What the buyer needs
AI summaryThe City of Forsyth, Georgia, seeks advisory services for a potential data center development negotiation and impact assessment. The selected consultant will advise the City during negotiations to protect the tax base, public utilities, and community interests. Core tasks include financial modeling, utility and infrastructure impact assessment, land use and environmental protection, and telecommunications advisory. The consultant will also assist with development agreements, legal protections, and public engagement. Proposals are due November 18, 2026. Applicants must demonstrate at least five years of experience advising local governments on similar projects and have no conflicts of interest with data center developers or utility providers. Evaluation criteria include demonstrated local government representation, independence, relevant project experience, and a multidisciplinary team. Proposals will be scored out of 110 points.
Scope of work
- Financial, fiscal impact, and tax policy modeling (10-, 15-, and 20-year models)
- Utility, power grid, water, and infrastructure impact assessment
- Land use, environmental protection, and zoning ordinance drafting
- Digital infrastructure, telecom, and right-of-way management
- Development agreement negotiation support, clawbacks, and decommissioning security
- Public engagement, stakeholder communications, and public hearing support
- Inception & Strategy Briefing and Fiscal & Utility Impact Report
- Negotiation Term Sheet, CBA Outline, and Final Development Agreement Redline
How proposals are evaluated
| Criterion | Weight / scoring |
|---|---|
| Section 5.1 – Demonstrated Local Government Representation | 25 points |
| Section 5.2 - Strict Independence & Conflict Standards | 25 points |
| Section 5.3 – Relevant Project Experiences | 15 points |
| Section 5.4 – Multidisciplinary Team | 15 points |
| Section 6.1 – Executive Summary & Understanding of Scope | 10 points |
| Section 6.2 – Key Personnel Resumes & Subconsultants | 10 points |
| Section 6.3 – Project Experience & References | 10 points |
| Section 6.4 - Comprehensive Conflict of Interest Disclosure | 5 points |
| Section 6.5 - Fee Proposal & Developer Escrow Memorandum | 5 points |
Minimum qualifications
- At least five (5) years of experience advising municipal governments, county commissions, or economic development authorities in high-density utility or industrial project negotiations.
- No active conflicts of interest representing data center developers, hyperscalers, or electric power providers within the target region/state within the past 36 months.
- Documented successful negotiation of large-scale data center developments or high-load industrial developments on behalf of public sector clients within the past five (5) years.
- Multidisciplinary team with expertise in municipal finance/fiscal modeling, municipal law/incentives, environmental/utility engineering, and urban planning.
Documents to include with your response
- Executive Summary & Understanding of Scope
- Key Personnel Resumes & Subconsultants
- Project Experience & References (minimum of three case studies within the past 5 years)
- Comprehensive Conflict of Interest Disclosure (formal signed declaration covering past 36 months)
- Fee Proposal & Developer Escrow Memorandum
How to submit
- Method
- Hard copy and USB drive
- Instructions
- Submit three hardcopies and one electronic copy on a USB drive to City of Forsyth – City Hall, Attn: Alex Smith, 23 E. Main Street, Forsyth, GA 31029. Email is not acceptable.