Request for Proposals for Economic Impact Analysis

This Request for Proposals (RFP) provides interested offerors with sufficient information to prepare and submit proposals for consideration by Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education (hereinafter State System) to provide an economic and social impact analysis on behalf of West Chester University of PA (hereinafter “WCU” or “University”).

West Chester University is seeking proposals from a qualified firm to conduct a comprehensive Economic Impact Analysis assessing the University’s impact on the Borough of West Chester and the surrounding regional economy. The selected consultant will quantify the University’s economic contributions across operational, employment, student, alumni, workforce, research, and community dimensions. The final report must be suitable for presentation to university leadership, public officials, governmental agencies, and key stakeholders.

**Deliverables:** The selected firm shall provide:

• A comprehensive written Economic Impact Report
• An executive summary suitable for public distribution
• Presentation materials for governmental and stakeholder briefings
• Technical appendices documenting methodology and assumptions

**Operational Spending:** The analysis shall evaluate the University’s annual expenditures on payroll, goods, services, and capital projects, including:

• Employee household spending on housing, groceries, healthcare, and other local needs
• Procurement of goods and services from local and regional vendors
• Capital investments, including new construction and major renovations, and their impact on construction employment and local suppliers

**Employment Impact:** The consultant shall quantify:

• Direct employment (faculty and staff)
• Indirect employment (jobs supported by businesses that supply the University)
• Induced employment (jobs supported by spending from employees and suppliers)
• Impacts should include associated labor income, economic output, and tax revenue.

**Student & Visitor Spending Impact:** The analysis shall assess:

• Off-campus student spending on housing, food, transportation, retail, and entertainment
• Visitor spending associated with move-in/move-out, graduation, athletic events, alumni gatherings, and campus tours
• Resulting impacts on local jobs, wages, and tax revenues

**Human Capital & Alumni Impact:** The consultant shall estimate:

• The wage premium attributable to a university degree
• The aggregate additional earnings of alumni residing and working in the Borough or region
• The resulting impact on household spending, regional GDP, and the local tax base

**Workforce Development Impact:** [...] The analysis shall evaluate the University’s role in supporting key regional sectors, including health sciences, computer science and technology, education, and business and other professional fields.

**Research, Innovation & Economic Competitiveness:** [...] The consultant shall evaluate the University’s role in producing research, scholarships, and innovation, supporting entrepreneurship and commercialization activity, and strengthening regional economic resilience and adaptability.

**Community Engagement & Public Service Impact:** [...] The analysis shall assess volunteer service hours contributed by students, faculty, and staff, and contributions that enhance the quality of life within the Borough.

**Property Value Evaluation:** Impact of the university on the immediate neighborhood as it relates to real property value and its impact on local taxes.

Proposals must be submitted electronically via PennBid at https://pennbid.bonfirehub.com. Proposals must consist of a complete response to the requirements outlined herein and shall be submitted no later than the required proposal Submission Date/Time listed above.

All cost data must be submitted electronically via the Pricing Section Bid Table in PennBid apart from the *Technical Submittal Response Form* (Appendix A). **Absolutely no pricing can appear anywhere in the Technical Proposal.** Failure to meet this requirement may result in automatic disqualification of the proposal.

Offerors must acknowledge all addenda in their proposal response.

The offeror must have a minimum of five years’ experience in providing the services requested in this RFP to higher education institutions.

The offeror must provide a solution that delivers capabilities consistent with industry practices at a firm, lump-sum, fixed price that encompasses the entire Scope of Work.

The term of the contract will commence on the Effective Date and will end one (1) year from the Effective Date.

Prices proposed in the offeror’s response will be valid for a minimum of one (1) year effective from the start date of the contract.