IT Strategic Plan Development & Vendor Procurement

The purpose of this Request for Proposals (RFP) is to engage a qualified consultant to assist Columbus Water & Power (CWP) in developing a comprehensive Information Technology (IT) Strategic Plan that aligns with the organization’s mission, operational responsibilities, and long-term service objectives. CWP operates within a complex and highly critical environment that supports essential public services, including water, wastewater, and power operations. These services rely on a wide range of technologies and systems that must remain reliable, secure, and adaptable to changing operational and regulatory demands. As technology continues to evolve, CWP must ensure that its IT environment can effectively support both current operations and future needs across all divisions. The IT Strategic Plan will serve as a guiding framework to: • Address operational challenges and improve service delivery across the organization • Support the diverse and evolving technology needs of multiple divisions and business units • Enhance reliability, resiliency, and cybersecurity for systems supporting critical operations • Provide a structured approach to technology governance, technology planning, investment, and lifecycle management • Enable the organization to evaluate and adopt emerging technologies, innovation opportunities, and industry best practices • Strengthening alignment between IT capabilities and business priorities CWP is seeking a plan that not only reflects the current technology landscape but also provides flexibility to accommodate future growth, innovation, and changing business requirements. While the plan is expected to establish a multi-year direction, the City encourages consultants to recommend an approach that supports ongoing adaptability and continuous improvement. The selected consultant is expected to bring industry expertise, strategic insight, and practical recommendations that will help CWP advance its technological environment in a manner that is sustainable, scalable, executable, measurable, and aligned with organizational goals. 1.1 Scope: The City of Columbus, Department of Public Utilities, is receiving proposals until 8/21/26 at 1:00 PM Eastern Time for professional services for the IT Strategic Plan Development & Vendor Procurement project. Proposals are to be submitted only through Bonfire at https://columbus.bonfirehub.com/login. Hard copies or emails will not be accepted. All questions concerning this RFP are to reference the project name and be sent to DPUCapitalRFP@columbus.gov. No phone calls concerning questions about the RFP will be accepted. The last day to submit questions is 8/10/26. Responses will be posted on Bonfire at https://columbus.bonfirehub.com/login as an addendum.