RFP – Iowa STEM Marketing and Public Relations Services
REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL
Iowa STEM Marketing and Public Relations Services
RPF Number: 005-RFP-1180-2025
RFP Issued: 11/22/2024
RFP written questions, requests for clarification, and suggested changes from Respondents due: 12/9/2024
Proposals Due: 12/20/2024
Respondents must submit proposals via the State’s IMPACS Electronic Procurement System
Contact:
Paul Manges
Phone: 515-330-7325
E-mail: paul.manges@iowa.gov
Objectives
The State of Iowa is seeking an agency partner to lead the marketing and public relations
components of the Governor’s STEM Advisory Council (also referred to as “Council”). The Council
wishes to increase awareness and compel Iowans to support and engage in building infrastructure
and programming to produce career ready graduates for the economically vital STEM sectors of
advanced manufacturing, information technology, and biosciences. With this solicitation, the
State expects that the respondent will help solve this critical challenge through improved and
increased media exposure.
Background
Governor Terry Branstad created the Governor’s STEM Advisory Council through Executive Order
74 on July 26, 2011, with the overarching goal of improving Iowa’s student interest and
achievement in STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) for the economic benefit
of supporting a strong workforce pipeline in the STEM fields.
The Council is currently co-chaired by Governor Kim Reynolds and Foundation Analytical
Laboratory Owner/Director of Technical Services Diane Young.
The Iowa legislature strongly invested in Iowa STEM at the level of nearly $6.4 million for FY25
and is expected to maintain its support. Council leadership aspires to leverage the state’s
investment by enlisting the services of a reputable and proven media and public relations agency
with a demonstrated ability to provide services in an efficient, professional manner, complying
with State regulations, to assist with the marketing and public relations of the Council.
The council offers a number of signature programs. One of note is the STEM BEST Program which
stands for Business Engaging Students and Teachers, which was developed in 2014. This brings
together schools and businesses to create STEM learning experiences to prepare students for in demand careers.
Scope of Work
Respondents shall provide the Council with the services and deliverables listed below:
Marketing and Public Relations Campaign Development
The respondent shall collaborate with the Council to provide strategy and ongoing
consultation. Council requests may be outlined in written proposals, action plans, or on
conference calls.
The Respondents shall provide Council with existing plans and research once the contract begins.
The Respondent shall meet with Council to review and update plans and provide a budget breakdown with deliverables and project costs.
The Respondent shall assist with integrated marketing activities and brand concepts as requested by the Council including but not limited to:
- Public relations
- Media relations
- Digital/Social/Web/Interactive
- Creative Development
- PSA creation and placement
- Media planning and placement
Public and Media Relations
The Respondent shall collaborate with the Council to consult, recommend, develop, and implement public relations activities.
The Respondent shall assist with story development, social media outlets, and grassroot efforts in the development of Iowa STEM programming.
The Respondent shall assist in generating media coverage for statewide and regional events and business partnerships.
Design and Print Development
The Respondent shall consult, design, and develop copy for print pieces and assist with procurement of printed materials.
The Respondent shall assist with placement for publication, education and outreach displays, and other printed materials required to execute the public messaging campaign.
The Respondent shall assist with the development of templates for distribution to partners including marketing materials, letterhead, business cards, brochures, and other promotional items used by partners and the Council.
Social Media Content, Strategy, and Management
The Respondent shall provide social media strategy and continual ongoing content for all social channels owned by the Iowa STEM Council.
The Respondent shall provide quarterly reporting and measurements for all platforms.
The Respondent shall provide graphics creation for all social specifications.
The Respondent shall manage channel subsets, such as groups and other social forums.
Event Planning
The Respondent shall assist with small and large scale event planning, which includes
event design, coordination, communication strategy, implementation, set-up, and
execution.
The Respondent must be able to execute and manage conferences, awards, presentations, expos and themed events. There may also be à la carte events and fiduciary services required.
The Respondent shall ensure that state travel rates and per diems are within budget.
The Council shall approve all event purchase decisions for rooms, meals, audio/visual, promotional items, and event speakers. All requests will be approved by the Council within three (3) business days and any expenditures without written approval from the Council will not be reimbursed.
Annual Event List
STEM at the Iowa State Fair
Mid-August, large event with approximately 8,000-10,000 State Fair attendees who stop by this Grand Concourse event space. Requires event space, AV, food and beverage, hotel rooms, conference folio, registration/ticketing, name badge holders and lanyards, conference app, sponsorships, catering, prizes, and awards.
STEM Summit (Spring or Fall)
Large event, approximately 1,000 attendees. Requires event space, AV, food and beverage, hotel rooms, conference folio, registration/ticketing, name badge holders and lanyards, conference app, sponsorships, catering, prizes, and awards.
STEM Day at the Capital (Spring)
Approximately 250 attendees, many of whom are legislators or legislators’ Staff with 18-25 exhibitor partners. STEM day at the Capital is an event that Governor Reynolds has engaged with since the Council was created. This event Brings together supporters of quality STEM education at the Iowa Capital to showcase the work happening around the state. Teacher and student-led exhibits represent programs from the Council. These include STEM Scale-Up Programs, STEM BEST Program models and STEM Teacher Externships. Legislators are invited to visit with exhibitors to learn how STEM Council programs are shaping tomorrow’s STEM leaders and connecting learning to careers in high-demand STEM fields to prepare workforce-ready citizens for Iowa. The event recognizes the STEM teacher Awardees from each of the six STEM regions.
STEM Teacher of the Year Award
This award honors one teacher from each of the six STEM regions for their contribution and dedication to STEM education in Iowa. This event currently coincides with STEM Day at the Capital through communication, nomination application reviews begin in the fall and continue through the month of January.
Brand Development and Creative
The Respondent shall collaborate with the Council to elevate the Iowa STEM brand and increase awareness of the Council through integrated marketing efforts that reach target audiences. Branding efforts include various creative elements such as collateral, posters and video, as well as strategy and promotion of statewide events, namely STEM at the Iowa State Fair and STEM Summit.
Deliverables
The successful Respondent shall provide deliverables that include, but are not limited to,
the following:
Meetings
- A kick-off meeting within one (1) week of the final contract acceptance and signing.
- Attend meetings, (virtual or at STEM headquarters), with Council program manager and key State staff. The frequency and format will be agreed upon by the Council and the successful Respondent. The Council and/or the Respondent may request additional meetings as it deems appropriate to successfully manage the activities for each event.
- Various on-site walk through meetings to be held at proposed event venue location.
Event Planning Data Collection and Reporting
- The Respondent shall prepare a summary of the upcoming calendar year’s events. Details about the requirements will be agreed upon by the Council and the successful Respondent.
- The Respondent shall provide recommendations with examples for how best to report on current events/conferences as well as next steps and improvements that can be made to improve future events.
- The Respondent shall provide regularly scheduled reports detailing the progress toward the completion of deliverables. The frequency and format will be agreed upon by the Council and the successful Respondent.
