REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL – HEARING EXAMINER SERVICES
The City of Ilwaco is soliciting proposals from individual licensed attorneys or related firm/entities for the purpose of selecting a new City Hearing Examiner. Proposal submissions are due no later than 5:00 p.m. Monday June 1, 2026. Any revisions, updates and/or clarifications of the Request for Proposal will be posted on this webpage. Questions regarding this project should be directed to Holly Beller, City Administrator, Phone (360) 642-3145 or [email protected].
Questions Received:
Q After reviewing the RFP for Hearing Examiner Services, I did not see a requirement/request for writing samples and/or copies of written decisions. Is this something the city would like, or is it optional for respondents to provide?
A It is correct that a sample has not been provided in this RFP, and would be optional for respondents to provide.
Q Virtual Performance of Services
Given that the Scope of Services references the expectation that the Hearing Examiner may conduct a “virtual review of the development site,” I would like to confirm whether the City would consider a Hearing Examiner arrangement in which hearings and related services are performed primarily or entirely virtually, except where an in-person appearance may be specifically required.
A Yes, the city will consider an arrangement in which hearings and related services are performed primarily or entirely virtually. The city already has this arrangement in place with its current Hearings Examiner and routinely offers an in-person option for attending the virtual meeting.
Q Attorney Licensing Requirements
The RFP refers to “individual licensed attorneys or related firms/entities,” but I did not see a specific requirement that the attorney be licensed in the State of Washington. Could you please confirm whether the City will consider proposals from attorneys licensed in other U.S. jurisdictions who possess relevant experience as hearing examiners, administrative adjudicators, land use professionals, or quasi-judicial officers?
A The attorney should be licensed in the State of Washington. Proposals will be accepted otherwise, but will may not weigh as heavy as attorney’s who are licensed in the State of Washington reflecting an ability and history of successfully performing similar work.