PAQTNKEK CONSTRUCTION COOPERATIVE PLANNING PROJECT
Request for Proposals - Statement of Work
Purpose:
This request for proposals (RFP) is to engage professional services to research and develop a plan for the establishment of a Construction Cooperative in Paqtnkek Mi’kmaw Nation. The work will include research, community engagement and input, best practices, feasibility of options, recommendations for next steps, and development of a plan for Paqtnkek’s selected option for implementation.
This project is based on the community’s drive and desire to shape the future and to improve the social and economic quality of community members’ lives by positioning itself to take advantage of opportunities to participate in construction opportunities.
Background:
The Paq’tnkek Mi’kmaw Nation is a leading Mi’kmaw community (wu’tun). Paqtnkek Mi’kmaw Nation is working hard to create an economically independent Mi’kmaw Nation.
This project will assist Paqtnkek to reclaim and promote Mi’kmaw values, culture and traditions; nurture the spiritual, physical and emotional wellbeing of the community; manage assets and strengthen resources; and promote entrepreneurship and self-sufficiency. This project is to assist Paqtnkek Mi’kmaw Nation in creating its own agenda with direction and goals that work to provide positive outcomes for the community.
The community has recently acquired additional land located on either side of the Trans-Canada Highway (104) and is in the process of developing relationships and partnerships while exploring opportunities for this land including employment in the future development: The Highway 104 Commercial Development Project.
With this new market opportunity, Paqtnkek has completed a Highway Development Master Plan that is integrated with a new grade separated intersection to Highway 104. The Nova Scotia Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal (NSTIR) have committed to build this interchange and NSTIR has budgeted $10 million for the Paqtnkek highway access. Paqtnkek Mi’kmaw Nation has been making economic strides to be able to provide meaningful employment to its own community members. Paqtnkek is a community in transition. The Highway 104 Commercial Development Project will promote employment and education opportunities within the community and will be able to provide meaningful employment to community members.
Paqtnkek Mi’kmaw Nation has a young population, with approximately 38 percent 15 years and younger. The current unemployment and nonparticipation rate is approximately 58 percent, which is higher than the current unemployment rate of 11.3 percent in the Northern Nova Scotia area.
In preparation for the Highway 104 Commercial Development Project, Paqtnkek Mi’kmaw Nation is in the process of developing relationships and partnerships while exploring opportunities for this land. The Paqtnkek Skills and Partnership fund supported 86 Paqtnkek Community members with essential skills and trade and expertise heavy equipment, mechanics, carpentry, business development
Scope of Work:
Research and present best practices by examining creative ways communities have engaged its workforce to take advantage of construction opportunities by creating employment and generating revenues (minimum of two First Nation communities and one non-Aboriginal community). Include a review of successful partnership strategies utilized. Work would result in identification and explanation of advantages, disadvantages and other considerations to inform next steps.
Facilitate community engagement sessions to present best practices research and to ensure community input into options for the establishment of a construction cooperative or social enterprise.
Presentation of options to establish a construction cooperative or a social enterprise that includes the following for each option:
· Business structure
· Governance and management structure
· Financial requirements/structure
· Identification of potential investment and funding options
· Partnership opportunities
· Overall pros and cons
· Overview of required next steps to implement
Following a decision by Paqtnkek Mi’kmaq Nation on the selected path, develop an operational plan with clear actions required to implement next steps.
Final report and overview presentation summarizing the project required at completion of project.
The work will be overseen by a project steering committee.
Deliverables:
· The consultant(s) shall meet with the project steering committee following contract award, in order to review the Statement of Work, review proposed methodology, and receive direction and guidance from the committee.
· Community engagement sessions to be facilitated and documented by the consultant(s).
· The consultant(s) shall provide ten hard copies and one electronic copy of a Final Report by September 15, 2016. The Final report shall include all elements as outlined in the scope of work. The electronic version of the report should be in Word and PDF format. The consultant(s) shall also provide an electronic copy of a PowerPoint presentation summarizing the findings in the Final Report by September 15, 2016.
· The consultant shall present the major findings of the report to a select at a mutually agreed upon time and place.
General Requirements:
· The successful consultant(s) will begin the proposed study in April, 2016.
· The consultant(s) shall be responsible for the quality of work performed, the associated costs and the scheduling and performance of sub-contractors.
· The consultant(s) shall expect that the need and timing for additional meetings will be determined by the project steering committee. Furthermore, the consultant will be expected to be in regular communication with the project steering committee throughout the project, and will be expected to provide regular updates on project activities and milestones achieved.
Proposals Requirements:
Proposals submitted for consideration of this work must include:
1) Key activities and methods that will support the scope of work and deliverables;
2) Detailed budget and proposed payment schedule;
3) Milestones and associated timeframes; and
4) Consultant(s) qualifications. If more than one consultant is proposed to be part of the project, identification of which consultant will be contributing to which deliverable and in what manner (and related fees).
Project Timelines:
The project is anticipated to start in April, 2016, and will be completed by September, 2016.
Other:
Funding is being sought to support the professional fees for this project. Note the award of a contract is subject to successfully securing funding to support the work.
Submission of Proposals:
Proposals shall be submitted via email in Portable Document Format (PDF) for distribution purposes to the Project Steering Committee. All proposals shall be sent to:
Rose Julian
Director of Lands and Economic Development
Paqtnkek Mi’kmaq Nation
Email:
Request for Proposals Release Date: Jan 22, 2016
Proposals Due Date: Feb 8, 2016