RFP - Planning Consultant/Researcher

ChangeLab Solutions seeks a qualified planning consultant or researcher to write a 50 page research report on established and emerging practices that could help communities adapt to the anticipated effects of climate change. Report should include description of how highlighted practices impact health inequities and the potential health co-benefits of these strategies. The report will be a publicly accessible document on ChangeLab Solutions’ website. Expected audiences for this publication include public health professionals, community-based organizations, advocates, and policy makers. The audience will have a basic understanding of how extreme weather events and increased air pollution may impact community health. Scope of Work This research project will help identify strategies to enrich ChangeLab Solutions’ current work of providing public health and community stakeholders with policy tools and information to help prevent and mitigate public health threats. Our current climate change work is focused on mitigation strategies, and the organization seeks to expand its work to help communities cope with the current and future impacts of a changing climate. Although this research may identify state- and regional-level policy opportunities and barriers, the bulk of the research should focus within ChangeLab Solutions’ core work of providing planning, policy, and legal technical assistance on community planning and other local-level policies aimed at creating healthier environments. Initial research questions may include: How are local, regional, and state level agencies adapting to the extreme weather events and air pollution impacts of climate change? Include established and emerging practices within and outside of California. Using California as a test case, how will the existing relationships between local, regional, and state government impact individual communities’ ability to respond to the challenges of a changing climate? What are the most critical needs and barriers that could be anticipated, and what policies at the regional/state level could be added or amended to better support local communities’ ability to adapt? What co-benefits do these strategies have for childhood obesity and other chronic diseases? To what extent do these policies (or could these policies) address impacts on vulnerable populations? To answer these questions, we expect that Consultant/Researcher tasks will include the following: Scan of climate change adaptation strategies, with an analysis of established and emerging practices that could help communities adapt to the anticipated effects of climate change at the local level. Local case studies – Provide at least 12 examples of the types of policies communities have successfully adopted. Case studies should be at least half a page each and should highlight examples across the country. International case studies - Provide at least 3 examples of innovative or emerging international examples. Case studies should at least half a page each. Interviews – Conduct at least 8 interviews to uncover emerging adaptation strategies that communities could adopt at a local or regional level. Interviewees may come from government, non-profit organizations, or other relevant sectors, but at least 4 should be from a government perspective. Interview summaries should be included in the report. Annotated bibliography with brief descriptions of the most relevant reports and sources. Prior to submitting the final research report, the Consultant/Researcher shall prepare a summary of main research findings, draft outline of the final research report, and complete draft of the final research report. Project Management Each interim deliverable will receive (up to) two rounds of review before being finalized. Consultant/researcher will participate in a kick-off meeting, report to ChangeLab Solutions staff by phone or email at minimum two times per month, and participate in monthly conference call with ChangeLab Solutions throughout the duration of the project. Submission Requirements & Timeline Interested and qualified individuals are invited to submit a proposal that describes their potential approach to the research questions and demonstrates their experience in performing similar projects. Statement of project approach and qualifications (not to exceed 15 pages, excluding examples of past work and resumes) should include the following: A cover letter/statement of interest indicating the applicant’s interest in the project. (2 pp, maximum) A description of the applicant’s potential approach to the research questions that includes an outline of research tasks. (5 pp, maximum) A description of the applicant’s specific expertise and experience research on climate change and local-level policies and/or planning processes. A resume/CV Up to three (3) examples of similar writing projects with an emphasis on translating planning concepts for a non‐planner audience. A minimum of three (3) references relating to completed projects for the services being requested with full name, title, address, and phone and fax numbers. Provide a timeline for completing the project identifying major milestones and deadlines. Provide an estimated budget for services, enumerating consultant/researcher fees for all interim and final deliverables and project management tasks. (total not to exceed $20,000) Proposal & Project Timeline RFP issued by ChangeLab Solutions: June 14, 2012 Proposals due 5pm on July 6, 2012 Consultant/Researcher selected; Contract begins July 27, 2012 Final deliverables submitted December 14, 2012 To submit a proposal for the please email all required information to jobs@changelabsolutions.org ; please include PROPOSAL - CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTION RESEARCH in the subject line of the email by 5pm on July 6, 2012. It is the policy of ChangeLab Solutions to provide equal opportunities to all individuals and businesses without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, medical condition (cancer-related or genetic characteristics), genetic information (including family medical history), age (over 40), citizenship, or service in the uniformed services (as defined by the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994), and limited only by their ability to do the work described in this RFP. In conformance with applicable laws and regulations, ChangeLab Solutions is committed to facilitating and insuring that members of groups who in the past may have been victims of discrimination are given equal opportunities to compete for work and to have their qualifications assessed fairly. This RFP does not constitute an offer and responding to this RFP does not form a legally binding contract. No work under the proposed Scope of Work shall commence until a written contract has been formed with ChangeLab Solutions. Although the Scope of Work contained in this RFP is current as of the date of this RFP, ChangeLab Solutions reserves the right to modify the Scope of Work prior to entering into a written contract.