ECONOMIC DEVELOPERS COUNCIL OF ONTARIO (EDCO)
REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST
DEVELOPMENT OF MESSAGING FOR STAKEHOLDER RELATIONS
SERVICES REQUIRED
The Economic Developers Council of Ontario (EDCO), Stakeholder Relations Committee is seeking a qualified consultant/company to develop a polished, professional messaging campaign for the purpose of stakeholder and sponsor relations and recruitment.
WHAT IS EDCO?
The Economic Developers Council of Ontario (EDCO) is Canada’s largest provincial economic development organization. For over 60 years EDCO has increased the capacity of those who practise economic, industrial, and community development through professional development initiatives, information exchanges among members and the promotion of the economic development profession. It has also been a catalyst for assisting in the development and promotion of Ontario and its municipalities.
The membership of EDCO is comprised of specialists from various disciplines. Each contributes his or her expertise to the complex job of economic development.
The Council consists of:
• Municipal, Business and Economic Development Professionals
• Municipal, Regional, Provincial, Federal Government Officials
• Land Developers
• Educators and technology assistance developers and facilitators
• Industrial and Commercial Realtors
• Tourism Industry Representatives
• Industrial/Commercial/Tourism Development Specialists from Banks, Public Utilities and Transportation Companies
EDCO enjoys a close working relationship with the Provincial and Federal Governments as well as links with other professional associations.
For further information, visit the EDCO website at www.edco.on.ca
PROJECT BACKGROUND
For the past several years, EDCO has used in-house resources to create messaging to appeal to partners, sponsors and members to create awareness of EDCO and to recruit all three parties with a good success rate. EDCO is now ready to take their message to the next level as membership is now the largest economic development association in Canada. EDCO meets regularly with stakeholders but wishes to present a more polished presence and clearer call to action in those meetings through presentations and printed collateral left behind at the conclusion of said meetings.
EDCO would like to use new materials during Economic Development Week from May 7-12, 2018 in addition to the launch of a new video “Why Invest In Economic Development” which is a tool for our membership. This week showcases the importance of economic development in communities. EDCO will be meeting with key stakeholders during that week.
PROJECT DELIVERABLES
- Develop a menu of presentations and collateral with a polished professional appearance built from current existing content and resources.
RFI TIMELINES
RFI Issued Tuesday, March 27, 2018
RFI Submissions due by 4:00 pm on Tuesday, April 10, 2018
Contract awarded April 16, 2018
Contract Completed by May 7, 2018
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
The successful applicant or lead partner must be a registered business licensed to work in Ontario in order to enter into a contractual agreement for this project.
Three references for related projects must be submitted with proposal.
SKILLS REQUIRED OF CONTRACTOR
The Contractor should have experience in creating effective messaging targeted at groups described above with an affordable budget. EDCO is seeking messaging that is unique and will make the group standout with consistent messaging.
PROJECT BUDGET
Given that current resources will be made available to the successful proponent, the maximum budget is $5,000.00.
PROPOSAL CONTENT
Your proposal should include a demonstrated understanding of the scope and particulars of the assignment, the estimated expenses to complete the assignment, and should clearly and concisely address the following evaluation criteria:
1. Proponent Overview (15 points)
Provide a company profile, verification of liability insurance policy and describe the relevant experience of the proponent in projects completed of a similar scope and scale, providing samples of such work. Also provide references (minimum of three) of projects that the proponent has done in the last three years – should include company, address, and contact person, telephone number, email and website (where possible).
2. Understanding of Objectives/Approach & Methology (45 points)
Describe your understanding of the assignment, including overall scope and objectives, noting any specific challenges that may exist. Describe the approach and methodology to be followed in completing all aspects as described in the project background in order to achieve the stated project deliverables.
3. Experience and Qualifications of Key Team Members (15 points)
Identify the Project Manager and key team members of the project team to be assigned, including those from specialized sub-consultants, and describe their individual capabilities, respective roles and availability for this project. Resumes should be included where appropriate.
4. Work Plan and Schedule (25 points)
Provide a work plan and schedule, including a breakdown of the major tasks and the level of effort by individual team members in sufficient detail as to allow a complete understanding as to how and by whom the work is to be carried out.
SELECTION PROCESS
An evaluation team from the EDCO Stakeholder Relations Committee will review all expressions of interest received and score the proposals using a “consensus” approach, in relation to the criteria that are identified. One or more proponents may be invited to attend a formal interview with the evaluation team, and/or to provide written clarification on their proposal.
EDCO is not bound to accept any proposal and reserves the right to modify or revise the successful submission in discussion with the proponent following acceptance of the original proposal.
SUBMISSION OF PROPOSAL
Please provide an electronic copy of your proposal in Word or PDF format to Heather Lalonde, Ec.D., CEO, Economic Developers Council of Ontario at edco@edco.on.ca
Proposals must be received by no later than 4:00 p.m. EST on April 10, 2018. Late submissions will not be given consideration.
ENQUIRIES
Enquiries regarding terms, conditions and proposal process or format of response should be directed to Heather Lalonde, CEO, EDCO at edco@edco.on.ca no later than 12:00 pm EST Tuesday, April 3, 2018. Responses to enquiries will be provided no later than 12:00 pm EST Thursday, April 5, 2018.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
CANCELLATION
The Economic Developers Council of Ontario reserves the right to amend terms of this RFP, to circulate various addenda, or to withdraw the RFP at any time, regardless of how much time and effort applicants have spent on their responses.
APPLICANT’S ACCEPTANCE OF RFP TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Each applicant, by submitting a Proposal, signifies that the applicant has read, completely understands and accepts the Terms and Conditions of the RFI in full.
REJECTION OF PROPOSAL
The Economic Developers Council of Ontario reserves the right in its sole discretion to reject any or all Proposals which do not adhere to the rules, schedule or any other part of this RFI.
IRREVOCABLE
All Proposals will be irrevocable for a period of thirty (30) days from the closing date of the RFI, or until the RFI is counter-signed and returned to the successful applicant, whichever comes first.
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION
Applicants are advised and acknowledge that all replies received in response to this RFP will be subject to the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, R.S.O. 1990, c.F.31. This acknowledgement shall not be construed as a waiver of any right to object to the release of any information or documents.
CONFIDENTIALITY
This RFI or any portion thereof, is strictly confidential and is not to be copied or used for any purpose other than the submission for proposal to the Economic Developers Council of Ontario
CONFLICT OF INTEREST
Each applicant must include in its proposal submission confirmation of the following:
That the applicant does not and will not have any conflict of interest (actual, perceived or potential) in the development of the call for proposal or subsequent evaluation of proposals in submitting its proposal or, if selected, with the contractual obligations of the applicant as Contractor under the Agreement. Where applicable, an applicant must declare in its proposal submission any situation that may be a conflict of interest in submitting its Proposal or, if selected, with the contractual obligations of the applicant as Contractor under the Agreement.
The proposal submission of any applicant must be disqualified where the applicant fails to provide confirmation of the foregoing or makes misrepresentations regarding any of the above. Further, the Economic Developers Council of Ontario shall have the right to rescind any contract with the selected applicant in the event that the Economic
Developers Council of Ontario, in its sole discretion, determines that the selected applicant has made a misrepresentation regarding any of the above, in addition to or in lieu of any other remedies that the Economic Developers Council of Ontario has in law or in equity.
OWNERSHIP OF COLLATERAL MATERIAL
Upon completion of project, all material collected and created will become the property of the Economic Developers Council of Ontario Inc.
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