Federal Lobbyists RFP_FINAL.pdf

Request for Proposals

RFP # 27-003

Federal Affairs and Strategic Funding

Posted: August 3, 2026

Vendor Response Signature Page

CCCS RFP 27-003 Federal Affairs and Strategic Funding

Vendors responding to this solicitation must fill out this page in its entirety, sign and return with vendor’s response. This page must bear a physical or electronic signature, as electronic signature is defined in the "Uniform Electronic Transactions Act", section 24-71.3-102 (8), evincing an intent by the vendor to be bound by its response. Failure to do so may disqualify the vendor response.

The undersigned understands and agrees that misrepresentation made in this response and/or subsequent discussions or information presented to the State may be deemed sufficient cause for the refusal by the State to execute a contract as a result, and that that later discovery of any omission or misrepresentation made in the solicitation response and/or subsequent discussions or information presented to the State may be grounds for the cancellation of an existing contract.

LEGAL COMPANY NAME (OFFEROR): _____________________________

AUTHORIZED SIGNATURE

SIGNER’S NAME: _____________________

TITLE: _____________________________

PHONE NUMBER: _____________________

EMAIL: _____________________________

Award notice will be posted on ColoradoVSS. Please provide your VSS ID#, if known: __________________________

CONTACT FOR CLARIFICATIONS

NAME: ___________________________

TITLE: ___________________________

PHONE: _______________________

EMAIL: ______________________

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. INTRODUCTION 2

A. General Information 2

B. Background 2

C. Overview and Goals 3

D. Sole Point of Contact 5

E. Schedule of Activities 5

F. Start Date 6

G. Anticipated Contract Term 6

2. OFFEROR’S EXPERIENCE AND PERSONNEL 7

A. Organizational Experience 7

B. Organizational Personnel 9

3. REQUIREMENTS 9

A. Accessibility Requirements 9

B. Insurance Requirements 9

C. Mandatory Requirements 10

4. Scope of Work 14

A. Scope of Work and Deliverables 14

5. REQUESTED PROPOSAL FORMAT 19

6. EVALUATION METHODOLOGY 20

A. Evaluation Process 20

B. Evaluation Committee 20

C. Proposal Evaluation Criteria 20

D. Demonstrations and Discussions 21

E. Single proposal 22

F. Award 22

Appendix A - Administrative Information

Appendix B - Vendor Disclosure Statement

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1. INTRODUCTION

A. General Information

On behalf of the State of Colorado, the Colorado Community College System (CCCS) is issuing this Request for Proposals for Federal Affairs, Strategic Funding, and

Government Relations Service. CCCS seeks professional legislative consulting services that provide comprehensive, pro-active, highly effective confidential legislative and regulatory monitoring, lobbying, and government-relations services to advance the system’s goals and mission.

B. Background

The Community College System (CCCS) is the state’s largest provider of higher education and workforce training, consisting of 13 colleges and over 35 locations across the state, educating approximately 130,000 students annually. CCCS provides accessible, high-quality education and workforce training that supports student success, economic mobility, and community advancement across urban, rural, and frontier communities.

CCCS serves the education and workforce training needs of Colorado and beyond by mobilizing the strengths of its 13 colleges to support learners throughout their lifelong learning journey. Guided by its vision to be the first and best path for all to achieve a more prosperous and fulfilling life, CCCS plays a unique role in Colorado’s education and workforce ecosystem.

In addition to overseeing the state’s largest system of community colleges, the State

Board for Community Colleges and Occupational Education (SBCCOE) is responsible for the coordination and oversight of career and technical education (CTE) across

Colorado. Through this work, CCCS serves as a critical connector between education, workforce development, industry, economic development, and public policy.

CCCS works closely with employers, workforce centers, K-12 education partners, four-year institutions, state agencies, and industry associations to prepare learners for high-demand careers and meet the evolving talent needs of Colorado’s economy.

The System also supports workforce development initiatives, apprenticeships, adult education, industry-recognized credentials, customized training, and pathways that connect learners to meaningful employment and lifelong success.

As federal higher education, workforce development, economic development, and talent development policy continues to evolve, CCCS seeks to strengthen its

V02.2026 RFP 27-003 Federal Affairs and Strategic Funding Page 3 of 22 presence and influence at the federal level. The system recognizes significant opportunities to advance student success, workforce development, institutional innovation, and economic mobility through stronger engagement with federal policymakers, agencies, national organizations, and strategic partners.

The CCCS Office of Public and Legislative Affairs seeks to establish a strategic partnership with a firm that can provide federal affairs expertise, funding strategy, policy intelligence, relationship development, and advocacy support. The selected firm will serve as an extension of the CCCS team, helping position CCCS and its colleges to capitalize on emerging federal opportunities, respond to changing policy environments, and advance priorities that benefit Colorado learners, employers, and communities.

C. Overview and Goals

CCCS seeks a strategic federal affairs partner to advance the system’s priorities in higher education, workforce development, economic mobility, student success, and innovation.

The selected firm will provide comprehensive federal advocacy, funding strategy, relationship development, policy intelligence, and strategic counsel to position

CCCS and its 13 colleges as national leaders in community college education, career and technical education, workforce development, and talent development.

The successful proposer will support CCCS in identifying and pursuing federal funding opportunities; cultivating and strengthening relationships with federal policymakers, agencies, national associations, and strategic partners; monitoring emerging federal policy developments; and advancing CCCS priorities before

Congress, federal departments and agencies, and other key stakeholders.

The selected firm will operate as an extension of the CCCS Office of Public and

Legislative Affairs, providing proactive strategic counsel and helping CCCS anticipate and respond to opportunities and challenges within the federal landscape. The firm should demonstrate a strong understanding of the intersection between higher education, workforce development, career and technical education, economic development, and public policy, and the unique role community colleges play in advancing state and national workforce goals.

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Pilot Initiative

CCCS intends to award an initial one-year contract as a pilot initiative. As this represents the system’s first formal investment in dedicated federal affairs and strategic funding services, the selected firm will be expected to demonstrate measurable value and outcomes throughout the contract term.

CCCS seeks a partner that will help establish a strong foundation for long-term federal engagement by identifying and advancing funding opportunities, strengthening relationships with federal and national stakeholders, providing actionable policy intelligence and strategic counsel, and elevating CCCS as a nationally recognized leader in community college education, workforce development, and economic mobility. The selected firm will also help position

CCCS leadership—including the Chancellor, when appropriate—as trusted voices who contribute to national policy discussions and shape the future of postsecondary education and workforce development.

At the conclusion of the initial contract term, CCCS will evaluate the effectiveness of the partnership based on agreed-upon performance measures, outcomes, and overall return on investment. Continued engagement beyond the pilot period will be subject to performance, demonstrated value, available funding, and future procurement requirements.

Goals

CCCS seeks measurable outcomes through this partnership, including but not limited to:

• Increasing federal funding and grant opportunities that support students, colleges, workforce development, career and technical education, research, innovation, infrastructure, and institutional capacity.

• Strengthening relationships with Colorado’s congressional delegation, congressional committees, federal departments and agencies, and national higher education and workforce organizations.

• Developing and executing a long-term national influence strategy that expands CCCS's engagement with federal policymakers, national organizations, philanthropic partners, and cross-sector coalitions, V02.2026 RFP 27-003 Federal Affairs and Strategic Funding Page 5 of 22 positioning the System—and, when appropriate, its leadership—as trusted contributors to national conversations on workforce development, talent development, community college innovation, and the future of postsecondary education.Identifying opportunities for multi-state, regional, and national partnerships that increase access to funding, pilot programs, demonstration projects, and policy innovation.

• Providing strategic intelligence regarding emerging federal legislation, regulations, appropriations, agency priorities, and funding opportunities.

• Create opportunities for the CCCS Chancellor to represent Colorado's community colleges in national policy forums, advisory committees, commissions, conferences, congressional briefings, and strategic convenings.

• Increasing awareness and understanding of CCCS, its 13 colleges, and

Colorado’s workforce and talent development ecosystem among federal policymakers, agencies, and national partners.

• Demonstrating measurable return on investment through funding opportunities identified and pursued, strategic partnerships developed, federal engagement activities, policy influence, and other outcomes aligned with CCCS priorities.

D. Sole Point of Contact

i. The State’s sole point of contact for this solicitation is Lindsey Buffy, Purchasing Director, who may be reached via email at lindsey.buffy@cccs.edu, or via phone at 720-858-2772.

ii. Because phone lines may not be consistently monitored, email is the preferred method of communication. The individual listed above is the sole point of contact for this solicitation. Initiating contact with anyone other than this individual may result in Offeror disqualification.

E. Schedule of Activities

i. This Schedule of Activities is for information and planning purposes only.

Schedules for Activities listed as “Estimated” may be subject to change depending on the needs of the State. All times are considered in Mountain

Time (MT), as adjusted for daylight savings.

mailto:lindsey.buffy@cccs.edu

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ii. The date of publication for this solicitation on Colorado VSS is August 3, 2026.

a. Written inquiries must be submitted to via the posting in BidNet no later than August 17, 2026 at 5:00 PM.

b. The estimated date for the State’s responses to vendors’ written inquiries to be published on BidNet is August 28, 2026.

c. All proposals must be submitted in the method described below no later than September 11, 2026 at 11:00 AM.

d. A public opening of the proposals will be held virtually on September 11, 2026 at 12:00 PM. So that CCCS can plan for attendance, if an Offeror wishes to attend the public proposal opening, please send an email to the Procurement Contact to RSVP at least one day prior to the date of the public proposal opening and include the name and email for the person who will attend. CCCS will respond to the attendee with a link to the meeting.

e. The estimated date for demonstrations from selected proposers is the week of October 5, 2026.

f. The estimated date for the publication of an Intent to Award on

Colorado VSS is October 23, 2026.

F. Start Date

The desired Contract or Purchase Order start date is November 15, 2026.

G. Anticipated Contract Term

i. The initial term of the awarded Contract is anticipated to begin on November

15, 2026 and end on November 14, 2027. Following evaluation of the initial pilot period, this Contract may be renewed for up to four additional one-year periods at the sole discretion of the State. The total duration of the Contract, including all options, is not anticipated to exceed five (5) years.

ii. The State may extend the Contract beyond the anticipated term in accordance with the Colorado Procurement Code, and in the event that the

State determines an extension is necessary.

http://www.bidnetdirect.com/

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iii. The State may, within its sole discretion, choose not to exercise any option or extension term in the Contract for any reason. If the State chooses not to exercise any option or extension term, it may re-procure the goods and/or services in its sole discretion.

2. OFFEROR’S EXPERIENCE AND PERSONNEL

A. Organizational Experience

The agency must demonstrate the experience and ability to support institutions of higher education in federal lobbying.

Detailed list of specialized expertise for agency:

• Federal higher education policy, including issues affecting community colleges, workforce development, career and technical education, adult education, transfer pathways, and student success.

• Congressional engagement and advocacy, including experience working with

Members of Congress, congressional committees, and professional staff on behalf of higher education institutions.

• Federal appropriations and funding opportunities, including experience supporting requests for congressionally directed spending, competitive grants, pilot programs, and other federal investments.

• Workforce development policy and programs, including familiarity with federal workforce, labor, apprenticeship, talent development, and economic mobility initiatives.

• Federal agencies relevant to CCCS priorities, including but not limited to:

o U.S. Department of Education o U.S. Department of Labor o U.S. Department of Health and Human Services o U.S. Department of State o U.S. Department of the Treasury o U.S. Department of Commerce o U.S. Department of Agriculture o U.S. Department of Energy

• National organizations, policy networks, and strategic intermediaries relevant to

CCCS priorities, including but not limited to:

o American Association of Community Colleges (AACC)

V02.2026 RFP 27-003 Federal Affairs and Strategic Funding Page 8 of 22 o Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) o National Governors Association (NGA) o National Skills Coalition o Business-Higher Education Forum o National Association of Workforce Boards (NAWB) o Jobs for the Future (JFF) o Aspen Institute o Brookings Institution o New America o Lumina Foundation o Gates Foundation o Arnold Ventures o Other national organizations, philanthropic foundations, policy institutes, and cross-sector partnerships that influence federal higher education, workforce development, economic mobility, and talent development policy and funding opportunities.

• Monitoring and analysis of federal legislation, regulations, executive actions, agency guidance, and emerging policy developments that may affect community colleges and workforce systems.

• Development of federal advocacy strategies aligned with institutional priorities, including annual legislative agendas, relationship-building plans, and long-term funding strategies.

• Experience supporting institutions in emerging policy areas relevant to community colleges, including workforce innovation, artificial intelligence and the future of work, advanced manufacturing, healthcare workforce development, cybersecurity, energy and sustainability, rural education, and economic development.

• Demonstrated success helping higher education clients secure federal funding, influence policy outcomes, establish strategic partnerships, or advance institutional priorities at the federal level.

B. Organizational Personnel

a. Assign a dedicated account lead/project manager who will serve as CCCS’s

V02.2026 RFP 27-003 Federal Affairs and Strategic Funding Page 9 of 22 primary day-to-day point of contact and be responsible for project coordination, timelines, deliverables, and communication across all assigned workstreams.

b. Maintain continuity in staffing and provide advance notice and transition planning for any key personnel changes.

c. Demonstrate sufficient staffing capacity to manage contract activities.

3. REQUIREMENTS

A. Accessibility Requirements

i. All work performed as a result of this solicitation must comply with all applicable provisions of §§24-85-101, et seq., C.R.S., and the Accessibility

Standards for Individuals with a Disability, as established by the Office Of

Information Technology pursuant to Section §24-85-103 (2.5), C.R.S. and 3) all

State of Colorado technology standards related to technology accessibility and with Level AA of the most current version of the Web Content

Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), incorporated in the State of Colorado technology standards.

B. Insurance Requirements

The awarded Offeror will be required to submit a certificate(s) of insurance evidencing insurance coverage for, at minimum, the types and amounts of insurance as required by the Insurance provision in the Contract or Purchase Order

Terms and Conditions, included in this solicitation as an attachment, prior to execution of the Contract or Purchase Order.

C. Mandatory Requirements

At a minimum, the selected vendor must meet the following requirements:

Within thirty (30) days of contract execution, the selected Offeror shall conduct an assessment of CCCS's federal opportunities, priorities, and positioning and provide a written Federal Opportunity Assessment and Strategic Roadmap.

At a minimum, the assessment shall include:

o An evaluation of CCCS's current federal engagement, visibility, and strategic positioning.

V02.2026 RFP 27-003 Federal Affairs and Strategic Funding Page 10 of 22 o Identification of federal funding opportunities aligned with CCCS priorities, including higher education, workforce development, career and technical education, apprenticeships, adult education, economic development, research, infrastructure, and innovation.

o Identification of key congressional offices, committees, caucuses, federal agencies, national organizations, policy networks, philanthropic organizations, industry associations, and strategic partners that can advance CCCS priorities and expand its national influence.

o Assessment of emerging federal policy trends, legislative and regulatory developments, and national initiatives that may present opportunities or risks for CCCS and its colleges.

o Recommendations for strengthening CCCS's engagement, national partnerships, strategic relationships, and long-term influence within higher education and workforce policy.

The Strategic Roadmap shall include:

o Recommended federal priorities for the initial contract term.

o A twelve-month engagement strategy outlining key relationship-building, advocacy, funding, coalition-development, visibility, and thought leadership opportunities.

o A long-term national influence strategy identifying opportunities to elevate CCCS's role in shaping conversations around community college education, workforce development, economic mobility, and postsecondary innovation.

o Recommended meetings, events, conferences, advisory boards, commissions, policy forums, coalition activities, site visits, and stakeholder engagement opportunities that strengthen CCCS's national presence.

o Priority federal funding opportunities and recommended pursuit strategies.

o Recommendations for executive engagement opportunities, including participation in national organizations, policy discussions, and strategic convenings where CCCS leadership can contribute expertise and advance institutional priorities.

V02.2026 RFP 27-003 Federal Affairs and Strategic Funding Page 11 of 22 o Performance measurement framework identifying the activities, deliverables, and reporting mechanisms that will support CCCS's evaluation of the partnership during the initial pilot period.

Performance Measurement:

CCCS intends to evaluate the effectiveness of the partnership throughout the initial one-year pilot period using a balanced set of qualitative and quantitative performance measures. While recognizing that some outcomes may extend beyond a single contract year, the selected Offeror will be expected to demonstrate measurable progress in advancing CCCS's federal priorities, relationships, and national influence.

Performance measures may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Funding & Resource Development o Federal funding opportunities identified and evaluated.

o Competitive grant opportunities pursued.

o Congressional appropriations and congressionally directed spending opportunities supported.

o Strategic funding partnerships developed.

o Federal funding secured or advanced.

• Strategic Relationships o Executive-level meetings facilitated with Members of Congress, congressional staff, federal agencies, and other key decision-makers.

o New relationships established with national organizations, policy networks, philanthropic organizations, and strategic partners aligned with

CCCS priorities.

o Coalition participation and leadership opportunities developed.

o Federal agency engagement supporting CCCS priorities.

• National Influence & Policy Leadership o Opportunities for CCCS leadership to participate in national policy discussions, advisory committees, commissions, congressional briefings, and strategic convenings.

o Invitations to present at national conferences, forums, or policy roundtables.

o Development of policy briefs, white papers, or other thought leadership materials that elevate CCCS's voice on issues related to community

V02.2026 RFP 27-003 Federal Affairs and Strategic Funding Page 12 of 22 colleges, workforce development, economic mobility, and postsecondary innovation.

o Opportunities for CCCS to contribute expertise that informs federal policy discussions or national initiatives.

• Visibility & Strategic Positioning o Increased national visibility for CCCS through media, publications, showcases, and strategic partnerships.

o Recognition of CCCS as a leading voice in community college education, workforce development, and talent development.

o Participation in national demonstration projects, pilot initiatives, or other high-profile opportunities that advance CCCS's strategic priorities.

• Strategic Counsel & Partnership o Timeliness, quality, and strategic value of policy intelligence and recommendations.

o Responsiveness to emerging federal opportunities and challenges.

o Quality of strategic planning, communication, and collaboration with CCCS leadership.

o Overall progress toward implementation of the Federal Opportunity

Assessment and Strategic Roadmap.

The Strategic Roadmap shall be reviewed with CCCS leadership and updated periodically throughout the contract term as priorities, opportunities, and federal conditions evolve.

1. Be legally authorized and registered to perform federal lobbying, government relations, and advocacy services in accordance with all applicable federal laws, regulations, disclosure requirements, and ethics rules.

2. Demonstrate a minimum of ten (10) years of experience providing federal affairs, government relations, advocacy, strategic funding, or related consulting services.

3. Demonstrate experience supporting at least three (3) clients of similar size, scope, or complexity within the past five (5) years. Preference will be given to firms with experience representing higher education institutions, statewide systems, workforce development organizations, public sector entities, or similarly complex organizations.

4. Assign a dedicated senior account lead who will serve as CCCS’s primary strategic advisor and day-to-day point of contact throughout the contract term.

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5. Demonstrate the capacity to provide expertise in federal appropriations, congressional relations, federal agency engagement, higher education policy, workforce development policy, and strategic funding opportunities.

6. Demonstrate established relationships and experience working with members of Congress, congressional staff, federal departments and agencies, and national organizations relevant to higher education, workforce development, career and technical education, economic development, or related policy areas.

7. Demonstrate the ability to identify, monitor, analyze, and communicate federal legislative, regulatory, appropriations, and funding developments that may impact CCCS and its colleges.

8. Demonstrate the ability to provide regular reporting, strategic recommendations, and timely communication regarding federal opportunities, risks, and engagement activities.

9. Disclose all actual or potential conflicts of interest that could reasonably impact the Offeror’s ability to represent CCCS or advance CCCS priorities.

10. Maintain sufficient staffing capacity to support ongoing monitoring, advocacy, strategic planning, relationship development, reporting, and rapid-response needs throughout the contract term.

11. Commit to participating in regular meetings with CCCS leadership and providing presentations, briefings, or updates to the Chancellor, Executive Leadership Team, State Board for Community Colleges and Occupational Education (SBCCOE), Presidents’ Council, or other stakeholder groups as requested.

12. Propose a performance measurement framework that identifies how success, outcomes, and return on investment will be measured and reported throughout the initial one-year pilot period.

4. Scope of Work

A. Scope of Work and Deliverables

This Scope of Work describes the services and deliverables sought through this RFP and the scope of what the awarded Offeror will be expected to provide under the resulting contract. The Scope of Work is intended to provide interested Offerors with sufficient information to prepare a proposal and is not intended to limit a proposal’s content or exclude any relevant or innovative approaches that support

CCCS’s goals.

1. Federal Strategy and Strategic Counsel

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The selected Offeror shall serve as a strategic advisor to CCCS and provide guidance regarding federal policy, funding, and relationship-building opportunities that align with the system’s priorities.

Services shall include:

• Developing and maintaining a comprehensive federal affairs strategy aligned with CCCS’s strategic plan, legislative priorities, workforce development goals, and institutional objectives.

• Providing ongoing strategic counsel regarding emerging federal opportunities, policy developments, funding initiatives, risks, and stakeholder engagement strategies.

• Conducting strategic planning sessions with CCCS leadership to establish federal priorities, engagement strategies, and measurable objectives.

• Advising CCCS leadership regarding federal policy trends affecting higher education, workforce development, career and technical education, apprenticeships, adult learning, economic mobility, and talent development.

• Assisting in the development of federal policy positions, briefing materials, correspondence, talking points, testimony, and advocacy strategies as requested.

2. Federal Funding and Opportunity Development

The selected Offeror shall support CCCS in identifying, evaluating, and pursuing federal funding opportunities and strategic investments.

Services shall include:

• Monitoring and identifying federal grants, competitive funding opportunities, pilot programs, demonstration projects, appropriations opportunities, and other federal investments aligned with CCCS priorities.

• Maintaining a federal funding opportunity pipeline and providing regular updates to CCCS leadership.

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• Advising CCCS regarding agency priorities, funding trends, and strategic positioning to improve competitiveness.

• Facilitating introductions and relationship-building opportunities with federal agencies, program officers, and funding decision-makers.

• Identifying opportunities for regional, multi-state, and national partnerships that may strengthen funding applications and increase access to federal resources.

• Providing strategic guidance regarding federal funding pursuits;

however, grant writing services are not required under this contract unless otherwise negotiated.

3. Federal Advocacy and Government Relations

The selected Offeror shall represent and advocate for CCCS priorities before federal policymakers and stakeholders, as directed by CCCS.

Services shall include:

• Building and maintaining strong relationships with Colorado’s congressional delegation and congressional staff.

• Developing and strengthening relationships with congressional committees and caucuses relevant to higher education, workforce development, career and technical education, economic development, and appropriations.

• Representing CCCS interests before Congress and other federal policymakers, as directed by CCCS leadership.

• Coordinating meetings, briefings, site visits, and engagement opportunities between federal officials and CCCS leadership.

• Assisting CCCS in advancing federal priorities and responding to federal proposals that may impact the system, its colleges, students, or workforce development mission.

• Providing strategic support related to appropriations requests, congressional outreach, and federal advocacy efforts.

4. Federal Influence and Thought Leadership Strategy

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The selected firm shall help position the Colorado Community College System not only as an advocate for Colorado, but as a national contributor to the future of workforce development, community college innovation, economic mobility, and talent development.

Services shall include:

• Annual federal positioning strategy

• National messaging framework

• Identification of federal advisory boards and commissions

• Strategy for conference participation

• Congressional testimony opportunities

• White papers

• Policy briefs

• National media opportunities

• Coalition leadership opportunities

• Strategic introductions to influential national organizations

• Annual thought leadership calendar

5. Federal Agency and Stakeholder Engagement

The selected Offeror shall strengthen CCCS’s relationships with federal departments, agencies, and national stakeholders whose work impacts higher education, workforce development, and economic mobility.

Services shall include:

• Developing and maintaining relationships with federal agencies and departments whose programs affect CCCS priorities, including but not limited to the U.S. Department of Labor, Department of Commerce, Department of Agriculture, Department of Energy, Department of

Veterans Affairs, Small Business Administration, National Science

Foundation, and other agencies supporting education, workforce, economic development, research, and innovation initiatives.

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• Monitoring federal agency priorities, regulations, guidance, and funding opportunities and advising CCCS regarding potential impacts and opportunities.

• Facilitating engagement opportunities between CCCS leadership and federal agency officials.

• Identifying opportunities for CCCS participation in federal initiatives, pilots, advisory groups, and demonstration projects.

6. Coalition Building and Strategic Partnerships

The selected Offeror shall help position CCCS as a national leader in community college education, workforce development, talent development, and educational innovation.

Services shall include:

• Identifying and cultivating relationships with national organizations, associations, peer institutions, workforce organizations, and strategic partners.

• Supporting CCCS participation in coalitions and collaborative initiatives that advance shared priorities.

• Identifying opportunities for multi-state, regional, and national partnerships that increase access to funding, policy influence, innovation, and thought leadership opportunities.

• Advising CCCS regarding opportunities to elevate its national profile and contribute to federal policy discussions and workforce development initiatives.

• Connecting CCCS leadership with strategic partners whose priorities align with CCCS’s mission and goals.

7. Monitoring, Reporting, and Communications

The selected Offeror shall provide proactive monitoring, reporting, and communication regarding federal activities and opportunities.

Services shall include:

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• Monitoring federal legislative, regulatory, appropriations, and policy activity relevant to CCCS.

• Providing timely alerts regarding significant developments that may impact CCCS operations, funding, students, colleges, or workforce development initiatives.

• Delivering written monthly reports summarizing activities, federal developments, stakeholder engagement, funding opportunities, strategic recommendations, and progress toward established goals.

• Conducting regular meetings with CCCS leadership to discuss priorities, opportunities, risks, and next steps.

• Providing presentations and briefings to the Chancellor, Executive

Leadership Team, SBCCOE, Presidents’ Council, and other stakeholder groups as requested.

• Maintaining a performance dashboard or reporting framework that demonstrates progress, outcomes, and return on investment during the pilot period.

8. Other Professional Services

The selected Offeror shall:

• Perform additional professional services, policy research, strategic analysis, and special projects as requested by CCCS.

• Maintain compliance with all applicable federal lobbying, ethics, disclosure, and reporting requirements.

• Operate as an extension of the CCCS Office of Public and Legislative

Affairs and maintain regular communication with designated CCCS staff.

• Support CCCS in identifying emerging opportunities that advance student success, workforce development, institutional innovation, economic mobility, and community impact.

5. REQUESTED PROPOSAL FORMAT

Proposals should cover the following areas, with an emphasis on how these areas relate to the evaluation criteria listed in this Request for Proposals. Please format Proposals as a single PDF document with tab sections as outlined below and no more than 50

V02.2026 RFP 27-003 Federal Affairs and Strategic Funding Page 19 of 22 pages not including administrative documents. Only proposals submitted via BidNet

Direct will be accepted. See Appendix A Administrative Information, Section 2 Offeror

Proposal Information for more details.

A. Demonstrated Experience and Capabilities

Offeror’s Response- Offeror shall describe how the Offeror’s experience and capabilities make it the ideal candidate to perform the work. Describe experience with similar projects. Reference above of this solicitation regarding the desired organizational experience.

B. Mandatory Requirements

Offeror’s Response- Offeror shall describe how their proposed solution will meet or exceed the mandatory requirements detailed in this solicitation.

C. Technical/Business Proposal

Offeror’s Response- Offeror shall describe how they will accomplish the Scope of

Work detailed in this solicitation.

D. Cost Proposal

Offerors shall submit with their proposals the proposed pricing that supports their response to the Scope of Work. The price proposal shall include your company’s pricing models and pricing narrative. Proposers shall outline pricing models and include a detailed pricing narrative that justifies its rates. The pricing narrative should explain how your company has structured its costs and how it proposes to charge the state for the work. Pricing must include all annual and one-time expenses, fees, materials and administrative costs for each year of the contract term.

6. EVALUATION METHODOLOGY

A. Evaluation Process

A comprehensive, thorough, complete and impartial evaluation of each proposal received will be conducted in accordance with §24-103-203(7), C.R.S, which states, “The award shall be made to the responsible Offeror whose proposal is determined in writing to be the most advantageous to the state, taking into consideration the price and evaluation factors set forth in the request for proposal.”

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B. Evaluation Committee

i. An Evaluation Committee will be established utilizing measures to ensure the integrity of the evaluation process. These measures include the following:

a. Selecting committee members who do not have a conflict of interest regarding this solicitation.

b. Facilitating the independent review of proposals.

c. Requiring the evaluation of the proposals to be based strictly on the content of the proposals.

ii. Ensuring the fair and impartial treatment of all Offerors. The objective of the Evaluation Committee is to conduct reviews of the proposals that have been submitted, to hold frank and detailed discussions among themselves, and to recommend an Offeror for award.

C. Proposal Evaluation Criteria

i. The State will evaluate proposals to determine if each Offeror meets all mandatory qualification requirements; provided, however, that the State has the authority to waive non-material mandatory requirements in certain circumstances. Reference Procurement Rule R-24-103-301-03. The mandatory qualification requirements are scored on a Met/Not Met basis and only those proposals found to meet all mandatory requirements, other than non-material mandatory requirements waived by the State, can be considered for a Contract resulting from this solicitation. Proposals will be evaluated by the Evaluation

Committee using the evaluation criteria listed below. The evaluators will consider whether the Scope of Work requirements in the solicitation have been addressed, and they will review the capabilities of the Offeror, as well as the quality of the approach proposed, the price, and any other aspect determined relevant to the evaluation criteria.

ii. The evaluation criteria to be used in evaluating the proposals are as follows

(and are listed in no particular order):

a. Demonstrated experience representing institutions of higher education, particularly community colleges, statewide systems, or workforce-focused institutions

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b. Qualifications, expertise, and experience of the proposed team, including experience with federal higher education policy, workforce development, and federal funding opportunities

c. Demonstrated understanding of CCCS, Colorado's community colleges, workforce development priorities, and the federal policy environment impacting higher education

d. Proposed approach to federal advocacy, relationship building, strategic partnership development, and identification of funding opportunities

e. Demonstrated success securing federal funding, advancing policy priorities, building strategic partnerships, or achieving measurable outcomes for clients

f. References and past performance

D. Demonstrations and Discussions

i. The Evaluation Committee may, if it deems necessary, request clarifications, conduct discussions or oral presentations, or request best and final offers. Per

R-24-103-203-03, discussions may be held with responsible offerors whose proposals are determined to be reasonably susceptible to be selected for award to:

a. Promote understanding of the state’s requirements and the offerors’ proposals; and

b. Facilitate a contract that will be most advantageous to the state taking into consideration price and the other evaluation factors set forth in the request for proposals.

ii. The Evaluation Committee may adjust its scoring based on the results of such activities. However, proposals may be reviewed and determinations made without such activities. Offerors should be aware that the opportunity for further explanation might not exist; therefore, Offerors should ensure that their submission is complete, and are encouraged to submit their best possible proposal, including pricing.

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E. Single proposal

If only one bid or proposal is received in response to a solicitation, an award may be made to the single bidder or offeror if the procurement official finds that the price submitted is fair and reasonable and that other prospective bidders or offerors had reasonable opportunity to respond. Reference Procurement Rule R-

24-103-201-02(d).

F. Award

i. A Notice of Intent to Award will be published on Colorado VSS.

ii. The award determination is ultimately a business decision that will reflect an integrated assessment of the relative merits of the proposals received, using the factors set forth in in this solicitation. The State intends to award

Contract(s) to the Offeror(s) whose proposal(s), conforming to the solicitation, will be most advantageous to the State, price and other factors considered.