REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

Transcription

1 REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS Consulting Services for the Greater Phoenix Seed Capital Fund Planning Project Deadline has been extended to September 21, 2015 GREATER PHOENIX ECONOMIC COUNCIL (GPEC) August 26, 2015

2 PUBLIC NOTICE REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS GREATER PHOENIX ECONOMIC COUNCIL (GPEC) CONSULTING SERVICES FOR THE GREATER PHOENIX SEED CAPITAL FUND PLANNING PROJECT Deadline has been extended to September 21, 2015 The Greater Phoenix Economic Council (GPEC) is requesting proposals from qualified consultants to prepare a business model and business plan for establishing a seed capital fund in Greater Phoenix. The project is funded by the grant from the Economic Development Administration (EDA) of the U.S. Department of Commerce. The total cost of the project shall not exceed $30,000. Questions and requests for additional information may be directed by to Breann Preston, Sr. Research Analyst at bpreston@gpec.org. Proposals will be accepted until 5:00 PM PDT (Pacific Daylight Time) on September 21,

3 Consulting Services for the Greater Phoenix Seed Capital Fund Planning Project REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS 1 INTRODUCTION The Greater Phoenix Economic Council (GPEC) is requesting proposals from qualified consultants to prepare a business model and business plan for establishing a Seed Capital Fund in Greater Phoenix. 2 BACKGROUND The Greater Phoenix Economic Council (GPEC) is a not- for- profit (501c3) economic development organization representing 22 cities and towns and the County of Maricopa in Arizona. GPEC collaborates with the region s public- and private- sector stakeholders to build a diverse regional economy by promoting quality job creation and investment in target industry sectors. The seed capital planning fund project is one of early- stage projects of Velocity, a not- for- profit (501c3) organization leading the execution of a regional economic growth plan to transform Greater Phoenix into a global center for innovation. The project team, comprised of GPEC and 12 other organizations and businesses in the greater Phoenix area, are spearheading the seed capital fund planning project. 3 Eligibility To be considered for full evaluation and possible award, the consultant or consulting firm, must meet the minimum qualification requirements listed below. An experienced (10 years or more) start- up and/or investment expert. Consultant has at least eight (8) years of experience working with startups either as co- founder, investor, c- level executive or business advisor. Consultant has expertise in startup capital fund formation from experience in designing and/or implementing/ financing a fund. Consultant has understanding of the Business Model Canvas, Lean Startup Methodology and the startup landscape in Arizona. Consultant has experience structuring investment deals with startups and understands investment risk strategies. Consultant has experience in meeting facilitation, stakeholder engagement, and collective decision- making. Consultant can demonstrate past ability to work with a collective team to build a business model for complex startup. 4 REQUESTED CONSULTING SERVICES There are two (2) key parts that we are asking for from the selected consultant. 3

4 1. Develop and complete Business Model The consulting services requested are the designing of the seed fund s business model with a focus on: Key Partners: The key partners to the business that help reduce risk in the business model. Can be key suppliers, complimentary business alliances, or joint ventures. Key Resources: The resources necessary to create value for the customer. Considered an asset to the company, which are needed in order to sustain and support the business. These resources could be human, financial, physical and intellectual. Key Activities: the most important activities in executing the companies Value Proposition Cost Structure: This describes the most important monetary consequences while operating under different business models. (Classes of Business Structures and Characteristics of Cost Structures.) Customer Segments: Identify which customer we are serving by segmenting customer sets based on varying needs and attributes. We must ensure that the fund strategy meets the characteristics of the targeted customer group. Customer Relationships: Identify the type of relationship we need to create with the customer segments. Channels: The way in which the fund will deliver our value proposition. Revenue Streams: The way a company produces revenue from each customer segment. Value Proposition: This is the single factor that distinguishes this fund from others. (Quantitative or Qualitative) The consultant will also work with Seed Fund Project Team to conduct a customer development market assessment. 2. Develop and complete draft business plan In addition, the consulting services requested also include the design of the seed fund s business plan with a focus on: Strengthening the capacity of the region s innovative ecosystem Improving coordination within the ecosystem Promoting economic development through manufacturing growth Market need analysis and feasibility Fund concept definition and opportunity Investment plan and financial analysis Operating plan Marketing plan Governance plan Risk Analysis and Mitigation Strategy 4

5 Talent pipeline for finding those who will receive funding Implementation Plan In addition, consultant will engage stakeholders by participating in project meetings, work sessions, and holding one- on- one meetings. 5 REQUESTED FINAL DELIVERABLES The final deliverables will be electronic documents which contain information including but not limited to: Seed Fund Business Model Seed Fund Business Plan for the fund that has received investor support (including all aforementioned services) 6 PROJECT SCHEDULE AND COST The project is a fixed price of $30,000. Estimated time frame for this project is approximately four months from the date of the notice to proceed. Selection of consultant September 31, 2015 Attend stakeholder meetings On going Final business model October 30, 2015 Final business plan December 18, PROPOSAL CONTENT It is required that the proposal: A. Be limited to a maximum length of 10 (Ten) pages, not including a cover letter, résumés, and any appendices. The cover letter must be signed by a party authorized to bind the entity submitting the proposal to a contract. B. Brief statement describing the proposer's organization, experience, and eligibility. C. Brief statement outlining the approach to completing the work required by this solicitation. D. Key milestones and timeline. E. Each firm submitting a Proposal is required to certify that it will comply with, in all respects, the rules of professional conduct set forth in A.A.C. R , which is the official compilation of the Rules of Professional Conduct from the Administrative Rules and Regulations for the State of Arizona. F. A labor cost allocation budget. 5

6 Electronic copy via must be submitted by 5:00 PM PDT on September 21, Breann Preston Sr. Research Analyst Timely receipt of proposals will be determined by the date and time the proposal is received at the above . No late submissions will be accepted. All material submitted in response to this solicitation becomes the property of GPEC and will not be returned. After contract award, the proposals may be open for public inspection except to the extent that the withholding of information is permitted or required by law. If the Proposer designates a portion of its proposal as confidential, it shall isolate and identify in writing the confidential portions in accordance with Arizona Administrative Code R ; which shall be included in the proposal. Upon receipt of the Proposer s written notification, GPEC will review any portions of the proposal that the Proposer considers to be confidential and make a determination on what should be released. GPEC will also notify the Proposer in writing of the determination and provide the Proposer an opportunity to respond to the decision prior to releasing the proposal. 8 PROPOSAL EVALUATION AND SELECTION PROCESS A. All proposals will be evaluated by a team consisting of GPEC staff and/or other project team members: Proposer s qualification and experience. Demonstrated understanding of the project through a well- defined work plan consistent with project objectives. Availability of key personnel throughout the project effort. Price and budget allocation. B. On the basis of the above evaluation criteria, selected firms submitting proposals may be contacted by GPEC for additional clarification and documentation. C. GPEC may conduct discussions with Proposers who submit proposals determined to be reasonably eligible for selection. D. GPEC reserves the right to: Cancel this solicitation. Reject any and all proposals and re- advertise. Select the proposal(s) that, in its judgment, will best meet its needs. Negotiate a contract that covers selected parts of a proposal, or a contract that will be interrupted for a period or terminated for lack of funds. 9 ADMINISTRATIVE REQUIREMENTS A. This Request for Proposals is for a fixed- fee contract. 6

7 B. During the course of the project, a regular progress report is required to be submitted or communicated verbally. C. An audit examination of the consultant s records may be required. 7