Request for Proposals The Economic Impact of Panhandling On Baltimore City Issue Date: November 15, 2008 Proposals Due: 12:00 noon (EDT) December 15, 2008 Issuing Office: Baltimore Area Convention & Visitors Association (BACVA), Baltimore Waterfront Partnership, Downtown Partnership of Baltimore (DPOB) Issuing Officer: Tom Yeager, DPOB I. INTRODUCTION Under the leadership of Mayor Sheila Dixon, The City of Baltimore has become a leader in homeless outreach. It has committed to ending homelessness within the next decade through a Housing First approach. Local government and private homeless aid organizations work closely on this shared goal, and innovative solutions have resulted such as the Make a Change program, which has become a national model for increasing awareness of, and funding for, homeless outreach. As homeless outreach has stepped up, so too have the efforts to curb panhandling. It is often assumed that panhandlers are homeless and vice versa, but this is not necessarily the case. According to outreach workers most familiar with the people who live on the streets, most panhandlers are not homeless. Panhandling is a challenge to urban and suburban areas alike, particularly in areas that attract large numbers of pedestrians. Downtown Baltimore is one such area. It has 115,000 office 1
workers, 38,000 residents, 20,000 students, and receives more than 12 million visitors annually. Recent research indicates that many convention planners, tourists and visitors view the Inner Harbor, Downtown, and its adjacent neighborhoods as unsafe and unappealing because of the presence of panhandlers. As a result, meeting planners often choose other destinations over Baltimore for their conventions. Hoteliers, retailers, and restaurateurs receive a constant flow of complaints about the adverse impact of panhandling on their guests experiences in Downtown Baltimore. Employers report difficulty in attracting prospective employees who must walk through a series of panhandlers to make it to the entrance of their buildings. Owners of apartment buildings and condominium projects complain that they have great challenges attracting and then retaining residents who are subjected to panhandling. Many restaurants choose not to provide outdoor dining, and retailers suffer lower sales all linked to the scourge of panhandling. While there is ample anecdotal evidence, to date there has been little study of the quantitative impact of panhandling on the economic health of Baltimore City, particularly Downtown Baltimore. Accordingly, the Baltimore Area Convention & Visitors Association, Baltimore Waterfront Partnership, and Downtown Partnership of Baltimore (the Issuers) have joined together to solicit proposals from experienced firms to conduct a study quantifying the economic impact of panhandling. II. SCOPE OF WORK The Issuers seek a study of the economic impact of panhandling in Baltimore City, for which the respondent to this RFP would perform the following functions: 2
1. Quantify the overall economic impact of panhandling on the City: convention industry, hotels, retailers, cultural attractions, restaurants, employers, residents, institutions, and property owners. 2. Collect and summarize relevant market research from the Baltimore Area Convention & Visitors Association, Baltimore Waterfront Partnership, The City of Baltimore, Downtown Partnership of Baltimore, and others as it pertains to visitor opinions and experiences with panhandling. 3. Collect and summarize guest surveys from hotels in Downtown Baltimore as they pertain to guest opinions and experiences with panhandling. 4. Determine the number of meetings and conventions lost due to panhandling for the last ten (10) years; determine corresponding economic impact of lost business. 5. Interview hiring directors from at least twenty (20) of the largest employers in Downtown Baltimore to evaluate the impact of panhandling on their ability to attract and retain employees. 6. Interview at least ten (10) brokers in the commercial, retail, and residential fields on the impact of panhandling in their efforts to attract employers, retailers, and residents. 7. Interview at least ten (10) property managers for apartment and condominium projects on the impact of panhandling in attracting and retaining residents. 3
8. Interview at least ten (10) street-level retailers at the Inner Harbor and in Downtown on the impact of panhandling in attracting shoppers. 9. Interview at least ten (10) street-level restaurant/bar operators on the impact of panhandling on attracting diners and creating outdoor dining options. 10. Perform any other work as needed to properly evaluate the economic impact of panhandling on Baltimore City. 11. Have surveys, analysis, reports, and supporting materials completed and delivered to The Issuers no later than April 30, 2009. III. PROPOSAL CONTENT Proposals should provide a clear and concise demonstration of the respondent s capability to satisfy the requirements and objectives of this RFP. Proposals should not be elaborate or costly, but should be prepared clearly and concisely in a professional manner. Unique capabilities or advantages of the respondents should be clearly stated in the proposal. Proposals may include any background or other supporting information that the respondent feels necessary, and must include, at a minimum, the response requirements listed in this RFP. Respondents are required to submit proposals with the following information in sufficient detail to enable the Issuers to give full consideration. Such information will include, but not necessarily be limited to: 1. Table of Contents. Proposals must include a table of contents referencing each of the sections listed below. All sections must be tabbed for quick reference. 4
2. Executive Summary. The proposal must begin with a twopage maximum executive summary which clearly and concisely summarizes the content of the proposal, the names of all project team members and expertise of the team, management structure, specific recommendations for the project, and cost to complete the study. 3. Project Team /Corporate Information. a. Organizational Chart. An organizational chart of the respondent s team is to be submitted, including: a) the names and roles of all participating firms; b) names and roles of all key personnel within each firm; and c) how the firms relate to one another. b. Company Profile: The respondent must submit a general company profile of each firm on its team. Information provided should include, but not be limited to, number of years in business, principals of the firm, number of employees, a brief history of the firm, and target markets. The respondent must be licensed and registered as required by the Laws of the State of Maryland and shall submit proof of current licensing and/or registration, upon request. c. Key Personnel. Resumes of the team must be submitted. Resumes should include a description of experience. Do not provide resumes of all employees, but rather those key people who will be intimately involved with the project. d. Minority and Women Participation. It is the policy of the City that minority and women individuals and minority and women business enterprises should have maximum opportunity to participate in any and all components of the project team. 5
Respondents must submit a statement describing the minority and women participation in the team and a list of minority and women owned businesses and contractors who will be requested to perform work on this project. Respondents must indicate the individual responsible for adherence to MBE/WBE goals. e. Relevant Project Experience. A detailed narrative statement describing the previous experience of the respondent and project team, especially with regard to projects that are relevant to the project proposed and emphasizing aspects in which the respondent s qualifications are believed to be exceptional or unique. f. Project Examples. A list of examples of relevant projects undertaken by respondent, including contact information for the principal client on each project. g. References. Provide a minimum of 3 references including the name, address, and current telephone number of the responsible person who may be contacted. Other references may also be submitted. h. Workload. A brief summary of current and projected workload for the duration of the proposed project. 4. Project Plan. The respondent shall state, in a clear and concise manner, its approach for conducting the research necessary to quantify the economic impact of panhandling on Baltimore City, in accordance with the above Scope of Work. 5. Schedule for completing the entire project with final report handed over on, or before, April 30, 2009. 6
6. Cost. The respondent shall state the total cost to the Issuers, inclusive of all expenses and other ancillary charges, for respondent to conduct the study, issue the appropriate report, and furnish the Issuers with ten (10) copies of the report. IV. EVALUATION CRITERIA 1. The degree to which the proposal addresses the RFP s Scope of Work. 2. The respondent s experience in conducting research projects similar in size and scope to the proposed project, along with a satisfactory record of past performance of the respondent. 3. The necessary technical capability, training, and experience of staff assigned to perform all aspects of the RFP and contract requirements. 4. Inclusiveness and participation by MBE/WBE (Minority Business Enterprises/Women Business Enterprises) firms. 5. Cost and Expenses. V. PROPOSAL PROCESS The Issuers will not be limited solely to the information provided by the respondent, but may utilize other sources of information useful in evaluating the capabilities of the respondent. 1. PRE-PROPOSAL CONFERENCE A Pre-Proposal Conference will be held, but attendance is not mandatory. However, information presented may be valuable in 7
the preparation of proposals, and all interested Respondents are urged to attend. Respondents are limited to no more than three (3) representatives per team. If you plan to attend, you must notify Tom Yeager at DPOB by calling 410.244.1030 or emailing tyeager@dpob.org. 2. QUESTIONS AND INQUIRIES Questions and inquiries, both verbal and written, will be accepted from Respondents attending the Pre-Proposal Conference. Responses to all substantive questions at the Pre-Proposal Conference will be posted on the Issuers websites, www.godowntownbaltimore.com and www.waterfrontpartnership.org on or before indicated. Questions apart from the Pre-Proposal Conference must be in writing and should be directed to the Issuing Officer by email at tyeager@dpob.org or hard copy. Panhandling Study Questions/ Inquiries must be in the subject line. A summary of all substantive questions and responses will be posted on the Issuers web site. No hard copies will be distributed. 3. ADDENDA All RFP Addenda will be posted on www.godowntownbaltimore.com and www.waterfrontpartnership.org. It is the responsibility of each respondent team to periodically check the web site for changes (i.e., clarifications, submission date, etc.). No hard copies will be distributed to all respondents. 4. CLOSING DATE The submission date for receipt of proposals is 12:00 noon (EDT) on December 15, 2008. Respondents who submit their proposals by mail or delivery service should allow sufficient mailing and delivery time to ensure receipt by the Issuing Officer by the time 8
and date stated above. Submissions received after the submission date and time will be marked rejected and will not be reviewed. 5. ORIGINAL AND NUMBER OF COPIES Respondent must submit via email or hand delivery one (1) original plus three (3) copies totaling four (4) submissions. The original must be marked on the front cover. All submissions must bound to lay flat when read and binders may not exceed 2 ½. 6. WHERE TO SUBMIT PROPOSALS All proposals, whether mailed, hand delivered, or submitted by email must be received by 12:00 noon (EDT) on December 15, 2008. Proposals should be mailed or submitted to: Tom Yeager at Downtown Partnership of Baltimore, 217 N. Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21201, or tyeager@dpob.org. 7. PROPOSAL ACCEPTANCE Printed proposals must be submitted in sealed envelopes or packages and clearly marked as to their contents. To be considered, respondents shall submit a complete, written response, including any addenda issued in response to questions and inquiries. Responsive proposals are those which comply with all aspects of this document regarding the method and timeliness of submission, proposal content, conformance to the requirements of this offering and program goals, and the ability of the respondent to achieve those goals. Oral, fax, telegraphic, or mail-gram proposals will not be accepted. 9
Proposals or unsolicited amendments to proposals arriving after the closing date and time will not be accepted. Failure to submit the proposals in the manner described above will result in the proposal being rejected as unresponsive. 8. PUBLIC OPENING OF PROPOSALS Proposals will not be opened publicly. 9. INCURRING EXPENSES The Issuers shall not be responsible for any costs incurred by any respondent in preparing and submitting a proposal or requested supplemental information in response to this document. 10. COMPLIANCE WITH LAW By submitting an offer in response to this document, the respondent selected for award agrees that it will comply with all Federal, State, and City laws, rules, regulations, and ordinances applicable to its activities and obligations under this RFP and the contract. VI. AWARD PROCEDURES Advisory Panel. The Issuers may convene an advisory panel to evaluate the proposals. Oral Presentations. Respondents submitting proposals may be required to make oral presentations to the Advisory Panel for purposes of clarifying their proposal. Award. Once a decision is made, the Issuers will alert the award winner as well as all other respondents. Within a reasonable time thereafter, the Issuers will enter into a contract with the award 10
winner to perform services in accordance with the terms of this RFP. The Issuers always reserve the right not to award the contract to any respondent. VII. SCHEDULE OF EVENTS Date of Issue: November 15, 2008 RSVP due for Pre-Proposal Conference: November 26, 2008 Pre-Proposal Conference: December 1, 2008, 2 p.m. at Downtown Partnership of Baltimore, 217 North Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21201. Posting of Pre-Proposal Conference questions & answers: December 3, 2008 Due date for all written questions: December 3, 2008 Posting of all written questions: December 5, 2008 Proposals Due: December 15, 2008-12 noon (EDT) Oral Presentations (if requested): TBD Notification of Award: TBD Submission of completed surveys, analysis, reports, and supporting materials completed and delivered to The Issuers no later than April 30, 2009. Please note: above dates and times are subject to change. 11
VIII. RIGHTS RESERVED Should it become necessary to revise any part of this offering, provide additional information necessary to adequately interpret provisions and requirements, or respond to written inquiries, the Issuers reserve the right to issue an Addendum to all respondents who received the initial offering. The Issuers reserve the right to extend the Submission Date by a reasonable time. The Issuers reserve the right in their sole discretion to recommend the award of a contract based upon the written proposals received by the Issuers without prior discussion or negotiation with respect to those proposals. All portions of this document will be considered to be part of the contract and will be incorporated by reference. The Issuers reserve the right to accept or reject any and all proposals, at their sole discretion, received as a result of this offering, to waive minor irregularities, and to conduct discussions with all responsible Respondents, in any manner necessary, to serve the best interest of the Issuers and this RFP. The Issuers reserve the right to request additional information from any or all prospective respondents, if necessary, to clarify that which is contained in the proposals. END OF DOCUMENT 12