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File #: 2026-22544   
Type: Consent Status: Agenda Ready
File created: 3/31/2026 Meeting Body Board of County Commissioners
On agenda: 4/7/2026 Final action:
Title: Request Approval of Selection Committee Recommendation: 26Q-047 Tourism Development Feasibility Analysis - C.H. Johnson Consulting, Inc., Chicago, IL (Budget Impact - None)
Attachments: 1. 26Q-047 AGN CNT

SUBJECT:

Title

Request Approval of Selection Committee Recommendation: 26Q-047 Tourism Development Feasibility Analysis - C.H. Johnson Consulting, Inc., Chicago, IL (Budget Impact - None)

Body

 

INITIATOR:

DEPARTMENT:

Susan Olsen, Director

Procurement Services

 

DESCRIPTION/BACKGROUND:

On behalf of the Marion County Visitors & Convention Bureau (VCB), a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) was advertised to contract with qualified firms capable of providing professional consulting services for individual feasibility analysis of tourism development opportunities throughout the County on an as-needed, task order basis. Services include, but are not limited to: market analysis assessing tourism trends, user demand, and competitive benchmarks; economic and financial feasibility including revenue projections, return-on-investment, cost-benefit analyses, and funding opportunities; site and infrastructure evaluation of venue/park assets, access, and needs; concept development and comparative analysis; trail, park, and facility enhancements; and reporting/presentations with deliverables such as feasibility reports, executive summaries, and stakeholder presentations. Two (2) submittals were received and evaluated by Selection Committee members Sky Wheeler, Charles Ryan, and Chuck Varadin.  The firms were ranked as follows:

FIRM - Location

Rank

C.H. Johnson Consulting, Inc. - Chicago, IL

1

Amarach Planning Services - Ocala, FL

2

The Selection Committee recommends awarding a contract to C.H. Johnson Consulting, Inc., the top-ranked firm. Although the County is currently contracting with one firm, VCB plans to re-open RFQ 26Q-047 to solicit additional qualified firms. This approach will broaden the vendor pool, enabling VCB to more effectively manage the County's ongoing workload and project demands.

Attached for review is a draft contract. Upon approval at today’s meeting, the contract will be sent to the firm for signature and once returned will be forwarded to the County Attorney, Clerk, and Chairman for signatures.

 

BUDGET/IMPACT:

None; task orders exceeding $50,000 will be brought back before the Board for approval.

 

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Recommended action

Motion to approve the recommendation and allow staff to issue the contract to C.H. Johnson Consulting, Inc., and upon approval from Legal, authorize the Chairman and Clerk to execute under 26Q-047.

end