Grant Writing Services - District Wide

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Agency: City Colleges of Chicago
State: Illinois
Level of Government: State & Local
Category:
  • R - Professional, Administrative and Management Support Services
  • S - Utilities and Training Services
Opps ID: NBD16243051953669353
Posted Date: Feb 27, 2024
Due Date: Apr 2, 2024
Solicitation No: MWJ2401
Source: Members Only
MWJ2401- Grant Writing Services - District Wide

Description:
CCC is seeking contractual grant writers and/or firms with proven track record in writing successful complex proposals from public and private funding sources to support proposal development on an as needed basis.

Colleges:

Bid Documents:

Pre-Bid Due Date: March 4, 2024 Pre-Bid Due Time: 1:00 PM

Pre-Bid Location:
Room:
Zoom Video Conference Call - Email buyer for web link.


Bid Posted Date: February 27, 2024 Bid Room: 102
Bid Due Date: April 2, 2024 Bid Due Time : 12:00 PM

Buyer:
Marietta Williams-Johnson
Buyer
312-553-3331
mwilliams@ccc.edu

Notes:
Please review and download all documents in connection with the RFP and acknowledge receipt of any issued/posted Addendums in your proposal submission.

Attachment Preview

RFP #MWJ2401- Grant Writing Services
Office of Institutional Advancement
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP) #MWJ2401
GRANT WRITING SERVICES
ONE (1) ORIGINAL SIGNATURE HARD COPY AND TWO (2) USB DRIVES OF THE RESPONSE
TO BE SUBMITTED
All responses shall be addressed and returned to:
City Colleges of Chicago
Dawson Technical Institute
Office of Business and Procurement Services
3901 S. State Street, Room 102
Chicago, IL 60609
Attn: Marietta Williams-Johnson, Senior Contract Administrator
Responses must be received no later than 12:00 p.m. local Chicago time, CDT,
by Tuesday, April 2, 2024
Responses shall be submitted in sealed envelope(s) or package(s). The outside of the envelope or
package must clearly indicate the name of the project, RFP #MWJ2401 – Grant Writing Services for
the City Colleges of Chicago (CCC), the time, and the date specified for receipt. The name and
address of the Proposer must also be clearly printed on the outside of envelope or package. The
Proposer shall be responsible for delivery by the due date and time, whether delivered by U.S. mail or
messenger. Late proposals will be returned to the sender unopened. Delivery/drop-off of RFP
responses are accepted at the rear parking lot building entrance Monday – Friday from 9:00
a.m. – 4:00 p.m. All RFP responses/submissions are due by the due date and time deadline.
A pre-proposal conference is scheduled for Monday, March 4, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. CST to discuss
the scope of services and the compliance procedures for the Minority and Women Business Enterprise
Contract Participation Plan (MBE/WBE). The pre-proposal conference will take place via Zoom
teleconference. Firms anticipating submitting a proposal are encouraged to attend the teleconference.
We recommend that you obtain a copy of the RFP document when joining the meeting. After
accessing the Zoom application, instructions for the pre-proposal conference are as follows:
When prompted enter the Meeting ID: 821 4704 1809 and Passcode: 120582
Questions regarding clarification or verification of these specifications and MBE/WBE compliance
procedures should be submitted in writing via email to Marietta Williams-Johnson, Sr. Contract
Administrator, at procurementservices@ccc.edu. The deadline for submitting final questions is
Wednesday, March 6, 2024, by 12:00 p.m.
The Letter of Intent to Submit a Proposal form, Attachment A, is due via email,
procurementservices@ccc.edu, attention Marietta Williams-Johnson, Sr. Contract Administrator, by
Wednesday, March 26, 2024, no later than 12:00 p.m. If you do not intend to submit a proposal in
response to this RFP, please email us a brief, detailed explanation to procurementservices@ccc.edu
in order to continue to receive future bid/RFP/RFQ notices.
__________________________________________________________________________________________
City Colleges of Chicago
1
February 27, 2024
RFP #MWJ2401- Grant Writing Services
Office of Institutional Advancement
Table of Contents
SECTION I – GENERAL INFORMATION ……………………………………………………………….....3
SECTION II – INTENT AND SCOPE OF SERVICES ……………………………………..……………...3
SECTION III – SUBMITTAL REQUIREMENTS ………………………………………………………..…..5
SECTION IV – INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS ……………………………………………………..…....9
SECTION V – GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS ……………..………………………………………..………..11
SECTION VI – EVALUATION CRITERIA …………….....……………………………………………….....17
SECTION VII – EXECUTIVE SUMMARY FORM …….…………..……………………………….............18
SECTION VIII – FIRM/CONSULTING SERVICES CATEGORY FORM….…………………….……..…19
ATTACHMENT A – LETTER OF INTENT TO SUBMIT A PROPOSAL ………………...………….…....20
ATTACHMENT B – REFERENCE QUESTIONNAIRE …………………………………………………….21
APPENDICES:
APPENDIX I – TERMS AND CONDITIONS REGARDING COMPLIANCE WITH THE MINORITY
BUSINESS COMMITMENT AND WOMEN BUSINESS ENTERPRISE COMMITMENT
APPENDIX II – ETHICS ORIENTATION FOR CONTRACTORS/VENDORS
APPENDIX III - IRS W-9 INSTRUCTIONS AND FORM
APPENDIX IV – ECONOMIC DISCLOSURE INSTRUCTIONS AND ECONOMIC DISCLOSURE
STATEMENT AND AFFIDAVIT (9 pages and must be notarized)
APPENDIX V – PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT (for informational purposes only, do not
complete/submit with proposal responses)
__________________________________________________________________________________________
City Colleges of Chicago
2
February 27, 2024
RFP #MWJ2401- Grant Writing Services
Office of Institutional Advancement
SECTION I - GENERAL INFORMATION
City Colleges of Chicago (CCC) consists of seven (7) community colleges which are all located within
the city limits of Chicago. In addition, there are five (5) satellite locations that are affiliated with the
colleges. A seven-member board of trustees, who are appointed by the Mayor of Chicago, governs
the system. The chief administrative officer of the system is the Chancellor, who is appointed by the
Board of Trustees. Each college has its own President, who reports to the Chancellor, and its own
administrative staff which is responsible for policy administration in the areas of human resources and
staff development, finance, academic affairs, administrative services and information technology.
Each of these areas is headed by a Vice Chancellor that reports to the Chancellor.
The RFP and all attachments are available for download from the City Colleges of Chicago website,
Procurement Services webpage, http://www.ccc.edu/departments/pages/procurement.aspx/, Current
Bid Schedule. Proposers who download the RFP waive their right to have clarifications and/or
addenda sent to them. Such Proposers are responsible for checking the website for clarifications
and/or addenda. Failure to obtain clarifications and/or addenda from the website shall not relieve such
Proposers from being bound by additional terms and conditions in the clarification and/or addenda, if
any, or from considering additional information contained therein in preparing their proposals. Note
that there may be multiple clarifications and/or addenda. Any harm to a Proposer resulting from such
failure shall not be valid grounds for protest against award(s) made under this RFP. Responses will
not be accepted in electronic forms.
SECTION II - INTENT AND SCOPE OF SERVICES
A. Intent
CCC, on behalf of the Office of Institutional Advancement, Office of Development, invites the
submission of statement of interest and qualifying proposals from qualified
firms/contractors/consultants, who have experience in providing government and private grant
writing services. CCC is seeking grant writers and/or firms with a proven track record in writing
successful complex proposals from diverse funding sources to support on an as needed basis.
It is CCC’s intent to pre-qualify highly skilled consultants for grant writing services to the Office of
Institutional Advancement, Office of Development.
B. Scope of Services
CCC is seeking contractual grant writers and/or firms with a proven track record in writing
successful complex proposals from public and private funding sources to support proposal
development on an as needed basis. Previous personal or professional experiences in higher
education are a plus. The Grant Writers will work closely with the Director of Grants Management
of the Office of Institutional Resource Development, as well as other members of the Institutional
Resource Department.
The consultant must be able to provide the following proposal development/grant writing services
as outlined below:
1. In a close partnership with our Associate Vice Chancellor of Institutional Resource
Development, Director of Grants Management and/or Institutional Resource
Development team, the consultant will lead and/or support the proposal
development, writing and preparation of materials for submission of highly technical
and involved government (federal and state), private and foundation grants.
2. Consultant will work closely with CCC and the College leadership/faculty/staff who
are pursuing various grant initiatives. Work can be done in-person, via email, via
teleconference or in a manner that is mutually agreed upon by both parties.
__________________________________________________________________________________________
City Colleges of Chicago
3
February 27, 2024
RFP #MWJ2401- Grant Writing Services
Office of Institutional Advancement
3. The consultant will ensure the narrative is responsive to the RFP and the entire
application package meets the rigorous standards and scoring criteria laid out by
the funding agency.
4. Work with staff and stakeholders to interpret guidelines, draft narratives, and
develop or secure other required proposal components, as well as conduct research
and gather relevant information necessary for a strong proposal.
5. Write grant proposals as requested in time to meet deadlines, and package the
proposal materials for submission.
6. Create and edit proposal budgets.
7. Must be able to work on and manage multiple proposals with Institutional Resource
Development team, with competing submission deadlines dates.
8. The consultant will proofread each grant proposal before submission, making sure
the proposal is clear and follows instructions provided by the grant maker. Associate
Vice Chancellor and/or Director of Grants Management will provide final edits,
approval and advance the final product through submission.
9. Conduct prospect research based on the requirements of City Colleges of Chicago.
Firms/Consultants awarded contracts as a result of this RFP will be invited to submit proposals for
specific projects in their qualification area.
After selection of the Board approved firms and per project requests, City Colleges of Chicago will
provide a more detailed description of the project and the selected firm(s) will submit a proposed
plan of action. The project proposal submitted by firm(s) will be reviewed by the CCC, at its own
discretion, CCC may elect to negotiate with a given firm/consultant or combination of
firms/consultants for a specific project assignment. A not-to-exceed limit for both the required
professional services and reimbursable expenses will be established for that project assignment.
The selected firm(s)/ consultant(s) will be contracted for the project, and the services of the
consultant shall begin. For amounts over $25,000, Board approval is required, contract execution
and subsequent issuance of a Purchase Order.
Contracts awarded as a result of this RFP shall be for a period of three (3) years from the date of
contract execution with an additional two (2) year extension option. CCC may advertise Requests
for Proposals (RFP) through a Public Notice to expand the pool. The existing pool of members will
be required to re-submit qualifications/proposals and execute new contracts.
The firms/consultants shall agree that all reports, information, or data prepared or assembled by
the consultant for a CCC project shall be confidential in nature and shall not be made available to
any firms, consultants or organizations except CCC, without the prior written approval of CCC
C. Qualifications Requirements
Firms/Consultants that meet the following qualifications will be considered for selection:
1. Consultants
• A minimum of 3 years providing grant writing services.
• Familiarity with key financial concepts and how to read financial documents/statements
• Experience working with Federal and State funding entities, and demonstrated
knowledge of their general guidelines, evaluation processes, and application platforms.
• A minimum of 3 years of practical experience in field of expertise (Education,
Government Entity, Not-for-Profit) or other relevant experience.
• A minimum of three (3) references (include type of service, firm’s name, contact person,
mailing address, telephone number and email address). (Complete Attachment B)
• A minimum B.A./B.S. Degree and/or equivalent industry recognized certification(s)
(PMP certification, AFP Certified, CFRE, etc.)
__________________________________________________________________________________________
City Colleges of Chicago
4
February 27, 2024
RFP #MWJ2401- Grant Writing Services
Office of Institutional Advancement
Firms/Consultants must be willing to respond within forty–eight (48) hours to confirm availability
for requested project.
SECTION III - SUBMITTAL REQUIREMENTS
In order to submit a proposal in response to any City Colleges of Chicago solicitations, Proposers must
meet the following requirements:
Must be incorporated for a total of two (2) full calendar years.
Must be registered to do business in the State of Illinois regardless of the state of origin.
Must also be in “Good Standing” with the Office of the Illinois Secretary of State. Please be sure to
check your “Good Standing” status with the link provided here:
https://www.ilsos.gov/departments/business_services/business_searches.html and that while doing
business with City Colleges of Chicago will remain in “Good Standing”
Each Proposer submitting a proposal will be required to present evidence of experience, qualifications,
financial responsibility and capacity to perform the requested services. One (1) original signature
(wet-ink) hard copy and two (2) USB drives are to be submitted in response to this RFP, see Page
1. All USBs shall include your entire proposal response in one (1) pdf file; electronic financial
information may be submitted as an additional pdf file included on the USBs.
Discussions may be conducted with Proposers who submit responses determined to have a
reasonable possibility of being selected. All Proposers shall be accorded fair and equal treatment with
respect to the RFP process. RESPONSES MAY BE DEEMED NON-RESPONSIVE AND WILL NOT
BE FURTHER CONSIDERED FOR FAILING TO SUBMIT A RESPONSE AND/OR
DOCUMENTATION THAT ADDRESSES EACH AND EVERY PARAGRAPH CITED IN THIS
SECTION.
A. Format of Response
All original response(s) must be submitted with pages numbered with section dividers for each
item listed below. Each original signature response shall be submitted on standard 8 ½” x 11”
plain white copy paper with material printed on one (1) side only in a 3-ring binder. Expensive
papers and special bindings (Absolutely no spiral bindings nor machine bindings) are
discouraged since no materials will be returned to the Proposer. The USB drives (2 each) shall
include your entire proposal response submitted in a pdf file format and each drive shall
indicate Responder’s name and RFP number enclosed in individual sleeves/cases. Re-typing
of any required forms that are included in this RFP are prohibited and required forms are to be
submitted with proposal responses.
B. Contents of Response
Table of Contents:
Provide a table of contents indicating the corresponding page number for each section of the
RFP listed below. To provide uniformity and to facilitate comparison of proposals, all
information submitted must be noted in the same sequence as its appearance in this RFP.
CCC reserves the right to waive minor variances or irregularities.
1. Cover Letter:
The cover letter must be submitted on the Proposer’s letterhead, signed by a principal and
the joint venture partner, if applicable. The cover letter must contain a plan explaining how
services will be performed; a commitment to provide the services described in the Scope of
__________________________________________________________________________________________
City Colleges of Chicago
5
February 27, 2024
This is the opportunity summary page. You are currently viewing an overview of this opportunity and a preview of the attached documentation. For more information, please visit the Publication URL Web page.

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