Request for proposals for survey, focus group of residential renters

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Project: Neighborhood Renter Survey
Organization: Waite Park Community Council
Date: September 18, 2023

The Waite Park Community Council (WPCC) in Northeast Minneapolis is seeking proposals from qualified firms to conduct a survey and focus group of renters in our neighborhood. The purpose of the survey is to better understand the needs and interests of the approximately 250 rental households in the neighborhood.

Scope of Work

The firm selected to conduct the survey will be responsible for the following tasks:

  • Working with WPCC leaders to develop a survey instrument that is clear, concise, and easy to understand

  • Distributing the survey to all rental households in the neighborhood

  • Convening a virtual focus group

  • Collecting and analyzing the survey data and focus group discussion

  • Preparing a report that summarizes the findings

Timeline

The survey and focus group should be completed within 6 months of the award of the contract.

Budget

The total budget for the project should not exceed $10,000.

Qualifications

The firm selected to conduct the survey must have the following qualifications:

  • Experience conducting surveys and focus groups that reach underrepresented populations

  • Expertise in data collection and analysis

  • A proven track record of producing high-quality reports

Submission Instructions

Proposals must be submitted in writing to Waite Park Community Council at survey@waiteparkcc.org by Oct. 18, 2023.

Evaluation Criteria

Proposals will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

  • The quality of the survey instrument

  • The firm’s experience conducting surveys of renters

  • The firm’s expertise in data collection and analysis

  • The firm’s track record of producing high-quality reports

  • The total cost of the proposal

Selection Process

The Waite Park Community Council will select the firm to conduct the survey and focus group based on the evaluation criteria. The selected firm will be notified by Oct. 30, 2023.

Questions

If you have any questions about this RFP, please contact Waite Park Community Council at survey@waiteparkcc.org.

Thank you for your interest in this project.

How we're connecting with more neighbors — and how you can help

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The Waite Park Community Council’s (WPCC) Equitable Engagement Committee carried out its first official Equitable Engagement Plan (EEP) in 2022. With funds allocated from the City of Minneapolis’ Equitable Engagement Fund, the WPCC hired E. Coco Consulting LLC to conduct outreach to Waite Park residents to learn more about their connections to the neighborhood, neighbors, and WPCC programs. In particular, the effort was designed to reach neighbors who have been historically underrepresented. In neighborhood meetings held during the development of the EEP in 2021, Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC); renters; and older neighbors (age 54+) were identified as priority constituencies to connect with.

E. Coco Consulting LLC worked with WPCC members to conduct a survey and in-person engagement of Waite Park neighbors. We sought to reach neighbors through mailings, door-knocking, office hours at Cosmic Coffee, interviews at community events, National Night Out, and the Waite Park Fall Festival. In 45 days, the team collected 300 surveys. The full report is available to view here. If you did not have a chance to complete the survey, you can always submit comments to the WPCC at: board@waiteparkcc.org. WPCC is continuously interested in hearing from residents about what improvements can be made. Please never hesitate to reach out to us.

WPCC would like to better connect with renters in the neighborhood. If you are a renter interested in helping to improve these connections, please contact engagement@waiteparkcc.org.

WPCC is looking for more volunteers to help carry out new programs and events in 2023 and beyond. As mentioned above, the 2022 work was supported through the City of Minneapolis Equitable Engagement Fund. WPCC is has a reduced amount of Equitable Engagement funding this year. Major recommendations from the EEP report included increasing overall awareness of WPCC, the number of community events, opportunities for resource sharing, support for businesses and other amenities, and connections with renters. Please contact engagement@waiteparkcc.org if you are interested in getting involved.