1. Introduction The Mi'kmaw Cultural Foundation Inc. invites qualified consultants or firms to submit proposals for the development of a comprehensive business plan for a social enterprise. In addition, the Foundation is seeking assistance in writing a proposal for an external RFP that the Foundation is applying to. This dual project seeks to further the Foundation’s mission of promoting Mi'kmaw culture, youth engagement, and sustainable economic development.
2. Scope of Work
Part 1: Business Plan Development for Social Enterprise The business plan must provide a strategic framework for the launch and growth of a social enterprise that aligns with the Foundation’s cultural and economic goals.
The successful bidder will deliver a plan that includes the following components:
1. Consultation & Planning: ○ Engage with the Foundation’s leadership, youth representatives, and community members to clarify the vision and objectives of the social enterprise.
2. Market Research & Feasibility Analysis: ○ Conduct a comprehensive analysis of market trends, competitor landscape, community needs, and opportunities for the social enterprise. ○ Evaluate the feasibility of the social enterprise concept within the local and regional economy.
3. Business Model Development: ○ Design a sustainable business model, including key revenue streams, operational structure, and service or product offerings. ○ Provide strategies for maximizing the enterprise’s cultural and social impact.
4. Financial Planning: ○ Develop financial projections for a 3- to 5-year period, including start-up costs, operational expenses, and expected revenues. ○ Identify potential funding sources and revenue strategies to ensure financial sustainability.
5. Implementation Strategy: ○ Create a detailed implementation plan, outlining timelines, responsibilities, and key performance indicators (KPIs) for both financial success and community impact.
6. Final Business Plan Presentation: ○ Prepare a professional business plan that the Foundation can use for both internal planning and potential funding applications.
Part 2: Proposal Writing for External RFP In addition to the business plan, the successful bidder will be responsible for writing a proposal in response to an external RFP that the Foundation is applying for.
This proposal should:
1. Understand the Project Requirements: ○ Engage with the Foundation to fully understand the project for which the RFP is being applied to, including its objectives, impact, and desired outcomes.
2. Develop a Comprehensive Proposal: ○ Write a compelling and detailed proposal in alignment with the external RFP requirements. This includes sections on project description, objectives, methodology, budget, and evaluation criteria.
3. Ensure Compliance with RFP Guidelines: ○ Ensure that the proposal meets all the technical and submission requirements of the external RFP, including formatting, timelines, and necessary attachments.
4. Collaborate for Final Submission: ○ Work closely with the Foundation to finalize and submit the proposal in a timely manner, ensuring it is polished and professionally presented.
3. Timeline The project timeline for both the business plan and RFP proposal development is 8–10 weeks, with the following key milestones:
● Weeks 1–2: Stakeholder consultation and engagement for both components.
● Weeks 3–4: Market research and initial drafting of the business plan.
● Weeks 5–6: Business model and financial planning, initial draft of the external RFP proposal.
● Weeks 7–8: Final review and presentation of both the business plan and RFP proposal.
● Weeks 9–10 (if necessary): Revisions and feedback integration.
4. Budget Bidders are required to submit a comprehensive budget that includes:
● Consulting fees.
● Research and development costs.
● Administrative costs for both the business plan and the proposal writing.
● Any travel or other expenses incurred during stakeholder engagement or research.
5. Submission Requirements Interested bidders should submit the following:
● A summary of their experience in business plan development, social enterprise, and proposal writing.
● A work plan detailing their approach to completing the business plan and proposal writing.
● A project timeline, including milestones and deliverables.
● A budget breakdown.
● References or examples of previous relevant work.
Submissions should be sent electronically to chair@mikmawcf.ca.
6. Evaluation Criteria Proposals will be evaluated based on:
● Relevant Experience (30%).
● Methodology and Approach (30%).
● Cost-Effectiveness (20%).
● Capacity to Deliver on Both Components (20%).
7. Contact Information For more information or clarification regarding this RFP, please contact:
Jeffrey T. Young, Chair
chair@mikmawcf.ca
709-721-2620
Closing Date: October 11, 2024
