RFP 6222 - Heat Action Plan

Project Description: 1.1 Introduction/Purpose
The County of Ventura (hereinafter referred to as County) invites your organization to submit a written proposal to provide Services to Develop a Comprehensive Heat Action Plan for Ventura County. Proposals shall be due no later than 3:00 p.m. on October 9, 2025 for the furnishings of Heat Action Plan.
Offerors shall be skilled and regularly engaged in the general class or type of work called for in the solicitation documents.
County is seeking qualified consulting services to develop a comprehensive Heat Action Plan to protect residents from extreme heat events and build community resilience to rising temperatures. This initiative aims to identify heat vulnerabilities, engage stakeholders, and create actionable strategies to reduce heat-related health risks and impacts across the county.
The selected consultant will work collaboratively with county staff, partner organizations, community-based organizations, and residents to assess current heat risks, identify vulnerable populations, develop targeted education and engagement strategies, and create a comprehensive Heat Action Plan.
Proposers must demonstrate the following qualifications;
· Minimum 3 years of experience in climate adaptation, emergency preparedness, or public health planning
· Demonstrated experience developing heat action plans or similar climate resilience strategies
· Experience conducting community engagement, surveys, and workshop facilitation
· Knowledge of heat vulnerability assessment methodologies
· Experience working with local government agencies
· Strong written and verbal communication skills
· Demonstrated cultural competency working with target populations and representative groups
1.2 Background
County is developing a countywide Heat Action Plan (HAP) to reduce the health, social, and economic impacts of extreme heat and build long-term climate resilience through equitable, community-centered strategies. Funded by a grant from the Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation (LCI), this effort will result in a comprehensive, actionable plan informed by localized data, public health and climate projections, and the lived experiences of Ventura County’s most heat-vulnerable populations, including farmworkers, outdoor workers, older adults, and people experiencing homelessness.
County Executive Office’s Sustainability Division is leading the development of the HAP in alignment with its mission to advance environmental sustainability, social equity, and inclusive economic opportunity. The Division works collaboratively with local stakeholders to implement practical solutions that reduce carbon emissions, protect natural resources, and improve quality of life. As lead applicant and grant administrator, County is responsible for managing consultants, coordinating the Extreme Heat Action Plan Committee (EHAPC), and co-leading planning tasks.
The HAP project is rooted in a strong regional collaboration between the County and several trusted community-based organizations. The Community Environmental Council (CEC), serving as co-applicant, is the lead coordinator for partner outreach, workshop logistics, community surveys, and overall plan development. Mixteco Indigena Community Organizing Project (MICOP), also a co-applicant, leads education and outreach in the Oxnard, Port Hueneme, and El Rio areas—particularly among Indigenous farmworkers and supervisors. CAUSE (Central Coast Alliance United for a Sustainable Economy) contributes targeted outreach in Ventura and Santa Paula, supporting workshops and survey deployment. In eastern Ventura County, Adelante Comunidad Conejo and Buen Vecino support multilingual survey outreach and facilitate focus groups in communities including Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks, and Moorpark.
The consultant selected through this RFP will support County and its partners in conducting a baseline heat risk assessment, identifying vulnerability factors using tools such as the SocioNeeds Index, co-developing a public education and engagement strategy, and drafting a comprehensive, data-informed Heat Action Plan. County will provide access to relevant GIS and demographic data and facilitate connections with local agencies and stakeholders.
Deliverables will include a project work plan and timeline, baseline assessment, vulnerability and impacts analysis, public engagement products, an education and outreach strategy, and the final Heat Action Plan due by November 2027. The total budget for this work is up to $157,500. Consultants should be prepared to work closely and respectfully with County staff and community partners throughout all phases of the project, recognizing the essential role of community knowledge and leadership in shaping climate solutions that are locally relevant and equitable.
1.3 Action Dates
The following is an outline of the anticipated schedule for the proposal review and contract award.
Issue Request for Proposal (RFP) September 11, 2025
Last day for questions October 2, 2025
Proposals Due October 9, 2025
Evaluation-award November 6, 2025
Start Work November 2025
The Contractor shall not commence work until a meeting between representatives of the contractor and County is held. The meeting will be held at a County site, at a time and date to be established. The schedule set forth above is subject to change.
1.4 Questions Regarding RFP
All questions concerning this Proposal may be directed to Peter Berry, Interim Buyer, at 805-654-3764 or email Peter.Berry@venturacounty.gov.
County shall not be obligated to accept the lowest priced proposal. An award, if made, will be in the best interests of the County after all factors have been evaluated.
While County intends to enter a contract for these services, it will not be bound to do so. County reserves the right to reject any or all proposals. County shall be the sole judge of the offers hereunder.
Deadline for questions or clarifications concerning this RFP is October 2, 2025 at 5:00 p.m.