SLED Opportunity · TEXAS · CITY OF ENNIS
AI Summary
The City of Ennis, Texas seeks qualified consulting firms to develop a comprehensive Economic Development Strategic Plan to guide growth, infrastructure, and community initiatives. Submissions due April 10, 2026.
The City of Ennis is seeking Statements of Qualifications (SOQs) for Economic Development Strategic Plan Consulting Services. See solicitation 26-112-09 on the City's OpenGov portal, submissions are due before 1:00 pm on Friday, April 10, 2026.
Introduction and Purpose
The Ennis Economic Development Corporation (“EEDC”), a Texas Type B economic development corporation organized under Texas Local Government Code Chapter 505, is soliciting qualifications from professional consulting firms to conduct and prepare a comprehensive Strategic Economic Development Plan (the “Plan”).
The City of Ennis, Texas (the “City”), in coordination with the Ennis Economic Development Corporation (“EEDC”), is soliciting Responses to this RFQ from qualified professional consulting firms to conduct and prepare a comprehensive Economic Development Strategic Plan (the “Plan”).
The Plan is intended to serve as an implementation framework guiding the City and EEDC in the strategic development and implementation of initiatives including projects and programs that promote quality of life, community development, downtown revitalization, workforce readiness, tourism, and the retention and expansion of primary jobs, in compliance with applicable Texas law.
Why Ennis / Why Now
Ennis is experiencing accelerated population and development growth driven by its strategic location within the Dallas–Fort Worth region, expanding industrial activity, increasing residential demand, and emerging tourism and downtown revitalization opportunities - that requires thoughtful sequencing, prioritization, and alignment of economic development investments. At the same time, the City faces significant infrastructure constraints—particularly related to water and wastewater capacity—that directly affect the timing, scale, and feasibility of future economic development.
This Economic Development Strategic Plan is intended to provide a timely, realistic roadmap to help the City and the EEDC balance growth with infrastructure readiness, fiscal responsibility, and long-term community goals. The Plan will guide near- and mid-term decision-making to ensure that economic development initiatives are strategically focused, legally compliant, and positioned to deliver lasting value to the Ennis community.
The purpose of this RFQ is to identify a consulting firm with demonstrated experience in Texas communities undergoing rapid growth, capable of delivering a data‑driven, implementation‑focused Strategic Economic Development Plan that aligns economic opportunity with infrastructure realities, fiscal sustainability, and community priorities.
This RFQ is issued in accordance with applicable provisions of the Texas Local Government Code, including but not limited to Chapters 252 and 271, as applicable.
The firm’s demonstrated experience with similar projects, including past performance, relevance of experience, and overall capability.
Demonstrated understanding of the project objectives and the quality, feasibility, and effectiveness of the proposed approach and methodology.
Qualifications, experience, and availability of the proposed project team, including the relevance of key personnel’s experience to the proposed services.
The extent to which the response demonstrates the firm’s ability to deliver high-quality services, meet the City’s objectives, and provide the best overall value.
Please Upload your COMPLETE Statement of Qualifications here formatted in the manner required by this RFQ.
Did you read through and confirm that you met all of the RFQ requirements?
Please upload a copy of your current insurance.
In the last 10 years has your company ever been released from a contract with or without cause?
Please provide the agency name, contact person, brief description of the project and details regarding your release from the contract?
Please download the below documents, complete, and upload.
Please provide documentation showing that you have submitted Form 1295 with the Texas Ethics Commission.
Federal Law (A-102 Common Rule and OMB Circular A-110) prohibits non-Federal entities from contracting with or making sub-awards under covered transactions to parties that are suspended or debarred or whose principals are suspended or debarred. Covered transactions include procurement contracts for goods or services equal to or in excess of $25,000 and all non-procurement transactions (e.g., sub-awards to sub-recipients).
Contractors receiving individual awards of $25,000 or more and all sub-recipients must certify that their organization and its principals are not suspended or debarred by a Federal agency.
Before an award of $25,000 or more can be made to your firm, you must certify that your organization and its principals are not suspended or debarred by a Federal agency.
Prosper certifies that neither the firm nor its principals are suspended or debarred by a Federal agency.
In accordance with Texas Government Code Chapter 2252, Subchapter A, the City of Ennis is required to give preference to Texas Resident Proposers. This preference applies to the extent that a Texas Resident Proposer would need to underbid a Nonresident Proposer to obtain a comparable contract in the state where the Nonresident's principal place of business is located.
To comply with this requirement, all Proposers must certify whether they are a Texas Resident Proposer or a Nonresident Proposer. Failure to provide this certification on the provided response forms will result in disqualification of the Proposal.
To the extent this Agreement constitutes a contract for goods or services for which a written verification is required under Sections 2252.151-.154 Texas Government Code, Consultant hereby certifies that it and its parent company, wholly- or majority- owned subsidiaries, and other affiliates, if any, is not a company identified on the Texas Comptroller’s list of companies known to have contracts with, or provide supplies or services to, a foreign organization designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization by the U.S. Secretary of State under federal law.
To the extent this Agreement constitutes a contract for goods or services for which a written verification is required under Sections 2271.001-002 Texas Government Code, Consultant and its parent company, wholly- or majority- owned subsidiaries, and other affiliates, if any, further certifies and verifies that it does not boycott Israel, and agrees that it will not boycott Israel during the term of this Contract. For purposes of this Contract, the term “boycott” shall mean and include terminating business activities or otherwise taking any action that is intended to penalize, inflict economic harm on, or limit commercial relations with Israel, or with a person or entity doing business in Israel or in an Israeli-controlled territory. (Tex. Gov’t Code §§ 2270.001-.002, 808.001-.006, .051-.057, .101-.102)
The foregoing certification is made solely to comply with Chapter 2271, Texas Government Code, as amended, to the extent the applicable provision in Chapter 2271.001, Texas Government Code does not contravene applicable Texas or federal law. As used in the foregoing verification, “boycott Israel” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 808.001(1), Texas Government Code. Consultant understands “affiliate” to mean an entity that controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with the Underwriter and exists to make a profit.
To the extent this Agreement constitutes a contract for the purchase of goods or services having a value of at least $100,000 that is paid wholly or partly from public funds for which a written verification is required under Section 2274.002, Texas Government Code, as amended, Consultant hereby verifies that it and its parent company, wholly- or majority- owned subsidiaries, and other affiliates, if any,
A. do not have a practice, policy, guidance or directive that discriminates against a firearm entity or firearm trade association; and
B. will not discriminate during the term of this Agreement against a firearm entity or firearm trade association.
The foregoing verification is made solely to comply with Section 2274.002, Texas Government Code, as amended, to the extent Section 2274.002, Texas Government Code does not contravene applicable Texas or federal law. As used in the foregoing verification, “discriminate against a firearm entity or firearm trade association” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2274.001(3), Texas Government Code. Consultant understands “affiliate” to mean an entity that controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with the Underwriter and exists to make a profit.
Consultant hereby certifies that it will not be granted direct or remote access to, or control of, critical infrastructure, as defined by Section 2275.0101(2), Texas Government Code, in this State, excluding access specifically allowed by the governmental entity for product warranty and support purposes; and is not owned by or the majority of stocks or other ownership interest of the company is held or controlled by: (i) individuals who are citizens of China, Iran, North Korea, Russia or a designated country; or (ii) a company or other entity, including a government entity, that is owned or controlled by citizens of or is directly controlled by the government of China, Iran, North Korea, Russia or a designated country; or headquartered in China, Iran, North Korea, Russia or a designated country. Regardless of whether the company’s or its parent company’s securities are publicly traded; or the company or its parent company is listed on the New York Stock Exchange as: a Chinese, Iranian, North Korean or Russian company; or a company of a designated country. “Cybersecurity” means” the measures taken to protect a computer,
computer network, computer system, or other technology infrastructure against unauthorized use or access, as defined in Section 2275.010(3).
The foregoing certification is made solely to comply with Chapter 2275, Texas Government Code, as
amended.
To the extent this Agreement constitutes a contract for goods or services for which a written verification is required under Section 2274.002, Texas Government Code, as amended, Consultant hereby verifies that it and its parent company, wholly- or majority- owned subsidiaries, and other affiliates, if any, do not boycott energy companies and, will not boycott energy companies during the term of this Contract. The foregoing verification is made solely to comply with Section 2274.002, Texas Government Code, as
amended, to the extent Section 2274.002, Texas Government Code does not contravene applicable Texas or federal law. As used in the foregoing verification, “boycott energy companies” shall have the meaning assigned to the term “boycott energy company” in Section 809.001, Texas Government Code. Consultant understands “affiliate” to mean an entity that controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with the Underwriter and exists to make a profit.
Proposer confirms their authority (and has uploaded necessary documentation proving such) to execute this Proposal in its entirety as submitted and enter into a contract on behalf of the Company Name stated in said Proposal.
Do you wish to utilize the electronic pricing table for this project? This does not prevent the proposer from submitting a breakdown of their costs if required.
Do you wish to separate the main proposal and the cost proposal into two separate documents and have them provided separately from one another
Q (Project budget): So that we can best tailor our response, can you share the budget range that has been established for this project? Thank you!
A: As this is a Request for Qualifications for professional services, the City is not providing a budget range at this time. Firms will be evaluated based on demonstrated competence and qualifications. A detailed scope of work and fee structure will be discussed and negotiated with the highest ranked firm in accordance with applicable laws governing professional services procurement.
Q (Project timeline): What are the anticipated start and end dates for the project?
A: The City has not established a fixed project timeline. Proposers are encouraged to include a recommended schedule that aligns with the scope of services, as this will be the EDC’s first strategic plan.
Q (Page Limit): Will an appendix with resumes and case studies count towards our 22 page limit?
A: The appendix with resumes and case studies will NOT count towards the 22 page limit.
Q (Page limit): Does the page limit include the cover, table of contents, and an appendix with resumes?
A: The page limit includes the cover page and the table of contents. It does NOT include the appendix.
Q (Resume format): If our resumes are already formatted, is it acceptable if they do not follow the SOQ formatting guidelines?
A: It is acceptable for them not to follow the SOQ formatting guidelines.
Q (22-Page Limit): Regarding the City’s 22-page limit, are the following items included in that limit? • Cover • Table of contents • Resumes included within an appendix
A: The page limit includes the cover page and the table of contents. It does NOT include the appendix.
Q (11-Point Font Limit): Regarding the City’s 11-point font requirement, would the City allow exceptions for graphics, captions, and tables?
A: Yes.
Q (1.5 Line Spacing Limit): Would the City consider an exception to the 1.5‑spacing requirement for project team resumes to avoid limiting resume content?
A: Resumes included in the appendix do not have to have 1.5 spacing.
Q (Steering Committee): Will the EEDC serve as a Steering Committee, or will the Steering Committee be made up of individuals from an array of organizations?
A: The Steering Committee is anticipated to be made up of individuals from an array of organizations and stakeholders relevant to the Economic Development Strategic Plan process. The EDC will play a key role in the project and will be represented on the committee; however, the committee is expected to include broader participation from community, business, and partner organizations to ensure diverse input and alignment with the project goals.
Q (page numbers): Can the page numbers be outside the 1-inch margin requirement?
A: The page numbers can be outside the margin.
Q (City Engineer): Does the City have a designated Engineer, and if so, who is the firm?
A: A designated engineer has not been selected for this project as of yet.
Q (Organizational Structure in Cover Letter): In the cover letter, what are you wishing to see for "Organizational Structure"? Is this our Company type, i.e., Corporation; or the Personnel Structure for this project only?
A: Personnel for this project only.
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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