Contractor to develop business case to update GVI

Grassland Vegetation Inventory– business case

Alberta Prairie Conservation Forum Request for Proposals 

Organization Overview:

The Prairie Conservation Forum (PCF) is a collaborative initiative focused on the conservation and sustainable management of Alberta's native prairie ecosystems. Established to address the alarming loss and degradation of grasslands, the PCF unites diverse stakeholders, including government agencies, conservation organizations, academic institutions, and landowners, to promote effective prairie conservation strategies. Its mission encompasses preserving biological diversity, promoting sustainable land use practices, enhancing public awareness, and facilitating research on prairie ecosystems.

The PCF prioritizes habitat conservation, sustainable land use, protection of species at risk, research and monitoring, and education and outreach. By aligning with the PCF's objectives, any Request for Proposal (RFP) can effectively address the critical needs of prairie conservation, ensuring a comprehensive approach that integrates ecological, economic, and social considerations while fostering stakeholder collaboration.

Project Overview:

The purpose of this RFP is to solicit proposals from qualified organizations or individuals to develop a comprehensive business case for updating Alberta's Grassland Vegetation Inventory(GVI). The GVI is a critical tool for land-use planning and management in Alberta, providing a detailed geospatial representation of land cover in the Grassland Natural Region. This update aims to significantly enhance the accuracy and utility of the GVI while demonstrating the loss of native grasslands to human activity, thereby supporting more effective conservation efforts and better land management decisions.

Requirements of Project:

Overall, the scope and requirements of the project would be as follows:

• Identify and engage critical stakeholders interested in updating the GVI, starting with the PCF membership.
• Determine, with stakeholder consultation, what aspects of the GVI they use and what areas are less useful in the current GVI model.
• After consulting with stakeholders, analyze what technologies are needed and available to complete the critical updates identified by stakeholders.
• Create a project management plan that includes
  • Identification of project deliverables based on needs and wants.
  • A cost analysis for each deliverable within the project, including:
    • cost of the necessary technology to complete the deliverable.
    • Identification of contributing agencies, available manpower, funding, and the materials they can provide for each deliverable.
    • A clear breakdown of costs for each section of the project plan, including a total price for what needs to be updated and what stakeholders want to be updated.
  • Identify the anticipated benefits of updating the GVI for the stakeholders and the government of Alberta.
  • Add financial returns and savings, non-monetary benefits, improved efficiency, enhanced reputation, and the program's social impact.
  • Create a timeline for both the needs and wants deliverables.
• Create a business case that the PCF can present to the government of Alberta that includes the following
  • Strong executive summary.
  • Project definition, stakeholders consulted, and background information.
  • Strategic context.
  • Project plan with cost analysis.
  • Benefits to completing upgrades.
  • Conclusion that includes the key points, the feasibility of updating the GVI, and a call to action.

Summary of Scope of Project, Deliverables and Timelines:

Proposed Timeline:

Submission Process and Deadline:

An RFP briefing meeting will not be held. The deadline for submitting proposals is midnight, MST, December 1, 2024. Proposals should be submitted electronically to [email protected]. Please include "Business Case GVI - [Your Organization's Name]" in the subject line.

Project Completion Deadlines:

Draft Business Case: February 23, 2025

Edits to draft business case by PCF State of the Prairie Committee: March 10, 2025

Final Business Case: March 31, 2025