Community Development Banking List
11-15-2010, 05:08 PM
Original message from: lrho@icic.org
The Initiative for a Competitive Inner City (ICIC) is seeking a partner to develop The Inner City Food Cluster Pilot Program in Detroit and Boston.
Responses should be submitted electronically to Lois Rho at lrho@icic.org. Thank you.
____________________________
Request for Proposals
Study of Local Food Clusters in Boston and Detroit
The Initiative for a Competitive Inner City
Boston, MA
Submittal Deadline: 12/13/2010
Website: http://www.icic.org ('http://www.icic.org')
I. Introduction
On September 22, 2010, the Initiative for a Competitive Inner City (ICIC) received a grant from the U.S. Commerce Department's Economic Development Administration (EDA) to develop a regional collaboration strategy for inner cities, based on the food industry cluster. The food industry cluster has significant potential to serve as a cornerstone for inner city economic revitalization efforts across the United States. The food cluster is a meaningful source of employment in the inner city, creating jobs that are accessible to local residents, as well as an important source of small business growth opportunity.
ICIC is seeking a partner to develop The Inner City Food Cluster Pilot Program, which is intended to be a model that can be replicated in distressed inner-city communities across the country. The Program will focus on two pilot cities, Boston and Detroit, that well reflect the challenges and opportunities of growing the food cluster in so-called "strong market" cities (as represented by Boston) and "weak market" cities (as represented by Detroit). The team will engage in a rigorous empirical process to articulate the existing strategic assets, major needs and issues, and key barriers to cluster growth in each pilot city. In addition to developing city-specific strategies, the team will identify generic strategies for growing the food cluster in U.S. inner cities.
II. Project Background
The urban renaissance of the past decade missed much of the economically distressed portions of America's central cities. Between 1998 and 2008, when wealthier portions of the one hundred largest U.S. central cities added 1.6 million jobs to an employment base of 16.6 million, the economically distressed areas of these cities, i.e., their "inner cities" were stagnant. This decade-long trend has real implications for residents of inner city neighborhoods, most of whom are low-income and minority. Although central cities and metropolitan regions have much larger job bases, inner city neighborhoods host a larger proportion of inner city residents' jobs. Of inner city workers, almost 40% hold jobs that are located in the inner city. For these residents, the atrophying of local employment opportunities is potentially devastating in terms of income and economic well-being.
The food industry cluster has significant potential to serve as a cornerstone for inner city economic revitalization efforts across the United States. In addition to accounting for over 5% of inner city employment, the cluster has a significant impact on industries such as packaging, transportation, and hospitality and tourism. In the case of the food cluster, however, many of the key assets are actually located in inner cities. For example, almost 18% of food processing employment in the largest U.S. regions is located in inner cities, about 50% more than would be expected based on the relative sizes of the inner city and regional economies. Moreover, the diverse population base in inner cities, where a large proportion of residents are ethnic minorities or foreign born, provides a natural advantage in terms of niche products and retailing. These natural advantages have yet to be fully leveraged in inner city food clusters, which tend to be under-represented in the wholesale, distribution, and retail portions of the cluster.
In addition, the food cluster generates employment opportunities that are accessible to a broad group of workers. A typical job in the food cluster has relatively low formal education requirements and relies primarily on modest on-the-job training; these requirements are a good match for inner city workers, who often have high levels of motivation but modest formal education and work experience credentials. Moreover, unlike clusters that rely on access to specific assets, the key inputs of the food cluster-local and regional demand, basic manufacturing and transportation infrastructure, and willing and able entrepreneurs-are more or less ubiquitous, making it one of the few non-service sector clusters that can thrive in virtually any inner city in the United States. This is critical in the current period, when demand has collapsed in distressed urban economies around the country.
III. Objectives
The project goal is to strengthen the food clusters in Detroit and Boston. These cities are a good pair for this project because they reflect the challenges and opportunities of growing the food cluster in so-called "strong market" cities (as represented by Boston) and "weak market" cities (as represented by Detroit). For the final strategic task of the project, we will develop actual food cluster growth strategies for the pilot cities. These strategies will provide detailed and actionable recommendations for food cluster growth, as well as identification and resolution of key implementation challenges. Broadly, the project team will identify the highest potential initiatives and their associated strategy, policy, infrastructure, communication, and sales and marketing requirements; and In addition to developing city-specific strategies, the team will use project data and findings to identify generic strategies for growing the food cluster in U.S. inner cities.
IV. Scope of Work
The proposed scope of work is presented in four tasks:
1. Development of Factbase
2. Development and Evaluation of Strategic Options
3. Development of Food Cluster Growth Strategies for Boston and Detroit
4. Marketing Plan
Task 1. Development of Factbase
We have found that a rigorous empirical process is critical to establishing a foundation for developing tangible and high-potential industry growth strategies. To that end, in this task, we will build broad and deep sets of data and observations about the local food clusters in Boston and Detroit. Work in this task will consist of a combination of quantitative analysis based on ICIC's proprietary State of the Inner City Economies (SICE) database, along with a cataloguing of cluster-specific and related business assets in the city and region. Key outputs of this task will include detailed descriptions of each pilot city's food cluster, an analysis of "peer cities," and an articulation of key strategic assets at the region, city, and neighborhood level.
Task 2. Development and Evaluation of Strategic Options
Following the completion of the factbase, the study will focus on defining and evaluating tangible strategies and options to leverage food industry clusters as a cornerstone for inner city revitalization efforts in the pilot cities. The list of opportunities identified during the fact-gathering stage will undergo in-depth evaluation during this portion of the project. Key outputs of this task will include strategies to strengthen and scale the food cluster in each pilot city, including firm-level, cluster-level, and policy-level recommendations. An evaluation of the job growth and economic development potential associated with various strategic scenarios should be provided.
Task 3. Development of Food Cluster Growth Strategies for Boston and Detroit
The final strategic task of the project involves developing detailed and actionable food cluster growth strategies for the pilot cities. The selected party will work with ICIC to identify the highest potential initiatives and their associated strategy, policy, infrastructure, communication, and sales and marketing requirements. This task will include a mix of independent analyses and working sessions with knowledgeable industry experts, firms and organizations from the pilot cities, and representatives of local and state government. Key outputs of this task will include written recommendations for targeted strategic initiatives, an identification of generic strategies that could be employed nationally, and an evaluation of implementation considerations.
Task 4. Marketing and Communications Plan
The final task will revolve around developing a marketing and communications plan to support the inner city food cluster pilot program. The work will consist of an initial marketing and communications audit to identify EDA marketing assets, key audiences, influencers, partner opportunities, and existing communications vehicles). The work will conclude with a written marketing and communications strategy recommendation that includes an overall approach to increase the visibility and profile of the food cluster project; identification of the target audience; and marketing techniques to reach each target audience.
V. Project Budget and Timeline
The project will commence in early 2011, and its expected duration is six months. The project will conclude with a formal "milestone" meeting by the project team to present its recommendations.
Half of the project budget has been allocated to the partner whose bid is selected by the project team. Like ICIC, this contracted entity will receive funds to cover 50% of their budget and will be tasked with covering the remaining 50% of the budget either pro bono or through separate fundraising.
Applicants must provide their estimated total budget broken out by each of the four tasks, and a brief explanation of how they will raise 50% of their budget (or indicate that this portion will be pro bono).
VI. Instructions for Response
Firm Qualifications: Experience in food clusters, inner cities, and business strategy.
Project Tasks: Description of how respondent will approach various tasks, including development of a factbase; identifying market opportunities; identifying opportunities for development of cluster partnerships; and assessment of potential growth strategies.
Respondents must submit a written proposal, which includes the budget information as requested in Section V, a completed Form CD-512 and form SF-LLL, as required by the U.S. Commerce Department, by 5pm on December 13th. A decision will be announced on December 20th.
Responses should be submitted electronically to Lois Rho at lrho@icic.org.
VII. Other Important Considerations
a. The award is subject to 2 CFR Part 1326, Subpart C "Government-wide Debarment and Suspension (Non-procurement)." Applications must include a Form CD-512, "Certification Regarding Lobbying--Lower Tier Covered Transactions," completed without modification.
b. It is required by the EDA that the contracted party submit a completed "Disclosure of Lobbying Activities" (Form SF-LLL) regarding the use of non-Federal funds for lobbying. The Form SF-LLL shall be submitted within 15 days following the end of the calendar quarter in which there occurs any event that requires disclosure or that materially affects the accuracy of the information contained in any disclosure form previously filed. The Form SF-LLL shall be submitted from tier to tier until received by ICIC.
VIII. Background on the Initiative for a Competitive Inner City
ICIC is a national not-for-profit, 501 (c) (3) organization founded in 1994 by Harvard Business School professor Michael E. Porter. ICIC's mission is to promote economic prosperity in America's inner cities through private sector engagement that leads to jobs, income, and wealth creation for local residents. Our core belief is that inner cities have strong competitive business advantages: access to a diverse and under-utilized workforce; a large untapped consumer base; access to transportation nodes; and the potential for strong linkages with the regional economy. ICIC works to promote and support economic development based on the competitive advantages of inner city economies by developing strategies to bring private sector investment and public sector attention to these areas.
ICIC continues to be a thought leader focused on uncovering opportunities that leverage inner city's advantages. Such examples of our work include the inner city retail gap analysis (1997), Construction, Housing and Real Estate (CHRE) cluster study (2008) and our research project on federal policy for inner city economies, conducted in collaboration with the Brookings Institution (2009). ICIC also works directly with cities on cluster development, land use, and job growth strategies in order to implement our ideas on revitalization of inner city areas.
The Initiative for a Competitive Inner City (ICIC) is seeking a partner to develop The Inner City Food Cluster Pilot Program in Detroit and Boston.
Responses should be submitted electronically to Lois Rho at lrho@icic.org. Thank you.
____________________________
Request for Proposals
Study of Local Food Clusters in Boston and Detroit
The Initiative for a Competitive Inner City
Boston, MA
Submittal Deadline: 12/13/2010
Website: http://www.icic.org ('http://www.icic.org')
I. Introduction
On September 22, 2010, the Initiative for a Competitive Inner City (ICIC) received a grant from the U.S. Commerce Department's Economic Development Administration (EDA) to develop a regional collaboration strategy for inner cities, based on the food industry cluster. The food industry cluster has significant potential to serve as a cornerstone for inner city economic revitalization efforts across the United States. The food cluster is a meaningful source of employment in the inner city, creating jobs that are accessible to local residents, as well as an important source of small business growth opportunity.
ICIC is seeking a partner to develop The Inner City Food Cluster Pilot Program, which is intended to be a model that can be replicated in distressed inner-city communities across the country. The Program will focus on two pilot cities, Boston and Detroit, that well reflect the challenges and opportunities of growing the food cluster in so-called "strong market" cities (as represented by Boston) and "weak market" cities (as represented by Detroit). The team will engage in a rigorous empirical process to articulate the existing strategic assets, major needs and issues, and key barriers to cluster growth in each pilot city. In addition to developing city-specific strategies, the team will identify generic strategies for growing the food cluster in U.S. inner cities.
II. Project Background
The urban renaissance of the past decade missed much of the economically distressed portions of America's central cities. Between 1998 and 2008, when wealthier portions of the one hundred largest U.S. central cities added 1.6 million jobs to an employment base of 16.6 million, the economically distressed areas of these cities, i.e., their "inner cities" were stagnant. This decade-long trend has real implications for residents of inner city neighborhoods, most of whom are low-income and minority. Although central cities and metropolitan regions have much larger job bases, inner city neighborhoods host a larger proportion of inner city residents' jobs. Of inner city workers, almost 40% hold jobs that are located in the inner city. For these residents, the atrophying of local employment opportunities is potentially devastating in terms of income and economic well-being.
The food industry cluster has significant potential to serve as a cornerstone for inner city economic revitalization efforts across the United States. In addition to accounting for over 5% of inner city employment, the cluster has a significant impact on industries such as packaging, transportation, and hospitality and tourism. In the case of the food cluster, however, many of the key assets are actually located in inner cities. For example, almost 18% of food processing employment in the largest U.S. regions is located in inner cities, about 50% more than would be expected based on the relative sizes of the inner city and regional economies. Moreover, the diverse population base in inner cities, where a large proportion of residents are ethnic minorities or foreign born, provides a natural advantage in terms of niche products and retailing. These natural advantages have yet to be fully leveraged in inner city food clusters, which tend to be under-represented in the wholesale, distribution, and retail portions of the cluster.
In addition, the food cluster generates employment opportunities that are accessible to a broad group of workers. A typical job in the food cluster has relatively low formal education requirements and relies primarily on modest on-the-job training; these requirements are a good match for inner city workers, who often have high levels of motivation but modest formal education and work experience credentials. Moreover, unlike clusters that rely on access to specific assets, the key inputs of the food cluster-local and regional demand, basic manufacturing and transportation infrastructure, and willing and able entrepreneurs-are more or less ubiquitous, making it one of the few non-service sector clusters that can thrive in virtually any inner city in the United States. This is critical in the current period, when demand has collapsed in distressed urban economies around the country.
III. Objectives
The project goal is to strengthen the food clusters in Detroit and Boston. These cities are a good pair for this project because they reflect the challenges and opportunities of growing the food cluster in so-called "strong market" cities (as represented by Boston) and "weak market" cities (as represented by Detroit). For the final strategic task of the project, we will develop actual food cluster growth strategies for the pilot cities. These strategies will provide detailed and actionable recommendations for food cluster growth, as well as identification and resolution of key implementation challenges. Broadly, the project team will identify the highest potential initiatives and their associated strategy, policy, infrastructure, communication, and sales and marketing requirements; and In addition to developing city-specific strategies, the team will use project data and findings to identify generic strategies for growing the food cluster in U.S. inner cities.
IV. Scope of Work
The proposed scope of work is presented in four tasks:
1. Development of Factbase
2. Development and Evaluation of Strategic Options
3. Development of Food Cluster Growth Strategies for Boston and Detroit
4. Marketing Plan
Task 1. Development of Factbase
We have found that a rigorous empirical process is critical to establishing a foundation for developing tangible and high-potential industry growth strategies. To that end, in this task, we will build broad and deep sets of data and observations about the local food clusters in Boston and Detroit. Work in this task will consist of a combination of quantitative analysis based on ICIC's proprietary State of the Inner City Economies (SICE) database, along with a cataloguing of cluster-specific and related business assets in the city and region. Key outputs of this task will include detailed descriptions of each pilot city's food cluster, an analysis of "peer cities," and an articulation of key strategic assets at the region, city, and neighborhood level.
Task 2. Development and Evaluation of Strategic Options
Following the completion of the factbase, the study will focus on defining and evaluating tangible strategies and options to leverage food industry clusters as a cornerstone for inner city revitalization efforts in the pilot cities. The list of opportunities identified during the fact-gathering stage will undergo in-depth evaluation during this portion of the project. Key outputs of this task will include strategies to strengthen and scale the food cluster in each pilot city, including firm-level, cluster-level, and policy-level recommendations. An evaluation of the job growth and economic development potential associated with various strategic scenarios should be provided.
Task 3. Development of Food Cluster Growth Strategies for Boston and Detroit
The final strategic task of the project involves developing detailed and actionable food cluster growth strategies for the pilot cities. The selected party will work with ICIC to identify the highest potential initiatives and their associated strategy, policy, infrastructure, communication, and sales and marketing requirements. This task will include a mix of independent analyses and working sessions with knowledgeable industry experts, firms and organizations from the pilot cities, and representatives of local and state government. Key outputs of this task will include written recommendations for targeted strategic initiatives, an identification of generic strategies that could be employed nationally, and an evaluation of implementation considerations.
Task 4. Marketing and Communications Plan
The final task will revolve around developing a marketing and communications plan to support the inner city food cluster pilot program. The work will consist of an initial marketing and communications audit to identify EDA marketing assets, key audiences, influencers, partner opportunities, and existing communications vehicles). The work will conclude with a written marketing and communications strategy recommendation that includes an overall approach to increase the visibility and profile of the food cluster project; identification of the target audience; and marketing techniques to reach each target audience.
V. Project Budget and Timeline
The project will commence in early 2011, and its expected duration is six months. The project will conclude with a formal "milestone" meeting by the project team to present its recommendations.
Half of the project budget has been allocated to the partner whose bid is selected by the project team. Like ICIC, this contracted entity will receive funds to cover 50% of their budget and will be tasked with covering the remaining 50% of the budget either pro bono or through separate fundraising.
Applicants must provide their estimated total budget broken out by each of the four tasks, and a brief explanation of how they will raise 50% of their budget (or indicate that this portion will be pro bono).
VI. Instructions for Response
Firm Qualifications: Experience in food clusters, inner cities, and business strategy.
Project Tasks: Description of how respondent will approach various tasks, including development of a factbase; identifying market opportunities; identifying opportunities for development of cluster partnerships; and assessment of potential growth strategies.
Respondents must submit a written proposal, which includes the budget information as requested in Section V, a completed Form CD-512 and form SF-LLL, as required by the U.S. Commerce Department, by 5pm on December 13th. A decision will be announced on December 20th.
Responses should be submitted electronically to Lois Rho at lrho@icic.org.
VII. Other Important Considerations
a. The award is subject to 2 CFR Part 1326, Subpart C "Government-wide Debarment and Suspension (Non-procurement)." Applications must include a Form CD-512, "Certification Regarding Lobbying--Lower Tier Covered Transactions," completed without modification.
b. It is required by the EDA that the contracted party submit a completed "Disclosure of Lobbying Activities" (Form SF-LLL) regarding the use of non-Federal funds for lobbying. The Form SF-LLL shall be submitted within 15 days following the end of the calendar quarter in which there occurs any event that requires disclosure or that materially affects the accuracy of the information contained in any disclosure form previously filed. The Form SF-LLL shall be submitted from tier to tier until received by ICIC.
VIII. Background on the Initiative for a Competitive Inner City
ICIC is a national not-for-profit, 501 (c) (3) organization founded in 1994 by Harvard Business School professor Michael E. Porter. ICIC's mission is to promote economic prosperity in America's inner cities through private sector engagement that leads to jobs, income, and wealth creation for local residents. Our core belief is that inner cities have strong competitive business advantages: access to a diverse and under-utilized workforce; a large untapped consumer base; access to transportation nodes; and the potential for strong linkages with the regional economy. ICIC works to promote and support economic development based on the competitive advantages of inner city economies by developing strategies to bring private sector investment and public sector attention to these areas.
ICIC continues to be a thought leader focused on uncovering opportunities that leverage inner city's advantages. Such examples of our work include the inner city retail gap analysis (1997), Construction, Housing and Real Estate (CHRE) cluster study (2008) and our research project on federal policy for inner city economies, conducted in collaboration with the Brookings Institution (2009). ICIC also works directly with cities on cluster development, land use, and job growth strategies in order to implement our ideas on revitalization of inner city areas.