RFI 26-08 Enterprise Communications and Engagement Consulting Services

The Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District (Metro Fire or District) is undertaking a strategic initiative to modernize and strengthen its enterprise communications and engagement function in support of its mission, Strategic Plan, and long-term organizational priorities.

As one of California's largest fire districts, Metro Fire recognizes that effective communications are fundamental to employee engagement, organizational alignment, public trust, policy leadership, and successful service delivery. While the District maintains a strong operational reputation, communications have historically evolved in a decentralized, function-specific, and largely reactive manner without a unified governance framework or long-term strategic approach. The District is now pursuing a coordinated, strategically governed communications model that strengthens internal engagement, enhances organizational alignment, builds public trust, and supports meaningful engagement with employees, elected officials, partner agencies, and the communities it serves.

Through this RFI, Metro Fire seeks information from qualified consultants with experience helping public agencies establish, modernize, and mature enterprise communications functions. The District is interested in consultant capabilities, service delivery models, implementation approaches, technology solutions, governance practices, and organizational strategies that build sustainable communications capacity and support long-term organizational excellence.

While the District anticipates refining the scope through this information-gathering process, future consulting services may include one or more of the following strategic focus areas:

• Internal Engagement & Organizational Communications
• Technology Enablement & Digital Communications
• Communications Governance & Performance Management
• Branding, Messaging & Organizational Positioning
• Enterprise Communications Planning & Implementation

Information obtained through this RFI will assist the District in refining project scope, identifying consultant capabilities, evaluating implementation strategies, estimating resource requirements, and determining the most appropriate procurement approach for future communications initiatives.

This RFI is intended solely for information gathering and planning purposes. It does not constitute a Request for Proposals (RFP), invitation for bids, or commitment by the District to procure services or award a contract.

This RFI may or may not result in a successive RFP and shall not be construed as creating any contractual or other legal obligation, express or implied, on the part of the District. No agreement shall arise unless and until a formal written contract is executed by authorized representatives of the District and the selected vendor, if any, following a separate procurement process.

Participation in this RFI is voluntary and is not a prerequisite for participation in any future RFP or other competitive procurement process. Those whom respond to this RFI (Respondents) may be eligible to participate in any future procurement related to the subject matter of this RFI, subject to applicable regulations, policies, and any organization conflict-of-interest requirements.

Project Details

• Department: Procurement
• Department Head: Courtney Moore (Purchasing Agent)

Important Dates

• Questions Due: 2026-08-14T19:00:00.000Z
• Answers Posted By: 2026-08-21T23:00:00.000Z

Evaluation Criteria

• Important Instructions for Electronic Submittal —

  To successfully submit a response, Respondents are required to submit an electronic response via OpenGov. Respondents shall create a FREE account with OpenGov. Once you have completed account registration, browse back to this page, click on "Submit Response," and follow the instructions to submit the electronic response.

• Scope of Work —

  Please download and review the RFI document and any additional attached documents and forms for all request details, scope of work, and requirements. These items can be found in the Attachments tab.

Submission Requirements

• Authorized Person(s) (required) —

  Please provide the following information for the primary point of contact(s) during the RFI process.

  Name

  Title

  Phone Number

  Email Address

• Requested Information From Respondents (required) —

  Please upload your response here. This should include information requested in Section 8.0 of the RFI document. PLEASE DO NOT INCLUDE ANY CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION HERE.

• Confidential Sections of Response (if applicable) —

  Each response will become public record unless the response or specific parts of the response can be shown to be exempt by law. Each Respondent may clearly label part of a response as "CONFIDENTIAL" if the Respondent thereby agrees to indemnify and defend the District for honoring such a designation. The failure to so label any information that is released by the District will constitute a complete waiver of all claims for damages caused by any release of the information. Response contents you consider to be confidential shall be uploaded here and not appear in the Requested Information From Respondents (Question 2 above).

• Respondent Attestation (required) —

  The Respondent hereby certifies that they have read and understand the terms, conditions, and requirements of the RFI, including all appendices, attachments, agreements, addenda, amendments, and forms. The Respondent further attests that they are authorized to bind the Respondent to such terms and conditions. The Respondent acknowledges acceptance of these terms and conditions, and waives all claims, rights, demands, and the benefit of any provisions of any statute, rule of law, or regulation that might affect the rights of the District under this RFI.