Requests for Proposals (RFP) RISE-WA
PNWER has a RFP open for consultants in Washington State. The goal of the project is to deliver a Small Business Accelerator Program that bring solution providers together with rural Small, Women, and Black, Indigenous, People of Color-owned businesses (S/W/BIPOC) in Washington State to utilize innovation and technology of the urban tech and business sectors to improve pandemic resilience and business recovery. The Rural Investment for Small-business Empowerment in Washington State (RISE-WA) program is well-suited to bring economic benefit to S/W/BIPOC in rural communities through our partner-based approach to relationship building. RISE-WA will identify and connect these businesses through the accelerator program to solution providers.
The consultant will focus generally on the following areas.
● Assist with recruiting and selection of participating small businesses (up to ten).
● Assist in identifying several unique business needs or challenges that each participating business is facing.
● Help identify and evaluate potential technical solutions providers to assist the unique needs of the participating small businesses.
● Work closely with PNWER staff to plan and conduct a series of training webinars over the course of eight weeks based on the business concerns identified by the small businesses participating.
● Work closely with the participating small businesses to ensure they are receiving value and stay engaged throughout the cohort.
● Assist with writing reports based on the activities and provide assistance in outreach to the partners in the project.
The consultant will focus generally on the following areas.
● Assist with recruiting and selection of participating small businesses (up to ten).
● Assist in identifying several unique business needs or challenges that each participating business is facing.
● Help identify and evaluate potential technical solutions providers to assist the unique needs of the participating small businesses.
● Work closely with PNWER staff to plan and conduct a series of training webinars over the course of eight weeks based on the business concerns identified by the small businesses participating.
● Work closely with the participating small businesses to ensure they are receiving value and stay engaged throughout the cohort.
● Assist with writing reports based on the activities and provide assistance in outreach to the partners in the project.
Requests for Qualifications (RFQ)
PNWER has two RFQ's open for consultants across Washington State. Consultants are encouraged to respond to either or both RFQ's, and can indicate on their documentation if they would be interested in receiving a referral to the other project team.
- PNWER seeks qualified partners to provide assistance to the SBIF Grant for S/W/BIPOC recruitment, communication, and outreach regarding PNWER SBIF Grant participation. Qualifications are due to Steve.Myers@pnwer.org ASAP!
- PNWER seeks qualified partners to provide assistance to the PNWER RIA for Tribal relations, communication, and outreach on transportation infrastructure projects in AK, ID, MT, OR, and WA. Qualifications are due to Betz.Mayer@pnwer.org by April 5, 2023.
Introduction
Pacific NorthWest Economic Region (PNWER) will leverage the recently successfully-completed Congregate Solutions Accelerator project and begin a new phase focused on underserved rural communities. PNWER will focus on assisting rural Small, Women, and Black, Indigenous, People of Color-owned businesses (S/W/BIPOC) in Washington State. Through this project, PNWER will facilitate new business relationships between technical assistance solution providers and small under-resourced businesses to provide direct financial support, mentorship, and industry expertise. The purpose is to accelerate post-pandemic recovery in these under-resourced businesses and communities and provide needed guidance and services to help them expand and grow their businesses. Connecting S/W/BIPOC businesses with technology and technical assistance providers based on their needs will help to increase revenue and jobs for participating small businesses and increase tax revenue in rural areas.
Consultant Assistance
PNWER seeks qualified partners to provide assistance to the SBIF Grant for S/W/BIPOC recruitment, communication, and outreach regarding PNWER SBIF Grant participation. The partner will work with PNWER staff and other consultants to convene meetings, establish contacts, provide outreach to up to five potential businesses which are selected in the cohort, and provide assistance in the selection of S/W/BIPOC owned businesses and an assessment of their needs to grow and contribute to their communities and the PNWER SBIF program.
The partner should have well-established contacts and relationships that can be leveraged for outreach to leaders within the rural counties that fall under the scope of this project. The partner will work with PNWER to facilitate recruitment, develop in-person outreach events, assist in the selection of S/W/BIPOC businesses for this project, monitor progress of each business selected in the cohort, and assess needs throughout a 4-month project.
The consultant must be licensed to do business in the State of Washington.
PNWER is assembling a roster of qualified consultants who might work on this project or in future work. Selection does not guarantee a contract. Projected timeline is to begin work in February with an end date of May 30, 2023.
Pacific NorthWest Economic Region (PNWER) will leverage the recently successfully-completed Congregate Solutions Accelerator project and begin a new phase focused on underserved rural communities. PNWER will focus on assisting rural Small, Women, and Black, Indigenous, People of Color-owned businesses (S/W/BIPOC) in Washington State. Through this project, PNWER will facilitate new business relationships between technical assistance solution providers and small under-resourced businesses to provide direct financial support, mentorship, and industry expertise. The purpose is to accelerate post-pandemic recovery in these under-resourced businesses and communities and provide needed guidance and services to help them expand and grow their businesses. Connecting S/W/BIPOC businesses with technology and technical assistance providers based on their needs will help to increase revenue and jobs for participating small businesses and increase tax revenue in rural areas.
Consultant Assistance
PNWER seeks qualified partners to provide assistance to the SBIF Grant for S/W/BIPOC recruitment, communication, and outreach regarding PNWER SBIF Grant participation. The partner will work with PNWER staff and other consultants to convene meetings, establish contacts, provide outreach to up to five potential businesses which are selected in the cohort, and provide assistance in the selection of S/W/BIPOC owned businesses and an assessment of their needs to grow and contribute to their communities and the PNWER SBIF program.
The partner should have well-established contacts and relationships that can be leveraged for outreach to leaders within the rural counties that fall under the scope of this project. The partner will work with PNWER to facilitate recruitment, develop in-person outreach events, assist in the selection of S/W/BIPOC businesses for this project, monitor progress of each business selected in the cohort, and assess needs throughout a 4-month project.
The consultant must be licensed to do business in the State of Washington.
PNWER is assembling a roster of qualified consultants who might work on this project or in future work. Selection does not guarantee a contract. Projected timeline is to begin work in February with an end date of May 30, 2023.
Deadline Extended!
Submissions will be accepted until February 26 at 11:59pm Pacific Time. Submissions will only be accepted by email. Please send proposals by email to Steve Myers, Senior Program Manager, at Steve.Myers@pnwer.org.
Questions should be submitted in writing to Steve Myers, Senior Program Manager at Steve.Myers@pnwer.org. All interested consultants may obtain a copy of the questions and responses by submitting a written request by email.
PNWER is an equal opportunity employer and will not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of age, color, disability, gender, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any classification protected by federal, state, or local law.
Submissions will be accepted until February 26 at 11:59pm Pacific Time. Submissions will only be accepted by email. Please send proposals by email to Steve Myers, Senior Program Manager, at Steve.Myers@pnwer.org.
Questions should be submitted in writing to Steve Myers, Senior Program Manager at Steve.Myers@pnwer.org. All interested consultants may obtain a copy of the questions and responses by submitting a written request by email.
PNWER is an equal opportunity employer and will not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of age, color, disability, gender, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any classification protected by federal, state, or local law.
The Pacific Northwest Economic Region (PNWER) was selected by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Build America Bureau to establish a Regional Infrastructure Accelerator (RIA) demonstration program for the Pacific Northwest. Building off the success of the past year, the PNWER RIA is expanding focus for the next round of funding to specifically include all five PNWER states in three programmatic areas: Zero Emission Refueling Facilities for Commercial Traffic, High Performance Rail, and the Center of Excellence.
Written Qualifications for Future Project Partners Requested | Tribal Engagement and Outreach Partner
PNWER seeks a qualified partner to provide technical assistance to the Regional Infrastructure Accelerator for Tribal relations, communication, and outreach regarding PNWER RIA’s three focus areas. The partner will work with PNWER staff and other consultants to convene meetings, establish contacts, provide outreach to potential Tribal partners, and provide recommendations for successful relationship building between Tribal communities and the PNWER RIA program.
The partner should have well established Tribal contacts and relationships that can be leveraged for ongoing outreach to leaders within the PNWER’s five state region of Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, and Alaska. The partner will work with PNWER to design workshops, solicit regional input from Tribal partners, facilitate meetings with key Tribal personnel as well as provide their own relevant expertise to PNWER RIA’s ongoing Tribal engagement efforts.
We are interested in applicants who can describe their experience working with the following: Tribal communities within the PNWER region; Tribal leadership organizations; Tribal economic development associations; Tribal infrastructure partners; local and regional utility providers; local and state government; Federal DOT and DOE; large businesses and business associations; other special interest organizations; subject matter experts; and Tribal advocacy groups that focus on health, safety, and the economy.
PNWER is assembling a multi-state roster of qualified consultants who might work on this project or in future work. Selection does not guarantee a contract. Projected timeline is to begin work in late 2023 with an end date in mid-2025.
Written Qualifications for Future Project Partners Requested | Tribal Engagement and Outreach Partner
PNWER seeks a qualified partner to provide technical assistance to the Regional Infrastructure Accelerator for Tribal relations, communication, and outreach regarding PNWER RIA’s three focus areas. The partner will work with PNWER staff and other consultants to convene meetings, establish contacts, provide outreach to potential Tribal partners, and provide recommendations for successful relationship building between Tribal communities and the PNWER RIA program.
The partner should have well established Tribal contacts and relationships that can be leveraged for ongoing outreach to leaders within the PNWER’s five state region of Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, and Alaska. The partner will work with PNWER to design workshops, solicit regional input from Tribal partners, facilitate meetings with key Tribal personnel as well as provide their own relevant expertise to PNWER RIA’s ongoing Tribal engagement efforts.
We are interested in applicants who can describe their experience working with the following: Tribal communities within the PNWER region; Tribal leadership organizations; Tribal economic development associations; Tribal infrastructure partners; local and regional utility providers; local and state government; Federal DOT and DOE; large businesses and business associations; other special interest organizations; subject matter experts; and Tribal advocacy groups that focus on health, safety, and the economy.
PNWER is assembling a multi-state roster of qualified consultants who might work on this project or in future work. Selection does not guarantee a contract. Projected timeline is to begin work in late 2023 with an end date in mid-2025.
Submissions will be accepted until April 5 at 5 pm Pacific Time. Submissions will only be accepted by email. Please send proposals by email to Betz Mayer, RIA Assistant Director, at Betz.Mayer@pnwer.org.
Questions should be submitted in writing to Betz Mayer, RIA Assistant Director, at Betz.Mayer@pnwer.org by March 20, 2023. All interested consultants may obtain a copy of the questions and responses by submitting a written request by email.
PNWER is an equal opportunity employer and will not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of age, color, disability, gender, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any classification protected by federal, state, or local law.
Questions should be submitted in writing to Betz Mayer, RIA Assistant Director, at Betz.Mayer@pnwer.org by March 20, 2023. All interested consultants may obtain a copy of the questions and responses by submitting a written request by email.
PNWER is an equal opportunity employer and will not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of age, color, disability, gender, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any classification protected by federal, state, or local law.
Career and Internship Opportunities
REQUESTS FOR PROPOSALS AND JOB OPENINGS - PNWER periodically requires assistance to complete specific projects to support core program functions.
PNWER is an equal opportunity employer and will not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of age, color, disability, gender, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any classification protected by federal, state, or local law.
PNWER is an equal opportunity employer and will not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of age, color, disability, gender, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any classification protected by federal, state, or local law.
Internship Opportunities
Current Internship Openings:
PNWER is currently accepting interns.
PNWER is currently accepting interns.
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Are you interested in:
What to expect as a PNWER intern:
What PNWER expects from interns:
Project Areas
PNWER interns will be supporting specific projects and tasks tied to PNWER's areas of focus. Specific working groups include topics such as: Agriculture, Arctic Caucus, Border & Trade, Cross-Border Livestock Health, Disaster Resilience, Economic Development, Energy, Energy & Environment, Forestry, Infrastructure, Innovation, Invasive Species, Mining, Transportation, Tourism, Water Policy, Workforce Development. The internship will provide the opportunity to gain experience in areas that are of interest to you, while broadening your perspective on regional economic opportunities. Sample projects include:
Compensation:
The position is unpaid, but students will gain valuable experience and insight into policy-making within Canadian / U.S. relations in their specific field. Upon successful completion of the internship, letters of recommendation will be provided. Internships may be eligible for school credit hours through your university. Please contact your university for more information. How to apply:
Please send a brief cover letter, resume, and 2-6 page writing sample to: Rachael Kopp Senior Program Manager Rachael.Kopp@pnwer.org Be sure to include the PNWER working groups or CRDR projects most relevant to your areas of interest. |
Fall 2019 Interns enjoying a reception at the Amazon Spheres as part of the Economic Leadership Forum
2019 Interns enjoying a bit of downtime during the Summit Reception at the Western Development Museum in Saskatoon
2018 PNWER Interns during the Annual Summit at the Historic Davenport Hotel in Spokane, WA
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