Request for Proposals for Legal and Policy Research Consultant
About National Institute for Reproductive Health
The National Institute for Reproductive Health (NIRH) and the National Institute for Reproductive Health Action Fund (NIRH Action Fund) are advocacy groups that fight for just and equitable access to reproductive health care and build political power for reproductive freedom. We launch campaigns, change policy, and elect candidates, all by working hand-in-hand with reproductive health, rights, and justice organizations in states and cities across the country. We work in the communities where the need is great and we can make a difference, so the fabric of reproductive freedom is harder to tear apart.
PURPOSE
The National Institute for Reproductive Health (NIRH) and NIRH Action Fund is seeking a consultant to provide legal and policy research to support the development of our strategy for advancing state ballot initiatives, legislation, and policies that will ensure everyone has access to abortion when and where they need it free with dignity and self-determination.
PROPOSAL GUIDELINES
NIRH / NIRH AF is seeking an attorney with at least five years of experience in reproductive rights and justice to assist in legal research and analysis as well as drafting of fact sheets and other materials for advocates and the general public to assist in our proactive policy campaign work. Specifically, this project will include helping NIRH answer legal questions related to state ballot initiatives and legislation to advance reproductive rights and access to reproductive health, drafting potential ballot and/or legislative language, a landscape analysis to assist NIRH in developing target states, and initial drafting of fact sheets or other materials that can be used to support our advocacy efforts.
Please submit final proposal to Kelli Garcia, Director of Policy at [email protected] by November 15. Only proposals submitted by email will be accepted.
PROPOSAL REQUIREMENTS
Please submit a proposal that includes:
- Overview of company, including a statement of qualifications for scope of work (specifically addressing similar previous work with local non-profits of similar size and scope) and appropriate contact information.
- A narrative description of relevant experience of the people who would be working on this contract. Specifically, do they have experience: Working on proactive state policies and more specifically on state ballot initiatives?
- Conducting legal research with a policy lens?
- Drafting ballot initiatives or other legislation?
- Translating legal research into materials that can be understood by the public or advocates without a legal background?
- Conducting landscape analyses and power mapping?
- Additional relevant experience?
- A description of how you apply a racial justice and equity lens in your work.
- Proposed budget, including: Hourly rate
- Minimum amount of time per week needed
- Resume for person(s) who will be working on this contract.
- Three professional references for person(s) who will be working on this contract. Please include basic description of relationship with reference.
DELIVERABLES MAY INCLUDE
- Legal and policy memos
- Landscape analysis
- Fact sheets or issue briefs
The following relevant NIRH / NIRH Action Fund information will be made available to the contracted consultant:
- Project plan and overview
- Existing legal research
- Polling and messaging research
PROJECT TIMELINE
- Anticipated start date: December 1st, 2023
- Preferred end date: January 31st, 2024, with the possibility of an extension
SUBMISSION
Please submit final proposal to Kelli Garcia, Director of Policy at [email protected] by November 15. Only proposals submitted by email will be accepted.
Email subject title should list “Final Proposal: Legal and Policy Research Consultant”
PROPSAL EVALUATION
Proposals will be reviewed by a review team comprised of Leadership Team members and select staff. A bidder may be requested to participate in a phone interview, and/or submit written responses to questions regarding its bid. The purpose of such communication with a bidder, either through phone conversation, and/or written clarification, is to provide an opportunity for the bidder to clarify or elaborate on its bid.
The following evaluation criteria categories, not listed in significance, will be used to evaluate bid proposals received in response to this RFP.
- The bidder’s general approach and plans to meet the requirements of this RFP.
- The bidder’s documented experience in successfully completing contracts of a comparable size and scope of those required by this RFP.
- The qualifications and experience of the bidder’s management, supervisors, or other key personnel assigned to the contract, including level of experience, background, and references of the consulting team to be assigned to this project.
- The bidder’s overall ability to mobilize, undertake, and provide the services requested by this RFP within the necessary time frame.
- The bidder’s cost proposal.
Once a proposal is selected, NIRH / NIRH Action Fund will produce a contract outlining the scope of work and deliverables agreed upon by the contractor and NIRH / NIRH Action Fund.
QUESTIONS
Please direct all questions to Kelli Garcia at [email protected] or 202-618-1574 with subject title: “RFP Questions: Legal and Policy Research Consultant”.
EEO statement
The National Institute for Reproductive Health and NIRH Action Fund is an equal opportunity employer. NIRH and NIRH Action Fund strives to build and support an equitable work community that attracts, develops, and retains exceptional people. As a member of the reproductive freedom movement, NIRH aims to foster leadership and raise the voices of historically marginalized people, including but not limited to Black people and people of color, indigenous/native peoples, LGBTQ and gender non-conforming people, disabled/differently abled people, immigrants, and low-income people. We strongly encourage candidates of these and other diverse backgrounds to apply.
Equity Statement
NIRH and NIRH Action Fund staff and board have committed to racial equity, and as such have been engaged in a multi-year process to adopt a racial equity lens across the organizations. We are a reproductive health and rights organization that incorporates reproductive justice values into our work. We recognize the interconnectivity of identities, such as race, socio-economic status, immigration status, ability, and sex, including sexual orientation, and gender identity, and how they interact with systems of oppressions to shape and impact a person’s freedom and ability to control their reproductive and sexual lives. As a result, this person will join an organization that’s currently engaged in shifting its institutional framework.