GRANT STRATEGY & WRITING SERVICES

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
Grant Strategy and Writing Services
City of Dublin
Proposals must be received by: September 18, 2026
Talia Gonzalez, Management Analyst I
100 Civic Plaza
City of Dublin, CA 94568
talia.gonzalez@dublin.ca.gov
Proposals will be evaluated on the following: a) responsiveness to the Request for Proposal questions, b)
experience of the firm, c) experience and qualifications of the assigned individuals and d) Satisfaction of
previous clients.

Request for Proposal
For
Grant Strategy and Writing Services
Introduction
The City of Dublin seeks a qualified, experienced consultant to develop and implement a grant strategy and
subsequent writing services. This initiative will support Dublin's ability to secure federal, state, and regional
funding for projects, programs and initiatives in alignment with the City's Strategic Plan.
The selected consultant will demonstrate experience identifying funding opportunities that align with the City's
unique characteristics, priorities, and strategic goals.
Background
The City of Dublin, located in eastern Alameda County, is a rapidly growing community that is strategically
positioned at the intersection of I-580 and I-680. The city covers 14.59 square miles and has a population of
more than 74,000 residents. Dublin has experienced sustained population and housing growth over the past two
decades, resulting in evolving community needs across infrastructure, public safety, parks and recreation, and
municipal services. The city's location at a major regional freeway interchange, along with BART service, makes it
a key connector within the Tri-Valley and broader Bay Area. Dublin's boundaries also include Parks Reserve
Forces Training Area (Camp Parks), a federal military installation that presents unique land use and jurisdictional
considerations. The city continues to work on transportation infrastructure projects to support its continued
growth. Dublin continues to balance growth management with investment in aging and emerging infrastructure,
positioning it to pursue a wide range of funding opportunities across transportation, housing, public safety,
community services, and capital improvement priorities.
Scope of Work
The outlined scope of work is designed to provide comprehensive grant strategy and grant writing services in
support of the City's efforts to secure federal, state, and regional for municipal projects, programs, and
initiatives.
The City's funding needs span multiple departments and priority areas, and the City is seeking a Consultant with
demonstrated experience identifying funding opportunities that align specifically with Dublin's unique
community characteristics, development priorities, and strategic goals The selected Consultant will serve as an
extension of City staff, working collaboratively across departments to research, develop, write, and manage a
pipeline of grant proposals, while maintaining clear, transparent communication regarding work performed,
funding status, and staff time allocated to each active pursuit. The City anticipates awarding a three-year
agreement to the selected Consultant, with the option to extend the contract for up to two additional one-year
terms, resulting in a total agreement period not to exceed five years.
The selected Consultant shall provide the following services, as directed and prioritized by City staff:

1. Orientation and Strategic Planning
* Conduct detailed orientation to review organizational priorities, programs, and funding needs.
* Work with City staff to develop strategic funding plans for specific large-scale infrastructure projects
by identifying target funding sources, timelines, and priorities that align with the City's goals.
* Identify, research, and monitor grant funding opportunities on an ongoing basis, and notify City of
relevant prospects as they arise.
* Conduct monthly meetings with City staff to discuss grant opportunities grant application statuses.
2. Grant Application Development and Submittal
* Establish clear accountabilities with a shared timeline for each application, including responsibilities
of both Consultant and City staff.
* Provide the City with an overview of full application requirements for each identified opportunity,
including eligibility, forms, and attachments.
* Work with City staff to assemble project background and supporting details needed for each
application.
* Coordinate technical project details with City staff or subject-matter experts as required by
application.
* Draft the written proposal in accordance with the application guidelines and City's priorities.
* Incorporate City staff feedback and revisions to finalize the proposal prior to submission.
* Submit the completed application by the deadline.
* Track all grant applications and their statuses. Monthly reports should be provided to the
designated City staff. Report should also include not only application submissions, but all
opportunities worked on, work that was completed, status of the assignment, and any other
pertinent information.
3. Funding Advocacy
* Provide funding advocacy on City's behalf, including outreach and follow-up communications with
funders during the review process.
* Provide post-grant submittal advocacy to support the application through the decision-making
process.
4. Post-Award Administration and Compliance
* Provide post-award grant administration and compliance support, including assistance with
reporting requirements and communications for awarded grants as needed.
* Provide comprehensive follow-up on unsuccessful grant applications, including debrief requests and
identification of resubmission or alternative funding opportunities where appropriate.
Organization of Proposal
Please organize your proposal in accordance with the requirements outlined below. Any supplemental
information the firm wishes to provide should be included in a separate section at the end of the proposal.
Proposals are limited to thirty (30) single-sided pages maximum (excluding a table of contents, tabbed dividers,
work samples, and resumes), must be prepared on 812 x 11-inch paper, and use a minimum 12-point
font. Interested firms are requested to submit one electronic copy of their Proposal and shall include the
following:
Cover Letter
* Provide a cover letter introducing the firm (including its mission, values, and background) and
summarizing its interest in performing the requested work during the proposed three-year agreement
term. The cover letter shall:

Describe the firm's commitment to grant strategy and writing services.
o
Highlight relevant experience emphasizing previous successful projects or engagements that
o
demonstrate your firm's ability to deliver results.
Confirm the firm's ability to meet the City's Standard Consulting Agreement (Attachment A) and
o
insurance requirements. Exceptions to the Agreement and insurance requirements shall be
specifically noted in the Proposal.
Include a statement disclosing any actual, potential, or perceived conflicts of interest that may arise
o
in providing the requested services. If no such conflicts exist, the firm shall so state.
Be signed by the individual authorized to negotiate and execute a contract with the City of Dublin.
o
Qualifications and Recent Strategies
* Describe the qualifications and experience of the firm and key personnel who will perform the work.
Emphasize experience with projects of similar scope and complexity and highlight relevant expertise
within the scope of work.
Proposed Approach and Methodology
* Provide an approach to completing this project, showing the flow of various tasks of the work and
demonstrating a clear understanding of the requested work.
Project Manager & Key Personnel
* List key staff members, including identification of the Project Manager/primary point-of-contact.
Include each team member's experience, education, and expertise related to this project.
Compensation Rates and Scope of Services
* Provide a three-year project schedule.
* Present proposed project budget, to include a compensation rate schedule for services.
References
* Provide at least three references from recent work performed that are similar in nature to the services
outlined in this RFP. For each reference, include the organization name, contact name, email address,
telephone number, and relationship to the reference.
Schedule for RFP Process
August 18, 2026 Request for Proposals posted to City website.
September 8, 2026 Deadline to submit questions to City of Dublin by 4:00pm via e-mail to Talia
Gonzalez at talia.gonzalez@dublin.ca.gov.
September 11, 2026 Responses to all questions received posted on the City website, if required.
September 18, 2026 Proposals are due no later than 4:00 pm on September 18 via e-mail to Talia
Gonzalez at talia.gonzalez@dublin.ca.gov. Late submittals will not be
accepted.
October 12-16, 2026 Interview firms (if required)
November 3, 2026 Consulting Services Agreement scheduled for approval by the Dublin City
Council
Please note dates and tasks are subject to change. Timely notice will be given to all applicants.

Process and General Conditions
1. Proposers shall submit one electronic copy to:
Talia Gonzalez
Management Analyst I
100 Civic Plaza
Dublin, CA 94568
talia.gonzalez@dublin.ca.gov
Electronic copies shall be submitted, via emailed PDF, with a maximum size of 50 megabytes (50 MB).
2. Deadline for submitting the proposal is September 18, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. to the Civic & Strategic Affairs
Division of the City Manager's Office via e-mail to Talia Gonzalez at talia.gonzalez@dublin.ca.gov. Last
submissions will not be accepted.
3. The City will not pay for any costs incurred in preparation and submission of the proposals or in
anticipation of a contract. The format of submittals is at the discretion of the Proposer. Each proposal
shall be limited to a maximum of 30 pages, single-sided, using minimum 12-point font size. Page limit
excludes a table of contents, tabbed dividers, and resumes for Consultant's team.
RFP Submittal Requirements
Please prepare and organize your Statement of Qualification based on the requirements provided below. Any
other information you would like to include should be placed in a separate section at the back of your submittal.
Please note however that the RFP submittal is limited to 30 pages maximum single-sided (excluding resumes)
and should be submitted on 8 12 x 11 paper, in 12-point font.
Please provide an electronic copy of your Proposal via email to Talia Gonzalez at talia.gonzalez@dublin.ca.gov
no later than September 18, 2026 by 4:00 p.m. Submittals should be addressed as follows:
City of Dublin,
Civic & Strategic Affairs
Attention: Talia Gonzalez
Talia.gonzalez@dublin.ca.gov
Any Proposal submitted after the stated deadline will not be accepted for consideration.
Standard Consulting Agreement:
It is anticipated that the services covered by the Agreement resulting from this solicitation will be performed on
a time and materials fee basis for a specified scope of work. The term of the agreement will begin January 1,
2027.
A sample of the City's Standard Consulting Agreement (Agreement), including insurance requirements, is
provided as Attachment A.

If the interested firm desires to take exception to the Agreement and/or insurance requirements, the interested
firm shall clearly identify proposed changes to the Agreement and furnish the reason for these changes, which
shall be included in the qualification. Exceptions will be taken into consideration in evaluating Proposals.
Otherwise, the interested firm is to state in the proposal that the Agreement and insurance requirements are
acceptable.
Consideration for exceptions will not be considered if not included in the submitted proposal.
Conflict of Interest
Proposer agrees that, for the term of this contract, no member, officer or employee of the City of Dublin, or of a
public body within Alameda County or member or delegate to the Congress of the United States, during his/her
tenure or for one year thereafter, shall have any direct interest in the contracts or any direct or material benefit
arising therefrom.
Proposers must provide a list of any potential conflicts of interest in working for the City of Dublin. This must
include, but is not limited to, a list of your firm's clients who are the following: Private clients located or
operating within the City of Dublin limits, Dublin San Ramon Service District, US Army Camp Parks and/or the
County of Alameda, and a brief description of work for these clients. Proposers must also identify any other
clients (including public entities), that may pose a potential conflict of interest, as well as a brief description of
work you provide to these clients.
This list must include all potential conflicts of interest within the year prior to the release of this RFQ as well as
current and future commitments to other projects.
Principals and those performing work for City of Dublin may be required to submit a California Fair Political
Practices Commission (FPPC) Form 700: Statement of Economic Interests documenting potential financial
conflicts of interest. For additional information, proposers should refer to the FPPC website at
http://www.fppc.ca.gov/Form700.html.
Equal Employment Opportunity
Proposer shall not, on the grounds of race, color, sex, age, religion, national origin, ancestry, physical handicap,
medical condition, or marital status either discriminate or permit discrimination against any employee or
applicant for employment in any manner prohibited by Federal, State or local laws. In the event of Proposer
non-compliance, the City of Dublin may cancel, terminate or suspend the Contract in whole or in part. Proposer
may also be declared ineligible for further contracts with the City of Dublin.
Proposer shall take affirmative action to ensure that applicants are employed, and that employees are treated
during their employment, without regard to their race, religion, color, sex, or national origin. Such action shall
include, but not be limited to the following: employment, upgrading, demotion or transfer; recruitment or
recruitment advertising; layoff or termination; rates of pay or other forms of compensation; and selection for
training, including apprenticeship. Proposer and its sub-consultants shall post in conspicuous places, available to
all employees and applicants for employment, a notice setting forth the following provisions [29 U.S.C. 623, 42
U.S.C. 2000, 42 U.S.C. 6102, 42 U.S.C. 12112, 42 U.S.C. 12132, 49 U.S.C. 5332, 29 CFR Part 1630, 41 CFR
Parts 60 et seq.].

Governing Law
This RFP summarizes the applicable laws and governance; when in conflict applicable State/Federal guidelines
shall apply. The contract and legal relations between the parties hereto shall be governed and construed in
accordance with the laws of the State of California.
Insurance Requirements
The Contractor shall provide insurance coverage as follows in conformance with the City of Dublin's
requirements:
General Liability Insurance $1,000,000
Automobile Liability Insurance $1,000,000
Professional Liability Insurance $2,000,000
Workers' Compensation Insurance $1,000,000
Review and Selection Process
The City reserves the right to make the selection based on its sole discretion. A subcommittee selected by City
Staff will evaluate proposals provided in response to this RFP. The subcommittee will use a forced ranking
process (please see Attachment B, Forced Ranking Rating Sheet, for further detail). Informal interviews may be
conducted by City staff, and may include more than one firm that has submitted a Proposal.
Based on input from this review process, a recommendation will be made to the City Manager. The City
Manager will make a recommendation to the City Council for award of contract services.
The City reserves the right to award a contract to the firm(s) that the City feels best meets the requirements of
the RFP. The City reserves the right to reject any and all Proposals prior to execution of the Agreement, with no
penalty to the City.
Selection of Consultant
Submitted Proposals will be evaluated and scored using the following criteria:
* Qualifications and specific experience of key project team members.
* Quality and completeness of the proposal.
* Experience with engagement of similar scope and complexity.
* Satisfaction of previous clients.
* Cost of providing the consultant services for this project.

Attachment A
Standard Consulting Services Agreement

CONSULTING SERVICES AGREEMENT BETWEEN
THE CITY OF DUBLIN AND
[VENDOR]
FOR
GRANT STATEGY AND WRITING SERVICES
THIS AGREEMENT for consulting services is made by and between the City of Dublin ("City") and
("Consultant") (together sometimes referred to as the "Parties") as of DATE (the "Effective Date").
Section 1. SERVICES. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, Consultant
shall provide to City the services described in the Scope of Work attached as Exhibit A at the time and
place and in the manner specified therein. In the event of a conflict in or inconsistency between the terms
of this Agreement and Exhibit A, the Agreement shall prevail.
1.1 Term of Services. The term of this Agreement shall begin on the Effective Date and shall
end on December 31, 2030, unless the term of the Agreement is otherwise terminated or
extended, as provided for in Section 8. The time provided to Consultant to complete the
services required by this Agreement shall not affect the City's right to terminate the
Agreement, as referenced in Section 8. Notwithstanding the foregoing this Agreement may
be extended on a month to month basis for up to 6 months upon the written consent of the
Consultant and the City Manager, provided that: a) sufficient funds have been appropriated
for such purchase, b) the price charged by the Consultant for the provision of the serves
described in Exhibit A does not increase. None of the foregoing shall affect the City's right
to terminate the Agreement as provided for in Section 8.
1.2 Standard of Performance. Consultant shall perform all services required pursuant to this
Agreement in the manner and according to the standards observed by a competent
practitioner of the profession in which Consultant is engaged.
1.3 Assignment of Personnel. Consultant shall assign only competent personnel to perform
services pursuant to this Agreement. In the event that City, in its sole discretion, at any
time during the term of this Agreement, desires the reassignment of any such persons,
Consultant shall, immediately upon receiving notice from City of such desire of City,
reassign such person or persons.
1.4 Time. Consultant shall devote such time to the performance of services pursuant to this
Agreement as may be reasonably necessary to meet the standard of performance
provided in Subsection 1.2 above and to satisfy Consultant's obligations hereunder.
Section 2. COMPENSATION. City hereby agrees to pay Consultant a sum not to exceed $AMOUNT,
notwithstanding any contrary indications that may be contained in Consultant's proposal, for services to be
performed and reimbursable costs incurred under this Agreement. In the event of a conflict regarding the
amount of compensation between this Agreement and Consultant's proposal, the Agreement shall prevail.
City shall pay Consultant for services rendered pursuant to this Agreement at the time and in the manner
set forth herein. The payments specified below shall be the only payments from City to Consultant for
Consulting Services Agreement between City of Dublin and [MM/DD/YYYY]
[VENDOR] for Grant Strategy and Writing Services Page 1 of 15

services rendered pursuant to this Agreement. Consultant shall submit all invoices to City in the manner
specified herein. Except as specifically authorized by City in writing, Consultant shall not bill City for
duplicate services performed by more than one person.
Consultant and City acknowledge and agree that compensation paid by City to Consultant under this
Agreement is based upon Consultant's estimated costs of providing the services required hereunder,
including salaries and benefits of employees and subcontractors of Consultant. Consequently, the Parties
further agree that compensation hereunder is intended to include the costs of contributions to any pensions
and/or annuities to which Consultant and its employees, agents, and subcontractors may be eligible. City
therefore has no responsibility for such contributions beyond compensation required under this Agreement.
2.1 Invoices. Consultant shall submit invoices, not more often than once a month during the
term of this Agreement, based on the cost for services performed and reimbursable costs
incurred prior to the invoice date. No individual performing work under this Agreement shall
bill more than 2,000 hours in a fiscal year unless approved, in writing, by the City Manager
or his/her designee. Invoices shall contain the following information:
Serial identifications of progress bills; i.e., Progress Bill No. 1 for the first invoice, etc.;
The beginning and ending dates of the billing period;
A Task Summary containing the original contract amount, the amount of prior billings,
the total due this period, the balance available under the Agreement, and the
percentage of completion;
A copy of the applicable time entries or time sheets shall be submitted showing the
following:
Daily logs of total hours worked by each individual performing work under
o
this Agreement;
Hours must be logged in increments of tenths of an hour or quarter hour;
o
If this Agreement covers multiple projects, all hours must also be logged
o
by project assignment; and
A brief description of the work, and each reimbursable expense.
o
The total number of hours of work performed under the Agreement by Consultant and
each employee, agent, and subcontractor of Consultant performing services
hereunder;
The Consultant's signature;
Consultant shall give separate notice to the City when the total number of hours
worked by Consultant and any individual employee, agent, or subcontractor of
Consultant reaches or exceeds 800 hours within a 12-month period under this
Agreement and any other agreement between Consultant and City. Such notice shall
include an estimate of the time necessary to complete work described in Exhibit A and
Consulting Services Agreement between City of Dublin and [MM/DD/YYYY]
[VENDOR] for Grant Strategy and Writing Services Page 2 of 15