Request for Proposals - Buyer/Broker Consultant for NYS Matchmaking
CADE seeks a consultant to connect our network of clients with buyer and market matchmaking to increase local food procurement. The Goal of our project is increasing farm and food business profitability, viability and sustainability through market matchmaking. This consultancy position will act as a liaison to brokers and buyers of New York products and will report to, and work directly with, CADE’s Value Chain and Marketing specialist, Kaitlyn Sirna.
The primary objectives are to:
1) Enhance CADEs network of buyers who value purchasing local and New York sourced, regeneratively produced, and other value-based purchasing;
2) Map buyers’ procurement needs in 12 key areas (e.g., product specs, required certifications, min volume, delivery expectations, etc.) to facilitate ‘smart’ matches between buyers and producers; and
3) Provide an analysis of buyer landscape and demand for produce, products, value-propositions and other.
| SCOPE OF WORK |
| Project Overview |
| This consultancy will support CADE in identifying new market opportunities for its hundreds of clients of farm and food businesses which grow seasonal NY produce, meats, and value-added products that can meet the needs of large buyers. This project will support CADE in enhancing its buyer list with data collection and the direct introduction to key purchasers interested in procuring NY products and participating in value-based procurement practices. |
| Deliverables: |
*RFPs can be submitted for one or more buyer-industry type, potentially changing the scope of the project and thus buyer deliverable |
| Qualifications |
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| TO APPLY |
| Proposal: |
| Please submit a proposal (not to exceed 2 pages) to Kaitlyn (kaitlyn @cadefarms.org) with subject “B&B Consultant” by December 15, 2023 that contains the following information:
(1) a brief letter of interest, highlighting your resume, qualifications, and how you would approach leveraging your networks to encourage local food and value-based procurement (Describing how you would encourage purchasing could be better detailed in #3); (3) a proposed work plan, including a start date; and *Fee for service should be all inclusive – travel, phone, etc. |
| Fee & Timeline |
| Fee and timeline will vary greatly by current status of relationships with buyers. A consultant with an active network of buyers might complete this work in as little as six weeks, where others may need upwards of three months to cultivate meaningful relationships to then pass to CADE.
CADE is grant funded and therefore the budget range is dependent on the start/end date, and the determination of one or more consultants. This project has consulting fees earmarked for up to $40,000. |
| Proposal Submission Process |
| Proposals will be accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis, until the right candidate(s) is/are found. This project is to be completed by April 30, 2024, with a start date of no later than January 15, 2024. For follow up or additional questions, please contact Kaitlyn Sirna at kaitlyn@cadefarms.org
No phone calls please. Farmers, people of color, persons with disabilities, women and LGBTQ+ consultants or MWBEs are encouraged to apply and will be given priority consideration for contracting. |
