Request for Proposals - Cleveland Climate Action Plan Community Engagement Support

INTRODUCTION & EXECUTIVE SUMMARY OF REQUEST The City of Cleveland Mayor’s Office of Sustainability is taking steps to update the community-focused Climate Action Plan (CAP). Originally established in 2013, the City’s climate plans have been instrumental in setting a course toward sustainability and resilience. With the changing climate and its growing impacts on communities, it is essential to update and enhance these plans to ensure they remain effective in mitigating climate-related challenges. In recent years, Cleveland has witnessed an alarming increase in extreme weather events, including severe storms, flooding, and extreme heat, which are projected to have severe long-term impacts on the city's economy and public health. This year alone, the city faced its longest recorded period without rain (21 days), its worst recorded air quality on June 28, and its first tornado in over three decades. The 2018 Climate Action Plan Update outlines five focus areas and several cross-cutting priorities that identify objectives, goals, and specific actions needed to build a thriving and resilient City: Energy Efficiency and Green Building Clean Energy Sustainable Transportation Clean Water and Vibrant Green Space More Local Food, Less Waste Implementing these actions will strengthen our economy, clean our environment, and improve the health and wellness of Clevelanders. The goal of this Climate Action Plan update is to ensure our objectives, goals, and actions are science-based, represent changing community priorities, and meet the current and growing need to mitigate and adapt to climate change. Equitable public engagement is an essential component of the CAP to ensure these actions can effectively meet the needs of people who live and work in Cleveland. The goal is not only to educate residents and employees on the impacts of climate change but to also ensure that this engagement is reflective of a diverse and fair representation. While selecting actions for the Climate Action Plan update, the Mayor’s Office of Sustainability will build on the previously created Climate Action Racial Equity Tool . Throughout Fall 2023, the Mayor’s Office of Sustainability worked to complete a Climate Risk and Vulnerability A ssessment that builds on the Climate and Social Vulnerability Assessmen t to better understand which Cleveland communities are impacted by climate change and what climate hazards should be prioritized in the Climate Action Plan (such as extreme heat, flooding, and changes to Lake Erie). The Consultant will build on this effort and past Climate Action Plan engagements to gather insights and feedback into what climate actions Clevelanders most want to see investment in and why. Other previously done planning efforts and studies, such as the Circular Cleveland Roadmap and Cleveland Comprehensive Environmental Policy Platform will help inform this plan update. IMPORTANT INSTRUCTIONS FOR ELECTRONIC SUBMISSION RESPONSES MUST BE SUBMITTED ELECTRONICALLY TO: https://secure.procurenow.com/portal/clevelandoh Proposers & Bidders shall create a FREE account with OpenGov Procurement by signing up at https://secure.procurenow.com/signup . Once you have completed account registration, browse back to this page, click on "Submit Response", and follow the instructions to submit the electronic RFP. https://opengov.my.site.com/support/s/article/dceacbcf-203c-4b0d-aa57-550043bb0dc0