Request For Proposal (RFP) P2580036, Zoonotic Disease Initiative Consultant

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is issuing a Request for Proposal (RFP P2580036) to procure independent facilitation and mediation services for the Zoonotic Disease Initiative, a USFWS-administered grant program aimed at building wildlife health and zoonotic disease capacity within California and adjacent states. The procurement seeks a qualified individual or business to support the ZDI Grant Implementation Team and Steering Committee in developing an operational framework for a California Wildlife Health Collaborative that will strengthen existing collaboratives and facilitate new wildlife health initiatives. Primary deliverables include developing an operational framework for wildlife health and zoonotic disease surveillance, response, research, and management capacity through monthly meetings with the Implementation Team; providing facilitation services for monthly virtual Steering Committee meetings (1-1.5 hours) and two in-person meetings (1-2 days each); developing at least two potential governance frameworks for Committee review; and submitting a final Strategic Plan and Governance outline report due September 15, 2027 (with draft due August 18, 2027). Key task completion dates are December 31, 2026 (Task 2), June 30, 2027 (Task 1), and August 13, 2027 (Task 3). Minimum qualifications require a proven track record in collaborative engagement strategies, governance framework development for large-scale collaboratives, multi-party agreement-seeking, conflict resolution and mediation, and strategic planning for health and natural resource projects; the Project Director or Principal must have a minimum of five years of experience consulting with natural resource agencies and preferably hold an advanced degree in a related scientific field. The contractor must demonstrate digital project management capabilities and the ability to manage agendas, communications, and comprehensive meeting documentation. Proposals are due June 3, 2026, at 5:00 PM Pacific Time, with questions due by May 26, 2026, proposal evaluation scheduled for June 4-9, 2026, and an intended award date of June 18, 2026.

This procurement is open to public or private corporations, agencies, organizations, associations, or individuals registered with the California Secretary of State, with no Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE) participation requirements, though an optional 5 percent DVBE incentive is available for voluntary participation. A California Certified Small Business preference of 5 percent applies, with provisions allowing non-small businesses that commit to subcontracting at least 25 percent of work to California Certified Small Businesses to also claim the preference. Required insurance includes Commercial General Liability ($1,000,000 per occurrence/$2,000,000 annual aggregate), Professional Liability ($1,000,000 per occurrence/$3,000,000 aggregate), and Workers Compensation with Employers Liability ($1,000,000), with the State named as additional insured. The contract is subject to federal funding requirements including compliance with 2 CFR 200 and Build America, Buy America Act mandates. The contract term runs from CDFW approval through September 30, 2027, with a potential one-year extension at rates specified in the original agreement, and the maximum contract budget is $85,699.00. Payment will be made quarterly in arrears upon submission of detailed invoices and Contract Manager approval, with the State retaining 10 percent of earnings pending satisfactory completion. Advanced payments up to 25 percent may be authorized for qualifying nonprofits, and line-item budget flexibility of up to $25,000 or 10 percent annually is permitted.