Communications RFP Issued By San Juan Water Conservancy District
The San Juan Water Conservancy District (SJWCD) invites proposals from qualified parties to provide consulting services for: (1) community engagement expertise to develop a strategy for community education and communication on water issues that impact our region and also promotes the ability of the SJWCD to achieve all stated goals identified in our 2021 Strategic Plan; (2) coordination of community feedback panels to develop effective messaging on water issues; (3) development of education and communication materials including graphic artwork brochures, presentations, articles for publication, and online distribution
Background:
The San Juan Water Conservancy District (SJWCD) was formed on October 22, 1987, as a duly
organized water conservancy district pursuant to the Water Conservancy Act following
approval by Archuleta County voters. The SJWCD works to provide community education on
water issues, water resource planning, stream improvement, water rights protection, and
development services within its service area, which is located wholly within Archuleta County
along the headwaters of the Upper San Juan River.
In early 2021 the SJWCD published its Strategic Plan outlining the Strategic Objectives and
associated actions required to accomplish these objectives. The Strategic Objectives are as
follows:
1. Determining the water needs (agricultural, municipal, environmental, and
recreational) of the District, and how the San Juan River Headwaters Project and
other projects might meet those needs.
2. Education of the community at large regarding critical water issues that face the
District, the Southwest Basin of Colorado, and the Colorado River Basin and its
tributaries.
3. Conservation of our limited water resources through continued existing programs
and initiation of new programs.
4. Ensuring the financial health and viability of the District through cost-effective
asset management including, but not limited to the District’s water rights and
collaboration with existing and new partners.
5. Establish a reputation of operational excellence through communication both
internally and externally with partners and the general public.
The Strategic Plan may be found on the SJWCD website at https://www.sjwcd.org.
In May 2021 members of the SJWCD Board participated with leaders of other community
organizations in Pagosa Springs and Archuleta County in a workshop offered by the Sonoran
Institute to assist communities in incorporating water considerations in their growth plans.
Please see the Sonoran Institute website for more information on these Growing Water Smart
workshops (https://resilientwest.org/2020/co-gws-rfa/). The Pagosa Springs/Archuleta
County Growing Water Smart workshop team developed multiple objectives aimed at
addressing water issues in the Upper San Juan River Basin. A key objective involves
communication and education of the community on water issues that impact the region. As
this objective meshes well with the SJWCD Strategic Plan objectives, the SJWCD has agreed
to consolidate, coordinate, and manage these education and communication efforts.
Scope of Work:
(1) Engagement Strategy
The SJWCD seeks a vendor to develop a cost effective yet comprehensive marketing strategy
that would utilize a variety of media options to be suggested by the vendor.
Overall services are to include:
(a) Development of community engagement strategy with suggested budget
expenditures;
(b) Create and advise on on-going adjustments to the program to maximize impact;
(c) On-going support
It is requested that the vendor also include in the proposal response the cost of such on-going
support preferably in the form of an hourly rate and estimated monthly cost related to regular
(i.e., quarterly or as-needed) evaluation of the effectiveness of the strategy, to evaluate
execution, and advise the SJWCD on strategy adjustments.
Timeline: The SJWCD envisions a timeframe for completion of strategy outline and framework
within four (4) weeks of contract authorization.
(2) Development of Message
In addition to the SJWCD and the Pagosa Springs/Archuleta County Growing Water Smart
team, there are numerous organizations with a focus on community education and
communication outreach on water issues impacting the Upper San Juan River Basin. The
SJWCD seeks a vendor to assist in the development of an engagement program that can serve
multiple water stakeholders. It is envisioned that multiple meetings of focus groups will be
required to develop this program. The consultant will then confirm that the engagement
program resonates within the community by holding a number (to be determined by the
consultant) of community focus group sessions where water issues are discussed.
Timeline: The SJWCD envisions a timeframe for development of the engagement program for
the project within two (2) months of contract authorization.
(3) Education and Communication Material Development
A significant amount of educational and informational materials addressing water issues is
available through various organizations in Colorado. The consultant will make use of these
materials when possible and adapt for local use. The consultant will develop additional
materialsas necessary to fulfill the community engagement and education strategy.
All text, graphics, video, source code, and editorial content created by the consultant in
connection with the community engagement strategy will become the sole property of the
SJWCD and may be used for any purpose including but not limited to posting, disclosure,
reproduction, broadcast, and transmission. The vendor shall covenant that any material
published or technologies used in the project will not violate or infringe on any copyright,
trademark, patent, statutory, common law or proprietary rights of others, or contain anything
libelous or harmful.
Due Date: All proposals must be received by 5:00 pm Mountain Daylight Time on October 25, 2021.
Address:
c/o Al Pfister, Board President
San Juan Water Conservancy District
46 Eaton Drive Suite #5
Pagosa Springs, CO 81147
Agencies to consider include Edelman PR and Porter Novelli.
