The Washington State Department of Commerce is initiating this Request for Proposals (RFP) to solicit proposals from those qualified and interested in participating in a project to administer a needs-based grant program to eligible cities, counties, tribal nations, and destination marketing organizations (DMOs).
Donor Name: Washington State Department of Commerce
State: Washington
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 08/02/2023
Grant Duration: 28 months
Details:
Washington’s communities, particularly those that have been historically left behind in economic recovery cycles, are rare gems, filled with culture, history, the arts, and often, unfulfilled promise. This grant program will provide local and regional destinations with a roadmap for identifying and connecting assets that will draw overnight and extended stay tourists and day-trippers and/or provide the tools and support necessary to jumpstart one or more tourism-related projects by completing the essential planning and permitting to begin construction.
The goal of this grant program is to help affected communities, counties, regions, tribal nations and DMOs start or resume planning. Representative activities may include place making, asset mapping, SWOT analyses, disaster planning, capacity building, planning for historical preservation or restoration, adding interpretive or welcome centers, trail systems, and cultural and arts facilities that are shovel- or funding-ready.
Grant program activities may include but are not limited to:
- Providing assistance and consulting to help regions and communities develop action able plans for new tourism, hospitality, infrastructure, capacity-building or outdoor recreation projects or opportunities
- Providing training and tools so local officials can conduct near- and long-term market and destination assessments to meet evolving community needs
- Developing strategies related to existing and previously unidentified or untapped place making strengths and assets to build on
- Developing tourism, destination, cultural and outdoor recreation projects at the community level to the point that they are shovel- and/or funding-ready.
Scope of Work
Working closely with Commerce, the Apparent Successful Bidder will develop, manage and administer a needs-based grant program that targets cities, counties, tribal governments and destination marketing organizations (DMOs) that depend on tourism as a major economic revenue and jobs generator.
The Apparent Successful Bidder will oversee all aspects of the grant program, including determining the levels or types of grants to be made available, developing an application process, finalizing the selection and scoring criteria, performing outreach to potential applicants, reviewing applications, selecting potential award recipients and dispersing the funds as well as supporting tax documentation to awardees.
Funding Information
- Commerce has budgeted an amount not to exceed $3,560,000 for this project, including the grants and costs to administer which is capped at 10% (maximum) of the program budget
- The period of performance of any contract resulting from this RFP is tentatively scheduled to begin on or about August 16, 2023 and to end on Dec. 31, 2025
- Commerce reserves the right to extend the contract for two one-year periods.
Eligibility Criteria
- Minimum qualifications include:
- Licensed to do business in the state of Washington or submit a statement of commitment that it will become licensed in Washington within thirty (30) calendar days of being selected as the Apparent Successful Contractor
- Demonstrated experience creating, managing and administering grant programs
- Experience working with a wide range of stakeholders in tourism-related industries to solicit a diverse portfolio of projects, including performing outreach
- Demonstrated experience in analytics and reporting
- Desired Qualifications:
- Knowledge of community planning processes, the Washington State tourism industry, and project management highly desired.
For more information, visit WSDC.
