Content Provider RFP Development
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Request for Proposals To Conduct Leadership and Management Training
SUBMISSION DEADLINE: December 15, 2006
Objective
The Management and Evaluation Team responsible for developing a new Communications and Information Technology Leadership Institute seeks proposals from qualified, experienced individuals or organizations to design, develop, and conduct learning sessions in which institute participants will develop their leadership and management skills.
Overview
The Association for Communication Excellence in Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Life and Human Sciences, in partnership with other organizations, is developing a focused leadership/management institute to help communicators and information technologists develop the vision, leadership abilities, and management competencies to provide excellent leadership and expertise to the organizations they serve.
Institute Goals
- Ensure a cadre of innovative communicators and technologists well-prepared to provide leadership in meeting the demands and expectations of their college and university.
- Provide growth and advancement opportunities for communication and technology professionals.
- Advance the capabilities of individual professionals and consequently improve the communication and technology professions.
- Improve the standing of communications and information technology fields by developing professionals who effectively articulate the value and direction of these fields.
Desired Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the one-year Institute program, the participating learner will be able to
Manage Resources
- Plan, organize, and budget
- Manage human capital
- Understand own strengths and weaknesses (realistic self-assessment)
- Align resources to priorities, including business planning and entrepreneurship
- Run effective meetings
Plan and Manage Strategically
- Strategically plan for effective communication and technology initiatives, focusing on measurable results more than process
- Understand, foster, and manage innovation
- Support plans and recommendations with decision data
- Accurately assess and articulate the outcomes and value of communication and technology initiatives
- Understand methods for identifying, defining and solving problems and leading others through this process
- Understand the process and importance of identifying trends and issues within and outside the organization
See the “Big Picture”
- Recognize and understand cultural/ethnic differences
- Understand and share the vision and mission of the larger organization and develop a corresponding vision and mission for the communications/IT unit.
- Project the impact of decisions upon stakeholders
- Understand the political environment
- Take a “systems” perspective – inputs, outputs, rules, impacts, processes
- Understand culture change in an organization
Program Delivery
The institute will operate on a one-year cycle coordinated with ACE annual conferences. A new class of participants will be inducted and the program initiated on June 19–21, 2007, immediately following the 2007 ACE annual conference. A three-day, mid-year session will be conducted at a time and place to be determined. The third and final session will be conducted on June 9–10, 2008, immediately before the 2008 ACE conference, and their graduation ceremony will be held during that year’s conference. Class size is expected to be between 15 and 25 participants.
The learning outcomes identified above will be grouped in three teaching modules. The rationale for ordering the modules this way is to activate the participants’ prior knowledge developed from experience or interest in managing projects or people and to give them early success. The modules and experiences continue to build to understanding larger organizational issues. The three teaching modules will include:
- Module 1—"Managing Resources" -- incoming class session two days following the ACE meeting.
- Module 2—"Plan and Manage Strategically" -- three-day session mid-year in a retreat setting.
- Module 3—"See the Big Picture" -- two-day session prior to the ACE international meeting.
Three specific experiential learning components are expected to be included in the institute. First, the learners will complete an individual project that they will propose 30 days following Module 1. They will work on this project throughout the year while in the program. Second, learners will be expected to negotiate with their administrative heads the opportunity to participate in administrative meetings at the home institutions, providing them with local mentoring and insight into institutional issues. Third, small groups will conduct a case study project during the mid-year meeting.
An important component of the institute will be for the learner to identify an administrative sponsor who will work with the learner to identify a project as noted above that the learner will complete during the program. The outcomes of this relationship will be to provide the learner with an understanding of the larger organization, to guide the learner’s project and ensure institutional buy in, and to provide an opportunity to participate in the leadership environment of the institution.
Additional experiential learning opportunities will be provided throughout the modules and through on-going interaction via various distance technologies, enabling the interaction to carry on throughout the program and beyond.
International interaction will be included in the institute to promote recognition of cultural differences. International interaction will be facilitated during the program via distance technology. The International SIG will be asked to help develop these opportunities. A post-graduation international study tour will be offered to expand graduates’ understanding of cultural diversity and technology and communications in international settings.
During the ACE international meeting, the outgoing class will be recognized as graduates of the institute and will provide a poster session and selected formal presentations of their projects and experiences in the program. The brief formal presentations and graduation would be completed during a general session that would be followed by a poster session and reception for the graduates. This will serve as an opportunity to market the institute, recruit future classes, and introduce incoming participants to different types of projects.
Logistics
An Oversight Team comprising three members of the ACE past-presidents council and one current ACE officer with staggered terms is responsible for the Institute’s start up, on-going participant selection process, and annual review of hosting and content providers. The Oversight Team reports annually to the institute sponsors and funding sources.
The Management and Evaluation Team includes the Oversight Team, one member representing the NETC council, one member representing ADEC and/or any other partner groups, one member each of the hosting and content provider groups, (described below), and one previous participant. This team provides institute direction, assesses learning outcomes, develops fundraising strategies, and contributes to overall institute marketing.
An RFP has been issued for Hosting Services, which include:
- Registration of participants
- Logistical and technical support
- Marketing
- Helpdesk (customer service)
- Budget management
- Virtual environment, providing interactivity for cohorts during the program and beyond
Participants will be recommended from the pool of applicants by a review panel identified and managed by the Oversight Team and comprising two communication unit heads, two IT unit heads, one previous institute participant, one appropriate dean or vice president, one state Extension Service or AES director, and one representative of any institute sponsor that wishes to participate. The Oversight Team will make the final selection of participants.
Proposal Preparation and Submission
Proposal Content
Proposals must specify and describe the services to be offered, the fees to be charged, and the method of determining those fees, either for the entire package of services or itemized by individual service.
Proposals may address the entire range of services or a subset of those services, depending on the capabilities and interest of the respondent.
Optional services not identified in this RFP may be offered if their descriptions and fees are identified separately.
Respondents must include description and costs for any travel that will be necessary in providing the services, as well as any costs for telecommunication, office supplies, and other miscellaneous expenses if not included in the base cost.
Proposal Structure
- Overview/Abstract -- Describe the proposal (1 page)
- Specific Program Outline -- Explain who will accomplish what and when. Relate this information to described and expected learning outcomes. (3 pages for each of the three learning modules)
- List of professionals who will be developing and delivering the training and their credentials (3 pages)
- Description of the responding group's unique characteristics and capabilities for providing the required learning experiences (1 page)
Proposal Format and Transmittal
Proposals must be submitted in electronic form. Preferred formats are Microsoft Word, Acrobat PDF, or rich text format. Inquire before submitting proposals in any other format. Attachments should not exceed a total of 5 MB. Proposals may be accompanied by resumes, testimonials, and other supporting material in electronic form only. No gifts or other complimentary items will be accepted. Send proposals and supporting materials to leadme@ext.msstate.edu not later than December 15, 2006. The successful respondent will be notified by February 1, 2007.
Selection Criteria
Fees and the method of determining them will be factors in the selection of the successful proposal, although the Management and Evaluation Team will base its selection of service provider(s) on a number of factors and reserves the right not to accept the lowest cost proposal.
The selection factors include:
- demonstrated experience and success with other similar projects
- content expertise on the part of the people who will design and conduct the learning experiences
- demonstrated understanding of specific issues unique to communication and information technology.
Proposal reviewers reserve the right to provide feedback to respondents, arrange collaboration among respondents, and request the submission of revised "best and final" proposals within 30 days of notification.
For Additional Information
For further information about the project and requirements, contact:
- Dr. Kris Boone
- Head, Department of Communications
- Kansas State University
- 301 Umberger Hall
- Manhattan, KS 66506-3402
- (785) 532-5804
