A04_REER_Strategic_Planning_SOW_for_solicitation.doc

Reconstruction Era National Historical Park

706 Craven Street Beaufort, SC 29902

STATEMENT OF WORK:

Strategic Planning

DATED:

3/30/2023

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

South East Region

Major Acquisition Buying Office

1. Background. The Park was first established as Reconstruction Era National Monument via Presidential proclamation on January 12, 2017 and redesignated as Reconstruction Era National Historical Park (REER) by Congress on March 12, 2019. The park boundary includes approximately 65 acres of land in in three different locations within Beaufort County. Approximately 16 acres of land, or interests in land, are controlled by the federal government; the balance are managed through local partnerships. Key sites include: the Brick Baptist Church and associated cemetery; Darrah Hall and associated easements within the Penn Center National Historic Landmark District on Saint Helena Island; a portion of the site of Camp Saxton on lands currently administered by the U.S. Department of the Navy at Naval Support Facility Beaufort in the Town of Port Royal; and the Old Beaufort Firehouse located within the Beaufort National Historic Landmark District in downtown Beaufort.

REER has been successfully established, base funding has been secured, key staff have been put into place and key partnerships have been cultivated. Now you desire to “take the Park to the next level” by setting strategic priorities and (obtainable) strategic goals for the next phase of the Park’s development.

2. Required Services. While there are certain accepted methodologies that we would draw on to develop elements of the REER Strategic Plan, our intention would be to co-create with contractor an approach that fits the needs of a Historical Park with a focus on preserving and interpreting the resources and complex national stories of the struggles to redefine the nation during and after the Civil War.

Among other things, in Phase One of this work contractor will propose to:

--visit with you about your goals and vision for this process and the term of the Plan (e.g., three to five years);

--send a table-setting questionnaire to you and your staff asking for input on strategic objectives for the Park;

--plan a remote (Zoom or Teams) call to meet your staff;

--plan an onsite visit to Beaufort to tour those sites that are controlled by the federal government and those that are managed through local partnerships; and

--perform some “benchmarking” around relevant model plans we could draw from.

In Phase Two of this work contractor will:

--conduct staff interviews;

--conduct key Park volunteer/influencer interviews;

--lead a live onsite discussion with staff of the key Park values and the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats facing the Park (a “SWOT” analysis); and

--consolidate the questionnaire, interview and live discussion responses into a draft “statement of the case” for you with any critical information gaps yet to be addressed identified.

In Phase Three contractor will:

--prepare a draft Strategic Plan, including draft Vision and Mission statements, for your review and comment;

--present the draft Strategic Plan to the staff for their review and comment;

--iterate on the draft until we have an agreed on Final Plan (date of final delivery to be determined but my assumption is no later than summer 2023); and

--discuss communications around the Plan.

Part of this effort will, of course, involve identifying key goals, strategic priorities and challenges. Based on a review of the material you have sent me to date I see the following to start:

--implementing the Dingell Act directives;

--fundraising plans and goals to expand the REER;

--staffing and organization chart priorities;

--strengthening partnerships with local groups that own/manage non-US owned monuments (e.g. Penn Center, Brick Baptist Church and Camp Saxton);

--restoring and modernizing (i.e. to ADA standards) the Old Beaufort Firehouse visitor center;

--developing the Caper’s Creek Tract Trail; and

--linking the REER Strategic Plan to the expansion of the Reconstruction Era National Historic Network.

3. Period of performance. This work must be completed by over 1 calendar year from award date.

4. Government Furnished Property, Materials & Supplies.

5. Business Hours. office phone during normal business hours.

Points of Contact

TBD at time of award

6. Management. The contractor shall manage the total work effort in accordance with effective and efficient management principles and safe working practices to ensure on-time completion of this contract. REER understands and agrees that supporting the development of a strategic plan does not constitute legal, financial or business advice to the Park by selected contractor. In the event that the Park desires any of the aforementioned services, it is the Park’s responsibility to seek a licensed professional offering such services.

7. Confidentiality: Contractor will make best efforts to protect any confidential information identified by the Park from disclosure, except as required by law. Exceptions to this confidentiality requirement will only be made with the express permission of REER Superintendent.

8. Non-Payment for Additional Work. The terms of this engagement can be modified only by the written agreement of both the below signatories. Either signatory may terminate this Agreement at any time with 30 days written notice. The Park will be charged for any fees due for work performed in the month in which termination occurs.

9. Expenses and service. Charges relating to my engagement will include costs of travel and subsistence and non-routine charges for telephone use and document production. I will seek pre-approval from the Park for any unusual or significant charges. I will prepare and submit a quarterly confidential summary statement of professional services and expenses, which will be due upon receipt.

10. Hold harmless: REER agrees to hold harmless contractor individually and business from any liability occasioned or claimed in connection with the services provided under this contract.

11. Invoicing. Invoice will be submitted through IPP at: https://www.ipp.gov. Only one invoice at the time of work completion. Progress payments will not be allowed.

12. Contractor’s Proposal Package. The following deliverables are to be submitted with offer in response to RFQ.

· Technical approach to perform required services as noted in the FAR 52.212-2 Evaluations

· Contractor shall provide costs itemizing the work to be provided as stipulated in this Scope of Work.

· List of three completed jobs to include a point of contact, dollar value, and date completed.

· Your approach to strategic planning

· A summary of your strategic planning experience

· Identify specific nonprofit or government sectors in which you have conducted strategic planning

· 1-2 success stories (including measures) that demonstrate positive results related to strategic planning and coaching

· Three client references

· Sample project timeline with major tasks and milestones

· Detailed project budget

· General Information- The proposal should provide the name of the consultant, title, address, phone number, email address, and website, as applicable.

· Consultant Qualifications & Roles- The proposal must describe the consultant’s qualifications such as work activities, expertise, knowledge, and experience. Experience should include examples of similar related nonprofit and government work.

· Some key qualifications that will be considered:

· Education (degree(s) and/or certificate(s))

· Experience in successfully developing strategic plans

· Experience with planning related to preservation and conservation initiatives

· Knowledge of collective impact or collaborative strategic initiatives

· Strong facilitation skills

· Experience in the review and redesign of organizational structures

· Experience gathering input from diverse stakeholders (board members, staff, partners, other key stakeholders)

· Experience in creating a neutral environment for obtaining input

· Experience in gathering and utilizing data to drive the strategic process

· Ability to constructively challenge key stakeholders

· Experience in inspiring others to thinking innovatively

· Project management experience

· Understanding of organizational development approaches for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

· Budget planning experience

· References- Information regarding each reference should include the individual’s name, address, phone number and email address.

· Work Plan- The proposal should include the following:

· a detailed description of the activities to be conducted by the consultant to complete the work

· specific activities to be conducted at each stage, sample stakeholder engagement strategies

· Sample timeline for the activity at each stage; list of milestones & deliverables tied to the activities

· Proposed payment schedule tied to project milestones & deliverables.

· Previous Work Product- The proposal should include at least 1 sample of a previously completed strategic plan. Portions may be redacted to protect private information as needed.