REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

Catawba Nation

2024 Comprehensive Plan

RFP Posted: June 01, 2023

Due: July 01, 2023

The Catawba Nation seeks proposals from qualified firms for professional planning services to lead the development of the 2024 Catawba Nation Comprehensive Plan. To be eligible for consideration, the proposing firm must be capable of supplying the services described herein and must meet all other criteria outlined in this Request for Proposal (RFP).

Background.

The Catawba lands are found a few miles east of Rock Hill in eastern York County, SC one of the fastest growing Counties in SC, four miles east of McConnells, SC, and in King Mountain located in Cleveland County, NC. The ancestral lands of the Catawba Nation extend through the Piedmont region of North and South Carolina and into southern Virginia. We have lived on these lands along the Catawba River for thousands of years.

The warpaths created over the years intersected within the Catawba lands. Once settlers arrived, these paths became trade routes with the Catawba lands along The Great Trading Path. The Catawba Nation became an essential stop on the route from Jamestown to Charlestown (now Charleston). The Catawba became skilled traders which allowed them to acquire weapons, tools, blankets, and cloth in exchange for furs and other wares like Catawba pottery. Catawba bowls and pots became a sought-after commodity for the settlers due to their quality.

The number of settlers continued to grow, and the Catawba lands were reduced dramatically from the 144,000 acres granted to us by the King of England to the 700-acre reservation now held in trust for the Nation. We still live on our beautiful ancestral lands along the banks of the Catawba river today.

Due to growth and development in our area, we are now close to the thriving city of Rock Hill which is a suburb of the Charlotte metropolitan area. The Nation is a short 30-mile drive from Charlotte Douglas Airport as well as only a 10-minute drive from the I-77 corridor. This provides the Nation with a prime location for growth and development.

The Catawba has many thriving programs provided for Nation citizens and the surrounding community. The administrative offices are on the Reservation. This building houses the Nation's Executive Committee and staff working in departments such as Accounting, Economic Development, Real Estate, Social Services, and Transportation. The administrative office has over 50 employees. The Nation also has a successful housing program, several childcare facilities, a senior's program, computer lab, and transit services. There is a clinic on the reservation that is run through Indian Health Services. The Nation has helped support many Nation citizens in their pursuit of an education through the Scholarship and Job Placement & Training programs. The Catawba Cultural Center supplies a link to the rich culture of the Nation.

The Nation takes part in several York County boards and committees including Economic Development, RFATS (Rock Hill Fort Mill Area Transportation Study) (Rock Hill Fort Mill Area Transportation Study) (Rock Hill Fort Mill Area Transportation Study) (Rock Hill Fort Mill Area Transportation Study), and the Catawba Regional Council of Governments. Nation leaders are always looking for opportunities to contribute to the community through economic development, helping advance the goals of the county, and sharing the culture with others. The Catawba have proven repeatedly that they will continue to thrive against all odds.

Introduction.

The initial Master Plan Phase I was created in 2016/17 but only included the Old Reservation 710-acre parcel. The result of the initial plan was a district map with the next steps for Phase II. While some of the Master Plan recommendations have been achieved, efforts related to proactive land use planning and economic development saw less momentum. Much has changed in the intervening years, not just locally but regionally and nationally. Given the current growth challenges and enormous potential of the community, the time is right to create a new Comprehensive Plan that includes all Catawba Nation lands to set a positive course of action for the future.

Project Scope.

Required Elements: Consultants are encouraged to be creative and propose a scope of work they believe best serves the Catawba Nation. However, the following elements must be included.

• Vision and Goals. Establish a broad community vision and identify topics prioritized by the community based on public input. Each topic area should be supported by a goal, objectives and/or policy statements that serve to organize the recommendations detailed in the plan.
• Existing Conditions Analysis. Gather and analyze necessary baseline data including demographics, existing land use and zoning, current housing stock and infrastructure. Review existing relevant planning documents.
• Land Use Plan. Create a detailed and specific future land use plan to serve as the basis for future rezoning actions and Zoning Code updates. The plan should consider the existing conditions data that impact land use including but not limited to economic data, infrastructure capacity, and environmental factors. The plan should include both maps and policies that promote quality development and beneficial long-term use of land for the Catawba Nation.
• Economic Development. Propose those policies and strategies, consistent with the Nation's land use goals, projected to result in growth of the local economy, creating new tax revenues, and employment opportunities.
• Housing. Analyze existing and forecasted housing needs and identify policies and programs for the preservation of existing neighborhoods and development of housing that provides opportunities for all citizens.
• Public Facilities and Services. Review existing master plans or guiding documents related to public facilities, utilities, infrastructure, and parks and recreation. Refocus or reprioritize plan recommendations as needed, consistent with the future land use plan.
• Implementation Strategy. Identify and prioritize specific action items necessary to achieve the plan's vision and goals. Create accountability by putting forth a detailed strategy including roles, responsibilities, and milestones.
• Community Participation: The Comprehensive Plan should respond to the needs of all those impacted, including residents, businesses, and other constituent groups. In addition to gathering ideas and feedback, it is the Nation's goal to use this opportunity to increase the visibility of and excitement about planning in the community.
• Planning Board. The Planning Board and Land Management Division will assist with outreach and provide feedback throughout the process.
• Public Engagement and Outreach. The consultant should propose specific types of engagement that will result in broad-ranging participation throughout the process. We expect this to include a combination of workshops, meetings, focus groups, social media, community events, surveys, and online tools. Non-traditional approaches are encouraged. The plan should include unique branding which can be marketed throughout the planning process and beyond.
• Adoption. The Comprehensive Plan will require adoption by the Planning Board and the Nation's General Council.

Deliverables.

The consultant shall submit all draft reports and materials in electronic form. Copies of all presentation materials including displays and digital presentations used by the consultant at meetings shall be provided to the Nation in reproducible form. Materials for presentations and public meetings shall be presented for Nation review at least one week in advance of the meeting. For final deliverables, the consultant shall submit electronic copies, in both an editable format and a PDF, and one loose reproducible original of the final plan and all other final printed materials including maps, charts, tables and photographs. All hard copy materials shall be on 8 1⁄2" x 11" paper format, except for maps or similar exhibits. All digital map files shall be compatible with ESRI ArcGIS software.

Budget and Timeline.

The estimated budget for the Catawba Nation Comprehensive Plan is $150,000. The general proposed timeframe for the planning process is twelve months from project kickoff to the start of the Adoption phase.

Requirements for Proposals.

Provide the information requested below with a cover letter signed by an officer of the firm.

Qualifications: List the project manager and other key staff members of the project team who will be responsible for the work and the project responsibility of each. Address the specific experience of the key staff members on similar projects, including descriptions of relevant projects within the past ten years along with project references. Describe the capacity of staff and their ability to perform the work in a timely manner over the project timeline.

Scope of Work: Prepare a detailed scope of work that is responsive to the Nation's Project Scope. Incorporate a public engagement plan. Clearly identify the role and responsibilities of the Nation and/or the Planning Board throughout the process. Provide a draft project schedule with deliverables and milestone dates.

Cost Proposal: Provide a lump sum, not to exceed cost proposal for the basic services in the Scope of Work. Include optional services with pricing, as desired, based on your professional recommendations and project understanding. Include as necessary any breakdowns of professional services and reimbursable expenses.

Selection Procedures, Criteria and Process.

Firms interested in being considered for selection should respond by submitting one hard copy and one digital copy of their proposal to the address below by 2:00 PM on July 01, 2023. Responses received after 2:00 PM on the due date will not be considered. Responses should be addressed to Denise Williams, Director of Land Management, Catawba Nation, 996 Avenue of the Nations Rock Hill, SC 29730.

The following criteria will be used in the consultant selection process:

• Strength of project manager and strength/experience of key team members
• Past performance and experience with projects of similar scope and size
• Demonstrated understanding of issues facing the Catawba Nation and surrounding community
• Innovative project approach tailored to the Catawba Nation
• Value of services proposed for the project budget

Based on the proposals submitted, the Catawba Nation may conduct interviews with selected firms. Once a consultant ranking is established, the Nation shall enter contract negotiations with the highest-ranked firm to determine the final scope of work, project budget and timeline. Contact Denise Williams at (803) 366-4792 or denise.williams@catawba.com with any questions regarding this RFP.