What the buyer needs
AI summaryThe City of Pontiac seeks a qualified lead organization to design and execute a business engagement program that strengthens the local business ecosystem through monthly networking events, educational workshops, resource navigation, and at least three vendor events. The contractor will coordinate business support, lead citywide outreach with language access services, and connect local enterprises with public and private procurement partners. Eligible respondents must be onshore USA organizations, with preference given to chambers of commerce or community-focused entities with municipal experience. Proposals are scored across 100 possible points based on technical approach, organizational experience, understanding of program goals, outreach and accessibility, performance measurement, and cost reasonableness. Questions and specification protests must be uploaded by 4:00 P.M. ET on November 17, 2026, and digital proposals must be submitted via email or online before the solicitation deadline.
Buyer and opportunity details
- Set-aside
- Small Business Networking, Vendor Events and Resource Navigation Services - Deadline December 8,2026, Marketing and Branding RFP USA , Marketing and Branding RFP Michigan <meta http-equiv="keywords" content="USA (Michigan) - Small Business Netw
Scope of work
- Develop written implementation plan, six-month activity calendar, outreach plan, partner-engagement plan, and performance framework
- Host recurring business networking, educational, or connection events with a minimum of one monthly event (six total)
- Convene a recurring business-ecosystem roundtable or comparable coordination structure and institutional connections
- Deliver procurement, supplier-diversity outreach, opportunity communications, and readiness support, including at least three vendor connection events
- Establish business intake, needs assessment, resource navigation, language access, and follow-up tools and procedures
- Provide monthly activity, outcome, and expenditure reports with supporting records and a performance dashboard
- Participate in weekly check-in meetings and quarterly performance and compliance reviews with the City
- Submit a final performance, financial, data, and transition report
How proposals are evaluated
| Criterion | Weight / scoring |
|---|---|
| Technical approach, event and connection strategy, and implementation feasibility | 20 points |
| Relevant organizational experience, convening capacity, personnel, partners, and community reach | 20 points |
| Understanding of program goals and Pontiac business needs | 15 points |
| Outreach, language access, accessibility, and inclusive participation | 15 points |
| Performance measurement, reporting, and continuous improvement | 15 points |
| Cost reasonableness and value relative to proposed services | 15 points |
Minimum qualifications
- Qualified lead organization with municipal experience and a record coordinating business support initiatives with local government
- Filed or paid corporate and employee income tax to the City of Pontiac
- Not debarred, suspended, or excluded from participation in federal assistance programs and registered with SAM.gov when required
Documents to include with your response
- Firm's W-9
- Certificate of Insurance
- Ownership information and authorized signer identification
- Brief firm history, years in business, firm size, and organizational chart
- Subcontractor qualifications and management plan
- Workforce and local participation plan
- At least three references for comparable projects and past performance description
- Technical approach, implementation plan, and outreach strategies
- Identification of proposed Program Manager and key personnel qualifications
- Detailed line-item cost proposal
How to submit
- Method
- Electronic via OpenGov
- Instructions
- Questions, protests of specifications, and required vendor questionnaire responses including document uploads must be submitted through OpenGov.