Preguntas frecuentes

Detroit Means Business was identified by the City of Detroit to provide services funded through ARPA. Therefore, the City of Detroit wants to ensure that you do not owe any taxes to them before being identified to provide services paid through ARPA. You must provide the clearance from the City of Detroit Treasury Department, which can be accessed here: https://detroitmi.gov/departments/office-chief-financial-officer/ocfo-divisions/office-treasury/clearances-income-tax-and-accounts-receivable.

Applications are being accepted on a rolling basis through June 30, 2024 @ 11:59 pm.

In section 3 of the application, 2 to 3 case examples are required to be provided that demonstrate the Proposer's experience and shall include the following information: past experience serving small businesses - with references. Each case example should include a summary of services provided, the total contract value of services delivered, and reference contact information including name, address, telephone number, and email. LinkedIn reviews can be printed off and uploaded as additional supporting documentation, however the case example must outline the required ask.

Currently, the selection committee includes the DMB president and DEGC VP of Small Business Services. We are in the process of hiring an Impact Director who will be added to the committee once onboarded.

In section 3 of the application, 2 to 3 case examples are required to be provided that demonstrate the Proposer's experience and shall include the following information: past experience serving small businesses - with references. Each case example should include a summary of services provided, the total contract value of services delivered, and reference contact information including name, address, telephone number, and email. For those proposers providing legal counseling in which information is privileged, a basic summary of the service provided (Ex: assistace with cease and desist documentation), the cost for all services rendered in order to complete that service (Ex. consultation, paperwork processing, and any court representation, etc.) and the contact information available in public record should be noted.

As the company owner overseeing the services being provided, you are able to meet with the Small Business Owner so long as you are able to speak to the services being rendered, should they want to have an in person meeting.

The home base company is your business headquarters (the address of your business that is registered with your respective state). If your business is out of state, and you have a workspace in the City of Detroit, you are eligible to apply, so long that you are able to meet with the Small Business Owner, should they want to have an in-person meeting.

Someone from the firm needs to be available to meet in person as requested by the small business being serviced.

Detroit Means Business is accepting applications on a rolling basis through June 30, 2024 (at 11:59 pm ET), if you are not approved, you are welcome to apply again so long as any discrepancies or any issues with the initial application are resolved.

Motor City Match and Detroit Means Business are two separate entities under the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation, therefore, an application as a Business Service Provider to provide business assistance and technical assistance services must be submitted directly.

Small Business Owners (SBOs) will be eligible to apply for the assistance from Small Business Providers beginning September 15, 2023 with the application approval process taking 30 business days. Upon acceptance of a SBO application, they will identify the Business Service Provider they would like to work with based on the established list. A Business Service Provider can selected to provide business assistance services as early as 30 days after awardees (SBOs) are identified, however, there is no exact date as to when a Business Service Provider can begin services as they must first be selected by the Small Business Owner.

Scope and timeline are two separate questions on the application. Baseline scope of service should include methods for service delivery, and expected outcomes. The timeline question can be answered generally, based on services provided.

Using the website vs social media content example, if you generally provide social media content within 5-7 business days (which includes drafts and design approval) but your turnaround is usually quicker, a general timeline can be documented as 5-7 business days. If your turnaround for a website with 5-10 landing pages is typically 30 business days, but your turnaround varies between 2 weeks to 2 months, use a general timeline that you feel comfortable with. Additionally, you are able to upload supporting documentation such as a menu of services offered and a breakdown of the time it takes to provide said services.

Applications will be reviewed on an on-going basis. Communication regarding approval or denial of participation in the Program will be sent via email to the TA Provider within thirty (30) business days of the Detroit Means Business receipt of a completed application.

A conflict of interest is an employee, elected official or appointed official or officer of the City of Detroit government (the City);

the spouse or dependent of an employee or board member of the City, Detroit Economic Growth Corporation, Economic Development Corporation, Detroit Economic Growth Association, an affiliate with the Detroit Means Business program, or a Detroit Means Business lending partner or juror who applies for the RFQ. All conflicts of interest must be disclosed and upon upon receipt of this disclosure, the DEGA will determine whether a true conflict of interest exists and if the conflict can be mitigated and/or granted an exemption in accordance with DEGA policies and federal regulations.

Federal guidelines and compliance can be found on pages 8-11 of the formal RFQ document: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1EsNOeNTXefoUT5alEuRug-2BR8-AUUiX/view

Assuming confirmation of completion from the business being serviced has been received, payments should be received in 14 business days.

The category Digital Strategy, Marketing and Branding Services includes the following:

• Access and connectivity

• Navigation training and support

• Creation and maintenance of digital services

• Branding position

• Paid and Unpaid Digital advertising

• Website design and development

• Content creation

• Digital strategies through analytics

• E-commerce and digital sales

• Social Media Strategy

However, this list is not exhaustive and the application allows for an "other" under each category that you may add a service to.

This initiative is for projects with a defined stop and start. Companies can engage in up to five projects, with DMB paying for a smaller percentage of each successive project. We hope that this initiative catalyzes ongoing business relationships between businesses that are not connected to this initiative. Companies are free to continue to work with each other without the subsidy that this program provides.

Yes.

There is over $3 million in funding for this initiative.

Insurance requirements can be found on the official RFQ document on pages 12-14 https://drive.google.com/file/d/1EsNOeNTXefoUT5alEuRug-2BR8-AUUiX/view

If you are not approved, you are welcome to apply again so long as any discrepancies or any issues with the initial application are resolved.

We need to be able to substantiate a track record of over 2 years. We will look at each situation on a case-by-case basis to verify the required track record.

No project should exceed $25,000. Rates will ne negoitiated and agreed upon between the vendor and Small Business Owner. Detroit Means Business anticipates that rates will be consistent with market rates.

Program staff will hold one or more events and or meetings during which Business Assistance Providers will have an opportunity to speak directly to awardees about the services they offer and the types of projects they want to take on. Program awardees will complete a “Work Plan” with Program staff that identifies the business and/or technical assistance services needed to meet identified business goals. Based on that Work Plan, awardees will solicit Business Assistance Providers for services through the interactive database.

For the case study, if you provided virtual services to a business, you can list that in the case study example and make note that the services were virtual. However, please provide a contact name, number and email for the business you provided services to for reference.

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis and upon receipt of the application, a decision will be provided within 30 business days.

All of those listed in this questions, including Enterprise Resource Planning systems could fall under the category of High Growth Technology. In each of the 6 categories there is an "other" option to provide a service not listed.

MCM awardees will be required to submit an application for the business assistance. Applications will open between September 15, 2023 - October 1, 2023.

Assuming confirmation of completion from the business being serviced has been received, payments should be received in 14 business days once an invoice has been received to Detroit Means Business.

All ARPA dollars must be allocated by June 30, 2025.

Service providers will have the opportunity to partner with businesses who are in all phases; start-up to existing businesses.

Business Assistance Service Providers wil have the opportunity to take on multiple projects as long as they are able to meet with each business and effectively manage projects and submit them to completion timely.