MAINE OUTDOOR BRANDS NOTICE OF REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
TITLES: Outdoor Recreation Economy Roadmap Project Management RFP; Outdoor Recreation Economy Roadmap Communications & Public Relations RFP
ISSUE DATE: May 23, 2023
PROPOSALS DUE DATE: 12:00pm (EST) on July 10, 2023
Maine Outdoor Brands is seeking two proposals to support the development of a strategic roadmap for growth and diversification of Maine’s outdoor recreation economy:
1. Project Management, including stakeholder engagement and synthesis of information – see full RFP here, including consultant criteria and submission information
2. Communications & Public Relations – see full RFP here, including consultant criteria and submission information
This roadmap will identify trends, challenges, and opportunities and be shaped by industry, university, and state government stakeholders to act as a guiding document for future investment and actions. This project is in partnership with the University of Maine and Maine Office of Outdoor Recreation.
**UPDATE JUNE 30, 2023** Answers to bidder submitted questions:
Answers to RFP Bidder Qs – Project Mgmt
Answers to RFP Bidder Qs – Comms:PR
Background:
In March 2021, President Biden signed the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). ARPA funding will be a transformative investment in the community, with the goal of leveraging resources from other local, state, and federal dollars to optimize the potential overall community impact. This roadmap project is being funded through the ARPA Travel, Tourism, and Outdoor Recreation grant program. Through this grant program, EDA aims to assist communities and regions in recovery from the coronavirus pandemic’s significant negative impact on the travel, tourism, and outdoor recreation sectors. It is designed to provide a wide-range of financial assistance to communities and regions to rebuild and strengthen their travel, tourism, and outdoor recreation industry through various infrastructure and non-infrastructure projects.
Funds awarded pursuant to the Act must be incurred and obligated by December 31, 2024. In addition, all funds must be expended to cover obligations and all work must be completed by December 31, 2026. The United States Treasury set specific guidelines on how funds can be expended using ARPA dollars. These principles include following the US Treasury Guidelines for funds use which include addressing the negative economic impacts of COVID-19 by responding to economic harms to workers, families, small businesses, and impacted industries. Maine Outdoor Brands will use federal funds in connection with this project, including compensation associated with the Project Management and Communications and Public Relations positions.