Strategic Planning Consulting Services

The City of Lake Forest is seeking a professional consultant under solicitation 2026-RFQ (Quotes)-042 to facilitate the update of its Strategic Business Plan for the period of FY 2027-28 through FY 2033-34. The objective is to develop a seven-year plan that aligns with the City's Master Financial Plan and Capital Improvement Plan, with a target completion date of April or May 2027. The scope of work includes conducting strategic planning workshops for city management, middle managers, and frontline staff, as well as performing interviews with the executive team and City Council members. Key deliverables include interview summaries identifying threats and blind spots, actionable recommendations for strategic initiatives, and a comprehensive summary document of all workshops and training. The procurement process requires a separate submission of a technical proposal and a fee schedule via the OpenGov procurement portal by November 4, 2026. Selected consultants must adhere to California professional standards, maintain required insurance and Worker's Compensation under Section 3700 of the California Labor Code, and comply with prevailing wage laws if applicable. The contract stipulates monthly invoicing with a 30-day payment term and grants the City a perpetual license to all intellectual property created during the project. Performance milestones include optional workshops and interviews scheduled between February and April 2027, with the City maintaining the right to approve all deliverables and audit project records for three years following final payment.