SLED Opportunity · ARIZONA · CITY OF BENSON
AI Summary
The City of Benson, AZ, seeks proposals for Economic Development Consulting Services to support its economic and commercial growth goals. Proposals due by August 5, 2026. The RFP includes detailed evaluation criteria and submission requirements, emphasizing qualifications, program approach, staffing, experience, and pricing.
The City of Benson, Arizona, is issuing a Request for Proposal to retain a Contractor to provide Economic Development Consulting Services to provide professional guidance to support the City of Benson economic and commercial development goals. Proposals are due no later than 3:00 pm on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, through the City's eProcurement Portal at https://procurement.opengov.com/portal/bensonaz.
Benson was founded in 1880 when the Southern Pacific Railroad came through. It was named after Judge William S. Benson, a friend of Charles Crocker, president of the Southern Pacific. The railroad, coming overland from California, chose the Benson site to cross the San Pedro River. Benson then served as a rail junction point to obtain ore and refined metal by wagon, in turn shipping rail freight back to the mines at Tombstone, Fairbank, Contention City and Bisbee. For example, the railhead in Benson was about 25 miles from Tombstone and was the closest rail connection to it until 1882, when a feeder line was laid from Benson to Contention City.
The railhead in Benson was founded about a mile from a traditional crossing of the upper San Pedro River (known also as the Middle Crossing), used by the Southern Emigrant Trail and San Antonio-San Diego Mail Line. It was the site of the San Pedro Station of the Butterfield Overland Mail and a wagon depot, the San Pedro River Station, run since 1871 by William Ohnesorgen. In 1878 he had erected a toll bridge over which mining supplies were transported to the new mining camps such as Fairbank and Tombstone. Two years later this bridge marked the location of the railroad bridge that became the terminal site of Benson.
The City today is perhaps best known as the gateway to Kartchner Caverns State Park.
Provide a concise overview of Proposer's qualifications and ability to comply with the Scope of Work.
Describe the programs and processes used on projects of similar scope and magnitude, the processes envisioned in this project, and the ability to initiate and perform the services proposed.
Identify the staff assigned to this project (by names and positions) and their knowledge of the City of Benson and surrounding areas and the State of Arizona. The listing should include relevant experience and capability.
Provide a written record listing, or a brochure describing, past work with emphasis on comparable projects. Project references should be included.
The City reserves the right to conduct interviews with two or more proposers as it pertains to the RFP.
The RFP Cover Page must be completed, signed by the Contractor's authorized signatory.
A detailed description of the Proposer’s approach to delivering the proposed Scope of Work. Do not include pricing.
Resumes, certificates, and training for individuals involved in performance of the Scope.
The Offeror’s Compensation (Price) Proposal will be evaluated to determine completeness, reasonableness, and overall value to the organization. It should be a fixed monthly fee.
Cooperative Purchasing allows other public agencies to piggyback on the City of Benson’s contracts. Will your firm provide the City of Benson, as the lead agency on this regional contract, a rebate in the form of a percentage of sales based upon the other agencies sales?
Please upload your signed Offer and Acceptance form.
Please note: The City of Benson is a public agency subject to public records laws. Therefore, all requests to withhold information from the public record must be accompanied by justification. Pricing will not be held confidential.
If you answered yes, then you must use this field to identify the sections of your submittal that you are requesting be withheld from public record.
If sections are not identified as confidential in this field, your request to hold information confidential may not be accepted.
Please note: The City of Benson is a public agency subject to public records laws. Therefore, all requests to withhold information from the public record must be accompanied by justification. Pricing will not be held confidential.
In accordance with Instructions to Offerors - Exceptions to Contract Provisions, any exceptions that an offeror wishes to submit for the City's consideration must be indicated here in order to be considered.
Will you hold a pre-proposal meeting?
Please select the required language that should be included under Special Terms and Conditions for this project. Please select all that apply.
Please select the additional insurance coverages required for this project. Please select all that apply.
What is the initial term of the contract?
Please use the following format: one (1)
Even if you selected auto renewal, you need to add the initial term, i.e. one (1)
Will renewal options be given with this contract?
If you selected Auto Renewal, select No.
What is the renewal term of the contract?
Please use the following format: four (4)
If no extension options will be given or you selected automatic renewals, please enter "N/A".
SLED stands for State, Local, and Education. These are solicitations issued by state governments, counties, cities, school districts, utilities, and higher education institutions — as opposed to federal agencies.
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