Proposals Due: Friday, June 12, 2026, 5:00 PM ET

Submit To: info@risbc.org

Questions By: Friday, June 5, 2026, 5:00 PM ET

 

About This Program

The Rhode Island Small Business Coalition (RISBC) is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit founded during the 2020 pandemic to advocate for, connect, and support Rhode Island's small business community. RISBC represents the interests of businesses headquartered in RI with 500 or fewer employees.

The AI Adoption Program: Cohort 1 Pilot is a Board-approved workforce development initiative funded through RISBC's Real Jobs Rhode Island award. RISBC is now soliciting proposals from qualified vendors to design and deliver the workshop curriculum and work-based learning components of the pilot program.

 

Program Overview

• Audience: Up to 20 Rhode Island small business owners across mixed industries

• Format: Three 90-minute in-person workshops over six weeks

• Work-Based Learning: Between sessions, each participant applies one concept in their business and reports outcomes at the next session

• Credential: Each completer earns the RISBC AI Adoption Foundations Badge, a digital Open Badge issued by RISBC

• Graduation: Cohort presents outcomes at the RISBC networking event on October 7, 2026

• Target Workshop Dates: July 20, August 3, and August 17, 2026

• Cost: Free for RISBC members · $150 registration fee for non-members

 

Scope of Work

The selected vendor will be responsible for the following:

Curriculum Development

• Design a three-workshop curriculum covering AI fundamentals, practical tools, and workflow building, tailored for small business owners with no prior AI experience

• Develop work-based learning prompts and outcome-tracking templates for the periods between sessions

• Define competency criteria for the RISBC AI Adoption Foundations Badge

• Create all workshop materials, slides, and handouts

Workshop Delivery

• Facilitate three 90-minute in-person workshops on the scheduled dates

• Provide a qualified lead facilitator present at every session

• Manage in-session activities, discussions, and hands-on exercises

Work-Based Learning Support

• Provide coaching touchpoints between sessions (asynchronous: email, light video reviews, or office hours)

• Review participant outcome submissions and provide feedback

• Help participants prepare brief outcome presentations for the graduation event

Reporting Support

• Document participant outcomes in a format suitable for Real Jobs Rhode Island reporting

• Provide a final program report with aggregate outcomes and learnings

 

What RISBC Provides

• Venue (unless vendor has a suitable location)

• Participant recruitment, application processing, and selection

• All marketing, ad campaigns, and media outreach

• Program coordination, scheduling, and participant communications

• Open Badge platform setup and credential issuance

• Graduation event hosting and logistics

 

Key Dates

• June 5, 2026 — Questions due (5:00 PM ET)

• June 12, 2026 — Proposals due (5:00 PM ET)

• June 15–17, 2026 — Optional finalist interviews

• June 19, 2026 — Vendor notified; Board approval sought

• Late June 2026 — Contract executed; curriculum development begins

• July 20, 2026 — Workshop 1

• August 3, 2026 — Workshop 2

• August 17, 2026 — Workshop 3

• October 7, 2026 — Cohort 1 graduation at RISBC networking event

 

Vendor Qualifications

Required

• Demonstrated experience delivering AI training to non-technical professionals

• A lead facilitator with strong working knowledge of current AI tools (ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Microsoft Copilot, and similar) and their application to small business operations

• Ability to deliver in-person in Providence or Greater Providence area

Preferred

• Prior work with small business audiences

• Rhode Island presence or strong familiarity with the RI small business landscape

• Experience with competency-based or evidence-based training models

• Bilingual capability (Spanish or Portuguese)

• General liability insurance coverage of $1M or higher

 

What to Include in Your Proposal

Submit a single PDF to info@risbc.org by June 12, 2026 at 5:00 PM ET. Use the subject line: "RFP Response — AI Adoption Workshop Series — [Vendor Name]". Your proposal should include:

1. Cover letter (1 page) — Introduction, your organization, and why you are a fit

2. Proposed curriculum outline (2–3 pages) — Workshop-by-workshop topics, activities, and learning outcomes; work-based learning approach

3. Facilitator bio and credentials — For the lead facilitator and any additional staff

4. Relevant experience — Two to three examples of comparable training engagements, with brief descriptions and outcomes

5. References — Two professional references from past clients (name, organization, email, phone)

6. Pricing — Total fee and any optional add-ons, clearly itemized

7. Confirmation of availability for workshop dates (July 20, August 3, August 17, 2026) and graduation event (October 7, 2026)

 

Evaluation Criteria

• Demonstrated AI training capability and facilitator quality — 30%

• Curriculum design and fit for small business audience — 25%

• Approach to work-based learning and outcome documentation — 20%

• Pricing and value — 15%

• References and relevant experience — 10%

The final vendor selection will be presented to the RISBC Board of Directors for approval before contract execution.

 

Download the Full RFP

The complete RFP document including full terms, budget guidance, and all requirements is available for download below. Questions about this RFP should be submitted to info@risbc.org by Friday, June 5, 2026.