7/7/2023
1 RiversideCA.gov
1 RiversideCA.gov
AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT SUBRECIPIENT
AGREEMENT WITH COMMUNITY CONNECT TO
ADMINISTER A SMALL AND MICRO-BUSINESS GRANT
PROGRAM
Economic Development, Placemaking and
Branding/Marketing Committee
July 20, 2023
Community & Economic Development
RiversideCA.gov
2 • March 11, 2021: President Biden signed the American Rescue Plan Act to facilitate COVID 19 Recovery.
• November 9, 2021: City Council approved the first allocation of the ARPA funding in the amount of $36,767,594 including a $6,000,000.00 allocation for the development and a dministration of a local small and micro-business grant.
• April 1, 2022: the Dept. of Treasury ARPA Final Rule became effective. • October 3, 2022: The City posted RFP No. 2193 seeking a qualified and experienced organization to fina lize program development and administer a local small and micr o-business grant. Two responsive proposals were received.
BACKGROUND
1 2
7/7/2023
2 RiversideCA.gov
3 • Task 1: Program Finalization (3-6 weeks) Review, advise and finalize the grant program including funding eligibility , program documentation, tracking and deadlines.
• Task 2 : Program Marketing (Ongoing) Finalize and implement the identified marketing plan with platforms phases, timelines and target communities. • Task 3: Program Administration (18-22 mont hs)Fully ramped up operations for business support, application intake and analysis, processing and client follow up. • Task 4: Program Reporting (Ongoing) Regular reporting schedule for project tracking, problem solving for best custom er experience, appropriate business data collection, and all reporting requirements for ARPA documentation.
SCOPE OF SERVICES
RiversideCA.gov
4 1. Firm Experience and Capacity: (25%)
2. Project Understanding, Appr oach and Methodology: (25%)
3. Cost: (20%)
4. Schedule: (10%)
RFP SCORING CRITERIA
3 4
7/7/2023
3 RiversideCA.gov
5 The evaluation team chose the Community Connect proposal based on the following criteria:
– Understanding/Approach/Methodology: Demonstrates a clear understanding of the Riverside business community and the time and resources required to meet the scope of services. Offers a personalized, hands-on approach to customer service with multiple touchpoints throughout the process. Offers options for in-person support and virtual services with the ability to leverage many community partnerships.
Provides a clear plan for equitable and accessible participation utilizing neighborhood demographic dat a and census tracts to identify underserved communities.
RESULTS AND SCORING RATIONALE
RiversideCA.gov
6 After careful review, the evaluati on team chose the Community Connect proposal based on the following:
– Firm Experience and Capacity: Over 30 years of local and regional experience, excellent references, demonstration of adequate staffing levels with multi-lingual abilities, a cross-training plan, and a commitment to in-person support.
– Marketing: Extensive multi-faceted and multi-lingual marketing plan including digital, print, radio, newspaper, social media, website, presentations and in-person outrea ch with a focus on connecting with underserved communities.
RESULTS AND SCORING RATIONALE
5 6
7/7/2023
4 RiversideCA.gov
7 Strategic Priority No. 3 – Economic Opportunity
Goal 3.4 – Collaborate with key partners to implement policies and programs that promote local business growth and ensure equitable opportunities for all.
Cross-Cutting Threads
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT
RiversideCA.gov
8 That the Economic Development, Placemaking and Branding/Marketing Committee:
1. Review and consider the proposed American Rescue Plan Act Subrecipient Professional Consultant Services Agreement with Community Connect for $779,948.05 of American Rescue Plan Act Funds to administer a City of Riverside small and micro-business COVID recovery grant program; and
2. Direct staff to execute the American Rescue Plan Act Subrecipient Professional Consultant Services Agreement with Community Connect for $779,948.05 of American Rescue Plan Act Funds to administer a City of Riverside small and micro-enterprise COVID recovery grant program and proceed to City Council for approval.
RECOMMENDATIONS
7 8