RFP 26-169-PSC Addendum 1 - Q and A.pdf

Rev 4-21-20

September 18, 2026

ADDENDUM #1

Strategic Plan Consulting Support

RFP 26-169-PSC

This addendum modifies the bidding document(s) for work only to the extent indicated herein. All other areas not specifically mentioned or affected by this addendum shall remain in full force. This addendum shall be added as a part of the original bidding document and shall become part of the work required.

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS:

Q: For purposes of Section 3.1, may a Proposer satisfy the five-year continuous experience requirement through the documented strategic planning experience of its principal and key personnel, including experience gained while employed by public agencies or by other firms, where the Proposer's firm itself was formed fewer than five years ago?

A: EWEB is willing to change the minimum qualifications for all firms responding to this RFP in Section 3.1 to say:

The Proposer must demonstrate a minimum of three (3) years of continuous experience providing strategic planning consulting services. This change reduces the length of time proposing firms must have been in continuous service from five (5) years (original language) to three (3) years (revised language).

To respond to this particular question under this updated set of minimum qualifications, if a firm was formed fewer than three (3) years ago, it will not meet this minimum qualification. Additionally, a proposer may not satisfy the three-year continuous experience through the documented strategic planning experience of its principal and key personnel, including experience gained while employed by public agencies or by other firms, where the proposer’s firm itself was formed fewer than three (3) years ago.

EWEB seek proposals from firms who are past the early start-up phase of firm development. EWEB welcomes proposals from firms who have been in business for at least three (3) years and would love to hear about key personnel experience that relates to the scope of work being requested in the RFP including from previous employment and/or work with other firms that would contribute to this project’s success as long as the proposing firm has been in continuous operation providing strategic consulting services for a minimum of three (3) years.

Q: If the answer to the previous Question is no, may the five-year requirement be satisfied through a proposed subconsultant in the same manner that Section 3.1 permits strategic foresight experience to be satisfied through the combined experience of the Proposer and subconsultants?

A: No, the three-year requirement of continuous experience providing strategic planning consulting services may not be satisfied through the combined experience of the Proposer and any subconsultants. The Prime Proposer must have three (3) years continuous experience providing strategic planning consulting services. Any subconsultants being used on the project also must have three (3) years continuous experience as a firm.

Q: Does EWEB require client references under Section 3.4 to be contracts held by the Proposer's firm, or may references attest to work performed by the Proposer's key personnel under prior employment?

A: In section 3.4 of the Minimum Qualifications of the RFP, Proposers must provide three (3) client references for similar projects conducted in the past five (5) years, similar in nature to the requirements specified and required for this proposal, that will indicate quality performance, especially based on quality of deliverables and follow-through. EWEB requires two of the three of these references be for work done by the Proposer’s firm. EWEB will allow one (1) of the three (3) references to attest to work performed by the Proposer’s key personnel under prior employment.

CHANGES TO SOLICITATION

Description of Change(s)

1. Section 3.1 of the RFP, on page 26, is hereby changed to, “The Proposer must demonstrate a minimum of three

(3) years of continuous experience providing strategic planning consulting services. …”.

2. Section 1.16 Schedule of Events is hereby changed to:

Request for Proposal released 9/15/26 Mandatory / Voluntary Pre-Proposal Conference N/A Last Date for EWEB to receive Protests of Requirements/Specifications/Terms 10/6/26

Last day for EWEB to receive questions from Proposers 10/7/26 Last day EWEB will post Addenda on Bid Site 10/8/26 Closing date (last day to submit proposals to EWEB)** 10/15/26 Scoring Proposals 10/15 –

10/22/26 Interviews / Presentations (if held) 10/26-

10/30/26

Intent to Award Announcement Posted on Bid Site 11/02/26

Board Approval 12/1/26

Contract Award 12/4/26

CLOSING DATE AND TIME

All references to the closing date and time are changed to the following:

Proposal Submission no later than: 2:00 p.m. (PST) – Thursday, October 15, 2026

Subcontractors List no later than: 2:00 p.m. (PST) – Thursday, October 15, 2026

** Please Plan for Interviews to Occur During Week of October 26, 2026.

This addendum constitutes a MATERIAL CHANGE to the bid. ITS RECEIPT BY THE PROPOSER IS TO BE ACKNOWLEDGED BY A SIGNATURE AND RETURNING A COPY OF THE ADDENDUM WITH ITS RESPONSE OR BY CIRCLING THE ADDENDUM

NUMBER IN THE APPROPRIATE AREA ON THE PROPOSAL FORM.

Addendum prepared by:

Tim Rogers, Purchasing Contact

The undersigned hereby acknowledges receipt of this Addendum and agrees to be bound by the conditions therein.

Company Name: ________________________________

Signature: ______________________________________ Date __________________________

End of Addendum

Subcontractors List no later than: 2:00 p.m. (PST) – Thursday, October 15, 2026