A decision is expected within two weeks after proposal deadline has been reached.

Transcription

1 Northern Maine Development Commission Request for Proposal Term: January 2012 December 2012 (12 months) Background Northern Maine Development Commission (NMDC) and the other six Maine Economic Development District (EDD) organizations will carry out Mobilize Maine (MM), a statewide asset based, industry cluster focused and private sector led economic development strategic process that will produce immediately actionable strategies. To support this goal, NMDC desires to engage a consultant resource with experience in rural regional economic development initiatives, proven performance utilizing asset based strategies, willingness to participate in collaborative funding and exhibits an entrepreneurial culture. An Economic Development Administration (EDA) grant was recently awarded to implement the Mobilize Maine strategy across all 7 economic development districts. Scope of work performance and measurable outcomes will be a primary goal of this grant. For more information about the MM process, please visit our websites: and This RFP is being advertised for an award of $78,000. The consulting group is expected to proactively participate in a collaborative fund raising plan that will be designed to sustain the Mobilize Maine Initiative in future periods. Generally the EDA grant and this RFP scope of work is intended to strengthen the economic development framework and system in Maine. The strategic goals of this grant are to, Build capacities within each EDD to strengthen delivery of services Development of regionally unique and sustainable economic development strategies Collaborate across political and geographic boundaries as one organization, Maine Economic Development District Association (MEDDA), to accomplish common goals Create new funding sources through collaborative funding strategies Empower local leadership teams to guide economic development and pursue immediate opportunities A decision is expected within two weeks after proposal deadline has been reached. Scope of Work 1. Work collaboratively with the seven (7) Maine Economic Development District Association organizations (MEDDA) and Executive Directors: o Northern Maine Development Commission, Bob Clark o Eastern Maine Development Corporation, Mike Aube o Kennebec Valley Council of Governments, Ken Young o MidCoast Council of Governments, Jeff Kobrock

2 o Androscoggin Valley Council of Governments, Bob Thompson o Greater Portland Council of Governments, Neal Allen o Southern Maine Regional Planning Commission, Paul Schumacher 2. Establish methodologies to assess the Readiness of each EDD to pursue the MM processes Initially develop a Readiness assessment criteria to be adopted by the Maine Economic Development District Association (MEDDA) EDDs determined not to be adequately prepared, additional technical assistance will be provided via consultants and EDDs with MM project experience Based on the EDD assessments, develop a best practices work plan for each region detailing services and resources, with defined schedules and deliverables. 3. Assist each region in the design and formation of private sector leadership teams to guide Mobilize Maine in the region. 4. Create an economic benchmark, analysis and trending of each regional economy using standard MM metrics. o Population o Employable Population o Labor Force Participation Rate o Total Employed o Average Wage per Job o Total Region Wages o Per Capita Income o Regional GDP o Internet Subscribers o Bachelor Degrees 25 & Over 5. Provide structure and tools supporting the regional leadership team to establish standard Mobilize Maine regional goals based upon the statewide metrics. In addition, the goals setting will include regional specific goals directly related to unique economic characteristics, key challenges and issues or leadership priorities. 6. Upon completion of goal setting by all seven (7) regions, the consultant will provide a statewide economic benchmark and 2017 measurable vision. This vision will include analysis and recommendations of how specific regional goals may be included in a statewide vision. 7. In at least four (4) regions, work with the regional leadership team to identify, define and quantify priority industry clusters that provide the best opportunity for achieving the established goals. 8. In at least three (3) regions initiate and facilitate the Mobilize Maine four milestone process; Foundation, Discovery, Connect and Report. o Foundation, (1) community event (in person), max. (4) action team meetings o Discovery, (4) community events (in person), max. (4) action team meetings

3 o Connect, (1) community event (in person), max. (4) action team meetings o Report, (1) community event (in person), max. (4) action team meetings Regional support specifications Provide identified general assets, renewable energy assets, quality of place assets and industry cluster value chain elements in a format that can be transferred easily to GIS technology Provide community and leadership facilitation services, milestone meetings, action teams and leadership teams Provide value added third party insight and analysis of information and data obtained during the four milestone sequence Work closely with the regional EDD staff providing coordination, advisement and executive support Provide insight and input to the regional EDD staff regarding communication strategies and key concepts to increase awareness and participation Provide regional support and advice regarding collaborative funding strategies and plans 9. Facilitate a CEDS Strategic Planning Summit with all EDD Executive Directors and key staff regarding the alignment of MM and CEDS strategic plan processes to ensure that they do not conflict, provides both needs and asset based strategies that are complementary and comprehensive. This summit will produce a key set of best practice recommendations for the update of regional CEDS across the state. 10. Work with the EDD Executives in preparation of a final report analyzing the MM strategy process and the effectiveness of the program in, o Facilitating positive economic change o Identifying lessons learned through the pursuit of the program, o Recommendations for improvement of the Mobilize Maine processes and initiative o Provide a guide for other organizations that may consider pursuing a similar project o Best practice concepts for Maine regional CEDS development 11. Provide guidance in the design and implementation of a comprehensive MM communication and marketing strategy. This plan should include traditional and new social networking communication channels and how a Mobilize Maine brand should be implemented within each region and across Maine. 12. Work proactively with the regional EDDs to design and launch a collaborative fund raising plan. Consultant Team Requirements

4 Proven experience and success leading rural regional economic development initiatives Experience and knowledge utilizing asset based cluster development methodologies Economic analysis and research expertise with specific focus on regional rural asset based CED Experience with asset based cluster development processes, tools, measurement, strategic planning and stakeholders Business development and entrepreneurial history and experience Track record in design and facilitation of workforce development and CED integration Economic benchmarking and analysis templates and resources Experience in providing regional economic impact models which allow for comparison of competing opportunities and modeling impact of comprehensive strategies Provide asset and value chain mapping processes and tools Development of rural regional innovation and entrepreneurship systems Please respond to these questions with your submission: What does your firm see as the core economic development strategic principles that will govern the current and future U.S. and global economy as they relate to competitiveness of rural economic regions? How can your firm support the implementation of the statewide Mobilize Maine economic development initiative? What is your firms experience and approach working with statewide community economic development initiatives with significant rural focus similar to Mobilize Maine? What does your firm see as the role of innovation and entrepreneurship in rural regions within regional economic development strategies? What is your experience in the design and implementation of collaborative fund raising plans inclusive of private sector businesses and individuals, foundations, municipal, county, state, and federal sources by percent of contribution to plan? Include measurable examples of amount of funds raised and sources in the past 10 years. Submittal This request for proposals is contingent upon approval of funding from the U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration (EDA) and will be governed in accordance with Federal and State laws and regulations applicable to the programmatic requirements of EDA.

5 All proposals shall be ed and must have the following information on the subject line: PROPOSAL FOR THE MOBILIZE MAINE ASSET BASED CLUSTER DEVELOPMENT PROJECT. ed proposals must be received no later than 3:00 p.m. on Friday, February 17, 2012, to the following address: Judy Dinsmore, Executive Coordinator Please note that only proposals ed to Judy Dinsmore at the address above, at or prior to the stated time will be considered. ed proposals received after the 3:00 p.m. deadline will be rejected, without exception. NMDC reserves the right to accept or reject any and all proposals and is not liable for any costs incurred prior to the issuance of a contract. Written Questions and Answers Questions about this RFP must also be directed by to: Judy Dinsmore, Executive Coordinator jdinsmore@nmdc.org NMDC will respond in writing to all substantive questions received. The deadline for written questions is February 9, Terms of Contract The contract term shall commence on or about March 2012 and end December 2012.