Small Business Program Feasibility Study

The City of Sacramento’s Economic Development Department (EDD) seeks a qualified consultant to assess the feasibility of three potential small business programs:

• Legacy Business Preservation Program
• Heritage Tourism Program
• Social Enterprise Incubator Program

The consultant will examine relevant program models from other jurisdictions and assess their applicability to Sacramento. Based on this analysis, the consultant will recommend whether and how the City should implement one or more pilot programs.

The consultant will evaluate the feasibility of the three program concepts described in Section 1. The consultant will review relevant documents, examine comparable programs in other jurisdictions, assess local conditions, and compare the concepts to determine how the City could implement them in Sacramento.

The study must prioritize the most feasible concept or concepts and provide an implementation framework for at least one pilot program. Proposers must complete the work within six months and the **$40,000** budget.

Task 1. Project Initiation and Management

Develop a project management approach that supports timely delivery, clear communication, and coordination with City staff. Conduct a kickoff meeting to confirm the study objectives, work plan, schedule, data needs, and key decision points. Provide regular progress updates throughout the project.

Task 2. Background, Existing Conditions, and Evaluation Framework

Review and synthesize relevant City plans, Council materials, Business Solutions Center information, demographic and small business data, tourism and cultural economy information, Visit Sacramento’s cultural tourism efforts and research on business succession, employee ownership, cooperatives, and social enterprise. Develop consistent criteria for comparing and evaluating the three program concepts.

Task 3. Peer Program and Best Practices Research

Research relevant programs implemented by cities, counties, economic development organizations, tourism organizations, and other entities. Analyze at least two comparable examples for each program concept, when available, and identify models that Sacramento could adapt.

Task 4. Legacy Business Preservation Program Feasibility Assessment

Assess the feasibility of a Legacy Business Preservation Program. [...]

Task 5. Heritage Tourism Program Feasibility Assessment

Assess the feasibility of a Heritage Tourism Program that supports authentic, neighborhood-based visitor experiences and local economic activity. [...]

Task 6. Social Enterprise Incubator Program Feasibility Assessment

Assess the feasibility of a Social Enterprise Incubator Program that supports new enterprises and ownership transitions involving cooperatives, Certified B Corporations, employee-ownership models, Employee Stock Ownership Plans, and other employee-owned or mission-driven business models.

Task 7. Comparative Evaluation, Recommendations, and Pilot Implementation Framework

Compare the three program concepts using the evaluation framework developed under Task 2. [...] Recommend whether the City should advance one or more concepts and identify the strongest candidate for an initial pilot.

Task 8. Draft and Final Feasibility Study

Prepare a clear, concise, and implementation-focused feasibility study that integrates the research, program-specific assessments, comparative analysis, recommendations, and pilot implementation framework.

Deliverables include an *Administrative Draft Feasibility Study*, a *Revised Draft Feasibility Study*, a *Final Feasibility Study*, and an Executive Summary and standalone comparative recommendation matrix.

Proposers must submit all responses electronically through the City’s online bid portal, PlanetBids, by **December 4, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. PST**. The City will not accept late submissions or submissions delivered by any method other than electronic upload through PlanetBids.

Proposers must submit all questions, requests for interpretation, and requests for clarification through PlanetBids by **November 20, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. PST**. The City will not accept questions by phone or email.

Proposers must submit a task-based, time-and-materials budget that identifies personnel, hours, hourly rates, subcontractors, and reimbursable expenses. Proposed budgets must not exceed **$40,000**.

The LBE 5% Preference is applicable to this Request for Proposals. The LBE Participation Requirement is not applicable or has been waived for this Request for Proposals.

A point system will be used to evaluate the proposals. Contract(s) will be awarded based on which proposal(s) are deemed to provide the best value to the City.

The selected firm will be required to submit the necessary certificate(s) of insurance and endorsements as called for in the contract’s General Provisions prior to award of the contract.

Anticipated Contract Start: February 1, 2027. Final Deliverables Due: August 31, 2027.