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APPLY to CAPACITY BUILDING “TRAIN THE TRAINER” REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

Overview 

MassDevelopment seeks a qualified Massachusetts-based organization to design and deliver a Capacity Building “Train-the-Trainer” program for Business Support Organizations which service programs administered by MassDevelopment. The goal is to strengthen the effectiveness, consistency, and reach of services delivered to small and microbusinesses so they can more effectively start, stabilize, grow and access capital. 

 

Purpose 

Business Support Organizations (BSO), for the purposes of this RFP, are organizations that have been awarded funds from MassDevelopment to service the Small Business Technical Assistance (SBTA) Grant Program and/or the Lending Capital Matching Grant Program (“CDFI”). We strive to develop and elevate the expertise, competencies, and abilities of BSOs to address the changing needs of the Massachusetts small business landscape, respond to economic uncertainty, and facilitate lending to small businesses that are unable to obtain traditional sources of capital. More specifically, we are seeking an organization that can:

 

  • Improve the quality of technical assistance for small and microbusinesses offered through BSOs.
  • Build organizational capacity and resilience among BSOs.
  • Equip BSOs with the tools, skills and operational capabilities to address the changing needs of the Massachusetts small business landscape.
  • Leverage opportunities to increase equitable access to capital, advice, and resources for historically underserved entrepreneurs.

 

Proposals are not expected to exceed five (5) pages, excluding required supplemental documentation outlined in #5. We encourage interested applicants to reflect on how the goals and objectives stated above inform their proposed plans within submitted materials. Failure to submit a complete proposal with all pertinent materials will result in reduced competitiveness and/or denial of funding.

 

Submission Guidelines

Complete proposals containing all supplemental information must be uploaded and submitted beginning Wednesday, July 8, 2026 until 11:59 p.m. Wednesday, August 26, 2026 via the Submittable grants management system, through the link provided in this RFP. Late proposals will not be accepted. 

 

Proposals will be evaluated based on the following:

· Strategic Alignment with team & agency mission and program priorities, goals & objectives; 

  • Experience & Capacity: Demonstrated experience in small business development and capacity building, with a      history of successfully managing similar projects. Ability to implement proposed      activities and achieve projected outcomes within the required timeframe;
  • Program Design: Quality and suitability of the      proposed training/coaching methods; Responsiveness to small business needs and opportunities;
  • Financial Feasibility: Reasonability of budget and alignment      with proposed activities

All materials submitted will become the property of MassDevelopment and must be made available for reproduction and may not be copyrighted.  

 APPENDICES

Appendix A – Scope of Work Template 

 

Please refer to the following links for complete guidelines:   https://massdevelopment.com/rfps-and-rfqs/