This posting is a Request for Proposal for a Firm or Sole Proprietor to Serve as Operations Consultant for the Center for National Pandemic Resiliency through Bioscience
The deadline to apply is 5 p.m. April 30, 2021
BioSTL seeks an entity or sole-proprietor individual (“Operations Consultant”) to assist in launching and operationalizing its new Center for National Pandemic Resiliency through Bioscience (“CPR”). The key outcome of the Operations Consultant’s work will be an established and documented organizational and operational structure to organize planning and build and maintain processes and procedures for the successful launch of the CPR.
The Operations Consultant will establish and execute project deliverables including timelines, procurement of consulting services and project-relevant resources, and success metrics. The Project Manager will also recruit and establish an advisory board of key community industry leaders and experts to guide and inform the strategic efforts of the CPR.
Since 2001, BioSTL has laid the foundation the innovation economy in St. Louis with a comprehensive set of transformational programs that advance the region’s leadership in solving important world challenges in agriculture, medicine, health care, and other technology areas. BioSTL has introduced nationally acclaimed initiatives in startup creation and investment via its investment arm, the BioGenerator, strategic business attraction via its GlobalSTL initiative, physical environment including the Cortex Innovation District and BioGenerator Labs, entrepreneur support including its Fundamentals program, seed and venture capital, a diverse and inclusive workforce, and public policy.
BioSTL recently won a $2.96 million competitive grant from the Economic Development Administration (EDA) of the U.S. Department of Commerce, entitled the Center for National Pandemic Resiliency through Bioscience (“CPR”). The launch of this new center in St. Louis, with nearly $750,000 in matching funds from BioSTL, will position the region as a laboratory for innovation designed to help U.S. communities prevent, cure and recover from outbreaks of infectious disease and other health-related crises. Regional partners include: Cortex Innovation District, 39 North, and St. Louis Economic Development Partnership.
The Center’s overall objectives are accelerating and piloting innovations that promote future pandemic response and recovery, while creating new economic opportunity, diversifying the local economy, and advancing health and economic equity. Specifically, the CPR has four pillars of activity, which will ultimately help establish St. Louis as a preferred destination for commercializing and piloting innovations in the field: 1) commercialization; 2) attracting global innovation; 3) workforce development; and 4) physical infrastructure.
The Operations Consultant will work in coordination with BioSTL’s Executive Vice President, Vice President, Programs, and other colleagues to organize the launch of the Center. Specifically, the Operations Consultant will provide the following services or other similar services during an initial 6- month period to produce the operational and organizational structure for the CPR’s launch.
To establish and maintain operational structures and processes the Operations Consultant will set and execute project deliverables including timelines and work plans. The Operations Consultant will also staff weekly CPR planning meetings and other ad hoc meetings by setting meeting agendas, keeping notes and other relevant documentation, and executing follow-up tasks.
When contracted services are needed to support the execution of critical activities for the launch of the CPR, the Operations Consultant will advise, establish, and execute documented procurement procedures that are compliant with BioSTL’s federal requirements. The Operations Consultant will also coordinate with other contractors on various pieces of the CPR programming.
The Operations Consultant will produce the CPR’s organizational and operational structure by documenting the CPR’s initial governance process.
The Operations Consultant will help set 2021 goals for the CRP and measure success by building a progress measurement, evaluation, and reporting process that is integrated with existing BioSTL infrastructure and staff.
The Operations Consultant will support the creation of external engagement, partnership, and outreach efforts by establishing and executing operational processes to recruit, build, and consult the network of CPR partners. Additionally, the Operations Consultant will recruit and establish an advisory board of key community leaders and experts to guide and inform the launch of the CPR.
The Operations Consultant will ensure sustainability of their work by managing the creation of the Center Director position and support the recruitment process.
We anticipate most of this work being conducted virtually as scheduled by the Operations Consultant. As necessary, the Project Manager may be able to access facilities and resources within the BioSTL Building.
Applicants must provide separate technical and cost proposals.
Technical Proposal: Technical proposals must include the following information in the order specified.
A detailed description of the Operation Consultant’s approach to providing the requested services in Section III. If an entity with multiple staff assigned to the project, please include the names of each anticipated staff member and the estimated number of hours required of each. For individuals, please include the estimated number of hours required for each.
A Qualifications Narrative describing the assigned staff’s relevant expertise and experience that demonstrates their ability to advise BioSTL and execute the tasks outlined in Section III.
Three examples of the assigned staff’s experience within the past five years of executing related projects. Such examples must include a detailed description of the project’s objectives and results, and a reference for each including a telephone number and e-mail address.
Cost Proposal: Project Manager must supply a specific, discrete estimation of the total cost of the project – either as a fixed fee or a summation of hourly fees. With an hourly option, please provide the breakdown of hours for each staff member provided in the Project Manager’s technical proposal, identify each member’s hourly rates and the total cost for the initial term, and indicate whether staff are employees or contractors. Additionally, identify each anticipated staff member’s hourly rate during potential renewal terms.
Responses to this Request for Proposals (RFP) will be evaluated using the following criteria with the associated weight.
Quality of Operation Consultant’s approach to perform the tasks described in Section II (35%)
Qualifications of Operation Consultant’s and any applicable assigned staff to perform the tasks described in Section III. (25%)
Quality and relevance of the examples. (20%)
Cost Proposal – reasonableness of the cost. (20%)
Technical and cost proposals are due no later than April 30, 2021 at 5 p.m. CDT by e-mail to Justin Raymundo to jraymundo@biostl.org with the subject line “Operations Consultant RFP.” Please direct questions and confidential inquiries must be submitted in writing to Justin Raymundo at the address above. BioSTL may request applicants with the top scores to meet with BioSTL management via video conferencing. If so, BioSTL will notify the selected applicants of the time and date. If so, BioSTL will notify the selected applicants of the time and date. Furthermore, BioSTL reserves the right, at its sole and absolute discretion, to amend or modify any provision of this RFP, or to withdraw this RFP at any time prior to contract award. BioSTL shall not be bound by or liable under this RFP and/or any response thereto until a final written contract has been executed by BioSTL and the grantee incorporating the terms and conditions of the award.
BioSTL is committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, and equitable ecosystem. We encourage submissions from diverse vendors who will bring diverse perspectives to this work, including certified MBEs, WBEs, LGBT-owned businesses, VOBs, and SDVOBs.
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