OBJECTIVE: To Develop a Strategic Plan for CALPULLI MEXICAN DANCE COMPANY

This request for Proposal (RFP) is soliciting written proposals from professionally-qualified contractors to
provide services to Calpulli Mexican Dance Company for the development of a three to five-year strategic plan.
All proposals should clearly define how contractors will work with Calpulli Mexican Dance Company to assist in
a comprehensive, participatory planning process.

RFP Issue Date: October 14th, 2022
Funding Status: Confirmed
Review of proposals: begins October 19th, 2022
Proposal Deadline: December 1st, 2022
Interviews: January 2023
Selection: 1Q2023
Project Initiation: 2023

Submission: 1 electronic copy to-
Juan Castaño, Executive Director

Calpulli Mexican Dance Company
25-12 77th Street, East Elmhurst NY 11367
castano@calpullidance.org
Mobile: 917-693-8265
&
Julio Urbina, Chair, Strategic Planning Committee
board@calpullidance.org

Background

Mission & Vision - Calpulli Mexican Dance Company’s mission is to celebrate the rich diversity of Mexican and
Mexican-American cultural heritage through dance-based programming including live music. To this end, the
organization produces the following:
-  Professional Performances via its touring company
-  Arts-in-Education and cultural enrichment programming
-  Community outreach activities that are free or low-cost and target underserved Mexican and
Mexican-American communities

Founded in 2003, Calpulli celebrates the rich dance and music traditions of Mexico’s diverse cultural history
interpreted through its unique artistic vision. The fresh, vital repertoire honors Mexico’s past and
Mexican-American cultural expression in the United States.

Calpulli Mexican Dance Company’s vision is to reach audiences globally with high quality artistic works and
captivating stories and cultural narratives and productions. It also seeks to be a premier educational resource
for teachers and students excelling in cultural enrichment through the performing arts. Lastly, Calpulli aims to
serve our community with accessible, high-quality community programming and performing arts training.

Goals and Objectives

Calpulli Mexican Dance Company seeks to continue the growth of the organization that supports a unique
artistic vision, arts-in-education content rooted in the artistry of the company, and community programming
that provides access to the artistic and educational content to a broad audience and the targeted Mexican
immigrant community.

Purpose of the Project

With nearly 20 years of experience in touring, artistic creation, educating children and adults, and community
engagement, Calpulli Mexican Dance Company is approaching a critical juncture in its organizational growth as
one of our co-founders steps down from a key leadership role, while demand for our services continues to
grow, and the company continues a process of growing into a stable and sustainable institution dedicated to
Mexican folklorico. To manage this transition, the organization seeks a consultant who will guide its leadership
team, comprised of members or the executive team, administrative and artistic staff, and board of directors
through a strategic planning process designed to elucidate the company’s vision for the future, identify key
priorities and opportunities, and provide focus for the activities and decisions for the next three to five years.

Scope of Service

Working with Calpulli Mexican Dance Company, the contractor will, at minimum, accomplish the following in
performance of this contract:
1. Guide Calpulli’s leadership team in a comprehensive strategic planning process
2. Develop a three- to five-year strategic plan towards a more sustainable future for the organization
3. Provide recommendations with phased implementation strategies for execution of the plan
The proposal should include a description of the proposed methods and activities the contractor has used
successfully in the past to deliver outcomes such as those listed above.

Compensation for Services

Calpulli Mexican Dance Company will expend appropriate funds for completion of a high-quality planning
process, data and plan. Each contractor’s bid should include all fees, expenses, supplies, printing, travel, per
diem, overhead and profit, insurance, taxes, and any other expenses attributed to the planning process.

Submission Requirements

Applicants shall submit one electronic copy of the full proposal. The following content and structure is
suggested:

1. Title Page should include the Request for Proposal subject, name of firm or lead contractor, address,
telephone and fax numbers, email, contact person and date of submissions.
2. Table of Contents must state the proposal’s materials by section and page number. Any attachments should
be numbered and listed in the table of contents.
3. Profile of the Contractor must include:
a. Detailed biography, resume, and curriculum vitae for lead contractor
b. If applicable, a list of the names and titles of the members, partners, officers, management and staff of
the contractor’s firm. Include an illustration of the firm’s organizational structure and the number of
years the firm has operated. A description of any personnel, including staff and/or subcontractors that
contractor will rely on to execute the project. Please include names and titles of key personnel, an
explanation of the organizational structure in place, and how that has been effective in the past.
c. A minimum of three references for which the contractor has provided comparable contractual services
to those specified in the RFP along with the subcontractors and contacts where applicable.
d. A summary and samples of the contractor’s work on similar projects.
e. Evidence of experience working with issues relating to diverse populations.
f. Resumes of key individuals associated with this proposed project.
4. A Work Plan that incorporates the scope of services outlined. The work plan should generally identify the
expected duration of each task and reflect associated personnel and other resources required for all tasks
to be performed. This should include a schedule for all deliverables. On-site and off-site time should be
separately stated. There should be a clear delineation of contractor’s and Calpulli Mexican Dance
Company’s task responsibilities.
5. Project Fees must include a line item project expense budget indicating all costs for carrying out the
proposed work, including personnel, travel, lodging, meals, supplies, materials, overhead and all other
necessary expenses.

In outlining your proposed approach to creating a strategic plan for Calpulli Mexican Dance Company, please
consider the following:
- Your experience in working with an organization like Calpulli Mexican Dance Company to create a
strategic plan, and based on your understanding of our organization, explain the particular challenges
and opportunities to address in a strategic plan in this community.
- Your experience with planning for arts education organizations. What were the particular challenges
and how were they managed?
- Your role in the process relative to that of Calpulli Mexican Dance Company.
- Your unique capabilities/experiences that you/your firm would bring to the process.

Selection Process (November 2022 - January 2023)

Calpulli Mexican Dance Company’s Strategic Planning Committee will review and examine all proposals
received. Selected individuals/ firms will be invited to a virtual interview with the committee members and
broader board. A limited number of contractors will be invited for on-site presentations.