STRATEGIC PLAN OBJECTIVE

Objective: The selected consultant will move our community to create a shared vision for the community, including the implementation structure and strategies to achieve the vision.

The Greater Summerville Dorchester County Chamber Foundation, herein after, referred to as "The Foundation" is seeking proposals from qualified consultants to provide a 15-year community vision and strategic action for Dorchester County and the Town of Summerville, "The Community." The consultant will engage the community, school District and other municipalities.

WHAT THE GREATER SUMMERVILLE DORCHESTER COUNTY FOUNDATION IS LOOKING FOR

Consultants are invited to submit a proposal, which includes an outline of their experience and qualifications in performing work directly related to the services required.

The consultant will propose a work plan to develop a Community Vision through public involvement and participation and to lay the groundwork for what the citizens of the community would like the identity of the area to be. The vision will also guide decision makers to focused, growth areas throughout the Town and County as well as target industry and viable economic development.

The Community Vision should understand the entire community, reflect core community values, address emerging trends and issues, imagine a preferred future, and promote local action. The vision findings of this exercise will then be prioritized and added to a Strategic Action Plan.

The intent of the Strategic Plan is to help direct its efforts and resources toward a defined vision for the future. The plan should include benchmarks or milestones that measure the progress along the way.

The process should include both active and passive involvement, ensuring diverse and extensive community participation. Involving multiple voices and organizations is key to a comprehensive and sustainable vision plan. This plan must have honest, diverse, and committed engagement from staff, funders, elected officials across the region, new champions, and other business and community leaders. Leverage existing plans, projects, and initiatives already in motion. We look for innovative approaches to push and challenge the boundaries of our thinking and to regularly question status quo thinking.

ABOUT DORCHESTER COUNTY AND SUMMERVILLE

The center of Summerville is in southeastern Dorchester County; the town extends northeast into Berkeley and Charleston counties. It is bordered to the east by the town of Lincolnville and to the southeast by the city of North Charleston. Summerville's town limits extend south as far as the Ashley River, next to Old Fort Dorchester State Historical Park.

U.S. Route 78 passes near the center of Summerville, leading southeast 24 miles (39 km) to downtown Charleston and northwest 29 miles (47 km) to Interstate 95 at St. George. Interstate 26 leads through Summerville's northeast corner, with access from Exit 199, leading southeast to Charleston and northwest 90 miles (140 km) to Columbia.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 22.67 square miles (58.7 km2), of which 22.54 square miles (58.4 km2) is land and 0.14 square miles (0.36 km2) (5.24%) is water.

BACKGROUND

Dorchester County government delivers essential services that contribute to the well-being and quality of life of its citizens. In doing so, we seek to meet the collective needs of our citizens in a cost-effective manner.

The government of Dorchester County, in partnership with its citizens and businesses, will play a leadership role in achieving a balance between growth, the environment, and preservation of the unique cultural and natural characteristics of Dorchester County.

Dorchester County implemented a Strategic Plan in 2019. The plan is updated every 3 years with the latest update approved in 2023.

The Comprehensive Plan is the County's guide for decision making. It is created by studying the existing conditions of the County, debating preferred future alternatives and priorities, and identifying practical implementation strategies to help the County reach its preferred future goals. Dorchester County held numerous public meetings and planning sessions to gain feedback and insight for the Comprehensive Plan. Dorchester County has the following resource links:

Public Dashboard (envisio.com)

Comprehensive Plan | Dorchester County, SC website (dorchestercountysc.gov)

2020 Parks and Recreation .pdf

Library Master Plan_presen.pdf

Dorchester County Greenbelt Master Plan

The last community vision exercise that the Town of Summerville participated in was in 2014. At that time, the Town conducted public outreach and developed a 30-year vision in conjunction with the Comprehensive Plan Update. Today the town is a very different place. We have experienced a tremendous amount of growth within the town boundary and the areas around us. There has been interest from the community, developers, and other local agencies to revisit the vision of the Town of Summerville and plan for the future. The Town of Summerville has the following resource links:

Vision Plan (2014)

Green Infrastructure Plan (2017)

Our Town, Our Future Comprehensive Plan (2020)

Urban Forest Master Plan (2023)

SCOPE OF SERVICES

While we expect the scope may be modified based on the recommendations from the selected consultant, the project scope should include:

1. Analysis of (strategic activities) to date including history, operating model, successes/challenges, and gap analysis.
2. Research and analyze the state of the community in relation to others across the country. Include recent and historic opportunities, challenges, and successes.
3. Public Participation and Public Input Process
   1. Develop, coordinate, and conduct an in-depth process that encourages diverse feedback from an array of community leaders and organizational stakeholders.
   2. Leverage multiple techniques to ensure an open public discussion.
   3. Identify and connect with next generation business and community leaders, elected officials, and the greater public to increase buy in and sustainability.
   4. Regular meetings with the leadership team to ensure equitable outreach is occurring.
4. Strategy and Implementation – the shared strategy should be clear, compelling, timely, bold, and one that motivates people to act.
   1. A project approach that includes a 3-year action plan with 5-year milestones, based on longer term 15-year vision.
   2. Can be a multi-year plan inclusive of short and long-term goals.
   3. Incorporates various data, policies, strategies, and projects from other regional plans and documents areas of progress, overlap, and/or future collaboration.
   4. The detailed strategy should identify the shared vision, goals, objectives, strategies, tactics, responsible partners and their roles, opportunities for collaboration, measures, and outcomes.
   5. Identify opportunities for more regional collaboration and recommendations to break down silos and tie existing plans together.
   6. Acknowledges and connects the efforts of existing plans.
   7. Ensures buy-in from stakeholders and leadership in the identification and prioritization process.
5. Recommendations on community infrastructure
   1. The paid/unpaid infrastructure necessary to support a successful program implementation to include leadership, staffing and the role of volunteers.
   2. Opportunities for federal, state, local, and private funding to support initiatives.
   3. Data tracking guidance to collect, measure, and report progress on a regular basis.
6. Determining an overall identity for The Community and individual identities for the regional areas of The Community.

Budget: The plan should be complete, including all meetings, discussion groups, team time, contract labor support, etc. Please be as specific as possible in providing budget information that supports the goals and deliverables that are outlined in the scope of work. Provide a cost breakdown with a payment schedule. Actual compensation is subject to contract negotiation.

CONSULTANT RESPONSIBILITIES AND REQUIREMENTS

The selected consultant will work with the Foundation team and staff. The consultant will be responsible for discussions with major stakeholders, business, and community leaders, elected officials, and the public. The consultant(s) is responsible for the following items:

• Design and recommend a general approach to the project, including phases and timeline.
• General management of the project.
• Drafting and preparation of the plan and other related documents including summary narrative, implementation metrics, PowerPoint presentation, and other identified assets.
• Data collection, analysis, and presentation (with support from staff and stakeholders).
• Organization and facilitation of meetings and public input strategies (with support from staff).
• Managing the budget for project funds and abiding by the project timelines.
• Regular presentations/communications (oral/written) to the (leadership) team.
• Final presentation to the (leadership) team and the broader stakeholder community.

EVALUATION CRITERIA

Selection Process:

1. Each proposal submitted by the deadline will be reviewed to ensure whether all required materials have been submitted according to the guidelines set forth in this RFP. Proposals submitted after the deadline will not be considered.
2. The Foundation will select stakeholders to serve on committee and review the submitted RFP’s based on predetermined evaluation criteria as identified below. The qualifications of each consultant and all submitted materials will be evaluated for compliance with the requirements and conditions contained in this RFP.
3. After the selection committee completes its evaluation of the submitted proposals, finalists may be selected to take part in an interview process. This interview process may include a brief virtual presentation by the consultant and a question-and-answer session led by the selection committee.
4. The selection committee will be responsible for selecting the final project partner consultant.

Evaluation Criteria:

1. Proposed Approach and Scope of Work, Understanding of Project, and Goals
2. Project Team Qualifications and Related Experience
3. Proposed Work Plan and Timeline (including engagement strategies and timeframe, and capacity to successfully execute the project as outlined)
4. Three references including name, phone number, email, scope of project and budget amount.
5. Proposed Fees, Costs, and payment schedule.
6. Demonstrated familiarity with subject matter.
7. Overall Fit and Approach as a Partner

All proposals will become the property of The Foundation. All candidates will be notified of status, regardless of the outcome. The selection committee will consider applicants based on qualifications and without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, disability, and any other legally protected status. The Foundation reserves the right not to move forward with hiring a consultant for any reason.

SUBMISSION DEADLINE AND PROPOSED TIMELINE:

October 31, 2024 - Deadline for RFP Submittal

SUBMISSION

Interested parties should submit one (1) digital copy of the proposal via a link, sent by the consultant for the project. The RFP should include, at a minimum:

• A statement of qualifications, including an executive summary of at least three other similar plans (or projects with similar deliverables) the firm has worked on, their key elements, public participation component(s), budgets, and timelines. It is highly encouraged that the proposal include links to these plans. References, including contact name, organization, title, email, and phone number for each example should also be provided.
• An overview of the organization, with a brief history of the company, years in business, number of employees, main location(s), etc.
• Names of key personnel assigned to the project. Include titles, years of experience, and resumes or bios if desired. Include any potential subcontractors. Identify how key personnel will interact with the Foundation leadership, director, and greater community.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the project, identifying the project approach and the needs of the community. Address how you propose to meet those needs and include a description about innovative ways you have used to gain participation and input with other projects.
• A project timeline and availability of key personnel. Timeline should include a work plan which identifies a start date and completion date, with phasing. Note: If consultant recommends a different timeframe to complete a meaningful plan, please clearly note this in your submission and why.
• A fee structure for all personnel involved and a not-to-exceed cost breakdown with a budget estimate to complete the project. The Foundation will work with the selected consultant to minimize time/expense related to scheduling meetings, public engagement, etc. Please use a separate line item for travel and material expenses. Consultants are encouraged to provide as much information as possible.
• Provide related examples of specific achievements from past community visioning efforts, sharing examples of what communities were able to achieve because of the visioning process.

SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS

All interested consultants/firms are required to send an email to the submittal contact stating interest and identifying a point person as the primary contact for questions/answers and general information updates by October 21,2024.

The submittal contact is Rita Berry, President/CEO for the Foundation.

Email: rberry@greatersummerville.org.

Mailing address: 402 North Main Street, Summerville, SC 29483

• Any questions regarding the proposal may be submitted by email only to the submittal contact.
• The deadline for submitting questions is October 21, 2024. All questions will be answered via email on a rolling basis and shared with all consultants who have indicated their interest in submitting an RFP.
• An electronic copy of the RFP shall be submitted.
• All proposals must be received by October 31, 2024. Any proposal received after that time will not be considered.