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Community Gap Support

The MEDC is seeking proposals from one or more bidders to provide free, confidential, individualized business advising, market research, and training services that fill identified small business service gaps in communities where sufficient advising capacity is not otherwise readily accessible.


Background

This is a competitively bid RFP with an anticipated program allocation of up to $1,000,000.

Michigan’s small business support infrastructure has expanded significantly through the Small Business Support Hubs and other statewide, regional, and community-based investments, such as the Trusted Connector Network. Together, these resources provide entrepreneurs with access to business counseling, technical assistance, capital readiness, mentorship, and other services needed to start and grow a business. However, the availability and accessibility of these resources is not uniform across the state. Geographic distance, provider capacity, awareness, eligibility requirements, and differences in local entrepreneurial ecosystems can leave gaps — particularly in rural, underserved, and geographically disadvantaged communities.

Small Business Service Gap Support is intended to complement the Small Business Support Hubs by ensuring that entrepreneurs in communities or markets where sufficient advising capacity is not otherwise readily accessible can obtain free, confidential, individualized business assistance. Services should include one-on-one business advising, market research, training, and other hands-on technical assistance that helps entrepreneurs address the planning, financing, market, and operational challenges associated with starting, stabilizing, and growing a business.

Timeline

  • October 5, 2026: RFP release
  • October 14, 2026 at 3:00 p.m.: Questions from potential bidders are due via email to [email protected]. Please note: The MEDC will not respond to questions that are not received by the above date and time. In addition, questions that are phoned, faxed or sent through regular mail will not be accepted.
  • October 21, 2026, by close of business: Responses to all qualifying questions will be posted on this webpage.
  • November 6, 2026, at 3:00 p.m.: Electronic versions sent separately of each of your Technical Proposal and Price Proposals due to the MEDC via email at [email protected]. Proposals will not be accepted via U.S. Mail or any other delivery method.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Questions regarding the RFP should be sent to: [email protected].

RFP Details

Click here to download and view the full details of the RFP.