KITIGAN ZIBI ANISHINABEG Request for Proposal (RFP)

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Randolph Grant
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3 KITIGAN ZIBI ANISHINABEG P.O. Box 309, Maniwaki, QC J9E 3C9 Tel: (819) Fax: (819) KITIGAN ZIBI ANISHINABEG Request for Proposal (RFP) RFP PROJECT: Feasibility Study on First Nations Tourism located on Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg. Company Background The Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg is a First Nations community situated beside the Municipality of Maniwaki Quebec and approximately 130 kilometers north of Gatineau/Ottawa on highway 105. Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg community was established in 1853 and is the largest of the ten Algonquin communities in Canada. Our community s reserve covers 18,437.7 hectares of land with 22 freshwater lakes. The Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg governance system consists of 1 Chief and 6 councilors. The Band Council is responsible for the overall implementation of programs/services as well as being responsible to protect the rights of its membership within its traditional territory. Kitigan Zibi means Garden River in the Algonquin language. Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg wants to develop a plan for authentic First Nations Tourism activities and cultural experiences within our Algonquin Lands and focusing primarily on the areas: (1) Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg s addition to the reserve (northern most part of Eagle Forest area) and (2) Kitigan Zibi Cultural Centre. Eagle Forest borders the western edge of the Kitigan Zibi reserve which was always considered part of our traditional lands. The AANDC has recently approved in principal the addition to our reserve which will include the northern area of the Eagle Forest representing 24sq.kms. At this point in time an Environmental Study and Land Survey component has already been completed for the Eagle Forest addition to our reserve. Project Description The Kitigan Zibi Chief and Council are seeking bids to carry out a feasibility study on First Nations Tourism located on Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg. Developing opportunities for Anishinabe Cultural Tourism is a sustainable way for our community to build our economy while preserving our traditional culture.

4 A feasibility study will help the KZA to determine the viability of a community owned Cultural Tourism business and estimate the financial, human and technical resources that will be needed to ensure the successful launching of this type of venture. Design Requirements Potential activities for Kitigan Zibi Tourism The Kitigan Zibi Anishinabe can designate the Eagle Forest addition to our reserve as a potential site for tourism activities such as wilderness camping, cultural workshops (ie. craft making, and traditional foods), presentations on the history of Anishinabe in this region, cultural demonstrations, storytelling, cultural exhibitions, nature based excursions (walking trail tours, plant identification and traditional uses), and guided tours of local heritage attractions. Special amenities can also be included for group accommodation packages for wilderness camping: traditional food catering, cedar baths, participation in new moon or water ceremonies, native drumming and singing, dance performances and native legends theatre entertainment. Tourism Model Constraints: Tourism model concepts provided for the RFP will need to concentrate on site facilities that are non-permanent structures or shelters. The potential site areas within the northern part of Eagle Forest are remote forested areas with no access to running water and no electrical power lines. The section for the Awazibi feasibility study of the report should include the four components (1) First Nations Tourism Business Model, (2) Marketing Plan (3) Technical requirements and (4) Financial Projections as defined in the RFP: 1. First Nations Tourism Business Model: The study will examine the viability of Algonquin/Anishinabe Cultural Tourism activities for the Kitigan Zibi with a priority focus on the northern most part of Eagle Forest as well as other parts of the Algonquin Anishinabeg Territory. This section of the feasibility study will : Evaluate possible cultural tourism concepts that can be employed within Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg. Evaluate potential cultural tourism site locations, suitability and accessibility. Identify niche services or unique experiences that can be incorporated into a concept for cultural tourism to set us apart from the competition. Present realistic expectations about the level of quality that will need to be achieved in order to be successful within the Aboriginal Tourism Industry. (Include key regulatory issues regarding compliance.) Provide an inventory of natural resources within our territory that can be utilized for the tourism business concept. Identify ways to enhance the appeal of Kitigan Zibi reserve as a tourism destination and highlight key attractions within the surrounding region that can be complementary to our tourism concept model. 2

5 Propose possible partnership opportunities that KZA can capitalize on within the tourism industry. Identify a secondary component for tourism opportunities that can be employed at Victoria Island and Lac Dumont sites in the future. Propose partnership opportunities that can be taken advantage of with events surrounding Canada s 150 th birthday celebration in The event will provide a memorable opportunity to showcase the importance of the First Nations heritage and culture. 2. Marketing Plan: Develop a Marketing Plan for potential First Nation Tourism activities for Kitigan Zibi. The marketing plan should include strategies that will attract potential visitors from Canada, US and international markets. It will also identify ways to partner with sales people within the travel industry and other tourism sales distribution channels. This section of the feasibility study must include : Economic outlook Estimate the market potential for Kitigan Zibi tourism and our market share on a regional, national and international level. Define and describe the target markets & market demographics. Analysis of the Competition & SWOT Propose concrete ways to address barriers to entry into the tourism market Marketing & Sales Strategy Sales Distribution Channels Pricing Strategy Sales Projections 3. Technical Requirements Determine the technical requirements of the tourism concept by examining the costs of site development, the capital equipment and facilities required as well as the overall operational requirements. The tourism concept should concentrate mainly on non-permanent structures or shelters. This section of the feasibility study must include : Site Concept Design Capital Costs: Facilities and Equipment Required Material, Labour and Transportation costs Operating Expenses Total Investment required for the tourism business concept 3

6 4. Financial Projections Provide financial projections to determine the profitability of the tourism business model and an analysis dealing with for the entire project s viability. This section will be essential determining whether the Chief and Council will move forward with the tourism model. This section of the feasibility study must include: Pricing of products and services Projected Sales Revenue Cash flow projections / Profit and Loss Statement Break Even Analysis Analysis of entire project viability Calculate the Return on Investment RFP Mandatory Requirement Bidders shall provide the following information to submit their application: A profile of their firm outlining their company history. Contact information, including mailing and address A complete listing of all key personnel and total number of employees, including subcontractors, who will be assigned to this project. This will include their relevant experience and qualifications and their roles and responsibilities in the project. Project Leader must have professional experience in carrying out at least 1 Aboriginal Tourism Feasibility Study for a client. A Project Workplan for the feasibility study Price quote (fee schedule for the work) Proposals shall include a list of three references including names, position, telephone numbers and addresses for which the Bidder has performed similar work. These references might be contacted during the proposal evaluation phase to determine their satisfaction with the work carried out. Preference will be given to a Kitigan Zibi business / consultant who can demonstrate that they have met all the mandatory requirements and have the professional experience to carry out the work. Functional Requirements The candidate should demonstrate within the bid proposal that they have met all of the Mandatory Requirements or their proposal will be screened out of the evaluation process. The candidate should have a thorough knowledge of financial accounting and business management practices to be able to provide the financial projections. 4

7 Project Duration The work for this project shall commence on March 30, 2015 and be completed by no later than August 21, Deliverable The following shall be required: Finalized project workplan required within 5 days of the awarded contract. Mid-point draft report during the 10 th week of the project (due June 5, 2015) Final report to be presented by the contractor to Chief and Council on August 21, 2015 or next available date. The contractor will provide 1 electronic copy (PDF) and 15 printed and bound copies of the report. Closing date for submissions All project submissions for this RFP must be received no later than 4:00 p.m. on Monday March 16, Late proposals will not be accepted. The Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg Band council shall review all RFP submissions to ensure that all required information is provided. The Band Council does not commit to necessarily accepting the lowest bid for this project. Preference will be given to a Kitigan Zibi business / consultant who can demonstrate that they have met all the mandatory requirements and have the professional experience to carry out the work. All candidates must send their RFP submissions to: Anita Stevens KZA Economic Development Agent P.O. Box 309 Maniwaki, Quebec J9E 3C9 Tel: anita.stevens@kza.qc.ca All questions concerning this RFP proposal shall be directed to: Chief Gilbert W. Whiteduck Tel: gwhiteduck@hotmail.com 5

17 Miss Abita Pibon When: Saturday, March 7, 2015 Where: KZ School Gym Time: 7:00 pm (Doors 6:00 pm) Cost: $5.00 at the door You can also buy your ticket from any of the lovely contestants Your contestants for Miss Abita Pibon 2015 are Kegona Brazeau Representing KZ Gas Arianna Decontie- Guy Representing Esso Gas Autumn Decontie Representing Pauline & Edmond Decontie Family Autumn Odjick Representing Smiley s Hailey Ottawa Representing Anishinabe Printing Kekens Twenish Representing KZPD Madison Roote Representing KZ Freshmart Holly Tenasco Representing Buck s Sport Shop Come out and cheer the girls on! To volunteer please contact Winona at the Health Centre Tel: Jennifer Tenasco Representing Russ Busses Leila Twenish Representing Sometimes We Cater

We are taking only the first 15 girls to enter for the title of Miss Kònaskòns (Miss Snowflake)

18 Are you too young to join the Miss Abita Pibon Pageant? KZHSS will be hosting a mini pageant for girls 4 to 8 years old during the Miss Abita Pibon. We are taking only the first 15 girls to enter for the title of Miss Kònaskòns (Miss Snowflake) The deadline to enter is Friday February 27 th at noon. Parents/guardians must register with Winona at the Health Centre (Tel: )

26 REMINDER Frank Meness IT S TAX TIME AGAIN! DON T FORGET ABOUT YOUR TAXES - DEADLINE IS APRIL 30, 2015 Dear Band Members: This is to advise you that I do taxes online (EFile & NetFile) and other form filing (Old Age Security, QPP, CPP, USA Benefits, Birth Certificates, Passports, etc.). Very reasonable rates. You can drop them off at my house/mailbox anytime at: 172 Kichi Mikan Meegwetch Frank Meness, M.A., J.D. Barrister & Solicitor Frank Meness 172 Kichi Mikan Maniwaki, QC J9E 3B Home Work Cell fmeness@gmail.com

Decorate a Bat House! Free Workshop

Decorate a Bat House! Free Workshop When: Sunday August 16th Where: Kitigan Zibi Youth Center Time: 1-3pm Who: All ages (under 8 must be accompanied by an adult) How much? Free! **This is not a drop-off