Request for Proposal (RFP)

Forest County Potawatomi Community

Submission Deadline: Each interested party must complete both of the following two (2) steps to submit a proposal in response to this RFP:

1. Each interested party must notify (email preferred) Russell Brudos to inform him of your intention to respond to this RFP by close of business (5 p.m.; CST) on April 20, 2020.
2. Completed proposals are due by 5:00 CST on April 30, 2020.

Any proposals received after the submission deadline will not be considered. Proposal submissions will be accepted via physical delivery, mail, or email.

Proposal Inquiries:

Russell Brudos
Enterprise Infrastructure Director
Office Phone: (715) 478-4931
Email: Russell.Brudos@fcpotawatomi-nsn.gov

The deadline for receipt of inquiries is close of business (5:00 p.m. CST) on April 16, 2020. The Forest County Potawatomi Community (“FCPC”) Enterprise Infrastructure Director (“Coordinator”) will make any modifications to the specifications in the RFP in writing immediately following the deadline for receipt of inquiries, and no other changes will be entertained after that date. The Coordinator will only respond to inquiries if the response will tend to clarify an issue for all interested parties, each of whom will receive a copy of any response provided in response to an individual inquiry. Verbal agreements or instructions from any source are not authorized by or binding on the FCPC.

Mailing Address:

Forest County Potawatomi Community
Attn: Russell Brudos
I.T. Division
PO Box 340
Crandon, WI 54520

Physical Address:

Forest County Potawatomi Community
I.T Division
5415 Everybody’s Road
Crandon, WI 54520

Introduction and Project Purpose

The Forest County Potawatomi Community requests interested organizations to submit proposals to conduct the FCPC Communications & IT Training Center Feasibility Study. Because of the sizable investment of time and resources needed to establish a training center, as well as the profound impact such an undertaking could have on the community, FCPC seeks to secure the guidance and expertise of a consultant to ensure the success of the project.

Project Description

In December of 2019, FCPC submitted an application to the Economic Development Administration’s Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance program in order to support and enhance the economic health of the Forest County Potawatomi Community (FCPC) and received notice of award.

FCPC proposes the establishment of the Communications and Information Technology Training Center to support the overarching goal of enhancing the economic, environmental, and health-related well-being of its Tribal members, their children, and the greater community. Properly executed, it is anticipated that the proposed project will support economic development by addressing the area’s technology-based needs, provide workforce skill development, and foster job creation through the establishment of the center.

As the county’s largest employer for more than ten years, FCPC has taken great care to develop plans and policies that direct economic development. FCPC believes that the creation of this center will serve as an economic catalyst for the Forest County Potawatomi Community and all of Forest County. The completion of the study will allow us to determine the types of elements to include, as well as the support and resources necessary to sustain it. The study will identify and analyze the economic, marketing, operational, financial, and management information associated with developing a Communications and IT Training Center.

Proposal Requirements

Proposals should focus on anticipated project components including, but not limited to, gathering background information, market and target industry analysis, operational/technical components, financial projections, and completion of a final report. Details of what must be included in the final report are provided in the section entitled “Scope of Work” for the Selected Consultant. Proposals shall include an outline of the proposed timeline for the project, in addition to a brief narrative explaining how the project will be accomplished. The proposal shall also include a demonstration of the consultant’s previous experience working with Tribes and other government entities and their experience performing feasibility studies. The proposal must also identify the consultant’s anticipated project staff and explain how their qualifications and past experience will aid in accomplishing the project. In addition, the proposal must contain proof of insurance and a signed proposal and bidder’s statement. Please provide detailed cost estimates for consulting and travel fees that will be required to complete this project.

Scope of Work

The scope of work for this study shall include, but is not limited to, the following scope of work and tasks:

I. Background Review

A. Confirm project description and general information regarding dates of completion

B. Provide basic background of industry

1. Current economic conditions of the industry
2. Feasibility of potential communications and technology service/ training center success

II. Market Analysis and Target Industry Analysis

A. Conduct Executive Council, community engagement and stakeholder interviews

B. Define market areas, project region and competitive region

C. Complete/review inventory of current and projected market conditions

1. Strengths
2. Obstacles

D. Identify potential cost and success of developing the market

1. Costs
2. Action Steps

III. Operational/Technical Components Analysis

A. Analyze the labor supply

1. Labor Quality
2. Labor Quantity

B. Identify the supply and costs of components needed for business operations

C. Identify the specific equipment and capital needed

D. Physical site evaluation

1. Operational capacity and efficiency

2. Location

a. Proximity to available labor supply
b. Ability to meet town ordinances and permitting regulations

IV. Financial Projections

A. Future revenues and operating costs

B. Identify and assess capital requirements:

1. Potential and actual sources of equity

2. Capital resources:

a. land and/or buildings
b. equipment
c. human resources

C. Develop a pro-forma cash flow statement

D. Develop income statements and balance sheets

1. Sources of funds

2. Uses of funds

E. Conduct a cost/benefit evaluation

F. Develop a financial plan summary

1. Summarize all financial Findings
2. Overall assessment of the financial and economic impacts

V. Project Deliverables

A. Provide a report of the major study findings and determination of feasibility

B. Provide recommendations and concluding comments

C. Prepare and Present Summary of A & B for Executive Council and other stakeholders

D. Develop a schedule for the remaining action steps and dates of completion

Effectively completing the above-listed tasks will further enable FCPC to use sound data in developing a Communications & IT Training Center in Forest County, including; identifying potential complications with the project; determining the sustainability, employment projection, and economic impact of the project; identifying new or unexplored opportunities; giving focus to the project; identifying potential decision-making thresholds; increasing the potential for contingency plans; and, providing documentation that the project idea was thoroughly researched.

The supporting documentation should include a comprehensive list of references used in each stage of the scope of work listed above. The consultant should also detail the methodology used to develop its forecasts of use, revenue and costs for the Communications & IT Training Center in Forest County. The assumptions underlying these forecasts, and how these assumptions impact the forecasts, need to be clearly listed in the report.

Given the above mentioned scope of work, FCPC has developed a schedule for completion in order to maintain focus and add accountability.

Activity and Date

Hire/Contract with Consultant: May 2020

Conduct Community Engagement and Interviews: May-June 2020

Conduct Feasibility Study: May-November 2020

Quarterly Progress Report(Consists of project status, and accomplishments for the quarter): July 15, 2020

Conduct Analysis of Findings and Complete Reports: September 30, 2020

Quarterly Progress Report (Consists of project status, accomplishments for the quarter): October 15, 2020

Draft Feasibility Study Report: November 30, 2020

Submit Feasibility Study for Executive Council Approval: December 2020

Final Feasibility Study Complete: December 31, 2020

Evaluation of Proposals

All proposals will be reviewed and rated by an evaluation team. The FCPC shall be under no obligation to contact potential consultants for clarification of their proposals, but it shall reserve the right to do so at any time before the award of a Contract. If the FCPC chooses to award a Contract relative to this RFP, it shall be the responsive and responsible consultants that received the highest total rating as a result of the proposal evaluation process.

Final Project Requirements for the Selected Consultant

The selected consultant will be required to submit a comprehensive final report on the feasibility of the development of a Communications & IT Training Center. The completion of the plan will enable FCPC to use sound data to conclude the viability of establishing a Communications & IT Training Center in the Forest County Potawatomi Community, including: identifying potential complications with the project; determining the sustainability, employment projection, and economic impact of the project; identifying new or unexplored opportunities; giving focus to the project; narrowing the potential alternatives; identifying potential decision-making thresholds; increasing the potential for contingency plans; and, providing documentation that the project idea was thoroughly researched.

The documentation supporting recommendations and conclusions within the report must include a list of all references used to develop all forecasts of use, revenue streams and costs. The consultant must provide the methodology and data used to develop these forecasts and the underlying assumptions used for different scenarios. The stakeholders should be able to recreate or modify these forecasts.

The selected consultant must work closely with the Enterprise Infrastructure Director when conducting project components. The final feasibility study must be completed and provided to the Enterprise Infrastructure Director by December 31, 2020.

Proposal, Bidders Statement and Signature

Proposal

The undersigned hereby offers to provide service to FCPC as outlined in the RFP and offers to furnish such related goods and services in accordance with all applicable laws, regulations, and policies.

Line items to include:

1. Consultant Labor Costs
2. Consultant Travel Costs (to include mileage, lodging, and meals)
3. Any other related expenses

Total Cost: $___________________________

Bidder’s Statement and Signature

I, the undersigned, have read, understand and am in compliance with the General Instructions to Bidders, including Scope of Work, in preparing a Proposal for the completion of a Communications & IT Training Center Feasibility Study for FCPC. The undersigned understands that any condition to the above requirements submitted contrary to such requirements will render this proposal unresponsive. The undersigned also certifies that this bid shall remain open and valid for 60 days after the due date of proposals.

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