Request For Proposal (RFP): Strategic Planning Consultant

Introduction Project on Government Oversight (POGO) seeks an experienced strategic planning consultant with a strong equity/diversity lens to assist POGO’s VP of Strategy & Impact as she develops the organization’s next strategic plan.

Background

Founded in 1981, POGO is a nonpartisan independent watchdog that investigates and exposes waste, corruption, abuse of power, and instances where the government fails to serve the public or silences those who report wrongdoing. We champion reforms to achieve a more effective, ethical, and accountable federal government that safeguards constitutional principles. Based in Washington, DC (with a nationwide primarily remote workforce), POGO has grown significantly over the last 6-8 years with over 50 staff. Our core activities include:

• Investigations: Exposing waste, fraud, injustice, and abuse of power in the federal government.
• Reports and Analyses: Highlighting areas where the government isn't best serving the people and recommending improvements.
• Civic Engagement and Advocacy: Mobilizing the public to engage federal policymakers and advocate for solutions to government corruption, waste, and abuse of power.
• Testimonies and Public Comments: Providing policy recommendations informed by over 40 years of experience as a nonpartisan watchdog.
• Policy Letters and Fact Sheets: Offering key information and recommendations to policymakers for strengthening our democracy.
• Congressional Oversight Staff Resources: Enhancing Congress’s ability to conduct effective oversight through trainings and resources.
• Whistleblower Support: Providing resources for federal employees considering blowing the whistle on wrongdoing.

POGO has historically worked from strategic plans approximately every five years, with the most recent meant to span from 2021-2025). However, POGO has experienced several challenges that has impeded its ability to meaningfully implement parts of that most recent strategic plan:

• A lack of org-wide buy-in and support from leadership team members in implementation
• Balancing being responsive to emerging work and staying the course of the strategic plan
• New staff who bring new ideas to the organization and a lack of a process for how to ensure new staff’s experience feels valued while maintaining focus on the existing strategic plan
• A lack of consensus around what POGO as an organization considers to be impact (both as it relates to our internal goals and the communities we seek to have a positive impact on)

Scope of Work

Over the course of the contract, the consultant will be expected to:

• Work extensively with POGO’s VP of Strategy & Impact to successfully fulfill the contract scope of work
• Review past/current strategic plans, impact reports, and other relevant documents
• Assist in reviewing and providing recommendations to update POGO’s theory of change
• Support the VP of Strategy & Impact in drafting and finalizing strategic plan, including:

Strategic goals and objectives

Key initiatives and action plans

Performance metrics and evaluation framework

• Develop a plan for organization-wide integration and implementation
• Provide guidance on the monitoring and evaluation of the strategic plan, as well as a cadence and framework for updates to ensure its long-term viability and relevance
• Facilitate feedback and planning sessions with general staff, the Leadership Team (POGO’s Directors and Executive Team), the Executive Team, and Board of Directors, both virtually and in-person at POGO’s summer all-staff retreat
• Identify a technological solution to operationalize tracking strategic plan progress across the organization and collect impact from various teams (for things like board and annual reports)

The initial contract will be for the scope of work above with the option for a subsequent contract in 2026 for periodic implementation support (subject to budget availability and organizational needs).

Budget POGO has a budget of $25,000 for this contract. The proposed budget must include the full scope of work listed above.

Project Location The majority of this project will take place virtually. The only in-person expected travel would be to Washington, DC from Sunday, July 27-Thursday, July 31, 2025 for POGO’s annual all-staff retreat. Travel costs will be booked and paid for by POGO and are not included as an expense in this contract budget.

Project Timeline

• June 1: Contract begins
• June 1 – Oct 31: Strategic planning process (a short period of discovery, new SP development, impact measurement, input/changes, finalization, etc.)
• July 27 – 31: POGO’s Staff Retreat (in-person in Washington, DC)
• Nov 3: Formal rollout + prep for 2026 (org-wide implementation plan, staff-wide education on the SP and the system to be used, etc.)
• December 31: Contract ends
• January 1, 2026: Strategic Plan officially begins

Required Expertise

• Experience developing strategic plans for mid-sized political/advocacy/journalism nonprofits that can remain applicable in a variety of political environments
• Experience integrating principles of justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion into strategic plans
• Experience at gathering and utilizing data to inform the strategic planning process
• Experience integrating technology into strategic plan implementation/operationalization
• Strong facilitation skills and an ability to constructively challenge stakeholders

Submissions Process

Questions regarding this RFP may be emailed by Monday, April 14th at 11:59pm EST. Proposals must be submitted via email and the deadline for submissions is Friday, April 18th at 11:59pm EST. Please email questions and proposals and questions to Miah Ulysse, VP of Strategy and Impact.

In order to be considered eligible for the project, the consultant must be available by phone or video call to respond to questions between April 29th and May 6th. The consultant will be selected and notified by May 9th with a formal contract following. The consultant must be able to begin the project by June 1st, and the consultant must be available to be present in-person for the staff retreat in July.

Required Proposal Components

• Identify the name and title of the primary consultant and any other key team members who will be assigned to this project. For each, provide a summary of qualifications and experience.
• Provide basic information about the consultancy (website links are encouraged)
• Elaborate on the consultancy’s experience

Developing strategic plans with political/advocacy/journalism nonprofits

Conducting strategic planning processes virtually with remote organizations

Infusing principles of justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion into strategic plans

Integrating technology into strategic plan implementation/operationalization

Ensuring products (documents, presentations, etc.) are visually accessible

• A project budget
• A detailed project timeline in alignment with the given timeline above that includes high-level phases and/or the sequence of the proposed strategic planning process
• Provide at least two references (name, organization, email, phone number) that can attest to the quality and effectiveness of your consultancy’s strategic planning work.