for Brookings County

VI. Proposal Requirements

The proposals should be labeled "Housing Study and Needs Analysis" and mailed or delivered to:

Andrew C. Sloss, CEO
C/o BEDC
2301 Research Park Way
Suite 113
Brookings, SD 57006

The deadline for submission is June 30, 2021 ("deadline"). Three hard bound copies and one PDF copy of the proposal must be submitted. The PDF copy can be submitted to Andrew@brookingsedc.com. However, the entire proposal must be received by the deadline.

Proposals should include the following information:

• Detailed scope of work including a description of the technical approach to the project, an outline of the sequence of task, and major benchmarks.
• Description of what the final report will include.
• A summary of key staff experience and identification of the project manager as well as the direct supervisor to the project manager.
• Description of similar project experience.
• Identification of sub-contractors if applicable (including staff experience and similar project experience).
• Project timeline
• Detailed budget breakdown
• Proposed use of BEDC staff or resources

VII. Selection Process and Schedule

BEDC shall consider the following information when evaluating submissions to determine the proposal that is the best interests of Brookings and Brookings County. Selection will be based upon the proposals submitted and will be ranked primarily based on upon the following criteria:

• Consultant's understanding and technical approach to the project.
• Consultant's ability to meet the project schedule.
• Pertinent experience and qualifications of the project team.
• Relative value of the services to be provided (cost will not be the only factor).

The following schedule represents the anticipated timeline for the selection of a consultant and completion of the project, which may be altered as need arises:

• RFP formally announced and distributed — May 12, 2021
• Deadline for receipt of proposals — June 30, 2021
• BEDC reviews submissions and narrows list of potential awardees — July 9, 2021
• BEDC conducts interviews of finalist's week of — July 26, 2021
• Contract approval — August 10, 2021
• Preliminary findings — February 2022
• Final Report to BEDC — March, 2022

VIII. Additional Information

BEDC reserves the right to reject any or all proposals submitted and may require the submittal of new proposals with changes to the scope of work. BEDC is not liable for any costs incurred by candidates for the response to this RFP. Following the acceptance of a proposal, BEDC reserves the right to further negotiate the terms and conditions of the work requirements and the form of the contractual agreement with the firm chosen to provide the services as requested in this RFP.

If you have any questions regarding this RFP please direct them via email to BEDC@brookingsedc.com

Brookings Economic Development Corporation
2301 Research Park Way, Suite 113
Brookings, SD 57006
www.brookingsedc.com