1. Background
Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo Economic Development and Tourism (FMWBEDT) is seeking a qualified consultant or consulting team to develop and deliver a Business Retention and Expansion (BRE) Analysis and Strategy for the Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo (FMWB) region.
The region is home to a broad range of businesses, including Indigenous-owned, rural, and equity-deserving entrepreneurs. However, systemic barriers, geographic remoteness, past crises (e.g., 2016 wildfire, 2020 flood, COVID-19), and economic dependency on the oil and gas industry continue to challenge diversification and inclusive growth.
This initiative aims to strengthen the regional economy by identifying business needs, engaging underrepresented groups, and developing actionable strategies that support entrepreneurship, SME development, and equitable economic resilience.
2. Project Objectives
The selected proponent will lead the development of a comprehensive
BRE Strategy that will:
Assess the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and challenges (SWOT) of the business community across all sectors and communities within FMWB.
Identify and address systemic barriers to business success, particularly for Indigenous, rural, newcomer, youth, and women-led businesses.
Make recommendations on pilot targeted programs to support inclusive growth and business diversification.
Build regional capacity to support SME development, workforce participation, and equitable access to resources.
Inform the delivery of future programming and investments to promote resilient, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth.
3. Scope of Work
The successful proponent will be responsible for delivering the following:
Phase 1: Project Planning and Framework Development (September – October 2025)
Establish a project Working Group with diverse stakeholder representation.
Finalize project branding, work plan, logistics, and communication protocols.
Develop a methodology grounded in inclusivity, rural and Indigenous engagement, and business lifecycle considerations.
Identify community and industry events for engagement opportunities.
Launch a communications strategy and stakeholder calendar.
Phase 2: Research and Community Engagement (October-December 2025)
Conduct a regional SWOT analysis across sectors and business types.
Engage communities using culturally appropriate methods.
Deliver a business needs assessment through surveys, interviews, and engagement events.
Attend relevant community and industry events to gather insights (with FMWB team).
Phase 3: Data Analysis and Validation (January–February 2026)
Analyze findings to identify gaps, growth opportunities, and challenges.
Facilitate validation sessions with Business, Indigenous and stakeholder groups.
Use insights to develop recommendations and prioritize potential pilot programs.
Recommend at least three pilot programs tailored to support business growth and diversification in the region.
Phase 4: Strategy Development and Pilot Design (March-May 2026)
Draft and finalize the Business Retention and Expansion Strategy.
Deliver regional town halls to present findings and gather final feedback.
Provide an implementation roadmap segmented by sector, geography, and business type.
4. Deliverables
Project work plan and engagement framework
Stakeholder engagement summary and participation metrics
SWOT analysis and Business Community Needs Assessment Report
Inclusive BRE Strategy and implementation roadmap
5. Budget and Timeline
Estimated Budget: $100,000 CAD (inclusive of all fees and expenses)
Project Duration: September 2025 – May 2026
6. Proposal Requirements
Proposals should include the following components:
A. Company Profile & Qualifications
Overview of organization or team
Experience in business analysis, economic development, and/or BRE strategies
Specific experience working with Indigenous, rural, or equity-deserving populations
B. Approach and Work Plan
Proposed methodology and project plan aligned with the phases
Approach to inclusive engagement, data collection, and validation
Risk management and adaptability strategies
C. Project Team
Key personnel bios and roles
Subcontractors or partners, if applicable
Indigenous or local partnerships (if available)
D. Budget
Detailed budget breakdown including professional fees, travel, engagement costs, and contingencies
E. References
Minimum of 2 relevant project references
Example deliverables or outcomes (if available)
7. Evaluation Criteria
Evaluation Criteria
Weight
Relevant Experience (Research, Engagement, Strategy Building) 25%
Methodology and Work Plan 30%
Team Composition and Qualifications 15%
Experience working with northern, rural and Indigenous communities15%
Budget and Value for Money 10%
References and Past Performance 5%
Shape
8. Submission Instructions
Proposals must be submitted in PDF format by [Insert Deadline Date & Time] to: Gale Williams
Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo Economic Development and Tourism
Email:
corporateservices@fmwb.ca
Subject Line: RFP Submission – BRE Strategy 2025
Late or incomplete submissions will not be considered
Recommend at least three pilot programs
Final presentation to FMWBEDT and partners
Optional: Interactive dashboards, communications assets, and templates for future programming
