RFP for Grant Writing Services
On behalf of a multi-city coalition of Public Education Network (PEN) members, DC VOICE is currently seeking proposals from an experienced federal grant writers to assist in the extensive application process for federal Investing in Innovation (i3) funds. As part of this process, the successful applicant will interview site participants and write a complete grant for this funding. Respondents are encouraged to review and be familiar with the i3 initiative and application process, all components of which can be accessed at the following website: http://www2.ed.gov/programs/innovation/index.html .
DC VOICE, (District Community Voices Organized and Informed for Change in Education) is a city-wide collaborative of teachers, principals, parents/guardians, youth, schools and school system personnel, community-based organizations, policy-makers and business leaders. Our aim is to build a spirit of hope, opportunity and community among students and their families and the many activists throughout the city who want to help raise academic achievement.
In achieving its mission and goals, DC VOICE has partnered with Alliance for Education of Seattle, WA, A+ Schools of Pittsburgh, PA, Mobile Area Education Foundation of Mobile, Alabama, Bridgeport Public Education Fund, Bridgeport, CT, and Paterson Education Fund of Paterson, NJ.
Around the prospect of conducting a multi-city community action research project among all of the host committees.
Scope of Work
The multi city collaborative (hereafter referred to as collaborative) is seeking proposals for federal grant writing including but not limited to the following:
1. Review existing program funding materials and work with collaborative staff to assure a firm understanding of the participating organizations goals, services, plans, and capacity needs for i3 funding purposes.
2. Work with DC VOICE staff to develop a proposal template which presents the case for funding support, reflecting the programmatic goals and capacity needs identified above.
3. Develop a specific approach and solicitation strategy in obtaining i3 funding.
4. Review and complete the complete i3 application package
5. Prepare full proposal documents and packages to i3 funders, adapted to fit with the individual guidelines and grant-making interests outlined by the program.
6. Development of budgets in appropriate formats for presentation to i3 funders as part of proposal submission.
This contract should begin as early as April 22nd and be completed no later than May 7th.
Requirements for RFP Response
All proposals must provide a comprehensive description of applicants strategy for securing i3 funding in the contracted time, as well as statements of qualifications concisely describing the firms or individuals capabilities including the following:
1. A track record of providing successful grant writing and grant management services to governmental and/or nonprofit entities,
2. A listing of non-profit or municipal clients and references to include addresses and telephone numbers,
3. If responding as a firm, the ownership, size, and location of the office responsible for providing the proposed services,
4. If responding as a firm, its legal organization (e.g. corporation, partnership) and year of incorporation,
5. A statement, in one page or less, of any other relevant factors that should be considered in evaluating the proposal, and
6. A proposed cost estimate for services to be provided, along with specific ideas for performance-based criteria for evaluation of applicants success in achieving the objectives of the program (see Terms and Conditions below).
Terms and Conditions
Any firm or individual submitting a proposal shall state their willingness to agree to the following terms and conditions:
1. The awardee must be fully committed to the mission of DC VOICE.
2. Termination: a termination agreement is to be negotiated between the parties that includes provisions on termination for cause and termination for convenience.
3. Compensation: It is anticipated that the total value of this contract will be in the range of ($5,000 to $10,000)
Applicants are encouraged to provide creative ideas and to include a proposed compensation plan that includes performance-based criteria.
Submissions
Interested people should submit the following, no later than Friday, April 23, 2010 to Arielle Etienne, Deputy Director for Operations and Management by email at [email protected], or by fax at 202.986.1243. For questions, call Arielle at (202) 986-8535
It shall be the responsibility of the respondent to deliver the proposal and all other required items to the location specified in this RFP at or before May 7, 2010 DC VOICE reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to reject and return without evaluation any proposal received after the proposal submission time and date.
Follow Up Interviews with finalists will be held during the week of April 26, 2010
Proposals shall include all of the sections, disclosures, etc. outlined above under Requirements for RFP Response, as well as the following information:
1. A description of applicants qualifications (or the qualifications of firm applying) and a work plan detailing how the tasks described above would be carried out,
2. A firm estimate of fees to be charged, including any expenses for which you would seek reimbursement
3. Resumes of all grant writers who would be involved in the project, and
4. Names, phone numbers and contact people at three nonprofit organizations who have been your clients during the last 36 months, whom we can call on as references.
