The purpose and intent of this Request for Proposals (RFP) is to enter into a contract with a qualified contractor to provide all services requested in the Scope of Work (SoW). The term of the contract will be for a period from about August 27, 2025, through December 30, 2026, subject to approval by Governor and Executive Council and to the availability of funds. The New Hampshire Department of Business and Economic Affairs (BEA) requests proposals for financial processing and other financial management services related to BEA’s management of the State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) grant award from the U.S. Small Business Administration. BEA will maintain overall oversight of the grant, including collecting and maintaining information on expenses and collecting grant-required impact information, but BEA is seeking a contractor to assist in processing payments to businesses and to other vendors consistent with the terms of the grant award and with other duties as defined in Section 3 – Proposed Scope of Work. This work will be done virtually, and constant communications (laid out in the SoW with 3 day response time and biweekly check-ins with BEA staff) with BEA in carrying out this contract is required. As part of the financial processing, BEA with direct the qualified contractor on when and to whom to make payments. BEA will also need to know the status of financial accounts used to make payments by having the qualified contractor provide monthly reports and customized reports as requested by BEA. The qualified contractor will be an integral part of an economic development ecosystem that seeks to promote exports by small businesses in New Hampshire consistent with the purpose of the STEP grant.
