Following a planning process that included widespread public and private community leadership, Carbon County, Utah (COUNTY) adopted a new vision, mission and values, as well as strategic priorities.
The COUNTY desires to hire a highly respected, successful consultant who specializes in working with local governments (cities, towns, counties, districts, and regional associations) and state government to: 1) help the COUNTY develop and implement a strategic brand and reputational strategy to give the COUNTY a stronger and more viable image and unified message as it markets to attract tourists, events and meetings, business investment, as well as workforce and new residents; and 2) provide economic development consulting services to the COUNTY on select catalytic projects.
Since the brand will be the COUNTY’s promise to the outside world, it needs to be professionally developed based on research and input from the community as well as outsiders to discover the current perception of the COUNTY. This brand development project is part of the COUNTY’s strategic economic development plan to focus resources on a few key efforts that will have the biggest impact on the area’s economy.
The COUNTY has restructured its economic development and tourism offices and seeks to leverage the tremendous synergy between the two efforts. The COUNTY has several catalytic projects which would benefit from the strategic guidance of a consultant who knows the area, who can help coordinate local efforts, and who can leverage his/her networks to bring added value to the projects.
COUNTY is requesting statements of qualifications from consulting firms to provide services to assist with facilitating a brand development strategy and for economic development consulting services.
I. Scope of Work
The selected consultant will conduct the needed research and interviews to create and present ideas/concepts/strategy of brand identity and subsequent template materials including guidelines for long-term use. The consultant will work with COUNTY and its partners to facilitate the brand development process to insure that it is inclusive and representative of the various public and private organizations that will hopefully be a part of the overall strategic brand positioning.
The COUNTY intends to utilize the services of local design talent for graphic components of the brand.
The selected consultant will work with the COUNTY economic development specialist and other county officials and staff to coordinate efforts on select, catalytic economic development projects.
II. CONSULTANT QUALIFICATIONS
A. Firm’s legal name, address, and telephone number;
B. Principal(s) of the firm and their experience and qualifications;
C. Experience and qualifications of the staff to be assigned to project;
D. Description of prior experience, including similar projects, location, cost, and the point of contact knowledgeable of performance;
E. Description of firm’s current work activities and how these will be coordinated with the project, as well as the firm’s anticipated availability during the term of the project
III. SELECTION
COUNTY may, at its discretion, select finalists to be interviewed based on an evaluation of the written responses, or the award may be based solely on written statements of qualifications. The award(s) will be made to the most qualified consulting firm whose statement of qualifications is deemed most advantageous to the COUNTY, all factors considered. Unsuccessful consulting firms will be notified as soon as possible.
All responses to the detailed RFQ must be received at the Carbon County Clerk’s Office at 751 East 100 North Suite #1100, Price, Utah, 84501 on September 28, 2018 by 5:00 p.m., write on the outside of the response package “Carbon County Brand Development Consulting Services”. Please provide one original and five copies of the statement of qualifications.
Responses will be opened at 4:30 p.m., October 3, 2018, during the regularly scheduled Carbon County Commission meeting at the aforementioned address in the Commission Chambers on the 2nd Floor.
COUNTY is not responsible for responses that are received late due to delays in delivery by any source. Faxed or emailed responses will NOT be accepted.
Questions should be directed to Carbon County Commission, either via email commission@carbon.utah.gov or phone 435-636-3226.
IV. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION & CONDITIONS
A. STATEMENT OF NONCOMMITMENT
Issuance of this RFQ does not commit the COUNTY to award a contract or to pay any costs incurred in preparation of proposals responding to the RFQ. The COUNTY reserves the right to reject any or all proposals and re-advertise. All proposals become the property of the COUNTY.
B. EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
The selected consultant will be required to comply with provisions of all applicable federal law, Title VI and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Any subcontracting by the selected consultant will subject the subcontracting firm to the same provisions of federal law.
Published in the ETV 10 Newspaper September 12, 2018.