AGENDA ITEM
title
Approve Master Consultant Agreements (RFP No. 25-687)
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PRESENTER
NA
SUMMARY
On December 9, 2025, the TPO Board approved issuing RFP No. 25-687 to solicit general planning consultant firms to assist staff in completing plans and projects identified in the FY 2026/2027-2027/2028 Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP).
The RFP was published by the Polk County Procurement Department on January 6, 2026, opening the window for questions and proposal submissions. The bidding period closed on February 11, 2026. The Selection Committee-comprised of staff from the Polk TPO, Polk County Human Resources, and Polk County Communications-began the evaluation process on February 26, 2026.
On March 4, 2026, the committee met to review, score, and rank all proposals. Following this, the committee interviewed the top five ranked consultant teams on March 25, 2026. After the interviews and presentations, the committee finalized its ranking and recommended moving forward with the five highest-ranked firms.
The top five ranked general planning consultants are:
• AECOM Technical Services, Inc. (AECOM);
• Alfred Benesch & Company (Benesch);
• Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. (Kimley-Horn);
• Kittelson & Associates (Kittelson); and
• Patel, Greene, and Associates, LLC (PGA).
The list of five (5) firms was approved by the TPO Board on April 9, 2026, with the Board authorizing staff to enter into fee negotiations that were conducted on May 14, 2026, with Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc., Alfred Benesch & Company, and Kittelson & Associates; and on May 18, 2026, with Patel, Greene and Associates, LLC, and AECOM Technical Services, Inc.
Having completed these negotiations, the resulting agreements are now ready for final approval and execution by the TPO and will commence upon contract execution and remain in effect for three (3) years, with the option for two (2) additional one-year extensions.
RECOMMENDED ACTION
Approve the Master Consulting Agreements with each of the five consultant firms.
ATTACHMENTS
1. AECOM Technical Services, Inc. - Signed Master Consulting Agreement
2. Alfred Benesch & Company - Signed Master Consulting Agreement
3. Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. - Signed Master Consulting Agreement
4. Kittelson & Associates - Signed Master Consulting Agreement
5. Patel, Greene and Associates, LLC - Signed Master Consulting Agreement
*To conserve space, only the Master Consulting Agreement is included in this packet. The entire contract package included the RFP solicitation, printed proposal, fee schedule, and reimbursable cost schedule along with the signed Master Consulting Agreement. This is available in digital format with the digital agenda packet online. <https://polkcountyfl.legistar.com/DepartmentDetail.aspx?ID=52647&GUID=E5B332F6-C125-4446-981A-2777C4722C18>