RFP# 92345 - Grants Consulting Services

The University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC) seeks a qualified grants consulting firm to provide strategic and operational support throughout the grant lifecycle, including opportunity identification, prospect research, proposal development, submission support, congressional and earmark funding support, post-award guidance, training, and strategic intelligence services. The Contractor shall support UMGC’s efforts to secure public and private funding opportunities that align with institutional priorities. Based on institutional needs, the Contractor may also evaluate and recommend improvements to grants processes and procedures.

The Contractor shall provide dedicated leadership, project management, and consulting services across the grant lifecycle for up to five (5) grant projects annually. Services may include:

• Funding opportunity identification and qualification;
• Grant strategy development;
• Proposal planning and project management;
• Compliance reviews
• Expert peer review
• Proposal and subject matter expert coaching
• Investigator guidance
• Grant writing and proposal development support that includes editing
• Coordination with UMGC subject matter experts and stakeholders;
• Budget development support;
• If applicable will provide the following services specifically to Congressional Ads and Community Funding: Congressional delegation analysis, Congressional engagement strategy, Earmark project development, Appropriations tracking, Submission management, Post-appropriation federal agency application support
• Submission support and grant portal management;
• Post-award guidance and compliance support; and
• Assistance with federal, state, local, private foundation, congressional add, and earmark opportunities.

The Contractor shall provide up to six (6) prospect research engagements annually. Each engagement shall result in a written funding opportunity memorandum that identifies prospective funders; evaluates alignment with UMGC priorities; assesses competitiveness and eligibility; and recommends funding strategies and next steps. [...]

During the initial contract period, the Contractor shall evaluate UMGC’s existing grants management processes and provide recommendations for improvement. [...]

The Contractor shall provide:

• One (1) faculty and staff development workshop annually focused on grant-seeking best practices;
• Post-award compliance training for Grants and Sponsored Programs staff and other institutional stakeholders;
• Guidance and coaching designed to strengthen internal grant development capabilities; and
• Assist with the development of content specific to post-award financial training

The Contractor shall provide ongoing strategic intelligence services, including monitoring federal and state funding trends; policy and legislative updates affecting grant funding; and access to a contractor-maintained grants intelligence platform, funding database, strategic intelligence resources and related research tools. [...]

The Contractor shall provide, at a minimum: a grants process assessment report and recommendations; a grants process roadmap and supporting documentation; up to six (6) written funding opportunity memoranda annually; biweekly strategic intelligence briefings; a dedicated account manager, biweekly coordination meetings and quarterly leadership meetings; and senior leadership briefings and presentations as requested.

**Submission method:** Technical Proposals must be uploaded electronically at the UMGC Bid Locker link no later than **11:00 AM ET on 12/01/2026**. Proposers must be registered on Bid Locker prior to uploading proposals. File names for the Technical Proposal documents are to include the RFP number and the Proposer’s name. NO PRICING INFORMATION is to be provided in the Technical Proposal.

Bid Locker link: https://bidlocker.us/details/6643_Umgc_Rfp_92345_Grants_Consulting_Services

Price Proposals will be requested at the appropriate time via addendum to all applicable shortlisted firms.

**Scoring:** Technical merit will have a greater weight than cost in the final ranking. The Technical Criteria, items 2.1 through 2.10, are listed in order of importance.

**Insurance:** Provide an electronic copy of a *Certificate of Insurance* verifying your firm’s Coverage for Commercial General Liability, Workmen’s Compensation, and Professional Liability. Amounts should match the Sample Contract in Appendix C.

**Contract term:** The Contract shall be in effect for two years, with an anticipated start date on or about February 1, 2027. There are no renewal options.