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r - � <br />4,F 70 <br />R`1CK... F'��� <br />Attorney Barkett argued that no other grant approved by the <br />TDC and subsequently approved by the Board requires a bid <br />process. He stated that normal procedure, as with the Riverside <br />_.: facility, is to grant the application so the applicant can go out <br />and contract for the services. Mr. Barkett stressed that the <br />important thing is who does the study and what is in the scope of <br />services, not who hires them. He then presented detailed infor- <br />mation about the qualifications of Regional Research Associates <br />and reviewed some of the research they have done. <br />Commissioner Scurlock felt if they are that good, they will <br />be selected through the selection process. <br />Mr. Barkett continued to contend that the Board can just do <br />what they do for any other applicant and award the bid for <br />$50,000 knowing that it is going to go to this specific contract <br />with this scope of services done by this group, which is <br />eminently qualified to do it, and we can begin in November and <br />cover one whole year without splitting up tourist seasons. <br />Attorney Vitunac agreed that state law does not require that <br />we go out for bid in this case, and county ordinance does not <br />require it. The County, however, has adopted a policy of going <br />out for bid which does require this, and to change that policy <br />just requires a simple vote of the Board to ignore it. <br />Commissioner Scurlock believed if we voted to ignore it, <br />then we are saying the policy is not worth much, and Commissioner <br />Bowman felt that would set a precedent. <br />Chairman Bird did feel that there is a question of the. <br />urgency of the timing as to when the study will start. He asked <br />if staff is comfortable with the proposed scope of services and <br />if that scope is what we would use if we went out with RFPs. <br />Administrator Chandler confirmed we prepared the RFP, which <br />has basically the same scope, and he felt we could go through the <br />entire process with RFPs and bring a contract back to the <br />Commission by about the first of December. <br />Chairman Bird noted that the question then becomes is <br />whether starting the study in December is adequate to fulfill our <br />needs. <br />Commissioner Wheeler advised that this was discussed at <br />length at the Tourist Development Council level, and according to <br />each group, it varied when the study should be started. It was <br />also pointed out, however, that the study runs 12 months and will <br />cover the whole year no matter when you start; so, he did not <br />know how crucial it is to start in a certain month. He did <br />believe that we want to start it as soon as practical. <br />Attorney Barkett asked that Dr. Strong of Regional Research <br />Associates be allowed to address this point. <br />98 <br />