Working Group Facilitator and Implementation Planning Consultant

The State of Hawaii, Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Forestry and Wildlife, is soliciting proposals from qualified consultants, firms, or consultant teams for facilitation and implementation planning services for the Shade and Fruit Trees for Schools Statewide Implementation Working Group, with proposals due November 30, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. HST via the HIePRO eProcurement System. A five percent Hawaii Offeror Preference is available to eligible offerors that submit a completed Form SPO-081, and the solicitation is issued in collaboration with the Hawaii Department of Education (HIDOE).

The preference certification requires a valid commercial place of business in Hawaii staffed continuously for at least two consecutive years before bid opening, submission under the offeror's authorized Hawaii business name, and at least 51 percent of total direct labor hours performed within Hawaii. Joint venture partners must meet the same requirements. Certification is made under penalty of perjury and must be maintained through performance. Loss of eligibility triggers a price adjustment equal to the preference value and may result in debarment under Hawaii Revised Statutes 103D-702.

The contractor designs and manages a collaborative planning process and facilitates approximately 14–18 representatives from HIDOE, DLNR, schools, urban forestry, education organizations, and community sectors. Deliverables include meeting design and facilitation, stakeholder coordination, research and information synthesis, documentation of decisions and action items, and a final statewide implementation and resource plan to move the current time-limited pilot into a durable statewide program with state support.

The maximum firm-fixed total price is $60,000, inclusive of applicable taxes and expenses, with General Excise Tax identified separately within that total. Cost proposals must allocate price across major tasks, including professional fees, estimated hours and billing rates, travel, meeting, and subcontractor expenses. The contract term runs approximately December 2026 through July 2027, subject to funding availability, contract execution, and written notice to proceed. The project is funded through state appropriations and federal grants for the Shade Trees for Schools project. No proposal security, performance bond, or payment bond is required.

Proposals are scored on a 100-point scale: understanding of the project and quality of approach (25), collaborative planning and facilitation experience (20), personnel qualifications and experience (15), experience with Hawaii public agencies, education, natural resources, or comparable settings (10), work plan and schedule quality and feasibility (10), past performance and references (10), and price (10). Notice of award is anticipated December 2026. Before award, the selected offeror must provide current proof of compliance with Hawaii business laws through Hawaii Compliance Express or acceptable equivalent certificates.