Proposal Due By: Rolling – Opens July 1, 2025 – Ends June 30, 2027
Proposal Due To: contracts@nwnc.org
Project Overview
NWNC is seeking qualified applicants to provide professional services and expert consulting through one-on-one technical assistance to individual entrepreneurs and small businesses, and to further NWNC’s mission of providing economic support to traditionally under-served communities. This includes industry experts such as CPAs, tax preparers, marketing advisors, bookkeeping consultants, attorneys, and more.
Our Professional Service Provider (PSP) network offers innovative no-cost technical assistance and support to small businesses who face systemic barriers to success. The expanded technical assistance resources are designated to provide services to under-served, hard to reach, and rural communities, along with Black, Indigenous & People of Color (BIPOC) owned small businesses, with a foundation in serving American Indian, Alaskan Native, and Native Hawaiian.
NWNC, through federal, state, and philanthropic funding, is expanding access to PSP services for Native-owned businesses and the broader community. By leveraging existing resources and fostering partnerships with small fi rms, we aim to cultivate a network of PSPs that regenerate and sustain local economies, creating a cycle of growth and opportunity that supports regional economic resilience.
Project Goals
- Increased resiliency of small businesses through:
- Increased number of diverse, low-income, and rural businesses receiving specialized legal support
- Increased number of diverse, low-income, and rural businesses receiving specialized human resources support
- Increased number of diverse, low-income, and rural businesses receiving specialized accounting support and improved knowledge of personal and business financial management
- Increased number of diverse, low-income, and rural businesses receiving web, e-commerce, and digital marketing support
- Additional leveraged capital among diverse, low-income, and rural businesses by increasing access to loans, grants, and other financial assistance
- Increased number of diverse, low-income, and rural businesses receiving mentoring, coaching, and networking opportunities
- Increased number of diverse, low-income, and rural businesses whose business plans, success plans and other needs are reviewed, screened, and then addressed
- Increased number of diverse, low-income, and rural businesses who receive business technical assistance that is culturally competent or culturally specific
Evaluation Metrics and Criteria
- Businesses and individuals seeking to qualify for inclusion in NWNC’s database of on-call Professional Service Providers are evaluated based on:
- Ability to provide quality, timely, and responsive resolution of priority issue(s) facing the small business and as identified in the referral.
- Experience providing similar services and subsequent results.
- Ability to report necessary information requested by NWNC in a timely manner to track small business assistance received.
- Cost-effectiveness of services provided and/or costs are within generally accepted ranges for similar services.
- Ability to provide culturally competent or culturally responsive services.
- Availability and capacity to serve businesses within the project’s time frame.
- The performance of Professional Service Providers (and their subsequent continued inclusion in the database) is evaluated on an ongoing basis through the following non-exhaustive criteria:
- Ability to provide metrics, intake forms, and other reporting in a timely manner.
- Satisfaction surveys are distributed to businesses participating in services.
Submission Requirements
- Ability to provide services within the scope timeframe
- Description of services provided
- Hourly rate(s) for each service(s) provided
- Number of clients the Provider can serve within the time frame
- Specify one or more states Provider can serve clients (OR, WA, ID)
- Is your business COBID certified? (not required for this solicitation)
- Do you consider your business to be identified as any of the following (not required for this solicitation):
- Minority Business Enterprise
- Women Business Enterprise
- Service- Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise
- Emerging Small Business
- List any similar certifications your business has
Project End Date: June 30, 2027
Point of Contact:
Alyssa Camp, Technical Assistance Program Manager
Email: contracts@NWNC.org
Phone #: (503) 894-4525