Consultant Services for Strategic Planning, Organizational Capacity Building, and Board Development

Location:	South Carolina
Posted:	Dec 5, 2025
Due:	Jan 15, 2026
Agency:	State of South Carolina - State Fiscal Accountability Authority(SFAA)
Type of Government:	State & Local
Category:	R - Professional, Administrative and Management Support Services
Solicitation No:	ACOG 2025-2
Publication URL:	To access bid details, please log in.

Ad Title:

Purchasing Agent/Entity:

Appalacian Council of Governments

Ad Publish Date:

December 5, 2025

Solicitation #:

ACOG 2025-2

Direct Inquiries To:

Chip Bentley, Deputy Director

Bid/Submittal Due Date:

January 15, 2026 - 5:00pm

Buyer Phone#:

864-242-9733

Buyer Email:

bentley@scacog.org

Description:

The Appalachian Council of Governments is soliciting qualifications from qualified consultants to provide professional services for strategic planning, organizational capacity building, and Board of Directors development. This procurement is funded by the Appalachian Regional Commission and must comply with federal procurement standards outlined in 2 CFR Part 200 Subpart D.

Pre-Bid Information:

ACOG serves six counties in Upstate South Carolina and provides services in economic development, planning, grants, government services, and senior advocacy. The selected consultant will support ACOG in evaluating its programs, strengthening internal capacity, and enhancing board governance.

Full Details / Download:

https://www.scacog.org/files/acog_rfq_strategic_planningfinal1837702291.pdf

Print Ad

Attachment Preview

Request for Qualifications (RFQ)

Consultant Services for Strategic Planning, Organizational Capacity Building, and

Board Development

Issued by: Appalachian Council of Governments (ACOG)

Funding Source: Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC)

Issue Date: December 5, 2025

Response Deadline: January 15, 2026

Contact: Chip Bentley, Deputy Director; bentley@scacog.org; 956-242-9733

I. Introduction

The Appalachian Council of Governments (ACOG) is soliciting qualifications from

qualified consultants to provide professional services for strategic planning,

organizational capacity building, and Board of Directors development. This procurement

is funded by the Appalachian Regional Commission and must comply with federal

procurement standards outlined in 2 CFR Part 200 Subpart D.

II. Procurement Standards

This RFQ is issued in accordance with federal procurement regulations, including:

• Full and Open Competition (§200.319)

• Documented Procurement Procedures (§200.318)

• Conflict of Interest Provisions (§200.318(c))

• Required Contract Provisions (Appendix II to Part 200)

• Clear and Accurate Technical Requirements (§200.319(d))

ACOG affirms that no consultant involved in drafting this RFQ will be eligible to compete

for the contract.

III. Project Overview

ACOG serves six counties in Upstate South Carolina and provides services in economic

development, planning, grants, government services, and senior advocacy. The selected

consultant will support ACOG in evaluating its programs, strengthening internal capacity,

and enhancing board governance.

IV. Scope of Work

The consultant will:

1. Conduct External Evaluation

o Assess the impact and relevance of ACOG’s programs and services.

o Evaluate regional needs and service demand.

2. Conduct Internal Evaluation

o Review organizational assets, staffing, and operational capacity.

o Identify gaps and opportunities for improvement.

3. Board of Directors Analysis and Strategy

o Assess board structure, engagement, and effectiveness.

o Facilitate interviews or surveys with board members.

o Develop a governance strategy aligned with organizational goals.

4. Develop Strategic Plan

o Create a roadmap to strengthen ACOG and its partnerships.

o Align initiatives with ARC priorities and regional development goals.

5. Create Implementation Plan

o Outline actionable steps, timelines, and performance measures.

V. Deliverables

• External Evaluation Report

• Internal Evaluation Report

• Board Development Strategy Report

• Draft Strategic Plan

• Final Strategic Plan with Implementation Framework

VI. Timeline

The project will span 18 months, with key milestones including:

• RFQ release and consultant selection (Months 1–4)

• Kickoff and initial assessment (Months 5–6)

• Evaluations (Months 7–12)

• Strategy development (Months 13–15)

• Finalization and approval (Months 16–18)

VII. Budget

Total consultant budget: $150,000

VIII. Submission Requirements

Interested consultants must submit:

• Cover letter

• Statement of qualifications

• Examples of similar projects

• Proposed approach and timeline

• References

• Resumes of key personnel

IX. Evaluation Criteria and Weights

Proposals will be evaluated using the following weighted criteria:

Criteria

Description

Qualifications and

Experience

Demonstrated experience in strategic planning,

organizational development, and board

governance, especially with public sector or

nonprofit entities.

Weight

(%)

30%

Approach and

Methodology

Clarity, feasibility, and innovation of the proposed

approach to meet the scope of work, including

40%

evaluation and planning processes.

Past Performance Quality of work on similar projects, as evidenced by

and References

references and past client feedback.

15%

Staff Qualifications

Expertise and roles of key personnel assigned to the

project.

15%

Total: 100%

X. Submission Instructions

Submit qualifications electronically to:

Chip Bentley, Deputy Director, Appalachian Council of Government

bentley@scacog.org

Subject Line: RFQ – Strategic Planning & Board Development Consultant

Deadline: Thursday, January 15, 2026 by 5pm EST

This is the opportunity summary page. It provides an overview of this opportunity and a preview of the attached documentation.