What the buyer needs
AI summaryThe buyer seeks a qualified contractor to deliver the Cannabis Business Advanced Mentorship Program 2027, providing direct mentorship support and expert services to social equity entrepreneurs in Colorado's cannabis industry. The selected vendor must execute cohort-level activities, assign business advisors, provide access to subject matter experts, and market the program through direct outreach and social media campaigns. Performance runs for a one-year contract period and requires some in-person programming within Colorado. Eligible bidders must possess at least three years of experience with cannabis social equity entrepreneurs, two years running high-touch mentorship programs, state entity program experience, and relevant industry relationships. Vendors must submit required attachments, including the Bidder Response Form and DQ Pricing Sheet, before the quote submission deadline on November 17, 2026. The established budget for the project is $207,875.00.
Scope of work
- Deliver direct mentorship support and expert services to social equity cannabis entrepreneurs
- Conduct cohort-level activities on financial projections, pitch decks, and creating financial documents
- Provide one-on-one business advisor growth planning and subject matter expert support
- Connect entrepreneurs directly to potential lenders and investors at the conclusion of each cohort
- Provide ad hoc advising for qualifying clients referred by the Cannabis Business Office
- Execute program development, marketing, and outreach to eligible social equity licensed business owners
- Manage subject matter experts across required professional disciplines
- Offer in-person programming in Colorado
How proposals are evaluated
| Criterion | Weight / scoring |
|---|---|
| Price/cost | Not specified |
| Overall approach and understanding of requirements | Not specified |
| Qualifications, experience and past performance | Not specified |
Minimum qualifications
- At least three years of experience working directly with social equity entrepreneurs in the cannabis industry
- At least two years of experience conducting high touch-point mentorship programs with social equity entrepreneurs in the cannabis industry
- Relationships with subject matter experts in marketing, compliance, accounting, financial consulting, engineering, architecture/contracting, and human resources
- Extensive knowledge of the Colorado cannabis industry and understanding of the regulatory landscape
- Experience supporting the growth of social equity businesses via licensing, accessing capital, or generating revenue under Bidder tutelage
- Experience providing mentorship programs for state entities
- Offer some in-person programming in Colorado
Documents to include with your response
- Attachment 1 – Bidder Response Form
- Attachment 2 – DQ Pricing Sheet
- Attachment 3 – Signature and Attestation Page
- Attachment 4 – DQ Affirmation Page
- Attachment 5 – W-9
- Attachment 6 – Vendor Performance Disclosure
How to submit
- Method
- Electronic via Box.com
- Instructions
- Submit quotes via Box.com to [email protected] in one zip folder containing all required submission documents named with DQ1 EDAA 2027-0172 and Bidder Name.