Strategic Development Plan Update

The City and County of Denver's Department of Aviation is seeking professional consulting services to update the Strategic Development Plan (SDP) for Denver International Airport (DEN) through a Request for Qualifications (RFQ). The procurement aims to comprehensively review and refresh the existing SDP, with key objectives including stakeholder engagement, market condition analysis, and identifying portions of the current document that can remain unchanged versus areas requiring revision or new content. The project aligns with DEN's Vision 100 and Operation 2045 initiatives, with work anticipated to start in January 2026 and have a duration of approximately 12 months. Proposers must submit a detailed narrative demonstrating their approach, key personnel qualifications, company experience, and an Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Plan. The evaluation will utilize a weighted scoring system emphasizing the proposed work plan and approach, with key assessment criteria including cost-effectiveness, project understanding, work plan, key personnel qualifications, and overall company experience. The RFQ has a submission deadline of August 4, 2025, at 2:00 PM Denver local time, with an optional pre-submittal conference scheduled for July 7, 2025.

The procurement includes a 20% Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise (MWBE) participation requirement, demonstrating the City's commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion. The maximum contract amount is set at $500,000, with payment to be made exclusively from the Airport System Fund. While specific incumbent vendors are not mentioned, the RFQ indicates a preference for consultants with expertise in urban design, strategic planning, and airport development. Proposers will need to demonstrate capabilities in stakeholder engagement, market analysis, and strategic document development. The contract appears open to a wide range of professional services firms, with an emphasis on those capable of comprehensive strategic planning and able to meet the MWBE participation guidelines. The core staff rate sheet attached to the RFQ suggests that the selected consultant will need to provide a detailed breakdown of staff roles, experience levels, and corresponding hourly rates, indicating a preference for teams with diverse expertise and clear cost structures.