Request For Proposal (RFP) - Tribal Wood Markets Business Development and Investment

Issued by Sustainable Northwest, in partnership with the Intertribal Timber Council

Issuing Organization

Sustainable Northwest (SNW)

Program Partner

Intertribal Timber Council (ITC)

Engagement Type

Independent Contractor

Location

Portland, OR preferred; remote and home-office based candidates welcome

Reports To

Steve Rigdon, SNW Tribal Partnership & Resource Stewardship Specialist

Anticipated Start Date

September 2026

Budget

Contractor work: $873,000.00

Contract Term

Up to five years

Submission Deadline

August 24, 2026 — open until filled

1. Background

Sustainable Northwest (SNW) forges natural resource solutions that benefit nature, people, and local economies. SNW partners with rural communities and Tribal Nations throughout the Northwest on projects that promote healthy forests, farms, and ranches, smart water use, and clean energy. Sustainable Northwest was founded in 1994, to forge collaborative solutions for conserving forests and community healthy.

Today’s challenges have multiplied and become more complex with climate change, catastrophic wildfires, and persistent drought affecting the region. SNW remains committed to the belief that nature, people, and local economies can thrive together.

To advance this work, SNW has partnered with the Intertribal Timber Council (ITC) to support Tribal partners in developing community-centered visions for land stewardship that secure cultural and ecological values.

1. Purpose of this RFP

SNW and ITC are partnering on a five-year, Tribal-led forestry initiative to support Tribes' forest management goals by building wood-products economies aligned with communities' stewardship objectives.

SNW and ITC are creating a scalable model that incubates a Wood and Biomass Hub, starting by committing resources to three Tribal communities and expanding support to broader communities as and resources allow.

SNW and ITC have strong relationships with Tribal communities and plan to lead Tribal partner engagement, Tribal Council interaction, and have dedicated resources to assist in completion of this work.

We are seeking proposals from a qualified and experienced Contractor to lead our Tribal Wood Markets Business Development and Investment efforts by supporting the Hub’s work under the guidance of SNW leadership and ITC, and partnering directly with three Tribal communities in the initial pilot phase. This opportunity will support development of new businesses by: developing business plans, feasibility studies, conducting capital readiness assessments and market analyses, structuring financing, engaging market partners, coordinating with banks, foundations, and private investors, and preparing investment-grade materials to facilitate transactions.

This engagement is supported by a secured five-year grant with clear program milestones. The Contractor will have latitude to identify critical needs and opportunities beyond immediate plans and the flexibility to respond to evolving partner needs. This initiative is designed to transition from SNW to ITC by Year 4, preserving this capacity within a Tribal-led institution over the long term.

1. Scope of Work and Expected Outcomes

The selected Contractor will be expected to, at minimum:

Market Development -

• Support selection and ongoing engagement of the three pilot Tribal communities — including strategic business development and planning, financial structuring, transaction preparation, and permitting requirements — with support from SNW and ITC.
• Identify and prioritize “ready now” projects that can demonstrate early momentum and attract additional investment.
• Lead development of business plans, feasibility studies, or similar resources for Tribal communities in support of wood products, biomass, and residual utilization opportunities, prioritizing work within the three pilot communities.

Financing -

• Conduct capital readiness assessments for a “short-list” of partner Tribal communities, establishing a clear baseline of financial position, project pipeline, and investment needs.
• Develop tailored financing structures and capital stack models, prepare investment-grade pro formas inclusive of risk mitigation strategies, and facilitate transactions to secure or align at least $5 million in new infrastructure investment by Year 5.
• Assess the viability of a prospective wood products infrastructure investment fund, as a new fund or alignment as a priority under an existing fund, that would emphasize Tribal business ventures and workforce; provide a go/no-go recommendation by Year 3 and, if approved, support development and due diligence for the fund.

Scale -

• Track progress against project milestones — transactions, investment dollars, jobs supported, and acres stewarded — and contribute to funder reporting, while supporting the transition of this position's capacity from SNW to ITC by Year 4.
• Develop case studies documenting how transactions came together, to serve as models for replication, and separately summarize key convenings and meetings, capturing takeaways, action items, and follow-up commitments.
• Contribute to a national scaling roadmap and final evaluation report, positioning pilot communities' outcomes and lessons learned as a replicable model for capital access and infrastructure development.

Network -

• Work with the SNW and ITC team, Tribal communities, Tribal Councils, Tribal natural resource departments, technical partners, capital providers, mills, manufacturers, and government stakeholders to build a durable regional wood-products network that supports healthy forests and thriving communities.
• Ensure that proposed financing structures and business ventures are shaped by, and accountable to, community direction, through regular engagement with Tribal partners, Tribal natural resource departments, Tribal Council, business community members, and internal champions.

1. Eligibility Criteria

• 5+ years of experience in business development, project finance, capital acquisition, or Tribal enterprise leadership.
• Experience preparing and presenting feasibility studies, financial models, and investment-ready project materials.
• Experience in wood products markets and business development.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to handle confidential information with integrity.

1. Preferred Additional Experience

• Master’s degree, or equivalent experience, in natural resources, business, or finance.
• Demonstrated experience working with or for Tribal communities, governments, or enterprises.
• Familiarity with Tribal sovereignty and Tribal forestry or natural resource management.
• Creativity in identifying additional ways to grow value for Tribal partners and rural communities.

1. Evaluation Considerations

Proposals will be reviewed by our Wood Markets team. A Short list of finalists may be invited to interview. The selected contractor will be notified by September 28th. Engagement will begin promptly after the agreement is finalized.

SNW recognizes that few candidates will meet all requested qualifications. Applicants are encouraged to apply even if their experience does not align with all listed qualifications, and to highlight the skills and experience unique to them in their cover letter. Proposals will be considered based on relevant experience, demonstrated Tribal partnership work, communication ability, and fit with the mission and goals of this initiative.

1. Proposal Submission Instructions

Interested applicants should submit a detailed proposal that includes:

1. Qualifications and experience, including a list of clients and references, particularly those in Tribal partnership or forest management.
2. Description of the approach, methodology, and experience with wood products companies.
3. Clear description of what secured funding enables, as it relates to named outcomes, as well as how you would handle providing resources to communities beyond the 3 primary pilots, as time and funding allow.
4. Estimated time for completing scope of work, including key milestones
5. A proposed fee structure for contractor services, including any additional costs
6. Any potential conflicts of interest or other relevant disclosures

Proposal Submission Deadline:

Proposals must be submitted by August 24, 2026.

Submit to:

Submission via email, with the subject line “Tribal Wood Markets Business Development and Investment Contractor.” Dassi Owens — dowens@sustainablenorthwest.org

Please note:

• Incomplete submissions will not be considered.
• Please make no phone calls or email inquiries regarding this posting.
• Interview questions will be provided to candidates in advance of any interview.
• References will be requested from finalist candidates.