Terms and conditions:
All vendors as well as all requests for financial support will be evaluated against program criteria, Launch Loudoun’s goals, Department of Economic Development’s mission, vision and values, County policies and procedures, and ARPA policies and procedures. Loudoun County reserves the right to approve or deny vendors and/or requests for funding that do not align with any of the above areas of review and at any time in the process.
Vendors who wish to participate must fill out the form linked below and agree to all of the following terms and conditions:
1. Participation in the program is not a guarantee of selection for any individual project. An approved contractor will conduct matchmaking services that will determine which vendors are most appropriate for each approved project.
2. Adherence to all program, County, State and ARPA guidelines.
3. Be a business offering services in one of the listed areas and be verified by the Commission of the Revenue as licensed and in good standing.
4. Acceptance of subsidized rate for no more than 10 hours per approved project.
5. Meet with potential program participants for no more than one hour at no charge to scope the project and provide back to program and client an estimate of work, hours, and fees above the subsidized rate. The goal of the program is that each approved project has at least two and no more than 4 vendors matched that will meet with the Launch Loudoun client before a decision is made(2).
6. Complete after-project survey and provide data as requested by DED or its chosen contractor pertaining to the approved project and associated work(3).
7. Receive payment for services via electronic funds transfer.
8. Attend at least one training session for the program and be available for a minimum of two Launch Loudoun Lunch and Learns or other agreed upon events where chosen vendors will be able to provide a brief overview of the services they offer.
Vendors will be asked to choose areas of specialty (no more than 3) within the overall program categories. This will ensure the best possible matches are made for the approved projects. Vendors interested in the program should understand and be willing to work with Launch Loudoun clients who are new to the process of hiring and retaining service providers, and/or early in their business growth. This program’s success is dependent on clear and ongoing communication between all parties participating.
While participation in the program does not guarantee a vendor will be chosen for a project, the hope is that vendors also have the opportunity to meet potential new long-term clients and build more lasting relationships beyond the pilot program.
(1) Non-Loudoun based businesses will be considered on a case-by-case basis where a Loudoun-based business is not available to offer the same or similar services in the chosen category.
(2) Each Launch Loudoun client will be allowed to apply for one project in the core focus areas. Each project can be approved for up to 10 hours of service with limitations based on the type of service requested and the stage of the business applying for support. Business will be identified by a unique EIN. Business owners with multiple unique businesses will only be approved for one project for one business and added to a wait list if funds remain later in the program cycle.
(3) All information provided to or used by DED can and should be considered a public record for Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) purposes. Please reach out to DED prior to your response to discuss proprietary or confidential information that could be contained in your response.
(4) The chosen vendors will be receiving payment from the County of Loudoun of revenues from the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds Program (SLFRF) established under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) pursuant to sections 602 and 603 of the Social Security Act, as added by Section 9901, Public Law 117-2, codified at 42 U.S.C. 802 et. Seq. (March 11, 2021).
The third parties use of funds received as direct payment from the County pursuant to sections 602(c)(1) and 603(c)(1) of the Social Security Act will be used only to cover those costs that:
· Respond to its negative economic impacts, and;
· Have been approved by County Staff.
Funds received as a direct payment from the County pursuant to this agreement must adhere to official federal guidance issued or to be issued regarding what constitutes a necessary expenditure.
As a condition of receiving the SLFRF funds pursuant to this contract/certification, the chosen vendor shall retain documentation of all uses of the funds, including but not limited to payroll records, invoices, and/or sales receipts and must report on all uses of funds, and must maintain proper accounting records.