Project Overview Organizational Back Ground

Transcription

1 Request for Proposal Project Overview Northern Technology Initiative, dba GPS 45:93, seeks a part-time consultant (approximately 200 to 250 hours per year) to carry out its mission by providing operational and programing consultant work to the organization. Organizational Back Ground Northern Technology Initiative, dba GPS 45:93, is a 5-county regional economic development organization serving the five counties of Pine, Isanti, Chisago, Kanabec and Mille Lacs which make up Economic Development Region 7E, located just north of the Twin Cities metro area. Northern Technology Initiative was established in 1999 as a 501c.3 nonprofit. In 2001, it was recognized by the State of Minnesota in Minnesota State Statute 116T. In 2009 the organization rebranded itself and began doing business as GPS 45:93. The organization hired its first consultant in GPS 45:93 is a small, primarily volunteer-led organization with the opportunity, as budget allows, to contract for services with an operational consultant and project consultants as needed. Organization membership includes cities, counties, businesses, banks, chambers, utilities, higher education, K-12 education, tribal entities, community-based organizations, and state departments concerned about the local economy and workforce. The membership collaborates to strengthen the economy by providing a regional approach to workforce development, business attraction, retention and expansion and acts as a conduit for members to access resources and educational opportunities in a cost effective manner. Some examples of this collaboration include: joint networking and educational activities, joint memberships in organizations such as the Minnesota Commercial Association of Realtors (MNCAR) and Minnesota Marketing Partners that help to grow and attract businesses to the region and production and utilization of regional marketing materials and an organization website to promote the area. The organization recently completed an Operational Strategies Planning process to review and align the goals of the organization with the work being done. This review determined that the most effective use of GPS 45:93 resources is to contract with a consultant for key organizational duties and an administrative assistant to complete administrative tasks. This planning process also streamlined the organization s strategic goals, revised the mission statement, created an

2 elevator speech, as well as determining key duties for volunteers, a consultant, and administrative assistant. This Operational Strategies Planning process has brought the organization to the point of issuing this request for proposal for a consultant at approximately 200 hours per year. A second RFP will also be issued for an administrative assistant. Terms of Contract The contract will run from the date of execution through December 31, 2018, with a review in December Either party may discontinue this contract by giving a 30-day notice to the other party. Consultant will submit an itemization of time and mileage each month for payment. Benefits-none. Evaluation and Award Process All responses to this RFP should be ed to Rebecca Perrotti, rperrotti@cmjts.org, no later than January 13, The Executive Committee members will review proposals, contact finalists for interviews the week of January 23, and make a recommendation to the GPS 45:93 Board at their January 27, 2017 meeting. Proposal Delivery Instructions Please submit all responses to Rebecca Perrotti, 2017 President, rperrotti@cmjts.org, no later than close of business, January 13, Responses should include: Resume and cover letter highlighting past experiences working with an Economic Development Organization or nonprofit organization, especially with a regional perspective. Highlight any experiences related to the scope of work and deliverables as listed with this RFP. References Hourly rate and indicate if billed on a fraction of the hour. Contacts Rebecca Perrotti, 2017 President rperrotti@cmjts.org Nancy Hoffman, Vice President nancy@chisagocounty.org Richard Baker, 2016 President scoops513@gmail.com

3 GPS 45:93 Mission Statement Collaborate to strengthen the regional economy by Providing a regional approach to workforce development, business attraction, retention and expansion Acting as a conduit for members and the region to access resources and educational opportunities GPS 45:93 Strategic Plan Summary 1. Act regionally when it provides an appropriate economy of scale to support business retention, expansion and attraction. 2. Provide education and networking opportunities. Provide educational opportunities for economic development professionals, members and area businesses on economic development topics. 3. Promote enhancement of regional workforce and infrastructure important to attracting and retaining businesses and a skilled workforce. 4. Sustain organizational vitality through effective engagement of volunteer and contracted leadership and resources. Communicate the value of GPS 45:93 activities to members, their stakeholders and prospective members.

4 2017 Operating Plan & Consultant Scope of Services Act Regionally 1. Act regionally when it provides an appropriate economy of scale to support business retention, expansion and attraction. A. Business Retention/Expansion 1) Tools for Business Success Organizational goal: Maintain and promote the regional Tools for Business Success website. Assist volunteer in developing membership benefit package associated with Tools for Business Success 2) Economic Gardening* Organizational Goal: Facilitate regional Economic Gardening initiative, targeting one second-stage company from each county for research and strategy resources designed to enable the company to grow. Recruit businesses identified by volunteers to participate Secure feedback from participants over multiple years, including opinions and metrics re: impact on sales and growth Prepare summary report for distribution to all funders Support fundraising Conduct quarterly CEO Roundtables *This program may or may not be included in the scope of work due to several factors, including the fact that it is a self-funded program and dependent upon securing the necessary funding to conduct it. B. Business Attraction 1) Community Venture Network Organizational Goal: Facilitate regional membership and convening for Community Venture Network (CVN) to attract young, growth companies to the communities in the region.

5 Volunteer led-no anticipated consultant duties. 2) MN Commercial Association of Realtors (MNCAR) lead distribution Organizational Goal: Participate as a region in MNCAR. Actively monitor queries sent out by commercial/industrial brokers for buildings and sites through the MNCAR system. Forward potential leads to GPS city/county economic development representatives. Summarize MNCAR relationship building and impact in the annual report. 3) MNCAR/Xceligent and LOIS property database updates Organizational Goal: Provide exposure for available properties in the GPS region through uploads into Minnesota s two key property databases. Be aware of available properties in the region 4) MN Marketing Partners Organizational Goal: Facilitate regional membership in MN Marketing Partners, enabling local communities to participate in trade shows and events focused on site selectors and corporate real estate managers statewide, regionally and nationally. Volunteer led-no anticipated consultant duties. Provide Education and Networking Opportunities 2. Provide education and networking opportunities for economic development professionals, members and area businesses on economic development topics. C. Cost effective membership access Organizational Goal: Provide access for economic development professionals to key economic development education and networking resources through regional memberships in the Economic Development Association of Minnesota, the MN Commercial Association of Realtors and MN Marketing Partners. If the consultant attends a meeting and no volunteers attended, provide a brief summary of highlights to economic development representatives D. Provide meaningful educational and networking opportunities Organizational Goal: Build a broader understanding of regional economic development issues and opportunities through educational and networking opportunities involving economic

6 development stakeholders elected officials, businesses, business and economic development organization board members, utilities, education, regional and state government partners. Enhance Workforce and Regional Infrastructure 3. Promote enhancement of regional infrastructure important to attracting and retaining businesses and a skilled workforce. E. Address workforce and infrastructure important to business retention, expansion and attraction. Organizational Goal: Lead or participate in regional efforts to strengthen the region s competitiveness to attract or retain businesses. Examples include workforce, housing, equity funding or broadband initiatives. Bring forward ideas, opportunities Support as authorized by board and agreed to by consultant Include activity and impact in annual report Sustain Organizational Vitality 4. Sustain organizational vitality through effective engagement of volunteer and contracted leadership and resources. Communicate the value of GPS 45:93 activities to members, their stakeholders and prospective members. F. Provide leadership for the organization. Organizational Goal: Organize volunteer and consulting resources to implement the organization s strategic goals. Negotiate the scope of services Assist the board with fundraising, consistent with the scope of services agreement Work with volunteers to execute the scope of services G. Document and communicate the value of GPS 45:93 activities 1) Communications and engagement strategy Organizational Goal: Develop a strategy to communicate and engage with each of GPS key audiences (e.g. city/county economic development professionals; city/county and EDA officials; economic development partners DEED, GREATER MSP, higher ed institutions, utilities; business members; financial institutions; funders).

7 Prepare materials and support execution of the communications and engagement strategy Do comprehensive review of the website twice per year; share routine updates and edits with administrative support; share ideas about more substantial changes with lead communications volunteer Document regional wins/build image & promote successes Member recruitment follow-through with contacts as requested by the board 2) Annual Report Organizational Goal: Assess the activity and impact associated with each of GPS strategic initiatives on an annual basis. Summarize and distribute an annual report to all funders and stakeholders. Prepares draft annual report H. Address legal and fiduciary responsibilities as a non-profit organization Organizational Goal: Address all responsibilities associated with the organization s articles of incorporation, bylaws and status as a 501(c)3 organization in a timely manner, including annual meeting, election of officers, 990 tax filings, MN Attorney General filing, financial records, insurance, etc. Provide financial and other documentation as needed to maintain adequate records for the organization Support volunteers with legal and fiduciary responsibilities as identified in the annual consultant s scope of services Additional Considerations Board meetings: Consultant should plan to participate in 12 monthly board meetings (one being an annual meeting) per year at approximately 2 hours per meeting.