Request for Proposal Grant Writing Services The Educational Service Center of Central Ohio (ESC) is seeking proposals from qualified firms for grant writing professionals to perform certain services for the ESC involving grant identification, grant writing and exploration of revenue-generating partnership opportunities. The deadline for receipt of proposals is: April 18, 2017 by 4:00PM. Proposals must be received by this deadline at the following location: 2080 Citygate Drive Columbus, Ohio 43219 Attn: Michael Grace michael.grace@escco.org Any proposal received after the date and time listed above will be returned and will not be considered. Questions pertaining to this Request for Proposal (RFP) must be communicated in writing and be received via email by April 4, 2017 at 4:00PM. Questions must be sent to the email address below and any question(s) should include a reference to the appropriate page and section number of the RFP. Email contact for questions: michael.grace@escco.org Table of Contents Section 1 Section 1 Overview of the ESC of Central Ohio Section 2 Scope of Work Section 3 Compensation Section 4 Proposal Preparation and Submittal Section 5 Selection and Contract Award Section 6 Proposal Acknowledgement Overview of the ESC of Central Ohio The ESC of Central Ohio offers a wide array of customizable services and programs to help meet the changing needs of classrooms throughout central Ohio. We provide expertise in a multitude of areas, including teaching and learning, professional development, leadership, shared services in the areas of special education, alternative education and support services, and we continuously employ methods that maximize resources in an efficient and effective manner. Vision
An educational solutions agency meeting the needs of today, while remaining focused on the future, driven by innovation and choice. Purpose The ESC of Central Ohio leads when necessary, supports all stakeholders, and seeks to share and leverage resources on behalf of its client school districts and partners. Beliefs Respect: We honor the diverse needs of those we serve. Service: We value the opportunity to be of service. Collaboration: We foster strong relationships with our partners. Accountability: We are answerable for our actions and behaviors. Goals Build and sustain relationships that advance the vision, purpose and beliefs of the ESC of Central Ohio. Make optimum use of all available resources. Provide programs and services that improve outcomes for students. Section 2 Scope of Work ESC is seeking proposals from qualified firms for Grant Services in accordance with the Scope of Work specified in this RFP. The following are typical and/or items that the selected consultant will be required to provide, if selected, and should be addressed in the proposal. 1. Funding Needs Analysis - Work with ESC staff to identify priority areas for funding or revenue development. 2. Grant Funding Research Identify grant and private foundation opportunities including, but not limited to, federal, state, county and foundations that support the ESC s mission, funding needs and priorities in the following general areas, by way of illustration but not limited to: a. College and Career Readiness b. Work-based Learning c. STEM/STEAM d. Equity, Opportunity, and Inclusive Practices e. Cultural Competency f. Early Childhood
g. Exceptional Children (Students with Disabilities, Gifted/Talented) 3. Opportunity Summaries - Provide the ESC leadership with summaries of potential funding/revenue opportunities. Summaries should include, but are not limited to: name of agency, due dates for applications, eligibility, a brief program summary, level of funding available and any matching requirements. 4. Grant Writing/Application Provide grant writing services associated with the completion of grant applications on behalf of the ESC, including the preparation of funding abstracts, production and submittal of applications to funding sources. A copy of each grant application package submitted for funding shall be provided to the ESC in its entirety. 5. Program Administration It is the intent of the ESC that all activities related to the administration of any grants received will be provided by the appropriate ESC center or agency staff office. 6. Other Revenue Generation Programs Provide information concerning opportunities for publicprivate partnership concepts and other marketing programs to generate additional revenues. 7. Monthly Report The selected consultant will submit a monthly report to the ESC detailing the amount of time expended and describe the activities undertaken during the previous month. Section 3 Compensation Fee basis should be an all-inclusive, hourly fee. Consultant must provide a detailed price breakdown including fees for the following staff: A) Senior staff; B) Professional staff; and C) Clerical staff. The cost shall be based on the hours of work provided and out-of-pocket expenses. Billing on the project should occur monthly based on the hours spent on the project. Section 4 Proposal Preparation and Submittal In order to facilitate a consistent evaluation of the proposals, the respondent is advised to be concise and follow the outline identified below in responding. Proposals that do not follow the outline or contain the required information may be considered to be incomplete or unresponsive proposals. Proposals are requested to be concise and should include, in order, the following: 1. Introductory letter; 2. Brief organizational profile, including background and experience of the firm; 3. Examples of grant writing efforts which have been conducted for local governments, school districts, and non-profit organizations; 4. Provide a minimum of three (3) references from other local governments, school districts or similar service agencies for which you have provided grant services. Include the name of the organization, brief description of the project, name and contact information of the appropriate individual.
5. Project management including: a. Project organizational chart including key staff to be assigned; b. Location of office from which the project management will be performed; c. Summary/matrix of key personnel s project experience. 6. Appendices: Résumés of person(s) who will be performing the work. 7. Provide a detailed description of how you will perform the following services: a. Funding needs analysis; b. Identification of appropriate grant and private foundation resources; c. Grant preparation process; d. Grant review and approval process; e. Identification of other revenue generating programs; f. Estimated time frame, duration and number of hours of the process (a through d); 8. Fee a. Fee basis should be an all-inclusive, hourly fee. Consultant must provide a detailed price breakdown including fees for the following staff: A) Senior staff; B) Professional staff; and C) Clerical staff. b. Billing on the project should occur monthly based on the hours spent on the project. Section 5 Selection and Contract Award Proposals shall be evaluated based on the requirements set forth in the RFP. Selection of the firm(s) will be at the discretion of the ESC and will be based on the proposal that the ESC deems to be the most responsive and responsible and serves the best interests of the entity. Selected proposer(s) may be required to make onsite oral and visual presentations or demonstrations at the request of the ESC. The ESC will schedule the time and location for any presentations. Costs and equipment for such presentations are the responsibility of the proposer. Best and final offers may be solicited from the pool of finalists prior to selection of the successful firm. Proposals will be reviewed by a selection committee and will be evaluated based on the following criteria: Evaluation Criteria (100 points total) 40 points - Knowledge of grant opportunities, funding sources and associated regulations 30 points - Successful track record of acquiring grant funding 15 points - Competitiveness of proposed cost approach and pricing 15 points - Quality of writing sample
Section 6 Proposal Form The undersigned Proposer understands that the ESC reserves the right to reject any or all Proposals, or to waive any formality or technicality, as determined by the ESC in its sole discretion, in any Proposal in the interest of the ESC. The undersigned Proposer hereby certifies and affirms that this Proposal is genuine and not a sham or collusive, nor made in the interest or behalf of any person not herein named, and that the undersigned Proposer has not directly or indirectly induced or solicited any other Proposer to put in a sham bid, or any other person, firm, or corporation to refrain from bidding, and that the Proposer has not in any manner sought by collusion to secure for itself an advantage over any other Proposer. The undersigned certifies that to the best of his/her knowledge: (check only one) ( ) There is no officer or employee of the ESC who has, or would have, or whose relative has, or would have, a substantial interest in any contract resulting from this request. ( ) The names of any and all public officers or employees of ESC who have, or would have, or whose relative has, or would have, a substantial interest in any contract resulting from this request, and the nature of the substantial interest, are included below or as an attachment to this Proposal. The above certifications of this Proposal are material representations of fact upon which reliance will be placed when making an award. If it is later determined that the Proposer knowingly rendered an erroneous certification, in addition to other remedies available to the ESC, the ESC may terminate the contract resulting from this solicitation for default. (Official Name of Firm) (Signature) (Print Name) (Title) _ (Complete Business Address) _ (Email Address)