Key dates:
Proposal due date and time August 23, 2024, at 4:59 PM EST
Proposal dates:
A250 reserves the right to adjust any of the RFP dates without notice. Any changes in dates will be
posted on its website and, if possible, sent by email to the email identified as the respondent’s POC.
Proposals that arrive late will be rejected. All submissions are due by 4:59 PM ET on August 23
via email to jcondon@america250.org .
Introduction
America250.org, Inc. (“A250”) is accepting proposals to retain a qualified, hands-on professional
public relations firm or agency (“Contractor”) for a full suite of services, focusing on America250’s
earned media strategy and execution. The successful bidder will work with America250 to inspire
the American public, corporations, and potential donors through earned media at the national and
local levels in broadcast and print. Proactive media outreach and leveraging both existing and
identification of new contacts to raise the profile of America250 and the Semi quincentennial and
increase awareness of our programs and events are the main objectives. The goal is to enhance our
public relations efforts and drive greater media coverage for our organization’s initiatives and events.
While not an inclusive list, Contractor will engage in the following:
● Develop story ideas and pitches
● Conduct media outreach to target markets across the United States, including the 50 states,
5 territories and the District of Columbia
● Establish and manage public relations strategy, PR plan, and PR editorial calendar
● Identify media opportunities for the Chair and Commissioners, as needed
● Track and report on earned media
● Create talking points and fact sheets for media contacts
● Work closely with the America250 leadership and the Professional Services Team (PST)
2 Organization Background
America250 is a nonpartisan initiative working to engage every American in commemorating and
celebrating the Semiquincentennial, the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of
Independence. It is spearheaded by the congressionally appointed U.S. Semiquincentennial
Commission (the “Commission”), and its sole-supporting nonprofit organization, America250.org,
Inc., together known as America250. This multi-year effort kicked off with America’s Invitation on
July 4, 2023: a national public engagement campaign inviting all Americans to share their stories and
their hopes and dreams for the future of this country. Leading up to July 4, 2026, America250 is
working to provide opportunities for all Americans to pause and reflect on our nation’s past, honor
the contributions of all Americans, and look to the future we want to create for the next generation
and beyond. To learn more, visit America250.org, and follow us on X, Instagram, Facebook, and
LinkedIn.
America250 is building the largest and most inclusive celebration and commemoration in history for the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 2026. Key to the 250thanniversary is nationwide engagement from sea to shining sea. The team is led by the Chair and
Commissioners and is made up of full-time staff and contractors to help reach the scale necessary to ensure that all 350 million Americans are reached. The managed services team of external bipartisan communications, media, strategy, constituency services, development and programmatic firms is known as the Professional Services Team (PST).
3 Objectives and Scope of Work
America250 is seeking a qualified professional public relations firm to lead the earned media
strategy and execution leading up to the Semi quincentennial. The minimum scope of services and
responsibilities of the Contractor shall include:
● Media Relations: Develop and implement a comprehensive media strategy to secure earned media coverage across relevant channels.
○ Lead proactive earned media outreach with key reporters to amplify your work and announcements and manage relationships with outlets and journalists.
○ Create internal/external talking points and reporter background briefing documents.
○ Provide media preparation and supervision of surrogates for media interviews and news appearances.
○ Provide spokesperson media training to the Chair, Commissioners, and Senior Staff, as needed.
● Press Materials: Work with the America250 leadership, including the Executive Director, Executive Vice President, and Chair, as well as the PST, to craft compelling press releases, media advisories, and pitches tailored to target audiences. Draft statements, quotes, talking points, op-eds, and other written materials, and work with reporters to ensure America250’s voice is included in relevant stories.
● Media Outreach: Build and maintain relationships with key journalists and outlets. Execute targeted media outreach to secure coverage on broadcast television, radio, podcasts, newspapers, magazines, and online, among other sources.
○ Assist in fielding press inquiries for both traditional and experiential media outlets, and activate third-party stakeholders who can validate your efforts.
● Campaign Management: Manage and execute media campaigns, including tracking and analyzing performance metrics.
● Crisis Communications: Provide strategic advice and support in managing media relations during crisis situations in collaboration with the PST firms.
○ Develop a rapid response infrastructure, identify threats, and create a plan to inoculate potential attacks.
● Issues Management/Rapid Response: Assist the PST in developing messaging, pitches and communications strategies around initiatives and upcoming announcements, with a focus on amplifying awareness among political and community stakeholders.
● Internal Support: The selected firm will serve as a member of the PST participating in standing internal weekly strategy meetings, as well as ad hoc meetings as necessary when issues arise.
○ Selected firm will have key points of contact, working with the PST, the Chair and senior America250 staff on all earned media and public relations strategy in conjunction with the managed services firms.