Request for Proposals Joint Economic Development Initiative (JEDI) Indigenous Business Accelerator Program JEDI is requesting a proposal for the creation of a curriculum and delivery of that curriculum for the JEDI Indigenous Business Accelerator Program as part of the New Brunswick Indigenous Shipbuilding Engagement Strategy. PROJECT GOAL The goal of the project is to help five graduating companies of JEDI s Indigenous Innovation Partnership Project s Business Incubator program become investment ready and well-positioned for high growth. Background of Organization JEDI Background JEDI is an Indigenous not-for-profit organization dedicated to supporting Indigenous participation in New Brunswick s economy. JEDI began in 1995 as a tripartite partnership between Indigenous communities in New Brunswick, the Government of Canada and the Government of New Brunswick. Since then, JEDI has worked closely with its partners from Indigenous communities, organizations, government and the private sector to foster Indigenous economic and workforce development in New Brunswick. JEDI focuses its work on the support of Indigenous: Entrepreneurship and business development; Community economic development; Workforce development; Partnerships with the public and private sectors. 1
PROJECT INFORMATION Project Name New Brunswick Indigenous Shipbuilding Strategy Business Accelerator Program Project Description JEDI s New Brunswick Indigenous Shipbuilding Strategy seeks to open doors for Indigenous peoples in New Brunswick to access career and business opportunities from the multi-billion dollar National Shipbuilding Strategy. The project is focused on implementing a series of recommendations in relationship development, communications, business readiness and workforce readiness. The JEDI Indigenous Business Accelerator, a key part of the implementation of the Strategy, helps Indigenous business connect with the skills and resources required to become investment ready, raise investment and become well-positioned for high growth. Proposal Objective The JEDI Indigenous Business Accelerator program is a 10-week program designed to help participants learn the fundamentals of becoming investment ready, raising investment and becoming well-positioned for high growth. This includes weekly instruction on various topics on structuring business for investment, raising funds for a business, intellectual property, quality assurance and sales. Connections are also made with key JEDI resources ranging from lawyers to accountants to funding organizations. The program also provides mentors and advisors. JEDI seeks the assistance of an experienced proponent to develop a curriculum for the program and deliver the training to a cohort of participants. The successful bidder must be able to begin delivery of the program within 14 days of awarding of the contract with conclusion of the training achieved no later than March 16, 2018. The curriculum will become the exclusive property of JEDI. Description of Activities and Deliverables to be undertaken (including partners) i) Develop a curriculum for the JEDI Indigenous Business Accelerator program according to the specific needs of the project as identified above and in collaboration with project partners. ii) iii) iv) Present an overview of the curriculum to the JEDI Indigenous Business Accelerator Program steering committee. Identify and secure instructors, speakers, mentors and supporting staff to deliver the training. Identify and implement the schedule for training. v) Identify and implement a plan for incorporating partner resources into the training, including the winning bidder s own resources at no additional cost. vi) vii) Identify business investment funds and facilitate introduction to those funds. In close consultation with the JEDI Indigenous Business Accelerator Program steering committee, create a final report on the cohort once completed. 2
This project is supported by the Government of Canada, the Government of New Brunswick, the Atlantic Canada Aerospace and Defence Association, Irving Shipbuilding, Planet Hatch, Lockheed Martin Canada and the Bank of Montreal. Timeframes This project will begin in November 2017 to be completed in March 2018 as outlined in the timelines below. Item Start Completion Meet with JEDI to confirm November 30, 2017 December 4, 2017 needs for curriculum and training delivery Submit proposed curriculum December 13, 2017 December 13, 2017 and training plan to JEDI for review Deliver program training to first January 15, 2018 March 16, 2018 cohort Create a report on the program cohort in consultation with the JEDI Indigenous Business Accelerator Program steering committee. March 16, 2018 March 22, 2018 REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL INFORMATION Qualifications of Consultant Proposals will be considered from experienced proponents who have demonstrated experience in Indigenous business training. The proposal will include evidence of experience, competence and knowledge of First Nation communities, culture and social concerns as well as knowledge of experience in workforce and economic development in New Brunswick. The proponent is also expected to demonstrate knowledge and experience in helping business become investment ready, raise capital and be well-positioned for high growth. Approach JEDI staff and partners will be involved in the project. JEDI will be the main contact and coordinator for this project. Process JEDI expects the proponent to propose a curriculum and training delivery plan for this project that will involve the following processes: 1. Development of a curriculum with modules focused on: financial management in a high growth business environment; intellectual property development and management; building a team for high growth; raising investment for a business; branding and marketing; advanced product design; university collaboration and rapid prototyping; 3
developing proposals that achieve repeatable sales; fundamentals of selling to a global marketplace; government and large industry procurement; quality assurance focused on aerospace and defence; business leadership and community involvement. 2. Development of a training delivery plan detailing proposed instructor with instructor s resume, proposed training dates, proposed training method, proposed training location and proposed hours of instruction. 3. Development of a plan for tracking how training participants meet training outcomes. 4. Development of a plan for involving mentors and outside resources in the training program, including the winning bidder s own resources at no additional cost. The winning bidder is expected to coordinate mentors for the program and explain how proposed outside resources will support the program. JEDI will provide administrative support in organizing meetings, identifying participants and arranging mentors as well as class speakers. The proponent will be responsible for all other aspects of the process and tasks. Analysis In close consultation with the JEDI Indigenous Business Accelerator Program steering committee, the successful proponent will create a report detailing the successes and lessons learned from delivering the cohort. Reporting The successful proponent will be required to provide and present an action plan with activities and deliverables to JEDI s Shipbuilding Strategy Manager and JEDI s Chief Executive Officer for discussion and input. Updates to the JEDI Indigenous Business Accelerator Program steering committee will be required on a regular basis until completion of the project. Scope Proposals will include details of the time required, fee structure, staff costs, overhead and other related expenses. The proposal should include maximum prices for: 1. Services related to the development of the curriculum; 2. Training-related costs such as catering; 3. Other anticipated expenses to include the costs of including outside resources in the program to ensure a well-rounded approach to program delivery. Project Cost and Budget: Proponents must provide a comprehensive quote for this project, itemizing all components of the project in a detailed budget. The total budget must not exceed $90,000 tax included. 4
Staffing The proposal should describe how the project will be staffed and who will carry out key tasks in the assignment. JEDI expects the proponent to have recognized expertise in the targeted industry sector as outlined above. Evaluation of the Proposals Proposals will be evaluated according to the following point system: ITEM POINTS Curriculum 30 points Training Delivery Plan 20 points Indigenous Entrepreneurship Training Experience 20 points Demonstrated Competence in and Knowledge of Raising Business 15 points Investment Budget 10 points Mentorship Plan 5 points TOTAL POINTS 100 Points Proposal Due Date Proposals are due by 5:00 p.m. AST on November 27, 2017. Late proposals will not be accepted. Submit proposals to: Joint Economic Development Initiative Attention: Janis Flemming 150 Cliffe Street, Box 11 Fredericton, NB E3A 0A1 Consultants requiring further information about the project should contact Janis Flemming at janis.flemming@jedinb.ca NOTES: 1. Proposals will become the property of JEDI. All proposals will be considered in strictest confidence. 2. JEDI reserves the right to cancel, amend, or change the RFP in the event that a suitable proposal is not received. 3. Awarding of the contract to the successful proponent will take place once confirmation of project funding is secured by JEDI. 4. The successful proponent will not issue any announcements or news releases concerning the Request for Proposal, the Proposal, or the Contract without the express written consent of JEDI and its partners. 5