About this opportunity
AI summaryThe City of Albion, Michigan, seeks qualifications from planning firms to serve as its long-term municipal planning partner. The selected consultant will support City administration, City Council, the Planning Commission, and other local authorities by preparing staff reports, attending meetings, conducting development reviews, drafting ordinances, assisting with master plans, and facilitating public engagement. Only USA organizations are eligible to bid. Responders must deliver submissions to the City Clerk's Office by November 20, 2026, at 12:00 PM, using two separately sealed envelopes for qualifications and cost proposals alongside a USB flash drive. The City evaluates submissions using a Qualifications-Based Selection process that reviews municipal planning experience, comparable community expertise, project quality, team strength, community understanding, proposal quality, and references before opening pricing.
Buyer and opportunity details
- Client
- City of Albion
Scope of work
- Planning Commission support including staff reports, meeting attendance, recommendations, findings of fact, motions, and resolutions
- Assisting with master plan development, updates, and implementation
- Development review including site plans, PUDs, Special Land Uses, rezoning requests, variances, subdivision reviews, and mixed-use evaluations
- Land use policy and planning including future land use, comprehensive planning, capital planning coordination, and housing policy
- Downtown planning initiatives
- Ordinance development including zoning amendments, design standards, shoreline protection, short-term rental regulations, and historic preservation ordinances
- Public engagement including workshops, open houses, stakeholder meetings, and community engagement events
- Additional planning services as requested by the City Manager
How proposals are evaluated
| Criterion | Weight / scoring |
|---|---|
| Demonstrated municipal planning experience | Not specified |
| Expertise working with comparable communities | Not specified |
| Quality and relevance of past projects | Not specified |
| Strength of proposed team | Not specified |
| Understanding of Albion’s needs and values | Not specified |
| Quality of proposal and communication | Not specified |
| Three (3) References | Not specified |
Minimum qualifications
- Relevant municipal planning experience
- Examples of similar work in historic, rural, or college-oriented communities
- Minimum of 3 references
Documents to include with your response
- Cover letter and statement of interest
- Firm background and relevant municipal planning experience
- Proposed project team and resumes
- Examples of similar work in historic, rural, or college-oriented communities
- References (minimum of 3)
- Cost Proposal in a separate sealed envelope (Monthly Retainer 20 hours, Monthly Retainer No Meetings 10 hours, and Hourly Professional Services rates)
- Electronic copy on USB flash drive
Key dates
- RFP Distribution & Public Release
- October 31, 2026
- Final Deadline for Proposal Submission
- November 20, 2026 at 12noon
- Evaluation and Review by Review Committee
- November 27, 2026
- Interviews with Selected Shortlisted Firms
- November 30 – December 2, 2026
- Staff Recommendation to City Council for Approval
- December 7, 2026
How to submit
- Method
- Sealed hard copy and electronic via USB flash drive
- Instructions
- Submitted in two sealed envelopes (Envelope 1 - Qualifications, Envelope 2 - Cost Proposal) and an electronic USB flash drive delivered to the City Clerk's Office.
Contract details
- Place of performance
- Albion, MI