INTRODUCTION

The City of Big Rapids, Michigan is seeking qualifications from Michigan licensed realtors/agents with proven experience and knowledge of commercial real estate markets including commercial, multifamily residential, and mixed-use. The City intends to market several municipally owned properties that have future development potential.

Participation in the RFQ is the process for selection of an agent to represent the City. The City desires to enter into an agreement with an Agent to list, market, and sell City properties. The length of the agreement is negotiable. The asking price for the properties will be based on input from the selected Agent and approved by the City Commission. Payment for services will be by commission only. All sales are contingent upon and require City Commission approval.

This solicitation will enable the City to select the most qualified Agent for this opportunity. The City reserves the right to reject any and all responses not deemed acceptable. Selection will be based primarily upon the qualifications of Agents to perform the services outlined in this document.

SCOPE OF SERVICES

The selected Agent / Broker will provide the City of Big Rapids with a range of services consistent with established state and local law guidelines. All services shall be performed in accordance with the scope of work set forth in a professional services agreement. The contract, if awarded, will include a scope of work and an approved commission fee schedule agreed upon by the City and the successful Agent. The selected Agent or firm will provide the services outlined in the scope of work and the responsibilities shall include, but shall not be limited to the following:

1. Advertising, marketing, placing signage on the property, and online marketing to include a virtual tour, photo gallery and promotional video as deemed necessary.
2. Assemble all existing information for the property including but not limited to title work, easements, zoning, utilities, survey, environmental, topographic, and geotechnical.
3. Listing the property in a MLS database
4. Physically showing the property to prospective buyers
5. Advising the City on negotiations and sale terms as appropriate
6. Advising the City on any improvements to the property that the City should consider
7. Initiating contacts with brokers and potential buyers

PROPOSAL CONTENT

Each item in this section should be specifically addressed in the respondent’s proposal. Otherwise, indicate why no response is given. Proposals must identify which person or persons in the firm will be providing the services, and the information requested below should be provided for that particular person.

• Qualifications – Briefly summarize your qualifications and experience for the proposed work and list staff that will be assigned to the project. Please include documentation of licensing and standing to conduct business in Michigan. Share experience relevant to skill in marketing vacant properties in central Michigan.
• References – Provide a list of three (3) references for each staff member that will work on this project to demonstrate their work abilities on such a project.
• Proposed Work Plan for marketing the property – Describe recommended signage, advertising, listing and other work proposed to market the properties.
• Proposed Commission and Fees – Identify costs and expenses, proposed commission schedule for your proposal, and include any instances for which you would expect to be paid or reimbursed.

INSTRUCTIONS AND SCHEDULE FOR SUBMISSIONS

The City of Big Rapids shall not be liable for any cost or expenses incurred by any bidder in relation to the preparation or submission of proposals. Additionally, the City shall not be liable for expenses incurred as a result of the rejection of any proposals made in response to this RFQ.

Proposals are due before 2:00 p.m. on November 13, 2023. The time and date are fixed and extensions will not be granted. The City of Big Rapids will not recognize a postmark for purposes of dating a proposal. All proposals received after the deadline will be rejected and returned to the sender, and will not be considered. Four (4) copies of the proposal should be mailed or hand delivered to:

Request for Qualifications – Real Estate Agent

C/O Amy Cole

City of Big Rapids

226 N. Michigan Avenue

Big Rapids, MI 49307

EVALUATION CRITERIA

It is the intent of the City to conduct a fair and comprehensive evaluation of all proposals received. The contract for listing will be awarded to the proposal that is most advantageous to the City. All proposals will be evaluated based on the following criteria listed in order of importance:

1. Demonstrated ability to satisfy SCOPE OF SERVICES
2. Professional qualifications of individuals assigned to the project.
3. References

SELECTION PROCESS

Proposals will be reviewed by the City per the evaluation criteria stated above. The Big Rapids City Commission is the final decision maker regarding the selection, and it reserves the right to reject any or all proposals, or to terminate negotiations for a professional services agreement at any time.

INQUIRIES

All requests for clarification, general questions, exceptions, or deviations to the terms of this RFQ should be submitted by email to mgifford@cityofbr.org. To ensure fairness and avoid misunderstandings, all communications must be in writing to the above email address. For more information, please contact Mark Gifford at (231)-592-4058.