Request For Proposals: Wellington Guelph Drug Strategy Strategic Plan Update

Guelph CHC • Guelph • 1w ago

Issue Date: September 30th, 2025 Closing Date: October 20th, 2025 Contact for RFP Inquiries/Submissions: Jean Hopkins, Manager, Wellington Guelph Drug Strategy Email: jhopkins@guelphchc.ca Phone: 519-829-0129

Introduction

The Wellington Guelph Drug Strategy (WGDS) is a community-based coalition that brings together organizations, service providers, and people with lived and living experience of substance use in the City of Guelph and Wellington County. Guided by a four-pillar approach, Prevention, Treatment, Harm Reduction, and Community Safety, WGDS works to reduce the harms of substance use and improve community well-being through collaboration, advocacy, education, and evidence-informed action.

WGDS is now seeking proposals from qualified consultants to lead a Strategic Plan Update that will guide the coalition’s direction and priorities. The refreshed plan will build on past progress while responding to today’s rapidly changing context and evolving community and service system needs. It will also serve as a unifying framework that will prioritize bringing together partners, prioritizing collaboration, and fostering greater cohesion across sectors and lived/living experience voices. The updated Strategic Plan will serve as a refreshed framework for the WGDS, designed to reflect today’s changing substance use landscape. The plan will aim to provide clear direction for advancing collective alignment and effective responses in Guelph and Wellington County over the next several years. Through this RFP, WGDS seeks a consultant to design and lead a strategic planning process that:

Builds on progress achieved since the last strategic review Reflects and responds to current community realities, changing context and evolving service system needs. Engages a wide range of partners, interest holders and people with lived/living experience of substance use. Provides a clear framework for action over the next several years to strengthen collaboration and improve health outcomes and community safety in Guelph and Wellington County. Reaffirms WGDS’s role as a leader in collaborative, equitable, and evidence-informed responses to substance use. Defines clear priorities and an actionable framework for the next 3–5 years.

Background:

The Wellington Guelph Drug Strategy (WGDS) is a community-based coalition working to reduce the harms associated with substance use and improve community well-being. Since 2008, the WGDS has received core funding from the City of Guelph and the County of Wellington, enabling it to lead effective local responses to complex substance-related issues. While rooted in local needs and services, the WGDS’s work has also influenced provincial conversations on substance use and health policy.

In 2016, the WGDS undertook strategic reviews to clarify its direction and reflect evolving work processes. With today’s rapidly changing substance use context, including service changes and an ongoing drug toxicity crisis, the WGDS is preparing to update its Strategic Plan to guide collective action for the coming years.

Mission: We take action to prevent and respond to local substance use and addiction issues.

Vision: We envision communities in Guelph-Wellington free from harm related to substance use.

Values:

Collaboration: We value and draw on the strengths of our community partners We value diversity, knowledge and the focused action that results from collaborative partnerships Client-centrered: We value the voices of individuals with lived experience We value innovative interventions that put the client’s needs first Evidence-based action: We value conversations that are honest, inclusive and productive

Open and Transparent Communication: We value taking action based on what we know from: people with lived experience service providers work in other communities best-practices applied and academic research evaluation processes

Scope of Work: The consultant will work in close collaboration with the WGDS Management Committee and staff team to design and implement a strategic planning process that is inclusive and action-oriented. The process should engage WGDS partners and interest-holders, reflect the current local and provincial context, and result in a clear, practical strategic plan to guide the coalition for the next several years. The consultant may engage in the following activities:

Review of Background Materials Review the previous WGDS Strategic Plan, annual reports, and project overviews. Examine the WGDS website, local data sources, and relevant provincial policy documents. Identify key themes, achievements, and gaps to inform the planning process. Interest Holder Engagement Engage with the WGDS Management Committee, leadership team, working groups, and community partners. Facilitate focus groups, interviews, and/or surveys with partners, service providers, and people with lived/living experience. Gather input to identify updated goals, priorities, and measurable outcomes. Synthesize findings into a draft plan for review and feedback. Present findings and the final plan to the WGDS Member Committee. Strategic Plan Development Develop a strategic plan that: Defines clear priorities and goals for the next 3–5 years. Establishes a framework for collaborative action and measurement. Reflects WGDS’s mission, vision, and values. Is accessible, concise, and usable for advocacy, funding, and operational alignment. Deliverables may include: Workplan and engagement process design Interest holder engagement summary (themes and key findings) Draft Strategic Plan document for WGDS review Presentation of findings and plan to the WGDS Member Committee

Budget

The total budget for this project is $25,000 inclusive of all fees, travel, administrative expenses, and applicable taxes.

Proposal Requirements

Please include the following in your proposal: Cover Letter Understanding of the Project, the role of the WGDS, and why you are interested in working with the Wellington Guelph Drug Strategy Work Plan and timeline, including key phases, milestones, and estimated delivery dates Qualifications and experience Detailed Budget and fee structure

Evaluation Criteria

Proposals will be assessed based on the following criteria: Understanding of Project and Context – Demonstrated grasp of the WGDS mission, vision, values, and the unique challenges of the local and provincial substance use landscape. Proposed Approach and Methodology – Strength and suitability of the approach to strategic planning, including processes for engagement, analysis, and plan development. Interest holder Engagement Strategy – Ability to meaningfully engage diverse partners, including service providers, community organizations, and people with lived/living experience of substance use. Experience and Qualifications – Relevant experience in strategic planning, facilitation, coalition-building, and work with multi-sector or community-based initiatives. Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Lens – Evidence of applying equity-informed, culturally responsive, and anti-stigma practices throughout the planning process. Deliverables and Workplan – Clarity, feasibility, and practicality of proposed deliverables, timelines, and milestones. Cost Effectiveness – Alignment of proposed budget with project scope, deliverables, and value for investment.

Timeline The RFP timelines is as follows:

Activity Timeline Request for RFP September 30th, 2025 Deadline for bidders to submit questions October 16th, 2025 WGDS responds to bidder questions October 17th, 2025 Proposals due (by 9am to jhopkins@guelphchc.ca) October 20th, 2025 Selection of top bidders / Notification to unsuccessful bidders Week of October 27th, 2025 Presentation to selection panel First week of November, 2025 Contract award / Notification to unsuccessful bidders Mid November, 2025 Submission: Please reach out via email for any questions or to email your proposal to:Jean Hopkins – jhopkins@guelphchc.ca Subject Line: “RFP Submission - WGDS Strategic Plan”