MAP Trainer RFP Q and A 9.16.26.pdf

City of Geneva CDBG MAP Training/Program Delivery Services Q&A

Responses to Questions Received by 9/14/26 at 4pm

RESPONSES TO QUESTIONS RECEIVED AS OF 9/14/2026 at 4PM

• Appendix A includes Technology, Innovation & Efficient Operations as a Week 7 topic.

Would the City permit proposers to incorporate practical training on responsible use of artificial intelligence tools for microbusinesses, for example, using AI to support market research, marketing and communications, business planning, administrative efficiency, and other routine business operations—provided the instruction remains aligned with the required curriculum and is approved by the City and OCR?

Yes. The City will permit proposers to incorporate practical training on the responsible use of AI tools as part of the Technology, Innovation & Efficient Operations topic, provided that all instruction:

• aligns with the required curriculum and MAP program objectives as outlined in the RFP

(training must support business planning, market research, marketing, operations, etc.)

• reflects current best practices, including considerations related to data privacy, ethical use, and environmental impacts where applicable;

• is aligned with the City’s municipal AI Policy

(https://www.cityofgenevany.gov/DocumentCenter/View/2694/AI-Use-Policy) and complies with all state and federal requirements (privacy, nondiscrimination, accessibility, etc.); and

• is approved by City staff and the Office of Community Renewal prior to inclusion in the final training curriculum.

• We are a partner of the Financial Skills Challenge and may be able to provide MAP participants with access to the platform as a supplemental financial-literacy resource.

Would the City permit the selected consultant to incorporate optional third-party learning tools or simulations such as the Financial Skills Challenge into the training program at no additional cost to the City, provided their use supports the approved curriculum and is approved by the City and OCR?

Yes. Optional third-party learning tools may be incorporated at no additional cost to the City, provided that:

• the supplemental resource supports the approved curriculum areas outlined in the RFP

(financial management, bookkeeping, budgeting, cash flow, etc.)

• participation is optional for awardees;

• no CDBG funds are used for licensing, subscription, or access fees; and

• City staff and OCR approve the incorporation of the resource in advance.

• The Q&A states that the $15,000 program-delivery budget will be shared between City staff costs and consultant costs. Approximately how much of the $15,000 should respondents assume is available for the consultant contract, or should respondents simply submit their proposed lump-sum amount up to the stated $15,000 maximum?

https://www.cityofgenevany.gov/DocumentCenter/View/2694/AI-Use-Policy https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fwww.financialskillschallenge.com&c=E,1,o9RpiPUdM9kwQIKd8f63r8mIbKlu2ia9JVr7ESLLbN2844zlzT2dadiEOqQUFtfZf_548Im95wfIUZmXmP_eBnKfL9Mn2sporcNnKO70JAjkhCDs4w,,&typo=1

Respondents should submit their best-value lump-sum cost proposal for completing the scope of work (not to exceed $15,000), with a clear breakdown of costs for curriculum development, training delivery, materials, technical assistance, and any other anticipated expenses.

• The Q&A notes that City staff will perform some program-delivery activities. Can the City identify which elements of the training or participant support it anticipates City staff will provide versus the responsibilities expected of the selected consultant?

City staff will provide program-delivery support related to grant implementation, primarily before and after the training program. These activities include:

• assisting awardees with grant compliance, documentation, and reimbursement requirements;

• supporting awardees in networking with local organizations and connecting to business resources;

• answering questions regarding eligible purchases, program processes, and implementation of business plans; and If needed, City staff will also support maintaining communication with awardees throughout the training period.

The selected consultant will be responsible for delivering the approved training curriculum including the following specific activities:

• developing the curriculum and training agenda;

• delivering all training sessions;

• preparing instructional materials;

• maintaining attendance records;

• providing reasonable follow-up technical assistance related to the training content; and

• identifying participant support needs.

• The Q&A permits respondents to incorporate guest speakers or local partners. If the selected consultant invites a subject-matter expert to contribute to an individual training session, must that individual be identified as a formal subcontractor, or may guest speakers participate as part of the consultant's instructional approach?

Guest speakers may participate as part of the consultant’s instructional approach and do not need to be listed as formal subcontractors, provided:

• their participation is occasional and supplemental;

• they are not responsible for delivering core portions of the curriculum;

• no CDBG funds are paid directly to the guest speaker unless the consultant treats them as a subcontractor under applicable procurement rules; and

• their involvement is described in the training plan submitted for approval.

If a guest speaker will be compensated with CDBG funds, federal procurement rules would apply, and they must be treated as a subcontractor.

• Would the City support coordination with local organizations identified in Appendix A (such as Geneva IDA, SCORE Finger Lakes, FLCC/SBDC, local lenders, or other business-support organizations) for brief guest presentations or resource introductions during the training program?

Yes. The City will provide introductions and contact information for local partner organizations with whom it currently works. However, the City cannot coordinate the details of their participation. Consultants may independently arrange brief guest presentations or resource introductions as part of the training plan, subject to City approval.

• May the selected consultant administer a brief pre-training participant needs assessment or intake survey to identify business stage, priority needs, experience level, and learning goals and use those results to tailor examples, assignments, and instructional emphasis within the approved curriculum?

Yes. The consultant may administer a pre-training needs assessment to tailor instructional emphasis, provided the core curriculum remains consistent with the approved training requirements and MAP objectives

• Does the City or OCR have an established definition of successful training completion for purposes of issuing certificates (for example, a minimum attendance percentage, completion of required assignments, submission of a business plan, or another standard) or should the selected consultant propose completion criteria as part of the curriculum?

The City and OCR do not have a formal, predefined standard for successful completion for the customized MAP training. For standard SBDC courses, attendance is the primary completion criterion. The consultant should therefore propose reasonable completion criteria aligned with the approved curriculum. These criteria will be reviewed and approved by the City and, if required, OCR.

• Budget - specifically regarding the cost of the room and any associated usage fees. Although we plan to use a hybrid model, the proposal mentions an in-person kickoff for the training program and includes the potential use of a room.

The City will not charge for use of the room and equipment used for training purposes. Use of City facilities and equipment is subject to scheduling and availability.

• Curriculum: Do you want a complete curriculum as part of the proposal or just an annotated outline of topics and schedule?

An annotated outline of the proposed curriculum is sufficient at the proposal stage. The outline should identify the proposed topics, schedule, instructional format, approximate time devoted to each topic, and any anticipated assignments or activities. The selected consultant will develop the complete curriculum and training materials after award for review and approval as outlined in the RFP.