PROJECT OVERVIEW: Knox County, an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer, seeks to retain the services of an experienced, qualified professional consultant firm to perform an in-depth analysis of existing Knox County ordinances and regulations relating to and affecting the development in Knox County. The awarded consultant will develop the County’s first Unified Development Ordinance (UDO). The purpose of this project is to develop, draft, and adopt a new UDO combining the zoning ordinance and land development regulations into a cohesive, singular resource. The result will be a Unified Development Ordinance and Zoning Map for the unincorporated areas of Knox County. PROJECT BACKGROUND: The analysis and update of these ordinances and manuals is the logical next step to the recent comprehensive land use and transportation plan completed by Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs, Knoxville-Knox County Planning and Knox County Engineering and Public Works. The project team working on Advance Knox will continue their efforts through this Unified Development Ordinance, in conjunction with Knox County Engineering and Public Works staff and representatives of the development community. This effort is intended to be fully complete within eighteen (18) months to two (2) years from its start. PROJECT OBJECTIVES: The primary objective of this project is to develop a modernized and unified development ordinance that includes both zoning and subdivision regulations as well as the following: Stormwater – Chapter 26 – Environmental Article VI (edits already complied) Buildings and Building Regulations – Chapter 10 Fire Prevention and Protection – Chapter 30 Roads and Bridges – Chapter 54 Traffic and Vehicles – Chapter 62 Goals: Reflect goals and land use policy recommendations from the Advance Knox process and plan. Utilizes innovative and user-friendly graphics and elements such as clear definitions to facilitate ease of use. Includes provisions that facilitate mixed use development and redevelopment at nodes and along corridors. Streamlines the development process and has clear development standards for all types of development. SCOPE OF SERVICES: The consultant team will perform all necessary tasks for developing a Unified Development Ordinance. The general scope of work should include a proposed approach to developing the UDO and new zoning map, a comprehensive public engagement strategy and adoption process designed to inform and engage the general public, policy makers, key stakeholders, and the development community. The consultant will provide guidance on zoning map changes and work with Planning’s GIS team in preparing necessary updates to GIS files. The scope should also include a review by an attorney, approved by the project team, to ensure compliance with all applicable Tennessee statutes. EVALUATION CRITERIA: This RFQ will be evaluated by a selection committee composed of employees from Knox County government who have expertise within the stated scope of work. Only submittals conforming to the County’s Terms and Conditions and the provisions set forth in this RFQ will pass the initial screening. Any submittal failing to satisfy the minimum requirements set forth in this RFQ may be rejected without consideration. The committee may request oral interviews. The following criteria will be used: Project Approach (40 Points) Consultant team’s overall approach to the project. Scope of services including plan for coordination between disciplines. Public and stakeholder engagement approach including innovative ways to collect and share input digitally. Project Team Qualifications (30 Points) Description of firm and expertise as it relates to the project scope. List of project staff, their responsibilities and detailed resumes highlighting relevant project experience. Firm’s Experience with Similar Projects (20 Points) List of at least four (4) projects of similar size and scope, including community engagement plans. Include a minimum of three (3) references. Project Schedule (10 Points) Plan for how schedule risk will be mitigated. Team’s approach to developing and managing the project schedule. EVALUATION REVIEW: Knox County reserves the right to use all pertinent information (also learned from sources other than disclosed in the RFQ process) that might affect the County’s judgement as to the appropriateness of a qualified vendor. This information may be appended to the evaluation process results. Link to full posting: Request for Qualifications, Consultant Services for Unified Development Ordinance