CRP_RFP_BiddersConference_Questions_6.7.2022.docx

Q & A for Solicitation 22-420DCEO-STRTC-B-28727 for Covid Relief Program RFP

1. This work appears to be related to the American Rescue Plan Act.

0. Is the scope of work focused on recovery from the negative impacts of the pandemic?

Response: Yes, this opportunity is funded by the Economic Development Administration (EDA) as part of a supplemental appropriation under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) “to prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus and for necessary expenses for responding to economic injury as a result of coronavirus.”

0. Will the focus be on projects that can be funded with ARPA funds?

Response: No. The funding for the development of this economic plan is funded through EDA’s Statewide Planning Grant Program, which is funded by ARPA. However, the activities or projects recommended in the developed economic plan do not need to be limited to projects that will be or can be funded by other ARPA funds.

0. Is the intent to create a general economic development plan that will replace the Governor's Economic Plan released in 2019?

Response: No. The intent is to complement the Governor’s Economic Plan released in 2019 with an updated analysis of the current environment based on the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

1. Is the intent to create a plan that is incremental and largely builds off existing studies and plans or more transformative?

1. Response: The plan should include where appropriate original research and analysis, but it should take into consideration existing studies and plans. For example, the plan should look at the Governor’s Economic Plan released in 2019, and there may be findings or recommendations that differ from the 2019, especially since the 2019 plan was developed before the COVID-19 pandemic.

1. Are there any specialized, periodic reporting that the successful proposer will need to submit in addition to the deliverables described in the SOW?

2. Response: Yes. In addition to the intermediate and final deliverables stated in the RFP, there will be periodic programmatic and financial reports that are standard with every DCEO award and contract. We will defer to the applicant to recommend any additional reporting required to ensure that their work is meeting the goals of the project in line with DCEO’s expectations.

1. Is it requested training for DCEO staff or other economic development professionals across the state? Response: The training is requested for DCEO staff to work with stakeholders including other economic development professionals across the state.

3. Will the training be industry/sector-specific?

0. Response: The training should be based on the specific findings and recommendations of the economic plan that is developed.

3. How will participants be identified?

1. Response: Participants will be identified by DCEO based on their roles working with external stakeholders to share information about the developed economic plan and help implement the plan’s recommendations. It will primarily be for DCEO’s Regional Economic Development Team, or Team RED.

3. What is desired training delivery method?

2. Response: The training delivery method is flexible and can be discussed during development. Options may include virtual, in-person, or a hybrid model.

3. What is the desired timeline for training development and delivery?

3. Response: The timeline for training development and delivery should be based on the specific findings and recommendations of the economic plan that is developed. It is likely that training cannot begin until the economic plan is finalized. After the economic development plan is finalized, the training must conclude prior to the end of the contract. For example, if the economic development plan is finalized after 9 months, and the contract term is 1 year (12 months), then there would be 3 months to develop and deliver the associated training.

1. What project support will be provided by the State for this project?

4. Response: DCEO’s Office of Policy Planning, Development and Research (PDPR) will be overseeing the project and will provide assistance to the vendor regarding any necessary interactions with or support from the State in order to complete the project. However, the vendor must be able to complete all activities stated in the RFP.

1. Will there be a steering committee to guide development of the plan?

5. Response: This is to-be-determined. DCEO’s Office of Policy Planning, Development, and Research (PDPR) will be overseeing the project and will provide assistance to the vendor regarding any necessary interactions with or support from the State in order to complete the project. This may include putting together a group or steering committee to guide development of the plan. The approach to complete the objectives as described in the RFP, including the formation of a steering committee / senior team, may be included in the bidder’s application as part of their proposal, and DCEO will work with the vendor to develop and approve the approach to developing the economic plan.

1. Which roles / Program Offices in DCEO will be most closely engaged on a daily and weekly basis? For the most engaged roles, how much capacity will each be able to dedicate to this effort?

6. Response: DCEO’s Office of Policy Planning, Development, and Research (PDPR) will be overseeing the project and will provide assistance to the vendor regarding any necessary interactions with or support from the State in order to complete the project. The capacity may vary on a day-to-day and week-to-week basis based on the development schedule of the economic plan and other DCEO activities, which can be discussed during planning and development of the economic plan. DCEO’s PDPR staff will dedicate as much time as necessary to ensure the State’s objectives as stated in the RFP are met. However, the vendor should not rely on DCEO or PDPR staff to perform substantial activities associated with the development of the economic plan – PDPR is providing a support role, and the vendor must be able to complete all activities stated in the RFP.

1. What is the current thinking on the composition of the steering committee / senior team to help guide and lead the effort from the state side?

7. Response: DCEO’s Office of Policy Planning, Development, and Research (PDPR) will be overseeing the project and will provide assistance to the vendor regarding any necessary interactions with or support from the State in order to complete the project. DCEO has not mandated an approach to developing the economic plan, including a steering committee or the specific composition of a potential steering committee. The approach to complete the objectives as described in the RFP, including the formation of a steering committee / senior team, may be included in the bidder’s application as part of their proposal, and DCEO will work with the vendor to develop and approve the approach to developing the economic plan.

1. How is it envisioned that stakeholders beyond DCEO will be engaged, whether other state agencies or post-secondary institutions or local/regional economic development organizations?

8. Response: The vendor should be prepared to engage stakeholders as necessary to complete the activities and objectives of the economic plan as stated in the RFP. DCEO’s Office of Policy Development, Planning and Research (PDPR) will assist the vendor with engaging stakeholders as necessary, including approval of recommended stakeholder engagement, coordination and outreach to other state agencies, post-secondary institutions, and/or local/regional economic development organizations.

1. What recent analyses conducted by DCEO and the state more broadly would be made available to the selected firm so that this effort can build upon prior efforts?

9. Response: The vendor may use any publicly available documents, reports, analysis, etc. that have been conducted by DCEO, the General Assembly, or state more broadly to complete the economic plan. Requests for other information or data that may be helpful to complete the economic plan can be submitted to DCEO and will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

1. Are there any current/prior consulting engagements that relate to the scope of this work? If so, please share further details (scope, firm, timing)?

10. Response: There are not any current/prior consulting engagements related to the scope of this work.

1. Can you help us understand what you mean by a regional basis strategy? Is this specific to counties and higher education institutions?

11. Response: This is not specific to counties and higher education institutions. Illinois is a large, diverse state, and not all recommendations will be suited for a one-size-fits-all statewide approach. A sound economic development strategy will recognize that the diverse regions in Illinois have their own economic assets, industry clusters, and workforce that may have been impacted in disparate ways by the pandemic, and that may require different strategies for recovery and growth. The economic plan may suggest different types of activities for Carbondale versus Chicago. For example, an economic analysis may find a specific industry cluster in a geographic area (e.g., an aerospace cluster in Rockford), focus on strategies in a region around a population center (e.g., greater Peoria region, Urbana-Champaign, etc.), or group together several counties. The economic plan may also find that Illinois should or could consider factors in other states in the Midwest, especially those states that border Illinois. DCEO uses ten economic development regions (EDRs) as the basis for deployment of services through Team RED. The vendor should be aware of these regions, but is not required to rely exclusively on them for analysis and recommendations, if other geographic regions are appropriate.

1. Will the State extend the due date for the RFP for one or two weeks?

12. Response: The due date has been extended to 1:00 PM June 23, 2022.

1. Can you describe the methodology used to develop the 43% BEP goal?

13. Response: Research regarding how the BEP goal is derived is based on a specific calculation of available BEP businesses in relation to all BidBuy businesses that have registered under the specific NIGP class codes that we are seeking for this procurement. The BEP goal is then submitted to CMS BEP for review and approval.

1. Will proposals be evaluated if they fall short of the 43% BEP goal and do not document good faith efforts?

14. Response: All proposals must submit a BEP goal plan. If unable to partner with a certified BEP vendor, the proposal must include documentation of good faith efforts. All BEP utilization plans will be submitted to CMS BEP for review and the determination for BEP responsiveness will be made. Non-responsive proposals will not be further evaluated.

1. Section 3 Part F are the Standard Terms and Conditions. Do we need to include Part F as indicated in A.9.3 on page 7?

15. Response: Yes

1. How should we return Section 3, Part K? Should it be returned with the BEP Utilization Plan?

16. Response: This section can be submitted as a separate document. It is not part of the BEP Utilization Plan.

1. D.6.3 reads, "Please follow the format described in the Proposal Specification Checklist (Section B.4)." But B.4 refers to the diversity commitment and the phrase "Proposal Specification Checklist" does not appear elsewhere in the RFP. Could you correct or clarify this statement?

17. Response: This should be Section B6. The RFP has been corrected.

1. How long does it take to register in IPG and receive a registration number? Would you recommend the prime contractor undertake that process prior to submitting a bid?

18. Response: Please contact IPG regarding the registration process. If contractors aren’t registered, they submit the Forms A. If they are registered with IPG and have an active IPG registration number, they submit Forms B

1. If the prime is completing Forms A but subcontractors are registered in the IPG and have approved/unexpired IPG registration numbers, do they need to fill out the disclosures in Forms A?

19. Response: All participants must provide disclosures

1. As we are required to submit through BidBuy, will procurement accept electronic signatures?

20. Response: Electronic signatures are acceptable.

1. Would you be able to provide the pre-bid conference attendee list with their contact information, if that is available?

21. Response:

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