RFQ | E3 Durham Data & Evaluation

Project Summary

The E3 Durham (E3D) program is designed to increase connectivity, counseling services, and capital access for underrepresented entrepreneurs in Durham/Durham County, NC. E3 Durham employs a community-centered model that reduces the cost of doing business for Durham entrepreneurs. Local Navigators—trusted advisors who have extensive relationships in the community—provide guidance to enrolled entrepreneurs at no cost. Simultaneous to program delivery, the program convenes the E3 Alliance, a group of local organizational leaders working collaboratively to advance the local entrepreneurial ecosystem.

 

ORGANIZATION BACKGROUND

Forward Cities is a national nonprofit with a firm belief that every entrepreneur deserves an equitable chance to launch and grow a business that generates wealth for themselves, their families, and their communities. Since more equitable business ownership holds great potential for addressing the racial wealth gap, we are on a mission to catalyze wealth-building opportunities for Black, Hispanic, and Indigenous entrepreneurs by transforming the way local communities see, support, and sustain those entrepreneurs.

 

Scope of Work

Forward Cities seeks to enter a non-exclusive, project-based agreement with a contractor to manage data and evaluation functions for Year 2 of the program. The primary area of responsibility is program impact monitoring and evaluation for E3 Durham, which includes measurement of program outcomes for the entrepreneurs and Alliance participants. The scope of work covers the development of an evaluation plan, survey design, survey administration, and analysis. In addition to program satisfaction and impact monitoring, we will also provide data specific to the data monitoring milestones for E3D clients with the Program Team to integrate into the program’s SourceLink record system.

Data Collection

1 year follow-up survey for E3D participants, starting August 2025 with rolling deployment through February 2026. Data monitoring milestones for E3D clients include:

• Program satisfaction
• New businesses formed
• Certification as MWBE as needed for government procurement*
• Business owners will transition from employment (PT or FT) to FT entrepreneurship
• New part time and full time jobs created*
• Revenue growth on average across enrolled entrepreneurs*
• Capital access

1 year follow up for Alliance in May 2025

• Satisfaction
• Trust Building
• Collaboration

Data Reporting

Quarterly Reports for E3D team, starting October 2025:

• Data monitoring milestones for E3D clients
• Survey response rate
• Summary data on program satisfaction

Timeline: Late Apr 2025 - Apr 2026

Budget: $20,000

 

RFQ Submission Requirements

Interested respondents should submit a concise statement of qualifications (not to exceed 5 pages, excluding appendices) covering the following:

1. Organizational Background & Relevant Experience

• Brief overview of the organization or consultant.
• Experience with program evaluation, survey design / administration and data analysis, particularly within entrepreneurial, small business, or DEI-related programs.

2. Project Approach & Methodology

• Overview of how you will approach the evaluation tasks outlined above.

3. Team Qualifications

• Key team member(s) bios, highlighting relevant qualifications and experience.

4. Relevant Project Examples

• Summaries of up to two similar projects, including outcomes and impacts.

5. References

• Provide two professional references familiar with your evaluation work.

 

Evaluation Criteria

Responses will be evaluated on:

• Relevant experience and qualifications (50%)
• Clarity and feasibility of proposed methodology (20%)
• Team capability and experience (20%)
• Alignment with project timeline and goals (10%)

 

Submission Details

• Deadline: April 14, 2025
• Format: PDF, single file
• Submission Method: Email submissions to myacinthe@forwardcities.org 

For questions, please contact Magalie Yacinthe at myacinthe@forwardcities.org. 

Thank you for your interest in supporting equitable entrepreneurship in Durham.