RequestforProposals PreparationofAnEconomicDevelopmentStrategicPlan SaratogaCounty,NewYork

SaratogaCounty,throughitsPurchasingDepartment,isseekingproposalsfromqualifiedconsultants toprepare anEconomicDevelopmentStrategicPlan. Interested firms should submit seven (7) copies of their proposal, along with an electronic copy in PDF, by 5:00 pm,Monday,July22,2013totheSaratogaCountyAdministrator,40McMasterStreet,BallstonSpa,NY12020. Firms interested in responding to this RFP should submit a Letter of Interest to the County Administrators Office at rmoore@saratogacountyny.gov by Monday, July 8, 2013 to ensure they are a registered bidder. Any amendmentstotheRFPorchangestotheRFPprocesswillbecommunicatedtotheregisteredbidders. Introduction The purpose of this Request for Proposals (RFP) is to solicit proposals from qualified consultants to prepare an Economic Development Strategic Plan (Plan). The primary objectives of the Plan are to (1) provide a framework to guide economic development efforts throughout Saratoga County over the next five to ten years; (2) recommend an appropriate organizational structure to lead economic development activities in Saratoga County; and (3) advise the County on the steps needed to create this structure, and provide strategic guidance onthestaff,funding,andotherresourcesnecessarytosupporttheorganizationandimplementthecountywide economicdevelopmentprogram. BackgroundInformation Saratoga County is located in New Yorks Capital Region and is one of five counties in the AlbanySchenectady Troy Metropolitan Statistical Area. Covering appropriately 840 square miles, it is comprised of two cities (Saratoga Springs and Mechanicville), nineteen towns, and eight villages; the county seat is based in the Village ofBallstonSpa.AportionofnorthwesternSaratogaCountylieswithintheboundariesoftheAdirondackPark. Over the last sixty years, the County has experienced consistent population growth, aided in part by the completion of the Adirondack Northway (I87) in the 1960s. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Saratoga County had a population of 219,607 in 2010, an increase of 9.5% over the 2000 figure of 200,635. Saratoga has long been one of the fastest growing counties in upstate New York. Many people have chosen to live in SaratogaCountybecauseofitshighqualityoflife. Despite continued population growth, unemployment rates in Saratoga County are well below state and national averages: 6.1% in April 2013 compared to 7.3% and 7.1% for the state and nation, respectively. Household income levels also exceed state and national averages. The U.S. Census Bureau estimates the medianhouseholdincome(MHI)inSaratogaCountyat$67,186,118%ofthestateMHIand127%ofthenational MHI. What was once a bedroom community for people commuting to jobs in adjacent counties has also, over thelastfewdecades,becomeafocalpointforeconomicgrowth. Saratoga County has a stable and diverse economic base. Agriculture remains a vital component of the County economy, especially in its rural towns. In 2007, farms in Saratoga County covered approximately 75,660 acres dividedamong650farmsandagriculturalproductshadamarketvalueof$58.3million,withthelargestsharein dairyproduction.Mostfarmsarefamilyownedandoperated.
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Tourism is also a major contributor to the local economy. The historic Saratoga Race Course attracts millions of visitors each year. In addition to worldclass horse racing, the City of Saratoga Springs is known for its mineral springs, the arts, and a vibrant downtown. Other attractions in Saratoga County include a state park, a video lottery gaming facility, a renowned performing arts center, museums and historic sites, golf courses, farmers markets, and numerous special events. The County has experienced tremendous growth in the local hospitality industry,withnearly1,400hotelroomsaddedtotheexistingstockbetween2000and2006alone. Other key industries in Saratoga County include manufacturing, distribution, retail, education, and health care. An important and growing segment of the local economy is the technology sector, anchored by the $4.6 billion, two million square foot GlobalFoundries microchip manufacturing plant in the Town of Malta. Arguably the largesteconomicdevelopmentprojectintheU.S.,GlobalFoundriescommencedproductioninJanuary2012and now employs more than 2,000 people at an average annual salary of $87,000. A new $2.1 billion research center under construction at the GlobalFoundries campus is expected to increase employment to 3,000 by the end of 2014, and the company has started pursuing the necessary approvals for the construction of a second chipfabinthefuture. ThispastMay,theSaratogaCountyBoardofSupervisorsannouncedthatitwouldnotrenewitsannualcontract with the Saratoga Economic Development Corporation (SEDC), a private notforprofit organization that has been marketing the area to new businesses on the Countys behalf since 1978. In its heyday, SEDCs accomplishments included the Ball plant, State Farm regional headquarters, and Target distribution center. Its past president was a driving force behind the attraction of GlobalFoundries in the mid2000s. Aside from GlobalFoundries, however, the 1,400acre Luther Forest Technology Park sits mostly unoccupied. While SEDC providesservicestoitsmanymemberorganizations,Countyleadershavecometorecognizethatamembership driven organization may not be the ideal organization to drive an economic development program that should servetheentireCounty. It is Saratoga Countys intention to engage proven experts to develop a worldclass Economic Development Strategic Plan and identify an appropriate organizational structure to execute that blueprint beginning in 2014. Input will be sought from stakeholders representing every community and a broad array of businesses, industries, and institutions. The Board of Supervisors is eager to create an economic development effort that is worthy of the unique opportunities and advantages that we have at our fingertips in Saratoga County, and one thatwillpositiontheCountyforstrongeconomicgrowthinthefuture. ScopeofWork Saratoga County is seeking proposals from qualified consultants to prepare a countywide Economic Development Strategic Plan. The Plan will provide a framework to increase the tax base, promote investment, andcreatejobsinSaratogaCountyscities,towns,andvillagesoverafivetotenyearperiod.Itisexpectedthat the Plan will identify appropriate strategies for economic development that capitalize on Saratoga Countys assets and present a detailed plan of action for moving forward. In addition, the Plan will evaluate options for andmakerecommendationsregardingtheeconomicdevelopmentorganizationtoimplementtheplan. The scope of work below outlines the tasks necessary for the preparation of the Economic Development Strategic Plan. In responding to the RFP, firms and project teams may suggest additional services or alternative approacheswithjustification,aslongastheymeettheCountysdefinedobjectivesforthisproject.

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 A. ScopingMeeting/ReviewMaterials Upon contract execution, the consultant will meet with a project steering committee made up of representatives from the Saratoga County Board of Supervisors Economic Development Committee. The purposeofthismeetingwillbetoshareinformationanddiscussdetailsofthescopeofworkandtimeline. Committee members will present a general overview of recent economic development activities in the County and a list of local/regional economic development partners and their general function. The consultant will also be provided with relevant previous reports, plans, and other materials for review: e.g., economic development studies and marketing strategies; information gathered during a past Assets and Needs assessment; the comprehensive plans of each municipality in the County; the Capital Region Economic Development Councils Strategic Plan; annual reports of the Saratoga County Industrial Development Authority, Saratoga Economic Development Corporation, chambers of commerce, etc. The consultantmaysuggestadditionalmaterialsthatshouldbecompiledinadvanceofthismeeting. B. StakeholderOutreach The consultant will develop and implement an outreach plan to solicit input from key stakeholders. Stakeholdersareexpectedtoinclude,butarenotlimitedto,CountySupervisors,businessleaders,economic developmentandtourismorganizations,chambersofcommerce,workforceinvestmentboards,educational providers,andstateeconomicdevelopmentofficials. Methods of outreach may include interviews, roundtable discussions, workshops, and focus groups, as well as a project website. Consideration should be given to hosting an economic development workshop or summittopresentinformationandgetideasfromthepublicorgroupsofstakeholders. C. EconomicAnalysis Theconsultantwillconductananalysisofeconomicdatatoevaluatethestateofthelocal/regionaleconomy and the impact of various industry sectors on Saratoga County. The analysis should identify issues, trends, andopportunities,includingindustrieswithsignificantgrowthpotentialintheCounty. D. EvaluationofEconomicDevelopmentAssetsandResources The consultant should also review and evaluate the resources that support, or can potentially support, economicdevelopmentandgrowthinSaratogaCounty,suchas: Realestate(industrial/commercialsites) Laborforce Educationalinstitutions Infrastructure(water,sewer,telecom,energy) Transportation(air,rail,interstate) Businessclimatefactors(e.g.,regulatoryenvironment,taxes) Qualityoflifefactors Economicdevelopmentorganizations/partners Policiesandincentives
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 E. SWOTAnalysis Using the output of Tasks AD as a starting point, the consultant will prepare an assessment of Saratoga Countys strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) as they relate to future economic development. The analysis should summarize findings that will serve, in part, as the basis for the developmentofgoals,strategies,andactions. F. InterimPresentation Upon completion of Tasks AE or at the approximate halfway point of the strategic planning process the consultant will meet with the project steering committee and provide a brief presentation on the status of theprojectandkeyfindings.Itwillalsoprovideanopportunityfortheconsultanttosharepreliminaryideas regardingrecommendedstrategies,obtainfeedbackfromcommitteemembers,andensurethattheproject isontrackbeforedraftingthePlandocument. G. DevelopmentofGoalsandStrategies Based on the research, stakeholder feedback, and SWOT analysis, the consultant will identify the economic developmentgoalsandobjectivesthatSaratogaCountyshouldpursueoverthenextfivetotenyearperiod. The consultant will then translate these goals and objectives into specific strategies. Strategies should be specificanddetailed,withexpectedoutcomesclearlydefined. In generating strategies, the consultant is encouraged to propose innovative ideas for addressing particular challenges and capitalizing on opportunities for economic development in Saratoga County. These may be based on the input received during the stakeholder outreach process, best practices in use by other successfuleconomicdevelopmententities,and/ortheconsultantsprofessionalexperience. The goals and strategies will serve as a roadmap for the future efforts of the economic development organization and its local/regional partners in attracting new businesses as well as retaining the businesses alreadylocatedinSaratogaCounty. H. Action/ImplementationPlan Theconsultantwilldevelopanaction/implementationplanthatidentifiesandprioritizesthespecificactions necessary to implement the economic development strategies. It should identify the responsible organizations(includingpartners),timeframes,andfundingrequirements,aswellasanticipatedimpacts. In addition, the consultant should recommend performance metrics to be used to evaluate the progress of implementationeffortsandmakeadjustmentsasnecessary. I. EconomicDevelopmentStrategicPlan The consultant will provide a completed Economic Development Strategic Plan to the project steering committee and the full Saratoga County Board of Supervisors for adoption. The Plan will include goals, objectives,strategies,andactionsforeconomicdevelopmentinSaratogaCounty. Ataminimum,thePlanmustaddressthefollowingspecificissuesandconcerns:
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Organizational Strategy: The structure of the economic development organization is a critically important element of the Plan. The consultant should analyze the advantages and disadvantages of various options and provide a recommendation. The organization should not be a department of County government. How should the County go about creating this entity, and what structure should it take? What are the costs associated with establishing the organization and supporting its annual operations? Provide specific recommendations regarding the composition of the board, staffing and recruitment,annualbudgetandsourcesoffunding,rolesandresponsibilities,etc. Partnerships and Collaboration: A desired outcome of the Plan is to get diverse entities to work together moreeffectively.Theconsultantshouldidentifyareasin whichpartnershipsand collaboration will help Saratoga County achieve its economic development objectives. This could include key partnershipswithgovernment,private,ornonprofitorganizationsthatwillenhancethesuccessofPlan implementation. Recommendations for improving communications and encouraging collaborative effortswouldbehelpful. Target Industries: What types of businesses or industries can the County realistically support, given existing assets? Are there specific high benefit/low impact businesses or industries that fit Saratoga County? Based on the research and analysis, stakeholder feedback, and other tasks, the consultant shouldidentify68industriesthatshouldserveastheprimaryfocusofeconomicdevelopmenteffortsin Saratoga County. The consultant should also discuss opportunities for specific areas of the County that havenottraditionallybeenaddressedbyeconomicdevelopmentorganizations. Marketing Strategy: What messages and activities should be used to inform and influence business leadersandsiteselectorsoutsideSaratogaCounty,especiallythoseassociatedwiththetargetindustries citedabove?Howcanwereachkeydecisionmakers?Theconsultantshouldproviderecommendations bothforgeneralmarketingandformarketingspecificsites,suchasLutherForestTechnologyPark.

AnexecutivesummaryoftheEconomicDevelopmentStrategicPlanshouldbeincluded. DeadlinesandFormat The Economic Development Strategic Plan must be completed by early December 2013. Therefore, the consultantisexpectedtoproducethedraftdocumentbyMonday,November18,2013.Thiswillallowsufficient timeforreviewand comment, publicmeetings,andthe preparationofafinalPlanforadoptionbythe Saratoga CountyBoardofSupervisors. All deliverables, including presentation materials and final documents, should be submitted to Saratoga County inelectronicformatandshouldincludeclear,descriptiveandconcisenarrativesandcolorgraphics. Inadditiontoelectroniccopiesofeachdocument,theconsultantwillalsobeexpectedtoproduceandsubmitto Saratoga County at least ten (10) hard copies of the draft document and thirty (30) hard copies of the final document. ProposalRequirements Consultants submitting qualifications should demonstrate appropriate knowledge and expertise within the field of economic development, including five (5) or more years of experience preparing economic development strategicplansatthemunicipaland/orcountylevel;andaproventrackrecordofprovidingprofessionalservices toclientsinidentifyingandaddressingeconomicdevelopmentopportunities.
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Proposalsshouldincludethefollowingsections,inthisorder: 1. CoverLetter Each proposal should be accompanied by a cover letter dated and signed by the person authorized to sign any contract that may result from this RFP. For project teams comprised of two or more firms, this letter wouldbeprovided bytheleadconsultant.Pleaseincludethe name,telephonenumber,andemailaddress ofthepersontheCountyshouldcontactwithanyquestionsontheproposal. 2. CompanyProfile A brief description of the firm or project team submitting the proposal, including their full business name and type of organization (e.g., corporation, partnership, sole proprietorship), number of years in business, services provided, and contact information for each firm with telephone and fax numbers, mailing address, andemailaddress. 3. Qualifications Qualificationsandexperienceofthefirmorprojectteam,including: A concise narrative discussion of why the firm or project team is uniquely qualified to prepare the EconomicDevelopmentStrategicPlanforSaratogaCounty. Resumes or narrative biographies of the primary individuals expected to work on this project, their anticipatedroles,relevantexpertise,andanyprofessionallicensesorcertifications. Detailed descriptions of assignments completed by the firm that are similar in scope to the services requestedinthisRFP. Experience in corporate site selection, business recruitment, and/or marketing. Please cite any work experiencewithmunicipalitiesorcountieswithinNewYorkState. In addition, a list of ongoing contracts/projects with current status and projected completion dates should beprovidedbythefirm(orleadconsultant). 4. References At least five (5) references, including the contact names, telephone numbers, and email addresses of client organizations involved on relevant projects completed by the firm. References should be from within the lastfiveyears. 5. TechnicalApproach/ScopeofWork Provide a narrative statement demonstrating an understanding of the overall intent of this RFP, as well as the methods and approaches to be used to complete each task. Include a description of how proposed deliverables will meet the objectives of this project and the requirement described in the scope of work. Indicateanyproposedalternativeapproachesoradditionalservicesthatwouldaddvaluetothisproject. 6. ProjectSchedule A schedule outlining the sequence of work and the anticipated completion dates of major tasks. Final Plan completionmustoccurnolaterthanearlyDecember2013.
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7. CostofServices Providethefirmsorprojectteamsnottoexceedcost,inclusiveofalllaborandexpenses,forcompletionof this project. Please state assumptions clearly. The total cost should also be broken down by major work tasks. 8. ExamplesofCompletedWork Samples of work for a minimum of two (2) projects: final reports, executive summaries, technical memoranda, or other work products related to the professional services requested in this RFP. These documentsmaybeprovidedelectronicallyonaCDorflashdrive. Please do not submit any additional collateral material such as brochures, articles, etc. with your proposal submission,asthesematerialswillbediscarded. SubmissionInstructions To respond to this RFP, interested firms should submit seven (7) hard copies of their proposal, along with an electronic version of the proposal and required work samples on a CD or flash drive, by 5:00 pm, Monday, July 22,2013totheSaratogaCountyAdministrator,40McMasterStreet,BallstonSpa,NY12020. Proposals received after the deadline will not be accepted. It is the sole responsibility of the firm or project teamtoassurethatitsproposalisreceivedbythedate,time,andlocationspecified. EvaluationCriteria All responses to this RFP will be reviewed by a selection committee. One or more firms will be invited to make oralpresentationsregardingtheirproposals.Proposalswillbeevaluatedbasedonthefollowingcriteria: Criteria Weight Proposedscopeofworkandoverallapproach 30% Qualificationsoftheconsultant,includingindividualsassignedtoproject 25% Experiencewithsimilarprojects/references 20% Proposedschedule/abilitytocompleteprojectwithinthespecifiedtimeframe 15% Costofservices 10% Total 100%

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ProjectTimeline Thepreliminarytimelineforconsultantselectionandprojectdeliveryisasfollows: Activity Date Deadlineforsubmissionofproposals July22,2013 Committeeevaluationofproposals LateJulyearlyAugust2013 Interviewswithselectedconsultants EarlyAugust2013 ApprovalofconsultantbyCountyBoardofSupervisors August20,2013 Anticipatedprojectstartdate August21,2013 DraftEconomicDevelopmentStrategicPlandue November18,2013 FinalEconomicDevelopmentStrategicPlandue EarlyDecember2013 FormaladoptionofEconomicDevelopmentStrategicPlanbyCounty December2013 BoardofSupervisors GeneralInformation InsuranceRequirements Insurance requirements are attached. A signed Indemnity and Insurance Agreement and a copy of your CertificateofInsurancemustbereturnedwithyourproposal. LetterofInterest Firms interested in responding to this RFP should submit a Letter of Interest to the County Administrators Office at rmoore@saratogacountyny.gov by Monday, July 8, 2013 to ensure they are a registered bidder. Any amendmentstotheRFPorchangestotheRFPprocesswillbecommunicatedtotheregisteredbidders. TechnicalInquiries Inquiries of a technical nature should be submitted in writing by fax or email to the County Administrators Office.QuestionswillbeaccepteduntilnoononFriday,July12,2013. SaratogaCountyAdministrator 40McMasterStreet BallstonSpa,NY12020 Tel:5188844742 Fax:5188844723 Email:rmoore@saratogacountyny.gov (PleaseplaceEconomicDevelopmentConsultantintheemailsubjectline) ThequestionsandresponseswillbeforwardedtoallinterestedregisteredpartiesreceivingtheRFP. Interpretations, corrections, or scope changes made in any manner other than in writing will not be binding. Uponmailing,anyaddendum/clarificationwillbecomepartofthesespecificationstothesameextentasthough originallyincludedhereinandwillbecomebindinguponallvendorssubmittingproposals.

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SaratogaCountyreservestherighttorejectanyorallresponsestotheRFP,toadvertisefornewresponses, or to accept any response deemed to be in the Countys best interest. Expenses incurred in the preparation of proposals, presentations, and other incidentals related to this solicitation are solely the responsibility of the respondent. ProcessInquiries ForinquiriesrelatedtotheRFPprocess,pleasecontact: CatherineM.Shrome,DirectorofPurchasing 50WestHighStreet BallstonSpa,NY12020 Tel:5188852210 Fax:5188852220 Email:cshrome@saratogacountyny.gov

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INDEMNITY AND INSURANCE AGREEMENT

IT IS HEREBY AGREED by _____________________________________________, the PROFESSIONAL, as follows:

INSURANCE
PROFESSIONALS LIABILITY INSURANCE
The Professional shall purchase and maintain such insurance as will protect him from claims as set forth below, which may arise out of or result from the Professionals operations under the Contract, whether such operations be by himself or any subcontractor or by anyone employed by any of them or anyone for whose acts the Professional may be liable: claims under workmens compensation, disability benefit and other similar employee benefit acts; claims for damages because of bodily injury, occupational sickness or disease, or death of his employees; claims for damages because of bodily injury, sickness or disease, or death of any person other than his employees; claims for damages insured by usual personal injury liability coverage which are sustained (1) by any person as a result of an offense directly or indirectly related to the employment of such person by the Professional, or (2) by any other person; and 5. claims for damages because of injury to or destruction of tangible property, including loss of use resulting therefrom. Certificates of Insurance acceptable to the County shall be filed with the County prior to commencement of the work. The County must be named and included as an additional insured under the Professionals general liability insurance. Proof that the County has been named as an additional insured on the Contractors general liability insurance must be provided in the form of an additional insured rider to said policy, or by other proof acceptable to the Saratoga County Attorney The Professionals Comprehensive General Liability Insurance and Automobile Insurance shall be in an amount not less than One Million Dollars ($1,000,000) for injuries, including accidental death, to any one person and subject to the same limit for each person, and in an amount not less than One Million Dollars ($1,000,000) on account of one occurrence. The Professional shall provide proof of Professional Liability Insurance in an amount not less than One Million Dollars ($1,000,000) per occurrence and Two Million Dollars ($2,000,000) in the aggregate in the form of a Certificate of Insurance. The County is not to be named as an additional insured on the Professional Liability Insurance policy. If required by the provisions of the New York State Workers Compensation Law to maintain Workers Compensation Insurance for Professionals employees, the Professional shall provide the County with proof of such coverage. The above insurance is not, and shall not be construed as, a limitation upon Professionals obligation to indemnify the COUNTY. Any request for a waiver from full or partial compliance with any of the above insurance requirements shall be subject to the approval of the Saratoga County Attorney upon a demonstration of good cause therefor. 1. 2. 3. 4.

Attorneys Approval
All documents submitted shall be subject to the approval of the Saratoga County Attorney as to form and content.

HOLD HARMLESS
The Professional shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, at all times indemnify and save harmless the COUNTY from and against any and all claims and demands whatsoever, including costs, litigation expenses, counsel fees and liabilities in connection therewith arising out of injury to or death of any person whomsoever or damage to any property of any kind by whomsoever, to the extent caused in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, by the negligent acts or omissions of the Professional, any person employed by the Professional, or anyone for whom the Professional is liable, while engaged in the work hereunder. This clause shall not be construed to limit, or otherwise impair, other rights or obligations of indemnity which exist in law, or in equity, for the benefit of the COUNTY.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the PROFESSIONAL has set its hand this _____day of _____________________, ________.

SIGNATURE______________________________________________ NAME & TITLE______________________________________________

INSURANCE - PROFESSIONAL

RFP-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIC PLAN