REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL: NET FISCAL IMPACT STUDY 2019-2023

January 6, 2022

                                                      REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP)
                               DOWNTOWNDC NET FISCAL IMPACT STUDY 2019-2023 

Purpose: 

The DowntownDC Business Improvement District (BID) seeks a contractor to create a Net Fiscal Impact Study (Study) of the DowntownDC BID area (See Attachment A for a map of the BID Area) for the fiscal year 2019-2023 and compare the BID area revenues and expenditures to the District of Columbia’s totals. The Study is to be completed by March 31, 2022. 

 Background: 

The DowntownDC Business Improvement District (BID) was founded in 1997 and is a private non-profit organization that provides capital improvements, resources and research that keep the BID area clean, safe, economically and environmentally strong and accessible.  

The DowntownDC BID is a catalyst, facilitator and thought leader in diversifying the economy, promoting public/private partnerships and enhancing the DowntownDC experience for all. This special district, where property owners have agreed to tax themselves to fund services, encompasses a 138-block area of approximately 520 properties from Massachusetts Avenue on the north to Constitution Avenue on the south, and from Louisiana Avenue on the east to 16th Street on the west. 

Project Overview: 

The DowntownDC BID last contracted for a Net Fiscal Impact Study for 2020 with Jeannette Chapman as independent consultant (Director of Stephen S. Fuller Institute at George Mason University). Please see the BID’s presentation of its Net Fiscal Impact in its State of Downtown reports for 2018, 2019 and 2020 can be found here. Jeanette Chapman’s excel worksheets for 2020’s Net Fiscal Impact can be found here (Summary, Expenditures, and Revenues). The BID is soliciting proposals for a Net Fiscal Impact from third-party economic development research firms for the fiscal years 2019 — 2023 and compare the BID area revenues and expenditures to the District’s totals. The overall goal of the new DowntownDC BID Fiscal Impact Study is to provide the estimated net fiscal impact of the BID Area = tax and other revenues less expenditures. 

 Scope of Work/Deliverables: 

The DowntownDC BID seeks a Net Fiscal Impact Study of the BID Area for the fiscal years 2019 — 2023 and compare the BID area revenues and expenditures to the District’s totals. This work will require a methodical approach of multiple data sources and clear and logical assumptions. 

TASK 1 – Project Kick-Off: 

The selected team will initiate a kickoff meeting with the DowntownDC BID to review the study goals, scope of work, and timeline 

TASK 2 – Net Fiscal Impact Study 

The selected team will be required to perform a Net Fiscal Impact Study of the BID Area for the fiscal years 2019 — 2023 and compare the BID area revenues and expenditures to the District’s totals. Please see Attachment B for the information required from the Net Fiscal Impact Study. 

It is highly recommended for the selected firm to use the following sources: relevant local sources, like DC’s City Budget, CAFR, and property tax extract file. A well-defined methodology and set of assumptions will be an important consideration in the selection of firm for this study. 

TASK 3 – Study Draft Report: 

The selected team will present the DowntownDC BID with an outline for the Downtown DC’s Employment Study within two weeks of a signed contract for this study 

The selected firm will then draft a BID Area Net Fiscal Impact Study. The draft report will include a detailed description of data sources, an explanation of the study’s methodology and major assumptions. 

TASK 4 – Study Final Report: 

The DowntownDC BID will review the final draft report and provide comments. 

The selected team will then produce a final Downtown DC Fiscal Impact Study report. 

TASK 5 – Annual Updates for 2022, 2023 and 2024:

The selected team will update the 2021 DowntownDC Net Fiscal Impact Study for the next three years: 2022, 2023 and 2024.  The deadline for the updates will be March 31 of the year following the update year. 

Proposal Requirements: 

Responses to this request for proposals are due by 5:30 p.m. January 20, 2022. Submissions received late will be rejected. Interested firms may submit RFP questions up to COB on January 13, 2022. Responses will be provided to all interested firms by COB on January 14, 2022. The BID recognizes that this time frame is extremely short. Please let the BID know if you would like extra time. 

Each firm submitting a proposal will mark the submission subject line with “RFP for Downtown DC’s Employment Study).” The submittal shall include the items below. 

1. Letter explaining how your work and qualifications are particularly well suited to this project
2. A brief biography of the firm(s)
3. Summary of proposed team structure and staff roles for this engagement that highlights day-to-day project management staff
4. Three to five examples of related work that demonstrate the capacity to fulfill the purpose of this project
5. Clear description of proposed data sources, methodology for estimating the BID Area’s Net Fiscal Impact and major assumptions.
6. The proposal, project timeline, and cost proposal (including detail on the cost of data sources and personnel costs and an annual update cost proposal for 2022, 2023 and 2024).
   1. The budget of the Net Fiscal Impact Study is $20,000 to $30,000. We are interested in feedback on the adequacy of this budget. 
   2. The budget for annual updates is expected to be 20% to 25% of the initial 2021 Net Fiscal Impact Study. 
7. Resumes of project team members (not to exceed two pages per team member)
8. Three client references for similar employment study projects led by the proposed team or team members completed within the past three years.

Please submit proposals and questions electronically to Alex Cline at alexander@downtowndc.org 

Selection Criteria: 

1. All proposals will be reviewed and evaluated by the BID and ranked based on the quality of response to each of the following criteria: (The maximum number of points is 100)
2. Project Methodology and Approach (40 Points) – The clarity and thoroughness of the proposed data sources, methodology, assumptions, research approach, and the firm’s ability to articulate and respond to the objectives and scope of work.
3. Expertise (20 Points) – Qualifications and diversity of the proposed team members, including responsibilities and skills of each team member.
4. Experience (15 Points) – Experience and demonstrated success in performing proposed work.
5. Project Cost Summary (10 Points) – Thoroughness and clarity of the estimate.
6. Timeline and Schedule (15 Points) – Ability to meet project timeline while meeting project goals.

Timeline Estimate (the timeline may be extended by one week if several potential bidders request this) 

Vendor Diversity: 

The Downto wnDC BID is committed to maintaining a diverse supplier and vendor base and building relationships with suppliers and vendors that reflect the diversity of the District of Columbia, DowntownDC BID, its clients, and its communities. Vendors must demonstrate that ownership/leadership and personnel working on this engagement reflect the DowntownDC BID’s diversity objectives especially racial and gender diversity. 

Attachment A: BID Boundaries 

Click here for a DowntownDC BID boundary map. 

View Attachment B Here:  Net Fiscal Impact Summary Spreadsheet