Government and Stakeholder Coordination Consultant

The City of Santa Monica is seeking a Government and Stakeholder Coordination Consultant through a competitive Request for Proposal (RFP) process to support the City Manager's Office for a three-year contract with potential one-year renewal. The selected consultant will provide strategic support for major upcoming events including World Cup 2026, Super Bowl 2027, and Olympics LA28, focusing on internal coordination, policy development, and strategic planning. Key deliverables include developing an internal coordination framework, drafting a leasing strategy for City-controlled spaces, and providing governance recommendations. The consultant must have at least five years of experience working with coastal municipalities and demonstrate expertise in governance, stakeholder facilitation, and municipal operations. Evaluation criteria will be points-based, with 30% allocated to relevant experience, 30% to understanding Santa Monica's organizational landscape, 20% to proposed approach, 15% to key personnel qualifications, and 5% to cost-effectiveness. The proposal submission deadline is December 2, 2025, at 3:00 pm, with the City planning to award the contract to the most qualified proposer, not necessarily the lowest-cost bid.

The RFP does not explicitly mention specific set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises. The consultant will be expected to coordinate with key institutional partners including Downtown Santa Monica, Inc. (DTSM), Santa Monica College (SMC), the Pier Corporation, and Santa Monica Travel & Tourism (SMTT). While no incumbent vendor is specified, the contract emphasizes supporting the City's priorities of sustainability, inclusion, and community well-being. The RFP includes a Contractual Services Agreement (CSA) template with insurance requirements, mandating Commercial General Liability coverage of $1,000,000 per occurrence, Automobile Liability of $1,000,000 per accident, and statutory Workers' Compensation insurance. Although a specific budget range is not explicitly stated, the contract will require comprehensive coordination services across multiple municipal departments and for significant upcoming events, suggesting a potentially substantial contract value commensurate with the scope of work and strategic importance to the City of Santa Monica.