GCAA, CENT, Search Firm for CEO

History Colorado, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization and agency of the State of Colorado under the Department of Higher Education, issued a Documented Quote (DQ) solicitation for an executive search firm to assist with the selection of a President/CEO. The procurement sought comprehensive executive search services including job description development, candidate recruitment and screening, stakeholder engagement, interview coordination, background due diligence, consensus-building with HC leadership, solicitation of input from multiple state entities and cultural organizations, publication of job postings at state and national levels, development of rating instruments for candidates, and presentation of a slate of semifinalist candidates for final selection. The contract term ran from October 26, 2015 or upon final execution through April 30, 2016, with the expectation that the new President/CEO would begin employment no later than May 1, 2016. Vendors were required to demonstrate at least five years of experience in executive-level placement in the cultural nonprofit sector, familiarity with the Colorado community, ability to provide a principal consultant and supporting staff, recent relevant placements, and ability to recruit diverse candidates. Vendor responses were due by October 5, 2015 at 8:00 a.m. Mountain Time via email to the designated procurement contact, with responses not to exceed 25 pages of narrative (40 pages including resumes and supporting documentation) and must include company background, action plan with timelines, key personnel curriculum vitae, three references from comparable projects in the last five years, resumes, recent job awards, and completed signature page and W-9 forms.

A 5% preference was available to Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSBs) that met minimum specifications and submitted appropriate certification documentation. The solicitation imposed a maximum budget cap of $50,000.00 for all costs associated with deliverables with no additional reimbursements permitted; vendors were required to provide a detailed budget specific to each deliverable and state whether History Colorado would be charged for a second search if the first search proved unsuccessful. While some consulting activities could be performed on-site at HC's headquarters in Denver, Colorado, the majority of work could be conducted remotely at the vendor's location. The standard State of Colorado Purchase Order Terms and Conditions applied to the engagement, incorporating provisions regarding FOB destination delivery, payment within 45 days of invoice receipt, compliance with Colorado Cyber Security Policies, and adherence to federal and state employment and immigration laws including participation in the E-Verify Program. All materials, reports, data, and documents produced under the purchase order remained the exclusive property of History Colorado.