Committee to prioritize proposed project managers, references and past work in interviews

Committee members emphasized that interviews should provide the opportunity to evaluate the proposed project manager and the key staff who would run the day-to-day work. Mr. Mathew Candland and Mr. Carl Espy warned that firms sometimes send senior principals to interviews but later assign other staff to manage projects; the committee agreed to require the proposed project manager and key personnel to attend interviews when invited.

Members also agreed to check client references and review previous projects, photographs and client feedback included with proposals to better assess consultants' experience with similar park and recreation planning projects. The committee expects reference checks to inform impressions of project management, communication, and the consultant's ability to address challenges throughout the project.