Northern Development Initiative Trust (Northern Development) is a regionally operated economic development funding corporation serving central and northern B.C. and operating independently from government. It provides the funding and ability to identify and pursue new opportunities for stimulating economic growth and job creation. Northern Development offers a range of funding programs suited to a diverse set of economic development priorities.
The high cost of serving northern B. C. based businesses with qualified consulting services has been identified as a barrier to business growth. In response, Northern Development has established the Competitive Consulting Rebate Program (CCR) and more recently the Forestry Affected Business Consulting Rebate Program. (FAB). These programs offer businesses located in the Northern Development service area the opportunity to recover a portion of third-party consulting fees and travel costs for pre-qualified projects that focus on increased productivity, new or incremental revenues, profitability and/or job creation. The CCR program is tailored to business in the industrial supplies and services sectors. The FAB program is tailored to traditional businesses affected by forestry mill closures and curtailments but also includes tourism operators and retailers. Consulting projects must focus on ways to sustain businesses during the economic downturn in the forestry sector. Like the rest of Canada, the busine
· business planning and management
· market development (marketing strategies/online marketing/sales development)
· website development and graphic design
· strategy development
· human resources management
· health and Safety (systems and certifications)
· operations and operational efficiency
· quality management
· innovation (new product development/SR&ED claims)
Businesses may use a preferred consultant or ask Northern Development for assistance to select a qualified consultant(s) for their proposed project. Northern Development is seeking to add to the existing roster of qualified consultants to support northern B.C. based businesses.
1.2 Role of the Consultant
Qualified consultants will be engaged by business clients in the Northern Development service area. At no time does Northern Development contract with consultants on behalf of a business. Consultants will provide the business with a proposal outlining the scope of work, deliverables, timeline and fixed cost. The business will then then submit an application, with the consultant proposal, to Northern Development CCR or FAB program in advance of the project start date. Once approved, the project may begin. Upon project completion with all deliverables received and proof of payment in full, the business may submit reporting to initiate the rebate. Consultants are also asked to provide a confirmation that they have been paid in full. At project reporting, businesses are asked for feedback on the consultant's service and deliverables to ensure that effective outcomes are achieved.
1.3 How the Consultant might be engaged
Businesses who seek support identifying a qualified consultant will contact Northern Development. Once the business needs and project scope are determined, Northern Development will review the roster and identify a qualified consultant(s). Consultant(s) may be contacted by Northern Development staff to determine the consultant's subject matter expertise, interest and availability. If a consultant fit is determined, Northern Development will provide the client with the consultant's contact information. Introduction to a qualified consultant is not an endorsement nor a guarantee of services by Northern Development. Businesses are required to complete their own due diligence to determine if the consultant is a fit for the business and the scope of work proposed in the project.
1.4 Purpose of this RFQ
The purpose of this Request for Qualification is to pre-qualify consultants and consulting companies on an ongoing basis and add to the Northern Development Consultant Roster. The Consultant Roster will be used to identify qualified consultants at the request of businesses in northern BC seeking consulting services. The Northern Development Consultant Roster will be used for internal reference purposes and not be made available to the public.
In order to qualify for addition to the Consultant Roster, consultants and consulting companies should have the experience to perform professional services in one or more of the following Service Areas:
a) business planning and management;
b) market development (marketing strategies/online marketing/sales development);
c) website development and graphic design
d) strategy development;
e) human resources management;
f) health and safety (systems and certifications);
g) operations and operational efficiency;
h) quality management;
i) innovation (new product development/SR&ED claims)
Respondents should note the following:
a) Respondents will be added to the Consultant Roster by demonstrating an appropriate level of expertise within each of the individual Service Areas. To be eligible to submit a Response to a Service Area RFP, a Respondent should be qualified in that particular Service Area.
b) It is expected that the expanded Consultant Roster established as a result of this RFQ will be managed by the Northern Development and may be used for projects deemed by Northern Development to be of strategic interest.
