Request for Proposal for Professional Grant Writing & Administration Services

The Town invites qualified Individuals and Firms to submit proposals for contractual grant writing and administration services. The Town is seeking to contract with an Individual or Firm that specializes in the management of the overall grant process and can assist the Town to maximize the benefits of grant funding. Background:It is the intention of the Town to apply for grants which the Town needs associated with the following areas: community/economic development, infrastructure, capital improvements, parks and recreation etc. The goal of the Town’s overall grant pursuit program is to leverage the maximum funding from federal and state programs and privately funded programs and/or endowments while minimizing the use of Town funds which are derived from local tax dollars. Scope of Work: The following are typical services and/or items that the successful Individual or Firm will be required to provide the Town if selected and must be addressed in each proposal: 1. Grant Funding Need Analysis – Conduct research to identify grant resources including, but not limited to federal, state, foundation, agencies, and organizations that support the Town’s funding needs and priorities. Work with the Town Board, volunteer boards and Town departments to assess the current funding priority areas and identify new priority areas for funding. 2. Present grant opportunities to the Town Board for approval including a timeline and cost analysis that is agreeable to the Town Board. 3. Grant Application Development and Submission a. The Individual or Firm should demonstrate: i. resourcefulness, creative thinking, and innovation to generate high quality grant proposals. ii. the ability to prepare budgets and budget narratives to sufficiently fund the activities of the project in compliance with all government regulations. iii. the capability to design graphs, charts and visuals that illustrate and explain key processes, concepts, and work/timelines. iv. The ability to initiate, develop, and document the scope of grant project and related partnerships with community organizations as required by the funding agency/entity. v. the ability to secure all required supplemental documentation, including drafting and collecting signed copies of letters of support, and other documents that correspond to the project description in the proposal. vi. the capability to make edits or revisions to drafts as required in a timely manner. b. The Individual or Firm will submit final grant proposal for approval by the Town Supervisor via online submission to ensure receipt before the deadline and in compliance with all proposal preparation requirements. c. The Individual or Firm will provide digital of complete grant proposals to the Town Clerk for distribution and record keeping. d. The Individual or Firm will notify applicable state and/or federal partners of grant proposal submission and provide additional advocacy suggestions regarding outreach. e. The Individual or Firm will be responsible for submission of all grant proposals and supporting documents to applicable federal and state programs and privately funded programs and/or endowments. Monthly reports – the Individual or Firm shall submit monthly reports to the Town Board summarizing the amount of time expended and describing activities undertaken during the previous month. The report shall include a summary of upcoming funding opportunities in advance so that proper time is available for preparation of the application and assembly of requisite support materials. Business enterprises awarded an identical or substantially similar procurement contract within the past five years: Clayton Local Development Corporation Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Business (SDVOB) SDVOB Goal: 6.00% Minority / Women Business Enterprise contracting goals (MWBE) MBE Goal: 15.00% WBE Goal: 15.00% Disadvantaged Business Enterprise contracting goals (DBE) DBE Goal: 6.00%