The City of New Bedford, acting through its Office of Planning, hereby solicits proposals from qualified firms with considerable experience in community design, land use planning, economic analysis, and citizen involvement/ participation. All respondents are required to respond in written form to the RFP and to submit documentation substantiating their qualifications to perform the services required. The scope of the RFP is to complete a policy based, Citywide Master Plan. The Citywide Master Plan will define a community-based vision based upon broad based public participation. The scope of the Plan will contain a range of elements with specific emphasis on land use and transportation. Failure to provide such information may result in a proposal being considered non-responsive. Respondents are encouraged to create "teams" with other specialty firms.