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Through this Request for Qualifications (RFQ), Smart Growth America (SGA) is soliciting qualifications for on-call professional consulting services, including but not limited to, graphic design, illustration, photography and/or video, public relations support, and additional communications services. SGA is looking for qualifications from firms or individuals who can provide quality consulting services to SGA from 2023-2026, with the potential of such services being extended for an additional year at which time renegotiation of fees may occur.

These resources will support the technical assistance, advocacy, and thought leadership of Smart Growth America and its various programs and coalitions such as Transportation for America, LOCUS, Form Based Code Institute, and the National Complete Streets Coalition. The deadline to submit is Monday, May 22.

SGA is looking for one or more consultants or consulting firms that can provide these services. SGA is not looking for teams of consultants, rather, consultants are encouraged to submit qualifications for the requested services in which they have relevant experience. The selected consultant(s) will then be eligible to perform work for SGA, as needed, for specific projects. When a specific project arises, SGA will contact one or more appropriate “On-Call” firms. SGA will execute a Task Order that will include a scope of work and associated “Not to Exceed” payment sections.

The selected Consultant(s) will be responsible for completing the tasks and milestones according to a negotiated timeline. Tasks may be added and/or redefined based on subsequent negotiations. Upon execution of a MASTER AGREEMENT with SGA, the Consultant will meet with staff to discuss/clarify the desired goals and outcomes of an issued TASK ORDER AGREEMENT.

About Smart Growth America

Smart Growth America envisions a country where no matter where you live, or who you are, you can enjoy living in a place that is healthy, prosperous, and resilient. We empower communities through technical assistance, advocacy, and thought leadership to realize our vision of livable places, healthy people, and shared prosperity. 

This RFQ will support work throughout SGA’s portfolio of programs, but interested consultants should review and specify in their responses to this RFQ whether their best qualifications may have special applicability to one or more of SGA’s unique programs or coalitions:

• Transportation for America (T4A)
• National Complete Streets Coalition 
• LOCUS (triple bottom line real estate developers)
• Form-Based Codes Institute
• National Brownfields Coalition

Scope of Request for Qualifications:

This RFQ is tailored for consultants who specialize in creative services, including:

• Graphic design: The vendor will design graphics for various materials such as brochures, flyers, posters, social media posts, and other marketing and promotional materials as needed. This may include designing logos, icons, and other visual elements.
• Document/report layout: The vendor will assist with formatting and designing reports, documents, and other written materials. This may include designing templates, creating custom graphics, and organizing content for maximum readability.
• Illustration/graphic arts: The vendor will create original illustrations or graphics to support our marketing and promotional materials.
• Photography/videography: The vendor will provide professional photography and/or videography services to document our events, programs, and initiatives. This may include capturing headshots, candid shots, and event highlights.
• Communications and PR support: The vendor will provide support for our PR and communications efforts, including media outreach, press release writing, and other related services.

Task Orders:

All selected, pre-qualified consultants will be emailed task order notifications with opportunities to bid on potential work. Notifications will include:

• A description of the work to be performed
• Requirements and due date of proposals
• Expected duration of work described or project deadline
• Expected deliverables

Interested consultants shall submit a short scope and cost proposal for the work in the task order by the deadline stated in the notification above. Proposals will be ranked and scored based on project understanding and approach, previous experience of assigned staff, ability to respond in the allotted time, and cost-effectiveness of the proposed work plan.

Requirements:

• A proven track record with the area(s) of expertise.
• Experience working with mission-based nonprofits that engage in policy-driven advocacy.
• A strong communication style, with examples of powerful visual storytelling and clearly organizing complex information about policy in ways that are clear and direct.
• Experience with producing deliverables that sync up with an organization’s established visual styles, tone, and brand.

Preferred qualifications:

• Working knowledge of transportation and/or land use issues.
• Demonstrated history of success with similar projects within the area(s) of expertise.
• Ability to accept and produce deliverables with short notice 

Proposal submission:

Interested applicants should submit your proposal via email to Eric Cova, Director of Communications at ecova@smartgrowthamerica.org  by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on Monday, May 22, 2023, including:

• Overview: A brief letter of interest, including a summary of your company, your experience in providing creative services to clients in the Smart Growth industry, and which areas of expertise your proposal pertains to. 
• Team Background: Brief resumes of key staff, including descriptions of three past projects relevant to the area(s) of expertise in question within the past five years and the number of staff, staff levels, and hours it took to deliver. 
• Portfolio: A portfolio of your work in the fields for which you would like to submit quals (graphic design, illustration/graphic arts, photography/videography, document/report layout, and communications and PR support). Please provide examples of work that are relevant to Smart Growth America.
• Rates: Proposed hourly rate by functional role. Actual contract hours will be determined within subsequent task orders in collaboration with SGA after selection.
• References: A list of at least three references from clients you have worked with in the past.

Send any questions to ecova@smartgrowthamerica.org.

Full and open competition policy:

SGA strives to ensure full and open competition, guarantee the objective performance of contracts, and eliminate the possibility for unfair competitive advantages, and therefore SGA uses a competitive process for its procurements.

Proposal selection shall be based on overall value to SGA considering responsiveness to the solicitation, price, quality, alignment of proposer staff experience with work needed, and other relevant factors. SGA will also consider other benefits associated with the procurement in the selection process, including but not limited to, the opportunity to use small, disadvantaged, women-owned, and minority-owned firms.