This contract is for a consultant to facilitate community engagement with residents and neighborhood leaders in developing financial empowerment goals and strategies designed to be a resource and toolkit; combined with the goal of assisting residents in improving their economic position. Services will implement the CityStart initiative made possible by grant funding to support the strategic partnership with Cities for Financial Empowerment (CFE) Fund.  The project aims to strengthen Savannah’s economic foundation by identifying and addressing the financial needs of residents in underserved communities, with a primary focus on expanding pathways to prosperity and long-term stability. The initiative will be executed over eight to ten months through two distinct phases:

• Learning Phase: A data-driven analysis of the local financial landscape combined with robust community engagement. This phase will identify the unique challenges residents face in building and maintaining financial health
• Design Phase: The development of an economic mobility blueprint or roadmap that will be called  "The Savannah Blueprint".  This community-led resource will outline strategies for wealth creation and provide guidance for residents to increase their earnings and asset protection, ensuring community members have the tools and knowledge to effectively safeguard their existing resources.

The scope of work includes comprehensive data collection, resident surveys, and stakeholder roundtables centered on housing stability, workforce development, and entrepreneurial support. The resulting blueprint will provide a government-led framework to foster a more resilient and inclusive local economy. The Request for Proposal was advertised, six proposals were received, and the two highest firms were shortlisted to provide Best and Final Offers. The proposals were reviewed for Qualifications and Project Experience, Approach, References, Savannah First Participation, and Fees. Proposals were scored accordingly by an evaluation committee consisting of City staff. Vendors submitting Best and Final Offers were as follows: 

BluKnowledge (Savannah, GA) (A) - $65,000

Epic Health Solutions (Savannah, GA) (A) - $121,300

(A) = local-owned, DBE

BluKnowledge was the highest-scored proposer.

Approval