Strategic Plan RFQ 10.2025.pdf

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Oklahoma City Zoological Trust

Request for Qualifications

RFQ-OCZT-03

Strategic Planning

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The Opportunity Oklahoma City Zoo & Botanical Garden Strategic Planning The Oklahoma City Zoo & Botanical Garden (OKC Zoo) invites qualified consulting firms and individuals to submit a Statements of Qualifications (SOQ) to develop a comprehensive strategic plan. Building on the OKC Zoo’s mission to connect people with our world’s vanishing wildlife and wild places, the selected consultant will engage stakeholders, assess organizational strengths and opportunities, and craft a clear roadmap to guide conservation, guest experience, education, and operational excellence over the next several years.

Background The Oklahoma City Zoological Trust (Trust), a public trust within the State of Oklahoma with the City of Oklahoma City as its beneficiary. is the governing authority of the OKC Zoo. The OKC Zoo stretches across 120 acres where over a million annual visitors connect with wildlife from all over the world. As a fully accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and the American Alliance of Museums, the OKC Zoo is committed to exceptional animal care and conservation. The OKC Zoo is more than just a zoo. It’s a diverse and inclusive community that fosters growth, learning, and collaboration.

Since 2022, the OKC Zoo has been operating under its current strategic plan (2022-2025), which established a solid foundation: strengthening internal culture, ensuring responsible and transparent fiscal management, maintaining high standards of animal care, and building a respected reputation in conservation.

In parallel, the OKC Zoo has recently launched a comprehensive Master Plan, which charts a bold course for growth and development. Key elements include a new world-class reptile and amphibian facility, renovations of prominent habitats, improvements to guest accessibility, and central gathering spaces, and future expansion projects.

With the current strategic plan concluding in 2025, the OKC Zoo seeks a consultant to guide its next strategic planning process. The new plan should build on the natural momentum generated by the Master Plan, align with it, and articulate clear goals, measurable outcomes, operational strategies, and the staff, financial, and organizational capacity needed to achieve the OKC Zoo’s mission of connecting people with wildlife and wild places.

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Goals A successful SOQ will show how the qualified consultant has the experience, team, references, and approach to facilitate and develop a comprehensive strategic plan that will guide the organization beyond 2025. The plan should build on the success of the 2022–2025 Strategic Plan (available as a download in Bidnet) and align with the OKC Zoo’s recently adopted Master Plan, advancing its mission to connect people with wildlife and wild places. It should also give consideration to a possible partnership on a standalone aquarium, be forward-looking, mission-driven, and crafted to support innovation, operational excellence, and conservation impact while respecting the OKC Zoo’s unique character and resources.

Outlined in a Strategic Planning Services Agreement written in collaboration between OKC Zoo and the selected consultant, the consultant will be responsible for designing, facilitating, and delivering a comprehensive strategic plan for the OKC Zoo. To accomplish this, the selected consultant will collaborate with OKC Zoo leadership, staff, the Oklahoma Zoological Society (OZS), trustees, and other stakeholders to:

• Assess the OKC Zoo’s current position, opportunities, and challenges in conservation, animal care, guest experience, education, business operations, and organizational culture;

• Engage diverse internal and external voices to shape a clear, shared vision for the next planning cycle;

• Recommend goals and strategies that are aspirational yet achievable, measurable, and aligned with best practices in the zoological and cultural sectors;

• Provide a practical framework to guide implementation, track progress, and adapt to changing circumstances.

Statement of Qualifications Content Qualified consultants should demonstrate their approach to engaging diverse stakeholders, including leadership, staff, trustees, OZS, and community partners, to ensure the planning process is inclusive and representative.

Consultants should highlight prior experience developing goals, strategies, and measurable outcomes that align with an organization’s mission and long-term planning documents (e.g., master plans, accreditation requirements).

Consultants should describe their ability to provide recommendations and supporting materials that ensure completed strategic plans are actionable, sustainable, and measurable.

Consultants should include resume for all relevant team members and references for the consultancy as a whole.

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Timeline The planning process is expected to take 5-7 months, beginning in January 2026 and concluding in July 2026.

Contract Management Expectations The selected consultant is required to enter into a formal agreement with the OKC Zoo that specifies deliverables, timelines, responsibilities, and payment schedules. All work product produced during the engagement will be the property of the OKC Zoo.

RFQ Award

Selection Process Each submission will be evaluated by a selection committee. The selection committee is comprised of members appointed by the CEO of the OKC Zoo. The committee may make its selection based solely on the submissions, or, at its discretion, conduct interviews and/or request presentations with some or all respondents. The selection committee will then report the results of its evaluations and make a recommendation for the award.

Evaluation Criteria The following factors may be considered when awarding:

1. The ability, capacity and skill to perform under the contract or provide the service required.

2. Whether the proposer can perform the contract or provide the service promptly, or within the time specified, without delay or interference.

3. The character, integrity, reputation, judgment, experience and efficiency of the proposer.

4. The quality of performance of previous contracts or services.

5. The previous and existing compliance by the proposer with laws and ordinances relating to the contract or services.

6. The sufficiency of the financial resources and ability to perform under the contract.

7. The quality, availability and adaptability of the supplies, or contractual services to the particular use required.

8. The number and scope of conditions and/or exceptions attached to the proposal.

9. Pending litigation.

Statement of Qualifications Instructions & Content Timeline The following timeline will guide this process:

Deadline to submit a response to this RFQ 12/10/2025.

Evaluation by selection committee 12/10/2025 – 12/19/2025

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Optional interviews 01/01/2026 – 01/15/2026

The timeline beyond the optional interviews is to be determined in partnership with the selectee.

However, it is the goal of OKC Zoo to have a completed strategic plan no later than July 2026.

SOQ Content Respondents are encouraged to use this table as a guide for their submission. to ensure all components are included in their SOQ. Complete SOQ will include the following:

Statement of Qualifications

☐ Cover Letter A simple letter of submittal.

☐ Company Overview

Describe historical background and track record of company with a heave focus on relevant projects.

☐ Project Team Describe team that will be working on this project. Include contact information, titles, office locations, and bios of members, especially the lead facilitator.

☐ SOQ Describe the ability to perform the work and all required Content as specified.

☐ Customer References

A minimum of three references are required. Provide references from other zoos, aquariums, or cultural destination customers when possible.