LCRPC is Soliciting Proposals
Lincoln County Regional Planning Commission (LCRPC) is soliciting proposals from qualified firms to conduct an economic analysis and develop a comprehensive economic development strategy for Lincoln County. A successful candidate will analyze the county’s current conditions, review studies, and use feedback from a public survey, focus groups, and an advisory committee to develop a 5-year (2028-2033) economic development strategy .
The full RFP proposal is available for download using the link below and is shared in this post.
Background
Lincoln County is a rural county in Maine consisting of 19 towns and a population of approximately 35,000. With 450 miles of tidal coastline, Lincoln County has incredible economic growth opportunities due to its expansive shoreline, pristine natural resources, dynamic community, and impressive cultural assets. The county is close to Portland and Bar Harbor markets and is well positioned within the greater northeast region with access to Boston and New York markets. However, external economic pressures and demographic trends remain a major challenge for this bucolic county which requires intentional and committed attention. These trends have risen home prices, driven workforce shortages, and increased economic disparities. Lincoln County has always been a prime destination for retirees, second-home owners, and tourists. While these elements are an important part of the economy, there is also a need to ensure year-round living is not only attainable but thriving for all age groups.
LCRPC has been working to counteract some of these challenging outcomes through a variety of strategies, including actions outlined in the 2023 Lincoln County Housing Needs Assessment, many of which are designed to stimulate housing production. To complement and build on this work, the comprehensive economic development strategy project will produce a data-driven, high-impact approach to economic development that will enhance the return on investment for private sector, municipal, state, and federal investments. This will attract new economic activity, enhance existing businesses, and diversify the economy. This strategy will also allow the county to leverage natural resources for economic opportunities while also ensuring their long-term protection. The goal of this project is to help the county, towns, businesses, and community see what’s possible and move from a shrinking economy to one that is sustainably growing and investing in a bright future.
Project Overview
This project will analyze current economic conditions and community needs, establish a shared vision informed by community feedback, assess potential growth opportunities, develop strategies to sustainably grow the regional economy, create an implementation plan to achieve goals identified through this project, and establish metrics to track progress over time.
Scope of Work
The selected firm will be responsible for completing the tasks and services outlined in the below scope of work by December 1, 2027. As a qualified economic development firm, we welcome proposals that adjust this scope where appropriate, while still ensuring that the stated deliverables will be met.
Task #1: Project Management (February 2027 - December 2027)
The consultant will work closely with LCRPC staff to ensure project expectations are met, while ensuring time and resources are used effectively. We expect the consultant to attend the following meetings, while also responding to emails and phone calls as needed in between, as needed:
Virtual kickoff meeting in February between LCRPC and consultant (60 minutes)
Monthly virtual check-in meetings between LCRPC and consultant (30 minutes each)
Two virtual or hybrid advisory committee meetings (90 minutes each)
One in person report release meeting to present the findings, strategy, conclusion, and recommendations of the project
Task #2: Current Conditions and Data Analysis (March 2027 - June 2027)
The consultant will analyze economic and demographic data, completed local and regional studies (including those related to housing, transportation, and economic development), and other relevant information to inform a robust current conditions section of the report. All data for this task will be agreed upon by the consultant and LCRPC staff prior to analysis.
Task #3: Public Engagement Planning and Analysis (March 2027 - June 2027)
LCRPC will be responsible for developing and implementing public engagement, in collaboration with the consultant and an appointed advisory committee. With LCRPC as lead, the consultant will help inform planning for the public engagement portion of the project and will analyze all input provided by the community. Public engagement will be sought through a widely distributed community survey, focus groups, and the advisory committee. The consultant will develop a community vision for the future and community priorities using the information gained through the public engagement process.
Task #4: Economic Development Strategy (June 2027 - December 2027)
Using information analyzed from Task #2 and Task #3, the consultant will develop community priorities and create an economic growth strategy for Lincoln County.
Task #5: Economic Development Strategy Action Plan (June 2027 - December 2027)The consultant will develop an action plan to achieve strategic economic goals identified through this project which will outline the effort, cost, level of impact, risks, and timeline associated with potential strategies. These actions should be effective, feasible, tangible, time bound, and measurable. In addition to this implementation plan, the consultant will develop metrics and methods to measure progress over time, with a timeline for each action to be achieved.
Task #6: Lincoln County Economic Development Study, Strategy, and Action Plan
The consultant will deliver a draft Lincoln County Economic Development Study, Strategy, and Action Plan report to LCRPC no later than October 31, 2027 and a final report due by December 1, 2027.
Budget
The total cost of the proposed services, including all fees, expenses, and other anticipated costs, shall not exceed $80,000. Proposals exceeding this maximum amount may not be considered.
Proposers are encouraged to submit their most competitive pricing based on the scope of services and deliverables outlined in this RFP. The County is not obligated to award a contract at the maximum allowable amount or to expend the full amount available.
Proposal Format and Submission Instructions
Proposals must include the following elements in the order below:
Name and point of contact: Primary project manager working with LCRPC staff managing the project.
Project experience: Include a list of at least three similar projects completed in the last five years. For each project, include client contact information, projected budget, final costs, and timeline from start to project completion. Please indicate if the final plan was implemented by the client.
Firm experience: Provide information about how long the firm has been providing this type of service and how the work has been conducted. Also include information about the type of clients served including, but not limited to, geographic area, types of governments served, and size of population served.
Project team profile: Provide a brief profile of the team members (including subcontractors) who would be directly involved in the proposed project and their relevant experience.
Statement of capacity: Provide a statement of the firm’s capacity to perform the anticipated tasks for this project.
Proposed timeline: For each task, the firm shall provide a statement of the proposed timeline for this project, including major milestones and anticipated review times. This project must be completed by no later than December 1, 2027.
Deliverables: Provide a list and description of the deliverables the firm anticipates delivering to LCRPC upon project completion.
Cost breakdown: The firm shall provide a breakdown of the costs for each task, including the efforts required for each task, hourly rates, hours to complete each task, and total labor costs. Please include hourly rates for additional work if the scope of the study is increased.
Evaluation Criteria
Proposals will be evaluated by a selection committee consisting of the Lincoln County Administrator and LCRPC staff. Proposal selection will be based on qualifications, experience, capacity, timeline, deliverables, and project cost described in the proposal with the RFP.
Submission Instructions
Lincoln County, via the Lincoln County Regional Planning Commission (LCRPC), will be accepting proposals through 2:00PM on Tuesday, December 15, 2026. Formal proposals should be sent electronically to Alex Zipparo (azipparo@lcrpc.org) via email, U.S. Mail, or hand-delivery. Our mailing address is: 297 Bath Road, Wiscasset, ME 04578.
Contract Award
The County anticipates completing its evaluation of proposals and making an award decision by January 21, 2027. This date is an estimate and may be modified at the County’s discretion. Proposers will be notified of any material changes to the procurement schedule.
This is a fixed-price contract, inclusive of all services rendered to Lincoln County. Contracts will be paid monthly, following receipt and review of monthly invoices to Lincoln County.
Reservation of Rights
Lincoln County reserves the right to extend the evaluation period, reject any or all proposals, waive minor informalities or irregularities, request clarification or additional information from any proposer, negotiate with one or more proposers, and cancel or modify this RFP, in whole or in part, when the County determines it to be in its best interest.
Issuance of this RFP does not obligate the County to award a contract or expend any funds. The County may determine that none of the proposals adequately meets its needs or provides sufficient value to justify an award. All costs incurred in preparing and submitting a proposal shall be the sole responsibility of the proposer.
Contact Information
For any questions regarding this RFP, please contact:
Alex Zipparo
(207) 882-5985
