Proposal submissions due by October 1, 2025
COLUMBIA, Md., (August 27, 2025) — TEDCO, Maryland’s economic engine for technology companies, announced the republication of a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the enhancement of the Business Resource Information, Development, and Guidance Ecosystem (BRIDGE) program. The RFP details the Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Technical Assistance program, an initiative under BRIDGE established to ensure Social and Economically Disadvantaged Individual (SEDI)-owned businesses and Very Small Businesses (VSBs) have the resources and expertise to obtain capital in the form of loans, grants, investments and contracts to strengthen the Mid-Atlantic region.
“Through the creation of BRIDGE, we hope to uplift businesses across their journey,” said Troy LeMaile-Stovall, TEDCO CEO. “Through the CDFI program, we are looking to empower businesses with financial knowledge and understanding to support company stability and continued growth across the State and beyond.”
The selected firms will be responsible for delivering financial consultations tailored to the unique circumstances of each business. These consultations will include an assessment of current financial conditions and the identification of any barriers to loan readiness. Afterwards, CDFIs will offer qualifying businesses assistance in correcting inaccuracies, interpreting credit reports and developing individualized plans to improve current standing.
“The firms selected will be working closely with businesses to support the completion of loan or investment applications to uplift each business,” said Kim Mozingo, vice president of Federal Programs at TEDCO. “By providing businesses with education and tools, we hope to emphasize the importance of financial planning and empower growth across the region.”
Interested applicants can respond to the detailed RFP, published here. The goal of this RFP is to receive proposals from potential firms, evaluate those submittals and select the one best suited to provide the requested services listed throughout the RFP. All applicants must submit a complete response by Monday, October 1, 2025.
This RFP welcomes broader participation from for-profit organizations but especially encourages minority business enterprises, as defined in Section 14-301 (e) of the State Finance and Contracting Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland, to apply.