Land Use Model 2026

This Request for Information (RFI) is being issued for informational and planning purposes only.

The Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (DVRPC) seeks to obtain market information from qualified consultants regarding land use modeling platforms and services, including relevant experience, model capabilities, potential approaches, and general cost structures related to developing a land use model for the DVRPC region. Information gathered through this RFI will assist DVRPC in conducting market research, refining project requirements, evaluating available resources and expertise, and determining potential next steps for future procurement opportunities.

Responses to this RFI will not result in a contract award and are intended solely to support DVRPC’s planning and decision-making process.

Project Details

• Reference ID: 2026-RFI-007
• Department: Regional Planning
• Department Head: Mike Boyer (Director of Regional Planning)

Important Dates

• Questions Due: 2026-05-29T19:00:00.000Z

Evaluation Criteria

• Interested firms are requested to provide the following information as part of their response: —

  1. A brief description of team members’ experience and qualifications.

  2. Examples of past or current projects, clients, or collaborative partnerships demonstrating experience with work of similar scope and subject matter. 

  3. A description of the proposed modeling approach, including whether the effort would adapt an existing model framework or develop a new model.

  4. An estimate of anticipated hours or level of effort for the services described, along with general fee structures, rates, or pricing information.

   

  Responses shall be submitted electronically to procurement@dvrpc.org no later than Friday, June 5, 2026 at 11:00 am ET.

• Details —

  Work will be conducted closely with DVRPC leadership and technical staff to design, develop, validate, and document a land use forecasting model suited to the Greater Philadelphia region. The scope of work is anticipated to include, but is not limited to, the following:

  • Development of a land use model capable of forecasting total population, group quarters population, households by size, number of vehicles, number of workers, and income category, and employment by NAICS sector at the 2-digit level. The model must generate forecasts at five-year or shorter intervals through at least a thirty-year horizon—extending to 2055 for the next forecast cycle.
  • The model should operate at the Census block group level (preferred), or an alternative Census geography that aggregates cleanly to DVRPC's TAZ structure.
  • The model should be able to simulate redevelopment and incorporate known or anticipated development activity.
  • The model must integrate with DVRPC's regional travel demand model (TDM) and support iterative feedback between land use and travel demand outputs. The model framework should be deployable on DVRPC-controlled servers or cloud infrastructure to enable automated iterative model runs and long-term operational control by DVRPC staff.
  • Assistance in the development of population and employment control totals at the regional and county level to constrain zone-level forecasts to consistent regional projections.
  • Development of an online dashboard or equivalent visualization tool to present relevant data inputs (such as parcel or block-level development assumptions) and forecasting results at TAZ and county levels with basic statistical analysis capabilities.
  • Development of application software and scripts enabling DVRPC staff to run and update the model independently.
  • Documentation of methodology, data sources, calibration procedures, and user guidance.
• Project Team Description
• Details —

  DVRPC is seeking information from consultants capable of supporting the development of a land use model for forecasting population and employment growth, and housing and commercial development, and evaluating land use outcomes from different transportation investments and scenario analysis. Population and employment forecasts are a crucial component of long-range land-use and transportation planning. In addition to supporting a wide range of DVRPC studies and analyses, these forecasts fulfill a federal requirement under 23 CFR Part 450, Section 450.324(e). DVRPC's regional travel demand model (TDM) depends on socioeconomic inputs; specifically, households by income, size, and worker status, and employment by sector. Currently, DVRPC lacks a land use model capable of generating these inputs or supporting scenario planning and policy analysis and transportation project development.

  The Greater Philadelphia region presents several modeling considerations that will shape development. Infill and redevelopment are important growth mechanisms in the region, in addition to greenfield development on vacant land. The region spans a complex multi-state geography across Pennsylvania and New Jersey, introducing distinct regulatory, demographic, and data environments. A successful model will reflect Greater Philadelphia's unique planning and development context. 

  The model framework should be transparent and accessible to technical planning staff at DVRPC and its regional partner agencies, while also being readily explainable to a broad range of constituents and stakeholders. Following model development, full stewardship—including ongoing data management, maintenance, and incremental improvements—must be transferable to DVRPC staff. Ongoing model operations are expected to be handled primarily by a single FTE Data Analyst, so technical complexity and maintenance burden should be scoped accordingly.

Submission Requirements

• Project Team Description (required) —

  Please upload:

  1. A brief description of team members’ experience and qualifications.

• Summary of Experience in Similar Work (required) —

  Please upload:

  1. Examples of past or current projects, clients, or collaborative partnerships demonstrating experience with work of similar scope and subject matter. 

• Description of Proposed Approach (required) —

  Please upload:

  1. A description of the proposed modeling approach, including whether the effort would adapt an existing model framework or develop a new model.

• Project Budget and Level of Effort (required) —

  Please upload supporting details for the anticipated services to include the following items: 

  1. Estimate of anticipated hours or level of effort for the services described; 

  2. General fee structures, rates, or other pricing information; and

  3. Costs should be detailed and include a lump-sum pricing offer.

   

• What is the fiscal year: (required) —

  Example: 2023

• Do you need an attachment section? (required)