[Consultantservices] RFQ: Missoula County, MT - Posted on 6/26/08 @ 8:26 a.m.

[Jeri Parish]

The AICP Commission requests that entities soliciting planning
consultants follow a two-part RFQ/RFP selection procedure.  Here's the
link 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. 
http://www.planning.org/consultant/choose.htm

Regional Plan Review, Revision, Implementation, and Public Process
Missoula County, Montana 
Submittal Deadline: July 16, 2008
Project Overview
Missoula County requests statements of qualification from planning
firmsfor a project that will include revising the Lolo Regional Plan (an
amendment to the Missoula County Growth Policy covering a portion of the
County), drafting measures to implement the Plan, developing and
facilitating public process, and guiding the plan and implementation
through governing body review.
Most of the Lolo area and northern Bitterroot Valley is unzoned, or is
zoned to reflect existing uses. Area residents who are concerned about
increasing development in their valley have requested assistance from
the County in the form of a review of the overall Growth Policy for the
area, recommendations for revisions to the Growth Policy, and
development of possible zoning to reflect the revised policy. A four
season destination resort is proposed in the valley, but a development
proposal for the property has not yet been filed. Applications for state
water and sanitation permits, as well as access permits to Highway 93,
which bisects the property, are in process. Infrastructure that does not
require local review in the state of Montana is also continuing to be
built. Other issues in the planning area include general increased
residential growth due to proximity to Missoula, gravel mining
operations, and the liquidation of Plum Creek Timber land. In addition,
there is a jurisdiction-wide planning and zoning effort underway in
Ravalli County to the south.
Missoula County wishes to initiate a land use planning process that
would result in an amendment to the Growth Policy followed by
implementation designed to protect valuable conservation resources while
concurrently directing growth into appropriate areas. The ultimate
outcome would direct potential development in the area in a manner that
also complements the land use planning process occurring in Ravalli
County.
The project's objective is to provide a legally defensible,
scientifically justified, and politically acceptable land use plan that
is implemented through zoning. Other policy implementation methods that
may result from this land use planning process include land purchases,
land transfers, or procurement of conservation easements in areas of
high resource value.
Extensive public involvement in this project is integral to its success.
Significant resources will be devoted to engaging citizens, state
legislators and county elected officials. In addition, various citizen
groups (Lolo Watershed Group, Lolo Community Council, Florence-Carlton
and Lolo school/fire districts, Lolo Sewer and Water Board, Lolo
Community Club, et. al.) and state-federal agencies (USFS; Fish,
Wildlife and Parks; Department of Environmental Quality; etc.) will be
targeted for participation in a series of public meetings designed to
identify and meet the challenges facing this rapidly growing portion of
Missoula County.
Scope of Services
Missoula County wishes to engage the services of a professional planning
firm for tasks including:
*	Conduct a series of initial public scoping meetings, and/or
other assessment activities, and prepare a summary of the findings 
*	Develop and facilitate a program to engage the public in
revising the Lolo Plan to address identified issues 
*	Based on the issues to be addressed, identify specific areas in
the Lolo Plan where revisions will be needed 
*	Conduct data collection, assessments, or evaluations needed to
revise the Plan 
*	Draft revisions to the Lolo Plan's text and land use designation
maps 
*	Identify measures to implement the plan and prepare concurrent
regulatory documents, where appropriate 
*	Present the plan and implementation to Planning Board and the
Board of County Commissioners for review and adoption. 
The firm will work closely with Rural Initiatives and other County
staff, as well as coordinate activities with Ravalli County as
appropriate. The project is intended to be completed within one year. A
detailed scope of work will be established during contract discussions
with the successful applicant.
Anticipated Timeline for Acquisition of Planning Consulting Services
July 16, 2008		Deadline for submittal of RFQ	
July 28, 2008		Interviews scheduled with successful RFQ
applicants	
August 4, 2008		Interviews complete and most qualified firm
selected	
August 15, 2008		Contract negotiations complete	
August 20, 2008		Contract in place	
Submittal Requirements
Please see the complete RFQ and application instructions at the Missoula
County Rural Initiatives website: www.co.missoula.mt.us/rural
Note: The County reserves the right to reject any or all proposals if it
determines that the proposals are not responsive to the RFQ or if the
proposals themselves are judged not to be in the best interests of the
County. The County may request firms submitting proposals to make
presentations as part of the evaluation process. The County reserves the
right to request any firm submitting a proposal to clarify its proposal
or to supply additional information necessary to assist the County in
its selection.
Submission Deadline and Contact Information
Qualification information may be provided in any manner deemed
appropriate and must clearly delineate your ability to successfully
complete a project of this type. The deadline for submission of
qualifications is 5:00 P.M., Mountain Standard Time, July 16, 2008.
Seven (7) copies of the statement of qualifications must be submitted to
the address below. Late submittals will NOT be accepted.
Missoula County Rural Initiatives
200 West Broadway
Missoula, Montana 59802 
406-258-3432
ri at co.missoula.mt.us
Please see the complete RFQ and application instructions at the Missoula
County Rural Initiatives website: www.co.missoula.mt.us/rural

Jeri Parish
Advertising Manager
Planning Magazine
312-786-6704
Fax: 312-431-9985
jparish at planning.org



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