Request for Proposals for Labor Relations Consulting Services

The purpose of this RFP is to provide prospective proposers with information that will enable them to prepare and submit a proposal for labor relations consulting services for the City of South San Francisco. Consulting services will include serving as chief negotiator in bargaining with the City’s recognized employee organizations, and advising the City staff and elected officials in matters related to employer-employee relations. The City seeks a collaborative partnership with a qualified service provider who will assist the City in meeting its goals and objectives while maintaining positive and respectful relationships with the City’s employee organizations.

The City’s full-time permanent workforce is organized into seven (7) bargaining units. [...] In 2025, the City completed negotiations with all labor groups, including three-year agreements with all units, expiring July 1, 2027.

The City plans to begin negotiations with all units by mid-February, 2027, for successor MOUs starting July 1, 2027. The consultant/firm’s scope of work will include providing a lead negotiator for these negotiations. Specific services requested include the following:

1. Strategize, advise, lead and represent the City as its chief labor negotiator in negotiations regarding a successor Memorandum of Understanding between the City and each unit’s representative union or association.
2. Review existing MOU language and identify areas within the MOU that should be re-evaluated or renegotiated in the interests of the City.
3. Lead meet and confer sessions & consult with management on mandatory subjects of bargaining and effects bargaining.
4. Assist with drafting proposal language, perform necessary fact research, and assist in the formulation and preparation of cost analysis.
5. Assist in the preparation of negotiation strategy, provide advice regarding industry best practices and regional trends.
6. Consult with the City Manager, and Human Resources Director prior to and following bargaining sessions to provide updates, and receive direction.
7. Review all materials submitted by employee organizations and assist in the preparation on any responses to union/association materials or questions.
8. Attend closed session meetings with City Council, the City Manager, and Human Resources Director to provide debriefing on the status of contract negotiations, make recommendations, and receive direction as needed.
9. As needed, advise the City on impasse procedures and represent the City in fact finding sessions.

**Submission method:** Proposals are required in electronic pdf by email or by uploading directly to OpenGov.com (Project ID 2021-RFP-062). Faxed proposals will not be accepted. Each firm’s submission shall be subject to a limit of twenty (20) pages, in a font no smaller than twelve-point, inclusive of a transmittal letter and exclusive of exhibits.

**Selection:** The consultant/firm will be selected based on qualifications and demonstrated competence and the agreement may not be awarded to the lowest responsible proposer. Proposals will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

1. Qualifications of proposed team members including related prior experience.
2. Demonstrated ability to complete timely and effective negotiations with employee organizations from a variety of public sector disciplines.
3. Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in concise written form.
4. Demonstrated ability to work effectively with elected officials, management, attorneys, and staff and union/association representatives.
5. Cost and availability of services.
6. Conformance to the terms and conditions of this RFP.
7. References

**Insurance:** Consultant shall provide and maintain insurance in accordance with the City of South San Francisco’s standard service agreement, section 12. Upon execution of the service agreement, evidence of insurance will be required and annually thereafter upon expiration of the policies.

January 14, 2027 is the Service Agreement Start Date. All persons operating or doing business within the city limits of South San Francisco are required to obtain a business license per Municipal Code.