Economic stabilization program for covid impacted microenterprises 2. 0

Washtenaw County's Community & Economic Development department is seeking proposals from qualified organizations to implement the Economic Stabilization Program for COVID Impacted Microenterprises 2.0, a targeted technical assistance initiative for low- to moderate-income (LMI) business owners. The Request for Proposal (RFP) #8839 aims to partner with two local business service providers to deliver comprehensive support to eligible microenterprises through direct grants and technical assistance. Proposing organizations must provide services such as business coaching, strategic planning, and market adaptation support, with the goal of stabilizing 10-15 businesses per year. The RFP was released on August 28, 2025, with proposals due by October 10, 2025, at 4:00 PM EDT, and an optional pre-bid meeting scheduled for September 23, 2025, via Zoom. Key deliverables include providing individualized business coaching, strategic planning consultation, and grants up to $2,500 per eligible business. Evaluation criteria will likely focus on the organization's experience with microenterprise support, proposed approach to technical assistance, and demonstrated ability to reach underserved business communities.

The program specifically targets microenterprises with 5 or fewer employees, located in Washtenaw Urban County communities, and established on or before March 16, 2020. Eligible businesses must be owned by households at or below 80% Area Median Income, with a priority on outreach to underserved communities, including BIPOC-owned, immigrant-owned, and LMI microenterprises. The program is funded through up to $150,000 from the Community Development Block Grant CARES Act (CDBG-CV) allocation, with an initial contract period expected to be 8 months to 1 year and potential renewal options. No specific incumbent vendors are mentioned in the documentation. The program's broader objective is to build long-term capacity in the local business support ecosystem by providing targeted, culturally responsive technical assistance and financial support to small businesses most impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Organizations responding to the RFP should demonstrate expertise in working with diverse microenterprise owners and a comprehensive approach to business stabilization and growth.