BACP-Neighborhood Business Network - Peer Support

The City of Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection is requesting proposals for a lead delegate agency to design and coordinate the Neighborhood Business Network - Peer Support program, a comprehensive peer-support initiative serving Chicago's business-serving organizations, with proposals due November 6, 2026 at 12:00 PM Central Time and a pre-solicitation conference scheduled for October 13, 2026 at 2:00 PM Central Time via Zoom.

The eligible applicant must be a qualified nonprofit, community-based organization. The scope centers on designing and implementing services within an Assess, Build, Connect, and Deliver framework: program and service mapping, targeted training and technical assistance, peer-learning sessions, network convenings, and implementation support. Key deliverables include a dedicated program email, comprehensive program map, annual impact report, and training curriculum with accompanying videos. The successful organization must provide liability insurance naming the City as an additional insured and comply with all City of Chicago procurement regulations, conflict-of-interest ordinances, ethics requirements, and nondiscrimination statutes.

The City intends to award one reimbursement-based grant contract in the amount of $500,000 for the 2027 contract year, funded through Chicago's Corporate Fund. The contract term runs from January 1, 2027, through December 31, 2027, with potential extension for up to four additional one-year periods based on performance and fund availability. Payment is made monthly upon submission of requisitions within 15 days following service delivery or cost incurrence.

Evaluation weighting is program design (40 points), program strength (25 points), performance management (15 points), organizational capacity (10 points), budget management and cost effectiveness (5 points), and overall responsiveness (5 points). The City reserves the right to recommend qualified proposals out of rank to ensure geographic distribution and minimize service duplication. Questions are due October 20, 2026. Required application documents include articles of incorporation, board bylaws, financial statements, IRS Form 990 filings, organizational chart, program budget form, staff resumes, proof of liability insurance, and work program form. Applications must be submitted through the City's eProcurement portal.