Request for Proposal (RFP) for Build Back Better Knowledge Corridor Consultant

The Capitol Region Council of Governments (CRCOG) has issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) seeking a consultant to support the Build Back Better Knowledge Corridor Regional Challenge, a federal grant initiative focused on regional economic development. The primary objective is to identify and develop a comprehensive grant application for the U.S. Economic Development Administration's Build Back Better Regional Challenge, with the consultant expected to provide strategic support throughout the proposal development process. Key services will likely include conducting market and economic analyses, facilitating regional partnership development, and crafting a competitive grant submission strategy for the Knowledge Corridor region in Hartford County, Connecticut. The RFP solicitation is open to all vendors and was released on November 18, 2021, with proposal responses due by December 16, 2021 at 5:00 PM EST. A vendor question and answer period was established from November 18, 2021 at 4:00 PM EST through December 1, 2021 at 5:00 PM EST, during which potential bidders could seek clarification about the project requirements. Additional detailed information about the RFP can be accessed through the CRCOG Bonfire procurement portal (crcog.bonfirehub.com), and the primary contact for the solicitation is Laura Quintiliani.

No specific set-aside designations, disadvantaged enterprise requirements, or incumbent vendor information were explicitly detailed in the procurement documents. The RFP does not specify an estimated total contract value, budget range, or funding allocation for the consultant services. Delivery terms are designated as Free On Board Destination, with payment terms to be specified by the selected vendor. The solicitation has been marked as having no predefined line items and appears to be an open competition accessible to any qualified consulting firm interested in supporting regional economic development initiatives. While the documents do not provide comprehensive details about required qualifications, the nature of the project suggests that potential respondents should have demonstrable experience in grant writing, economic development strategy, regional partnership coordination, and federal grant application preparation. The consultant will be expected to work closely with CRCOG to develop a compelling narrative that highlights the Knowledge Corridor region's economic potential and aligns with the U.S. Economic Development Administration's Build Back Better Regional Challenge objectives.