Request for Proposals (RFP) Program Implementation Community Partners– Small Business Initiative

About the Organization

Hispanic Federation (HF) is the nation's premier Latino nonprofit membership organization. Founded in 1990, HF supports disadvantaged communities through grant making and direct services in the areas of education, health, immigration, civic engagement, economic empowerment, and the environment. Since its inception, HF has focused on supporting and strengthening community-based nonprofit organizations serving economically disadvantaged communities as a key instrument for social justice and economic empowerment.

Program Overview

Hispanic Federation (HF) launched the Crear y Crecer su Negocio Initiative in Connecticut to strengthen the capacity of emerging and existing business owners through culturally and linguistically responsive programming. Supported by SBA’s Congressional Community Programs Funds, the initiative aims to provide training, technical assistance, mentorship, and access to resources that help entrepreneurs build sustainable businesses, create jobs, and contribute to local economic vitality throughout the state of Connecticut.

Programming will include training courses for entrepreneurs, business resiliency, workshops, learning circles, capacity-building activities, networking opportunities, and access to practical resources that help strengthen and grow their businesses and direct technical assistance. To support the implementation of this initiative, Hispanic Federation seeks an experienced community partner will be engaged to assist with outreach, recruitment, event coordination, and logistical support for program activities.

Scope of Services

The selected community partner will collaborate with HF program leads to implement activities that promote small business engagement and participation. Responsibilities will include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Hold weekly check-in meetings with HF staff to discuss implementation progress, challenges, and findings.
• Assist with scheduling, facilitation and coordination of program events and activities, and provide on-site or virtual support during events.
• Support participant recruitment to ensure strong attendance and diverse representation across program activities through relevant communication channels, networks, partnerships and targeted outreach to small businesses, entrepreneurs, and community partners.
• Collaborate with program staff to ensure activities align with program objectives and timelines.
• Assist in organizing and coordinating the Small Business Summit.
• Ensure a smooth and engaging participant experience across all program activities

Deliverables

The Community Partner shall provide the following deliverables as part of the services described in this Scope of Work:

• Facilitate or co-facilitate, and provide coordination and logistical support for approximately seven to eight (7–8) program activities, which may include:
  • Small business networking events
  • Educational workshops or training sessions
  • A Small Business Summit
    • Specific topics, formats, and event structures will be finalized in collaboration with HF program's lead.
• Develop and implement an outreach and recruitment strategy to support participant engagement and attendance across program activities.
• Provide coordination and logistical support for the planning and execution of the Small Business Summit.
• Submit brief post-event summaries or activity reports outlining participation, key outcomes, and any relevant observations, lesson learned or recommendations.

Role Clarification

Hispanic Federation will retain full responsibility for determining the content, structure, timing, and objectives of all program activities. The community partner will not independently determine program content, scheduling, or event format unless explicitly authorized by HF.

Performance Period: The period of performance for this scope of work will be from mid-May through the end of September 2026.

Program activities will be scheduled throughout this period, with planning and outreach beginning in advance of the first event.

Total Funds Available: Up to $40,000 depending on the final program structure, number of activities, and level of logistical support required.

Payments and Reporting

Community Partner will submit monthly invoices and all supporting documentation. All payments must be aligned with progress toward deliverables.

Minimum Requirements

Proposals will be considered from community partners or entities that meet the following minimum qualifications:

• Alignment with HF values.
• Demonstrated experience supporting small business development programs, entrepreneurship initiatives, or community-based economic development efforts.
• Proven experience coordinating events, workshops, networking events, or similar programmatic activities.
• Ability to conduct outreach and engagement with small business owners, entrepreneurs, and community stakeholders.
• Experience managing logistical planning for in-person and/or virtual events.
• Strong organizational, communication, and project management skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with program leadership and implement activities based on provided guidance and program objectives.
• Ability to adhere to project timelines and deliver high-quality work on schedule.
• Ability to meet all federal contractor requirements, including the Uniform Guidance for Federal Awards (2 CFR 200) and other applicable federal requirements.
• Possess an EIN and be registered on SAM.gov.

Preferred Qualifications

Preference may be given to proposals that demonstrate:

• Strong networks and relationships within the local small business ecosystem in Connecticut.
• Experience working with diverse and underserved small business communities.
• Experience supporting grant-funded programs or initiatives with reporting and compliance requirements.
• Cultural and community competence.
• Strong collaborative skills.
• Spanish language proficiency.
• Proposal Submission

To apply, applicants must submit all required materials to SBA_RFP@hispanicfederation.org.

Due Date: April 17, 2026.

If selected, community partners must also provide:

• W-9, signed and dated in 2026 (must be the updated W-9 form)
• Voided check or bank letter
• Detailed budget breakdown

For questions on the RFP and the proposal submission process, please contact: Alicia Diaz at SBA_RFP@hispanicfederation.org.

This program is funded by a grant from the U.S. Small Business Administration.

GRANT APPLICATION QUESTIONS

1 Contact Information

1. Applicant entity name
2. Name of individual completing the application
3. Title/position of individual completing this application (if entity)
4. Email
5. Phone number
6. Street address
7. City, state, and ZIP code
8. EIN
9. Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) in Sam.gov (applicants are not required to be fully registered in SAM.gov, they only need to have a UEI)
10. Is the entity certified as a MWBE/Veteran Business in CT? YES / NO

2 Certifications

I understand and certify the following:

1. I am authorized to make any commitments on behalf of the entity that are inherent in the proposed services and rates included in this application. YES / NO
2. I/the entity meets(s) all federal contractor requirements, including the Uniform Guidance for Federal Awards (2 CFR 200) and any other applicable federal, state, and local requirements. YES / NO
3. I/the entity/all the proposed staff are not debarred or suspended by the Federal Government. 5 Hispanic Federation YES / NO
4. I/the entity/all the proposed staff are not debarred or suspended by the State of Connecticut. YES / NO
5. If you answered NO to any of the certification questions, please explain.

3 Scope of Work

a. Describe your approach to the assignment as described in this RFP.

4 Experience

1. Summary of experience: Summarize your experience and capacity to provide the proposed services.
2. Experience working with communities of color: Describe your experience working with diverse communities and populations in Connecticut and meeting community-specific needs.
3. Experience meeting public sector requirements: Describe instances where you were required to meet public-sector requirements and how you managed them.

5 References

List three (3) previous clients who can serve as a reference relevant to the proposed project. Provide information on three prior related assignments, including client’s name if applicable, email and phone number, period of performance, and a brief description of the work, including how it prepares you for this assignment.

6 Support Documents:

• Bios of proposed key personnel.
• Most recent Form 990 and/or financial statement for most recent program year, if a non-profit organization is applying.
• IRS 501(c)(3) certification letter, if a non-profit organization is applying.

To be considered, applicants must submit this application and all other required documents outlined in the RFP, no later than April 17, 2026 to SBA_RFP@hispanicfederation.org.

Spanish language proficiency.