REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP) FOR CONSULTANT

Transcription

1 REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP) FOR CONSULTANT This document is intended to serve as an RFP for a consultant to provide support for the development of a statewide program intended to accelerate attainment of SBIR/STTR and ARPA-E awards by state small businesses in the energy/clean tech sector. This RFP is broken into three sections: I) Background II) Scope of Work and III) Criteria for Selection. All bidders should prepare a response to this RFP by August 15, All responses should be sent to the following address: Texas Foundation for Innovative Communities 515 Congress, Suite 1510 Austin, Texas Attn: Larry Peterson SECTION I: BACKGROUND Texas has many innovation-intensive high-potential firms in strategic growth sectors such as: defense, aerospace, energy, petrochemicals, life sciences, information technology and clean tech. Due to state budget constraints, the Texas Emerging Technology Fund will have diminished investment capacity for the next biennium.

2 Multi-year awards to such firms in the well-funded programs of SBIRs and STTRs offer substantial research and commercialization opportunities for such firms. These programs, in comparison with other states, are underutilized in Texas. Eleven Federal agencies participate in SBIR awards, with six also participating in STTRs. These agencies provide over $2 billion annually to small businesses for innovative research leading to new products or technologies. Increasing the ability of Texas grants by qualified small businesses is a major and immediate challenge for Texas. SECTION II: SCOPE OF WORK The consultant will work with the TFIC and related stakeholders to develop a sustainable program to enhance SBIR/STTR and ARPA-E attainment for the state of Texas. The Texas Foundation for Innovative Communities (TFIC) is seeking a qualified, highly experienced contractor to perform the following tasks: Task 1 : Based upon substantial prior experience, identify the elements of an SBIR/STTR database that will provide an effective tool upon which a Texas wide

3 SBIR/STTR program can be based. Provide sources of data for population of such a data base and, where available, examples of such data base software that may be acquired by the State of Texas for little of no cost; Task 2 : Develop, based upon substantial prior experience, a presentation aimed at small businesses and university researchers that will inform about the value of participation and assist in understanding the SBIR\STTR opportunity. Identify a range of succinct materials which explain SBIRs and STTRs, how each operates and how to access each within the different agencies. Task 3: Develop a workbook or substantial leave-behind materials to be used in conjunction with regional SBIR/STTR workshops. Materials at a minimum should provide a checklist for SBIR/STTR proposal development, eligibility requirements, and listings of web resources and key contacts. Task 4 : Present the materials described in 2 and 3 above to small business owners, economic development organizations, and university researchers at four different Texas major metro locations, to be determined. Based upon previous experience, provide, in relation to such presentations, the kinds of organizations, businesses and individuals that should be invited and where contact information for such attendees can be found; and

4 Task 5 : Work with Texas organizations to be identified to describe, based upon prior experience, a state wide SBIR\STTR event in detail that can act as the foundation for an on-going statewide program that fosters increasing Texas participation in the SBIR\STTR programs and increasing success of the participants. Identify SBIR/STTR managers for the three DoD services, DOE, NSF and NASA and, working with Texas authorities, invite same and work with them to prepare for a presentation at a location to be named to a state-wide assembly of small businesses and university researchers. Also, Identify and invite speakers that can explain not only the process, but how distinct obstacles were overcome, and how results (quantified) were achieved. Task 6: Work with TFIC and related stakeholders to investigate and suggest programmatic pathways to improving and SBIR/STTR and ARPA- E attainment rates, and methods for financially sustaining such programs independent of extraordinary new funding. SECTION III: BEST VALUE CRITERIA The successful bidder will submit a response to this RFP, detailing the following information: 1. Consulting experience working in supporting/developing state or large institutional SBIR/STTR programs over the past ten years. 2. Experience working with Texas institutions and governmental agencies over the past ten years.

5 3. Evidence of recent project experience working with federal program managers at DOD, NSF, DOE and NASA, particularly in the SBIR/STTR program. 4. Estimated Cost producing deliverables as per described tasks, including all travel expenses. Expect 5-7 days required presence in Texas. The selection of the consultant will be based on the following criteria: Consulting experience over the last 10 years Please summarize all relevant projects that you have worked on. Experience working with Texas institutions over the last 10 years Please summarize all relevant projects that you have worked on 25 points 10 points Experience working with federal agencies and SBIR/STTR program managers Please summarize all relevant projects that you have worked on. 25 points Estimated Cost, including travel expenses 40 points All bidders should submit a response to this RFP by August 15, Responses may be submitted electronically to lpeterson@txfic.org, with return receipt requested. TFIC reserves the right to waive any minor technicalities if deemed advantageous, and reject any or all responses to this RFP. All responses should be sent to the following address: Texas Foundation for Innovative Communities 515 Congress, Suite 1510 Austin, Texas Attn: Larry Peterson All questions should be submitted in writing to lpeterson@txfic.org.