KAC Strategic Planning Consultant Services

The Kansas Department of Commerce is soliciting competitive proposals for Strategic Planning Consultant Services for the Kansas Arts Commission through a Request for Proposal (RFP) targeted at experienced consulting firms. The procurement seeks a qualified vendor to develop a comprehensive five-year strategic plan for the Kansas Arts Commission covering 2026-2031, with specific deliverables including an assessment report, stakeholder engagement summary, updated mission and vision statements, strategic priorities, implementation roadmap, and a final strategic plan document. Bidders must be established firms with a minimum of five years of continuous strategic planning consulting experience and must provide two client references from the past five years. The RFP involves a nine-month project divided into four phases, with specific milestones for discovery, engagement, strategic direction development, and plan finalization. Proposal submissions are due by January 14, 2026, at 2:00 PM CST, with a contract execution date matching the award date and a project completion deadline of November 30, 2026. The Procurement Negotiation Committee will evaluate proposals based on cost, proposal completeness, bidder understanding, compliance with RFP terms, experience, staff qualifications, and proposed methodology.

The RFP offers potential bidder preference opportunities, including categories for Certified Business Bidders and Disabled Veteran Owned Businesses, contingent upon submission of appropriate documentation. Bidders must submit multiple certifications, including Tax Clearance Certificates, Immigration Reform and Control forms, Sexual Harassment Policy compliance, Israel Boycott certification, and Telecommunications Equipment certification. While no specific contract value is explicitly stated, the RFP notes that the Kansas Legislature increased the Commission's appropriation by $500,000 in FY 2023, effectively doubling the agency's state funding. Payment for the contract will be structured with 25% due at contract execution, 40% at the midpoint of Phase 2, and the final 35% upon final plan delivery. The State of Kansas reserves the right to accept or reject any proposals and encourages submissions that include policies discouraging human trafficking. Contractor payments may be subject to set-off if the contractor owes a debt to the State of Kansas.