Small Business Readiness Curriculum Development

The City of Charlotte, North Carolina, located in Mecklenburg County, is seeking a qualified company to develop a comprehensive Small Business Readiness Curriculum through RFP #269-2026-156. The primary objective is to design a training curriculum that builds small business capacity and prepares businesses to participate in upcoming City-led projects, particularly related to mobility and transportation investments. The curriculum must comprehensively address six core focus areas: Business Readiness, Financial Preparedness and Access to Capital, Certification/Bonding/Insurance, Solicitation Preparation, Contract Readiness, RFP Response, City Solicitation Processes, and Project Management Skills. The company will be responsible solely for curriculum development, including the training plan and train-the-trainer training, with actual curriculum delivery to be conducted by other designated facilitators. A non-mandatory pre-proposal conference is scheduled for December 18, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. EST via Microsoft Teams, and proposals must be electronically submitted through the Bonfire e-Procurement Portal by January 15, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. EST. Proposals will be evaluated based on qualifications and experience, proposed solution and approach, cost effectiveness and value, and acceptance of contract terms.

The City has established participation goals for Minority-owned, Women-owned, and Small Business Enterprises (MWSBEs) through its Charlotte Business INClusion Program, requiring tracking of all subcontractor and supplier payments through the InclusionCLT system. Companies must demonstrate understanding of the targeted small business audience and deliver the curriculum within six months of contract execution. The contract term is up to three years, consisting of an initial two-year term with an option to renew for one additional year, subject to City Council approval. While no specific total contract value is specified, the RFP requires vendors to provide comprehensive pricing for curriculum modules and services. Insurance requirements include Commercial General Liability ($1,000,000 minimum), Workers' Compensation, and Errors & Omissions Liability ($1,000,000 per claim, $3,000,000 aggregate). All curriculum materials, content, and intellectual property will become the property of the City, with annual reviews and updates to the Training Plan required during the contract term. Companies must also be prepared to comply with federal contracting terms, including debarment certification and record retention requirements.