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Through this Request for Qualifications (RFQ), Smart Growth America (SGA) is soliciting Qualifications for on-call professional consulting services, including but not limited to, conducting subject matter research, report/resource document writing, and grant writing. SGA is looking for Qualifications from firms or individuals who can provide quality consulting services to SGA from 2023-2026, with the potential of such services being extended for an additional year, at which time renegotiation of fees may occur.

These resources will support the technical assistance, advocacy, and thought leadership of Smart Growth America and its various programs and coalitions such as Transportation for America, LOCUS, Form Based Code Institute, and the National Complete Streets Coalition. The deadline to submit is Friday, May 19.

SGA is looking for one or more consultants or consulting firms that can provide these services. SGA is not looking for teams of consultants, rather, consultants are encouraged to submit qualifications for the requested services in which they have relevant experience. The selected consultant(s) will then be eligible to perform work for SGA, as needed, for specific projects. When a specific project arises, SGA will contact one or more appropriate “On-Call” firms. SGA will execute a Task Order that will include a scope of work and associated “Not to Exceed” payment sections.

The selected Consultant(s) will be responsible for completing the tasks and milestones according to a negotiated timeline. Tasks may be added and/or redefined based on subsequent negotiations. Upon execution of a MASTER AGREEMENT with SGA, the Consultant will meet with staff to discuss/clarify the desired goals and outcomes of an issued TASK ORDER AGREEMENT.

About Smart Growth America

Smart Growth America envisions a country where no matter where you live, or who you are, you can enjoy living in a place that is healthy, prosperous, and resilient. We empower communities through technical assistance, advocacy, and thought leadership to realize our vision of livable places, healthy people, and shared prosperity. 

This RFQ will support work throughout SGA’s portfolio of programs, but interested consultants should review and specify in their responses to this RFQ whether their best qualifications may have special applicability to one or more of SGA’s unique programs or coalitions:

• Transportation for America (T4A)
• National Complete Streets Coalition 
• LOCUS (triple bottom line real estate developers)
• Form-based Codes Institute
• National Brownfields Coalition

Areas of Expertise Sought:

The selected Consultant(s) shall provide consulting services to SGA on an on-call basis. The general scope of services needed by SGA fall into the following services.

Writing

• Grants preparation and administration
  • Writing
  • Research
  • Grant application proofing/copy-editing
  • Grant document layout
  • Grant financial paperwork management
• Topical report preparation
  • Writing
  • Research
  • Policy analysis
  • Document proofing/copy-editing
  • Document layout

Task Orders:

All selected, pre-qualified Consultants will be emailed task order notifications with opportunities to bid on potential work. Notifications will include:

• A description of the work to be performed
• Requirements and due date of proposals
• Expected duration of work described or project deadline
• Expected deliverables

Interested consultants shall submit a short scope and cost proposal for the work in the task order by the deadline stated in the notification. Proposals will be ranked and scored based on project understanding and approach, previous experience of assigned staff, ability to respond in the allotted time, and cost effectiveness of the proposed work plan.

Full and open competition policy:

SGA strives to ensure full and open competition, guarantee the objective performance of contracts, and eliminate the possibility for unfair competitive advantages, and therefore SGA uses a competitive process for its procurements.

Proposal selection shall be based on overall value to SGA considering responsiveness to the solicitation, price, quality, alignment of proposer staff experience with work needed, and other relevant factors. SGA will also consider other benefits associated with the procurement in the selection process including but not limited to the opportunity to use small, disadvantaged, women-owned, and minority-owned firms. SGA is committed to advancing opportunities and strongly encourages applications from small, disadvantaged, women-owned, and minority-owned firms.

Proposal submission:

Interested applicants should submit your proposal via email to Steve Davis, AVP of Transportation Strategy at sdavis@smartgrowthamerica.org  by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on Friday, May 19, 2023, including:

• A brief letter of interest specifying which areas of expertise the proposal pertains to and confirms your availability to work on the timeline outlined. 
• Brief resumes of key staff, including descriptions of three past projects relevant to the area(s) of expertise in question within the past five years. 
• List of three to five references.
• Copy of three past work product samples demonstrating experience in the services requested.
• Proposed hourly rate by functional role. Actual contract hours will be determined within subsequent task orders in collaboration with SGA after selection.

Send any questions to sdavis@smartgrowthamerica.org.

Requirements:

• A proven track record with the area(s) of expertise.
• Experience working with mission-based nonprofits that engage in policy-driven advocacy.
• A strong communication style, with examples of powerful visual storytelling and clearly organizing complex information about policy in ways that are clear and direct.
• Experience with producing deliverables that sync up with an organization’s established visual styles, tone, and brand.

Preferred qualifications:

• Working knowledge of transportation and/or land use issues.
• Demonstrated history of success with similar projects within the area(s) of expertise.
• Ability to accept and produce deliverables with short notice.