Consulting Services, Economic & Target Industry Analysis

The City of St. Petersburg (City) is seeking proposals from qualified firms to conduct a Target Industry Study for the City. The study shall include a comprehensive economic and market assessment analyzing economic conditions, labor market trends, and industry performance at the local, regional, state, and national levels. This assessment shall also evaluate workforce demographics, educational assets, underemployment, location quotients, and emerging and innovation-driven sectors relevant to the City’s economic growth.

Stakeholder engagement will be a key component of the study. The selected firm shall gather input through interviews, focus groups, and/or surveys with a broad range of stakeholders, which may include employers, small businesses, educational institutions, healthcare and social service providers, business organizations, and public-sector partners. This engagement should ensure that diverse and equitable perspectives are incorporated into the study findings. The study shall also benchmark St. Petersburg against peer cities and national best practices to assess the City’s competitive position. This analysis shall identify successful models, competitive advantages, barriers to industry cluster development, and the continued relevance of the industry clusters identified in the 2014 Grow Smarter Initiative.

Based on the results of the assessment, stakeholder engagement, and benchmarking analysis, the study shall provide clear recommendations regarding retained, refined, and new target industry clusters, along with an actionable implementation framework for the City.

Background

The Grow Smarter Strategy, developed in 2014 through a partnership between the City of St. Petersburg and the St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce, served as a comprehensive economic development plan intended to strengthen the City’s competitive position and support diversified, inclusive economic growth. The strategy was informed by broad community engagement, including interviews, focus groups, and surveys, and was centered on strengthening the workforce, expanding access to quality jobs, and enhancing St. Petersburg’s overall sense of place.

As part of that effort, the strategy identified five target industry clusters considered well-positioned for growth within the City:

• Marine and Life Sciences
• Data Analytics
• Specialized Manufacturing
• Creative Arts and Design
• Financial Services

Implementation of the Grow Smarter Strategy contributed to several significant economic development initiatives and outcomes, including the creation of the St. Petersburg Economic Development Corporation (EDC), the formalization of the Innovation District, and continued support for small business and entrepreneurial development programs.

Project Details

• Reference ID: RFP- 26 - 157
• Department: Economic Development
• Department Head: Director (Director)

Important Dates

• Questions Due: 2026-04-27T16:00:00.000Z
• Answers Posted By: 2026-04-29T19:00:00.000Z

Meetings & Milestones

Evaluation Criteria

• Qualifications and Experience of Firm and Staff (40 pts) —

  This section evaluates the Proposer’s qualifications, relevant experience, and capacity to successfully perform the required services. Scoring will be based on the firm’s history of similar projects, technical expertise, organizational structure, key personnel credentials, and demonstrated past performance.

• Project Approach (35 pts) —

  This section evaluates the Proposer’s proposed methodology for delivering the services, including processes used on similar projects and the approach envisioned for this engagement. Scoring will be based on the clarity and feasibility of the project plan, schedule, key activities, deliverables, and the proposed coordination process with the City’s Project Manager. 

• Cost Analysis (15 pts) —

  This section evaluates the Proposer's completed cost analysis and proposed fee for the project. Scoring will be based on the completeness, clarity, and reasonableness of the pricing information provided. 

• Business Enterprise Program Outreach and Utilization (10 pts) —

  This section evaluates the Proposer’s status as an SBE, MBE, WBE, or combination, and the firm’s demonstrated commitment to outreach, inclusion, and utilization of small and minority-owned businesses in performance of the contract. Scoring will be based on documented outreach efforts, planned mentoring and capacity-building initiatives, and processes for inclusive subcontracting. 

Submission Requirements

• Is the Vendor registered with the Florida Department of State, Division of Corporations (Sunbiz) in accordance with Florida Statute §607.1501? (required)
• Is the Vendor a City of St. Petersburg certified SBE? (required) —

  If you have submitted an application and it is pending, please send an email to osd@stpete.org. In the subject line- provide the solicitation number and due date. 

• Is the Vendor a City of St. Petersburg certified MWBE? (required) —

  If you have submitted an application and it is pending, please send an email to osd@stpete.org. In the subject line- provide the solicitation number and due date. 

• Address for Headquarters location. (required)
• Address of office providing service, if different than above.
• Signature Authority (required) —

  Please provide a letter certifying who is authorized to execute the agreement on behalf of Company. 

• Describe the nature of company’s business. (required)
• Year the Company was Founded. (required)
• Number of years company has operated under the current name. (Note: if the company has modified its corporate structure since its founding (e.g., from a corporation to an LLC), you may list the number of years the company was founded under the original corporate structure). (required)
• Company’s bank of record. (required)
• Describe any litigation that the vendor has been a party to in the last five years where it was alleged that the offeror breached a contract for similar services with a client/customer and describe any contracts for similar services that the vendor failed to complete for similar services. Describe the facts and status of any such litigation or contract. (required) —

  Type N/A if not applicable.

• Identify any government entity that has debarred or otherwise prohibited the vendor from responding to its competitive solicitations within the last five years. Describe the circumstances surrounding such debarment or other prohibition. (required) —

  Type N/A if not applicable.

• The vendor acknowledges that it has read, understands and will comply with Florida Statute §448.095 pertaining to required use of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security E-Verify system. Should the City terminate the contract with the vendor for violation of §448.095, vendor may not be awarded a contract with the City for at least one year. (required)
• The vendor acknowledges that its quote response is subject to Public Records laws (Chapter 119, Florida Statutes). (required)
• Will vendor allow other agencies to piggyback the contract if awarded? (required)
• The vendor hereby makes all certifications required by Florida Statute §287.135 related to scrutinized companies. (required)
• Is vendor required to provide any disclosures to the City regarding a foreign country of concern pursuant to Florida Statutes §286.101 (3)(a)? (required)
• If YES, please provide the disclosure(s) in accordance with the requirements of Florida Statute §286.101 (3)(a).
• The vendor certifies that it takes no exceptions to the agreement attached. (required) —

  The City has deemed the following contract terms to be non-negotiable. Vendor is advised that if it wishes to take exception to any of the terms contained or referenced in the contract, it must explicitly identify the term and the exception in its response to the solicitation. Vendor's stated exception to a non-negotiable contract term may disqualify it from consideration: 

  1. Indemnification.
  2. Insurance coverage.
  3. Governing Law and Venue.
  4. The City will not agree to the addition of any provision requiring a dispute resolution process or method, including but not limited to binding arbitration.
  5. The City will not agree to the addition of any provision waiving any remedy available to the City in law or equity (including but limited to the right to a jury trial)
  6. The City will not agree to the addition of any provision providing for the award of attorney’s fees to the prevailing party.
  7. The City will not agree to the addition of any provision limiting the liability of Vendor to a maximum dollar amount.
• If exceptions are taken to the attached agreement, please provide.
• Has the vendor identified any trade secrets or confidential information in its response? (required)
• If yes to the above question, please upload your redacted proposal here.
• I currently have the required insurance coverage as specified in the solicitation and will be able to provide a Certificate of Insurance if awarded. (required)
• References (required) —

  Please download the below document, complete, and upload.

• Submittal Documents (required) —

  Upload all other documents relating to this solicitation. Including but not limited to proposals/statements of qualifications, applicable bonds, warranty information, etc. 

• Living Wage Questions (required) —

  Please download the below documents, complete, and upload.

• What type of project is this? (required)
• Is this a service contract, exceeding $200k? (required) —

  Make sure this in compliance with the living wage ordinance. 

• Is the construction project over $1M? (required)
• Number of Awards (required)
• Will background checks be needed? (required)
• What type of background check? (required)
• Will subcontractors/subconsultants be allowed? (required)
• Will a performance and payment bond be needed? (required)

Questions & Answers