Request for Qualifications (RFQ)

SRS Community Reuse Organization
Aiken, South Carolina

RFQ TITLE

SRSCRO Regional Housing Study

PURPOSE

The purpose of this RFQ is to identify firms that have the ability and interest to conduct a detailed regional housing study.

DEADLINE FOR RFQ SUBMISSIONS

May 3, 2024 12:00 PM (EST)

SUBMIT RFQ VIA EMAIL

Attn: Robbie Bennett – Robbie.bennett@srscro.org

CC: Amy Merry – amy.merry@srscro.org

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS

• Provide 4 hard copies and one electronic copy. All electronic submissions should be sent in a PDF document.

DIRECT ALL RFP INQUIRIES TO

NAME

Robbie Bennett

TITLE

President & CEO

OFFICE #

803-580-7402

MOBILE #

706-831-6017

EMAIL

Robbie.bennett@srscro.org

WEB SITE

www.srscro.org

GENERAL PROJECT DESCRIPTION

The SRS Community Reuse Organization is requesting qualifications for firms to conduct a Comprehensive Housing Study for the Great Aiken/Augusta Region (defined below). Our goal is to obtain information about the type, size, location, and price of housing required to meet the current and future needs of residents living and working in the region. We would like to understand the market forces, planning and zoning regulations, infrastructure, land availability and local barriers that impact housing development. The consultant will provide a thorough analysis and make recommendations as to possible solutions.

BACKGROUND

SRSCRO Overview

The SRS Community Reuse Organization is a private non-profit 501(c)3 established to provide leadership for promoting the common economic interests and benefits of the residents, businesses and industries and to stabilize the economy with balanced growth throughout the five-county region (Aiken County (SC), Allendale County (SC), Barnwell County (SC), Augusta-Richmond County (GA), and Columbia County (GA)) adjacent to the Savannah River Site by assisting:

1. in obtaining maximum utilization of other physical and human resources at the Savannah River Site and other regional facilities and institutions through existing and new programs;
2. in expanding existing businesses and industries;
3. local economic development entities in recruiting new companies to locate in the service area, while protecting the existing quality of life in the service and neighboring areas through economic growth and creation of job opportunities; and
4. in regional efforts to diversify the economy and provide high quality job opportunities to all.

The SRSCRO 2023 Annual Report can be found at https://srscro.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/SRS-CRO-digital-pages.pdf

Regional Overview

While the SRSCRO serves five counties directly, the SRSCRO is partnering with key stakeholders. As a result, our study area for this regional housing study needs to include the following counties.

South Carolina

• Aiken County
• Allendale County
• Barnwell County
• Edgefield County

Georgia

• Augusta-Richmond County
• Burke County
• Columbia County
• McDuffie County

SCOPE OF SERVICES

The Greater Augusta Region is currently seeing significant growth throughout the region. This growth stems from economic development success and key regional assets like Savannah River Site, Fort Eisenhower, and Plant Vogtle. Over the next five years it is estimated that this region will need to fill between 29,000 and 34,000 jobs – new jobs, construction jobs, and backfilling from attrition.

Given the desirability of the region, housing has become a major concern for economic development and major employers. In order to meet the growing job demand in the region, housing will need to be a priority focus.

Goal of the Regional Housing Study

The purpose and goal for the regional housing study is to provide elected officials, regional leaders, developers, real estate firms, and employers with an understanding of the current housing needs, challenges, and opportunities in our current market, while also providing a road map and strategy to meet the regional demand.

The SRSCRO and our partners recognize that each county is unique and can fill the housing needs differently. The ideal firm will be able to provide a regional perspective and a county specific assessment.

The following topics and assessments must be addressed in the final report. This list may not be all inclusive. Additional information is always appreciated.

1. Demographic Review
   1. Trends & Projections
   2. Age & Income Distribution
   3. Household Size
2. Economic Review
   1. Economic base
   2. Job growth
   3. Anticipated employment trends
   4. Workforce Travel Patterns
   5. Housing costs as percentage of income
3. Inventory Review
   1. Absorption Rate
   2. Density
   3. Housing Inventory/Needs
   4. By tenure, type, value, age, and vacancy rates
4. Other
   1. Best Practices
   2. Future Considerations
   3. Strategy Recommendations
   4. Utility & Infrastructure Implications/Limitations
   5. High level Zoning suggestion (depends on County)

Each county in the region has its own needs, personality, and growth plan. The final report should provide for future next steps that each county could consider individually, while also providing an overall report and strategy for the region.

Community Stakeholders

There are many groups in the region that need to be included in the housing study process. These groups include, but are not limited to elected officials, industry leaders, economic development, chambers of commerce, developers, realtors, and county leadership. Each stakeholder group is essential to creating a regional and local plan that will be used effectively.

DELIVERABLES

The Consultant will provide a Regional Housing Study document in hard copy and electronic format. The document will include data charts and maps illustrating the analysis of the data and supporting recommendations that are made. In the recommendations, the consultant should include examples from other locations showing where these actions have been successful when possible.

Proposal

All proposals are due no later than 12:00 pm EST Friday, May 3, 2024 to:

Robbie Bennett
Housing Study RFQ
SRS Community Reuse Organization
PO Box 696
Aiken, SC 29802

Please provide 4 hard copies and one digital copy. Send the digital copy to Robbie.bennett@srscro.org.

This Request for Qualifications is designed to allow each firm to creatively look at our challenges and propose a path forward to address those challenges. All interested firms must submit the following information in their Request for Qualifications Submission:

1. Recommendations for the housing study process. Outline the methods for identifying the housing needs and a proposed outline of the contents of the regional housing study.
2. Method of stakeholder engagement.
3. Strategy for sharing results with the SRSCRO stakeholders.
4. Provide the total timeline and costs associated with conducting the study. This is to include the itemized costs of the regional study and costs related to each county level assessment.
5. Identify the project manager and team assigned to this job. This should include resumes, area of expertise, hourly rates, and percentage of time each team will spend on the project.
6. Specify the time and resources required to complete this housing study.
7. Identify any task for which the SRSCRO staff will be responsible.
8. Examples of previous work and the impact of those recommendations.
9. References from previous clients with similar scope and size.