City Of Chicago Solicitation #77331

BRANDON JOHNSON TIFFANY BROOKS

MAYOR Acting Commissioner

Specification Number: 1360020 Type of Funding:

Title: BACP-Neighborhood Business Network - Business Support

Delegate Agency Solicitation #77331 (RFP)

BACP-Neighborhood Business Network - Business Support

Specification Number:1360020

Required for use by: DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS AFFAIRS AND CONSUMER PROTECTION

Bid/Proposal Submittal Date and Time: 12:00 PM Central Time, 06-NOV-2026

Deadline for Questions: 12:00 PM Central Time, 20-OCT-2026 Buyer: PHILLIPS, MAURICE Email Address: Maurice.Phillips@cityofchicago.org Phone Number: 3127445915 Pre-Solicitation Conference Date and Time: 02:00 PM Central Time, 13-OCT-2026 Pre-Solicitation Conference Location: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81420466495?

pwd=4C3sNIM4lAgA7Z0J7v6M7pXHjepJme.1 Site Visit Date & Time: N/A Site Visit Location: N/A

Please submit your response to:

http://www.cityofchicago.org/eProcurement iSupplier vendor portal registration is required.

Allow 3 business days to complete registration.

Specification Number: 1360020 Page 2 Type of Funding:

Title: BACP-Neighborhood Business Network - Business Support

Table of Contents

1 Header Information

1.1 General Information

1.2 Terms

1.3 Requirements

1.4 Attachments

1.5 Response Rules

2 Price Schedule

2.1 Line Information

2.2 Line Details

2.2.1 Line 1

2.2.2 Line 2

2.2.3 Line 3

2.2.4 Line 4

2.2.5 Line 5

2.2.6 Line 6

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2.2.8 Line 8

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Specification Number: 1360020 Page 3 Type of Funding:

Title: BACP-Neighborhood Business Network - Business Support

1 Header Information

1.1 General Information

Title BACP-Neighborhood Business Network - Business Support

Description BACP-Neighborhood Business Network - Business Support Preview Date Not Specified Open Date 06-OCT-2026 09:00:00

Close Date 12:00 PM Central Time, 06-NOV-2026

Award Date Not Specified

Time Zone Central Time Buyer PHILLIPS, MAURICE Quote Style Blind Email Maurice.

Phillips@cityofchicago.org Event Delegate Agency Outcome Delegate Agency Blanket

Agreement

1.2 Terms

Effective Start Date 06-OCT-2026 Effective End Date 06-NOV-2026

Ship-To Address 070-2005 BUS

AFFAIRS AND

CONSUMER PROT

121 N. LaSalle St. Rm.

Chicago, IL 60602 United States

Bill-To Address 070-2005 BUS AFFAIRS

AND CONSUMER PROT

121 N. LaSalle St. Rm. 805 Chicago, IL 60602 United States

Payment Terms IMMEDIATE Carrier FOB CITY OF CHICAGO Freight Terms

Currency USD (US Dollar) Price Precision Any Total Agreement

Amount (USD) Not Specified Minimum Release

Amount (USD) Not Specified

1.3 Requirements

Contact First Name

Provide your answer below

Last Name

Provide your answer below

Telephone Number

Provide your answer below

Specification Number: 1360020 Page 4 Type of Funding:

Title: BACP-Neighborhood Business Network - Business Support

Contact

E-mail Address

Provide your answer below

Contact Title/Position

Provide your answer below

Organization Information Legal Name of the organization exactly as it appears on your State of Illinois business registration documentation.

Provide your answer below

Doing Business As (DBA) Name exactly as it appears on your State of Illinois business registration documentation.

Provide your answer below

Address (Physical headquarter address; no P.O. Box allowed)

Provide your answer below

City

Specification Number: 1360020 Page 5 Type of Funding:

Title: BACP-Neighborhood Business Network - Business Support

Organization Information

State

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Zip

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County

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Organization (Main) Telephone Number

Provide your answer below

Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN)

Provide your answer below

Unique Entity Identification (UEI) Number (Official identifier for doing business with the U.S.

Government as of April 4, 2022; Replaced the DUNS Number)

Specification Number: 1360020 Page 6 Type of Funding:

Title: BACP-Neighborhood Business Network - Business Support

Organization Information

Head of Agency (Executive Director/CEO) Name

Provide your answer below

Head of Agency Title

Provide your answer below

Head of Agency Telephone Number

Provide your answer below

Head of Agency E-mail Address

Provide your answer below

Website Address and Social Media Handles (i.e. public username of your organization's social media accounts)

Provide your answer below

Organization Establish Date

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Title: BACP-Neighborhood Business Network - Business Support

Organization Information

Board President Full Name

Provide your answer below

Board President Phone Number

Provide your answer below

Board President Email Address

Provide your answer below

Program Design Program Overview: Provide an overview of your program design and explain how your Neighborhood Business Network - Business Support (NBN - BS) program will address the objectives outlined in the

RFP.

Provide your answer below

Program Services: Review the scope of services outlined in the RFP and, using the list below, identify all services that apply and, for each service identified, describe your organization's proposed approach to delivering the service, including key activities, service availability, and methods of implementation.

Business Hub, Business Coaching, Business Consulting (Business Planning, Financial Planning, Marketing & Branding, Operational Support, Regulatory Compliance), Business Education, Business Outreach, Partnerships & Collaborations, Technical Assistance, Referrals

Specification Number: 1360020 Page 8 Type of Funding:

Title: BACP-Neighborhood Business Network - Business Support

Program Design

Program Accessibility: Describe how prospective NBN clients will access programs, services, and resources offered through your organization's NBN-BS program. Delegate agencies will be required to maintain a dedicated email address and website for their NBN-BS program. NBN-BS delegate agencies are strongly encouraged to develop service request forms. If your organization utilizes a service request form, please attach or link the form.

Provide your answer below

Service Area: Identify the Chicago Community Area(s) your organization will service (e.g., Austin, Humboldt Park) and describe the key needs or challenges your program will address in each. To confirm community area names and boundaries, see the City of Chicago's Community Areas Map at: https://data.

cityofchicago.org/Facilities-Geographic-Boundaries/Community-Areas-MAP/3fqw-rq4x?

defaultRender=map. If your services focus on specific commercial or industrial corridors, also provide the street boundaries for each corridor, either as an address range (e.g.,3000-4000 W. Chicago Ave.) or as cross streets (e.g., Chicago Ave. from Sacramento Ave. to Pulaski Rd.).

Provide your answer below

Work Program: Complete and attach the Work Program Form provided with this RFP, listing proposed activities and deliverables that match the services described in the previous question.

Provide your answer below

Program Summary: Attach a one-page summary of your proposed NBN-BS program that reflects the services described in your response to the previous questions. The summary must identify the no-cost services your organization will provide, the Community Areas it will service, its service hours, how businesses can access services (such as walk-in, by appointment, or virtually), and contact information for program staff.

Provide your answer below

Program Strength Experience: Please describe your organization's experience executing programs similar in scope to the proposed program (i.e., objectives, size, scale, and budget); if your organization currently receives funding

Specification Number: 1360020 Page 9 Type of Funding:

Title: BACP-Neighborhood Business Network - Business Support

Program Strength for a similar program model, please include a brief statement on performance history, qualifications, and financial capability.

Provide your answer below

Best Practice: Describe the evidence or best practices that support the effectiveness of your proposed NBN-BS program. This may include evaluations or outcome data from your own past programs, studies of similar programs, or widely recognized best practices in small business support. For each source you cite, briefly explain how it applies to your proposed services and how it informs your program design.

Provide your answer below

Outreach Plan: Describe how your organization, along with subcontractors or partners, will promote the NBN-BS program and reach businesses in the Community Areas you serve. Your response should explain overall communication plan, including the channels and languages you will use; your specific outreach strategies, such as door-to-door canvassing, events, social media, or partnerships with local organizations;

and the features of your program or approach designed to engage the small business owners in your service area, including those who may be hard to reach.

Provide your answer below

Partnerships: Describe how your organization will partner or coordinate with other agencies and organizations to expand the reach or improve the quality of its NBN-BS program. Identify specific current or planned partners, the role each will play (such as referrals, co-hosted workshops, shared outreach, or specialized expertise), and describe how these partnerships will benefit businesses in the Community Areas you serve. If your organization currently refers clients to outside organizations, describe the types of organizations you refer them to. Also explain whether you track if clients actually receive services or resources from those referral partners.

Provide your answer below

Clients: Describe the typical client journey from initial intake through assessment, service delivery, follow-up, and, when appropriate, referral or continued engagement.

Specification Number: 1360020 Page 10 Type of Funding:

Title: BACP-Neighborhood Business Network - Business Support

Program Strength

Performance Management Performance: Provide program-level data from the past 12 months that demonstrates your organization's performance in delivering small business support services similar to those proposed. Examples include the number of businesses served, types and volume of services delivered, and outcomes achieved, such as businesses started, jobs created, or capital accessed. If your organization served as a delegate agency for the Neighborhood Business Development Center program during the 2025 or 2026 program year, also report your current voucher and deliverable rating as shown on your program dashboard.

Provide your answer below

Compliance: Please describe how your organization intends to comply with the program's monthly reporting and invoicing requirements. How will your organization measure the program's performance, collect data, and track or verify outcomes? Discuss who will be responsible for invoicing and reporting program progress and their qualifications.

Provide your answer below

Organizational Capacity Organization Overview: Please provide a narrative overview of your organization. The narrative should, at a minimum, address the following items: the organization's mission, the organization's philosophy, and current economic and demographic data regarding service community area(s).

Provide your answer below

Program Infrastructure: Describe the infrastructure your organization has in place to operate the NBN-BS program. Your response should address your communication tools, including website, email, social media accounts, and office telephone, as well as the technology, equipment, and systems that allow staff to deliver services and conduct program operations remotely or virtually when needed. NBN delegate agencies are required to maintain a dedicated program webpage (delegateagency.org/NBN) and email address (NBN@delegateagency.org). Identify any gaps in your current infrastructure and explain how you will address them before the program launch.

Specification Number: 1360020 Page 11 Type of Funding:

Title: BACP-Neighborhood Business Network - Business Support

Organizational Capacity

Staffing: Describe the staff your organization will dedicate to the NBN-BS program and explain why this staffing plan is sufficient to deliver the proposed services. Your response should cover program staff, program oversight, and general management responsibilities, identifying each relevant position, its responsibilities, the percentage of time it will devote to the program, and the qualifications and small business support experience of the person filling it. If any positions are currently vacant or will be newly created, describe your strategy and timeline for filling them before the program launch. Attach your organization's organizational chart showing its administrative structure and staff positions, along with resumes for all staff who will carry out the program.

Provide your answer below

Staff Training: What ongoing and relevant training and/or continuing education opportunities are made available to the staff working on this program? How do staff stay current on how best to support small businesses?

Provide your answer below

Data Collection: How does your agency collect and securely store data? Please describe your data collection and management practices (e.g., surveys, data share agreements), highlighting how you keep data secure, where you store data, your ability to enter data in a timely manner, and your process for data quality assurance. Please include in your answer both how training survey data will be stored as well as any support provided to participants who enroll in your services.

Provide your answer below

Legal and Tax Standing: Summarize any pending lawsuits, unsatisfied judgements, or judgement liens currently filed against your organization or any of its officers, owners, principals, employees, subsidiaries, or affiliates. Also identify any outstanding issues with the IRS, including late filings or unpaid taxes. If none apply, answer "N/A".

Financial Management and Filings: State your organization's fiscal year and describe its auditing practices, Specification Number: 1360020 Page 12 Type of Funding:

Title: BACP-Neighborhood Business Network - Business Support

Organizational Capacity including how often audits are conducted and whether they are performed internally or by an independent auditor. Attach copies of your three most recent Form 990 filings or equivalent. If your organization is too new to have filed three years of returns, attach a current Illinois Certificate of Good Standing instead.

Provide your answer below

Budget Management and Cost Effectiveness Funding Source: Describe how your organization will use other funding to supplement City funds for the NBN-BS program. Identify any funding already secured and any sources you plan to pursue, such as grants, private donations, corporate sponsorships, or earned revenue, and for each source include the amount committed or sought, its current status, and how the funds will be used to support or expand the program. Also explain how you will sustain program operations if anticipated funding is not received.

Value Type Numeric Value only Provide your answer below

Cash Flow: The NBN-BS program is a reimbursement-based grant program. Please describe your organization's financial capacity (cash flow) to expend funds before reimbursement.

Provide your answer below

Program Cost: Why do you consider your program costs to be reasonable, given the nature of services provided and requirements for this program? (If desired, you are welcome to explain any key budgeting decisions faced and the rationale for inclusion in your program costs).

Provide your answer below

Program Budget: Complete and attach the Program Budget Form with this RFP.

Specification Number: 1360020 Page 13 Type of Funding:

Title: BACP-Neighborhood Business Network - Business Support

Budget Management and Cost Effectiveness

Overall Responsiveness Completeness: Confirm that you have attached the following required documents in the administrative section of your application: Articles of Incoporation, Board Bylaws, Board Member Roster, Current Financial Statement, IL Certificate of Good Standing, IRS Determination Letter, IRS Form 990 (2022 to 2025), Organizational Chart, Program Budget Form, Program Staff Resumes, Proof of Liability Insurance, Service Request Form, Work Program. Applications that are incomplete or missing required documentation may not be scored.

Provide your answer below

Conflict of Interest Did you complete and attach the Conflict of Interest Questionnaire?

Circle one from the response values below:

Yes No

1.4 Attachments

Name Data Type Description

ATTACHMENT 01: RFP

Supplemental Document

File

ATTACHMENT 02: RFP

Questions

File RFP Questions

1.5 Response Rules

Solicitation is restricted to invited suppliers X Suppliers are allowed to respond to selected lines X Suppliers are allowed to provide multiple responses Buyer may close the solicitation before the Close Date Buyer may manually extend the solicitation while it is open

Specification Number: 1360020 Page 14 Type of Funding:

Title: BACP-Neighborhood Business Network - Business Support

2 Price Schedule

2.1 Line Information

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1 0005 - Personnel 1 USD 2 0044 - Fringe Benefits

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3 0100 - Operating/Technical

1 USD

4 0140 - Professional and Technical Services

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5 0200 - Travel 1 USD 6 0300 - Materials and Supplies

1 USD

7 0400 - Equipment 1 USD 8 0801 - Indirect 1 USD 9 0999 - Other 1 USD

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BRANDON JOHNSON TIFFANY BROOKS

MAYOR ACTING COMMISSIONER

CITY OF CHICAGO

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP) FOR

NEIGHBORHOOD BUSINESS NETWORK

BUSINESS SUPPORT (NBN - BS)

RFP # 77331

ISSUED BY:

CITY OF CHICAGO DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS AFFAIRS & CONSUMER PROTECTION (BACP)

Submit all proposals via the eProcurement system.

http://www.cityofchicago.org/eprocurement

Questions concerning the RFP should be directed to

James M. Harris

Assistant Commissioner

Department of Business Affairs & Consumer Protections

121 N. LaSalle, Room 805

Chicago, Illinois 60602

Email: james.harris@cityofchicago.org http://www.cityofchicago.org/eprocurement mailto:james.harris@cityofchicago.org

TABLE OF CONTENTS

OBTAINING SOLICITATION DOCUMENTS………………………………………………………………………………...3

DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW…………………………………………………………………………….……………………..…… 3

PROGRAM OVERVIEW…………………………………………………………………………………………………………..….. 3

PROGRAM SPECIFICATIONS….…………………………………………………………………………….…………….…

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS…………………………………………………………………………………………..…………. 6

SCORING CRITERIA……………………………………………………………………………………………………..…………….7

SELECTION CRITERIA……………………………………………………………………………………………………..………...8

ANTICIPATED TERM OF CONTRACT AND FUNDING SOURCE ……………………………………..………... 8

RFP DUE DATE……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 8

PRE-SUBMITTAL CONFERENCE………………………………………………………………………………………..………. 8

PROGRAM CONTACT…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 9

E-PROCUREMENT SYSTEM…………………………………………………………………………………………………..…..9

CANCELLATION…………………………………………………………………………………………………..……………………. 9

COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS, STATUTES, ORDINANCES, and EXECUTIVE ORDERS…..……………..10

OBTAINING SOLICITATION DOCUMENTS

This Request for Proposal (RFP) may be viewed and downloaded from the Department of Procurement Services’ (DPS) “iSupplier” Portal Online eProcurement System at Chicago.gov/eprocurement. Click on “Current Bids and Solicitation Opportunities”, then “eProcurement Bid and RFP Solicitation Opportunities”. Find and select the program noted in this RFP.

Respondents are solely responsible for obtaining all RFP Solicitation Documents, including Clarifications and Addenda. To receive Notice of Clarifications and Addenda, Respondents must log in to iSupplier, search for the RFP solicitation number, review, and accept the disclaimer. The City accepts no responsibility for the timely delivery of materials or failure of the Respondent to submit required information, as identified in this RFP. The City will not accept Proposals that are not received via “iSupplier” by the deadline of this RFP.

DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW

The Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP) ensures a fair and vibrant marketplace for businesses, workers, and consumers in the City of Chicago (The City). BACP licenses businesses and public vehicles, regulates business activity, protects consumers from fraud, enforces Chicago’s labor laws, partners with business-service organizations, and provides education and resources for businesses.

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Chicago’s small businesses are the foundation of thriving neighborhoods, vibrant commercial corridors, and a strong local economy. They create jobs, spur economic growth, and provide pathways to economic self-sufficiency and wealth-building for entrepreneurs. According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, small businesses employ 62.3 million people, representing

45.9 percent of private-sector workers in the United States.

Small business support programs such as the Neighborhood Business Network (NBN) play a critical role in supporting the sustainability and growth of Chicago-based small businesses.

Every day, NBN delegate agencies work alongside entrepreneurs to help them start, grow, and scale their businesses. Through trusted, hyper-local technical assistance, delegates connect business owners to critical resources, help them navigate government processes, and provide guidance tailored to the needs of Chicago’s diverse business communities.

This RFP seeks qualified proposals to support the implementation and delivery of services under the NEIGHBORHOOD BUSINESS NETWORK – BUSINESS SUPPORT (NBN-BS) program subcategory.

PROGRAM SPECIFICATIONS

Eligibility: To be eligible, delegate agencies must be nonprofit, community-based organizations that provide direct services, resources, technical assistance, training, advising, or connections to resources that help entrepreneurs and small businesses start, operate, grow, and become sustainable.

Compensation – Reimbursement grants will be awarded in increments of $25,000 up to $100,000, based on the program track selected and the scope and volume of services, community area coverage, and proposed activities, subject to available funding. Funding tiers are as follows:

• $25,000 - Limited Service

• $50,000 - Expanded Service

• $75,000 - Comprehensive Service

• $100,000 - Full Service

This initiative is funded by the City of Chicago’s Corporate Fund.

Program Design – Delegate agencies may provide services directly to entrepreneurs or use a hub-and-spoke model, partnering with subgrantees to expand geographic reach and/or offer a broader or more specialized range of services. When using subgrantees, the lead organization oversees deliverable reporting and issues payments. Subgrantees may be paid according to a payment schedule the lead organization establishes.

Program Objective – Small business owners routinely face complex challenges in their day-to-day operations and may lack the internal expertise or financial resources needed to access qualified guidance and support. Further, through benchmarking and robust community engagement, the City has identified various neighborhoods and corridors of commercial and/or cultural significance that would benefit from more specialized, industry-specific support. The objective of the Neighborhood Business Network – Business Support (NBN-BS) is to address these challenges by providing entrepreneurs with ongoing, no-cost access to qualified expertise in critical business areas, including finance, operations, marketing, sales, business development, information technology, compliance, and human resources; and where appropriate, industry-relevant outreach and education. Support is delivered through individualized consultations, coaching, educational programming, and targeted outreach.

Scope of Services – The scope of services will encompass activities that support and advance the program objectives, as detailed in the work program the City provides to the selected delegate. All assistance, resources, or programming provided through the NBN-BS program must be provided to entrepreneurs at no cost. The City reserves the right to approve, modify, or exclude proposed services when determining an applicant's final scope of services and funding tier. The selected delegates may provide some or all of the following services:

• Business Hub – Provide an accessible physical location that serves as a centralized resource for entrepreneurs and small businesses to receive business education, one-on-one coaching and consultations, technical assistance, referrals, and connections to resources that support business startup, operations, growth, and sustainability.

• Coaching – Provide ongoing business coaching to entrepreneurs to strengthen business acumen, address specific challenges, and achieve defined business goals.

• Consulting – Provide one-on-one consultations to entrepreneurs on the following subjects:

o Business Planning – Assist small businesses in developing business plans, defining goals, and creating strategies, including but not limited to assistance with business planning, succession planning, competitive analysis, feasibility studies, exit strategies, and strategic growth planning.

o Financial Planning – Assist small businesses in managing finances, improving cash flow, and securing funding, including but not limited to assistance with financial forecasting, budgeting, funding strategies, cash flow management, pricing strategies, and investment readiness.

o Marketing & Branding – Assist small businesses in building a strong brand identity and effectively marketing their products or services, including but not limited to assistance with branding strategy, digital marketing, social media planning, customer engagement, content creation, and competitive positioning.

o Operational Support – Assist small businesses in optimizing operations to enhance productivity, reduce costs, and improve workflows, including but not limited to assistance with process improvement, supply chain management, cost reduction strategies, inventory management, and technology integration.

o Regulatory Compliance – Assist small businesses in adhering to legal and industry regulations to mitigate risks and penalties, including but not limited to assistance with business licensing, permits, tax compliance, employment law adherence, contract review, and industry-specific regulations.

• Education – Provide business education through workshops, webinars, and cohort-based training designed to strengthen entrepreneurs’ knowledge, skills, business acumen, and capacity to effectively operate and grow their businesses.

• Outreach – Conduct proactive outreach on behalf of the City to inform and engage local businesses regarding available funding and grant opportunities, regulatory and policy changes, business license requirements and renewals, and other programs, resources, and initiatives that support business compliance, growth, and sustainability.

• Partnerships & Collaborations – Facilitate structured opportunities for businesses and entrepreneurs to connect with residents, community organizations and/or each other;

collaborate on solutions to common challenges; and strengthen the business ecosystem while reducing duplication of effort.

• Technical Assistance – Provide technical assistance to small businesses navigating the processes for obtaining City business licenses, building permits, and grant funding.

• Referrals – Leverage the NBN ecosystem to identify and address service gaps by connecting individuals to appropriate resources and services through referrals, as needed.

Deliverables: Delegates must produce and report on various deliverables included in their work program. “Deliverables” refer to all work products created by the delegate for the City as part of the NBN program. The City reserves the right to reject any deliverables that lack relevant information or documentation, or that fail to include all materials specified in the work program or are reasonably necessary for the City’s intended use.

• Activity Reporting: Submit monthly activity and outcome reports to track program performance and key metrics.

• Participation – Substantial participation in Neighborhood Business Network - Peer Support (NBN-PS) programming, training, and collaborative initiatives is required.

• Program Email: Provide entrepreneurs with a program email address (NBN@domain.com) they can use to contact the NBN delegate organization for services and support.

• Program Webpage: Develop and maintain a dedicated program webpage (domain.com/NBN) that provides up-to-date information on all assistance, resources, and programming available to entrepreneurs at no cost through the NBN-BS program.

• Service Request Form: Provide an online form for entrepreneurs to request no-cost assistance, resources, or programming through the delegate organization’s Neighborhood Business Network program.

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

Standard of Performance. Delegates must perform all services required of the delegate with that degree of skill, care, and diligence normally shown by a contractor performing services of a scope and purpose and magnitude comparable with the nature of the Services to be provided under this program. Delegates acknowledge that they are entrusted with, or have access to, valuable and confidential information and records of the City, and agree that, with respect to that information, they will be held to the standard of care of a fiduciary.

Delegates must ensure that all services requiring the exercise of professional skills or judgment are performed by professionals who are qualified, competent in the applicable discipline, and appropriately licensed, if required by law. Delegates must provide copies of any such licenses.

Delegates remain responsible for the professional and technical accuracy of all services or deliverables furnished, whether by the delegate or its Sub-contractors or others on its behalf. All Deliverables must be prepared in a form and content satisfactory to the Department and delivered in a timely manner consistent with program requirements.

Method of Payment. Using the City’s web-based E-Vouchering system, delegates will submit MONTHLY requisitions for reimbursement (each, a “Requisition”) identifying the payment due for the services performed and/or costs incurred and paid directly by the delegate in such detail and supported by such documents as required by the City. Delegates must submit Requisitions within 15 days after the end of the month in which the delegate performed Services and/or incurred and paid costs. The City will reject any Requisition that includes costs that were incurred or paid by any party other than you.

Insurance. Successful delegates must provide the insurance coverages required by the City and name the City as an additional insured.

Delegates must submit Certificates of Insurance of the required coverages prior to this Agreement being fully executed, following the instructions on the website located at www.chicago.gov/myCOIregistration or to such other website and/or email address specified by the City.

http://www.chicago.gov/myCOIregistration

SCORING CRITERIA

Proposals will be scored based on the following criteria, with a maximum score of 100.

• Program Design – 40 points o Quality of the program design and its effectiveness in addressing the RFP objectives.

o Clarity of the proposed approach to delivering each selected NBN-BS service.

o Accessibility of services to prospective clients, including dedicated program email, website, and service request process.

o Clear identification of the Community Areas and/or corridors served and the needs addressed in each.

o Completeness of the Work Program Form and alignment of activities and deliverables with proposed services.

o Quality of the one-page program summary.

• Program Strength – 25 points o Demonstrated experience and successful performance executing programs of similar scope, size, scale, and budget.

o Use of evidence or recognized best practices to inform the program design.

o Effectiveness of the outreach plan in reaching businesses in the service area, including hard-to-reach business owners.

o Strength of current or planned partnerships and referral tracking.

o Demonstrated client journey from intake through follow-up.

• Performance Management – 15 points o Demonstrated performance in delivering small business support services over the past 12 months, including NBDC ratings where applicable.

o Demonstrated ability to meet monthly reporting and invoicing requirements and to track and verify outcomes.

• Organizational Capacity – 10 points o Clarity of the organization's mission, philosophy, and understanding of its service area.

o Sufficient program infrastructure, staffing, and staff training to deliver the proposed services.

o Secure data collection and management practices.

o Sound legal, tax, and financial standing, as evidenced by audit practices and IRS

Form 990 filings.

• Budget Management and Cost Effectiveness – 5 points o Demonstrated use of leveraged funding and capacity to cover program costs before reimbursement.

o Reasonableness of program costs and completeness of the Program Budget

Form.

• Overall Responsiveness – 5 points o Submission of all required documents.

SELECTION CRITERIA

All complete proposals that are received by the deadline will undergo a technical review to determine whether all required components have been addressed and included. BACP will disqualify proposals received after the deadline. BACP may not consider incomplete proposals. Incomplete proposals include, but are not limited to, those that fail to address all required application questions. BACP reserves the right to waive irregularities that, within its sole discretion, BACP determines to be minor. If BACP waives such irregularities, it will waive similar irregularities in all proposals. BACP will forward complete proposals to a Review Panel.

The Review Panel will evaluate and score all remaining proposals according to the established scoring criteria.

BACP reserves the right to recommend qualified funding proposals out of rank to ensure adequate geographic distribution of services throughout the city, minimize duplication of similar service offerings within the same service area, and prevent a disproportionate number of service providers within a service area that does not have the corresponding amount of business support needs. Qualified proposals will be scored against proposals in the same modality or service type.

City funding for the NBN program is meant to be a minor supplement to an applicant’s fundraising efforts, member dues, or revenue from events or other sources, and should NOT be the sole source of a business-serving organization’s funding.

ANTICIPATED TERM OF CONTRACT AND FUNDING SOURCE

The term of contract(s) executed under this RFP will be from January 1st, 2027, through December 31st, 2027. Based on need, availability of funds, and contractor performance, the Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection may extend this term for up to four (4) additional periods, with each period not to exceed one year. BACP intends to award between 60 and 80 contracts in an amount ranging between $25,000 and $100,000, totaling an annual amount of $2,877,000.

This program is administered by the Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection through the City of Chicago’s Corporate Fund. Consequently, all guidelines and requirements of the Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection and the City of Chicago must be met. Additionally, all delegate agencies must comply with the Single Audit Act if applicable.

Should a selected Respondent’s contract be terminated or relinquished for any reason, BACP reserves the right to return to the pool of Respondents generated from this RFP to select another qualified Respondent.

RFP DUE DATE

Application Due Date: 11/06/2026 before 12:00 PM Central Time.

PRE-SUBMITTAL CONFERENCE

A virtual pre-submittal conference will be held on 10/13/2026 at 2:00 PM Central Time.

Interested applicants may join the virtual conference using the following link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81420466495?pwd=4C3sNIM4lAgA7Z0J7v6M7pXHjepJme.1 https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81420466495?pwd=4C3sNIM4lAgA7Z0J7v6M7pXHjepJme.1

The pre-submittal conference will clarify the RFP process and the scope of the required services.

Attendance is not mandatory, but interested applicants are strongly encouraged to attend.

Questions can be emailed to james.harris@cityofchicago.org.

PROGRAM CONTACT

James M. Harris, Assistant Commissioner Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protections 121 N. LaSalle, Room 805 Chicago, Illinois 60602 Email: james.harris@cityofchicago.org

E-PROCUREMENT SYSTEM

Proposals must be submitted via online application. BACP will not accept proposals submitted by email or fax.

To complete an application for this RFP, applicants must set up an account in the new eProcurement/iSupplier system.

The Department of Procurement Services (DPS) manages the iSupplier registration process. All delegate agencies must register in the iSupplier portal at www.cityofchicago.org/eProcurement.

All vendors must have a Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN) and an IRS W9 to register and confirm vendor business information.

a. New Vendors – Must register at www.cityofchicago.org/eProcurement.

Registering in iSupplier is the first step in ensuring your organization can conduct business with the City of Chicago and BACP. Please allow five to seven days for your registration to be processed.

b. Existing Vendors – Must request an iSupplier invitation via email. Include your Complete Company Name and City of Chicago Vendor/Supplier Number (found on the front page of your contract) in your email to customersupport@cityofchicago.org. You will then receive a response from DPS so you can complete the registration process. Please check your junk email folder if you have made a request and have not heard back, as many agencies have reported responses going to their junk folder.

To receive training about all aspects of the eProcurement system, register using the link below and include the name of the organization that you will represent. Training will cover eProcurement functions such as iSupplier registration and overview, responding to RFPs, creating invoices, and reviewing/tracking payments.

For further eProcurement help, use the following contacts:

o Questions on Registration: customersupport@cityofchicago.org o Questions on eProcurement for Delegate Agencies including:

CustomerSupport@cityofchicago.org or contact the eProcurement hotline at

312-744-4357 (HELP)

o Online Training Materials:

https://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/dps/isupplier/online-training-mailto:james.harris@cityofchicago.org mailto:james.harris@cityofchicago.org http://www.cityofchicago.org/eProcurement http://www.cityofchicago.org/eProcurement mailto:customersupport@cityofchicago.org mailto:customersupport@cityofchicago.org mailto:CustomerSupport@cityofchicago.org https://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/dps/isupplier/online-training-materials.html materials.html

If you are having difficulty registering additional people, please refer to this handout:

https://www.cityofchicago.org/content/dam/city/depts/dps/isupplier/training/Vendor_Create_ New_Address_and_Contact.pdf

Here is a link to all additional technical assistance videos and handouts:

https://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/dps/isupplier/online-training-materials.html

Additionally, respondents may email CustomerSupport@cityofchicago.org for more specific advice and troubleshooting.

Respondents must submit an application for the request for proposal via eProcurement.

For this application, all answers to application questions are limited to 4,000 characters, including spaces and punctuation.

CANCELLATION

Selections will not be final until the City and the selected Respondent have fully negotiated and executed a contract. The City assumes no liability for costs incurred in responding to this RFP or for costs incurred by the selected Respondent in anticipation of a fully executed contract.

Receipt of a final application does not commit the department to award a grant to pay any costs incurred in the preparation of an application. In no event shall the City be liable to respondents for any costs or damages incurred by respondents, team members, consultants, or other interested parties in connection with the RFP process, including but not limited to any and all costs of preparing the preliminary cost budget, architectural drawings and renderings, or other submitted materials, and participation in any conferences, oral presentations, or negotiations.

COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS, STATUTES, ORDINANCES, and EXECUTIVE ORDERS

Grant awards will not be final until the City and the respondent have fully negotiated and executed a grant agreement. All payments under grant agreements are subject to annual appropriation and availability of funds. The City assumes no liability for costs incurred in responding to this RFP or for costs incurred by the respondent in anticipation of a grant agreement. As a condition of a grant award, respondents must comply with the following and with each provision of the grant agreement:

1. Conflict of Interest Clause: No member of the governing body of the City of Chicago or other unit of government and no other officer, employee, or agent of the City of Chicago or other government unit who exercises any functions or responsibilities in connection with the carrying out of the project shall have any personal interest, direct or indirect, in the grant agreement.

a. The respondent covenants that he/she presently has no interest, and shall not acquire any interest, direct or indirect, in the project to which the grant agreement pertains which would conflict in any manner or degree with the performance of his/her work hereunder. The respondent further covenants that in the performance of the grant agreement no person having any such interest shall be employed.

2. Governmental Ethics Ordinance, Chapter 2-156: All respondents agree to comply with the Governmental Ethics Ordinance, Chapter 2-156 which includes the following provisions: a) a representation by the respondent that he/she has not procured the https://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/dps/isupplier/online-training-materials.html https://www.cityofchicago.org/content/dam/city/depts/dps/isupplier/training/Vendor_Create_New_Address_and_Contact.pdf https://www.cityofchicago.org/content/dam/city/depts/dps/isupplier/training/Vendor_Create_New_Address_and_Contact.pdf https://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/dps/isupplier/online-training-materials.html grant agreement in violation of this order; and b) a provision that any grant agreement which the respondent has negotiated, entered into, or performed in violation of any of the provisions of this Ordinance shall be voidable by the City.

3. Selected respondents shall establish procedures and policies to promote a drug-free workplace. The selected respondent shall notify employees of its policy for maintaining a drug-free workplace, and the penalties that may be imposed for drug abuse violations occurring in the workplace. The selected respondent shall notify the City if any of its employees are convicted of a criminal offense in the workplace no later than ten days after such conviction.

4. Business Relationships with Elected Officials - Pursuant to Section 2-156-030(b) of the Municipal Code of Chicago, as amended (the "Municipal Code") it is illegal for any elected official of the City, or any person acting at the direction of such official, to contact, either orally or in writing, any other City official or employee with respect to any matter involving any person with whom the elected official has a business relationship, or to participate in any discussion in any City Council committee hearing or in any City Council meeting or to vote on any matter involving the person with whom an elected official has a business relationship. Violation of Section 2-156-030(b) by any elected official with respect to the grant agreement shall be grounds for termination of the grant agreement. The term business relationship is defined as set forth in Section 2- 156-080 of the Municipal Code.

a. Section 2-156-080 defines a “ business relationship” as any contractual or other private business dealing of an official, or his or her spouse or domestic partner, or of any entity in which an official or his or her spouse or domestic partner has a financial interest, with a person or entity which entitles an official to compensation or payment in the amount of $2,500 or more in a calendar year;

provided, however, a financial interest shall not include: (i) any ownership through purchase at fair market value or inheritance of less than one percent of the share of a corporation, or any corporate subsidiary, parent or affiliate thereof, regardless of the value of or dividends on such shares, if such shares are registered on a securities exchange pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; (ii) the authorized compensation paid to an official or employee for his office or employment; (iii) any economic benefit provided equally to all residents of the City; (iv) a time or demand deposit in a financial institution; or (v) an endowment or insurance policy or annuity contract purchased from an insurance company. A “contractual or other private business dealing” shall not include any employment relationship of an official’s spouse or domestic partner with an entity when such spouse or domestic partner has no discretion concerning or input relating to the relationship between that entity and the City.

5. Compliance with Federal, State of Illinois and City of Chicago regulations, ordinances, policies, procedures, rules, executive orders and requirements, including Disclosure of Ownership Interests Ordinance (Chapter 2-154 of the Municipal Code); the State of Illinois - Certification Affidavit Statute (Illinois Criminal Code); State Tax Delinquencies (65ILCS 5/11-42.1-1); Governmental Ethics Ordinance (Chapter 2-156 of the Municipal Code); Office of the Inspector General Ordinance (Chapter 2-56 of the Municipal Code);

Child Support Arrearage Ordinance (Section 2-92-380 of the Municipal Code); and Landscape Ordinance (Chapters 32 and 194A of the Municipal Code).

6. If selected for grant award, respondents are required to (a) execute the Economic Disclosure Statement and Affidavit, and (b) indemnify the City as described in the grant agreement between the City and the successful respondents.

7. Prohibition on Certain Contributions, Mayoral Executive Order 2011-4. Neither you nor any person or entity who directly or indirectly has an ownership or beneficial interest in you of more than 7.5% ("Owners"), spouses and domestic partners of such Owners, your Subcontractors, any person or entity who directly or indirectly has an ownership or beneficial interest in any Subcontractor of more than 7.5% ("Sub-owners") and spouses and domestic partners of such Sub-owners (you and all the other preceding classes of persons and entities are together, the "Identified Parties"), shall make a contribution of any amount to the Mayor of the City of Chicago (the "Mayor") or to his political fundraising committee during (i) the bid or other solicitation process for the grant agreement or Other Contract, including while the grant agreement or Other Contract is executory, (ii) the term of the grant agreement or any Other Contract between City and you, and/or (iii) any period in which an extension of the grant agreement or Other Contract with the City is being sought or negotiated.

a. You represent and warrant that since the date of public advertisement of the specification, request for qualifications, request for proposals or request for information (or any combination of those requests) or, if…