RFP 2500015 Development of a policy brief on how California should sustainably finance a resilient Delta

The Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Conservancy has issued Request for Proposal (RFP) 2500015 to solicit competitive proposals for developing a comprehensive policy brief on sustainable financing mechanisms for a resilient Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. The primary objective is to create a concise, policy-focused document synthesizing existing information and plans to establish a unified funding strategy addressing restoration, levee stability, and community development in the Delta region. The deliverable consists of six primary tasks: contract management with quarterly invoicing and progress reports, project initiation with a kickoff meeting, synthesis of existing information including targeted stakeholder interviews, development of a funding framework outlining strategic opportunities and funding sources, strategic recommendations for long-term stability and coordination, and production of the final policy brief. Qualified contractors must demonstrate at least ten years of experience within the past fifteen years developing policy briefs of statewide significance, with a minimum portfolio of at least ten high-quality examples; Delta-specific experience is preferred but not required. Technical evaluation will be scored on a 1,000-point scale comprising management plan (100 points), methodology (200 points), work plan and schedule (200 points), personnel and experience (200 points), and cost (300 points). The nine-month project is scheduled to commence on June 30, 2026, and conclude by March 31, 2027, with a proposal submission deadline of April 24, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time at the Delta Conservancy office in West Sacramento, California; notice of proposed award is scheduled for May 6, 2026, with contract award anticipated by May 18, 2026, and final execution by June 10, 2026.

The procurement includes set-aside designations favoring Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE) participation with incentive bonuses ranging from one to five percent based on confirmed participation levels, as well as Small Business and Microbusiness preferences available to certified California small businesses. Contractors must provide evidence of $1,000,000 in liability insurance coverage and complete all required state certifications, including drug-free workplace and conflict of interest disclosures, while maintaining compliance with California procurement laws and retaining intellectual property rights with the state. The total project budget is fixed at $80,000, with no proposals exceeding this amount eligible for award, and the agreement includes standard state terms and conditions with termination without cause provisions allowing thirty days' advance notice. No incumbent vendors or current contractors are identified for this solicitation, and no existing infrastructure or technology integration requirements are specified in the procurement documentation.