Economic Development Strategic Planning Services

The City of Sacramento's Economic Development Department is requesting proposals for development of a five-year Economic Development Strategic Plan, with proposals due September 29, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. PDT and questions due September 22. A 5% Local Business Enterprise (LBE) preference applies to qualified local businesses.

The scope encompasses six primary tasks: project initiation and management; market analysis and strategic alignment; community engagement; vision and priorities development; implementation and performance framework creation; and draft and final strategic plan preparation. Deliverables include citywide and place-based strategies across multiple Sacramento geographies, evaluation of existing programs and partnerships, and a business toolkit for entrepreneurs. Proposers must demonstrate three comparable projects completed within the past five years, including at least one California local government project reference. The plan must align with City Council priorities, regional economic conditions, and community needs.

The City has not predetermined a budget and requires time-and-materials proposals itemizing hours, billing rates, subcontractor costs, and reimbursable expenses by task and deliverable. Proposers must disclose conflicts of interest and comply with the City's standard Professional Services Agreement and all federal, state, and local laws and licensing requirements. A City of Sacramento Business Operations Tax Certificate is required prior to award.

Evaluation will consider project references and capability alignment. Interviews are estimated for the week of October 12, 2026, with award notification expected the week of October 26 and contract award the week of November 9, with an estimated contract start date of December 1. All proposals become public record upon contract execution, with provisions for trade secret or proprietary information protection. The City reserves the right to reject any or all proposals and negotiate with selected proposers before final award recommendation to City Council.