Strategic Planning Consultant RFP

The University of South Dakota (USD) is seeking a strategic planning consultant through RFP #USD12302025 to develop its next comprehensive institutional strategic plan. The selected consultant will be responsible for facilitating strategic plan development, conducting environmental scans and benchmarking analyses, designing stakeholder engagement processes, performing data analysis, and preparing draft and final strategic documents for presentation to the South Dakota Board of Regents. Key deliverables include a detailed strategic plan that reflects USD's institutional goals, with specific requirements for a one-to-two-page executive summary, point-by-point response analysis, and three professional references from similar service contracts. The RFP timeline includes critical dates: offeror questions are due January 12, 2026, with agency responses provided January 16, 2026, and final proposals due January 23, 2026. Evaluation criteria will focus on specialized expertise, technical competence, available resources, past performance records, project management techniques, and cost effectiveness. Proposals must be submitted electronically to chris.phillips@usd.edu and will be comprehensively assessed based on the contractor's ability to meet the university's strategic planning needs.

The RFP does not specify specific set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises. The contract will be awarded to the highest-ranked offeror, with negotiations to determine final compensation and performance schedule. If initial negotiations fail, USD may proceed to negotiate with the next highest-ranked contractor. Insurance requirements are substantial, mandating commercial general liability insurance of at least $1,000,000 per occurrence, professional liability insurance of $1,000,000, business automobile liability insurance of $1,000,000 per accident, and workers' compensation insurance compliant with South Dakota law. While no specific budget ceiling is identified, the contract will be negotiated and is expected to cover all service-related expenses, including potential travel and additional project costs. The contract term will commence upon execution and expire upon completion of the strategic plan, anticipated by December 2026. The total contract value will be determined during contract discussions, with the university reserving the right to reject any or all proposals and make awards deemed in its best interest.