RFA_ FIFA-06-2026v2.pdf

STATE OF WASHINGTON

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

REQUEST FOR APPLICATIONS (RFA)

RFA NO. FDMG-06-2026

NOTE: Please read this entire document before submitting a response. Responses that do not meet one or more requirement stated herein may be disqualified and not scored.

PROJECT TITLE: FIFA Destination Marketing Grants

RESPONSE DUE DATE: Friday, July 17, 2026 AT 4:00 PM, Pacific Time, Olympia, WA

EXPECTED TIME PERIOD FOR CONTRACT: August 21, 2026 – May 28, 2027

The cost date for this contract is February 25, 2026.

CONTRACTOR ELIGIBILITY: This procurement is open to those entities which satisfy the minimum qualifications stated herein and are available for work in Washington.

FUNDING SOURCE AND METHOD: This is state funding through the Federal EDA Tourism Grant. Payments will be made on a reimbursement basis.

CONTENTS OF THE REQUEST FOR APPLICATIONS:

1. Introduction

2. General Information

3. Application Contents

4. Evaluation and Award

5. Exhibits

Table of Contents

1 INTRODUCTION 3

1.1 PURPOSE AND BACKGROUND 3

1.2 OBJECTIVES 3

1.3 MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS 5

1.4 FUNDING 5

1.5 PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE 6

1.6 CONTRACTING WITH CURRENT OR FORMER STATE EMPLOYEES 6

1.7 DEFINITIONS 6

1.8 ADA 6

2 GENERAL INFORMATION 7

2.1 RFA COORDINATOR 7

2.2 ESTIMATED SCHEDULE OF PROCUREMENT ACTIVITIES 7

2.3 APPLICANTS’ CONFERENCE 7

2.4 QUESTION AND ANSWER PERIOD 7

2.5 SUBMISSION OF RESPONSES 8

2.6 PROPRIETARY INFORMATION/PUBLIC DISCLOSURE 8

2.7 REVISIONS TO THE RFA 9

2.8 ACCEPTANCE PERIOD 9

2.9 COMPLAINT PROCESS 9

2.10 RESPONSIVENESS 9

2.11 MOST FAVORABLE TERMS 9

2.12 CONTRACT AND GENERAL TERMS & CONDITIONS 10

2.13 COSTS TO PROPOSE 10

2.14 NO OBLIGATION TO CONTRACT 10

2.15 REJECTION OF RESPONSES 10

2.16 COMMITMENT OF FUNDS 10

2.17 ELECTRONIC PAYMENT 10

2.18 INSURANCE COVERAGE 10

3 RESPONSE CONTENTS 11

3.1 CERTIFICATIONS AND ASSURANCES (MANDATORY) 11

3.2 APPLICANT INFORMATION (SCORED) 11

3.3 DIVERSE BUSINESS INCLUSION PLAN (MANDATORY) 11

3.4 WORKERS’ RIGHTS CERTIFICATION (MANDATORY) 11

4 EVALUATION AND CONTRACT AWARD 13

4.1 EVALUATION PROCEDURE 13

4.2 CLARIFICATION OF RESPONSE 13

4.3 EVALUATION AND SCORING 13

4.4 VIRTUAL PRESENTATIONS MAY BE REQUIRED 14

4.5 NOTIFICATION TO APPLICANTS 14

4.6 DEBRIEFING OF UNSUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS 14

4.7 PROTEST PROCEDURE 14

RFA Exhibits:

Exhibit A Certifications and Assurances Exhibit B Applicant Information Exhibit C Diverse Business Inclusion Plan Exhibit D Workers’ Rights Certification Exhibit E Application Intake Form Exhibit F Example Contract with General Terms and Conditions

1 INTRODUCTION

1.1 PURPOSE AND BACKGROUND

The Washington State Department of Commerce hereafter called "COMMERCE,” is initiating this Request for Applications (RFA) to solicit proposals from those qualified and interested in grant funding to support Washington communities in preparing for and capitalizing on the significant tourism and economic development opportunities associated with the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Through this program, COMMERCE will provide competitive grants to eligible applicants to support destination planning, tourism readiness, community activation, and visitor engagement initiatives that increase statewide participation in these globally significant events while advancing long-term tourism recovery and economic resilience.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity for Washington State.

Seattle’s Lumen Field will host multiple tournament matches and related fan activities, and the event is expected to draw millions of visitors and generate substantial economic impact for the region. This event creates a unique opportunity for communities across Washington to attract visitors, showcase local assets, and strengthen regional tourism infrastructure.

This grant program is designed to ensure that the benefits of these events extend beyond host cities to communities across the state, particularly small, rural, and underserved areas that can attract visitors traveling throughout the region. By supporting destination readiness and community-based tourism initiatives, the program will help local governments, tribes, Associate Development Organizations, and Destination Marketing Organizations position their communities to welcome visitors, highlight cultural and recreational assets, and create memorable experiences tied to FIFA.

Funding will support projects that help communities plan, prepare, and activate tourism opportunities related to FIFA 2026, including activities such as destination assessments, visitor readiness planning, tourism marketing and promotion, cultural programming, community enhancements, and local event development and implementation. Projects may also support partnerships with local businesses, cultural institutions, and community organizations to expand tourism offerings and improve visitor experiences.

Through these investments, the program seeks to:

Increase visitor engagement and tourism spending across Washington communities during FIFA

Support community readiness for large-scale international and national tourism events Promote regional travel and visitation beyond primary host locations Highlight Washington’s cultural, historic, outdoor, and community assets Strengthen local tourism capacity and economic vitality beyond the 2026 events

Ultimately, this program will help communities leverage FIFA World Cup activities to drive economic activity, strengthen tourism ecosystems, and build long-term destination capacity, ensuring that Washington State is well positioned to welcome visitors from around the world while leaving lasting benefits for local economies and residents.

1.2 OBJECTIVES

COMMERCE may award one or more contract(s) to Applicant(s) who submit Applications as a result of this RFA.

1. Support community readiness for FIFA World Cup 2026 tourism activity.

Provide resources to help communities prepare for increased visitation associated with FIFA World Cup events through destination planning, visitor readiness strategies, and local activation efforts.

2. Expand the geographic distribution of tourism benefits across Washington State.

Encourage visitors traveling to FIFA World Cup matches and related activities in Seattle and Vancouver, B.C. to explore communities throughout Washington, particularly along key travel corridors and in rural or underserved regions.

3. Strengthen local tourism capacity and destination development.

Support the development of actionable tourism plans, market assessments, and destination development strategies that position communities to attract visitors during FIFA 2026 strengthening long-term tourism infrastructure.

4. Promote community-based tourism experiences and cultural assets.

Enable communities to showcase local culture, history, outdoor recreation, and placemaking assets through events, marketing, and programming tied to FIFA World Cup activities.

5. Support local businesses and cultural institutions in preparing for increased visitation.

Provide resources that help local businesses, festivals, and cultural organizations enhance visitor experiences, expand capacity, and participate in tourism opportunities associated with these major events.

6. Increase tourism-related economic activity and pandemic recovery.

Advance tourism recovery efforts by driving visitor spending, supporting tourism-related employment, and strengthening economic activity in communities across the state.

7. Develop projects and strategies that provide long-term tourism benefits.

Encourage investments in destination planning, community enhancements, and tourism infrastructure that remain valuable beyond the 2026 events and contribute to sustained tourism growth.

8. Strengthen long-term destination management and coordination systems.

Support the development or enhancement of local and regional tourism coordination structures, partnerships, and planning systems that remain in place beyond 2026 events.

9. Advance equitable and inclusive tourism development statewide.

Promote tourism strategies that expand access to economic opportunities for rural, underserved, and historically underrepresented communities beyond the FIFA 2026 period.

Eligible expenses:

Grant funds may be used to support community planning, destination development, and tourism activation activities related to the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Eligible funding areas include, but are not limited to, the following:

Tourism and Destination Planning

Activities that assist regions and communities in developing actionable plans for tourism, hospitality, infrastructure, capacity building, or outdoor recreation projects that prepare communities for increased visitation and long-term tourism growth.

Market Research and Destination Assessments Development of tools, training, and technical assistance for local officials, tourism partners, and community organizations to conduct near-term and long-term market analyses, visitor readiness assessments, and destination planning initiatives.

Placemaking and Community Asset Development

Planning and strategy development that identifies and leverages existing community strengths, cultural assets, natural resources, and previously untapped placemaking opportunities to enhance tourism experiences and attract visitors.

Tourism Product and Experience Development Development or enhancement of tourism, cultural, recreational, and destination-based offerings that strengthen a community’s ability to attract and host visitors during FIFA 2026 events while supporting long-term tourism capacity.

Community Events and Visitor Activation

Costs associated with planning, organizing, and hosting community events or activations related to FIFA World Cup activities, including watch parties, festivals, cultural programming, and community celebrations designed to attract and engage visitors.

Event Operations and Related Expenses Reasonable and necessary event-related expenses, including venue rental, staging, equipment, temporary staffing, promotional materials, marketing, and logistical support. Food and non-alcoholic refreshments may be provided as part of event programming provided that costs do not exceed applicable federal per diem meal rates. Alcoholic beverages are not eligible expenses.

Preference will be given to pre-planned and quickly executed activities.

Costs may be incurred back to February 25th, 2026.

1.3 MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum qualifications include:

Licensed to do business in the State of Washington or submit a statement of commitment that it will become licensed in Washington within thirty (30) calendar days of being selected as the Apparently Successful Applicant.

Federal UEI number or submittal of a statement of commitment that it will become licensed in Washington within thirty (30) calendar days of being selected as the Apparently Successful Applicant.

3 years of experience in/with Washington State tourism and destination marketing related activities.

Proof of FIFA licensure for live events.

Partnership agreements with local communities if operating as a facilitating body.

Written endorsement or letter of support from FIFA host committee or an affiliated lead partner organization.

Applicants must demonstrate active coordination, affiliation, or recognized engagement with initiatives, partners, or programming associated with the Seattle FIFA World Cup 26, including but not limited to, participation in official host committee activities, sanctioned FIFA 2026 community engagement efforts, or collaboration with regional entities supporting tournament-related planning, fan engagement, or legacy initiatives. Applicants should provide evidence of involvement such as formal partnerships, letters of support, participation in host committee convenings, or alignment with official FIFA 2026 activation strategies within the state.

Applications which do not clearly meet or exceed these minimum qualifications will be rejected as non-responsive and will not receive further consideration. Any Application that is rejected as non-responsive will not be evaluated or scored.

1.4 FUNDING

Commerce intends to award approximately $700,000.00 under this RFA. Applications in excess of $700,000.00 will be rejected as non-responsive and will not be evaluated. In the event additional funding becomes available, any contract awarded may be amended to provide for additional related services. Additional funding is not guaranteed.

Any contract(s) awarded as a result of this RFA is contingent upon the availability of funding.

Maximum of $700,000.00 per contract. The number of awards depends on the number and quality of applications received. COMMERCE intends to award one or more awards up to $700,000.00.

Commerce intends to allocate ~10% ($100,000) of funding for activities within King County. This should be considered when submitting the budget with application.

Costs may be incurred back to February 25th, 2026.

1.5 PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

The period of performance of any contract(s) resulting from this RFA is tentatively scheduled to begin on or about August 21, 2026 and end May 28, 2027. COMMERCE reserves the option at its sole discretion to extend the contract for two additional one-year periods.

1.6 CONTRACTING WITH CURRENT OR FORMER STATE EMPLOYEES

Specific restrictions apply to contracting with current or former state employees pursuant to chapter

42.52 of the Revised Code of Washington. Applicants should familiarize themselves with the requirements prior to submitting a proposal that includes current or former state employees.

1.7 DEFINITIONS

Definitions for the purposes of this RFA include:

Apparent Successful Applicant/Bidder/Vendor/Grantee/Awardee: The Applicant(s) selected to enter into negotiations leading to a fully executed contract for the work described in this procurement document.

Applicant: Individual, company, organization, or firm submitting an Application in order to attain a contract with COMMERCE.

Application: A complete, formal offer submitted in response to this RFA.

COMMERCE: The Department of Commerce is the agency of the state of Washington that is issuing this RFA.

Contract: A written, legally binding agreement to perform the services proposed, also called a Grant or Interagency Agreement.

Applicant or Grantee: Individual or organization whose Application has been accepted by COMMERCE and is awarded a fully executed, written contract.

Exhibit: Document attached to this RFA, also referred to as Attachment.

Request for Applications (RFA): Formal procurement document in which needed services are identified and entities are invited to submit their Application to provide those services; this procurement document.

1.8 ADA

COMMERCE complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Applicants may contact the RFA Coordinator to receive this Request for Qualifications and Quotations in Braille or on tape.

2 GENERAL INFORMATION

2.1 RFA COORDINATOR

The RFA Coordinator is the sole point of contact in COMMERCE for this RFA. All communication between Applicants and COMMERCE upon release of this RFA shall be with the RFA Coordinator, as follows:

Name Latojanae Hull E-Mail Address oedcprocurement@commerce.wa.gov

Any other communication will be considered unofficial and non-binding on COMMERCE. Applicants are to rely on written statements issued by the RFA Coordinator. Communication directed to parties other than the RFA Coordinator may result in disqualification.

2.2 ESTIMATED SCHEDULE OF PROCUREMENT ACTIVITIES

Issue Request for Applications June 3, 2026 Applicants’ Conference June 10, 2026 at 10:30 AM Question & answer period June 3, 2026 – June 16, 2026 Answers issued no later than June 23, 2026 Applications due Friday, July 17, 2026 by 4:00

PM, PST

Evaluation July 21, 2026 – August 4, 2026 Announce “Apparent Successful Applicant” and send notification via e-mail to unsuccessful Applicants

August 6, 2026

Hold debriefing conferences (if requested) August 7, 2026 – August 20, Negotiate contract August 7, 2026 – August 20, Earliest date contract may be signed August 21, 2026

COMMERCE reserves the right to revise the above schedule.

2.3 APPLICANTS’ CONFERENCE

Applicants are invited to attend an information conference to be held on Wednesday, June 10, 2026 at 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m., PST. The conference will be held only virtually on Microsoft Teams. All prospective Applicants are encouraged attend; however, attendance is not mandatory.

Microsoft Teams Need help?

Join: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/265265194863947?p=vibUXekUBIVYCVdfs5 Meeting ID: 265 265 194 863 947 Passcode: MJ7Ko2cX

COMMERCE will be bound only to COMMERCE written answers to questions. Questions arising at the Applicants’ conference will be documented and answered in written form. A copy of the questions and answers will be sent to each prospective Applicant that has made the RFA Coordinator aware of their interest in this RFA. The questions and answers will also be posted on the Commerce program website.

2.4 QUESTION AND ANSWER PERIOD

COMMERCE will accept questions about this RFA sent to the RFA Coordinator at the email address listed in Section 2.1 during this period. Questions should not identify the submitting person or organization. COMMERCE will answer all questions in a Q&A document posted no later than the date identified in Section 2.2.

https://aka.ms/JoinTeamsMeeting?omkt=en-US https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/ap/t-59584e83/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fteams.microsoft.com%2Fmeet%2F265265194863947%3Fp%3DvibUXekUBIVYCVdfs5&data=05%7C02%7Clatojanae.hull%40commerce.wa.gov%7C472f2730742b45de7f3a08debcd88233%7C11d0e217264e400a8ba057dcc127d72d%7C0%7C0%7C639155835239585409%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=a9m4EO5tIMlH5Qz%2Fmm70D5ekpRe%2Fmqc%2BIR6WW3%2Fj4is%3D&reserved=0

2.5 SUBMISSION OF RESPONSES

ELECTRONIC RESPONSES:

Applications must be received by the RFA Coordinator no later than 4:00 PM Pacific Time, on July 17, 2026.

Applications must be submitted electronically through the online application portal (via Smartsheet):

FIFA Destination Marketing Grants RFA - Application Intake.

Additional files should be attached/submitted in PDF format. Zipped files cannot be received by COMMERCE and cannot be used for submission of Applications. The Certifications and Assurances form must have a signature of the individual within the organization authorized to bind the organization to the offer. COMMERCE does not assume responsibility for problems with non-COMMERCE e-mail or transmission portals. If COMMERCE email or portal platform is not working, appropriate allowances will be made.

Applications may not be transmitted using facsimile transmission.

Applicants should allow sufficient time to ensure timely receipt of the Application by the RFA Coordinator. Late Applications will not be accepted and will be automatically disqualified from further consideration, unless COMMERCE’s email or portals found to be at fault. All Applications and any accompanying documentation become the property of COMMERCE and will not be returned. Any information received as a result of this RFA may be collected and considered for continuous improvement purposes.

2.6 PROPRIETARY INFORMATION/PUBLIC DISCLOSURE

Applications submitted in response to this competitive procurement shall become the property of COMMERCE. All Applications received shall remain confidential until the Apparent Successful Bidder is announced; thereafter, the Applications shall be deemed public records as defined in Chapter 42.56 of the Revised Code of Washington (RCW).

Any information in the Application that the Applicant desires to claim as proprietary and exempt from disclosure under the provisions of Chapter 42.56 RCW, or other state or federal law that provides for the nondisclosure of your document, must be clearly designated. The information must be clearly identified and the particular exemption from disclosure upon which the Applicant is making the claim must be cited. Each page containing the information claimed to be exempt from disclosure must be clearly identified by the words “Proprietary Information” printed on the lower right hand corner of the page. Marking the entire Application exempt from disclosure or as Proprietary Information will not be honored.

If a public records request is made for the information that the Applicant has marked as "Proprietary Information" COMMERCE will notify the Applicant of the request and of the date that the records will be released to the requester unless the Applicant obtains a court order enjoining that disclosure. If the Applicant fails to obtain the court order enjoining disclosure, COMMERCE will release the requested information on the date specified. If an Applicant obtains a court order from a court of competent jurisdiction enjoining disclosure pursuant to Chapter 42.56 RCW, or other state or federal law that provides for nondisclosure, COMMERCE shall maintain the confidentiality of the Applicant's information per the court order.

A charge will be made for copying and shipping, as outlined in RCW 42.56. No fee shall be charged for inspection of contract files, but twenty-four (24) hours’ notice to the RFA Coordinator is required. All requests for information should be directed to the RFA Coordinator.

https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/019e705e9d1d7c4fab12a3e08078b54c

2.7 REVISIONS TO THE RFA

In the event it becomes necessary to revise any part of this RFA, addenda will be provided via e-mail to all individuals who have made the RFA Coordinator aware of their interest. Addenda is also published on Washington’s Electronic Business Solution (WEBS), located at https://fortress.wa.gov/ga/webs/.

Such addenda will also be published anywhere the RFA is posted, including on COMMERCE’S public webpage, located at https://www.commerce.wa.gov/contracting/.

COMMERCE also reserves the right to cancel or to reissue the RFA in whole or in part, prior to execution of a contract.

2.8 ACCEPTANCE PERIOD

Applications must provide 60 days for acceptance by COMMERCE from the due date for receipt of Applications.

2.9 COMPLAINT PROCESS

Vendors may submit a complaint to COMMERCE based on any of following:

a) The solicitation unnecessarily restricts competition;

b) The solicitation evaluation or scoring process is unfair; or

c) The solicitation requirements are inadequate or insufficient to prepare an Application.

A complaint may be submitted to COMMERCE at any time prior to 5 days before the bid response deadline. The complaint must meet the following requirements:

a) The complaint must be in writing;

b) The complaint must be sent to the RFA coordinator in a timely manner;

c) The complaint should clearly articulate the basis for the complaint; and

d) The complaint should include a proposed remedy.

The RFA coordinator will respond to the complaint in writing. The response to the complaint and any changes to the solicitation will be posted on WEBS. The Director of COMMERCE will be notified of all complaints and will be provided a copy of COMMERCE’S response. The complaint may not be raised again during the protest period. COMMERCE’S action or inaction in response to the complaint will be final. There is no appeal process.

2.10 RESPONSIVENESS

All Applications will be reviewed by the RFA Coordinator to determine compliance with administrative requirements and instructions specified in this RFA. The Applicant is specifically notified that failure to comply with any part of this RFA may result in rejection of the Application as non-responsive.

Disqualified Applicants will be notified after the announcement of the Apparently Successful Applicant(s).

Disqualified Applicants will be informed of the reason for disqualification; this shall constitute a debriefing conference for the purposes of Section 4.7, Protest Procedure.

COMMERCE reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to waive minor administrative irregularities.

2.11 MOST FAVORABLE TERMS

COMMERCE reserves the right to make an award without further discussion of the Application submitted. Therefore, the Application should be submitted initially on the most favorable terms which the Applicant can propose. COMMERCE reserves the right to contact an Applicant for clarification of its Application.

https://fortress.wa.gov/ga/webs/ https://www.commerce.wa.gov/contracting/

The Applicant should be prepared to accept this RFA for incorporation into a contract resulting from this RFA. Contract negotiations may incorporate some, or all, of the Applicant’s Application. It is understood that the Application will become a part of the official procurement file on this matter without obligation to COMMERCE.

2.12 CONTRACT AND GENERAL TERMS & CONDITIONS

The Apparent Successful Applicant will be expected to enter into a contract which is substantially the same as the sample contract and its general terms and conditions attached as Exhibit E. In no event is an Applicant to submit its own standard contract terms and conditions in response to this solicitation.

The Applicant may submit proposed edits as allowed in the Certifications and Assurances section, Exhibit A to this RFA. COMMERCE will review requested edits and accept or reject the same at its sole discretion.

2.13 COSTS TO PROPOSE

COMMERCE will not be liable for any costs incurred by the Applicant in preparation of an Application submitted in response to this RFA, in conduct of a presentation, or any other activities related to responding to this RFA.

2.14 NO OBLIGATION TO CONTRACT

This RFA does not obligate the state of Washington or COMMERCE to contract for services specified herein.

2.15 REJECTION OF RESPONSES

COMMERCE reserves the right at its sole discretion to reject any and all Applications received without penalty and not to issue a contract as a result of this RFA.

2.16 COMMITMENT OF FUNDS

The Director of COMMERCE or the Director’s delegate are the only individuals who may legally commit COMMERCE to the expenditures of funds for a contract resulting from this RFA. No cost chargeable to the proposed contract may be incurred before receipt of a fully executed contract.

2.17 ELECTRONIC PAYMENT

The state of Washington prefers to utilize electronic payment in its transactions. The successful Applicant must have or obtain a Statewide Vendor Number (SWV) from the Office of Financial Management (OFM) to be paid by COMMERCE. For more information visit OFM at www.ofm.wa.gov.

2.18 INSURANCE COVERAGE

The Applicant is to furnish COMMERCE with a certificate of insurance executed by a duly authorized representative of each insurer, showing compliance with the insurance requirements set forth below if requested.

The Applicant shall, at Applicant’s own expense, obtain and keep in force insurance coverage, which shall be maintained in full force and effect during the term of the contract. The Applicant shall furnish evidence in the form of a Certificate of Insurance that insurance shall be provided, and, if requested, a copy shall be forwarded to COMMERCE within fifteen (15) days of the contract effective date. Standard insurance requirements are included within the sample contract and its special terms and conditions attached as Exhibit E.

http://www.ofm.wa.gov/

3 RESPONSE CONTENTS

ELECTRONIC RESPONSES:

Applications must be written in English and submitted electronically to the RFA Coordinator in the order noted below:

1. Certifications and Assurances (Exhibit A)

2. Applicant Information (Exhibit B)

3. Diverse Business Inclusion Plan (Exhibit C)

4. Workers’ Rights Certification (Exhibit D)

5. FIFA 2026 Community Activation and Local Partnerships (Exhibit E)

Applications must provide information in the same order as presented in this document with the same headings. This will not only be helpful to the evaluators of the Application, but should also assist the Applicant in preparing a thorough response.

All items marked “mandatory” must be included as part of the Application for the Application to be considered responsive, however, these items are not scored. Items marked “scored” are those that are awarded points as part of the evaluation conducted by the evaluation team.

3.1 CERTIFICATIONS AND ASSURANCES (MANDATORY)

The Certifications and Assurances form (Exhibit A) must be signed and dated by a person authorized to legally bind the Applicant to a contractual relationship, e.g., the President or Executive Director if a corporation, the managing partner if a partnership, or the proprietor if a sole proprietorship.

Those wishing to submit any proposed contract edits must indicate so on this form (see Section 2.12).

3.2 APPLICANT INFORMATION (SCORED)

The Applicant Information form (Exhibit B) must completed in its entirety. If any question or section does not apply, please enter “N/A” or “None”.

3.3 DIVERSE BUSINESS INCLUSION PLAN (MANDATORY)

The Diverse Business Inclusion Plan (Exhibit C) is a communication tool allowing Applicants to inform COMMERCE if diverse business will be involved in the contract if awarded. Participation includes directly (the Applicant) and indirectly, such as any subcontractors or subgrantees who might carry out services chargeable to the contract. In accordance with legislative findings and policies set forth in RCW 39.19, the state of Washington encourages participation in all contracts by firms certified by the office of Minority and Women’s Business Enterprises (OMWBE), set forth in RCW 43.60A.200 for firms certified by the Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs, and set forth in RCW 39.26.005 for firms that are Washington Small Businesses. No minimum level of minority- and women-owned business enterprise (MWBE), Washington Small Business, or Washington State certified Veteran Business participation is required as a condition for receiving an award. Any affirmative action requirements set forth in any federal rules included or referenced in the contract documents will apply.

3.4 WORKERS’ RIGHTS CERTIFICATION (MANDATORY)

The Workers’ Rights Certification (Exhibit D) must be signed and dated as described in Section

3.1. Some employers require their employees to waive certain rights. While this is legally permitted, the Washington Governor’s Office considers it a harmful and disfavored practice. Executive Order 18-03 requires all state agencies to award bonus points in competitive processes to increase contracting with employers that do not require their employees to sign an individual arbitration clause or waiver of collective or class action. Those Applicants which certify they do not require their employees to waive such rights as a condition of employment will receive an extra 5% of their awarded points added to their final score.

3.5 FIFA 2026 Community Activation and Local Partnerships (MANDATORY)

The FIFA 2026 Community Activation and Local Partnerships form (Exhibit E) must completed in its entirety. If any question or section does not apply, please enter “N/A” or “None”.

4 EVALUATION AND CONTRACT AWARD

4.1 EVALUATION PROCEDURE

Complete and responsive Applications will be evaluated strictly in accordance with the requirements stated in this RFA and any addenda issued. The evaluation of Applications will be accomplished by an evaluation team to be designated by COMMERCE, which will determine the ranking of the Applications.

4.2 CLARIFICATION OF RESPONSE

The RFA Coordinator may contact Applicants for clarification of any portion of the Applicant’s Application. Submission or alteration of any materials after the due date is prohibited.

4.3 EVALUATION AND SCORING

The following weighting and points will be assigned to the Application for evaluation purposes:

The RFA Coordinator will review all applications to ensure the minimum criteria has been met to be considered for funding. An evaluation committee will score the eligible applications based on the information provided by the applicant. The following criteria will be used to rank applications:

Each question in the application will be graded on the following scale:

Evaluation Guidelines for RFA Response Questions

Criteria

Significant (5 Points) The response is clear, complete and provides specific examples that demonstrate significant experience, plans, and readiness.

The response is significantly relevant to the application.

Sufficient (3 Points) The response is adequate and/or provides some examples that demonstrate satisfactory experience, plans, and readiness. The response is mostly relevant to the application.

Limited (1 Point) The response is somewhat unclear, and examples provided lack specificity and/or demonstrate a general lack experience, plans, and readiness. The response is somewhat relevant to the application.

Five implementable projects with established plans, defined activities, and capacity for timely fund expenditure and reimbursement.

At least 9 planned local community events with FIFA licensing, with at least 6 occurring outside of King County.

will be awarded to projects that demonstrate direct partnership and will fund ADO’s and local municipalities.

Additionally, those organizations which certify they do not require their employees to sign an individual arbitration clause as a condition of employment will receive an extra 5% of their awarded points added to their final score (see Exhibit D).

COMMERCE reserves the right to award the contract(s) to the Applicant(s) whose Application is deemed to be in the best interest of COMMERCE and the state of Washington.

4.4 VIRTUAL PRESENTATIONS MAY BE REQUIRED

COMMERCE, at its sole discretion, may select the top-scoring Applicant(s) from the written evaluation for a virtual presentation. If so, COMMERCE will contact the top-scoring Applicant(s) to schedule a date and time to meet on a platform such as Zoom or Microsoft Teams. Commitments made by the Applicant at the virtual presentation, if any, will be considered binding.

If held, the virtual presentation shall determine the Apparent Successful Applicant(s).

4.5 NOTIFICATION TO APPLICANTS

Applicants that are not selected for further negotiation or award will be notified by e-mail.

4.6 DEBRIEFING OF UNSUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS

Upon request, a debriefing conference will be scheduled with an unsuccessful Applicant. The request for a debriefing conference must be received by the RFA Coordinator within three (3) business days after the Notification of Unsuccessful Applicant notice is emailed to the Applicant. The debriefing must be scheduled within three (3) business days of the request.

Discussion at the debriefing conference is strictly limited to the following:

Evaluation and scoring of that organization’s Application;

Any written comments from evaluators related to that Applicant;

Review of their final score in comparison with the other final scores without identifying the other participants or reviewing their Applications.

Comparisons between proposals or evaluations of the other proposals is not allowed. Debriefing conferences may be conducted on the telephone or by other electronic means and will be scheduled for a maximum of thirty (30) minutes. COMMERCE reserves the right to end a debriefing for any reason.

4.7 PROTEST PROCEDURE

This procedure is available to Applicants who submitted an Application in response to this RFA document and who have participated in a debriefing conference. Upon completing the debriefing conference, the Applicant is allowed five (5) business days to file a protest of the RFA process with the RFA Coordinator. Protests must be received by the RFA Coordinator no later than 5:00pm Pacific time on the fifth business day following the debriefing. Protests must be submitted by email. Applicants may choose to copy COMMERCE’S Central Contracts Office at formalprotest@commerce.wa.gov. Do not copy any other COMMERCE staff.

Anyone protesting this procurement must follow the procedures described below. Protests that do not follow these procedures shall not be considered. This protest procedure constitutes the sole administrative remedy available under this RFA.

All protests must be in writing and signed by the protesting party or an authorized agent. The protest must state the grounds for the protest with specific facts and complete statements of the action(s) being protested. A description of the relief or corrective action being requested should also be included. All protests shall be addressed to the RFA Coordinator.

Only protests stipulating an issue of fact concerning the following subjects shall be considered:

A matter of bias, discrimination or conflict of interest on the part of the evaluator Errors in computing the score Non-compliance with procedures described in this procurement document or current

COMMERCE policy mailto:formalprotest@commerce.wa.gov

Protests not based on procedural matters will not be considered. Protests will be rejected as without merit if they address issues such as: 1) An evaluator’s professional judgment on or assessment of the quality of an Application, or 2) COMMERCE’S assessment of its own and/or other agencies’ needs or requirements.

Scores received are not a valid basis of protest and will be dismissed as without merit unless included with facts supporting bias, discrimination, or conflict of interest on the part of an evaluator.

Upon receipt of a protest, a protest review will be held by COMMERCE. COMMERCE’S Chief Contracts Officer, or other employee delegated by the Director who was not involved in the award process, will consider the record and all available facts and issue a decision within ten (10) business days of receipt of the protest. If additional time is required, the protesting party will be notified of the delay.

In the event a protest may directly impact the actual interest of another Applicant, such Applicant may be given an opportunity to submit its views and any relevant information on the protest.

The final determination of the protest shall:

Find the protest lacking in merit and uphold COMMERCE’S action, or Find only technical or harmless errors in COMMERCE’S acquisition process and determine

COMMERCE to be in substantial compliance and reject the protest, or Find merit in the protest and provide COMMERCE options which may include:

o Correct the error(s) and re-evaluate all Applications o Reissue the solicitation document and begin a new process o Make other findings and determine other courses of action as appropriate

If COMMERCE determines that the protest is without merit, COMMERCE may enter into a contract with the Apparent Successful Applicant(s). If the protest is determined to have merit, one of the options above will be taken.

5 RFA EXHIBITS

Exhibit A Certifications and Assurances Exhibit B Applicant Information Exhibit C Diverse Business Inclusion Plan Exhibit D Workers’ Rights Certification Exhibit E FIFA 2026 Community Activation and Local Partnership Project Criteria Exhibit F Example Grant Contract including General Terms and Conditions

EXHIBIT A

CERTIFICATIONS AND ASSURANCES

I/we make the following certifications and assurances as a required element of my/our Application, understanding that the truthfulness of the facts affirmed here and the continuing compliance with these requirements are conditions precedent to the award or continuation of the related contract(s):

1. I/we declare that all answers and statements made in the Application are true and correct.

2. The prices and/or cost data have been determined independently, without consultation, communication, or agreement with others for the purpose of restricting competition. However, I/we may freely join with other persons or organizations for the purpose of presenting a single Application.

3. The attached Application is a firm offer for a period of 60 days following receipt, and it may be accepted by COMMERCE without further negotiation (except where obviously required by lack of certainty in key terms) at any time within the 60-day period.

4. In preparing this Application, I/we have not been assisted by any current or former employee of the state of Washington whose duties relate (or did relate) to this Application or prospective contract, and who was assisting in other than his or her official, public capacity. (Any exceptions to these assurances are described in full detail on a separate page and attached to this document.)

5. I/we understand that COMMERCE will not reimburse me/us for any costs incurred in the preparation of this Application. All Applications become the property of COMMERCE, and I/we claim no proprietary right to the ideas, writings, items, or samples, unless so stated in this Application.

6. Unless otherwise required by law, the prices and/or cost data that have been submitted have not been knowingly disclosed by the Applicant and will not knowingly be disclosed by him/her prior to opening, directly or indirectly to any other Applicant or to any competitor.

7. I/we agree that submission of the attached Application constitutes acceptance of the solicitation contents and the attached sample contract and general terms and conditions. If there are any exceptions to these terms, I/we have described those exceptions in detail on a page attached to this document.

8. No attempt has been made or will be made by the Applicant to induce any other person or organization to submit or not to submit an Application for the purpose of restricting competition.

9. I/we grant COMMERCE the right to contact references and others, who may have pertinent information regarding the Applicant’s prior experience and ability to perform the services contemplated in this procurement.

10. If any staff member(s) who will perform work on this contract has retired from the State of Washington under the provisions of the 2008 Early Retirement Factors legislation, his/her name(s) is noted on a separately attached page.

I/We have reviewed the Contract and General Terms and Conditions and I/we: (check one and sign) ☐ are submitting proposed Contract edits. If proposed Contract edits are being submitted, I/we have attached them to this form. (See Section 2.12) ☐ are not submitting proposed Contract edits. (Default if neither are checked)

On behalf of the organization submitting this Application, my signature below attests to the accuracy of the above statements as well as my authority to bind this organization.

Signature

Printed Name and Title Date

EXHIBIT B

APPLICANT INFORMATION

Full Legal Name of Organization Licensed to do Business in Washington?

☐ Yes

☐ Will become licensed within 30 days of award

☐ Federally recognized tribal government

Year Incorporated Entity Type Applicant Type Number of Employees Choose an item. Choose an item. Choose an item.

Additional Detail:

Mailing Address Physical Address (if different than mailing address) Street: Street:

City: State: Zip Code: City: State: Zip Code:

Statewide Vendor Number (SWV): Uniform Business Identifier (UBI): Unique Entity Identifier (UEI): Federal Employer ID (FEIN):

Key Staff Primary contact person for this Application Other Application contact Name and Title: Name and Title:

Phone: Phone:

Email: Email:

Executive (Person with authority to bind organization) Grant Manager (Primary contact for grant activities)

Name/Title: Name/Title:

Phone: Phone:

Email: Email:

Finance (Primary contact for invoices and payment) Data Manager (Primary contact for data security)

Name/Title: Name/Title:

Phone: Phone:

Email: Email:

Subgrantee Information (if applicable) Name of Organization Licensed to do Business in WA State ☐ Yes

☐ Will become licensed within 30 days of award

☐ Federally recognized tribal government Uniform Business Identifier (UBI) Federal Employer ID (FEIN) Subgrantee Contact Name and Phone Number

Summary of subgrantee’s primary responsibilities (50 words maximum)

References List names, addresses, telephone numbers, and e-mail addresses of three (3) references the Proposer has done business with and three (3) professional references the lead staff person has performed work for and briefly describe the type of service provided. Do not include current COMMERCE staff as references. By submitting a Proposal the Proposer and any partners or agents authorize COMMERCE to contact these references and any others who, from COMMERCE’S perspective, may have pertinent information. COMMERCE may or may not contact references in its sole discretion.

Applicant Reference 1 Name: Title:

Phone: Email:

Relationship to Applicant:

Applicant Reference 2

Name: Title:

Phone: Email:

Relationship to Applicant:

Applicant Reference 3

Name: Title:

Phone: Email:

Relationship to Applicant:

Current or former state employees Identify any state employees or former state employees employed by the Applicant or on the Applicant’s governing board as of the date of submission. Include their position and responsibilities within the Applicant’s organization. If, following a review of this information, it is determined by Commerce that a conflict of interest may exist, the Applicant may be disqualified from further consideration for the award of a contract.

Name Title Responsibilities State Agency Last Year Worked

☐ I/we certify no current or former state employees are employed by this organization nor serve on the governing board.

Past Contracts If the Applicant has had any contract terminated for default in the last five years, describe below. Termination for default, also called termination for cause, is defined as notice to stop contract work for reasons related to contract performance and/or compliance and the termination was either (a) not litigated due to inaction on the part of the Applicant, or (b) litigated and such litigation determined that the Applicant was in default. Submit full details of the terms for default, adding additional pages if needed and include: the other party's and contact information, as well as your position on the matter. Commerce will evaluate the facts and may, in its sole discretion, reject the Application on these grounds.

Other Party Contract Purpose Date of Termination Details

☐ I/we certify the Applicant has had no contracts of any kind terminated for default in the last five years.

If the Applicant has held any contract (including grants, work orders, purchase requests, MOUs, etc.) with the state of Washington, whether an Agency, Department, Board, Office, Council, Institution of Higher Education, or other entity of the state, within the past 36 months, describe each contract below:

State Agency and Contract Manager Name Contract Number Total Amount Start Date End Date

☐ I/we certify the Applicant has not held any contract with the state of Washington in the past 36 months.

Contributors Please list all those who worked on the development of this Application, whether or not employed by the Applicant.

Name and Title RFA Section(s)

NARRATIVE QUESTIONS

Please answer each question in enough detail to convey to the evaluation team the Applicant’s understanding of the services, the needs of the communities to be served, and the Applicant’s organizational priorities and practices. If a question is not applicable provide a brief explanation why it does not apply.

1. Please see Section 1.1 and 1.2 for the purpose and objectives of this RFA. Describe the need in your community for these services and why your organization is positioned to carry out those services.

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2. Marginalized communities are routinely underserved in community services. How would you use this funding to serve these communities equitably?

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3. What strategies and actions do you currently utilize to advance racial equity within your organization?

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4. How have you incorporated lived experts’ input throughout your development and implementation of services, including but not limited to current/former participants, staff, and volunteers? How do you avoid tokenizing lived experts?

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5. Describe a time that you received feedback from a participant in your program, how and when you responded, and any changes to policies, procedures, or practices that occurred as a result.

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6. Describe how data is collected, stored, and transmitted in your organization.

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7. What risks and other challenges are there in delivering the services of this RFA?

8. Describe all relevant experience of the Applicant and its staff related to the services of this RFA.

9. How will local communities funded capitalize and leverage tourism marketing opportunities based on FIFA related activities?

10. With funding available through May 28, 2027, provide examples of activities this funding could be used for to expand tourism within rural areas?

This Applicant or the community(ies) it serves: (check all that apply)

☐ Is located in a rural area of Washington. County: Click or tap here to enter text.

☐ Has never received state grant funding.

☐ Is substantially controlled and operated by members of the community(ies) it serves.

☐ Primarily serves historically marginalized and disadvantaged communities.

☐ Has or is developing written policies and procedures related to contracting and compliance.

If the Proposer plans to subcontract/subgrant any portion of the award, describe how subcontractors/subgrantees will be selected, as well as your organization’s plan and ability to compensate those subcontractors/subgrantees prior to seeking reimbursement from COMMERCE. If not, state that no subcontracting/subgranting will occur.

Please note that federally funded awards must comply with all applicable sections of the Code of Federal Regulations, 2 CFR 200, including selection of subs.

BUDGET

Please include a detailed budget not to exceed the amount in Section 1.4. Include costs of all things necessary to carry out the services of this RFA. Costs for work to be done by subcontractors or subgrantees are to be broken out separately.

The evaluation process is designed to award funding not necessarily to the Applicants of least cost, but rather to Applicants that best meet the requirements of this RFA. Applicants are encouraged, however, to submit budgets which are consistent with efforts to conserve state resources.

EXHIBIT C

DIVERSE BUSINESS INCLUSION PLAN

Please see Section 3.3 for more information regarding the Diverse Business Inclusion Plan.

If awarded a contract as a result of this RFA, do you…