REGIONAL PLANNING COUNCILS
Southwest Florida Regional Planning Council**** FIRST NOTICE ****
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
STRATEGIC COMMUNICATION PLAN FOR THE CHARLOTTE HARBOR NATIONAL ESTUARY PROGRAM
Charlotte Harbor National Estuary Program (CHNEP) is part of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency National Estuary Program. This cooperative program was established by Congress in 1987 under the Clean Water Act with the goal of recognizing estuaries of “national significance” by bringing partners with diverse interests and concerns together to protect these estuaries. There are 28 National Estuary Programs within this program with the CHNEP established in 1995.
INVITATION TO PROPOSE: The CHNEP hereby solicits proposals for the project Strategic Communication Plan (Plan) for the Charlotte Harbor National Estuary Program. The CHNEP seeks proposals up to $15,000 to develop a strategic multi-year communication plan (Plan) for communicating with, educating and engaging the public that accounts for the unique characteristics, structure and goals of CHNEP.
SCOPE OF SERVICE: It is the purpose of the Plan to help ensure that communication is as effective as possible in fulfilling the Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan (CCMP), the document that guides the work of the CHNEP. The CCMP is a 20-year plan that is updated every five years. The Strategic Communication Plan is a companion document to the CCMP but it may be updated annually.
The Plan will include assessments, inventories and process development to position the CHNEP to be able to evaluate current and future projects to reach identified target audiences using the method and message that best fits each circumstance. This Plan will incorporate social marketing concepts as research has found that information campaigns may enhance knowledge or alter attitudes but they don’t necessarily change behavior. Social marketing involves identifying barriers to sustainable behavior, designing a strategy, piloting the strategy and evaluating the impact once it has been implemented across a community. The plan may include but is not limited to image/branding and materials development, outreach, education, community involvement, media relations, marketing and behavior change endeavors.
Tasks to be accomplished will include but is not limited to:
Communications audit report with recommendations to evaluate the practice and capacity of CHNEP, how the organization has positioned the communications function and existing products and activities.
Needs assessment report with recommendations to determine what needs are being addressed by others and what products are available that help fulfill the CCMP. This will identify areas of need.
Strategic communication plan to include
Identification of communication goals
Process to identify issues of highest priority
Process to identify target audiences (those that would have the greatest impact on the issues of highest priority)
Process to determine means to reach the target audiences with the messages to affect change in order to improve the conditions
Process to attract volunteers to the Management Conference, specifically the Citizens Advisory Committee
Plan to evaluate and update the strategic communication plan
Incorporation of a strategic communication plan in the CCMP currently being updated
Evaluation tool that can be used for all who conduct programs on behalf of CHNEP to help the Program compare the success of diverse programs (such as wading trips, sponsorship of events and grants) to determine the best use of limited future funds.
This project will be overseen by the CHNEP Communications Manager but will likely involve CHNEP Management Conference members, the Program Office, and additional partners that include people, organizations, agencies and others who wish to recognize and protect the estuaries in Florida from Venice to Estero Bay. The Management Conference includes the Policy, Management, Technical Advisory and Citizens Advisory committees. Each committee has a specific role in furthering the work of the CHNEP.
Many aspects of developing a strategic communication plan have been initiated by the CHNEP Program Office, the Scope of Work will clearly identify information that Program staff will be able to provide to the awardee.
The person/company selected will be hired on a contract basis and will not be given office support.
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP) INFORMATION AND INSTRUCTION/HOW TO APPLY: All requests for submitting a proposal and all proposals must be submitted in writing to: Ms. Maran Hilgendorf, Communications Manager, Charlotte Harbor National Estuary Program by mail 1926 Victoria Ave., Fort Myers, FL 33901, Fax (239)338-2560 or email mhilgendorf@swfrpc.org.
All requests for clarification or for additional information on the RFP must be received in writing no later than 5:00 p.m. (Local Time) Tuesday, December 19, 2006. In order for the Program to accept proposals, interested applicants must indicate their interest in submitting of a proposal in writing.
All proposals for this service must be received in writing no later than 5:00 p.m. (Local Time), Friday, January 19, 2007. Each proposal must include:
History of company
Company’s success in related work (please include results)
Brief resumes of each person who will work on this project. (Please limit each resume to two pages.)
Proposal itself, including timeframe and cost for each task proposed
References
PROJECT TIMELINE: Proposals received by January 19, 2007 will be promptly evaluated by a review team. The team may request a meeting with select applicants. Once a proposal is accepted a contract will be immediately initiated and work may begin once a contract is signed and notarized by both parties. The CHNEP anticipates that this will occur no later than March, 2007.
Progress reports will be required on a monthly basis until the project is completed, which may not be later than March, 2008. Reimbursements will be tied to the acceptance of each task.
The Program anticipates awarding only one contract. The CHNEP reserves the right to reject any or all proposals. Awards will be made to respondents whose proposals are deemed by the Program to be most beneficial, all factors considered.
