TITLE
Recommendation to adopt Specifications No. RFP CM16-098 for Launch, Do, Grow: Business Solutions for Long Beach, Scope C;
Authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute any and all documents necessary for the Lease of City-owned property located at 309 Pine Avenue (Subject Property) to the Long Beach Community College District and BlankSpaces, LLC, for the maintenance, operation, and programming of a coworking space, Small Business Development Center consulting services, and an international business accelerator pilot program; and
Increase appropriations in the General Fund (GF) in the Economic Development Department by $250,000, offset by a release of funds received from the sale of former Redevelopment Agency-owned parcels for improvements at the Subject Property. (District 1)
DISCUSSION
On May 19, 2015, the City Council authorized the City Manager to receive grant funding from the Knight Foundation to identify innovative solutions to local government challenges. The Knight Foundation invests in civic innovators who help cities expand economic opportunity and create a culture of engagement. As part of this grant, the City engaged Citymart, a non-profit organization of New York, NY, to conduct an innovative open procurement challenge called “Launch, Do, Grow: Business Solutions for Long Beach,” to leverage public-private partnerships across sectors, and to maximize City-owned assets that will increase the number of businesses that start and grow in the City.
The Request for Proposals (RFP) was released on July 18, 2016, and 5,768 potential firms specializing in professional services and economic development were notified of the RFP opportunity. Of those proposers, 99 downloaded the RFP via the City’s electronic bid system. The RFP document was made available from the Purchasing Division, located on the seventh floor of City Hall, and the Division’s website at: www.longbeach.gov/purchasing
. An RFP announcem...
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