Questions_and_Answers_RFP2512_2026.04.08.pdf

State of California RFP Number: SFBC-P-25-12

Questions and Answers

BAY ADAPT STRATEGY AND SUPPORT

April 8, 2026

Question #1: Website: Who’s currently managing the Bay Adapt website? Would the consultant team be expected to handle updates and maintenance, or is that staying with BCDC/another team? Are you planning to keep the current site or thinking about a new approach?

Response #1: The Bay Adapt website is currently managed primarily internally. The consultant would not be expected to conduct any website updates. However, if the agreed-upon format for Task 5 takes the form of online content rather than a PDF report, the consultant would be expected to recommend the design and format of the online content but not build the content. The Bay Adapt website is not expected to undergo any major changes in the foreseeable future, though the consultant is welcome to suggest updates as part of Task 2 that could be implemented outside of this contract.

Question #2: Communications Consultant: The RFP mentions a communications consultant. Could you clarify the types of support you’re anticipating (e.g., public outreach, internal updates, digital content)?

Response #2: The communications consultant will be solicited under a separate RFP, anticipated to be released later in April. That contract will consist primarily of ongoing communications similar to what Bay Adapt already produces, which consists of website content updates (blog, carousel, etc.), quarterly newsletters, social media, and other outreach as needed, as well as supporting Bay Adapt’s annual summit, Rising Together. Any new communications proposed as part of Task 2 should be conveyed to the communications consultant as they update the Bay Adapt communications plan to ensure alignment.

San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission

375 Beale Street, Suite 510, San Francisco, California 94105 tel 415.352.3600. fax;

888.348.5190 State of California I Gavin Newsom – Governor I info@bcdc.ca.gov

State of California RFP Number: SFBC-P-25-12

Question #3: Subject Matter Expertise: Regarding the policy expertise that ICG members bring, to what extent should the consultant team have this knowledge? Does it need to cover statewide policies, or focus more on regional and municipal contexts?

Response #3: The consultant should have the capability to identify and execute a strategic approach to leveraging the policy expertise of ICG members and BCDC staff to execute the tasks. This would likely be easier to do with some familiarity of the topics as a starting point, but the consultant is not expected to bring policy expertise in all topics.

Question #4: ICG Meetings: Will the ICG meetings be in person, virtual, or a mix? If in person, do the locations rotate? This will help us plan time and logistics.

Response #4: ICG meetings are currently in-person with a virtual option, held at Bay Area Metro Center in San Francisco. Consultants will be expected to attend in person.

Question #5: Can BCDC share more about the scope and timing of the communications consultant and how coordination between teams is expected to function?

Response #5: See Response #2. The consultant is expected to provide strategic communications recommendations that advance the updated Bay Adapt strategy that will be shared with the communications consultant as they update the Bay Adapt communications strategy and provide comments on the draft communications strategy when it is drafted. As needed, there may be one shared meeting/working session between the consultant and the communications consultant to clarify and align the Bay Adapt strategy’s goals with the communications plan.

Question #6: What level of specificity is BCDC expecting in the updated Bay Adapt Strategy?

Response #6: The updated Bay Adapt Strategy should include all of the sub-elements listed in Task 2 of the RFP. The document is expected to be no longer than 15-20 pages, but should provide adequate direction to BCDC staff to advance Bay Adapt, the Joint Platform, and the Implementation Coordinating Group in a strategic direction for the next 3-5 years.

Question #7 DVBE / Veteran-Owned Participation If a veteran-owned firm participates as a subcontractor rather than the prime, would that count toward DVBE incentive points in the evaluation? Or does the prime contractor need to be DVBE-certified to receive those benefits?

State of California RFP Number: SFBC-P-25-12

Response #7 Per State Contracting Manual section 8.14.2(a), one of the requirements is that the business be a sole proprietorship that is at least 51% owned by one or more disabled veterans.

Question #8 Geographic vs. Transferable Expertise

Can BCDC clarify how subject-matter expertise in the San Francisco Bay Area will be weighted in the evaluation relative to broader experience in climate adaptation, environmental justice, and regional planning, so that bidders understand the relative weight given to Bay Area-specific versus regional, national, or cross-sector expertise?

Response #8 Geographic vs. Transferable Expertise BCDC will evaluate proposals using a balanced approach that values both Bay Area–specific subject-matter expertise and broader experience in climate adaptation, environmental justice, and regional planning.

Question #9 Work Samples / Confidentiality

For the work samples, is it acceptable to submit anonymized or redacted materials if prior client confidentiality applies, or should submissions be limited to publicly available work?

Response #9

The work samples should be limited to what is publicly available.

Question #10 Incumbent / Prior Consultant Support

Is there a current or previous consultant supporting Bay Adapt strategy and coordination efforts? If so, will they be eligible to bid, and what are the expectations around transition or knowledge transfer?

Response #10: The Bay Adapt Joint Platform and Implementation Coordinating Group were developed without consultant support. Over the last three years, Greenbelt Alliance has been supporting the Implementation Coordinating Group, led by BCDC staff, and supported the development of the Bay Adapt Impact Report. Any previous consultant is eligible to bid on this RPF. Staff will primarily coordinate the transition and knowledge transfer, though a handoff may occur during one of the planned monthly check-in meetings if necessary.

Question #11 Please provide a description of the expected “other consultant teams” listed in Task 1 on page 4 – how many and their roles/functions?

Response #11: This is primarily referring to the communications consultant, which will be onboarded around the same time as this consultant. See Repsonses #2 and #5 for more information about the scope of the communications consultant contract. No other

State of California RFP Number: SFBC-P-25-12 consultants teams are anticipated to require coordination at this point; however new contracts may arise during the term of this contract, as deemed necessary by BCDC.

Question #12 Is the communications consultant mentioned in Task 2 under contract or an expected future contract? If a current contract, who is the provider?

Response #12: The solicitation for this contract is expected to be released later in April.

Currently, Greenbelt Alliance is providing communications support for Bay Adapt, though this contract is expiring in 2026.