Program evaluation – business development tax credit program

The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) is seeking a comprehensive program evaluation of its Business Development Tax Credit (BTC) program through a detailed Request for Proposals (RFP) issued on August 7, 2023. The procurement focuses on analyzing approximately 115 closed BTC awards from budget years 2016 to 2020, with the primary objective of understanding the program's effectiveness and economic impact. Key deliverables include a thorough assessment of existing portfolio performance, return on investment (ROI) analysis, opportunity cost evaluation, measurement of social and community impacts, and benchmarking against comparable state programs. Proposers must submit detailed technical approaches, including estimated hours, billing rates, and anticipated expenses, with proposals due electronically to Shelly Braun by September 5, 2023, at 4:00 p.m. CT. The evaluation criteria will emphasize vendor experience, team quality, technical approach, project timeline, and proposed fees, with a comprehensive review process scheduled from September 6-29, 2023. WEDC plans to announce the selected vendor on October 6, 2023, execute the contract by October 10, 2023, and complete the project by April 30, 2024, including a draft report due April 1, 2024, and a final in-person presentation to WEDC leadership.

The RFP includes a five percent scoring preference for Diverse Businesses, encouraging participation from historically underrepresented vendors. Mandatory requirements specify that proposers must demonstrate capability to provide the outlined services and comply with all RFP instructions, including detailed disclosures about organizational structure, relevant engagements, staff qualifications, and data confidentiality capabilities. Proposers are required to submit comprehensive documentation, including staff resumes, subcontractor information, W-9 forms, standard contract documents, and a Supplier Demographic Attestation. While no specific budget range is explicitly stated, the RFP indicates that proposals should be submitted as fixed-cost submissions. WEDC retains significant discretion in the procurement process, including the right to reject any or all proposals, waive specifications, negotiate with multiple vendors, and request financial stability reports. Proposals will remain valid for acceptance for sixty days from the submission date, with WEDC not liable for proposal preparation costs.