Community Opportunities Fund Policy and Advocacy Grantee Technical Assistance Consultant RFQ - CLOSED

• Community Opportunities Fund Policy and Advocacy Grantee Technical Assistance Consultant  
• Request for Qualifications
• Information Session
• How To Apply
• Important Documents
• Contact Us

COMMUNITY OPPORTUNITIES FUND POLICY AND ADVOCACY GRANTEE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE CONSULTANT

First 5 LA's Community Opportunities Fund (COF) reflects a responsive giving approach with a focus on funding sustainable change within both organizations and communities. A total of $13 million was allocated to COF with $3.25 million available for each of four funding cycles. Because COF is intended to initiate sustainable and systematic change at the organizational and community levels, two specific types of support are funded: (1) organizational capacity building and (2) policy and advocacy grants. Cycles One and Two funded both organizational capacity building and policy and advocacy projects. Cycle Three is funding specifically policy and advocacy activities, bringing the total Policy and Advocacy projects to twelve.

In order to best support the Policy and Advocacy COF grantees and help ensure success and sustainability of the efforts beyond the grant, the following grantee support activities will be implemented in coordination with the current six Policy and Advocacy grants and the roll out of the six Cycle Three Policy and Advocacy grants: Grantee Technical Assistance, Grantee Self-Assessment, and Group/Peer Learning/Networking.

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS (RFQ)

First 5 LA is seeking a consultant or a team of consultants with expertise in policy and advocacy to provide the technical assistance support for the Community Opportunities Fund (COF) Policy and Advocacy Grantees. Additionally, depending on qualifications, the selected consultant(s) will be requested to also develop and facilitate the grantee group trainings.

Consultant(s) will provide assistance on reconciling the results of the baseline organizational self-assessment with the needs identified within the COF proposal, and identify what needs remain to be addressed to support the scope of work, specifically in regards to the policy and advocacy components. Consultants will provide periodic consultations with grantees to assess needs and provide recommendations regarding ongoing implementation. While the consultant(s) will not be responsible for implementing the specifically funded project, they will primarily provide linkages to experts in the field and help organizations maneuver the policy and advocacy landscape.

All questions and requests for additional information regarding this RFQ must be received in writing by First 5 LA via email only before 5:00 p.m. on Friday, February 12, 2010. First 5 LA reserves the sole right to determine the timing and content of the responses to all questions and requests for additional information. Questions and information requests may be submitted to lwerbel@first5la.org. 

• COF Policy and Advocacy Grantee TA Consultant RFQ Cover Letter
• COF Policy and Advocacy Grantee TA Consultant RFQ
• Review Tool 
• Policy and Advocacy Logic Model (pdf)
• Consultant Report-COF Design (pdf)

INFORMATION SESSION

An information session for the extended deadline for Community Opportunities Fund Policy and Advocacy Grantee Technical Assistance Consultant RFQ was held on Thursday, February 11, 2010.  Attendance at the information session was required to submit a proposal. A list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) received at this information session can be accessed here. 

HOW TO APPLY

The application period is now closed. Individuals and organizations that wished to apply must have completed an application online by Monday, March 1, 2010.

IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS

Your application should also include the important documents listed below:

• Appendix A: Proposal Package Checklist**
• Proposal Cover Letter*
• Proposal Narrative (submitted as a Word Document)*
• Resumes of principal staff, subcontractor(s) and consultant(s) as well as job qualifications and descriptions for new positions*
• Appendix B: Instruction for Budget Forms, Budget Forms and Budget Narrative*
• Appendix C: Previous Client Form/References
• Appendix D: Contract Signature Authorization Form**
• Appendix E: Agency Involvement in Litigation and/or Contract Compliance Difficulties**
• Current Audited Financials* (If an electronic version of the audit/990 or tax status letter is not available, please mail or deliver documents.)
• Bylaws*
• Articles of Incorporation (if applicable)*
• IRS Tax Status Determination Letter*

* No First 5 LA format is required. Applicants may submit existing documents or records.
** Original signature page must be follow by mail, postmarked no later than January 25, 2010.

The following document is for applicant's reference only:

• Scope of Work (pdf)
• Sample Contract (pdf)
• List of COF Policy and Advocacy Grantees (Cycles One through Three)
• Alignment with COF Policy Goals

CONTACT US

For additional information or further questions, please email lwerbel@first5la.org.