Workforce Solutions East Texas Issues Marketing RFP

The East Texas Council of Governments (ETCOG), as the administrative entity and fiscal agent for the Workforce Solutions East Texas Board (WSETB) is soliciting proposals from qualified firms for Marketing and Advertising Services in accordance with the Scope of Work specified in this Request for Proposal (RFP). The budget for such services should not exceed $150,000.00.

Background:

Workforce Solutions East Texas Board (WSETB) – is the Local Workforce Development Board for fourteen counties located in East Texas and is funded through the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC). The East Texas Workforce Development Area covers Anderson, Camp, Cherokee, Gregg, Harrison, Henderson, Marion, Panola, Rains, Rusk, Smith, Upshur, Van Zandt and Wood counties.

The Board currently contracts with Dynamic Workforce Solutions Inc. (DWS) to operate a network served as follows:

➢ Two (2) One Stop locations (Longview and Tyler);

➢ Five (5) Full Service Offices (Athens, Palestine, Marshall, Jacksonville, Henderson); and

➢ Seven (7) remote locations (Pittsburg, Canton, Gilmer, Jefferson, Carthage, Emory, Quitman).

The remote locations offer services via the mobile units and call center and website. The other counties of the region are served by mobile workforce center and online. Additional background information is available through www.easttexasworkforce.org and upon request.

East Texas Council of Governments (ETCOG) – was organized under state law for the purpose of orderly planning and development of the East Texas Region. Currently ETCOG serves a 14-county area including Anderson, Camp, Cherokee, Gregg, Harrison, Henderson, Marion, Panola, Rains, Rusk, Smith, Upshur, Van Zandt and Wood Counties and its member Governments are comprised of counties, cities, school districts and special purpose districts. ETCOG assists local governments in planning for common needs, cooperating formutual benefit and coordinating sound regional development. Either directly or through contractors, ETCOG provides programs and services for East Texas seniors, employers and job seekers. ETCOG also builds the 9-1-1 emergency call delivery system, provides peace officer training, homeland security planning, rural transportation services, business finance programs, grant writing services and environmental grant funding for the region.

Scope of Work:

EXPECTATION:

For this project, our expectation of the qualified firm will be to have demonstrated experience and expertise in forming strategic partnerships with public-sector organizations, preferably in areas dealing with workforce or employment services. The firm will also have a proven track record of successfully redirecting public impressions and overall corporate images for their clients. It will have proven success in conceiving and executing large-scale advertising and marketing projects, while working closely with internal staff and incorporating any previously initiated marketing efforts and/or services.

The firm must be professionally organized, well-versed in communicating in a variety of media, able to clearly and persuasively relay the WSETB’s message, and, above all, creative. We expect the qualified firm to have skills and expertise in all medium of advertising, including, but not limited to:

• Market research, analysis, and counsel
• Advertising conception, planning, design, development, production, and evaluation
• Media buying, placement, and monitoring
• Graphic design and photography

GOALS:

The primary goals of this project are to:

• Develop and project a positive image of WSETB services and programs
• Increase awareness of the services and programs available to our various clients, as well as the means to access such services and programs (via website, center/mobile unit visits, call center, etc.)
• Relay the benefits of having a working relationship with WSETB to job seekers, program participants, and area employers
• Drive recruitment and participation while supporting retention of job seekers, program participants, and area employers

MARKETING PLAN AND ASSIGNMENTS:

Proposers should include a marketing plan that will achieve the previously explained purpose and goals of this project. Comprehensive marketing plans should be detailed and should include such aspects as collaborative meetings, project review/analysis measures, advertisement assignments, and/or other creative ways to appeal to our visitors, target markets, and general public.

Firms are encouraged to include detailed plans for advertising assignments which may include a variety of components, such as TV, radio, print, etc., as well as quantities, run times, and other pertinent aspects. ETCOG/WSETB makes no guarantee as to the number and size of assignments which may be included under this project proposal. ETCOG/WSETB may elect to use in-house services, resources, and/or staff for all or part of any assignment.

Due Date:

May 23rd

Address:

East Texas Council of Governments (ETCOG)

Attn: Trish Hudspeth, CTPM

ETCOG Procurement & Facilities Office

3800 Stone Road, Kilgore, TX 75662

Agencies that could be a fit include Finn Partners and Ruder Finn.