[MassHistPres] RFQ: Strategic Planning Services for Freedom's Way National Heritage Area

[Alene Reich]

See www.freedomsway.org for listing:

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS
 
Strategic Planning for National Heritage Area Management
  
 
Freedom¹s Way Heritage Association
Freedom¹s Way National Heritage Area
 
 
The Freedom¹s Way Heritage Association (FWHA) seeks Statements of
Qualifications 
to provide strategic planning support for the Freedom¹s Way National
Heritage Area. Please find attached a description of the project and
requirements of qualified consultants.
 
The Executive Director of FWHA serves as the project manager and primary
contact for this project. If you have any questions regarding submission or
the content of this request, please call Alene Reich, Executive Director,
Freedom¹s Way Heritage Association, 978-772-3654.
 
 
 
Proposals must be received by 4:00 EST on March 18, 2011. Submissions should
be addressed to:
            Freedom¹s Way Heritage Association
            100 Sherman Ave., Devens, MA 01434.
 
 
 
The FWHA will evaluate all timely submissions and award a contract. FWHA
reserves the right to reject any or all proposals. Emailed submissions will
be accepted: areich at freedomsway.org <mailto:areich at freedomsway.org> .  Faxed
submissions will not be accepted.
 
The selection of the successful consultant shall be made without regard to
race, color, sex, age, religion, political affiliation and/or national
origin. 
 
 
 
 
ORGANIZATION BACKGROUND
 
The Freedom¹s Way National Heritage Area (FWNHA) was designated by Congress
in March 2009 and it includes 45 communities in Massachusetts and New
Hampshire. The Freedom¹s Way Heritage Association (FWHA) serves as the
managing entity for the FWNHA.
 
Freedom's Way Heritage Association is dedicated to the preservation of the
important historic, cultural, and natural resources of the Freedom's Way
National Heritage Area.  The region is rich in irreplaceable sites, traits,
landscapes, and viewsheds, which are important to our country's history and
the establishment of our American philosophies of freedom, conservation, and
social justice.
 
Our website, www.freedomsway.org, explores our themes and provides an
overview of our projects.
 
A Feasibility Plan for the Freedom¹s Way Heritage Area was prepared in 1997.
Copies of this plan are available for review at:
http://www.freedomsway.org/mgmt/documents.html
<http://www.freedomsway.org/mgmt/documents.html> .
 

The Components of a Successful National Heritage Management Plan Planning
Notebook can be found on the National Park Service¹s National Heritage Area
website:

http://www.nps.gov/history/heritageareas/rep/heritage.htm
<http://www.nps.gov/history/heritageareas/rep/heritage.htm>
 



SUBMITTAL REQUIREMENTS
 
Each consultant team is asked to submit the following information:
 
1.            A letter of interest in the project;
 
2.            Resumes of all personnel with special attention given to
applicable experience as described under "Consultant Qualifications";
 
3.            An annotated project list that demonstrates past experience in
similar projects;
 
4.            A general description of the approach the individual/team
would use to accomplish the outlined Scope of Services;
 
5.            A client reference list, including names and telephone numbers
of key contacts;
 
6.            An hourly rate and a tentative schedule of available time to
dedicate to the project. Please detail how onsite, phone/email, and travel
time will be billed.
 
 
 
CONSULTANT QUALIFICATIONS
 
At a minimum, the consultant should have the following qualifications and
experience:
 
1.            Proven expertise in regional heritage planning and/or regional
economic development, heritage, and recreation tourism projects involving a
number of components and contributors;
 
2.           Ability to consider the interests of diverse units of
government, businesses, organizations, and individuals;
 
3.           Extensive experience working with the National Park Service;
 
4.           Ability to provide strategic planning assistance that
ultimately provides the organization with the tools and information to make
informed decisions that are consistent with the character of the FWNHA and
the FWHA.
 
 
 
 
SCOPE OF SERVICES


The consultant will assist the FWHA in the Management Planning process as an
advocate for the organization. Services include collaboratively strategizing
with FWHA to:
 
·      Begin to build partnership agreements at local, regional, state, and
national levels;
·      Begin shaping the Management Planning process according to the NPS¹s
Components of a Successful National Heritage Management Plan Planning
Notebook;
·      Plan for an Environmental Assessment;
·      Promote the FWNHA within the region, state, and nation;
·      Navigate federal agencies;
·      Attain  financial sustainability after 15 years of federal
partnership;
·      And additional issues, opportunities, and challenges, as they arise.
 
This scope is not exhaustive; it is our expectation that the FWHA and the
consultant will work together to envision the process. That¹s why we¹re
looking for the help of a consultant!
 
 
 
PROJECT BUDGET
 
The project will proceed on an hourly basis, with a total project amount not
to exceed $5,000. The selected consultant shall be responsible for
furnishing of all supplies and services required to accomplish services
agreed upon in the final the Scope of Services.
 
 
 
SELECTION CRITERIA
 
The selection process will include an evaluation procedure based on the
criteria identified below. Finalists will be required to appear for an
interview.
 
1.                     Depth of experience with National Heritage Area
planning.
 
2.                    Strength and credibility of client references.
 
3.                    Professional qualifications of project personnel.
 
4.                     Demonstrated understanding of the Freedom¹s Way
National Heritage Area within its regional, New England context.
 
5.           Experience with communicating complex concepts to a wide range
of people using a variety of methods.
 
 
 
 
PROJECT SCHEDULE
 
Submittals due                                                March 18, 2011
 
Interviews                                                            End of
March
 
Project Start Date                                                April 5,
2011
 
 
 
 
ASSUMPTIONS AND REQUIREMENTS
 
Confidentiality All financial, statistical, personnel and/or technical data
supplied by the FWHA to the consultant are confidential, as are all
communications. The consultant will use reasonable care to protect the
confidentiality of such information. The consultant will be asked to sign a
non-disclosure agreement.
 
News Releases and Advertising The consultant shall not issue news releases
related to the services being provided under this contract without the prior
written consent of the FWHA. The consultant shall not use the Heritage
Area¹s or Association¹s name, logos, images, or any data or results arising
from this contract as a part of any advertising without first obtaining the
prior written consent of the FWHA.

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