DRA-DLI-RFP 2012.doc

DELTA REGIONAL AUTHORITY

DELTA LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

RFP #

Issued: April 23, 2012 Submission Deadline: May 25, 2012 Bidders Meeting: June 14, 2012 Deadline for final submission of questions: June 10, 2012

TABLE OF CONTENTS

SECTION 10

Introduction

SECTION 20

Role of the Institution of Higher Education

SECTION 30

The Request for Proposals

SECTION 40

Submission Procedures

SECTION 50

The Review and Evaluation Process

SECTION 60

RFP Terms and Conditions

Section 10

Introduction

The mission of the Delta Leadership Institute (“DLI”) is to recognize, train and develop the leadership skills needed for the 21st Century and for the global challenges of the future in the eight state Delta region. The board of the Delta Regional Authority (“DRA” or “the Authority”) has initiated various programs to help the residents of the Delta to reach these goals. One of the priorities of the DRA is to improve the leadership skills of the region’s current and future leaders. The Delta Leadership Institute is the vehicle through which the DRA will pursue these efforts. The result obtained from the implementation of the DLI programs will be the creation of a cadre of leaders that will work for future improvements in the region by “thinking and acting regionally”.

DRA has previously held seven years of the DLI. The purpose of this RFP is to expand and build upon DLI. The focus of the executive academy training is on regional leadership and topics important to DRA and the Region such as health, information technology, small business, bio-economy, transportation and education. DRA will require the contractor to secure prominent speakers on subject matters vital to the region at each of the sessions to be held in the DRA region and Washington, DC where the participants of DLI will be exposed to issues/cultural history in each of the cities where the meetings/sessions are held and a cultural outing or business excursion be provided at every location. Upon the completion of the Executive Academy the participants should possess the knowledge and skills necessary to make a direct impact in their community, county/parish, and state.

Additionally, DRA will expect the contractor to continually maintain active contact with the alumni of the Executive Academy known as the Delta Leadership Network (“DLN”) and work with alumni on various projects. DRA deems the DLN as one of the most important aspects of the program and as such a greater emphasis will be placed on DLN and how they can be activists for DRA and its programs.

DRA is soliciting competitive proposals because it has determined that this process best serves the needs and interest of DRA and the public. As such, all proposals will be afforded full opportunity to submit proposals in response to the RFP and no person shall be discriminated against on the grounds of race, color age, sex or national origin in consideration for an award issued pursuant to this RFP.

This request for proposals (RFP) solicits from institutions of higher education within the Delta region to work in partnership with the Delta Regional Authority to create a nationally recognized Delta Leadership Institute that will prepare state and local leaders to be catalysts for change in the Delta. DLI will include, but not be limited to:

· An executive academy aimed at key leaders from the public, non-profit and private sectors; this is to be a year long program that will focus on regional leadership with meetings/sessions located in the region;

· And an active alumni program known as “Delta Leadership Network” to encourage ongoing networking and action.

The intent is for this to be an ongoing, multi-year initiative.

The Delta Regional Authority encourages responders to think “outside of the box” and to bring forth ideas that will have a significant impact on the future of the Delta.

Background The Delta Regional Authority The Delta Regional Authority (“DRA” or “the Authority”) was created by Congress in the DRA Act of 2000, as amended, as a federal/state partnership comprised of 252 counties and parishes within the eight states of Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri and Tennessee. The DRA is designed to remedy severe and chronic economic distress by stimulating economic development and fostering partnerships that will have a positive impact on the region’s economy. The authority’s enabling legislation can be found in the Delta Regional Authority Act of 2000, as amended, located under “DRA’s Statute” on www.dra.gov.

The Authority’s Board of Directors

The powers of the authority are vested in the nine (9) members of its board (“the Board”): eight (8) state governors or their alternates, one (1) of whom serves as the state co-chairman, and one (1) federal co-chairman appointed by the president of the United States, with the advice and consent of the Senate.

The Delta Leadership Institute The Delta Leadership Institute will focus on promoting action-oriented leadership in the Delta region. Key objectives include, but are not limited to:

· Instilling in leaders the importance of regional action across jurisdictional boundaries, be they municipal, county or state lines;

· Building awareness of DRA priorities in key areas such as education, bio-economy, transportation, technology, small business and entrepreneurship and healthcare;

· Ensuring that those participating in the executive academy leave with a certifiable body of knowledge and leadership skills;

· Developing a strong network of leaders who can work together across the region; and promoting project-specific action that will make a difference in the region.

· Case Studies during the sessions that pertain to both the good and the bad of the region that can replicated and avoided in their own communities.

· Certificates- each participant will receive (2) trainings per year Section 20 Role of the Institution of Higher Education

Key roles and responsibilities of responding institutions will include, but not be limited to:

· Work with DRA to help guide the work of the institution;

· Develop a marketing plan and related materials to promote the initiative throughout the region;

· Publicly promote the program in the DRA region;

· Design and deliver an executive academy curriculum, subject to approval by DRA;

· Maintain and expand the DLN, subject to approval by DRA;

· Expand upon and maintain the current website for the Executive Academy and the DLN;

· Seek and incorporate program feedback from participants as well as DRA;

· Provide briefings to the DRA board, staff and other interested parties, as requested;

· Provide quarterly reports to DRA staff on 1/15, 4/15, 8/15 for each year of the program until it is closed out; and

· Provide adequate support and accommodate DRA staff members during audits, management assistance visits and coordinate visits to the contractor’s premises.

Role of the Delta Regional Authority Key roles and responsibilities of the DRA will include, but not be limited to:

· Provide and fund a part-time DRA staff member as an on-site program director;

· Assist in securing speakers for initiative events;

· Provide feedback and guidance on program design and related issues; and

· Provide ongoing funding support subject to satisfactory performance under any contract resulting from this RFP as well as to adequate continued federal support of the DRA.

Section 30

The Request for Proposal Submission Requirements

The proposal narrative should provide the following information:

1. Program Strategy: The proposal should describe the institution’s strategy for promoting action-oriented leadership in the Delta region, to include, but not be limited to the following major components under the Delta Leadership Institute umbrella:

· An executive academy aimed at key leaders from the public, non-profit and private sectors;

· Case study work that reflects both the good and bad in the region;

· A certificate program and

· An active alumni program DLN to encourage ongoing networking and action.

The narrative should include discussion of marketing strategies, instructional methods and linkages between the various program components. Innovative approaches are encouraged.

1. Experience and Expertise: The proposal should describe the institution’s experience in designing and delivering leadership development programming. The qualifications of staff/faculty that will be involved in program design and delivery should also be provided.

1. Facilities: The proposal should describe the facilities available to host the Delta Leadership Institute, including facilities for the proposed executive academy. Meetings not held in facilities owned by contractor around the region are the responsibility of the contractor to obtain, subject to approval by DRA.

1. Budget/Funding: The proposal should present a budget for each major component of the initiative, including a breakdown of costs for instructional personnel, materials, facilities, meals and transportation to any off-site activities. The proposal should address any plans the institution has to leverage the contribution from DRA, as needed to cover basic program costs or to expand initiative programming beyond the basics. A commitment of 10% of the total funding for the first year and commitment of at least 15% of the total funding for any additional years to be added to the budget. This may include commitments for contributions from the institution or outside sources.

2. Scholarship- Your RFP should include scholarships for each of the 45 executive academy participants. This should include lodging (provided by the contractor during the session at government rate if possible), mileage (standard government rate from their home to and from the meeting), and meals (provided by the contractor during the meeting) for each meeting up to $5,000 maximum per person for the curriculum year. The contractor is responsible for the reimbursement procedures of any and all travel (mileage, lodging, meals) to each participant. Therefore, the contractor should have an established and effective means by which to do so.

3. Expansion of and improvements for DLI – In light of the programs existence for the previous seven years the proposal should expand upon ideas the institution would like to improve DLI to move this program to the next level.

The board desires to minimize submission of superfluous RFP material, and responding institutions are instructed to organize their responses according to the following format:

· The proposal narrative should not exceed 12 typewritten pages tabbed by category. Font must be Arial and can be no smaller than 10 typeset. 2 pages per section the section will follow as:

Pages 1-2 Program Strategy

Pages 3-4 Experience and Expertise

Pages 5-6 Facilities

Pages 7-8 Budget/Funding

Pages 9-10 Scholarship

Pages 11-12 Expansion of and improvements for DLI

· Supplemental information or background material, if any, must be restricted to appendices following the narrative placed in chapters. Up to additional 10 pages per chapter of supplemental material may be submitted, including curriculum vitae of key personnel, marketing materials from prior leadership development programs and agendas or curriculum materials from prior leadership development programs.

· Pages should be numbered consecutively and identify the respondent on each.

· Each proposal should be accompanied by a title page specifying the name of the RFP being responded to (“Delta Leadership Institute”) followed by a submittal letter signed by an officer of the responding institution.

Section 40

Submission Procedures The deadline for submissions in response to this RFP is Noon CST, May 25, 2012.

Please submit eight copies of your sealed response in the same package (shipping box or envelope) clearly marked on the outside “Response to RFP for Delta Leadership Institute” addressed to:

Amanda Taylor Delta Regional Authority

236 Sharkey Ave, Suite 400 Clarksdale, MS 38614 Each respondent must submit a complete response (answer every information request) to this RFP, as failure to do so will result in immediate disqualification, and cause the response to not be scored. Further, the response must be signed by an officer of the responding institution, and the response must include a statement as to the period for which the response remains valid, which must be at least 90 days from the date responses to the RFP are due.

Additionally:

· Telephone, fax or e-mail responses will not be accepted for this RFP.

· Responses or unsolicited amendments will not be accepted after the closing date and time.

· Requests for time extensions past any deadlines will not be considered. Please do not request any extensions.

· Mailed responses should allow adequate time to assure timely arrival.

SECTION 50

The Review and Evaluation Process The authority’s selection committee (“the committee”) will review and evaluate only the responses that meet the following threshold items:

· The institution’s willingness to explicitly follow the authority’s guidelines in this RFP,

· The experience and qualifications of both the institution and its staff to be assigned to provide these services, in regard to its described ability to successfully manage the Delta Leadership Institute,

· Involvement and accessibility of the institution’s staff to be assigned to these services,

· The respondent’s commitment to the Delta region

· The respondent’ location within the DRA eight state region and

· The respondent’s answers to the information requests outlined in “submission requirements” above.

Subsequent to the committee’s evaluation, and at the sole discretion of the committee, certain respondents may be selected to make oral presentations to the DRA board on June 14, 2012. Those institutions so selected will be given not less than seven business days notice, along with the date, time and place for these presentations.

Each respondent selected for an interview will be allotted 30 minutes for its presentation, yet additional time may be allotted by the full board to answer any questions it may pose, to better ensure the respondents are evaluated on the basis of the criteria set forth in this RFP.

The DRA board, which may then select the institution, based on:

· The demonstrated competence, experience, knowledge and qualifications of the institution, as evaluated and proffered by the committee.

The board fully reserves the right to make this decision, and the board’s decision on this matter is final.

SECTION 60

RFP Terms and Conditions Specifically, this RFP is for the purpose of soliciting responses from institutions of higher education qualified to design and deliver a leadership initiative, on a region wide basis, for the authority.

No claim for adjustment of any provision of the RFP shall be honored after the proposal has been submitted on the grounds that the proposer was not fully informed as the existing conditions or circumstances or any other related matter.

However, by this RFP, the board has not committed itself to employ an institution for these services for any or all of the herein-described matters and the board reserves the right to decide such after receipt, review and evaluation of all responses.

Additionally, the board reserves the right to:

· Waive or amend any portion of this RFP by written notice to all respondents.

· Negotiate all elements that comprise the information with the respondent(s) to ensure that the best possible considerations are afforded to all concerned, and to waive any irregularities.

· Reject any and all responses to this RFP.

· Select a respondent(s) for specific purposes or for any combination of specific purposes, and to defer the selection of any respondent(s) to a time of the authority’s choosing.

Additionally, the board will allow and review responses utilizing joint ventures of any two or more institutions, or sub-contractors by a single institution, as long as the response clearly:

· Identifies the lead principal who will bear the responsibility for the contract for services with the authority and

· Describes its proposed measures of quality control for itself and its joint-venture partners and/or its sub-contractors sufficiently to satisfy the board.

DRA shall not, under any circumstances, be responsible for any cost, or expenses associated with this proposal including, but not limited to, research, investigation, development, preparation, duplication, production, collation, packaging, delivery, transmittal, or presentation of the proposal or any related information, data documentation and material. All costs and expenses incurred by the proposer in connection with this proposal submittal shall be the sole responsibility of the proposer.

Warranty and Independence

Respondent warrants that no sums or anything of value has been or will be paid directly or indirectly to any officer or employee of DRA such as wages, compensation or gifts in exchange for acting as officer, agent, employee, subcontractor or consultant to the respondent in connection with any work compensated or performed.

The DRA cannot and does not make any representation or warranties with regard to the information, data, documentation and material conveyed in this RFP or otherwise provided by DRA. Proposers shall conduct their own independent investigations and analysis and make their own assessments, judgments and decisions regarding this opportunity.

Board and Staff Communication

Under no circumstances shall any firm intending to respond to this RFP contact any member of the Board or DRA staff, except for that staff member(s) designated below as the contact person during this RFP process. Failure to comply with this requirement will result in immediate disqualification.

Amanda Taylor, Bevin Hunter Period of Contract

While the contract will be offered for a term of one year, with automatic renewal option for two years;

· It is the intent to continue the contract on an ongoing basis, contingent upon, among other things, availability of funds, continued need and satisfactory performance of services.

· At all times, the institution will serve at the will and pleasure of the authority.

Cost of Developing and Submitting Response

The authority is not and shall not be liable for any of the costs incurred by respondent in preparing and/or submitting a response.

Acceptance of RFP Content

Some of the contents of this RFP and the response submitted may be incorporated by reference in any final contract resulting from this RFP.

Facilities

The board and the DRA personnel reserve the right to inspect each respondent’s facilities at any time without prior notice.

Responsibilities of the Contractor

The contractor (institution), if awarded the contract, shall have the responsibility to institutionalize its quality controls sufficient to compel acceptable levels of property management services from its staff, and if so used, its subcontractors and/or joint-venture partners.

Additionally, the contractor shall be required to interact with DRA’s staff and the staffs of the other participants as directed by the board.

The institution will meet with the authority quarterly or as directed by the authority.

The contractor will notify DRA concerning any organizational changes, including significant personnel providing the leadership development programming for DRA.

Assignment and Delegation

Any contract issued pursuant to this RFP is not assignable, nor may be delegated, except with the prior written approval of the board.

Property

All responses become the property of the DRA upon receipt and will not be returned to the respondents once opened. The DRA has the right to use any and all ideas or adaptations of the ideas contained in any response received in this RFP. Selection or rejection of the response will not affect this right.

Further, unless so deemed proprietary by the respondent, all parts of all responses become public documents upon completion of the RFP process.

Proprietary Information

If a respondent does not desire certain proprietary information in their response disclosed, the respondent is required to identify all proprietary information in the response, which identification shall be submitted concurrently with the response. If the respondent fails to identify proprietary information, it agrees by submission of its response that all parts of all responses shall be deemed non-proprietary and will become public documents upon completion of the RFP process.

Governing Law

The contract created as a result of this RFP and the accepted response will be made under, and shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with the laws of the state of Mississippi.

Questions: Questions can be submitted prior to the Bidders Meeting on ; however, no answers will be provided and/or circulated prior to that date.

ALL QUESTIONS PERTAINING TO THIS RFP MUST BE SUBMITTED BY:

No interpretation of the meaning of the Bid Documents will be made to any bidder. Questions may be submitted, in written form, to:

Amanda Taylor

Delta Regional Authority

236 Sharkey Avenue, Ste 400

Clarksdale, MS 38614

Or emailed to: � HYPERLINK "mailto:ataylor@dra.gov" �ataylor@dra.gov�

Questions will be answered by the appropriate individuals and answered within 2 business days via email with a return reply acknowledging receipt of the email requested.

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Delta Regional Authority- DLI

4/24/2012