Housing Study – Request for Proposals

RFP CD-21-02

The City of St. Marys, Georgia is requesting proposals from qualified firms wishing to provide professional services for the development of a housing study for Camden County.

Responses to this Request for Proposals (RFP) must be addressed and delivered to the City of St. Marys Community Development Department; 418 Osborne Street, St. Marys, GA 31558 no later than Thursday, August 5, 2021, at 2:00 p.m. (EDT) The proposals will be opened publicly at this time and vendor's names will be read aloud. Proposers must submit five (5) copies in a sealed package clearly labeled with the submitting company's name and address, as well as the words "Request for Proposals – Housing Study" on the outside of the envelope. Any proposal not received by the deadline, or not marked appropriately, will not be opened for consideration. Neither faxed nor email submissions will be accepted. No proposal may be withdrawn for a period of ninety (90) days after the above opening date.

Copies of the complete Request for Proposals document may be obtained from Community Development Director Kenneth Hughes, at 418 Osborne Street, St. Marys, Georgia, 31558 or by email at khughes@stmarysga.gov. A street address, contact person, phone and fax number must be provided to ensure prompt delivery and notification of addenda.

Questions regarding this RFP may be directed in writing to the City of St. Marys Community Development Director Kenneth Hughes, at 418 Osborne Street, St. Marys, Georgia, 31558 or by email at khughes@stmarysga.gov.

All required Contract Documents and proof of meeting the City's Insurance Requirements must be fully completed and executed by the Contractor and his/her Surety and submitted to the Owner on or before the issuance of Notice to Proceed.

The City of St. Marys will select the proposal that, in its sole discretion is the most responsive and responsible to the City. The city will consider cost as a factor in contractor selection. The City is not liable for any cost incurred by vendors in the preparation of this proposal.

Unauthorized contact regarding this request for proposals with staff or elected officials may result in disqualification. Any oral communications will be considered unofficial and non-binding on the City of St. Marys. Vendors should rely only on written statements.

The City of St. Marys, in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 42 U.S.C. 2000d to 2000d-4 and Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, Department of Transportation, Subtitle A, Office of the Secretary, Part 21, Nondiscrimination in Federally-assisted programs of the Department of Transportation issued pursuant to such Act, hereby notifies all bidders that it will affirmatively ensure that in any contract entered into pursuant to this advertisement, disadvantaged business enterprises as defined at 49 CFR Part 23 will be afforded full opportunity to submit bids in response to this invitation and will not be discriminated against on the grounds of race, color, national origin, sex, age, handicap/disabled in consideration for an award.

The Owner reserves the right to reject any or all proposals, to waive informalities and to re-advertise, pursuant to federal and state law.

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL OVERVIEW

Introduction

This RFP, issued in accordance with the provisions of the laws including statutes, ordinances, resolutions, and rules, of the State of Georgia and the City of St. Marys, invites qualified firms (Proposers) to submit their Proposals to provide the services described. Subject to approval by the City, the contract term under consideration is for five years.

Purpose

This project responds to the Department of Defense's order for Columbia-class submarines, some of which will be home-ported at NSB Kings Bay. Preparations for the Columbia-class are underway and will involve an influx of workers for the duration of facility improvements. Overall, NSB Kings Bay will remain at similar staffing levels but the housing market may become overheated while improvements are made on base.

In order to understand the market and capacity of the market, a housing study is necessary. This housing study will assist the community with making land use and policy decisions factually based that support the installation, its sustainability, and its personnel. The city is requesting assistance in order to conduct this study.

Scope of Service

The project consists of the professional services required for the competition of the following requested work.

Task 1 – Demographic Analysis

Proposed completion: December 31, 2021

• Overall economic conditions of Camden County
• Labor market conditions of Camden County including details on commuting patterns for people employed in Camden County and the surrounding area
• Housing market conditions including details of the current composition of the housing market and information on the affordability of homes within the community

Task 2 – Housing Market Potential Interim Report

Proposed completion: May 31, 2022

• Estimate increase in demand for housing and assess likely distribution of new housing construction in the region.
• Estimate additional burdens to region's roadway as a result of additional travel.
• Document existing housing stock conditions by characteristics and quantity.
• Develop recommendations for the type, quality, and location of new housing that would help to meet the needs identified together with the ability of the private market to provide the identified needs.
• Housing demand analysis should develop the following for years 2021 and every five years to 2041.
• NSB personnel: detail personnel by military/civilian, incomes and housing subsidies/allowances, family/unaccompanied status, expected turnover rates.
• Regional employment: expected incomes, expected age of head of household.
• Regional population: demographic characteristics which may include family/non-family, households with children.
• Regional households: housing budgets, expected tenure.

Task 3 – Recommendations Interim Report

Proposed completion: July 31, 2022

• After working with the advisory committee provide the following for housing in St. Marys and the surrounding community
• Housing vision and smart goals
• Specific actions that can help accomplish the goals defined
• Recommend housing typologies, mixes, and needed numbers of units to meet housing demand
• Provide a perspective on regulatory barriers in the city and options that would address the issues with some discussion on processes to achieve corrections to regulatory barriers as appropriate

Task 4 – Final Report

Proposed completion: July 31, 2022

• Finalize housing market potential report
• Finalize recommendations report
• Present findings to Planning Commission
• Present findings to City Council