City of Indio Parks Master Plan

The City of Indio, California is soliciting proposals for consulting services to prepare a comprehensive Parks Master Plan through 2040, with proposals due November 12, 2026 at 3:00 PM and questions due October 29, 2026 at 3:00 PM.

The scope spans six task categories: project initiation with existing parks inventory and GIS mapping; community engagement through workshops, focus groups, online surveys, and stakeholder interviews; needs assessment and level-of-service analysis with demographic profiling and equity assessment; policy analysis and standards development including park classification and design standards; capital improvement program and implementation planning with cost estimates and phasing; and draft and final plan documents with CEQA documentation. The selected team must demonstrate experience in California parks master planning, Quimby Act nexus studies, community engagement in Environmental Justice communities, GIS-based park analysis, and climate resilience planning. The consultant must address Indio's desert context, majority-Latino demographic, low-income community engagement requirements, and alignment with the city's Climate Action Plan and Housing Element equity goals.

The contract term runs from Notice to Proceed through project completion, with all deliverables required within the project schedule established at kickoff. The city anticipates funding through Quimby Act in-lieu fees, development impact fees, General Fund appropriations, and grants including LWCF, Proposition 68, GGRF, CDBG, ATP, and IIG, with potential public-private partnerships.

Evaluation occurs in two phases: technical proposal (qualifications weighted 40%, technical approach 30%, project management 15%) followed by cost proposal review (15%) for shortlisted firms. Proposals must include a separately sealed cost document with total fees, task-by-task breakdown, hourly billing rates, and direct expenses. The city response to questions is due November 5, 2026. Proposal evaluation is scheduled for the week of December 3, 2026, with potential interviews the week of December 14, contract negotiation the week of January 4, 2027, and anticipated award January 14, 2027.