SUBLETTE COUNTY, WYOMING
Planning and Zoning Department

Dennis Fornstrom, Administrator
P.O. Box 506
Pinedale, WY 82941
307-367-4375

March 21st, 2023

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

Introduction

The Sublette County Planning and Zoning Department is seeking proposals to provide a complete code audit and review with recommendations for the services described in this Request for Proposal (RFP). Sublette Counties' current Zoning & Development Regulations are undergoing a comprehensive revision, one that has not taken place since 1985. Over the past several years, Sublette County has experienced an increased demand for development in almost all unincorporated areas within the county. This has highlighted the need to update our County's Regulations.

The Planning and Zoning Department has worked in excess of two (2) years in the revision process of our Zoning & Development Regulations. The planning staff is hopeful that a comprehensive review by a qualified consultant will affirm the proposed updates and assist in blending the County's New Zoning Regulations with the future needs of Sublette County while retaining and protecting its rural customs and historical culture.

Community Profile

Sublette County is located in Western Wyoming and is the sixth largest county in the state with a land mass of 4,886.53 sq miles. Sublette County is a gateway community to the Wind River, and Wyoming Mountain Range contained within the Bridger Teton National Forest. Sublette is the home to the headwaters of the Green River Basin and contains one of the largest natural gas deposits in the state of Wyoming. Sublette County ranks 12th in the state of Wyoming for livestock production with approximately 57,000 head of beef cattle produced within the county earning approximately $39,079,000 in sales annually. Over 80% of land in the county is under federal or state control, leaving less than 20% of privately owned land that is regulated by the County.

Our population as reported in 2020 is approximately 9,865 residents with more than 62% of the population residing outside of a municipality, making Sublette County Wyoming's most rural county. Additionally, the county is estimated to have approximately 6,054 housing units, with 26.8% of those housing units reported as seasonal homes.

While estimated growth for the next ten to twenty years is projected to be minimal, the county has seen an increase in commercial development along major commercial thoroughfares, substantial recreational development for tourism, and major subdivisions which the county has not seen in more than ten years.

Current Zoning:

The County's current zoning was officially adopted in the 1980s and has had numerous amendments and additions starting in 1985 to the present day. As amendments span the course of several decades, they were often adopted to address specific issues occurring at that time, culminating into the Euclidian-style zoning document the County uses today. Planning staff has found this document to lack vibrancy and visual aids necessary for better understanding and readability thus, the Planning and Zoning office was called upon to complete an extensive and comprehensive revision. The existing and proposed regulations can be accessed on Sublette County's website at https://www.sublettecountywy.gov/123/Planning-Zoning

Scope of Work:

With assistance from County staff, the selected consultant will conduct the following:

1. Evaluation. The consultant will work closely with staff to provide an overall evaluation of the proposed regulation's effectiveness.
2. Evaluation. The consultant will evaluate regulations for Wyoming legal compliance. County staff will work with the consultant to identify all applicable State legislation.
3. Evaluation. The consultant will evaluate regulations for consistency and clarity including, evaluating application processes, administrative processes, abatement procedures, etc.
4. Evaluation. The consultant will work closely with County staff to evaluate potential pathways and opportunities to protect and conserve areas of high-value ranchlands, open spaces and areas of critical wildlife habitat.
5. Audit. The consultant will audit the regulations for best practices and applicant experience.
6. Integrate. The consultant will work with County staff to propose and/or create a user-friendly regulation format for easier access and understanding by the community.

1. Proposal Contents

Each proposal shall include, at a minimum, the following:

1. Cover letter: Limited to one (1) page, that explains the Consultant's interest and qualifications for the project and contains the name, address, phone number, and email address of the contact person.
2. Qualifications of the Consultant:
   • Describe the Consultant's qualifications and relevant or related experience. One overall team should be proposed even if other project partners are proposed. Include the location of the Consultant's home office and the locations where services would likely be performed.
   • Include a list of related or similar projects the Consultant has completed in the last five (5) years. Identify the year of the project, agency contact person, and telephone number.
   • A description of your familiarity with Sublette County and/or western Wyoming and Gateway communities.
3. Name and Qualifications of Project Team:
   • An overview or resume of each proposed member of the team who would perform the work under a contract and includes a description of the qualification's skills and responsibilities.
   • List any outside consultant who may perform services for this project. Describe the services any outside consultant would perform.
4. Costs
   • Fully describe all rates to be charged for work performed.
   • Fully describe all ancillary costs to be charged, including but not limited to any per diem rates, fees for outside services, etc.
   • Fully describe any other costs or charges a consultant reasonably expects to bill the county.

2. Confidential Information.

All Materials submitted to this RFP shall ultimately become public records. Neither cost nor pricing information nor the total proposal shall be considered confidential or propriety.

3. Material Ownership.

All proposals and related materials provided under this RFP become the property of Sublette County and will not be returned to the proposer.

4. Right to Cancel.

The Sublette County Board of County Commissioners reserves the right to cancel the RFP at any time when it is in the best interest of the County. The Sublette County Board of County Commissioners reserves the right, without notice, to supplement or amend or modify this RFP or request additional information from any and all consulting firms.

5. Authorization to Begin Work.

Notice to proceed will be given to the consultant as soon as the contract is approved by the Board of County Commissioners and signed by the Chairman and Consultant.

6. Project Timeline and Deadlines.

An approximate timeline for project:

2023 Deadline — Description

• March 27th, 2023 — Public advertisement period begins
• May 1st, 2023 — RFP closing day
• May 16th, 2023— Commissioners will consider bids and award contract
• May 22nd, 2023 — Contract Award

7. Contract Award.

Sublette County reserves the right to reject any or all bids or any part of any bid and waive any formality in any bid, for any reason as its best interest may appear. Sublette County further reserves the right to reject any bid if it believes it would not be in the best interest of the project to make an award to that bidder, whether because the bid is not responsive or the bidder is unqualified or of doubtful financial ability.

Proposals must be received by May 1st, 2023.

All late or unresponsive submittals will not be considered. Send proposals to:

Dennis Fornstrom
Planning and Zoning Administrator
Re: Zoning Regulation Audit
P.O. Box 506
Pinedale, WY 82941

Or

dennis.fornstrom@sublettecountywy.gov

For questions or inquiries please contact the Sublette County Planning and Zoning Administrator Dennis Fornstrom at 307-367-4375 or email Mr. Fornstrom at dennis.fornstrom@sublettecountywy.gov