CANNABIS
MONITORING AND
FINANCIAL AUDIT
SERVICES
RESPONSE SUBMI TTED
SEPTEMBER 25, 2024
CANNA BUSINESS SERVICES
PREPARED BY:
THE CITY OF SAN
BERNARDINO, CALIFORNIA
PREPARED FOR:
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
F-24-1012
1. ExecutiveSummary
TetraGrowthSystems,LLCd/b/aCannaBusinessServicesis pleasedtosubmitthefollowingproposalinresponsetotheCityofSanBernardino’s CannabisCompliance&FinancialAuditServicesRFPF-24-1012.
CannaBusinessServicesis poisedto supporttheCityof SanBernardinoin its CannabisMonitoringandFinancialAuditServicesprogrambyleveragingourteammadeupofin-housestaff and provenand trustedsubcontractorswithextensiveexperienceand expertiseincompliance,auditing,andadvisoryserviceswithinthecannabisindustry. Ourdedicatedteamunderstandsthecomplexitiesoftheregulatorylandscapeandis committedtoensuringthatallcannabis-relatedactivitiesalignwithapplicablelawsandcityordinances.
Weproposeacomprehensiveapproachthatencompassesthefollowingkeyservices:
➢ YearlyFinancialAudits– Ourteamwillfacilitatethoroughannualfinancialauditstoensurelicenseecompliancewithallapplicablelawsandregulations.Ourauditingprocessis designedto providerelevantinsightswhileadheringto thehigheststandardsofaccuracyandintegrity. ➢ ComplianceMonitoring– Throughinspections,CannaBusinessServiceswillmonitorbusinesses’compliancein accordancewithcityordinances,state,andlocallaws.Ourapproachtocompliancemonitoringwillhelpquicklyidentifyandaddresspotentialissuesbeforetheyescalate. ➢ BackgroundChecks– We willconductbackgroundchecksonallprimaryownersaswellasemployeesofthebusiness,asneeded,toverifytheintegrityandqualificationsofkeypersonnelseekingtoenterthecannabissectorwithintheCityofSanBernardino. ➢ PlanReviewServices– Ourteamwillprovidedetailedplanreviewservices,analyzingplansforcomplianceandeffectivenesswiththegoaloffacilitatingtimelyapprovals. ➢ Pre-LicensingInspections– Wewillconductvirtualpre-licensinginspectionstofacilitatea streamlinedprocessforbusinessesseekingtooperatewithintheCity. EnsuringnotonlycompliancewithCityordinances,localandstateregulations,aswellasconfirmingthebusiness’slevelofoperationalreadiness.
CityofSanBernardinoCannaBusinessServicesandSax,LLPProposalforCannabisMonitoringandFinancialAuditServices 1 Ourteamunderstandshowcomprehensiveandsuccessfulcannabisprogramsarebuiltintoregulationsandimplementedon thestateandlocallevels.We analyzetheimpactof theseprogramsoncitiesandstatesandweunderstandhowstateandlocalcommunitiescanimproveupontheirprogramsto bestservetheirresidents.Utilizingtheteamidentifiedherein,ourexperiencein navigatingthe complexitiesof thecannabisindustryat thestate,local,andbusinesslevelsisextensiveandqualifiesustodotheworkidentifiedinthesubjectsolicitation.We havealsoworkedextensivelyinCaliforniaandareintimatelyfamiliarwiththeCaliforniacannabisregulationsandtheirimplicationsforapplicantsonthelocallevel.We evenhavearegisteredofficeforoneofourentities,TheCannaMind,inSacramento,California.We lookforwardto applyingthisknowledgeandexperiencetotheCityofSanBernardino’s cannabisprogram.
Asoutlinedinthisproposal,ourdiverseportfolioofclientsnotonlyincludesindividuals,licenseapplicants,andlicensedbusinesses,butalsolargelyincludescities,counties,states,andIndiannationsthroughoutthe country, includingmultipleserviceswiththeCityof LongBeach,CaliforniaandtheCountyofMendocino,California.Sincetheintroductionofourgovernmentagencyservices,wehavesavedagenciesa whopping$5,000,000+andover10yearsintime,bybuildingseamlesscannabisprogramsandhelpingthemavoidthecostlylearningcurvesandlitigationintherolloutoftheseprograms.CannaBusinessServicescombinestechnicalexpertisewitha passionforpublicservice.We areexcitedabouttheopportunitytocollaboratewiththeCityofSanBernardino,ensuringa compliant,transparent,andthrivingcannabisindustrythatbenefitstheentirecommunity.
CannaBusinessServicesis committedto executingtheworkaccordingto theagreed-uponscheduleoncebothparties,ourselvesandtheCityof SanBernardinofinalizethetimeline.Furthermore,afterreviewingExhibitB,thetemplateprofessionalservicesagreementprovidedby theCityof SanBernardinoin theRFP, wedonothaveanyproposedalterationsto thecontractualtermsandconditions.
CityofSanBernardinoCannaBusinessServicesandSax,LLPProposalforCannabisMonitoringandFinancialAuditServices 2 2. TableofContents
3. Identificationof Proposer 44. StaffingResources 45. Fiscal Stability: 256. ExperienceandTechnical Competence: 307. ProposedMethodtoAccomplishtheScopeof Work: 418. FeeProposal 469. Insurance 4710. Litigation 4711. OtherInformation 4712. Certificationof Proposal 4813. Appendices 48 CityofSanBernardinoCannaBusinessServicesandSax,LLPProposalforCannabisMonitoringandFinancialAuditServices 3 3. IdentificationofProposer
LegalNameofCompany:TetraGrowthSystems,LLCd/b/aCannaBusinessServices LegalAddressofCompany:3022SMorganPointRd,#186,MountPleasant,SC29466 LegalFormofCompany:Single-MemberLimitedLiabilityCompany PointofContact:BethPanicucci,DirectorofOperations,[email protected], 412-282-7375 CaliforniaBusinessLicenseNumber:202251417486
4. StaffingResources
a. CannaBusinessServices’StaffingandKeyPersonnel(i) DedicatedTeamforCannabisMonitoringandFinancialAuditsWe havea dedicatedteamof 10 highlyskilledandexperiencedprofessionalswhowillbeassignedto performcannabismonitoringandfinancialauditservicesfortheCityof SanBernardino.Ourteamincludesexpertsfromvariousdisciplines,ensuringcomprehensivecoverageoftheCity’s proposedscopeofworkandbeyond.EachCannaBusinessServices’staffmemberholdsrelevantjobtitlesandqualifications,enablingthemtoprovideexceptionalservice.Additionally, ourfirmhasthecapacitytoscaleresourcesandprovideadditionalpersonnelasneededandasrequestedbytheCity, ensuringflexibilityandtimelyresponsivenessthroughoutthedurationofthecontract.Thisallowsustomeetanychangeindemandswhilemaintainingthehighestlevelofqualitywork.
Asa woman-owned-and-operatedteam,ourstaff bringsexpertisefroma varietyof fields:includinglawyers,stategrantwritersandauditors,competitivecannabisapplicationprojectpreparers,formercannabisoperators,regulatorycompliancespecialists,branddevelopers,stateandfederalcontractprofessionals,educationalproviders,andnon-profitownersspecializingintheprovisionof servicesforunderrepresentedpeoplegroups.Ourteamis adeptat cannabiscomplianceservices,savingmanycompaniesfromcomplianceissuesacrossthecountrybyconductingpreliminarycomplianceauditswithourtriedandtrueprocesses.Ourpreferredpartner, SaxLLP, isanexperiencedcannabisaccountingfirmwithapresenceinCalifornia,whois uniquelyqualifiedtocompletefinancialauditsofalltypesofcannabisbusinesses.We havecompletedextensiveprojectsinthepublicsectorduringthepastfiveyears,specificsaredetailedthroughoutthisproposal.
Thenamesandjobtitlesofthestaff thatwillbeassignedtothisprojectareasfollows:● EmilySisneros,Esq.○ CEOofCannaBusinessServices–ProgramDirector/Executive● BethPanicucci,M.Ed.
CityofSanBernardinoCannaBusinessServicesandSax,LLPProposalforCannabisMonitoringandFinancialAuditServices 4 ○ DirectorofOperationsofCannaBusinessServices–ProjectManagerandProgramDevelopment● ToddPolyniak,CPA○ Partner, CannabisLeader, andCPAatSax,LLP–LeadAuditor/Accounting● MarissaCortes○ GeneralManagerofCannaBusinessServices–ProjectOversightandReporting● JanuaryRiggin○ ExecutiveAssistantandOutreachCoordinatoratCannaBusinessServices–OutreachCoordinator● LaurenMiranda○ TechnicalSupportTeamMemberatCannaBusinessServices–TechnicalAssistanceTeamLead● ErinnPromo○ TechnicalSupportTeamMemberatCannaBusinessServices–TechnicalAssistanceTeamMember● MaricelaBreedlove○ TechnicalSupportTeamMemberatCannaBusinessServices–TechnicalAssistanceTeamMember● AbbyFisher○ TechnicalSupportTeamMemberatCannaBusinessServices–TechnicalAssistanceTeamMember● KhyllaWatson○ TechnicalSupportTeamMemberatCannaBusinessServices–TechnicalAssistanceTeamMember (ii)EmilySisneros,Esq.,willserveastheProgramDirector/Executive,providingoverallleadershipandstrategicdirection.BethPanicucci,asProjectManagerandProgramDevelopmentLead,willoverseedailyoperationsandensureprojectmilestonesareachieved.ToddPolyniak,intheroleof LeadAuditor/Accountant,will managefinancialoversightand auditing.ThesethreeindividualswillbeprincipallyresponsibleforworkingdirectlywiththeCityofSanBernardino,ensuringthatprojecttimelines,workflow, andobjectivesalignwithboththeproposedscopeandtheCity’sgoals. (iii) CannaBusinessServices’TeamStructureandResumes
CityofSanBernardinoCannaBusinessServicesandSax,LLPProposalforCannabisMonitoringandFinancialAuditServices 5 OrganizationalStructureforCannabisConsultingServicesinCityofSanBernardino CityofSanBernardinoCannaBusinessServicesandSax,LLPProposalforCannabisMonitoringandFinancialAuditServices 6 CityofSanBernardinoCannaBusinessServicesandSax,LLPProposalforCannabisMonitoringandFinancialAuditServices 7 CityofSanBernardinoCannaBusinessServicesandSax,LLPProposalforCannabisMonitoringandFinancialAuditServices 8 CityofSanBernardinoCannaBusinessServicesandSax,LLPProposalforCannabisMonitoringandFinancialAuditServices 9 CityofSanBernardinoCannaBusinessServicesandSax,LLPProposalforCannabisMonitoringandFinancialAuditServices 10 CityofSanBernardinoCannaBusinessServicesandSax,LLPProposalforCannabisMonitoringandFinancialAuditServices 11 CityofSanBernardinoCannaBusinessServicesandSax,LLPProposalforCannabisMonitoringandFinancialAuditServices 12 CityofSanBernardinoCannaBusinessServicesandSax,LLPProposalforCannabisMonitoringandFinancialAuditServices 13 CityofSanBernardinoCannaBusinessServicesandSax,LLPProposalforCannabisMonitoringandFinancialAuditServices 14 CityofSanBernardinoCannaBusinessServicesandSax,LLPProposalforCannabisMonitoringandFinancialAuditServices 15 CityofSanBernardinoCannaBusinessServicesandSax,LLPProposalforCannabisMonitoringandFinancialAuditServices 16 (iv) Staff Biographies
Emily Sisneros, Esq., who will functionin the role of ProgramDirector/Executive,is the founder, CEO,andvaliantleaderof TetraGrowthSystems,LLCd/b/aCannaBusinessServices.Armedwitha doctoratedegreeinlaw, a degreein businessmarketing,andextensiveexperiencein thestartupindustryspace,sheoffersanunparalleledblendofmultifacetedknowledgeandunwaveringdedication.
EmilystartedasanattorneyinoneofthelargestfirmsinPittsburgh,Pennsylvania.Duringthistime,Emilyhelpedbuildthefirm'scannabisdivisionandservedinthecapacityasa cannabisattorneyforitsclients,helpingclientsobtainlicensesintheveryfirstlicensingroundintheCommonwealth.Thisroundusheredin whathassincebeenadoptedby almostalllimitedlicensingstatesthereafter:ultra-competitive,comprehensiveregulatorycompliantapplications.However, whileworkingalongsideconsultants,shesawthelackofqualityintheirworkandlackof supportprovidedto clients.Asa result,sheleftthefirmandbeganherownconsultancy,whereshehasbuilta teamthatprovidescomprehensivework,support,andeducationtoclientswithineveryfacetofthecannabisindustry.
Sinceherstartin thecannabisindustryin 2016,EmilySisneroshasbeensupportingclientsthroughoutthecountry. CannaBusinessServices,foundedin2018andinoperationforover5years,hasgrowntoserveclientsallovertheworld.Herfirmisalsoknownas“theconsultanttotheconsultants”,asherfirmisfrequentlyusedbyconsultingcompanieswhomarketthemselvesas providingcomprehensivecannabisindustrysupportbut do not havethe bandwidthorexperiencetoperformthework.
RepresentingCannaBusinessServices,Emilyis askedtospeakonstagesacrossthecountry,providingeducationandindustrytipsforthoseinterestedinstartinginthecannabisindustry,growingtheirbusiness,buildinga brand,orremainingcompliant.Sheregularlyspeaksontopicsrelatedtosocialequityprogramsthroughoutthecountryandhasprovidededucationtosocialequitylicenseapplicantsacrosseverystateinwhichasocialequityprogramisimplemented.
CannaBusinessServicesis classifiedasa smallbusiness,composedofapproximately15teammembers,almostallofwhomarefemales.Itsmembersbringexpertisefroma varietyoffields,includinglawyers,stategrantwritersandauditors,formercannabisoperatorsandcomplianceexperts,publishedjournaleditors,federalandlocalcontractprofessionals,educationalproviders,andnonprofitowners.
EmilyhasworkedinboththecityofLongBeachandthecountyofMendocino,onourrobusttechnicalassistanceprograms.Sheis proudthatGoBizhasreferredtoourimplementationofLongBeach’s socialequityeducationandtechnicalassistanceprogramasthebestexecutedinCalifornia.Currently, thecompanyiscertifiedasa womanownedMinorityBusinessEnterprisein thestateof SouthCarolinaandis in theapplicationprocessforFederalcertificationasaWoman-OwnedSmallBusiness.
CityofSanBernardinoCannaBusinessServicesandSax,LLPProposalforCannabisMonitoringandFinancialAuditServices 17 BethPanicucci,M.Ed, whowillperformtheroleof ProjectManagerandProgramDevelopment,willsupervisethedaytoday, andwillfunctionasthemainpointofcontactfortheCity, seamlesslybridgesoperationalefficiencywithcutting-edgetechnologicalapproaches,ensuringmeticulousoversightofteammembersandeffectivemanagementofcomplex,long-termprojects.
Equippedwitha Master'sdegreeinEducationandcertificationsasa GoogleLevel1 educatorandCommonSenseMediaCertifiedEducator, Beth'scareerhasbeendevotedto advancingtechnologyintegrationineducationandfosteringdigitalcommunicationskillsamongeducators.A seasonededucationalprofessional,Bethspecializesin designingand implementingcomprehensiveprofessionaldevelopmentprograms,particularlyinGoogleAppsforEducationandGoogleClassroom.Herexpertiseextendsto developingblendedlearninglessonsacrossvariousgradesand supportingliteracyand the IB MYPProgramthroughinstructionaltechnologyintegration.TheIB MYPprogramis builton a foundationof rubrics.Shehasextensivetrainingincreatingunbiasedrubricstoevaluatebothstudentworkandbusinesses.Hereducationalbackgroundis anassettoourclients.Sheis renownedforherroleintrainingandcoachingteachersonutilizinga widearrayofinstructionaltechnologytools,includingGoogleClassroom,Peardeck,Newsela,Flipgrid,andSMARTBoard,amongothers.
WithinCannaBusinessServices,Bethhasshowcasedherprowessinoperationalstrategyandprocessoptimization.HercareerhighlightsincludeleadingseniormanagementteamsindevelopingandexecutingcomprehensiveplansandStandardOperatingProcedures(SOPs),drivinggrowth,profitability, andoperationalefficiencieswithinorganizations.BethexcelsinimplementingrobustprojectmanagementsystemsandleveragingtoolslikeGoogleSheetsandMicrosoftExcelforseamlessprojecttrackingandreporting.Furthermore,Beth'smeticulousattentiontodetailandindustryknowledgeshinesinhandlinggrants,businesslicenses,andstateapplicationsin regulatedindustries.Herexpertiseextendsto creatingandeditingextensivebusinessplansandsecurityplans,contributingsignificantlytothesuccessofCannaBusinessServices.
BethhasalsobeencertifiedthroughOSHAcademyOccupationalSafety&HealthCourseinFirePreventionPlans,a knowledgethatsheseamlesslyappliestoourclients’cannabisbusinesses.Beth'stalentin cultivatingenduringrelationshipswithclients,operators,andcolleagueshasfostereda collaborativeecosystemand propelledbusinessgrowth.Herfocuson processefficiencyandmeasurementhasledto theimplementationof effectivetoolsforassessinginternalandexternalprocesses,significantlyenhancingclientmanagementcapacityat CannaBusinessServices.
ToddPolyniak, whowillperformintheroleofleadauditoroftheSaxLLPteam,isalongtimeindustryprofessional.Toddis a Partnerat Saxwithover30 yearsof in-depthauditing,accounting,andadvisoryexperience,servinga multitudeofindustries.Toddhasa bachelor’sdegreein AccountingfromRutgersUniversity, a MastersCertificatein CannabisfromtheCannabisTrainingUniversity, andis a CertifiedPublicAccountant(CPA)inbothNewJerseyandNewYork.
CityofSanBernardinoCannaBusinessServicesandSax,LLPProposalforCannabisMonitoringandFinancialAuditServices 18 Toddisa PartneratSAX,a Top100accounting,tax,andadvisoryfirminthenation.Duetohisextensiveknowledgein a widerangeof industries,Toddhasbeentaskedwithkick-startingseveralnewPracticeareasforthefirmovertheyearsfromconceptiontolong-termsuccess.
Currently, ToddleadsSax’s CannabisPractice,andunderstandstheintricaciesoftherapidlyexpandingandevolvingindustry, andprovidesadvisoryservicesto cultivators,dispensaries,extractors,investors,andmanufacturerstohelpstructureentitiesandaccountingpractices.Inthechallengingandchangingregulatoryenvironment,Toddprovidesguidanceon the licenseapplicationprocess,properfinancialreporting,cashmanagement,internalcontrols,andminimizingtaxesinallaspectsoftheseed-to-saleprocess.
Toddhaspresentedover100educationalprogramstoprofessionalsandtothepublic.Hehaslecturedon variousaccountingand auditingmattersfor organizationssuchas FairleighDickinsonUniversity, MontclairStateUniversity, theCenterforNon-Profits,theNewJerseySocietyofCertifiedPublicAccountants’ContinuingEducationProgram,theStateofNewJerseyDepartmentofHumanServices,andNewJerseyDepartmentofEducation.Inaddition,Toddisactivelyinvolvedinthetrainingandeducationofclientsandstaff onthenewauditingstandardsputforthbytheAuditingStandardsBoard.
MarissaCortes, whowillperformtheroleofProjectOversightandReporting,isan executivewitha robusttrackrecordof drivingoperationalexcellenceandprofitabilityspanningtenyearsinthecannabisindustry.
Witha focusonregulatorycompliance,licensing,andoperations,Marissabringsextensiveexperienceinnavigatingthecomplexitiesofthecannabisindustry. Herexpertiseliesindevelopingstreamlinedstructurestofacilitateeffectivedecision-makingacrossall levelsof theorganization.Marissaexcelsin analyzingorganizationalstructures,refiningbusinessprocesses,andaligninginternalstrategieswithcrucialpolicychangesto enhanceefficiencyandperformance.
Asa strategicthinker, Marissapossessesa deepunderstandingofdiversebusinessfunctionsandprinciples.Sheleveragesthisknowledgetooptimizeoperations,controlcosts,andachievekeyfinancialandqualitymetrics.Herleadershipstylefostersinnovationanddrivescontinuousprocessimprovement,deliveringimpactfulresults.Marissa'sstrongcommunicationskillsandclient-centricapproachenableherto buildandmaintaintrustingrelationships.Sheexcelsindynamicenvironments,effectivelyprioritizingtasksandleveragingmanagementtechnologysystemstooptimizeperformance.
Marissahasbeeninstrumentalin guidingcompaniesthroughtheintricatelandscapeof thecannabisindustrybeginningin 2014.Sincethen,shehasowned,operated,andadvisedamultitudeofcannabisbusinessesandagencies,ledandreportedoncomprehensivecomplianceauditsforfinancialinstitutions,andcontributedtovariousotherinitiativeswithinthecannabissector. Marissa'smeticulousapproachtocompliance,coupledwithherstrategicleadership,hasbeenpivotalindrivingoperationalexcellenceandprofitabilityinthecompaniesandagenciesshehassupportedina myriadofcapacities.Shecontinuestosetstrategicprioritiesalignedwith CityofSanBernardinoCannaBusinessServicesandSax,LLPProposalforCannabisMonitoringandFinancialAuditServices 19 overarchingobjectives,optimizingoperationaldynamics,andsupportinglong-termgrowthinitiativeswithinthecannabisspace.
WithextensiveexperienceauditingandperformingcompliancechecksfordozensofcannabisbusinessesspanningSouthernto NorthernCalifornia,MarissaCorteshasconductedthoroughassessmentsbothon-siteandvirtually, adaptingtothechallengesbroughtbythepandemic.Thisinvolvedgeneratingdetailed50-60pageauditreportsthatscrutinizedessentialaspectsofCaliforniaandlocalcannabisregulations,showcasinga deepunderstandingof theintricateregulatorylandscapewithinthestate.
SinceMetrc'sintroductionin Californiain 2018,Marissahasbeencrucialin supportingcompaniesacrossvariouslicensetypesincludingretailestablishments,distributors,andindoorandoutdoorcultivations,inimplementing,streamlining,andcleaningup(orreconciling)Metrcaccountsandprocesses.
JanuaryRigginis a highlyskilledanddynamicprofessionalcurrentlyexcellingastheOutreachCoordinatorandExecutiveAssistantforourteamatCannaBusinessServices.
Since2020,JanuaryRigginhas beeninstrumentalin managingthecompany'sCustomerRelationshipManagement(CRM)systems,ensuringmeticulousdatacollection,andoptimizingcompanyorganization.January'sproficiencyextendsto executingclericalandadministrativetaskswithanexceptionaleyefordetail.Sheis particularlyadeptat overseeingtheplanningandimplementationof effectiveoutreachstrategies,showcasingherstrongprojectmanagementandmultitaskingabilities.
In additionto herroleat CannaBusinessServices,Ms.Rigginis theFounderandExecutiveDirectorofSoap2Hope,a non-profitorganizationshehasledsince2019.Inthiscapacity, shemanagesoperations,finances,programs,staff,andvolunteers,demonstratingherleadershipandteammanagementexpertise.Herresponsibilitiesalsoincludestrategicplanning,fundraising,andnurturingstakeholderrelationships,allgearedtowardsfulfillingtheorganization'smissionandgoals.Hersuccessin thisroleis highlightedbyhereffectiveoversightofFederalandStategrants.
JanuaryRiggin'sprofessionaltoolkitisrichwithskillslikeexceptionalcustomerservice,emailmarketing,anda robustunderstandingof companypolicies.Sheis alsoskilledinmanagingcorrespondenceandCRMmanagement,whichfurtherunderpinshercomprehensiveexpertiseinorganizationalandcommunicationskills.
LaurenMiranda, whowillperformtheroleofTechnicalAssistanceTeamLead,is a GroveCityCollegealumnawitha BAinHistoryanda minorinPoliticalScience,isa dedicatedCannaBusinessServicesteammember, withaflairformanagingcomplextasksandensuringexcellenceineveryproject.
Currentlythrivinginherroleasa TechnicalSupportTeammemberandClientLiaisonat CannaBusinessServices,Lauren’s skillssupportcannabis CityofSanBernardinoCannaBusinessServicesandSax,LLPProposalforCannabisMonitoringandFinancialAuditServices 20 applicationclientsandsocialequityapplicants.Clientsfrequentlyprovideoverwhelminglypositivefeedbackforherworkin theprovisionof educationalmaterials.Lauren'sacademicbackground,includinga studyabroadexperienceat LorenzodeMediciinFlorence,Italy, hasprovidedherwitha globalperspectiveandanappreciationforhistoricalandpoliticalcontexts.Thisunderstandingiscrucialinnavigatingtheregulatorylandscapeofthecannabisindustryandinsupportingapplicationsthatalignwithsocialequityobjectives.
Herpriorexperienceat Barnes&Noblehonedherorganizationalskillsandcustomerserviceacumen.Lauren'sabilityto managethesalesfloor, processbookorders,andcatertoonlinecustomerinquiriesdemonstrateshercapabilitytohandlemultipletasksefficiently– a vitalskillformanagingcannabisapplicationsandinteractingwithdiverseclients.
Whenworkingin her priorpositionat IntegrityImprovements,Lauren'screationandmaintenanceof aninventorysystem,alongwithorganizingemployeeandcustomerfilesandinvoices,showcaseheradeptnessinmanagingdetailedandconfidentialinformation.Theseskillsaredirectlyapplicabletograntmanagementandprojectcoordinationwithinthecannabissector,ensuringthatalldocumentationismeticulouslyhandledandorganized.
Lauren'spriorworkat theOberlinHeritageCenterfurtherhighlightshercapacityfordigitalarchivingandcommunityengagement.Digitizingoralhistoriesandmanagingsocialmediacontentreflectsherabilitytopreserveandpresentinformationina compellingandaccessiblemanner. Thisexperience,combinedwithherassistanceineducationalprograms,alignswellwiththedemandsofeducatingandguidingsocialequityapplicantsinthecannabisindustry.
LaurenMirandaisaversatilememberoftheCannaBusinessServicesteam,whosehistoricalandpoliticalinsight,combinedwithhertechnicalwritingskillsandproficiencyin clientliaison,makeher an invaluableassetin supportingcannabisapplicationprocesses,socialequityinitiatives,grantmanagement,andprojectmanagementatthefirm.
Laurenworksdirectlyonallof ourprojectswiththeCityof LongBeachandthecountofMendocinoandis intimatelyfamiliarwithCaliforniastateregulations,theiruniquechallenges,CEQA,andmanyotherrequirements.Sheadvisesourclientsweeklyon howto remaincompliantwiththeiroperatingcannabisbusinesses,aswellasprovidesguidanceonhowtobesuccessfulonbothstateandlocalapplicationsinCalifornia.
ErinnPromo, whowillperformthe roleof TechnicalAssistanceTeamMember, is a dynamicprofessionalwitha diversebackgroundin technicalwritingandthecannabisindustry.
Currentlyservingas a TechnicalSupportTeamMemberat CannaBusinessServicessinceAugust2021,Erinnplaysa pivotalroleinpreparingcompetitivebusinessapplicationsand comprehensivetechnicalwritingfor reports,standardoperatingprocedures,businessplans,andmore.In thiscapacity, Erinnseamlesslyintegratesmarketresearch,compliancemeasures,andstateandlocalregulatoryrequirementstoensurethesuccessofclientsintheever-evolvingcannabislandscape.Erinnalsotakestheleadinsupportingthedevelopmentandimplementationof socialequityprograms,demonstratinga commitmentto CityofSanBernardinoCannaBusinessServicesandSax,LLPProposalforCannabisMonitoringandFinancialAuditServices 21 industryguidelinesandfosteringpositiveclientrelationshipsthroughengagingface-to-facemeetings.
Beyondclientinteractions,Erinn'spassionforeducationshinesthroughin thecreationofeducationalmaterialson cannabisregulations,compliance,andbestbusinesspractices.Thiscommitmentextendstodeliveringcompellingcontentforwebinarsandworkshops,contributingtotheempowermentandknowledgeenrichmentofstakeholderswithinthecannabisindustry.
Erinn’s extensiveskillsintechnicalwritingandsupport,GoogleDrive,MicrosoftOffice,andMonday.comhavebeenhonedthroughyearsofexperience,includinganadditionalcurrentroleasa TechnicalWriterandResearcheratJ.M.MillerEngineeringAssociates,Inc.sinceJanuary2018.In thisposition,Erinnabstractscourtdepositions,createsdetailedspreadsheets,andsupervisesthe organizationof casefiles.Additionally, Erinnplaysa pivotalrolein clientcommunications,websitemaintenance,anddraftingtechnicalpublicationsforthecompany'swebsite.
Erinn'sjourneyinprofessionaldevelopmentextendstotheacademicrealm,wheresheservedasa PeerWritingConsultantat theUniversityofMichigan'sSweetlandCenterforWritingfrom2016to2018.Inthiscapacity, Erinnprovidedvaluableinsightsandfeedbacktoadiversegroupof undergraduatestudents,coveringa widearrayof writingassignments.Furthermore,Erinntookon a mentorshiprole,guidingnewSweetlandpeerconsultantsin adaptingto theenvironmentandenhancingtheirskillsandconsultingstrategies.ErinnPromoholdsaBachelorofArts(B.A.)inEnglishLanguageandLiterature,General,fromtheUniversityofMichigan'sCollegeofLiterature,Science,andtheArts.
Asa multifacetedprofessional,Erinncontinuesto leverageherexpertiseto makeimpactfulcontributionsinboththetechnicalwritingandcannabisindustries.
MaricelaBreedlove, whowillfunctionin theroleof TechnicalAssistanceTeamMember, bringsa wealthof experienceandexpertiseto theCannaBusinessServicesteam.
WithastrongfoundationinpsychologyfromOregonStateUniversity, Maricelapossessesa keenabilitytograspintricateinformationanddistillitintoclear,concise,anduser-friendlycontentforclients.Herskillsetismultifaceted,witha primaryfocusontechnicalwriting,socialequityprogramsupport,andprovidingcrucialeducationtoapplicantsseekingapplicationandbusinessbuildoutassistance.Maricela'sproficiencyincreatingprecisetechnicaldocumentationensurescompliancewithstateregulationsand localordinances,demonstratedthroughhermeticulouseditingoflocalandstateapplicationsforcannabisclients.
Furthermore,Maricela'sadeptnessin documentmanagementshowcasesher strongorganizationalskills,as she diligentlytracksreleases,updates,and maintainsdetaileddocumentationto upholdcompliancestandards.Hercollaborativeapproachis evidentin herabilityto workeffectivelywithcross-functionalteams,developingtechnicalcontentandprocessesthatfostercollaborationandadherencetopolicies.Inadditiontohertechnicalwritingprowess,Maricelaboastsoverfouryearsof experienceincopywriting,contentcreation,and CityofSanBernardinoCannaBusinessServicesandSax,LLPProposalforCannabisMonitoringandFinancialAuditServices 22 marketingcoordination,acquiredthroughrolesat CroudAdvertisementAgencyandUrgeInteractiveAgency. Herleadershipincontentcreationhasyieldedcompellingcopyfordiversecampaigns,contributingto significantbrandrecognition.Maricela'sabilityto provideconsultativesupportinbothEnglishandSpanishfurtherenhanceshervaluetotheteam.Herprofessionalachievementsincludestreamliningdocumentationworkflows,successfullymanagingmultiplehigh-pressureprojects,andimplementinguser-friendlydocumentformattingandlayoutimprovementstoenhancetheoveralluserexperience.
MaricelaworksdirectlyonallourprojectswiththeCityof LongBeachandtheCountyofMendocino,bringingextensiveknowledgeofCaliforniastateregulations,CEQA,andtheuniquechallengestheypresent.Sheadvisesclientsweeklyon maintainingcompliancewiththeircannabisbusinessesand offersguidanceon successfullynavigatingbothstateandlocalapplicationsin California.MaricelaBreedlove'sversatileskillset,combinedwithherdeepunderstandingofpsychology, makesheraninvaluableassettotheCannaBusinessServicesteamanditsclients.
AbbyFisher, whowillfunctionin theroleof TechnicalAssistanceTeamMember, bringsa dynamicblendof creativityandanalyticalprowessto theCannaBusinessServicesteam.
Armedwitha BachelorofArtsinVisualCommunicationsfromGenevaCollegeanda degreeinWebDesignfromTheArtInstituteofPittsburgh,Abby'sdiverseskillset encompassesphotography, graphicdesign,webdesign,and proficientwriting,complementedbyexpertiseintheAdobeSuiteandbothMicrosoftandApple/Macsystems.Thisrichbackgrounduniquelypositionedherforprovidingvaryingdegreesoftechnicalassistanceandapplicationsupporttothecannabisindustry.
SinceNovember2020,Abbyhasplayeda pivotalroleatCannaBusinessServices,harnessinghertechnicalsupport,writing,andresearchskillstometiculouslyprepareapplicationsforclientsseekingcannabislicenses.Herresponsibilitiesincludeconductingthoroughresearchonbusinessoperationsandstate-specificcannabisregulations,alongsidecraftingtailoredbiographiesforclientapplications.Abby'sadeptnessatmerginganalyticalresearchwithcreativewritingallowshertoeffectivelypresentcomplexinformationinanaccessibleandcompellingmanner, askillsetessentialforcomplianceauditing.
In additionto hercontributionsto complianceefforts,Abbyhasmadesignificantstridesinsupportingsocialequityprograms,providingeducationandguidancetoclientsinWashingtonState,thecityofLongBeachandthecountyofMendocinoinCalifornia.Sheleadsworkshops,deliverseducationalwebinars,offerspersonalizedsupport,anddevelopseducationalmaterials,showcasinghercommitmenttoempoweringunderservedcommunities.
OutsideofherworkwithCannaBusinessServices,Abbyservesasa contractorforNewLifePresbyterianChurch,whereshe effectivelypromoteschurchservicesandeventsthroughengagingnewsletters,editedwrittenmaterials,andvibrantgraphicsandmedia.PreviouslyrecognizedastheOfficeEmployeeoftheYearatTurnerDairyFarms,Inc.,Abby'sexperiencein CityofSanBernardinoCannaBusinessServicesandSax,LLPProposalforCannabisMonitoringandFinancialAuditServices 23 customerserviceandmarketingfurtherunderscoresherabilityto excelin rolesrequiringmeticulousresearchandeffectivecommunication.
AbbyFisher'suniqueblendof creativeandanalyticalabilities,coupledwithherunwaveringdedicationto complianceandsocialequity, makesheraninvaluableassettoCannaBusinessServicesanditsmissiontosupportthedomesticandinternationalcannabisindustry.
Abbyworksdirectlyonallof ourprojectswiththeCityof LongBeachandonMendocinoCountyandis intimatelyfamiliarwithCaliforniastateregulations,theiruniquechallenges,CEQA,andmanyotherrequirements.Sheadvisesourclientsweeklyon howto remaincompliantwiththeiropencannabisbusinesses,as wellas providesguidanceonhowto besuccessfulonbothstateandlocalapplicationsinCalifornia.SheisalsoinregularcontactwiththeDepartmentofCannabisControl(DCC)intheStateofCaliforniatoadvocateforourclients’needs.
KhyllaWatson, whowillperformtheroleof TechnicalAssistanceTeamMember, is a skilledprofessionalwriterandeditorwithdeepexperienceintechnicalwriting,creativewriting,and contentediting.Sheexcelsinproducinghigh-quality, well-researchedmaterialsacrossvarioustopicsandindustries,ensuringclarity, propergrammar, and adherenceto clientguidelines.Khyllapossessesstrongcommunication,problem-solving,andorganizationalskills,whichsheshowcasesinanyrole.
SinceFebruary2023,Khyllahasbeena TechnicalSupportTeamMemberforCannaBusinessServices.In this role,she writesresearch-basedreports,presentationmaterials,standardoperatingprocedures,scripts,businessprofiles,andothertechnicaldocumentation.Sherevisesdocumentationaccordingto clientand senioreditorsuggestions,ensuringclarityandconsistency, andresearchesregulatoryandindustryinformationtodeveloptechnicalcontent.Khyllaalsoworksonlocalandstategovernmentprocurementcontractsinherroleat CannaBusinessServices,demonstratingherabilitytohandlecomplexprojects.Hercollaborationwithotherwritersandprojectmanagershighlightsher abilityto effectivelycontributeto teamprojects.
KhyllaalsohasexperienceasaFreelanceContentEditoratGlobalLogic,whereshereviewsandeditsAI-generatedcontent.KhyllaholdsanM.F.A.inCreativeandProfessionalWritingfromWilliamPatersonUniversityanda B.A.in EnglishWritingfromBloomfieldCollege.Herdiverseexperienceandexpertisein writingandeditingmakehera versatileandvaluableprofessionalinthecannabisindustry. b. Subcontractors(i) PartneringwithSaxLLPforExpertFinancialAudits CityofSanBernardinoCannaBusinessServicesandSax,LLPProposalforCannabisMonitoringandFinancialAuditServices 24 We willsubcontractSax,LLPto performthefollowingfunctionwithinthescopeof workoutlinedbytheCity:● Facilitatingyearlyfinancialauditsensuringcompliancewithapplicablelaws SaxLLPisatop100accounting,tax,andadvisoryfirmwithover65yearsofexperienceservingcloselyheldcompanies,family-ownedbusinesses,nonprofits,andhigh-net-worthindividuals.Saxprovidescannabisindustry-specificexpertiseanda comprehensiverangeofservices,drivenbya client-focusedapproach.ThroughtheiruniqueClientServiceDeliveryModel,Saxhelpsclientsturn theirvisionsintoreality, offeringstrategicadviceto savemoney, optimizeoperations,andsupportgrowth.Witha teamofpassionate,forward-thinkingprofessionals,Saxdeliversobjective,actionableguidancethatensurescomplianceanddrivessuccessacrossawiderangeof industries.AdditionalinformationregardingSax,LLPcanbefoundthroughoutthisproposal.
5. FiscalStability:a. TheProposershouldprovideevidenceofcorporatestabilityincluding:(i) TetraGrowthSystemsLLC,d/b/aCannaBusinessServices’ExperianReportSeecurrentExperianreportforourfirm,beginningonthefollowingpage.
CityofSanBernardinoCannaBusinessServicesandSax,LLPProposalforCannabisMonitoringandFinancialAuditServices 25 CityofSanBernardinoCannaBusinessServicesandSax,LLPProposalforCannabisMonitoringandFinancialAuditServices 26 CityofSanBernardinoCannaBusinessServicesandSax,LLPProposalforCannabisMonitoringandFinancialAuditServices 27 CityofSanBernardinoCannaBusinessServicesandSax,LLPProposalforCannabisMonitoringandFinancialAuditServices 28 CityofSanBernardinoCannaBusinessServicesandSax,LLPProposalforCannabisMonitoringandFinancialAuditServices 29 6. ExperienceandTechnicalCompetence:a. Experience(i) OurFirm’sProvenExperienceandTechnicalEfficiencyAtCannaBusinessServices,ourunwaveringcommitmenttoexcellenceinthecannabisindustrystemsfromourextensiveexpertiseandproventrackrecordinsupportingthedevelopmentandimplementationof robustcannabisprogramsto governmentagencies,includingcitiesandcounties,acrossthe country. With a dedicatedteamboastinga collective50+yearsofcomprehensiveexperienceacrossall facetsof thecannabisindustry, fromcannabislicenseapplicationpreparationandevaluationtoexpertadvisementservicesinbusinessbuildoutandcompliance,weofferanextensiverangeofservicestailoredtomeettheuniqueneedsofourclients.Ouraward-winningsupportservicesspanacrosstheglobe,accommodatingbothEnglishandNon-Englishspeakingclienteleacross28markets,includingmultiplelocalitiesthroughouttheStateofCalifornia.CannaBusinessServices’approachemphasizeseffectivecommunicationandculturallysensitivemethodstoensuretheimplementationofaccessibleandinclusivelocalcannabisprograms.
Ourexpertiseis furtherhighlightedinourpreparation,review, andevaluationofover10,000licenseapplicationproposaldocumentsnationwide,includingbusinessplans,diversityplans,neighborhoodand communityimpactplans,safetyandsecurityplans,complianceplans,recordkeepingandreportingplans,ownershipqualificationforms,andcommunitybenefitsandinvestmentplans,andmore.Whilemanyfirmsmayboastgenerallicenseapplicationexperience,fewcanshowcasesubstantiveandmeaningfulsocialequityprogramsupportexperience.Ourfirmbringsa historyof in-depthsupportof municipalagenciesin therolloutoftheirsocialequityprograms,allowingustoprovidelicenseapplicationandtechnicalservicestoover600socialequityapplicants.Fromconductinganalyticalresearchandprovidingregulatoryoversighttoofferingexpertiseincannabissocialequityprograms,wenavigatetheintricatelandscapeofstateandlocalregulationswithprecisionandinsight.
We arepoisedto leverageourunparalleledknowledgeandexperienceto ensuretheCity’ssuccessin fosteringa compliant,successfulcannabisprogram.UtilizingourexperienceindevelopingandevaluatingtensofthousandsofpagesoflicenseapplicationSOPs,narratives,andplansforalllicensetypesacrossthecountry, weareconfidentinourabilitytoshowcasetheCityofSanBernardinoasa leaderintheprovisionofa standoutcannabisprogram.OurteamhasbeenintimatelyinvolvedinCalifornia’s ever-evolvinglegalcannabislandscape,supportingourclientbaseas theynavigatestateandlocallicensureandservinglocalgovernmentsincorrectingand progressingtheircannabisprograms.Thisexperiencealsopreparesus tounderstandtheuniquechallengesthatfaceprogramparticipantsinbothurbanandruralareas,aswehavesupportedtheCityofLongBeachonmultiplefacetsoftheirprogramandtheCountyofMendocinointheprovisionoftechnicalsupportforprogramparticipants.
CityofSanBernardinoCannaBusinessServicesandSax,LLPProposalforCannabisMonitoringandFinancialAuditServices 30 CannaBusinessServicesworksinextricablywiththeaccountingteamat Sax,LLPtobuildafinancialmodelforourclientsthatisnotbasedonhighlevelmarketdata,whichiscommonlyhowaccountant-preparedprojectionsarebuilt,butthatweproviderealandcurrentdatabasedonourteam'sin-depthongoingworkacrossthecountry. Thishasallowedourclientsto buildprojectionsandfinancialmodelsthatareindustry-specific,basedonrealdata,andbuilttoplaceinfrontofpotentialinvestors.We arefrequentlyusedbyclientswithoperatingbusinessesinacompliancepositionwhereweprovideguidanceontheimpactsof280E,changestoState280Elawsandtheimpactof decouplingfromthefederal280Elaws.We alsoprovideongoingadvisorysupporttoouroperationalclientsastheyseektomakeoperationaldecisionsbasedonfinancials.Aspartof ourpost-licensuresupport,webringinourfinancialadvisoryteam,tosupportourclient'shiringofqualifiedfinancialdivisionemployees,suchasCFOs,bookkeepers,andCPAs.We trainourclientstoutilizea 13weekrollingcashflow, sothattheycanmakedecisions"lookingforward"to thenextquarter, ratherthanlookingbackwardsintofinancialhistory. We alsoteachthemhowto preparefinancialdivisionSOPs,dailybookkeepingreconciliation,transactioncategorizations,monthlyreconciliations,pointofsaleandseedtosaleplatformpurchasingandcompliancedecisions,andmore.
Saxhascommittedto buildinga robustcannabisconsultingpractice,headedup by ToddPolyniak,whohasover30yearsofin-depthexperience,servingamultitudeofindustries.Astheleaderof the Saxcannabisteam,Toddadvisescompanieson howto bestnavigatethecomplicatedregulations,andchallengingaccountingandtaxissuesin thisrapidlyevolvingmarket.Heisanestablishedthought-leaderinthespace,withasuccessfulpodcastcalled"GoodMorningCannabis",andis a co-founderof the NYMetroareanetworkinggroupcalled"420CANNect".Lawsandregulationssurroundingthemarketareevolvingfast,andcannabisgrowers,extractors,distributors,andretailersmustbemindfulofever-changingfederalandstateguidelinesto growandthriveinthiscompetitiveindustry. Thisis whySaxbelievesthatit isimperativethatyouhavetherightteaminyourcorner- it'snotjusta CPA,orjustanattorney-it'sallaboutsurroundingyourselfwiththerightresourcestohelpyouachieveyourgoals.ThisiswhereSaxcanhelp- ourtenureintheindustryhasenabledustobuilda networkofvaluableresourcestohelpourcannabisclientsnavigatethesecomplexwaters.Ouraudit,taxandadvisoryteamprovidessuperioradvisoryservicestoallsegmentsofthemarket.Whetheryouownoroperateamedicalorretaildispensary, cultivationfacility, ormanufactureanddistributeproducts,Saxprovidesfinancialguidancefromseed-to-sale.We canhelpyourcannabisbusinessnavigatea widerangeofcomplextaxissues,suchas280Eand471c,manageandincreasecashflow,appropriatelypreparefinancialsforreview, implementastrongcomplianceprogramandbuildaninfrastructurethatsetsyouupforlong-termgrowthandsuccess.Herearesomereviewsfromourclients:
CityofSanBernardinoCannaBusinessServicesandSax,LLPProposalforCannabisMonitoringandFinancialAuditServices 31 “Yourworkhasalwaysbeenof thehighestquality. Deliverablesarriveontimecontaininginsightsandguidancefortheclients.Butmoreimportantly, youalwaysgowellbeyondtherequireddeliverablesandservices.Thereisalwayscontext.Youalwaysputtheclientfirst.Youcommunicatesometimesdifficultconceptsandissuesclearlyandinourlanguage."- JohnUzzi “Whenopeningupourdispensary, findinga goodaccountant/bookkeeperwasahugepainpointforus.Withalloftheregulationsthatwehavetofollowinthecannabisindustry, wewantedtodo ourduediligencein orderto findtheperfectpartnerforourcompany. Aftermonthsofworkingtogether, wecouldn’t behappierwithToddandtheSaxLLPteam."- AnthonyLotti,CEO CannaBusinessServiceswilldedicate10 staff membersto supportingthe Cityof SanBernardinowithcannabismonitoringandfinancialauditingservices.With CannaBusinessServices’businessregistrationinCalifornia,ourdomesticCaliforniaentity, TheCannaMind’slocationinSacramento,California,andourstaff locatedineverytimezoneacrossthecountry,weareconfidentthatwecanprovidethehours,staff,andsupportrequiredtosuccessfullyandsustainablyexecutetheproposedscopeofwork. (ii) Staff ExperienceinDeliveringSimilarServicesSince2017,ourteamhasprovidedon-siteandvirtualcomplianceauditingoflicensedCaliforniacannabisbusinesses,givinguskeeninsightsintounderstandingthecomplexitiesthatcannabisbusinessownersface.ThisexperiencealsoincludessupportingCaliforniabusinessesinimplementingtheMETRCreportingsystem,acriticalaspecttoremainingcompliantonthestateandlocallevel.OurexperiencespansacrosstheStateofCalifornia,onboththestateandlocallevel,providingsubstantiveservicesacrosstheentireverticalof businessownership–fromlicenseapplicationsupport,tobusinessbuildoutandcompliance,ourCannaBusinessAcademyofeducationprogramsforapplicantsandbusinessowners,andgovernmentcannabisandsocialequityprogramsupportservices.
CityofSanBernardinoCannaBusinessServicesandSax,LLPProposalforCannabisMonitoringandFinancialAuditServices 32 DescriptionofCannaBusinessServices’clientwins
(iii) YearsofOperationandPublicSectorExperienceCannaBusinessServiceshasbeenin thebusinessofprovidingcannabisbusinessservicestoindividualclients,municipalities,counties,andstateagenciesfor6 years,sinceitsinceptionin2018.Everyoneonourteamis a subjectmatterexpert,experiencedincompliancechecksofapplicationsandwellversedinCaliforniacannabisregulations.We have,collectively, tenyearsof experiencesupportingpublicagenciesin theStateofCaliforniainvariouscapacitieswiththeirCannabisprogramming.We haveworkedwithalargenumberofmunicipalitiesthroughoutmanystatesacrossthe U.S.CannaBusinessServiceshaseducatedmayors,citycouncils,varianceboards,andplanningboardson howto bestcreateandnavigatelocalandstateregulationstosupporta responsible,compliantcannabisindustry. We havealsoworkeddeeplywithmunicipalitiesonbuildingtheirlocalcannabisprogramsandtaughtthemaboutbuildingapplications,presentationrequirements,potentialpitfalls,andbestpractices. (iv) CannaBusinessServices’References
CityofSanBernardinoCannaBusinessServicesandSax,LLPProposalforCannabisMonitoringandFinancialAuditServices 33 NameofProject Stateof WashingtonSocialEquityin CannabisTechnicalAssistanceMentorshipProgramRequestforProposals ClientDescription
StateofWashington
PrimaryContact ElijahMoon,SpecializedIndustryProgram,Grant,andContractsManager ContactInformation
[email protected](360)701-8273,20016
th
Avenue,Suite2600,Seattle,WA98121
NameofProject LongBeach,Cannabis1:1andGroupTechnicalSupport ClientDescriptionCityofLongBeach,California
PrimaryContact JimmyVillareal,CannabisEquityProgramSpecialist ContactInformation
[email protected](562)570-5250411 W. OceanBlvd.,10thFloorLongBeach,CA90802 ProjectSummary CannaBusinessServicesiscurrentlycontractedtoprovideconsultationandbusinessdevelopmentservicesforsocialequityapplicantsseekingtoopencannabisbusinessesin the Cityof LongBeach,California.We areprovidingcomprehensivedataanalysisandreportsonmunicipalplanningprioritiesto Citystakeholdersandsocialequityapplicantsto ensureasustainablebuildoutoftheCity'ssocialequitycannabisprogram.We areeducatingsocialequityapplicantsonbusinessdevelopmentprinciplesandthe technicaldetailsof the cannabisindustrythroughworkshopsandeducationalmaterialstargetedtospecificneedswithinthecommunity. Wearealsoprovidinga basicsetof coursematerialsoncannabisbusinessstartupsforsocialequityapplicantstobehousedontheCitywebsiteasapubliceducationalresource.(ServicescommencedinSeptember2022,andare ongoing.OurcontractwasrenewedwithLongBeachin September2023foranother12monthsandagaininSeptember2024for12months.) CityofSanBernardinoCannaBusinessServicesandSax,LLPProposalforCannabisMonitoringandFinancialAuditServices 34 ProjectSummaryCannaBusinessServiceswascontractedto providefull-service,effectiveadviceto individualsseekingto participatein the State’s socialequityprogram.Thiscontractrequiresongoingsupporttoparticipantsseekingtoenterintotheprogram,andonceaccepted,ongoingsupportforparticipantsembarkingontheircannabisbusinessjourney. We wereselectedduetoourdeepbasisof understandinginissuesregardingsocialequityandcannabisprohibitionandareworkinginassistingSocialEquityApplicantsthroughoutthe country. TheStateselectedcontractorsexperiencedin thefollowingfields:AccountingProfessionals;CannabisBusinessExperts;Financing/Fundraising/ VentureCapitalSpecialist;LegalProfessionals;RealEstateprofessionals;Rules& Regulations;SecurityProfessionals;SocialEquity;Taxes;Traceability;andotherapplicablefields.We areprovidinglearningexperiencesin the form of pre-recordedwebinars,live workshops,one-on-onetechnicalsupport,andopenofficehours.
NameofProject TechnicalAssistance,Education,andBusinessPlanningServicesforSocialEquityApplicantsinMendocinoCounty ClientDescriptionTheCountyofMendocino
PrimaryContact SaraMcBurney, SeniorProgramManageratCountyofMendocino ContactInformation
mcburneys@mendocinocounty.gov707-234-2879CannabisDepartment860N.BushStreet,Ukiah,CA95482 ProjectSummary Engagedby the Countyof Mendocinoto providetechnicalassistance,complianceservices,applicationsupport,andbusinesseducationto 300+socialequityqualifiedapplicantsinMendocinoCounty.
CannaBusinessServiceswill provideasynchronousand synchronouswebinaropportunitiesfor cannabisbusinessownersand potentialowner-operatorsinMendocinoCountytolearnmoreaboutcomplianceandbusinessoperationsinthecannabisspace.CannaBusinessServicessupportsapplicantsthroughoutboththelocalandstatelicensingapplicationprocesses.We areeducatingsocialequityapplicantsonbusinessdevelopmentprinciplesandthetechnicaldetailsof thecannabisindustrythroughworkshopsandeducationalmaterialstargetedtospecificneedswithinthecommunity.
Afterbeingselectedforthiscontract,weconductedameetandgreetwiththecommunityto an extremelypositivereceptionaftertheyexperienceddissatisfactionwiththeirlastprovider. Onecommunitymemberstated:“Idon’t knowifit’s possibletofallinlovewithatechnicalassistanceprovider,butI did.” (v) LocalExperienceandKnowledgeoftheCityofSanBernardinoCannaBusinessServiceshasa thoroughunderstandingof California’s cannabisregulations,includingProposition64andSanBernardinoMunicipalCodeChapter5.10.WearefamiliarwiththeCity’s regulatoryframework,includingtheamendmentsmadewithOrdinanceMC-1503andthecannabistaxmeasureapprovedby votersin 2018.Ourexperienceworkingwithothermunicipalitiesin CaliforniaequipsustonavigateSanBernardino’s specificrequirementsandprovideeffectivemonitoringandfinancialauditservices.We arecommittedto aligningourapproachwiththeCity’sobjectivesandensuringcomplianceatboththestateandlocallevels. b. ProjectSpecificExperience(i) OverviewofRelevantServiceContractExperience CityofSanBernardinoCannaBusinessServicesandSax,LLPProposalforCannabisMonitoringandFinancialAuditServices 35 TheCityof LongBeach,California– TechnicalAssistanceto CannabisSocialEquityProgramParticipants(a)Roleofthefirm:OurroleintheLongBeachCannabis1:1andGroupTechnicalSupportprojectis to provideconsultationandbusinessdevelopmentservicesforsocialequityapplicantsintheCity, includingdataanalysis,reportsonmunicipalplanningpriorities,andeducationalworkshopsoncannabisbusinessdevelopment. (b)Dollarvalueoftheservices:$433,626.00
(c)Dollarvalueofthefee:$150perhourforallstaff assignedtoproject (d)Descriptionoftheservices:Servicespreviouslyandcurrentlyrenderedincludeprovidingconsultationandbusinessdevelopmentassistancetosocialequityapplicants,conductingdataanalysisand creatingreportson municipalplanningpriorities,anddeliveringtargetedworkshopsand educationalmaterialson cannabisbusinessdevelopment.Additionally, wedevelopfoundationalstartupresourcesforsocialequityapplicants,whicharemadepubliclyavailableontheCity’swebsitetoenhancecommunityaccesstovitalinformation. (e)Staffing:○ ProgramPrincipal/Executive○ ProjectManagerandOversight○ ComplianceSpecialist○ TechnicalSupportTeamLead○ TechnicalSupportTeamMembers(6) (f) Durationof providingservices:October2022-Present.Contractrecentlyrenewedfor2024-2025. (g)Relationshiptoclient:OurrelationshipwiththeCityofLongBeachiscollaborativeandfocusedon opencommunicationwithkey stakeholders,particularlywithJimmyVillareal,theCannabisEquityProgramSpecialist.Thispartnershipfosterstrust,ensuringweeffectivelyalignoureffortswiththeCity’s goalsforsocialequityinthecannabisindustrywithinLongBeach,California. (h)Contactname,position,entityname,telephonenumber, faxnumberande-mailaddress:JimmyVillareal,CannabisEquityProgramSpecialist,EconomicDevelopmentDepartment,Cityof LongBeachBusinessDevelopmentBureau,(562)570-5250,[email protected] CityofSanBernardinoCannaBusinessServicesandSax,LLPProposalforCannabisMonitoringandFinancialAuditServices 36 TheCountyofMendocino,California–CannabisGrantProgramAdministrationServices(a)Roleof thefirm:Ourrolein theGrantProgramAdministrationServicesprojectforapplicablegrantprogramawardeesinMendocinoCountyis toprovidecomprehensivesupportandguidancetoover300qualifiedMendocinoCountylicensees,ensuringtheynavigatethe localandstatelicensingandoperationalprocesses,requirements,andregulationseffectivelywhileaddressingtheirspecificneedswithintheirbusinessandlicensetype. (b)Dollarvalueoftheservices:$179,926.32
(c)Dollarvalueofthefee:$150perhourforallstaff assignedtotheproject (d)Descriptionof the services:CannaBusinessServicescurrentlyprovidesbusinessdevelopmenteducationandtechnicalassistancesupportto qualifiedapplicantsandlicenseesin MendocinoCounty. Our servicesincludecomplianceguidanceandeducationalopportunitiesthroughbothasynchronousandsynchronouswebinarsfocusedoncannabisbusinessoperations,customizedsupport,1:1technicalsupportmeetings,andmore.We developtailoredworkshopsandmaterialstoaddressthespecificneedsofthecommunity, helpingapplicantsunderstandbusinessdevelopmentprinciplesandsuccessfullynavigatethelocalandstatelicensingprocesses. (e)Staffing:○ ProgramPrincipal/Executive○ ProjectManagerandOversight○ ComplianceSpecialist○ TechnicalSupportTeamLead○ TechnicalSupportTeamMembers(6) (f) Durationofprovidingservices:March2024throughPresent (g)Relationshiptoclient:We havebuilta strongpartnershipina shortperiodoftimewiththeCountyofMendocinoandourpointofcontactandSeniorProgramManagerattheCounty, SaraMcBurney. TheCountyhas sharedpositivefeedbackfromprogramparticipantsregardingCannaBusinessServices’support. (h)Contactname,position,entityname,telephonenumber, faxnumberande-mailaddress:Sara McBurney, SeniorProgramManager, CannabisDepartment– CountyofMendocino,707-234-2879,[email protected] TheStateofWashingtonDepartmentofCommerce–SocialEquityinCannabis CityofSanBernardinoCannaBusinessServicesandSax,LLPProposalforCannabisMonitoringandFinancialAuditServices 37 (a)Roleof thefirm:FortheStateof Washington’s SocialEquityin CannabisTechnicalAssistanceMentorshipProgram,ourfirm’s rolewasto providetechnicalsupportandguidanceto applicantslookingto applyfor a cannabisbusinesslicensethroughWashington’ssocialequityprogram. (b)Dollarvalueoftheservices:$39,975.00
(c)Dollarvalueofthefee:$150perhourforallstaff assignedtoproject (d)Descriptionofservices:CannaBusinessServiceswascontractedtoprovidefull-service,effectiveguidanceto individualsseekingto participatein the State’s socialequityprogram.We providedlearningexperiencesintheformofpre-recordedwebinars,liveworkshops,one-on-onetechnicalsupport,andopenofficehours. (e)Staffing:○ ProgramPrincipal○ ProgramManager○ PrincipalApplicationPlanner○ TranslationServices○ SeniorApplicationPlanner(2) (f) Durationofprovidingservices:February2022throughJune2022 (g)Relationshipto client:In ourengagementwiththeStateofWashingtonfortheSocialEquityin CannabisTechnicalAssistanceMentorshipProgram,wedevelopeda strong,collaborativerelationshipwithour primarycontact,ElijahMoon.Throughregularcommunicationandfeedbacksessions,wetailoredourservicesto meettheneedsofprogramparticipants,ensuringalignmentwiththeState’s objectives.Thisproactiveapproachnotonlyfacilitatedapplicants'understandingofthecannabislicensingprocessbutalsofosteredtrustandpartnershipwiththeState,resultinginpositiveoutcomesforallinvolved. (h)Contactname,position,entityname,telephonenumber, faxnumberande-mailaddress:ElijahMoon,SpecializedIndustryProgram,Grant,andContractsManager, WashingtonStateDepartmentofCommerce,(360)701-8273,[email protected] (ii) CannaBusinessServices’StatementofIntegrityandComplianceWe affirmthatnoneofthefollowinghaveoccurredat anytimesincetheinceptionofCannaBusinessServicesin2018withinthecompanyanditsstaff members:● Failuretoenterintoacontractorprofessionalservicesagreementonceselected.
CityofSanBernardinoCannaBusinessServicesandSax,LLPProposalforCannabisMonitoringandFinancialAuditServices 38 ● Withdrawalofaproposalasaresultofanerror.● Terminationorfailuretocompleteacontract.● Debarmentbyanymunicipal,county, state,federal,orlocalagency.● Involvementinlitigation,arbitration,ormediation.● Convictionofthefirmoritsprincipalsforviolatingantitrustlaws,bidrigging,collusion,oranyrelatedlaws.● Knowingconcealmentofadeficiencyinpriorcontractperformance.● Falsificationofinformationorsubmissionoffraudulentstatements.● Willfuldisregardforapplicablerules,laws,orregulations. c. TechnicalCompetence(i) In-HouseResourcesandCommunicationToolsCannaBusinessServiceswillcommunicatewithCitystaff via email,phone,andvideoconferencing.We will havea dedicatedzoomline and emailaddressdevotedto allcommunicationsforthisproject,toensurestreamlinedandprioritizedcommunicationsbetweentheCityofSanBernardinoandCannaBusinessServices.
We useCalendlyasa primaryschedulingtoolanddifferenttypesofmeetingsorwalkthroughswillbe availabledependingon the City’s exactneeds.Seethe sectionsbelowfor moreinformation.
WeuseMonday.comasourprojectmanagementsoftwareforallofourprojects.Thisensuresourteamis fullytrainedandusestheprogrameffectively. Monday.comhelpsustrackdata,ensureprojectsarecompletedontime,andclearlycommunicatewithouremployees.Monday.comisoneofthetopratedprojectmanagementplatformsonthemarket.
CityofSanBernardinoCannaBusinessServicesandSax,LLPProposalforCannabisMonitoringandFinancialAuditServices 39 SampleMonday.complatformforProjectManagement
Ourpoliciesregardingonlinedatastoragearestringent,as wehaveheldconfidentialandpersonalinformationforhundredsofclientsthroughouttheworld,includingbankstatements,socialsecuritynumbers,criminalrecords,taxreturns,birthcertificates,andmore.Ourstaff istrainedandre-trainedthroughouteachyearon theimportanceof clientconfidentialityandprivacy. OurdocumentationwillberestrictedtoonlypermittedCannaBusinessServicesteammembersanddedicatedSanBernardinostaff.OurfilesarestoredonGoogleDrive,whichisanencryptedfilestorageprogram.Googleutilizesheightenedsecurityencryptionprotocolsforuploading,accessing,anddownloadingof filesstoredon its platform.Filesin transitaregenerallyat increasedriskofhacking,regardlessofplatformused,andforthisreason,Googleusesstrongerencryptionforfilesin transit. 1 Oursystemshaveconsistentlyresultedingreat
1 GoogleDriveuses256-bit SSL/TLSencryptionfor filesintransit and128-bit AESkeysfor filesat rest, accordingtoAll ThingsSecured, https://www.allthingssecured.com/tips/how-secure-is-google-drive/, March18, 2023.
CityofSanBernardinoCannaBusinessServicesandSax,LLPProposalforCannabisMonitoringandFinancialAuditServices 40 feedbackfromclientswhomayotherwisefindthemselvesgettinglostwithinthepaperwork.WewillhandlethedocumentationorganizationandMasterSpreadsheetpreparationandinformationgathering,toeliminateanybarrierswiththeuseoftechnologyamongparticipants.Ourgoalistohaveongoingcommunicationwiththedesignatedmembersof SanBernardinotokeeptheminformedof thecurrentstatusoftheoverallprojectandindividualdeliverables.We typicallysuggest2 meetingspermonth(everyotherweek),atminimum,sothatyouareawareandkeptabreastofallopenprojectsandtheirstatus.ThisopencommunicationpolicyhasallowedcitiessuchastheCityofLongBeachtoreceivecontinuallyoutstandingfeedbackfromtheirprogramparticipants.OurgoalfortheCityofSanBernardinowillbethesame. (ii) OurFirm’sDiverseExpertiseforComprehensiveServicesOurmultidisciplinaryteamconsistsof10highlyskilledprofessionalswithexpertisespanninglaw and regulation,cannabismonitoring,financialauditing,cannabisaccounting,projectmanagement,technicalassistance,andmuchmore.LedbyEmilySisneros,Esq.,asProgramDirector/Executive,ourteamincludesa dedicatedprojectmanager, auditors,andtechnicalspecialists,eachwithextensiveexperienceintheirrespectivefields.ThisdiverseskillsetensurescomprehensivesupportfortheCityofSanBernardino’sneeds,allowingustoefficientlyaddressallaspectsoftheproposedscopeofservices.CannaBusinessServicesisfullyequippedtoscaleresourcesasneeded,ensuringflexibilityandtimelyresponsethroughoutthecontract'sduration.
7. ProposedMethodtoAccomplishtheScopeofWork:
OverallImplementationPlanThissectionprovidesa generaloverviewofourplatforms,approach,andmethodologyusedtoaccomplishthescopeof work.A morespecificanddetailedplancanbefoundundereachsectionofthescopeofworkbrokendownbelow.
ProjectLaunchKickoffCannaBusinessServicesandCityof SanBernardinowillbegintheprojectwitha ProjectLaunchKickoff,whereallpartiesandroleswillbeintroduced.Thismeetingwillallowtheteamstoconfirmcontactinformation,communicationroles,andtheagreeduponsequenceofprojectmilestones.Throughthiskickoff meeting,CannaBusinessServiceswillbeabletodiscusswiththeCitytheprogramitself,learnandgiveinsightintotheprogramtomaximizeeffectiveness,andgatherinformationto analyzethecurrentprogramagainstsimilarprograms,as wellasdiscussnextsteps.Thismeetingwillinformwhichcityrepresentativeswewillneedtobeinregularcontactwithandwhattheirrolewillbeintheoverallprocesses.
ProgramDevelopment
CityofSanBernardinoCannaBusinessServicesandSax,LLPProposalforCannabisMonitoringandFinancialAuditServices 41 Afterthekickoff meeting,CannaBusinessServiceswillscheduleregular, bi-weeklymeetingsormonthlymeetingswithrelevantCityofSanBernardinostaff tosetprojectgoals,milestones,andassessinternalcapacity.
ProjectManagementWe will provideprojectmanagementand oversightto ensureeffectiveand streamlinedcommunicationbetweentheCity, businessowners,andCannaBusinessServicesaswellasthirdpartyvendorswhothebusinessownersmayhaveengaged.Everymemberofourteamishighlyqualifiedandtrainedon instructingeducationalcourseson varyingaspectsof thecannabisindustry, standardoperatingprocedures(SOPs),robusttechnicalsupporttraining,complianceandregulations,especiallyinCalifornia,andongoingtrainingasneeded.Ourteamislocatedineverytimezonewithinthecountry, sothatwecanbestsupporttheCity’sneedsatvirtuallyanytime.Ourteamworksbeyondthestrictconfinesofa MondaythroughFriday, 9amto5pmworkweek.Instead,weoffersupport24/7viaemail,phone,andtextmessage.Emails,calls,andtextmessageswillberespondedtowithina maximumof24hoursfromreceipt.Inourexperience,however, wegenerallyrespondtoemailoutreacheswithin30minutesofreceipt.
CannaBusinessServiceswillcommunicatewithdesignatedCitystaff viaemail,phone,andvideoconferencing.We willhavea dedicatedZoomlineandemailaddressdevotedto allcommunicationsforthisprojecttoensurestreamlinedandprioritizedcommunicationsbetweenCitystaff,businessowners,andCannaBusinessServices.
Asmentionedabove,wewillutilizeCalendlyasaprimaryschedulingtoolanddifferenttypesofmeetingsorinterviewswillbeavailabledependingonwhatthebusinessownerorcityislookingforandMonday.comProjectManagementPlatformto ensureall projectsareappropriatelytrackedandcompletedontime.
PreferredPartnerForFinancialAuditsWe havebroughtourpreferredpartner, SaxLLP, onboardtocompletefinancialauditsforthiscontract.SaxLLP’s differentiationisintheirapproach- theyarebusinesspeoplewithexpertiseinaccounting,nottheotherwayaround,whichiswhytheystrivetobringnewideastothetablethathelpbusinessownersexceedtheirgoals.ThebetterSaxunderstandsthecannabisbusiness,itsmarketplace,anditspeople- thebettertheycanbeinhelpingthatbusinesstoachieveitsbusinessinitiatives.Thisis particularlyimportantin theCannabisIndustry- whichhasbeensubjecttomorechangeanduncertaintythanvirtuallyanyothermarketsegment.TheSaxteamstrivestobebothconsultativeandproactivewhichiswhytheymeetwithclients,ataminimum,quarterlysothereisalwaysascheduledtouchpoint.TheyencouragetheirclientstoincludetheirengagementteaminthesemeetingssothatSaxcanfocusonthemostimportantissuesathandanddrivesuccesstogether.
CityofSanBernardinoCannaBusinessServicesandSax,LLPProposalforCannabisMonitoringandFinancialAuditServices 42 AnnualFinancialAuditsSaxwillconductanannualfinancialaudit,ensuringcompliancewithapplicablelaws,foreachpermittedcannabisbusinessthathasoperatedfora fullyear. Saxwillgatherallofthefollowinginformationtobeincludedintheaudit:● ReviewPoint-of-Sale(POS)systemstructure● Reviewinventorysystem(subjecttoMETRCdata)● AnalyzeandcomparePOSdatawithotheravailabledatasources,including:● Citycannabistaxreturns● Statetaxreturns● Federaltaxreturns● METRCsalesandinventorydata● CDTFAdata● Bankstatements● ATMorothermerchantstatements● Salesreceipts● Otherfinancialdocumentsasavailable● Identifyanyvariancesorover/underreporting● CalculateanytaxesorfeesduetotheCity● Prepareandissuea draftauditreportforcitytoreviewpriortoissuancetothecannabisbusiness● Prepareandissueadraftauditreportwithcityinputforthecannabisbusiness● Prepareandissueafinalreport● AssisttheCitywithdisputeresolutionontheauditreportbycommunicatinganydisputesandsuggestedresolutionswithCitystaff.
Saxwillprovidea draftauditreportto thecannabisbusiness.Thebusinesswillbegivenappropriatetimeto respondor appealtheirreportin accordancewithcityordinance,ifapplicable.SaxwillreviewanydocumentationprovidedbythebusinesstodisputethefindingsandwilladjustthetaxassessmentappropriatelypriortoissuingthefinalreporttotheCity.
ProposedFinancialAuditTimelineTheproposedtimelinefromstarttofinishforanauditis2-6weeksperbusiness;manyauditswillbeabletobecompletedsimultaneously. Itmaybelongerdependingonthecomplexityofabusinessanditsfinancials.
MonitoringCompliancewithCityOrdinance(s),andStateandLocalLawsthroughInspectionsCannaBusinessServiceshasanexperiencedteamthathasconductedcomplianceinspectionsofcannabisbusinessesacrossthenation,witha primaryfocusonCalifornia.In particular, ourcannabiscomplianceteamhasworkedextensivelywithnumerouscannabisbusinessesinthe CityofSanBernardinoCannaBusinessServicesandSax,LLPProposalforCannabisMonitoringandFinancialAuditServices 43 StateofCaliforniatoensurecompliancewithlocalandstateregulations,aswellastocompletecomprehensiveinspectionreports,bothdetailedandsummary.
CannaBusinessServicessharewiththeCityandbusinessownersa compliancechecklist.Thechecklistwillincludethefollowingmajorsections:❖ FederalRequirements❖ StateRequirements❖ LocalRequirements❖ CityOrdinances❖ Security, Alarms,Locks,andVideoSurveillance❖ CashManagement❖ Records,Badging❖ InventoryManagementandInventoryAssessment,includingaccesscontrol❖ WasteManagement❖ Transportationdocumentation❖ PackagingandLabeling❖ Otheritemsasnecessaryincompliancewithlawsandregulations Eachofthesesectionsinthechecklistwillbereviewedbya qualifiedCannaBusinessServicesemployee.Eachregulationat thefederal,state,andlocallevelwillbecheckedatthebusinessandimprovementsneededwillbelistedoutinthereport.ThereportwillbeissuedtoboththebusinessownerandtheCity.
CannaBusinessServicespreferstoconducttheseinspectionsvirtuallywhenpossible.Covid-19changedthewaythatpeopleparticipatein workandlife.Manyof us learnedthatvirtualmeetingscansavevaluabletimeandtravelrequirements.Inordertoreducethefeesinourcostproposal,wecaneliminatethecostoftravel,andinsteadworkwiththebusinessowneroverZoomvideoconferencing.Manycompaniestoday, includingourown,havesuccessfullytransitionedtothevirtualspaceforthesereports,andasa result,saveourclientsbothtimeandmoney.
ProposedComplianceInspectionTimelineThetimelinefor CannaBusinessServicesto begincomplianceinspectionsfor cannabisbusinesseswouldbeinmonth3ofthecontract.Duringthefirstmonth,weplantoworkwiththeCitytoensurethecompliancechecklistandincludeditemsmeettheCityofSanBernardino’sapproval.Thetimetocompleteeachinspectionshouldbeabout4 hoursvirtually. Thisrangeisdependentonthefacilitysizeandscaleofactivitieslocatedthere.Afinalreportwillbeprepareduponcompletionofaninspection.
ConductBackgroundChecks
CityofSanBernardinoCannaBusinessServicesandSax,LLPProposalforCannabisMonitoringandFinancialAuditServices 44 CannaBusinessServiceswillconductbackgroundchecksforallbusinessowners.Backgroundcheckswillbeconductedonemployeesofthebusinessesonanasneededbasis.Backgroundcheckswillcomplywithallrelevantfederal,state,andlocallaws.
ProposedBackgroundChecksTimelineBackgroundcheckswillbeconductedasrequired,typicallywithin3to4weeksfromthedateoftherequest.
PlanReviewServicesOurapproachtoPlanReviewServicesfocusesonensuringcompliancewithallrelevantstateandlocalregulationsas wellas cityordinances.CannaBusinessServiceswillconductathoroughreviewof a business’s plansand providefeedbackto alignthemwithlegalrequirements,andcollaboratecloselywithbusinessownersandcityofficialstofacilitatetimelyapprovals.Ourteamremainsupto dateoncodeandregulationsandoffersongoingsupportthroughouttheprocesstoensureasmoothandcompliantreview.
ProposedPlanReviewServicesTimelinePlancheckswillbe completedwithin1-2weeksfromdateof receiptdependingon thecomplexityoftheplan.
ConductVirtualPre-LicensingInspectionsCannaBusinessServiceswillensureallrequirementsaremetbyconductingdetailedvirtualpre-licensinginspections.Ourteamwillverifycompliancewithapplicablecityordinancesandlocalandstateregulations,checkthefacility’sreadinessforoperations,andprovidefeedbackonanynecessaryadjustments.Findingwillbedetailedin a summaryreportincludingrelevantrecommendations.We willworkcloselywithapplicantsandtheCitytoaddressissuespromptly,ensuringtheapplicantiswell-preparedforfinalapprovals.
ProposedPre-LicensingInspectionTimelinePre-licensinginspectionswillbecompletedwithin2-3weeksofreceiptoftherequest.
CityofSanBernardinoCannaBusinessServicesandSax,LLPProposalforCannabisMonitoringandFinancialAuditServices 45 PROPOSED BUDGET AND DELIVERABLES
*We offer these services through our discounted hourly rate of $175. We typically charge $200-$250 per hour for similar services. Rates are based on 15 licensed cannabis businesses existing in San Bernardino. Cost proposal can be adjusted based on the number of operating businesses.
Description of Deliverable Estimated Hours Hourly Rate Flat Rate Total Rate Project Management and Meetings with the
City
Inspections
Financial Audits
Background Checks -
Plan Check
Development of Materials and Other
Resources
Technical and Policy Expertise
We are open to discussing and adjusting
any of the above numbers.
(monthly + additional as needed meetings
with the city and two representatives from Canna
Business Services
Canna Business Services will
create checklists specific to San Bernardino
cannabis businesses and complete facility
compliance inspections of the associated
businesses as needed and annually. We
estimate completing approximately 15
inspections annually. We estimate 5 hours per
inspection - 2 hours for the facility inspection,
either on site or remote with a guide; 2 hours for
the report to be drafted; 1 hours for
communications and prepping for inspection /
reviewing the checklist
- includes per business fee of
$3000 + $500 in travel fees (15 cannabis
businesses)
includes 4 hours of review and
support per business for each of the estimated
fifteen licensed cannabis businesses. *As
needed to ensure laws and regulations are
complied with
(i.e. inspection and building checks
particular to San Bernardino items resulting from
technical assistance and City and CBS meetings,
business owner follow up, etc.)
Expected to be
at approximately 5 hours per month. This section
includes as needed Virtual Pre-Licensing
Inspections.
(for 12 months)
(for 12 months)
(for 12 months)
28 $175 $0 $4,900.00
75 $175 $0 $13,125.00
Flat Rate $0 $3,500 $52,500.00
(The hourly rate is per
application review, technical support, and formal
submission est. at 3 hours per person. Est. 3
people per business)* 135 $175 N/A $23,625.00
-
60 $175 N/A $10,500.00
30 $175 N/A $5,250.00
60 $175 N/A $10,500.00
Stand-alone Email Address for Communication
with participants & the City N/A $0 $96 $96
Paid Zoom Line for meetings with San
Bernardino and technical support with
participants as needed N/A $0 $180 $180
CBS Staff Training related to San Bernardino
Specific Processes 25 $85 0 $2,125.00
Total Fee Estimate $122,897.00
The hour ranges listed above are estimated hours only and based on our extensive work across the country in supporting clients in their comprehensive cannabis projects. Thus, our goal is to provide services in a timely and efficient manner, while prioritizing thoroughness, effectiveness, and quality for the City of San Bernardino. The hourly rates listed above apply to all Canna Business Services team members assigned to the project. *Subject to change depending on scale of San Bernardino cannabis businesses and their employee turnover rates. We also are happy to move funds, if still available, from the background check section above to the compliance review section if needed.
Calendly for scheduling N/A $0 $96 $96
8. Fee Proposal
9. InsuranceIf selectedas thewinningbidder, wewillfullycomplywiththeCityof SanBernardino’sinsurancerequirements.Priorto commencingwork,wewillprovideevidenceofallrequiredinsurance,includingcommercialgeneralliability, automobileliability, workers'compensation,andprofessionalliability. TheCityofSanBernardinoanditsrepresentativeswillbenamedasadditionalinsureds,andwewillensureall policiesmeetthespecifiedcoveragelimitsandendorsements.We willalsoguaranteethatanysubcontractorsadhereto thesameinsurancestandardsandmaintaincoveragethroughouttheproject’sduration.
10.LitigationCannaBusinessServicesconfirmsa cleanlitigationrecord,withnopendinglegalmattersthatcouldjeopardizeour proposal,existingcontracts,or operationalstability. Operatingwithtransparencyandintegrity, wemanagerisksdiligently. Ourproposalrestsonastablefoundation,freefromlegalencumbrances.Neitherourfirmnorteammembershavefacedlawsuits,claims,orsettlementsofanykind.CEOEmilySisneros,Esq.,maintainsanunblemishedprofessionalhistory, ensuringourcommitmenttolegalandethicalintegrity.
11.OtherInformationOurfirmhasafulltrackrecordofdeliveringprojectstimelyandwithinbudget,supportedbyourexperiencedstaff andthroughourestablishedandefficientprocesses.We utilizeourtrustedprojectmanagementplatform,Monday.com,to managetasks,trackprogress,andallocateresourceseffectively. ThisensuresallprojectmilestonesaremetaccordingtotheagreeduponschedulebetweentheCityofSanBernardinoandCannaBusinessServices.TheMonday.comprojectmanagementplatformallowsus to maintaintransparencyandquicklyadaptto anychallengesthatarise.Ourlistedreferenceswillalsoattestto ourconsistencyin adheringtodeadlinesandstayingwithinbudgetwhileexceedingexpectationsthroughopencommunicationandproactiveproblem-solving. a. Descriptionofcommunityinvolvement.CannaBusinessServicesisdeeplycommittedtosupportingthecommunitiesinwhichwework.Weactivelyengageinsocialequityinitiatives,offeringeducationandtechnicalassistancetohelpunderrepresentedgroupssucceedinthecannabisindustryinCaliforniaandacrosstheUnitedStates.OurfirmhasledcommunityoutreachprogramsincitiesandcountiesinCalifornia,wherewepartneredwithlocalgovernmentsto provideworkshopsandone-on-oneconsultationsforsocialequityapplicants(additionalinformationreferencedinabovesections). Theseprogramsweredesignedtoempowerindividualswiththeknowledgeandresourcesneededtonavigatethecomplexlicensingprocess,fosteringdiversityandinclusionintheindustry.
Inadditiontotheseefforts,wecontributetimeandresourcestoSERTMinistries,whichfocusesonrescuingindividualsinvolvedin humantraffickingandprovidingthemwithpathwaysto CityofSanBernardinoCannaBusinessServicesandSax,LLPProposalforCannabisMonitoringandFinancialAuditServices 47 restorationthroughfaith.We supportSERT's missionby participatingin outreacheffortsdedicatedto helpingthosein need.We also activelysupportSoap2Hope,a nonprofitorganizationthatprovidesvitalservicesto vulnerablecommunities,includingsurvivorsoftraffickingandsexualexploitation.Throughourinvolvementin fundraisingandsponsorshipefforts,wehelpamplifytheimpactof theseprograms,ensuringthatcriticalresourcesandsupportreachthosein need.Ourdedicationtocommunityinvolvementis a reflectionofourbroadermissiontocreatemeaningful,positivechangebothwithinthecannabisindustryandinthecommunitiesweserve. b. DescriptionofanypreviousinvolvementwiththeCity.CannaBusinessServiceshasnotpreviouslyengagedinanyprojects/contractswiththeCityofSanBernardino. c. A statementthattheProposerhasnoconflictsof interestin connectionwithprovidingtheServices.To avoidconflictsofinterests,allteammembersarerequiredtosignstringentConfidentiality,Non-Competition,andNon-DisclosureAgreements.Furthermore,whenengagedincontracts,wedonotengageincontractswithprogramparticipantsthatwouldotherwiseconflictwiththetermsof thiscontract.We operatewithfulltransparency, andanyindicationthata clientofCannaBusinessServiceswouldcreatea conflictof interestwithourservicesto theCityof SanBernardinowillbefirstdisclosedtotheCitytoobtaintheirexpresspermissiontoengage.Atthistime,CannaBusinessServicesdoesnotserviceanyclientsthatpresentaforeseeableorpotentialconflictofinterest.
12.CertificationofProposalTheundersignedherebysubmitsitsproposaland,bydoingso,agreestofurnishservicestotheCityin accordancewiththeRequestforProposal(RFP),andto beboundbythetermsandconditionsoftheRFP.
13.AppendicesNoneapplicableforthisproposal.
CityofSanBernardinoCannaBusinessServicesandSax,LLPProposalforCannabisMonitoringandFinancialAuditServices 48 PROPOSED BUDGET AND DELIVERABLES*We offer these services through our discounted hourly rate of $175. We typically charge $200-$250 per hour for similar services. Rates are based on 17 licensed cannabis businesses existing in San Bernardino. Cost proposal can be adjusted based on the number of operating businesses.
Description of DeliverableEstimated HoursHourly RateFlat Rate Total Rate for In Person / Rate for all other deliverables Total Rate for all Virtual + less than 10 Background ChecksProject Management and Meetings with the City (monthly + additional as needed meetings with the city and two representatives from Canna Business Services) - all virtual28 $175 $0 $4,900.00 $4,900.00Inspections Canna Business Services will create checklists specific to San Bernardino cannabis businesses and complete facility compliance inspections of the associated businesses as needed and annually. We estimate completing approximately 17 inspections annually. We estimate 5 hours per inspection - 2 hours for the facility inspection, either on site or remote with a guide; 2 hours for the report to be drafted; 1 hours for communications and prepping for inspection / reviewing the checklist. If there is an in person inspection conducted, that will add an additional $500 to each inspection estimate of $875 (for a total of $1375 per inspection)85 $175 $0 $23,375 $14,875.00Financial Audits - includes per business fee of $3000 (cost of financial audit if virutal) + $500 in travel fees if conducted in person (for a cost of $3500/ business) (17 cannabis businesses)Flat Rate $0 $3,500 $59,500.00 $51,000Background Checks - (Flat rate of $100 per background check estimating 10-20)* -- Flat Rate of $60 per background check if less than 10 are needed - estimated at 9 for this cost proposalFlat Rate $0 $100 $2,000.00 $540Plan Check - includes 4 hours of review and support per business for each of the estimated fifteen licensed cannabis businesses. *As needed to ensure laws and regulations are complied with - all virtual 60 $175 N/A $10,500.00$10,500.00Development of Materials and Other Resources (i.e. inspection and building checks particular to San Bernardino items resulting from technical assistance and City and CBS meetings, business owner follow up, etc.)30 $175 N/A $5,250.00 $5,250.00Technical and Policy Expertise Expected to be at approximately 5 hours per month. This section includes as needed Virtual Pre-Licensing Inspections. - all virtual 60 $175 N/A $10,500.00$10,500.00Stand-alone Email Address for Communication with participants & the City (for 12 months)N/A $0 $96 $96 $96Calendly for scheduling (for 12 months) N/A $0 $96 $96 $96Paid Zoom Line for meetings with San Bernardino and technical support with participants as needed (for 12 months) N/A $0 $180 $180 $180CBS Staff Training related to San Bernardino Specific Processes 25 $175 0 $4,375.00 $4,375.00Total Fee Estimate$120,772.00$102,312.00 Travel Not to Exceed - $17,500 per year
The hour ranges listed above are estimated hours only and based on our extensive work across the country in supporting clients in their comprehensive cannabis projects. Thus, our goal is to provide services in a timely and efficient manner, while prioritizing thoroughness, effectiveness, and quality for the City of San Bernardino. The hourly rates listed above apply to all Canna Business Services team members assigned to the project. We are open to discussing and adjusting any of the above numbers. *Subject to change depending on scale of San Bernardino cannabis businesses and their employee turnover rates. We also are happy to move funds, if still available, from the background check section above to the compliance review section if needed.