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Description
Background:
The Association of California Water Agencies Foundation (“ACWA Foundation” or “Foundation”) is currently seeking proposals from professional consulting firms or other independent contractors (hereafter collectively referred to as “firm”) interested in serving as Executive Director of the Foundation. The Executive Director will have overall strategic and operational responsibilities for the Foundation’s programs, fundraising, governance, and implementation of its mission ensuring the Foundation’s long-term sustainability and will receive policy direction from the ACWA Foundation Board of Trustees.
About the ACWA Foundation:
Formed in 2022, the ACWA Foundation exists to serve all Californians by advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion within the water industry through education, research, and workforce development. The ACWA Foundation and its Board of Trustees operate separately and independently from ACWA and its Board of Directors. The inaugural, nine-member Board of Trustees was ratified on Nov. 18, 2022. The Board of Trustees represents a diverse cross-section of the water industry and other leaders.
Vision:
The ACWA Foundation envisions a California water industry that reflects, embraces, and represents the people it serves.
Mission:
The ACWA Foundation exists to serve all Californians by advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion within the water industry through education, research, and workforce development.
What We Are Seeking:
The ACWA Foundation is seeking to invest in a long-term commitment, based on satisfactory performance with the selected firm to ensure the continuity of the Foundation’s efforts. Specifically, the Foundation is seeking to contract for Executive Director services for an initial 1-year term with the option for multi-year renewal if performance goals are achieved. The estimated annual budget for this agreement is between $150,000-$280,000. (The contract resulting from this RFP does not include provision of benefits for the selected firm e.g., health insurance, retirement benefits or time off.)
The desired suite of services can be performed by a consultant or team of consultants including subconsultants.
Highlights of the Executive Director role include:
Requirements
Minimum Qualifications:
The firm member designated to serve as “Executive Director “of the ACWA Foundation must have at least 7 years of senior-level experience in foundation or other nonprofit management, project management and fundraising. They must have a proven track record of effectively leading a performance-and outcomes-based non-profit organization and be able to provide specific examples of having developed and operationalized strategies to take an organization to the next stage of growth.
Interested firms should include with their proposals support for the full suite of operational services identified above (administrative, financial, communications, events etc.) with the qualifications and experience of the consultant or subconsultant performing each service.
Proposal Requirements:
Firms must submit a concise proposal package clearly addressing all of the requirements outlined herein. The proposal must be signed by the firm’s representative authorized to execute a contract between the ACWA Foundation and the firm. The proposal must include, at a minimum, the following sections; however, the firm is encouraged to expand on the scope as needed:
A. Cover Letter
B. Project Team Information
Each firm must provide the names and positions of all staff proposed to be involved with the work of the ACWA Foundation, including staff for proposed subconsultants. The proposal should also designate who will serve as the Foundation’s “Executive Director “and serve as the Foundation’s primary contact throughout the project. It is allowable for a single individual to fulfill multiple roles for the project.
C. Project Understanding and Innovation
Describe their understanding of the services requested and strategy for successfully performing those services as well as vision for advancing the interests of the Foundation into the future.
D. Scope of Work
Include a detailed scope of work that most efficiently and effectively provides the full range of services sought by the Foundation as articulated in this RFP.
E. Subconsultants
Identify all subconsultants proposed to serve on this project with background information, relevant experience and resumes for key personnel.
F. Relevant Experience and References
For all referenced projects list the:
G. Fee Proposal
Include a fee proposal with the time (in hours) and cost (with hourly rates) for your firm and any subconsultants to perform each of the services requested in this RFP and the total cost of your proposal. This will be a time-and-materials, not-to-exceed, contract.
H. Proposal Submittal
One (1) electronic copy of the proposal package must be received by the ACWA Foundation no later than 5:00pm PST Friday, April 19, 2024, via email to: Jane Odhiambo, at janeo@acwa.com with the subject line: “ACWA Foundation Executive Director RFP Proposal.” Ms. Odhiambo will provide email confirmation upon receipt of your firm’s proposal.
I. Questions
If you have any questions regarding this RFP, please contact Jane Odhiambo at Janeo@acwa.com with the subject line of “ACWA Foundation Executive Director RFP Questions.”
Estimated RFP Selection Process Timeline:
The ACWA Foundation desires to enter into a contract with the firm that is successful in proposing this RFP by May 2024. The anticipated schedule is as follows:
Selection Process and Criteria:
The Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA) is assisting the ACWA Foundation in facilitating this RFP process.
The Board of Trustees of the ACWA Foundation will review the proposals and interview top applicant(s) prior to making a selection for contract award. Proposals will be evaluated based on the best overall combination of experience, qualifications, understanding of the needs of the Foundation and approach to successfully meeting those needs and cost.
ACWA Foundation envisions the Executive Director’s essential duties and responsibilities will include, but not be limited to:
Leadership & Governance
Fundraising & Communications
Administration & Finance
Program Development and Management
Staff Management
To learn more about ACWA Foundation, visit the website at https://www.acwa-foundation.org/.
Full Time
$134k-189k (estimate)
03/22/2024
05/20/2024