DEADLINE: September 15th, 2022, by 2:00 p.m.
(Response Due and Submitted through EZSourcing Supplier Portal)
Alameda County, GSA-Procurement EZSourcing Supplier Portal https://ezsourcing.acgov.org/
Contact Person: Kevin Bailey
Phone Number: (510) 208-9631
Email Address: kevin.bailey@acgov.org
General Services Agency (GSA) – Procurement
SCOPE/BACKGROUND: The East Bay Economic Development Alliance (East Bay EDA) is seeking a consultant to assist in the implementation of Resilient East Bay, a project to support small to midsized businesses in manufacturing, transportation, distribution and logistics, and biomedical/life sciences.
Resilient East Bay is a project of East Bay Forward, East Bay EDA’s vision for a more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable East Bay (https://eastbayeda.org/eastbayforward/). In 2022, East Bay EDA is facing an economic recovery that is complex but also presents an opportunity to chart a path forward built upon a more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable East Bay economy. Increasing access to economic opportunities is now more critical than ever if East Bay EDA is to avoid deepening racial and socioeconomic disparities. Small to mid-sized manufacturers—including start-ups—need access to a diverse workforce and inclusive workplaces to tackle labor shortages, build resilient supply chains, and access capital and technology. They need new growth markets to get ahead of rising inflation, all while accessing and affording sites with all related infrastructure in the East Bay. They face multidimensional situations that are unique to the business and require solutions that support and strengthen their immediate and longer-term futures in the East Bay, simultaneously building a more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable East Bay economy.
East Bay EDA is the recipient of a grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) Economic Adjustment Assistance (EAA) Program for this project that will assist the region’s economic recovery from the impacts of COVID-19 (https://eastbayeda.org/manufacturing/).
The Resilient East Bay project will lead and implement a regional, business-driven economic analysis and strategy for the manufacturing, transportation, distribution and logistics, and biomedical/life sciences industries. As global trends collide to create more possibilities for a return of manufacturing to the East Bay than we have seen in many decades, the Resilient East Bay project will catalyze regional economic development. IRFP No. 902185 Page 5 of 20
The County Administrator’s Office (CAO) serves as East Bay EDA’s administrative agency and host. A Resilient East Bay Advisory Committee will guide and supervise the work of the consultant team. The Resilient East Bay Advisory Committee will include members from East Bay EDA, representatives from the manufacturing, transportation, distribution, and logistics, biomedical/life sciences sectors, and business-serving organizations in Alameda County and Contra Costa County. The contractor awarded this project is encouraged to work with Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) that may or may not be sponsored by the County to assist with stakeholder engagement/outreach, focus groups, interviews, or other related activities to support the objectives in this IRFP.
In 2020, East Bay EDA invited East Bay cities and business-serving organizations to participate in the development of a draft strategy framework of how to best strengthen the regional manufacturing ecosystem. This strategy informed EDA Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding application to assist small to midsized businesses in manufacturing, transportation, distribution and logistics, and biomedical/life sciences through Resilient East Bay. This procurement is related to the need(s) to facilitate business connections that market the regional network of small to mid-sized businesses in machinery and metals manufacturing and associated industries. These business connections will assist small to mid-sized businesses with business development (including startups), and help companies find local suppliers, thus growing the East Bay’s manufacturing sector. Lastly, this procurement is related to the need for a marketing and promotion toolkit that broadens awareness of the East Bay’s regional and sub-regional assets in machinery and metals manufacturing and associated industries, thus serving to attract businesses.