FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tonto National Forest Releases RFQ for Appraisal of Proposed Campus Site
May 2, 2014, Payson Arizona — A key milestone was achieved this week in the US Forest Service appraisal process for the property that remains the preferred location for the university campus in Payson. The USFS Tonto National Forest Contracting Office (USFS TNF) released a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) document and selection criteria to an array of qualified appraisers. The appraisers will have 10 days to submit their proposals.
The USFS TNF requires a minimum of three proposals from qualified appraisers. The Arizona-based USFS TNF selection team will review the proposals and select the proposal that best meets the selection criteria. The chosen appraiser will then complete the appraisal of the USFS property and submit the appraisal report, including the price of the USFS TNF land. It is anticipated that the appraiser selection will be completed by mid-May.
Once the RCEA Board has agreed with the price for the property, the Board will finalize the proposed financial model for the campus and its educational partner. The RCEA will contract with its designated vendor to conduct the cultural mitigation work on the USFS TNF property.
Once the final mitigation work is completed, the contracted mitigation firm will draft a final mitigation report, as required by the USFS for the sale of the land. The USFS TNF Supervisors Office will prepare the required direct sale and deed transfer documentation for review and final approval.
About Rim Country Educational Alliance
Rim Country Educational Alliance (RCEA) is a Separate Legal Entity formed in 2011 by an intra-governmental agreement between the Towns of Payson and Star Valley, AZ for the specific purpose of engaging in activities that further the concept of higher or advanced education, and economic and workforce development in Arizona’s Rim Country. A Separate Legal Entity (SLE) is a stand-alone political subdivision of the State of Arizona. SLEs typically are formed for specific governmental functions and ordinarily include a county, city, town, or school district.
Contact for more information about Rim Country Educational Alliance:
Mary Kastner
Vice Chairperson
Rim Country Educational Alliance