Request for Proposal (RFP) and Specifications for Workforce Development Education Contractor for the Emerald South – Terra Firma Project
RFP Release
April 16, 2025 at 2:00 PM CST
PRE-PROPOSAL MEETING
April 23, 2025 at 3:00 PM CST
DEADLINE FOR QUESTIONS
April 30, 2025 at 5:00 PM CST
PROPOSALS DUE
May 13, 2025 at 5:00 PM CST
PREPARED BY
Delta Institute
35 E. Wacker Drive, Suite 1760
Chicago, IL 60601
About Delta Institute
Delta Institute is a 501(c)(3) organization. Delta Institute collaborates with communities to solve complex environmental challenges throughout the Midwest. We address Midwestern environmental, economic, and climate challenges today so that our home and region are more resilient, equitable, and innovative tomorrow.
RFP Submittal Requirements
One (1) digital original proposal must be submitted.
The digital copy should be emailed to hmhardy@delta-institute.org and jzouras@delta-institute.org.
The digital proposal should be received by Delta Institute before Tuesday, May 13, 2025 at 5:00 PM CST.
Pre-Proposal Meeting
Delta Institute will hold a pre-proposal meeting on Wednesday, April 23, 2025 at 3:00 PM CST.
The meeting will include a summary of the project, proposal process, and review of prospective proposer’s questions.
Participants can join the meeting by clicking on the Microsoft Teams link below:
Meeting ID: 242 989 660 975
Passcode: kN25dJ9f
Questions
For any questions regarding the RFP, please email Helen Hardy, Delta Institute at hmhardy@delta-institute.org. All questions must be received by Wednesday, April 30, 2025 at 5:00 PM CST.
All questions will be answered and issued to all companies that are on the RFP holders list. If you are unsure if you are on the RFP holder’s list, please contact Helen Hardy, Delta Institute, Phone: 312-554-0900 ext. 11 or email: hmhardy@delta-institute.org to confirm.
Project Description
Communities on the south and west sides of Chicago continue to be disproportionally impacted by the impacts of climate change and flooding, coupled with long-standing disinvestment, systemic injustices, degraded infrastructure, and lack of access to nature. As climate change impacts continue to accelerate, increased problems related to urban flooding, stormwater runoff, and infrastructure limitations all threaten public health, water quality, economic opportunity, and quality of life. These factors compound efforts by Chicago communities, especially those on the South Side—who are pursuing economic and environmental recovery from these systemic failings and legacy injustice.
Additionally, the Chicago Regional Trees Initiative’s most recent tree census showed a continued loss of trees in South Side neighborhoods while also having hundreds of vacant/underutilized properties. This loss of tree canopy increases urban heat island effects, further threatening public health during extreme heat events, and the prevalence of impervious surfaces exacerbate stormwater runoff and localized flooding. Property values in South Side neighborhoods are impacted by poorly maintained and vacant lots, and there is a lack of access to employment opportunities and workforce development training, negatively impacting the economic wellbeing of residents.
Project Overview
Delta Institute is working to improve environmental quality while also increasing economic development opportunity in Chicago’s South Side communities through several initiatives that support Emerald South’s Terra Firma project—a project that focuses on the revitalization of vacant land primarily in the South Shore, Washington Park, and Woodlawn neighborhoods.
As such, Delta intends to undertake the following four tasks:
- Maintenance and improvement of the Terra Firma vacant lots
- Community engagement and mapping
- Workforce development
- Rebuilding community garden capacity
This Request for Proposals is focused on Workforce Development (Task 3). This task focuses on overcoming employment barriers for residents in the South Shore, Washington Park, and Woodlawn communities. Delta seeks a contractor to manage and deliver adult Workforce Development Training to equip local residents with the skills needed to pursue careers in green infrastructure, landscaping, and environmental sustainability. Task 3 will align with the training needs identified while working on the maintenance and enhancement of vacant lots (Task 2). This approach ensures that the training program is tailored to the specific needs of the community, facilitating a seamless integration of workforce development and vacant lot revitalization efforts.
The contractor will also engage high school students from partner communities in experiential learning activities, raising their awareness about urban environmental challenges and green infrastructure. Efforts will be designed to share, support, and equip young individuals with opportunities for personal and professional growth in potential sustainability-focused careers. The program will offer students a chance to become actively involved in environmental sustainability efforts as we hope these efforts may serve as a platform for high school students to become climate citizen scientists, actively contributing to the community while developing crucial skills and exploring environmental issues focusing on horticulture, urban agriculture, and forestry. The focus is on developing solutions for urban green infrastructure challenges posed by climate change and heat vulnerability.
Workforce Development (Task 3) project goals include:
- Developing a workforce development training program with opportunities for replication and scalable expansion.
- Training adults in skills directly applicable to green space maintenance and improvement, including hands-on field training opportunities.
- Creating a pipeline of skilled workers for Terra Firma projects and other local green initiatives.
- Fostering economic empowerment by creating pathways to long-term employment in green industries.
- Creating awareness among youth to explore sustainability-focused career paths.
Delivery of services will be in accordance with the terms, conditions, and requirements set forth in this Request for Proposals. Successful vendors will provide the specified requirements in accordance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, standards, and regulations necessary to perform the scope of services.
Acknowledgements
This funding is provided through generous support of the Restore, Reinvest, and Renew (R3) Program by the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority (ICJIA).
Project Scope
The selected firm(s) (hereinafter referred to as “Contractor”) shall serve as part of the Project Team. The maximum amount allocated for the Workforce Development scope of services is $50,000. Based the scope outlined below, the Contractor shall either:
- Deliver a new, standalone workforce development program, or
- Integrate the scope into an existing training initiative.
Whether launching a dedicated program (Option 1) or augmenting current offerings (Option 2), the selected Contractor will provide adult and youth participants from Chicago’s South Shore, Washington Park, and Woodlawn neighborhoods with skill-building opportunities in green infrastructure, landscaping, and environmental sustainability. The proposed training must align with the goals and structure outlined in this scope below—delivering five months of in-class and hands-on fieldwork for adults, alongside engaging, exploratory learning for high school students. Contractors are encouraged to leverage their experience and existing programming to meet project goals efficiently while expanding access to long-term, meaningful employment pathways in the green infrastructure sector.
Services to be rendered are detailed in the linked RFP.
Delta Institute will support promotion, community engagement, and partnership development for the Workforce Development training program. Delta will also help foster partnerships with local contractors, employment partners, and community groups to ensure the program’s success and sustainability. Through these efforts, Delta will ensure the program meets the needs of the community while strengthening ties with key stakeholders to maximize job placement opportunities and workforce development in the targeted neighborhoods.
The chosen Contractor is expected to work closely with Delta Institute to ensure that the project’s design and implementation work is properly completed in a cost-effective, responsive, and timely manner.