The Nebraska Department of Economic Development (DED) is issuing an RFP for the purpose of selecting a qualified entity to provide services necessary to carry out the functions of the Small Business Assistance Act. Bidders are responsible for providing management services on behalf of the Department.
LB450 creates the Small Business Assistance Act (SBAA) which provides grants of up to twenty-five thousand dollars to individuals looking to start a small business and up to twelve thousand five hundred dollars to individuals who own a small business that has been in existence for no more than five years. LB450 also states the Department of Economic Development shall contract with a private entity to provide professional counseling services to individuals who are looking to start a small business or who have started a small business within the previous five years.
The goals of the Department are:
- Engage new and traditional partners in program ideation
- To invest in small businesses with growth potential
- Enable access to SBAA funding across the State of Nebraska
- To invest in small businesses that have traditionally lacked access to funding
Eligible Applicants include private entities that can provide the following services: Accounting and budgeting; Tax return preparation; Human resources; How to write a business plan; Payroll processes; Financial planning and investments; Debt management; Strategic planning; Technology coaching; and Financial statement review. The private entity shall not have any other contracts with the state that involve the provision of services described above.
To bid on the RFP, please apply here: https://das.nebraska.gov/materiel/purchasing/RFP%20113737%20O3/RFP%20113737%20O3.html
Proposals must be submitted by the opening date and specified time: Wednesday, January 18, 2023 at 2 p.m.