Request for Proposals - Land Use Planning

Bid/RFP Status: 
Open - accepting bids and proposals
Bid/RFP Due Date: 
Friday, March 6, 2026 - 4:00pm
Bid/RFP Reference Number: 
RFP2026-01
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Request for Proposals Land Use Planning Consultant

in support of Montana Land Use Planning Act Growth Policy Development

Issued by:

City of Laurel, Montana

January 2026

 

Request for Proposals Table of Contents

Section 1: Introduction

Section 2: Background Section 3: Project Objectives Section 4: Scope of Work Section 5: Project Timeline Section 6: Budget

Section 7: Proposal Requirements Section 8: Evaluation Criteria Section 9: Submission Requirements

Section 10: Project Contact / Inquiries

Section 11: Rights Reserved / Conflicts of Interest Disclosure

 

  1. Introduction
    • The City of Laurel is soliciting proposals from qualified professional planning consultants to prepare a Land Use Plan and Future Land Use Map in accordance with the Montana Land Use Planning Act (MLUPA, MCA Title 76, Ch 1, Pt 6 and Ch 25, Pt 2). This Land Use Plan will serve as a foundational element of the City’s Growth Policy update and will integrate with related planning efforts, including the City’s ongoing Water and Sewer Engineering Reports and ongoing updates to Zoning and Subdivision Regulations.
    • The City seeks to proactively manage land use to preserve community character, protect natural resources, support infrastructure alignment with projected development, and expand housing availability and affordability.
  2. Background
    • The City of Laurel’ current Growth Policy was adopted in 2023.
    • Laurel, with a population of approximately 7,200, is experiencing steady growth pressures in housing, transportation, and economic development. Growth pressures are influenced by its proximity to Yellowstone National Park, the City of Billings, and rapidly growing areas throughout south central Montana.
    • The City has limited infill opportunities for new development. Annexation opportunities must be considered for new growth.
  3. Project Objectives
    • Compliance – Ensure consistency with MLUPA requirements for Growth Policy and Land Use Plan development.
    • Land Use Plan – Develop a comprehensive land use framework that addresses residential, commercial, industrial, mixed-use, and public land needs. The Plan will also address local services, economic development, and natural resources.
    • Future Land Use Map (FLUM) – Produce a clear, GIS-based map depicting long-range land use designations and growth scenarios to guide zoning and subdivision decisions.
    • Public Engagement – Facilitate meaningful community input through workshops, stakeholder meetings, and digital engagement.
    • Implementation Tools – Provide policy recommendations, growth areas, and strategies to guide decision-making.
  4. Scope of Work: At a minimum, the consultant will complete the following tasks to fulfill statutory compliance with MCA 76-1-601 and 76-25-201: 
    • Project Kickoff
      • Meet with City Staff and Planning Commission to present the project timeline to accomplish all aspects of the Scope of Work.
      • Develop an inclusive public engagement strategy consistent with statutory public participation requirements and the City’s Public Participation Plan.
    • Data Collection and Baseline Analysis
      • Review relevant City documents (2023 Growth Policy, Zoning and Subdivision Regulations, etc.)
      • Provide detailed analysis or reference substantial completion of analysis within other City plans for all Land Use Plan requirements in MCA 76-25-2.
    • ​​​​​​​Community Engagement
      • Conduct and analyze a series of Planning Commission Public Workshops, Open Houses, Focus Groups, and Surveys to gather ideas, concerns, and suggestions.
      • Stakeholder interviews (school district, developers, major employers, neighborhood groups, citizen volunteers, etc.).
      • Utilize the City’s website to incorporate online engagement while prioritizing transparency and responsive communications.
      • Routinely provide reports of Community Engagement metrics to meet all statutory compliance. Included additional metrics to differentiate between city, county, and out of county residential status.
    • Land Use Plan Development
      • Develop a Land Use Plan to incorporate all MLUPA Land Use Plan requirements.
      • Prepare a Future Land Use Map with proposed designations, densities, and preferred growth areas. Develop a narrative summary to explain its purpose and the requirement that the Future Land Use Map be followed for land use planning development decisions.
      • Provide implementation policies and strategies.
    • Integration with Growth Policy Development
      • Goals, objectives, and implementation strategies for each land use category.
      • Provide linkages to infrastructure planning, housing affordability, and economic development. Contribute to establishing benchmarks for phasing infrastructure expansion.
      • Zoning alignment recommendations.
    • Final Deliverables
      • MLUPA compliant Land Use Plan (digital and print)
      • Future Land Use Map (print and GIS shape files)
      • Complete log of all public engagement metrics, comments, and survey results.
      • Presentation to Planning Commission and City Council.
  5. Project Timeline
    • The City requires project initiation in early 2026 with completion in mid to late 2026. A proposed project schedule must be included in the consultant’s submission.
  6. Budget
    • The City is utilizing grant funding from the MT Department of Commerce’s Pathways to Removing Obstacles Housing (PRO Housing) local planning and infrastructure support resources.
    • The City of Laurel will utilize a Proposals-Based Selection process to negotiate a contract with the firm determined to be the most qualified. Costs will not be discussed until the top-ranked respondent has been selected for contract negotiations.
  7. Proposal Requirements
    • Cover Letter – Summary of interest and qualifications.
    • Firm’s Background – Description of the firm, key staff, and relevant experience.
    • Project Understanding & Approach – Narrative describing the consultant’s approach to meet project requirements, specifically addressing a community engagement strategy.
    • Work Plan & Timeline – Detailed tasks, deliverables, and schedule.
    • Experience – Examples of similar land use planning or growth policy projects (Montana experience preferred).
    • References – At least three references from recent comparable projects.
  8. Evaluation Criteria
    • Evaluation will be based on the Selection Committee’s understanding of the prospective consultant’s capability for providing the required Scope of Work.
    • In making this judgement, the Selection Committee will review all consultant submissions subject to the individual firm’s responses to the following criteria:
      • Project understanding and approach (20%)
      • Qualifications and relevant experience (25%)
      • Community engagement strategy (20%)
      • Recent and current work with the city (20%)
      • Capability to meet timeline (10%)
      • References and past performance (5%)
  9. Submission Requirements
    • Three copies of the proposal are to be mailed or delivered to Kurt Markegard, CAO, 115 West 1st Street, Laurel, MT 59044, prior to 4:00 PM on Friday, March 6, 2026.
    • Submittals of proposals via hard copy via mail, or personal delivery of hard copy to the Office of the City Clerk in Laurel are acceptable
    • Submittals received after the deadline will not be considered.
    • Responses should be limited to 15 pages, double-sided, excluding cover letter and resumes. Minimum font size for all text is 12 point.
  10. Project Contact / Inquiries:
    • Inquiries concerning this proposal should be directed to: Kurt Markegard, CAO,
    • (406) 628-4796 or email: kmarkegard@laurel.mt.gov
    • City’s website has links to the current City Growth Policy, Zoning, and Subdivision Regulations:
  11. Rights Reserved and Conflicts of Interest Disclosure
    • The City of Laurel reserves the right to accept or reject any and all proposals, or parts of Proposals; waive technicalities; and to make its decision on the basis of merit, appropriateness, and any other factor. Unless all proposals are rejected or the solicitation is canceled, a contract will be awarded to the Respondent whose proposal best meets the requirements and criteria set forth in this solicitation.
    • Firms must disclose if they currently represent developers and/or landowners with interests in Laurel.
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