Notice of Intent to Award Summary

This Notice of Intent to Award, issued by the Oregon Business Development Department (Business Oregon) on December 3, 2025, announces the completion of the proposal evaluation process for Bid Solicitation S-12300-00014891 for a Rural Opportunity Initiative (ROI) Consultant to support the 2025-2027 grant program. Kelley Nonprofit Consulting received the highest evaluation score and is identified as the apparent successful proposer. The RFP sought a consultant to provide strategic support to rural Oregon communities, including reviewing work plans, developing marketing materials, supporting grant applications, facilitating ecosystem partnerships, creating tracking documents, and conducting research on entrepreneurial ecosystem models. The evaluation process utilized a 100-point scoring system allocating 45 points to the Project Implementation Plan, 45 points to Qualifications, and 10 points to Price and Value. The bid opening occurred on October 31, 2025, with the notice of intent to award issued on December 3, 2025, and the contract period extending through June 30, 2027.

The contract budget is not to exceed $175,000 from the $2.1 million Oregon Legislature allocation for ROI during the 2025-2027 biennium. The procurement prioritized small businesses certified by the Oregon Certification Office for Business Inclusion and Diversity (COBID), specifically targeting disadvantaged, minority-owned, woman-owned, veteran-owned, and emerging small businesses, requiring proposers to submit a COBID Certification Outreach Plan. Mandatory proposal attachments included a Disclosure Exemption Affidavit, Reference Check Form, Proposer Information and Certification Sheet, and Responsibility Inquiry form, with requirements for comprehensive disclosures regarding business history, financial stability, legal standing, and organizational capacity. The previous biennium's ROI program awarded grants to 19 rural communities, demonstrating an established initiative with proven success in supporting rural entrepreneurship.