Regionally Integrated Climate Action Planning Support (RICAPS) Climate Collaborative Technical Assistance

The County of San Mateo Sustainability Department is requesting proposals for Regionally Integrated Climate Action Planning Support (RICAPS) Climate Collaborative Technical Assistance with proposals due August 21, 2026, and a pre-proposal meeting on August 4, 2026. The contract covers a five-year term (2026–2031) serving 21 jurisdictions across San Mateo County (20 incorporated cities and unincorporated areas representing 744 square miles and approximately 800,000 residents).

The County seeks a single consultant firm or multidisciplinary team to deliver seven core service areas: program management and coordination; climate action, adaptation, and resilience technical assistance; development and maintenance of shared data tools (including biennial greenhouse gas inventories for all 21 jurisdictions); funding strategy and grant support; capacity building and training; county government operations support; and on-call services. Annual workplans will be collaboratively developed with the County and remain flexible to address emerging priorities, funding availability, and policy changes. The selected consultant is encouraged to recommend service enhancements, delivery innovations, and specialty partnerships in adaptation, resilience, community empowerment, and hazard mitigation. Task 7 includes an annual on-call budget of up to $50,000 for studies and initiatives requested by the County. The consultant will facilitate up to 12 collaborative meetings annually (eight virtual, four in-person) and develop greenhouse gas emissions inventories biennially.

Minimum qualifications require at least four years of similar services within the last seven years and an account manager with a minimum two years' experience within the last five years. Evaluation criteria are weighted as follows: project approach (45%), firm qualifications (10%), team qualifications (10%), and price (25%), with an additional 10% preferential points available to local businesses and non-profits under San Mateo County Ordinance Chapter 2.89. The RFP is funded by WestLight Energy, the City/County Association of Governments, and Pacific Gas and Electric Company via the San Mateo County Energy Watch partnership. The deadline for questions is August 14, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. Interviews are tentatively scheduled for August 31, 2026, with anticipated award on September 25, 2026.