As the City has moved towards placing a greater emphasis on enhancing its business corridors, and small business development Citywide, there is a need for the development of strategies, plans, and initiatives that promote and improve the quality of life, advance business retention, expansion and attraction efforts, and build a strong foundation for continued economic prosperity.
To assist with the stated goals, the City, through this RFQ, seeks to establish a prequalified pool of multidisciplinary consultant teams to provide economic development consultant services to the City that may include (but not be limited to): comprehensive economic development strategic planning, developing high level evaluation of market opportunities and position strategies for key business corridors, evaluation of current market dynamics and economic assets, benchmarking and competitive assessment, asset-based economic development, sustainable development, SWOT analyses, cost modeling, leadership and organizational development models, business development strategies, targeted-industry analysis, marketing and branding plans, prospect identification and outreach, competitive and responsible economic development incentive policies, workforce trends, forecasts analysis and talent development, and community outreach and engagement.
The pertinent areas of the RFQ include the following sections.
• MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS. Please Reference, Appendix C, Page 25, RFQ 2019-084-ND for Economic Development Consultant Services (attached).
• SUBMITTAL REQUIREMENTS. Please Reference Section 0300, Page 12, RFQ 2019-084-ND for Economic Development Consultant Services (attached).
• CRITERIA FOR EVALUATION. Please Reference Section 0400, Page 14, RFQ 2019-084-ND for Economic Development Consultant Services (attached).
Following the receipt of proposals an Evaluation Committee will review proposals in accordance with the criteria established in the RFP.
I am considering appointing the following individuals to serve on the Evaluation Committee:
• Sheila Duffy Lehrman, Co-chair, Mayor’s Small Business Task Force, City of Miami Beach
• Jose Gonzalez, Director, Transportation Department, City of Miami Beach
• Amy Knowles, Deputy Resiliency Officer, Office of the City Manager, City of Miami Beach
• Jason Loeb, Chair, Mayor’s Ad Hoc Small Business Task Force, City of Miami Beach
• Amy Mehu, Special Assistant, Office of the City Manager, City of Miami Beach
• James Murphy, Chief of Urban Planning, Planning and Zoning Department, City of Miami Beach
• Heather Shaw, Interim Director, Tourism, Culture & Economic Development Department, City of Miami Beach
I am also considering the following individuals as alternates:
• Rodney Knowles, Greenspace Division Director, Public Works Department, City of Miami Beach
• Debbie Tackett, Chief of Historic Preservation, Planning Department, City of Miami Beach
• Lynda Westin, Transportation Manager, Transportation Department, City of Miami Beach