Request for Proposals

Strategic Planning Services - Cando

I. Introduction
The Council for the Advancement of Native Development Officers (Cando) is seeking proposals from interested and qualified organizations and firms to provide Strategic Planning Services for a period not to exceed (3) months beginning June 1 - August 31, 2023.

II. Project Requirements
A. Background
The organization was formed in 1990 by fifty Indigenous Economic Development Officers (EDOs) who believed that by creating an organization that addressed their specific needs, their capacity to better serve their communities would be increased. Cando is a federally registered, non-profit society that is Indigenous controlled, community based, and membership driven.
Cando exists to serve EDOs who work in Indigenous communities and organizations and is well positioned in the market, providing the only EDO national professional certification designation, along with education and networking programs and services. Cando truly understands the personal and professional dispositions of EDOs, how they are influenced and their level of technical skill and integration. Guided by a comprehensive work plan, Cando provides a broad range of programs and services including: community development planning; support services to businesses; preparation of funding proposals; and professional development and capacity building for Economic Development Officers.

B. Task Description
As Cando enters its fourth decade, the organization is required to move forward in new ways that build upon its successes and strengthen the areas in which it requires institutional support. Cando is seeking a vendor to facilitate the strategic planning process that will provide guidance for future decision making and continuous development of existing and future services for Cando members. The strategic planning process will result in the development of a comprehensive and effective 5-year strategic plan that builds upon the existing Cando workplan.

C. Scope of Services
The successful proponent will be expected to undertake the following activities in order to complete the strategic plan:
• A comprehensive review of Cando’s workplan and past Strategic Plans.
• A full SWOT analysis (strength, weakness, opportunities and threats) of Cando.
• Develop key strategies.
• Develop a detailed timeline and history of the organization that includes key moments in the life of the organization.
• Assist in the development of short- and long-term goals and objectives. The proponent should include milestones for the organization at 5, 10 and 20 year increments.
• Develop key indicators and a set of outcomes that can serve as the basis for performance measurements.
• Planning, facilitating and evaluating a Strategic Planning Session with Cando Board of Directors, key staff members and key stakeholders (date and location to be confirmed).
• Conduct an implementation process with the Board of Directors and a separate implementation process with staff if necessary.
• Write a full comprehensive strategic planning document.

The 2023-28 Strategic Plan should ensure that Cando fulfills its mandate to build capacity and strengthen Indigenous economies by providing programs and services to Economic Development officers, and to become the leading authority on Indigenous Community Economic Development.

Proposal Timeline
A. RFP release March 9, 2023
B. Deadline for proposal submission is 4:00pm March 31, 2023
C. Approval of Proposal April 14, 2023
D. Award/Denial notices sent to proponents April 17-21, 2023
E. Awarding of contract April 24, 2023

IV. Proposal Submission
A. Proposals should be received no later than 4:00 pm on March 31, 2023. Proposals should include the items described below.

B. Proposal format should include:
• Cover Letter - including consultants name, address and contact information.
• Summary of the proponent’s background and experience in similar projects.
• Name, phone number and address of three references from similar contracts.
• A brief synopsis that displays the proponent understands Cando’s needs and how the proponent plans to meet those needs.
• A detailed description of the proposed plan to achieve scope of services, as understood by the proponent and the proposed timeline.
• Detailed budget that itemizes all estimated costs for work to be performed.
• Brief but relevant resume of individual(s) who will be performing the proposed work, and their ability to participate in Cando Strategic Planning meetings.
• Any other information deemed pertinent by the proponent.

C. All correspondence, including proposals, must be submitted to:
Svitlana Konoval
Manager - Administrative Services
Phone: (780) 990-0303 x 231
E-mail: skonoval@edo.ca

Download full RFP in PDF file format

V. Required Competencies
The proponent should have the following competencies:
A. A minimum of five (5) years experience in designing and delivering strategic planning and implementation process.
B. Experience working with Indigenous communities and organizations, specifically non-profit organizations.
C. Familiarity with the Indigenous Services Canada and other government departments, both provincial and federal.
D. An understanding and sensitivity to issues facing Indigenous people in Canada with respect to economic development.

VI. Evaluation Criteria
The proposals will be evaluated based upon the following criteria:
A. Degree to which the proponent demonstrates competencies.
B. Experience in strategic planning.
C. Appropriateness of methodology.
D. Ability of the consultant to meet the desired timeframe for the completion of work.
E. Cost.

VII. Key Deliverables
A. Fully executed strategic planning session with Cando Board and Staff.
B. A five-year Strategic Plan.
C. A two-year implementation plan.
D. Presentation to Board, Staff and Members as deemed necessary by the Executive Director.
VIII. Roles, Responsibilities and Reporting Structure
The successful proponent will report to the Executive Director of Cando.

IX. Intellectual Property
Ownership and copyright of all data, drafts and final products will be the sole and exclusive property of Cando.

X. Proposal Conditions
A. This request does not commit Cando to award a contract. Cando reserves the right to accept or reject any or all of the proposals it receives as a result of this RFP.
B. This RFP does not commit Cando to pay any cost incurred in the preparation of the proposal - the proponent agrees that all costs incurred in developing this proposal is the sole responsibility of the proponent.
C. Contract will be awarded based on the competitive selection of proposals received.
D. Cando may require the potential contractors selected to participate in negotiations, and submit revisions to pricing, technical information and/or other items in the proposal that may arise from negotiations. The contents of the proposal, if awarded the contract, become contractual obligations, subject to negotiation and failure to accept these obligations in a contractual agreement may result in cancellation of the award.
E. Submission of a proposal shall constitute acknowledgement and acceptance of all the terms and conditions contained in this RFP, unless otherwise stated in the proposal.
F. The final authority to award the contract rests with the Executive Director of Cando

Download full RFP in PDF file format

Coast Funds cover

February - 2023

Coast Funds recently released , Sustaining People and Place, that includes details on the jobs, Guardian programs, economic benefits, and other outcomes from nearly 15 years of First Nations’ leadership and investments in building a conservation economy in the Great Bear Rainforest and Haida Gwaii.

The numbers are impressive – through their projects, First Nations have created 1,253 jobs and 123 businesses, supported 18 Guardian and monitoring programs, and attracted an additional $296.8 million to the region.