RFI___SPPD23150.pdf

Office of Planning and Research Request For Information

Solicitation #SPPD23150

EXHIBIT A

SCOPE OF WORK

A. BACKGROUND

The Governor’s Office of Planning and Research (OPR) is an office of the Executive Branch which serves as the State’s comprehensive planning agency, with statutory responsibilities for formulating long-range goals for land-use, environmental impact, climate change, policies, plans, and guidelines. The California Strategic Growth Council (SGC) is a cabinet-level council under the umbrella of OPR that coordinates multiple programs related to the intersection of climate, land-use, technical assistance, and housing. The California Volunteers (CV) is the state office under the umbrella of OPR that is tasked with engaging Californians in service, volunteering, and civic action to tackle the State’s most pressing challenges while mobilizing all Californians to volunteer and serve in their communities. The Office of Community Partnerships and Strategic Communications (OCPSC) is an office under OPR that is tasked with taking on the critical role of managing priority public education and community engagement efforts and providing ongoing support to community-based organizations.

The State of California is committed to leveraging the rich academic, research, and technical capabilities of the University of California (UC) and California State University (CSU) system. This Request For Information (RFI) solicitation seeks to gather insights, ideas, and recommendations from UC and CSU staff, faculty, and researchers on how to strengthen the collaboration between California State government agencies, and the UC and CSU systems.

The ultimate goals of this RFI are to better inform state policy, enrich UC and CSU curriculum with real-world policy needs, foster policy-relevant research, and streamline the partnership process for mutual benefit.

B. OBJECTIVES

The main objectives of this RFI include:

• Understand current incentives, opportunities, and barriers for active collaboration between the California State government and the UC/CSU system.

• Identify specific methods, tools, and strategies to activate and promote collaboration.

• Determine which entities within the UC/CSU systems, including the University of California Office of the President (UCOP), can facilitate the partnerships and how.

The intended outcomes include:

OPR is leading an effort to connect UCs and CSUs with State agencies and departments, and especially the California Governor’s Office. The outcomes of this effort may include, but are not limited to:

Solicitation #SPPD23150

• Streamline partnerships through executed contract agreements.

• Formalize UC and CSU faculty and staff engagement in both research and non-research projects, such as technical assistance and product design.

• Create opportunities for faculty, staff, and students to undertake short-term appointments with State agencies, departments, or the California Governor’s Office, including but not limited to sabbaticals.

• Develop programs to foster the connection between UCs and CSUs, and Community-Based Organizations (CBOs), industry partners, and philanthropic organizations on California policy issues.

• Organize workshops and training sessions to assist faculty and staff in conducting policy-informed research and effectively communicating their research findings for policymaking.

• Facilitate networking events to increase awareness among UC and CSU faculty and researchers about partnership opportunities.

• Identify projects within the UC and CSU systems, that may coincide with projects in the California State department and agency systems.

• Advise to set up an Advisory Board (e.g. Governance, Thought Leadership)

C. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

This RFI is open to the public. Anyone can respond.

OPR is particularly interested in hearing from individuals or affiliates within the following types of organizations:

• University of California

• California State University

• An auxiliary organization of a CSU, or a California community college

• A foundation organized to support the Board of Governors of the California

Community Colleges

• An auxiliary organization of the Student Aid Commission established under

Education Code § 69522

D. WEBINAR

OPR is organizing the following webinar to address questions or suggestions regarding this RFI (Request for Information).

Solicitation #SPPD23150

Webinar (Optional Attendance) Webinar Date: 03/28/2024 Webinar Time: 3:00 PM PST Webinar Registration Link:

https://governorca.zoom.us/j/89851368463

E. WORK SCHEDULE AND KEY ACTION DATES

KEY DATES TABLE

ITEM DATE TIME

RFI Released 03/12/2024 - Q&A Webinar 03/28/2024 3:00 PM PST Deadline to Submit Questions 04/02/2024 5:00 PM PST Posting of Q&A 04/11/2024 5:00 PM PST RFI Proposal Receipt Deadline 04/19/2024 5:00 PM PST

Any questions related to this RFI must be sent electronically directly to the following mailbox:

Contracts@opr.ca.gov

F. SUBMISSION

Responses to this RFI solicitation must be submitted directly to:

Contracts@opr.ca.gov

G. Instructions for Respondents

• Please provide detailed responses to any of the questions below. You do not need to respond to every question.

• Include any relevant case studies, examples, or research that supports your recommendations.

• Indicate your affiliation with the UC system or any relevant experience in academia and/or policy development.

H. Questions https://governorca.zoom.us/j/89851368463 mailto:Contracts@opr.ca.gov mailto:Contracts@opr.ca.gov

Solicitation #SPPD23150

Please address the following questions in your response to this RFI. You do not need to answer every question.

A. Current State of Collaboration

1. What are the current incentives for faculty and staff at UCs/CSUs to collaborate with the State of California on research, teaching, and/or service?

2. What are the main challenges with aligning research and teaching with policy development and implementation?

3. What are the current opportunities for faculty and students to engage directly with policymakers to understand policy-related challenges? What has been your experience?

4. Are there examples of successful collaboration in the past? What made them successful?

5. Are there specific areas of research that are underrepresented in policy discussions that could benefit from greater attention?

B. Activating Collaboration

1. What specific measures do you recommend for enhancing the collaboration between the State and the UC/ CSU systems?

2. What are your ideas about creating hubs in each university to serve as a liaison between the State and the campus? Which entities can play that role?

3. What are your ideas and experiences with establishing master agreements or other similar processes to support the partnership?

4. What role can joint research projects, internships, fellowships, or exchange programs play in this effort?

5. What are your ideas about having faculty spend their sabbatical time with State agencies and/or the Governor’s Office? What human resource–related requirements may apply to a state agency hosting faculty member or researcher during his or her sabbatical?

C. Roles and Entities

1. Which specific entities within the UC/ CSU systems are best positioned to support the partnership between the State and UCs/CSUs? Please describe their potential roles, contributions, and expectations.

2. How can various entities work together to streamline the partnerships and agreement making process between the State and UCs/CSUs for research and consulting projects?

3. Which individuals or centers within the UC/ CSU systems are interested in collaborating with the State on research or other topics such as community capacity building?

• Describe the focus areas of the center and any ongoing projects that relate to state policies or initiatives.

Solicitation #SPPD23150

• How do these centers currently support faculty and researchers in translating their work for policy impact?

• What resources can support these centers to boost their partnership with the State or work on conducting policy-relevant initiatives?

D. Additional Questions

1. How can the success of these collaborative efforts be measured or evaluated?

2. Can you propose a roadmap or timeline for initiating and scaling up collaboration efforts between your campus or center and a state agency or the Governor’s Office?

3. Can you identify successful models or examples of partnerships between academic entities and government agencies that could be replicated or adopted in California?