Districting GIS Consultant
The Seattle Redistricting Commission is pleased to formally announce that at the December 14th, 2021 meeting, they selected the King County GIS Center as the Districting GIS Consultant (referenced as the District Master in the Seattle City Charter) for the Redistricting process.
Districting GIS Consultant: King County (King County GIS Center)
Lead Contact: Dennis Higgins
Dennis Higgins Email: dennis.higgins@kingcounty.gov
Mary Ullrich Email: mary.ullrich@kingcounty.gov
Website URL: https://kingcounty.gov/services/gis.aspx
Please find information on the selection process for the Districting GIS Consultant position (formerly referenced as the District Master) and the District Master RFP specifics, posed questions, and answers below.
The newly formed Seattle Redistricting Commission is pleased to announce the Request for Proposals for the District Master work. If selected for this role, you will be using your extensive technical skills to create equitable City Council district lines for the City of Seattle. Details below:
Link to the Request for Proposals (RFP) for Seattle Redistricting Commission District Master
City of Seattle Request for Proposals
Title: Seattle Redistricting Commission District Master
RFP Due Date: November 17, 2021 by 5:00pm
Scope of Work: The Seattle Redistricting Commission is seeking qualifications from a consultant or consultant team with geographic information system ("GIS") expertise and experience and a demonstrated ability to work effectively in a politically sensitive environment to serve as District Master. The District Master will be the technical population data and map expert for the 5-member Redistricting Commission as it redraws City of Seattle Council Districts using 2020 Census data and other relevant data and information. Based on criteria provided by Commission members and following statutory and Charter requirements, the District Master will draft a redistricting commission report, produce District maps, and provide demographic analysis of the proposed plans. The consultant will be expected to provide explicit description of how principles of racial equity and representation are integrated into the work presented to the Commission. The consultant will be expected to respond impartially to multiple competing requests from Commission members who many have conflicting priorities and goals.
The consultant must be available to commence work on this project by mid December 2021 and commit through November 2022. Available funding for this contract shall not exceed $60,000.
Proposals are due on November 17, 2021 by 5:00 pm to the Seattle Redistricting Commission at (city_redistricting@seattle.gov).
The consultant is bound to laws and ordinances regarding equal employment opportunity.
Submitted Questions and Answers:
Question 1: When it comes to the City of Seattle Consultant Questionnaire that must be submitted with the Seattle Redistricting Commission District Master RFP; do I need to provide the Dun or Bradstreet number? See image below.
Answer 1: The Dun & Bradstreet number is not required since this would not be a federal contract.
Question 2: One of my references would like to submit a recommendation letter. Is that needed or is that okay to submit?
Answer 2: Please submit the materials you think is pertinent to your application.
Question 3: Will there be a Communications Team working with the Commissioners and the District Master to gather all the comments, feedback, and ability to submit maps?
Answer 3: The commission is figuring out all details of their workplan, as of today, there are only recommendations from staff. Communications and community outreach is part of the extended proposed plan. To your question, yes, there should be someone in charge of that part, but it is not assigned yet.