Request For Proposals

Below is the complete Request for Proposals.  If you are interested in starting a bike project, adding to your existing program, or want to know more about this decision, please read below!

 

Derailer Bicycle Collective Request for Proposals (RFP)

Date of issue: October 1, 2012

Close date: December 1, 2012

Decision date: January 15, 2013

 

Derailer Contact:

Derailer Proposals Voicemail: (720) 722-4114

Submit questions, comments & final proposals to: proposals@derailerbicyclecollective.org

Summary
The Derailer Bicycle Collective is transitioning. After 10 years of operation, we no longer have the dedicated people-power to continue our bicycle programming in Denver. The Collective has decided to accept serious proposals from groups who want to use Derailer’s resources (tools/parts/materials) in the future.

Goals

• To find new life, energy & direction for the bikes, parts, tools, knowledge and skills that have made up the Derailer Bicycle Collective in the past so that these resources may continue to be put to use.
• Preserve bicycle programming that meets the needs of a group or groups ill-served by current bicycle resources such as those who are poor or working-class, school-age kids, women & transgender people, homeless folks, recently-released populations, and those who are Spanish-speaking-only.

Submission Procedure
We invite proposals from existing programs or organizations, proposals from start-up groups, proposals that would utilize all OR only a portion of Derailer’s current inventory, proposals that combine people and bicycles in ways that Derailer has done for years or has never even tried. In other words, from anybody.
Submit cover letter and answers to the included questions by doing one of the following:

1. Email as attachments to proposals@derailerbicyclecollective.org or
2. bring two (2) printed copies to the Derailer bike shop (411 Lipan St) and drop them in the envelope on the “RFP Bulletin Board.”

Proposals must be received by December 1, 2012.
A panel of current and past Collective members will review and evaluate all proposals. We may ask further questions and want to meet with you in December so please be available to be contacted.
The Collective will make a decision and respond to all applicants by January 15, 2013.

A Few Notes & Tips About the RFP Process:

• Derailer will host an RFP Open House in early November. We will answer questions for applicants at that time. Date & Time will be posted on the website and RFP Bulletin Board in the shop.

We Feel Strongly About:

1. Finding a good home or homes for Derailer’s infrastructure that has been built over the past decade. We are doing this because we love Derailer, what it has meant to each of us personally, the thousands of people who have learned mechanics here, and the thousands of bikes that were put back on the streets because of it.
2. Staying on our timeline, as many key leaders will be stepping down at the end of 2012.
3. Getting clear answers to ALL the questions we included. (Many people critical to the life of Derailer gave their input to this process and each question is asked for a reason. If you need clarification, please ask. See Derailer Contact

But, We Do Not Care About:

1. Formal “RFP” language or formatting.
2. Grammar, spelling, margins. We just need to understand that you are a dedicated group with a good plan. (And if writing in this way is not your strong suit, please contact us so we can make a time to talk.)
3. That your model for a bike program is the same as Derailer’s was in the past.

Terms and Conditions of the RFP
What you “get” if you “win”:
(Note: Quantity of bicycle components is approximate and may fluctuate in the coming months.)

1. Approximately 4 complete basic bicycle tool sets
2. Special & rare bike tools! (cotter pin press, frame-bending tools, tap & die, etc)
3. 300 busted and/or rusty bicycles, complete (100 kids-size + 200 adult-size)
4. Tool benches, rotary bins, wooden work benches
5. Tubes & tires
6. 3 tons (yeah, 3000 lbs!) of small bike parts (from generations of bicycle types & models) sorted ! into little drawers and containers.
7. 100 front forks, 50 bare frames, 100 wheels (various sizes, not all complete)
8. Air compressor
9. Teaching curriculum (printed & electronic)
10. 20 shop aprons
11. Tool boxes
12. Derailer shop computer & printer
13. Books, reference materials
14. Desk & Furnishings
15. 6 commercial bike stands (some parts missing)
16. 2 portable, collapsible bike stands
17. 6 truing stands: 2 commercial, 4 portable
18. Table-mounted vice
19. 2 commercial bike racks
20. 2 Worksman 1950’s Cargo Tricycles
21. Craftsman wire feed portable MIG Welder
22. 3-6 months of “consultation” from current Collective leadership
23. First 6 months rent paid (or the equivalent of 6 months Derailer’s current rent)
24. Fundraising history & ideas (does not include individual donors)
25. Huge demand for services!!! Hundreds of people currently depend on Derailer.

 

What you DO NOT “get” if you “win”:

1. Derailer’s name & logo
2. Derailer website & email accounts
3. Individual donor lists
4. Committed grant funding (Derailer does not receive grant funding)
5. Derailer’s bank account
6. A 501(c)3. (Derailer never had 501(c)3 status)
7. Wholesale Account (Derailer does not have an active account)
8. Lease at 411 Lipan St. (Derailer does not have a lease. If you want, we will introduce you to the current landlord of 411 Lipan St to discuss the option staying there.)
9. Current Roster of Volunteer Mechanics. (Volunteers know about this process. If you want, volunteers will be given YOUR contact info so they can decide if they wanna volunteer at your program, okay?)
10. Crazy Bikes
11. Bicycle chain chandelier by Caro Alzaga
12. To “strip mine” for the “best” of what we have. e.g. If you propose to take wheels for your project, you take responsibility for using and/or finding homes for ALL the wheels.
13. If you propose to move to a different location, you have to clean up and clear out the warehouse at 411 Lipan St. (It must be left 99% empty. The Collective will of course help you!)

The Collective reserves the right to reject ALL proposals if none of them live up to our expectations. In this (unlikely, we hope!) scenario, the Collective will decide whether it is best to part out our resources, ask applicants to tweak their proposals, or extend the deadline.

PROPOSAL (Submit the following in writing by December 1, 2012):

• COVER LETTER - A 1-page overview and introduction to you and your proposal.
• PROPOSAL QUESTIONS - Answer each of the following questions, 1-9. Your answers should not be more than 6 typed pages.

1. Who are you? Who are the members of your leadership team and of your group? What is your experience with a) bikes, b) community organizing, c) running a not-for-profit program?
2. What do you want to do with Derailer’s resources? (Describe your program here!)
1. Which resources (if not all) do you propose to use?
3. When do you want to do this? What is your timeline? Do you have a 3-year plan/commitment?
4. Where will you operate? Will you maintain the shop in its current location or do you have a plan to move the shop? What is your relationship to that space and neighborhood?
5. Why do you want to do this? What are your goals?
1. Mission Statement
1. Who will you serve?
6. What are your expectations of the current Derailer leadership team?
1. Short-term (in the first 6 months) what do you want and need from us?
2. Long-term (6 months or longer) Is there a space for our volunteer mechanics in your program?
7. What is your source of funding and what makes it sustainable? Do you have a any legal or formal structures? If you have a budget and fundraising plan, please include it. If you don’t, please explain yourself.)
8. What is your past and current relationship to Derailer, if any?
9. How do we find you?
1. Primary Contact Person: name, email, phone, best way to contact
2. Secondary Contact Person:
3. List 3 References - Name, Phone and/or Email -(personal, professional, whatever you think)
4. If we like the cut of your jib, are you available in December to meet with the Collective?
5. How did you hear about this opportunity?

Thank you!