Working Group Facilitator and Implementation Planning Consultant

The State of Hawaiʻi, Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW), is soliciting proposals from qualified consultants or consultant teams to provide professional facilitation and implementation planning services for the Shade and Fruit Trees for Schools Statewide Implementation Working Group.

DLNR seeks a qualified contractor to provide independent planning, facilitation, research, coordination, synthesis, and report-development services to support the Working Group.

The maximum available contract amount is **$60,000**, inclusive of applicable taxes and expenses. The anticipated contract period is December 2026 through July 2027.

The purpose of this contract is to provide the professional facilitation and planning capacity needed for the Working Group to develop a credible, actionable, and broadly supported framework for a long-term statewide Shade Trees for Schools program.

The contractor will work closely with designated DLNR and HIDOE staff and the Working Group co-chairs to:

• design and manage an effective collaborative planning process;
• prepare and facilitate Working Group meetings and focused working sessions;
• help participants work through complex cross-agency and operational questions;
• gather and synthesize relevant information;
• document decisions, areas of agreement, unresolved questions, and action items;
• coordinate targeted stakeholder and technical input;
• translate Working Group discussions into clear written products; and
• develop a final statewide implementation and resource plan for consideration by HIDOE and DLNR leadership.

The contractor will facilitate and document the development of recommendations rather than independently determine agency policy or program direction.

**Submission method:** Proposals shall be submitted electronically through the HIePRO eProcurement System no later than **MONDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2026, AT 2:00 PM HST**. Proposals submitted outside the designated submission method will not be accepted.

Questions regarding this solicitation must be submitted through HIePRO by **FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2026, AT 2:00 PM HST**. Responses and any material clarifications or changes will be issued to all prospective offerors by solicitation addendum, targeted for FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2026.

Evaluation criteria (points)

• Understanding of the project and quality of proposed approach: 25
• Collaborative planning and facilitation experience: 20
• Qualifications and relevant experience of proposed personnel: 15
• Experience with Hawaiʻi public agencies, education, natural resources, community-based planning, or comparable multi-stakeholder settings: 10
• Quality and feasibility of proposed work plan and schedule: 10
• Past performance and references on projects of similar scope: 10
• Price: 10

No proposal security, performance bond, or payment bond is required for this services solicitation. Anticipated term: Approximately December 2026 through July 2027; final dates are subject to funding, contract execution, and written notice to proceed.