Project Information

Bid Title

Economic Analysis and CEDS Project

Issuing Agency

Port of Bellingham

Location

Washington

Published Date

Dec 1, 2025

Closing Date

Dec 15, 2025

Government Level

State & Local

Status

Closed

Ref. #

PS 25-3

Original Source

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Bid Documents

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Project Description

Bid Number:	PS 25-3
Bid Title:	Economic Analysis and CEDS Project
Category:	Personal Services
Status:	Open

Description: The Port of Bellingham (Port) is soliciting proposals from qualified consultants to provide economic analysis, planning, and management services in support of the Whatcom County Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS). The selected consultant will manage implementation, evaluation, community engagement, data coordination, and planning for the transition from the current 2022– 2026 CEDS to the 2027–2031 CEDS. The consultant will also provide economic analysis support and collaborate with Western Washington University’s Center for Economic and Business Research (CEBR) on various Port initiatives. This contract will cover the period January 1, 2026 – December 31, 2026, with the possibility of extension depending on funding availability and performance. The scope of work criteria should therefore include but is not limited to: 1. Manage the CEDS 2022-2026 Implementation and Evaluation. This may include but is not limited to: a. Attending and running monthly Team Whatcom meetings b. Engaging Team Whatcom and the CEDS Review Committee regarding CEDS deliverables, preparing presentations on CEDS deliverables and progress. c. Creating a CEDS annual report that details progress and changes. d. Working with jurisdictions within Whatcom County to evaluate progress on CEDS Goals and update the CEDS Project List for 2026. 2. Manage the CEDS 2027-2031 Update. This task may include but is not limited to: a. Preparing for, hosting, and running regular CEDS Review Committee meeting for the 2027-2031 update. b. Coordinating with County, Cities, and Tribes to align the CEDS update with other existing and relevant strategies, plans, and reports. c. Executing the community engagement plan developed in 2025. d. Regularly updating the project schedule, community engagement plan, and ultimately the 2027-2031 updated document. 3. Manage the CEDS 2027-2031 Community Engagement a. The consultant will conduct stakeholder engagement with the public, private, and nonprofit sectors that includes but is not limited to: 1) introducing business and industry leaders to the CEDS, 2) engaging them in a SWOT analysis of the region and/or their industry of interest, 3) collecting feedback and inputs from industry and nonprofit leaders as well as all Whatcom County jurisdictions to incorporate into the final document as appropriate, 4) providing regular updates regarding the status of the CEDS 2027-2031 to key stakeholders such as Whatcom County Council, the POB Directors and Commission, the City of Bellingham, Small Cities, Team Whatcom, and Whatcom County Business and Commerce Advisory Committee throughout the process, 5) conducting 1:1 interviews with private sector and elected leaders to inform priorities and opportunities, and 6) preparing for and leading two Community Forums, one for the private sector and one for workforce development stakeholders. 4. Manage the Development of a Deliverables and Metrics Dashboard. The consultant will work with the POB Economic Development Team, the CEDS Review Committee, and Western Washington University’s Center for Economic and Business Research (CEBR) to create a dashboard plan by the end of 2026. This work may include but is not limited to: a. Reviewing data dashboard software options. b. Participating in discussions about where the dashboard will be hosted and posted. c. Leading discussions regarding measurable outcomes and appropriate metrics to track over time as they relate to deliverables. The plan will be incorporated into the Evaluation Framework of the 2027-2031 CEDS Update. This task does not include creating the dashboard, hosting or maintaining the dashboard, or collecting the data. 5. Research and Data Review for Port Programs a. The consultant will provide research and data review for the POB at the direction of the POB EDD Director. This task includes reviewing and commenting on research and data related projects for the POB, managing work that CEBR is completing for the Port such as economic impact studies and data collection tasks, and any other studies that the Port is currently conducting. This task does not include project management or data analytics services. Publication Date/Time: 12/1/2025 5:00 AM Publication Information: Bellingham Herald and OMWBE Closing Date/Time: 12/15/2025 4:00 PM Contact Person: Tyler Schroeder, TylerS@portofbellingham.com Related Documents: RFP for Economic Analysis and CEDS Project

Attachment Preview

PORT OF BELLINGHAM

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

Economic analysis, planning, and management services in support of the Whatcom

County Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) and

Economic Data Research and Review for Port programs

The Port of Bellingham (Port) is soliciting proposals from qualified consultants to provide

economic analysis, planning, and management services in support of the Whatcom

County Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS).

The selected consultant will manage implementation, evaluation, community

engagement, data coordination, and planning for the transition from the current 2022–

2026 CEDS to the 2027–2031 CEDS. The consultant will also provide economic analysis

support and collaborate with Western Washington University’s Center for Economic and

Business Research (CEBR) on various Port initiatives.

This contract will cover the period January 1, 2026 – December 31, 2026, with the

possibility of extension depending on funding availability and performance.

The scope of work criteria should therefore include but is not limited to:

1. Manage the CEDS 2022-2026 Implementation and Evaluation. This may include

but is not limited to:

a. Attending and running monthly Team Whatcom meetings

b. Engaging Team Whatcom and the CEDS Review Committee regarding

CEDS deliverables, preparing presentations on CEDS deliverables and

progress.

c. Creating a CEDS annual report that details progress and changes.

d. Working with jurisdictions within Whatcom County to evaluate progress on

CEDS Goals and update the CEDS Project List for 2026.

2. Manage the CEDS 2027-2031 Update. This task may include but is not limited to:

a. Preparing for, hosting, and running regular CEDS Review Committee

meeting for the 2027-2031 update.

b. Coordinating with County, Cities, and Tribes to align the CEDS update

with other existing and relevant strategies, plans, and reports.

c. Executing the community engagement plan developed in 2025.

d. Regularly updating the project schedule, community engagement plan,

and ultimately the 2027-2031 updated document.

3. Manage the CEDS 2027-2031 Community Engagement

a. The consultant will conduct stakeholder engagement with the public,

private, and nonprofit sectors that includes but is not limited to 1)

introducing business and industry leaders to the CEDS, 2) engaging them

in a SWOT analysis of the region and/or their industry of interest, 3)

collecting feedback and inputs from industry and nonprofit leaders as well

as all Whatcom County jurisdictions to incorporate into the final document

as appropriate, 4) providing regular updates regarding the status of the

CEDS 2027-2031 to key stakeholders such as Whatcom County Council,

the POB Directors and Commission, the City of Bellingham, Small Cities,

Team Whatcom, and Whatcom County Business and Commerce Advisory

Committee throughout the process, 5) conducting 1:1 interviews with

private sector and elected leaders to inform priorities and opportunities,

and 6) preparing for and leading two Community Forums, one for the

private sector and one for workforce development stakeholders.

4. Manage the Development of a Deliverables and Metrics Dashboard. The

consultant will work with the POB Economic Development Team, the CEDS

Review Committee, and Western Washington University’s Center for Economic

and Business Research (CEBR) to create a dashboard plan by the end of 2026.

This work may include but is not limited to:

a. Reviewing data dashboard software options.

b. Participating in discussions about where the dashboard will be hosted and

posted.

c. Leading discussions regarding measurable outcomes and appropriate

metrics to track over time as they relate to deliverables. The plan will be

incorporated into the Evaluation Framework of the 2027-2031 CEDS

Update.

This task does not include creating the dashboard, hosting or maintaining the

dashboard, or collecting the data.

5. Research and Data Review for Port Programs

a. The consultant will provide research and data review for the POB at the

direction of the POB EDD Director. This task includes reviewing and

commenting on research and data related projects for the POB, managing

work that CEBR is completing for the Port such as economic impact

studies and data collection tasks, and any other studies that the Port is

currently conducting.

This task does not include project management or data analytics services.

All proposals shall address and be evaluated against the following items in the

order listed:

1. Proposal Summary (20 points)

This section shall discuss the highlights, key features and distinguishing points

of the proposal.

2. Qualifications (40 points)

This section shall include a description of the firm’s experience in managing the

CEDS process, including experience working with the Port or other public

agencies. This section shall also include consultants’ understanding and

knowledge base of Whatcom County’s Economy. This section shall also include

references with contact information.

3. Work Plan (25 points)

This section shall present a proposed service plan and timeline with deliverables,

including significant tasks and subtasks.

4. Proposal Costs (15 points)

This section shall present the fee information for providing the services

required. Include all potential costs or other price information contained in a

possible agreement with the Port.

The deadline for submitting proposals to this RFP is 4:00pm (PT) on December 15,

2025. Electronic submittals are preferred and will be accepted in a single PDF file

format only. If providing hard copies, please submit four (4) copies of the Proposal to:

TylerS@portofbellingham.com

or

Port of Bellingham

Attn: Tyler Schroeder

P.O. Box 1677

Bellingham, Washington 98227-1677

The Port reserves the right to reject any and all proposals submitted. If deemed

necessary, the Port may schedule interviews within a week of the deadline for submittal.

The successful firm will be contacted by the Port and shall sign the Port’s Standard

Agreement for Personal Services; see attached. It is encouraged for consultants

responding to the RFP include solicitation and recruitment of certified MBE, WBE or

DBE firms, to the maximum extent possible.

Direct all inquiries on this Request for Proposals(RFP) to Tyler Schroeder, Director of

Economic Development, at 360.676.2500, or TylerS@portofbellingham.com.

PORT OF BELLINGHAM

AGREEMENT FOR PERSONAL SERVICES

This AGREEMENT FOR PERSONAL SERVICES (“Agreement”) is made and entered into as of

the later of the two signature dates below, by and between:

PORT OF BELLINGHAM

1801 Roeder Ave.

P.O. Box 1677

Bellingham, WA 98227

P: (360) 676-2500

E:

And

(“Port”)

[CONSULTANT]

P:

E:

(“Consultant”)

T I. SCOPE OF WORK. The Consultant’s Scope of Work is incorporated herein and attached as Exhibit

A (the “Work”). In the event of a conflict between any provision of the Port’s General Provisions and

the attached Exhibit A, the Port’s General Provisions shall prevail.

F II. COMPENSATION. The Consultant shall be compensated on the basis set forth in Exhibit A. The

Consultant shall not adjust any compensation rates without written authorization from the Port.

A This Agreement is limited to a total expenditure of $0.00.

III. TERM. The term of this Agreement shall commence with the execution of this document and will

terminate when all tasks associated with the scope of Work herein, and as modified by written

R Amendment, have been completed by the Consultant on or before

.

This Agreement may be extended for multiple terms or reinstated at the sole discretion of the Port; if

D so extended, all of the terms and conditions herein shall apply to such extension.

IV. GENERAL PROVISIONS. The Work covered by this Agreement shall be performed in accordance

with the General Provisions (which are attached hereto and form a part of this Agreement) and any

attachments or schedules.

V. ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement supersedes all prior agreements and understandings and

may only be changed by written amendment executed by both parties.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the later of the dates

indicated below. By signing below, each signatory represents that they have authority on behalf of their

respective party to enter into this agreement, which shall be binding upon the parties according to its terms.

***Signatures on Subsequent Page***

Personal Services Agreement

Page 1 of 9

CONSULTANT

Signature:

Name:

Title:

Date:

PORT OF BELLINGHAM

Signature:

Name:

Title:

Date:

DRAFT

Personal Services Agreement

Page 2 of 9

Commodity Codes

• NAICS 541611Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services
• NAICS 541690Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services
• NAICS 541990All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

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