Cannabis Business Advanced Mentorship Program 2027

The Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) is soliciting Documented Quotes on behalf of the Cannabis Business Office for the Cannabis Business Advanced Mentorship Program 2027, with quotes due November 17, 2026. Bidders must meet mandatory experience requirements: at least three years of direct work with social equity entrepreneurs in the cannabis industry, at least two years running high touch-point mentorship programs, and the ability to offer in-person programming in Colorado. The preferred requirement is internal expertise in at least one specified field.

The program provides cohort-style mentorship to social equity cannabis licensees. Each cohort serves 10 to 15 licensees over a minimum 15-week period, and the program serves 25 to 30 individual entrepreneurs per 12-month term. Services include one-on-one business advising; subject matter expert support in marketing, compliance, accounting, financial consulting, engineering, architecture/contracting, and human resources; networking and product showcasing; and capital access preparation. Ad hoc advising for clients referred by the Cannabis Business Office is capped at $7,875, with each referred client eligible for up to five hours of expert consultation. Work must comply with Colorado accessibility standards and WCAG Level AA. Additional projects of similar nature may be awarded following this solicitation.

The maximum budget for the 12-month project is $207,875.00. Pricing must allocate costs across program development and marketing/outreach (not to exceed 15% of the overall project budget), business advisor costs, subject matter expert costs, and ad hoc advising. The contract term is one year with an option to extend up to an additional six months. The desired Commitment Voucher start date is January 1, 2027. Place of performance is Colorado, with Denver County and Denver City listed as jurisdictions. Vendors must disclose any services performed outside the United States or Colorado.

The State will award to the Bidder whose acceptable quote is most advantageous, with price as the primary consideration. Anticipated award notification is December 2, 2026. Bids remain valid for 180 days from award. The Commitment Voucher Terms and Conditions are not subject to negotiation. Required insurance includes $1,000,000 general liability per occurrence, $2,000,000 general aggregate professional liability for professional service providers, and protected information and crime coverage for contractors handling confidential data or state monies. No incumbent is named.

Submissions go via Box.com as a zip folder containing a Bidder Response Form, DQ Pricing Sheet, Signature and Attestation Page, DQ Affirmation Page, W-9, and Vendor Performance Disclosure Form.