[Consultantservices] [Consultant Services] RFP posted Tuesday, January 08, 2008 9:30 AM

[Grace Williams]

AICP has adopted the following policy:

The AICP Commission requests that entities soliciting planning
consultants follow a two-part RFQ/RFP selection procedure. Click here to
read a description of such a two-part process in PAS Report 443,
Selecting and Retaining a Planning Consultant: RFPs, RFQs, Contracts,
and Project Management, by Eric Damian Kelly, FAICP. To view more
excerpts from the report, click here.

Please send RFPs & RFQs to websitefeedback at planning.org.

Request for Proposals - Consultant Services

Economic & Demographic Analysis 
The Town of Ashland, Virginia
Submittal Deadline: January 28, 2008

The Town of Ashland is seeking a professional Consultant to provide
Economic and Demographic Analysis for the Town's Comprehensive Plan
Update.  The Town is scheduled to review and update its Comprehensive
Plan in 2008; the Plan was last updated in 2003.

SCOPE OF SERVICES
As it begins this Comprehensive Plan Update process, the Town desires a
better understanding of the economic forces that affect the Town and the
surrounding community.  A Consultant conducting Economic and Demographic
Analysis will assist the Town in identifying and defining Ashland's
market sphere of influence.  The Consultant will research and analyze
population trends and characteristics, and prepare a detailed
demographic forecast for Ashland and the economic market(s) it serves.
Based on demographic forecasting and other factors, the Consultant will
assess market demand for various economic uses and activities (including
retail, office, service and industrial sectors) and identify the land
use, transportation, and infrastructure needs of each.  The Consultant
will identify missing segments or leakage in Ashland's economy, and make
recommendations as to appropriate strategies for long-term economic
health and stability.

The Consultant will assist the Town in drafting maps and policies for
inclusion in the Comprehensive Plan.  The Town has identified the
following issues for further analysis and consideration:

Definition of Markets:

*	Establish an understanding of the various markets (regional,
local, neighborhood) that Ashland serves 
*	Develop strategies to solidify, protect, promote and expand
these markets 

Regional Market:

*	Understand Ashland's role and potential within the regional
economy 
*	Identify the factors (e.g. interstate access; distance from
Richmond) that enable or limit Ashland's participation in the regional
economy 
*	Identify Ashland's unique offerings that could have regional
appeal 

Local Market:

*	For what area does Ashland serve as the primary market for basic
goods and services? 
*	Anticipate how growth and development elsewhere in the region
could affect and potentially pre-empt this market 
*	Identify gaps or leakage in the local market 

Neighborhood Market:

*	What economic needs are best met at the neighborhood
(sub-community) level? 
*	Identify various sub-community markets in Ashland 

Strategic Planning:

*	Outline the scope and elements of a successful Economic
Development Strategic Plan 
*	Provide examples of other successful Strategic Plans 
*	Recommend Comprehensive Plan policies for Economic Development 

Retail/Commercial Demand:

*	What types of commercial uses and activities are naturally
attracted to Ashland? 
*	What are the needs and potential impacts of these uses and
activities? 
*	If not commensurate with what the community desires, how can
Ashland shape or influence market forces? 

Jobs/Employment:

*	Should Ashland seek to be a center for employment?  For what
market or population base? 
*	What types of jobs does Ashland need?  What types of industries
supply those jobs? 
*	What are Ashland's competitive strengths and weaknesses? 
*	Identify appropriate balance between jobs and housing
(population) 

Economic Sustainability:

*	How do we know when we have too little or too much of a certain
economic activity? 
*	Define economic sustainability 
*	Develop indicators for monitoring economic progress and
sustainability 

Locational Criteria:

*	Identify the land use, transportation and infrastructure needs
of various economic uses and activities 
*	Develop locational criteria to guide land use decision-making 
*	Recommend appropriate locations for desired economic uses and
activities 

Proposal packets may be obtained at the office of the Purchasing Agent
located in the Town Municipal Building at 101 Thompson Street, Ashland,
VA 23005, or by calling 804-798-9219, or on the Town's website at
www.town.ashland.va.us <http://www.town.ashland.va.us/> .  If downloaded
from the website please contact the Purchasing office to be added to the
plan holder's list.

Any questions concerning this Request for Proposal should be faxed or
emailed to Neil Holthouser, Director of Planning & Community
Development, at 804-798-4892 or nholthouser at town.ashland.va.us
<mailto:nholthouser at town.ashland.va.us>  no later than January 23, 2008.


The Town reserves the right to reject any and all proposals.  Small and
minority-owned businesses are encouraged to submit.

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