Disability Economic Advancement Advocacy Consultant - Texas Disability Project

Metrocare in partnership with The Meadows Foundation is requesting proposals for a lead disability economic advancement advocacy consultant or team to design and execute a comprehensive advocacy strategy advancing policy outcomes from Phase I of the Texas Disability Project, with proposals due July 29, 2026, and a non-mandatory pre-proposal meeting scheduled for July 16, 2026, at 2:00 PM via Teams.

The engagement spans approximately 11 months beginning August 15, 2026, across three implementation phases: foundation building (months 1–4), strategy development and pre-session engagement (months 3–6), and legislative session implementation (months 6–11), with focus on the 2027 Texas Legislative Session and the Texas Health and Human Services Commission Sunset Review. Phase I research combined quantitative data analysis, stakeholder input, and lived experience from a 16-member disability council to establish a comprehensive understanding of the disability ecosystem and its contributions to the state economy.

Required qualifications include demonstrated Texas legislative advocacy experience, proven multi-stakeholder initiative management, statewide engagement and coalition-building capability, and strong communications skills. The RFP emphasizes integration of AI and digital tools to enhance efficiency and scale communications.

The budget range is $150,000 to $200,000 for the consulting engagement. An additional $150,000 is intended for a separate public relations and marketing firm procurement, though funding is not yet secured. The contract term runs from August 15, 2026, through August 14, 2028, and is not renewable under the current solicitation structure. Proposals are evaluated on a best-value basis: cost (10%), qualifications and experience (30%), approach and strategy (25%), stakeholder and grassroots strategy (20%), and communications and media strategy (15%).

Submissions must include vendor questionnaire, conflict of interest questionnaire, W-9 form, certificate of insurance, pricing table, and a maximum 10-page proposal with organizational background, strategic approach, team composition, detailed line-item budget, technology utilization, and a minimum four references. Contractors must maintain commercial general liability insurance of $1 million per occurrence, business auto liability of $1 million, and statutory workers' compensation coverage. The contract is conditioned on availability of federal, state, or local funds and may be terminated for convenience with 30 days' written notice.