Request for Speakers

The purpose of this Request for Proposals (RFP) is to solicit proposals for professional Conference Speakers for the upcoming Regional Economic Inclusion (REI) Summit, presented by Vibrant Pittsburgh. We are soliciting both paid speakers and speakers willing to provide their services pro bono publico (without expectation of payment) for the good of Vibrant Pittsburgh in support of the goals and objectives of the Conference and the diversity, equity, and inclusion profession in general.

You are encouraged to incorporate the 2021 REI Summit  theme, More than a Moment, in your session title and subject matter of your presentation. Reflect on diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace through the lenses of history of impact and influence; exploration of today’s challenges; and the visions necessary to create the workplaces, leaders, and workforce of the future.

Submissions are due no later than 5:00 PM EST on August 20, 2021.
Questions about the process? Contact Lora McKnight, COO and VP, Programs & Services, at loram@vibrantpittsburgh.org

General Information

  1. Send questions about this RFP to the REI Summit Committee at loram@vibrantpittsburgh.org
  2. All qualified persons are encouraged to submit proposals. Vibrant Pittsburgh does not discriminate against individuals in regard to age, color, disability, gender identity, family status, national or ethnic origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, veteran status, and family medical or genetic information.
  3. Conference sessions and workshops are available as follows. Offerors may submit proposals for any or all of the services requested – please submit separately:
    1. General session keynote address, one hour and fifteen minutes (1 – 1.25 hours) in length intended audience of 350+ Conference attendees
    2. Concurrent breakout session or workshops, one hour (1.0 hour) in length (intended audience of 50-100 conference attendees)

Vibrant Pittsburgh reserves the right to select proposals that, in its sole discretion, meet the planned events and theme of the Conference as well as the criteria set forth within this RFP.

  1. New for the REI Summit Annual Conference, all speaker RFP information will be collected through an on-line submission form below.  Submissions are due no later than 5:00 PM EST on August 20, 2021
  2. Proposal information submitted by the due date will become the property of Vibrant Pittsburgh and will not be returned. Information submitted will not be shared or used outside of its intended purpose stated in this document.
  3. Proposal submissions will not be viewed publicly. However, all offerors who made proposals will be notified of the results of this solicitation process.
  4. Vibrant Pittsburgh reserves the right to accept or reject any or all proposals or waive any informality in its selection of Conference Speakers. Offerors must give notice in writing within two (2) business days after the closing date when exercising their right to withdraw their proposal. Notice shall be delivered to the Speakers Committee via email at loram@vibrantpittsburgh.org

General Instructions and Selection Process

The REI Summit Committee will evaluate the proposals received and select the professional Conference Speakers it desires to participate in the Conference. The proposals shall be Responsive and Responsible. A proposal is considered “Responsive” if it conforms exactly to the requirements in this Request for Proposals. A proposal is “Responsible” if the offeror has the capability, in all respects, to perform fully the contract requirements and the moral and business integrity and reliability which will assure good faith performance. Based on the selection criteria, Vibrant Pittsburgh will hold discussion/s with the best-qualified offerors and select the Conference Speakers who best meet the needs of the REI Summit Committee. Offers of selection of Conference Speakers shall be at the sole discretion of the REI Summit Committee.

An offeror’s submission shall include information highlighting your ability to meet each of the SELECTION CRITERIA listed below. The proposals will be evaluated considering the following items listed in rank order of importance with corresponding potential points as shown below in addition to the basic requirements outlined above. The quality, availability, and adaptability of the offeror’s services and related products will be considered in conjunction with Vibrant Pittsburgh’s desired needs for the REI Summit Annual Conference. The proposed session should address one of the following topics:

  1. Transforming the Workplace
  2. Transforming the Region
  3. Beyond Attract, Retain, and Elevate
  4. Technology and the workplace: D&I & AI
  5. Investing in Justice: Next Level Corporate Responsibility
  6. Remote Belonging
  7. Success Stories from Benchmark Cities as Relates to D&I

Selection factors will include: quality of performance and services to previous and existing clients; reputation and experience of the selected offeror; capability of the selected offeror to perform the services desired by Vibrant Pittsburgh within a specific budget, paid and (pro bono publico); as well as time constraints and required services to implement the session.

Be a Speaker at the Regional Economic Inclusion Summit 2021

Please be mindful of grammar, spelling and capitalization as your information will flow directly to other areas of the Conference website and/or app if you are approved as a speaker. Presenters may submit multiple session topics, each on a separate online form.

RFP Subsmissions for the 2021 REI Summit have closed. We look forward to your application in 2022.

Acknowledgement: The proposed presenter’s acknowledgement on the online submission acknowledges that he/she will provide professional Conference speaking services either paid (please note requested fee) or pro bono publico for the good of the diversity and inclusion profession and in support of the goals and objectives of the REI Summit. Any requested exceptions to this practice must be detailed in your proposal and are subject to review by Vibrant Pittsburgh and the REI Summit Committee.

Timelines and Terms

The selected Speakers will be subject to the following provisions:

  1. Agreement to Perform Conference Speaking Services. The dates, timelines, and terms of the Conference speaking engagement will be outlined and confirmed in writing by the REI SUMMIT Committee to selected offerors after proposals are selected.
  2. FEES: Paid/Pro Bono Publico. Presenters selected must indicate their requested fees and terms and/or be willing to provide their services pro bono publico (without expectation of payment) for the good of the diversity, equity, and inclusion profession and in support of the goals and objectives of the REI Summit. Accepted Speakers can expect:
    • A wide range of exposure to professionals across southwestern Pennsylvania, including listings on the Conference website and program;
    • Ability to participate in all Conference activities on the day(s) of their presentation(s);
    • Complimentary registration to the entire Conference.
  3. Indemnification and Insurance. The selected offeror will indemnify and agree to hold Vibrant Pittsburgh harmless from any liability, which may be imposed against Vibrant Pittsburgh by reason of its acts or omissions.
  4. Discrimination prohibited. The selected offeror will not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment in regard to age, color, disability, gender identity, family status, national or ethnic origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, veteran status, and family medical or genetic information, unless required as a bona fide occupational qualification reasonably necessary to the normal operations of the selected offeror.

Vibrant Pittsburgh and the REI Summit Committee reserve the right to cancel the engagement with the speaker at any time with or without cause and with or without notice, and in the event of any such cancellation, Vibrant Pittsburgh shall have no liability to the speaker as a result of the cancellation.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the Workplace.

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