Strategic Planning

The Oklahoma City Zoo & Botanical Garden (OKC Zoo) is seeking a qualified consulting firm to develop a comprehensive strategic plan through a Request for Qualifications (RFQ-OCZT-03) process. The procurement is specifically targeting consultants who can create a strategic roadmap to guide the organization's conservation, guest experience, education, and operational excellence beyond 2025. Respondents must submit a Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) by December 10, 2025, at 4:00:00 p.m. CDT through the City Clerk's Electronic Bidding System. The strategic planning project is expected to take 5-7 months, from January 2026 to July 2026, with the selected consultant required to engage stakeholders, assess organizational strengths, and develop measurable goals and strategies. Evaluation criteria will include the consultant's ability to perform, service quality, past performance, and compliance, with selection to be made by a committee appointed by the zoo's CEO. Potential proposers may submit questions through the Electronic Bidding System until November 19, 2025, at 10:00 a.m., and optional interviews are scheduled for January 1-15, 2026. The final strategic plan must build upon the zoo's existing 2022-2025 strategic plan and recently adopted Master Plan.

The RFQ does not explicitly mention any set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises. Proposers are required to have at least three customer references, preferably from other zoos, aquariums, or cultural destinations, indicating a preference for firms with relevant sector experience. The procurement will be governed by Oklahoma law, with venue in Oklahoma County's state or federal courts. While no specific budget range is outlined in the documents, the RFQ suggests the project will involve comprehensive stakeholder engagement, organizational assessment, and strategic planning services. Proposers must comply with specific statutory requirements, including certifications related to the Energy Discrimination Elimination Act of 2022 and the Firearm Non-Discrimination Verification Act of 2025, which apply to entities with ten or more full-time employees and contract values exceeding $100,000. Interested firms must submit their qualifications through the Bidnet Electronic Bidding System and be prepared to provide detailed information about their project team, approach, and previous strategic planning experience.