Task 1: Project Management and Stakeholder Engagement (due April 2025) In order to get a comprehensive view of the state’s S&T ecosystem and learn from stakeholders, the successful Proposer will engage key stakeholders through small-group facilitated discussions and survey work. STAC will assist the vendor in identifying stakeholders. For this task, the following should be performed, at minimum: - Development of a project timeline with proposed facilitation activities and strategic plan process, including a regular cadence of meeting with STAC leadership. - Development of an execution plan for outreach. - Engagement and facilitation with stakeholders. Task 2: Ecosystem Scan and Assessment (due June 2025) Development of the S&T Plan will rely on a comprehensive scan of the current research and innovation ecosystem to be conducted by the successful Proposer. The final S&T Plan completed by the successful Proposer will incorporate findings from this scan into the plan. Utilization of the Framework may be helpful in this Task and therefore, be developed prior for utilization. The Framework should be a tool for future and ongoing use as well. For this task, the following should be performed, at minimum: - Documentation and review of the state’s current and ongoing R&D efforts and assessment of any changes in the state’s S&T ecosystem. - An evidence-based, comprehensive analysis of the state’s research and development strengths, opportunities, challenges; conducting a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) analysis. - A review of the state’s previous S&T Plan as well as the current Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) and opportunities for needs-based R&D implementation and technology development. - Evaluation of the maturity of existing R&D efforts in the state and potential of new research directions that align with state needs and goals. - An overarching analysis of research grants awarded from state, federal, and private sources within the jurisdiction, both current and past, as well as an assessment of these awards and their role in the state’s S&T ecosystem. - Identification of major science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) research strengths of the higher education institutions in the state. - Assessment of RI’s science, technology and innovation ecosystem including industry, laboratories/facilities, and nonprofits important to this ecosystemTask 3: Plan and Framework Development (due September 2025) The final task is the development of the S&T Plan and Framework. Included in this task will be at minimum: - A written plan formatted for dissemination in print and electronic format to stakeholders as well as publication on the STAC website. This plan shall illustrate the strategies of the S&T Plan in easy to read and adopt presentation. - A Framework for ongoing tracking of the S&T ecosystem, R&D efforts, and improvement strategies. - Recommendations for R&D improvement strategies that will advance the development of nationally competitive capabilities. - Identification of areas to expand research capacity in association with workforce development, STEM fields of study, and K-12 career preparedness efforts that will enhance the economic impact of the state’s S&T enterprises. - Alignment of RI’s S&T ecosystem with statewide CEDS priorities for economic and workforce development. - Identification of at least three goals for strategic development of the RI’s S&T ecosystem over the next five years. - Strategies to achieve the goals identified in the plan as well as measures to assess progress on the goals annually. - A one-page Executive Summary of the final plan for key stakeholders, and a PowerPoint presentation summarizing the written plan.
