RFP - Strategic Planning

Objective
SLCS is now seeking proposals from those interested in collaborating with us to design and facilitate a strategic planning process that will result in a refreshed Strategic Plan. That plan will guide our efforts over the next five years and allow us to build upon the successes and momentum we have achieved.

Scope of Services
The successful consultant will be responsible for providing expert advice and facilitation throughout the project with the following deliverables:

• A critical path with relevant timelines for the development of the 2026-2031 Strategic Plan
• A process designed and delivered to gather input from persons served, staff, the Board of Directors, and system partners and careholders. Engagement with partners and careholders may include surveys or interviews; engagement with persons served, staff and board members may include planning sessions, interviews or surveys.
• The SLCS vision, mission, and values were refreshed in 2020 during the development of our 2020-23 strategic plan and were reviewed again in 2023. They should be explored but this
  should not be an exhaustive overhaul, rather a review with an aim of re-affirming that they are inclusive of the work we do, relevant to current priorities and needs, and that they align with changing preferences to language.
• Project coordination through regular collaboration with the SLCS Executive Director and/or Strategic Planning Committee.
• A Strategic Plan suitable for public review and presentation along with an Operational/ Management Plan including measurable goals and a framework to report and evaluate achievement of those goals over years 1 to 3 and years 4 to 5.  This is to be delivered before the end of June 2026.

Consultant Requirements
It is expected that the successful consultant will have:

• At minimum, a working understanding of SLCS and the services SLCS provides
• Demonstrable experience and understanding of the non-profit sector in general and the community service sector specifically
• Be local to the London region with an understanding of the community and ability to work with SLCS in both in-person and virtual capacities
• Strategic planning experience coordinating and facilitating the planning process to produce a suitable and comprehensive strategic plan

Proposal Submission
Interested consultants are asked to email a proposal containing:

• Name of company and/or consultant(s), and contact information
• A CV/resume/profile illustrating expertise and experience, including three to five examples of projects in similar size and scope to this project
• Up to three relevant references, including client name, contact person, phone number, project description, and results
• Details describing the general approach or development strategy, work plan, critical path with timeframes, and explanation of how the RFP requirements will be achieved including suggested and needed human and support resources, with the understanding that the actual scope of work may be refined in consultation with the selected consultant that aligns with SLCS staff and board resource and time constraints.
• A description of the deliverable that will be provided to SLCS at the end of the project
• A fee quote for services that includes a detailed budget with a breakdown of expected hours and other expected costs
• Disclosure of any real or perceived conflict of interest that either presently exists or could reasonably be foreseen as arising in the future should the proposal be accepted. Of note, a conflict of interest will be evaluated on its merits and will not necessarily result in the exclusion of a response.

Questions and Clarification
All consultants may seek clarification and ask questions by emailing Michael Oates, Executive Director, at RFP@slcs.ca. Questions should be received by noon (12:00 p.m. EDT) Friday August 15th, 2025.

Responses to questions from any one consultant will be shared with all known participating or potentially participating respondents; any potential respondents are encouraged to indicate their intention to respond even if they do not have questions so that they may receive the responses to questions from others.

For more information and how to submit your RFP, please review the document here: RFP – Strategic Planning 2025