Valley Regional Enterprise Network Request for Proposal Environmental Scan / Asset Inventory / Regional Economic Profile
RFP 2014-01 2 The CEO and Board of Directors for the Valley Regional Enterprise Network (VREN) are requesting proposals to: Conduct an environmental scan of literature, prepare an asset inventory and complete a community profile to support economic development in the Valley Region of Nova Scotia. Proposals may be submitted by email to: Kelly RM Ells, MBA Chief Executive Officer, Valley Regional Enterprise Network 902-670-2287 krmells@nsvalleyren.ca or by mail to: Kelly RM Ells, CEO Valley Regional Enterprise Network 354 Main Street Kentville NS B4N 1K6 Please note deadline: Proposals to be submitted by 4pm, January 9, 2015. The Valley Regional Enterprise Network reserves the right to reject any or all proposals or to accept any proposal or part thereof considered to be in their best interest. We thank all inquiries in advance and advise that only those proposals selected will be contacted no later than January 19, 2015. Consultant(s) should be prepared to make a presentation to the review committee.
RFP 2014-01 3 Table of Contents BACKGROUND... 4 OBJECTIVES... 4 SCOPE OF WORK... 5 Environmental Scan... 5 Asset Inventory... 5 Community Profile(s)... 5 SCHEDULE... 6 REPORTING... 6 Start-up Meeting and Definition of Milestones... 6 Review of Drafts... 6 Review of Final Report... 6 PROPOSAL SUBMISSIONS... 6 SELECTION PROCESS... 7 OWNERSHIP OF INFORMATION... 7 INQUIRIES AND PROPOSAL SUBMISSION... 7
RFP 2014-01 4 BACKGROUND In July 2012, following the Federal Government announcement to cease funding for Economic Development Organizations in Canada, the Province of Nova Scotia appointed an independent panel of business and economic development experts to study existing models (ie. Regional Development Authority) and make recommendations for a new approach to promoting economic development in Nova Scotia. The result was a concept to form six Regional Enterprise Networks (RENs) to guide and navigate regional economic development while providing support to businesses. Led by a Board of Directors with extensive business experience, the RENs will a) Develop, implement and monitor a regional economic development strategy consistent with provincial and regional economic development priorities b) Cultivate close working relationships with the business community to support the development and attraction of new businesses and to retain and expand existing businesses c) Inform partners and stakeholders about local business-climate conditions as well as regionals challenge and opportunities In March 2014, the Valley Regional Enterprise Network agreement was signed, comprised of nine partnering municipalities (County of West Hants, County of Kings, Windsor, Hantsport, Wolfville, Kentville, Berwick, Middleton and Bridgetown) and the Glooscap First Nations. A Board of seven members with a wealth of business and economic development leadership experience were appointed. They are: Peter Muttart (Chair) Susan Hayes (Vice-Chair) Sir Graham Day Joseph Lord Robert Maher Jason Peters Perry Wallace The Board of Directors for the Valley REN coordinated by the VREN CEO, Kelly Ells, is requesting proposals to Conduct an environmental scan of literature, prepare an asset inventory, and complete a regional profile to support economic development in the Valley Region of Nova Scotia. OBJECTIVES The primary objective is to conduct an environmental scan, prepare an asset inventory, and complete a regional profile to form the basis of an informed Regional Development Strategy for the Valley REN.
RFP 2014-01 5 SCOPE OF WORK For this project, the VREN is seeking the services of a professional management consultant(s) who specialize in business and economic development. The successful candidate(s) will work with the CEO, Board of Directors and other partners as appropriate. The proposal will include but is not limited to: Environmental Scan The environmental scan will be an important document for the development of an informed Regional Economic Strategy for the Valley. It may include but is not limited to: Asset Inventory Review of existing economic research, municipal planning and strategic documents with the aim of highlighting pertinent information related to the Valley s current economy (including a review of its key economic drivers and sectors) Compile relevant information from research documents conducted by the Province of Nova Scotia and Municipal Governments An Asset Inventory is required to identify and highlight significant characteristics of the Valley Region of Nova Scotia to compliment an action plan outlining current resources and to identify future needs. It may include but is not limited to: Statistical inventory (ie social, economic, geographical) Human Resources inventory (ie experience, skills, involvement of community residents) Institution inventory (ie educational, economic, political and religious organizations) Physical infrastructure and land assets (ie natural resources, utilities, manmade structures transportation systems, community facilities, housing and land availability) Cultural inventory (ie heritage, sports, arts, and history representing the unique character of the area) The successful consultant(s) will work with municipal staff, private sector leaders and government partners in the gathering of data to create the asset inventory. The asset inventory will be sortable by municipalities as well as the region as a whole. Community Profile(s) The community profile will be based on data and information collected through the asset inventory and environmental scan stages. It will present an economic profile for the region, including a summary of the historic and present conditions. The work to develop the Community Profile will include, but is not limited to: Analyzing and summarizing data from the Asset Inventory Writing text to present data in a useable format Customizing the Profile to highlight the unique aspects of the Valley Region and partners (member communities) within the VREN The deliverable will be a document that clearly articulates the past and current economic conditions of the Valley.
RFP 2014-01 6 SCHEDULE January & February 2015: compiling past research, populating Asset Inventory and completing the Community Profile(s) March 2015: present draft and final document to the CEO and Board of the VREN REPORTING The consultant(s) shall report to the CEO at the following project milestones: Start-up Meeting and Definition of Milestones Meet with CEO and Board (or subcommittee) to review scope of work, terms of reference and work plan Review timeline, delivery of reports and project methodology Review of Drafts Meet with CEO and Board (or subcommittee) to review feedback on draft documents Review of Final Report The consultant(s) shall prepare a draft agenda for review by the CEO and Board prior to the meeting Presentation of final report/documents to the CEO and Board PROPOSAL SUBMISSIONS The consultant(s) proposal submission must include the following information: Corporate name and company profile Description of the methodology to be followed by the consultant(s) to meet the project s objectives Statement of the consultant(s) understanding of the scope of the project Description of the experience and expertise of the consultant(s) and each member of the project team including their curriculum vitae Schedule of fees and expenses setting out rates of remuneration for consultant(s) team members and an estimate of time each will devote to the project Project timeline and reporting schedule Maximum price for the project including all expenses and HST Provide references for the past three projects the organization has led
RFP 2014-01 7 Gantt chart depicting each team member and their associated level of effort for each key deliverable (ie. Breakdown of junior/senior personnel and how many days each would work at each phase of the project by key deliverable) Outline of team members living in the Valley REN area (if applicable) SELECTION PROCESS The CEO and Board of Directors, or a subcommittee of their choosing, will review the proposals. A scoring system will be used in accordance with the proposal components listed above. The proposal with the lowest bid will not necessarily be selected. The VREN retains the right to accept or reject any or all of the proposals received. OWNERSHIP OF INFORMATION All information collected, materials gathered and reports shall be and remain the sole property of the VREN. The consultant(s) will not be permitted to publish or in any way use the said information, materials or reports without the express and prior approval of the VREN CEO or Board of Directors. INQUIRIES AND PROPOSAL SUBMISSION Submissions should be sent by email to the attention of: Kelly RM Ells, CEO, VREN, krmells@nsvalleyren.ca and should arrive no later that 4:00pm, Jan 9, 2015. Questions can be directed to Kelly Ells at 902-670-2287 or krmells@nsvalleyren.ca