Request for Proposals (RFP)
Workforce Demand Assessment
Date: 12/18/24
Proposals Due: 1/17/25
Purpose
Maine Outdoor Brands (MOB) is seeking proposals from qualified firms to conduct an updated workforce demand assessment for Maine’s outdoor recreation sector. The goal of this project is to gather comprehensive, current data on workforce needs, skill demands, and employment trends among Maine’s outdoor recreation businesses to guide strategic planning and workforce development initiatives.
This assessment will build upon the original 2021 Workforce Needs Assessment and similar national surveys, incorporating new data and insights to reflect changes in the industry.
Scope of Work
The selected firm will design, distribute, and analyze a survey of outdoor recreation businesses in Maine, ensuring robust participation and actionable results. The final deliverables should include a written report and a presentation summarizing key findings.
See full RFP and submission information here.
Q&A
- Q: Approximately how many individuals, agencies, businesses, and/or organizations are on MOB’s existing contact list? A: MOB has about 200 members/businesses that make up our contact list.
- Q: Does MOB anticipate the need to update or add to the existing list? A: Yes – we can cast a wider net through our association and state partners.
- Q: Does MOB expect focus groups (if needed) to be held in person, virtually, or a combination? A: Can be a combination.
- Q: Will MOB be available to assist with focus groups (if needed), e.g., venues, scheduling, etc.? A: Yes, we can.
- Q: How does MOB envision geographic breakdown of results (county, region, etc.)? A: By county would be preferable.
- Q: Are there areas of the previous study that MOB hopes to focus on? Are there study parameters that were not previously examined that are important to MOB? A: We are interested in wage information.
- Q: The RFP mentions similar national efforts. Are there national studies and/or regions that MOB looks to as examples of success? A: Here is a link to an example – https://outdoorindustry.org/
wp-content/uploads/2015/03/ 2022-CORE-Outdoor-Industry- Employer-Survey-Report.pdf - Q: What is the source of funding for this project? A: This is a “Community Outdoor Recreation Assistance” Grant funded project through the Maine Outdoor Office of Recreation.
- Q: What is the total project budget? A: The budget for this assessment is $20,000.
- Q: Is MOB open to supplementing and integrating survey and focus group/interview data with labor and workforce data on supply, demand, gaps, projections, and skills, in occupations? Or does MOB simply want surveys, interviews, and focus groups? A: Yes, we are open to supplementing and integrating survey and focus group/interview data with labor and workforce data to provide a more comprehensive analysis. We recognize that existing outdoor recreation employment data can sometimes be overly broad, to ensure more accuracy and relevance, we are prioritizing sourcing core data directly from companies.