Request for Proposal – Economic Development Investment

Founded in 1982, NORTHWEST BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION is a Certified Development Company (CDC) licensed by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) dedicated to overseeing the SBA’s 504 loan program. Our mission is to strengthen business growth, create jobs, and retain employment by offering quality small business loan services at fixed rates within our service area, in collaboration with local lenders and the SBA. We take great pride in contributing to the economic growth and stability of our region.

As part of our core values, we aim to foster sustainable economic development by annually allocating a portion of our reserve funds to support the communities we proudly serve across all of Washington, Oregon, and Idaho. These investments are primarily intended to strengthen and empower our local institutions, enabling more small businesses to grow and contribute to a more dynamic and growing reginal economy. We may also seek additional investments in social services that support the well-being and improve the lives of vulnerable or at-risk individuals within these communities. By enhancing the stability of working families, we help contribute to the overall reliability of the workforce.

9019 RE HOLDINGS, Northwest Business Development Association’s parent company, is seeking proposals from a diverse range of organizations including certified micro-lenders, economic development and/or workforce development companies, technical assistance providers, non-profit and charitable organizations, religious groups and organizations, and other community focused entities that will utilize the award funds to support business development outcomes through micro-lending programs, entrepreneurial training/incubator space, scholarships to students, enhanced program impact, workforce development, and/or workforce support and stabilization not limited to any or all of the following targeted populations:

• Youth (K-12)
• Religious Organizations
• Minorities Groups
• Non-Profit Organizations
• Individuals with Disabilities
• Underserved Communities
• Adult Education/Training

NOTE: One or more successful bidder(s) will be awarded up to $50,000.00 in grants to carry out the above-mentioned work. The grant is non-renewable and during the period of project NORTHWEST BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION will require quarterly outcome reporting to evaluate the impact of the investment through economic development and job creation, and/or number of clients served. Grants can range from $10,000 – $35,000 due to applicant coverage.

Submit a proposal in either Microsoft Word or PDF format by September 5, 2025, that includes each of the items listed below. Proposals should reflect the bidder’s careful attention to detail.

Proposals Must Include the Following Elements:

1. Clear description of work: including the specific targeted population(s) (by name) that will benefit from the services funded through this initiative.
2. Experience of institution: in delivering microloans, economic development/workforce development, and/or social services to the community and populations served in. This includes a history and description of the services provided, the industry sectors involved, and the populations that have benefited from previous activities.
3. Please list any partner organizations: in the community that the bidder will work with to leverage and enhance successful business development using these funds. Bidder may include letters of support from partner organizations.
4. Detailed budget: and explanation for utilization of funds to achieve outcomes; and
5. Business License, and 501(c)(3) documentation: (if applicable).

Questions and Proposal Submission:

Email questions to Sage Baker, sbaker@nwbusiness.org.
Email proposals (or upload below) to Sage Baker, sbaker@nwbusiness.org, by September 5, 2025 no later than 4:30 p.m.

If awarded a contract, the bidder shall be required to provide copies of the following:

1. Quarterly reports: are due on the last day of the month following the end of each calendar quarter including the following information:

Micro-Lenders:
• New loans disbursed and the dollar amount,
• Jobs created,
• Outstanding loans and outstanding loan balance,
• Portfolio at risk,
• Annual defaults, and
• Status of overall loan portfolio.

Economic Development Providers:
• Number of individuals that acquired knowledge or skills,
• New employment directly related from knowledge or skills acquired,
• Number of individuals which improved work performance,
• Companies that benefited from the funds, and
• Specific time period funds will be used.

Social Services:
• Number of clients served, and
• Approximate value of goods/services provided.

Other Organizations:
• Number of clients served, and
• Approximate value of goods/services provided.

2. Annual reports: should include how the funds aid existing businesses and/or start-up companies in the process of creating or retaining jobs, by increasing the quantity and quality of jobs; assisting and supporting distressed neighborhoods and/or targeted populations listed above; and, if applicable, increase taxable basis by attracting, retaining or expanding businesses.

Materials submitted in response to this competitive procurement shall become the property of NORTHWEST BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION. All received Proposals shall remain confidential until the award of contract recommendation has been made. Thereafter, the Proposals shall be deemed public records as defined in RCW 42.56, “Public Records.”

Any information within the Proposal that the bidder desires to claim as proprietary and exempt from disclosure under the provisions of state law shall be clearly designated. Each page claimed to be exempt from disclosure must be clearly identified by the word “Confidential” printed on it. Marking the entire Proposal exempt from disclosure will not be accepted.

NORTHWEST BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION will consider a bidder’s request for exemption from disclosure; however, NORTHWEST BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION will decide predicated upon state law and regulations. If any information is marked as proprietary in the Proposal, it will not be made available until the affected bidder has been given an opportunity to seek a court injunction against the requested disclosure.

In 2024, NWBDA was able to give away a grand total of $149,000 to organizations devoted to making an impact. Those organizations include Economic Development Alliance of Skagit County (EDASC), Seattle Good Business Network, HopeWorks, Micro Enterprise Services of Oregon (MESO), CSS Foundations, and SCORE (Portland, OR; Central OR; Seattle, WA; Spokane, WA; and CDA, ID).