Date Issued: 6/2/2020 

Due Date: 6/19/2020 

Project Description: On behalf of the Local Leadership Workgroup (LLWG), the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay (the Alliance) seeks the services of a contractor to plan and implement a virtual peer to peer learning exchange for local governments using existing online learning courses. Through three pilot-scale cohorts in Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia, it is anticipated that this project will engage 30 – 60 participants from 15 – 30 local governments throughout the watershed. 

Background: This project will help to meet the Local Leadership Outcome of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement, which is to ‘continually increase the knowledge and capacity of local officials on issues related to water resources and in the implementation of economic and policy incentives that will support local conservation actions’. Specifically, this project will meet two Management Actions listed in the LLWG 2019 – 2020 Logic and Action plan: MA 1.2: Expand the reach of successful training and education programs and MA 2.2: Increase peer-to-peer knowledge transfer opportunities for local officials. The LLWG is comprised of state-level local government associations that are trusted sources of information (e.g. Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors (PSATs), Maryland Municipal League (MML), Maryland Association of Counties (MACo) and Virginia Municipal League (VML)). 

Objectives: This project aims to: 

1) Increase local officials’ knowledge on issues related to water resources 2) Increase local officials’ capacity on issues related to water resources 3) Offer opportunities for local officials to learn from each other 4) Create a pipeline towards implementation of local conservation actions 

Preliminary Scope of Work: Following is a preliminary list of Tasks and Deliverables to be refined by proposal applicants based on the Project Description, Background and Objectives outlined above. 

Task 1: Plan virtual peer to peer learning exchange for local governments (Summer 2020) 

  • Collaborate with the Alliance, the LLWG and Trusted Sources (PSATS, MML, MACo, VML etc.) to plan a virtual peer to peer learning exchange for local governments in three pilot jurisdictions (Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia) 

Task 1 Deliverables: 

  • A plan for each pilot jurisdiction that outlines a timeline, courses, webinars, discussion forums, discussion questions, speakers, technical assistance providers etc. 

Task 2 Conduct peer to peer learning exchange for local governments (Fall 2020 – Winter 2021) 

  • In partnership with trusted sources, recruit 10 – 20 participants from 5 – 10 local governments in each pilot jurisdiction. It is anticipated that 2 representatives (an elected official and a staff member) participate from each local government. 
  • To be conducted over the course of 10 – 14 weeks, the learning exchange may include, but is not limited to, the following components: 

o Kickoff Workshop – a live, virtual workshop that introduces participants to stormwater 

management and the online learning program o Online Courses – the completion of 4 – 6 online courses and/or existing pre-recorded 

webinars o Peer to peer discussion forums – A total of 4 – 6 live, virtual discussion forums for 

information exchange between participants o Stormwater Action Plans – based on jurisdiction requirements, participants draft a 

stormwater action plan for their community that outlines next steps for implementation of local conservation action o Technical Assistance Roundtable – A forum for connecting participants to technical 

assistance providers (e.g. Maryland Sea Grant, Cooperative Extension, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Field Liaisons etc.), may be in a large group or through paired one- on-one consulting 

Task 2 Deliverables: 

  • A total of 30 – 60 participants from 15 – 30 local governments complete the learning exchange 
  • Each local government drafts a Stormwater Action Plan for their community 

Task 3: Report on Findings and Outcomes (Winter 2021) 

  • Debrief project with the Alliance, the LLWG and Trusted Sources 
  • Summarize successes, lessons learned, next steps and opportunities for expansion 

Task 3 Deliverables: 

  • Final report 

Qualifications: History of collaborating with state-level local government associations. Experience engaging local officials in online learning around water resource issues. Proven facilitator of workshops and peer-to-peer discussions for local officials. Knowledge of water resources issues in Chesapeake Bay region, including challenges and opportunities for local governments. 

Timeframe for work: Completion by March 31, 2021 

Proposal Format and Submission Instructions: Proposal must include an approach, project timeline, and any innovative ideas for achieving success. Your response must also include client references and a detailed budget that is itemized by primary phases, activities or deliverables. Proposals should be sent to: lgac@allianceforthebay.org. No telephone inquiries, please.