Description

REQUEST FOR EVALUATOR PROPOSALS 
 
Hispanic Federation (HF) is the nation's premier Latino nonprofit membership organization. Founded in 1990, HF supports Hispanic families and strengthens Latino institutions through grant making and direct services in the areas of education, health, immigration, civic engagement, economic empowerment, and the environment. Since its inception in 1990, HF has focused on supporting and strengthening community-based nonprofit organizations serving economically disadvantaged communities as a key instrument for social justice and economic empowerment. 

Program Overview 
Hispanic Federation (HF) launched the Crear y Crecer su Negocio Initiative to strengthen the capacity of emerging and existing business owners through culturally and linguistically responsive programming. Supported by SBA’s Congressional Community Programs Funds, the initiative aims to provide training, technical assistance, mentorship, and access to resources that help entrepreneurs build sustainable businesses, create jobs, and contribute to local economic vitality.  
Programming will include training courses for entrepreneurs, business resiliency, workshops, learning circles, and direct technical assistance. To ensure accountability, demonstrate impact, and guide program improvement, HF seeks an experienced consultant evaluator to design and implement an evaluation framework. 

Project Overview 
Hispanic Federation seeks an experienced consultant evaluator to develop a workplan and tools, and implement evaluation activities, working closely with program staff and HF Director for Data and Evaluation.  
 
This initiative is designed to strengthen the capacity of both emerging and established business owners by providing resources, training, and technical assistance that promote business growth and sustainability. HF will conduct activities on its own and through 3 subawardees organizations. 
 
The purpose of this evaluation is to examine both the processes and achievements of the initiative, with a focus on its relevance, design, efficiency, effectiveness, performance, and possible impact. The evaluation will serve a dual purpose: 
- Evaluating Outputs and Outcomes: Assess how the initiative has influenced participating entrepreneurs in areas such as business development, job creation, financial growth,    and long-term sustainability. 
- Guiding Improvement: Identify strengths, gaps, and opportunities for refinement to strengthen future programming, increase effectiveness, and ensure long-term success. 
 
The overall project evaluation and findings should include:  
- Hispanic Federation’s direct services to community members (small business owners) such as workshops, technical assistance, toolkits, networking opportunities. 
- Hispanic Federation’s subawardee program to community-based organizations in the Connecticut. 
 
Performance Period: December 8, 2025 – October 15, 2026 
 
Total Funds Available: Up to $35,000. 
 
Payments and Reporting 
Consultants will submit monthly invoices using a template provided by HF and all supporting documentation. All payments must be aligned with the progress toward deliverables. 
 
Scope 
The selected consultant will work with HF to: 
- Hold bi-weekly check-in meetings with HF staff to discuss progress and findings. 
- Create an evaluation plan, including evaluation framework, methods, activities, and deliverables. HF will share the project’s logic model. As appropriate, data collection         methods may include but are not limited to surveys, focus groups, or interviews with subrecipient staff/subcontractors, participants, and HF staff supporting the initiative. 
- Once approved, create evaluation tools formats. All must align with grant program goals and objectives.  
- Train HF staff and subawardees in data collection using HF-approved tools and provide ongoing guidance. 
- Conduct evaluation activities according to the evaluation plan, including participation in program activities and preparation of summaries as needed. 
- Aggregate and analyze all collected qualitative and quantitative data, including the data collected by HF subawardees. 
- Produce draft and final evaluation report including findings and recommendations. 
 
 
Deliverables 
Evaluation deliverables will include, but are not limited to: 
- Evaluation plan  
- Data collection tools 
- Data collection training for HF staff and subawardees 
- Summaries of project activities, as relevant 
- Agendas and notes from meetings with HF 
- Draft evaluation report 
- Final evaluation report, reviewed and approved by HF 

Requirements

Requirements and Preferences 
Consultants must demonstrate: 
- A minimum of 5 years of professional experience in public/non-profit program evaluation 
- Knowledge of Evaluation Frameworks; familiarity with different evaluation models (e.g., Logic Models, Theory of Change, or the Kirkpatrick Model) and when to apply them 
- Strong analytical skills, with expertise in qualitative and quantitative research methods and data collection 
- Ability to design a solid research methodology, develop surveys or interviews, and collect data in a valid and reliable way 
- Direct experience working with community-of-color-led nonprofits 
- Cultural and community competence 
- Alignment with HF values 
- Excellent writing skills 
- Ability to adhere to project timelines and deliver high-quality work on schedule 
- Strong collaborative skills 
- Ability to meet all federal contractor requirements, including the Uniform Guidance for Federal Awards (2 CFR 200) and other federal requirements as relevant 
- Have an EIN number and be registered on SAM.gov 
 
Consultants should preferably possess: 
- Ability to design bilingual tools and guides in English and Spanish, and collect, aggregate, and analyze data in both languages. 
 
Proposal Submission 
To apply, applicants must submit all required materials to SBA_RFP@hispanicfederation.org. 
Due Date: November 17, 2025. 
 
The proposal must include the following: 
- Document answering the application questions included below 
- Resume for each person involved in the evaluation 
      NOTE: HF does not allow subcontracting; please do not suggest the use of consultants 
- Writing samples 
- Evaluation Report: Submit a sample evaluation report (a portion of a report is acceptable) that demonstrates the evaluator’s abilities in detail 
- Evaluation Tool: Provide a sample of an evaluation tool. HF will use this sample solely for application evaluation purposes 
- Cost Proposal: Estimated number of hours, total cost, and deliverable milestones for the project period  
- If selected, consultants must also provide: 
- W-9, signed and dated in 2025 (must be the updated W-9 form) 
- Voided check or bank letter 
- Detailed budget breakdown 
- For questions on the RFP and the proposal submission process, please contact: Alicia Diaz at SBA_RFP@hispanicfederation.org.  
 
This program is funded by a grant from the U.S. Small Business Administration. 

GRANT APPLICATION QUESTIONS 
 
1. Contact Information 
a. Applicant name (individual or entity) 
b. Name of individual completing the application 
c. Title/position of individual completing this application (if entity)  
d. Email 
e. Phone number 
f. Street address 
g. City, state, and ZIP code 
h. EIN 
i. Unique Entity Identier (UEI) in Sam.gov (applicants are not required to be fully registered in SAM.gov, they only need to have a UEI) 
j. Is the entity MWBE certified in CT?  
 
2. Certifications 
I understand and certify the following: 
 
a. I am authorized to make any commitments on behalf of the entity that are inherent in the proposed services and rates included in this application.  
 
b. I/the entity meets(s) all federal contractor requirements, including the Uniform Guidance for Federal Awards (2 CFR 200) and any other applicable federal, state, and local requirements.  
 
c. I/the entity/all the proposed staff are not debarred or suspended by the Federal Government.  
 
d. I/the entity/all the proposed staff are not debarred or suspended by the State of Connecticut  
 
e. If you answered NO to any of the certification questions, please explain. 
 
3. Scope of Work 
a. Describe your approach to the assignment as described in this RFP, including methodology, process, data collection approach, etc. 
 
4. Experience 
a. Summary of experience: Summarize your experience and capacity to provide the proposed consulting services. 
 
b. Experience working with communities of color-led organizations: Describe your experience in evaluating public or nonprofit programs. Provide examples demonstrating your use of qualitative and quantitative research methods to measure program outcomes and address community-specific needs. 
 
c. Experience meeting public sector requirements: Describe instances where you were required to meet public-sector requirements and how you managed them. 
 
d. Experience working with and training staff and subawardees: Summarize your experience, including specific examples. 
 
e. Experience managing sensitive data: Describe how you will manage, protect, and destroy program data securely. 
 
5. References 
a. List three (3) previous clients who can serve as a reference relevant to the proposed project. Provide information on three prior related assignments, including client’s name if applicable, email and phone number, period of performance, and a brief description of the work, including how it prepares you for this assignment.