County of Santa Clara Issues Communications RFP
Purpose:
The purpose of this Request for Proposals (RFP) is to obtain proposals from qualified firms interested in implementing the County’s strategic communications plan in support of its housing priorities.
Background:
The mission of the County of Santa Clara’s (County) Office of Supportive Housing (OSH) is to increase the supply of affordable housing for extremely low income and/or special needs households served by the County, and to make homelessness rare, brief, and nonrecurring. The OSH’s major activities include efforts to organize and operate homeless services countywide, including homelessness prevention, crisis response, and Permanent Supportive Housing and Rapid Re-housing programs. In addition, the OSH strives to increase the supply of housing by funding and spurring the development of housing for low-income households, with a particular focus on extremely low-income households. Ultimately, the solution to homelessness is more affordable housing with a prioritization for the poorest and most vulnerable residents who are disproportionately impacted by the lack of affordable housing.
OSH is the lead department within the County implementing a voter approved $950 million bond program known as the 2016 Measure A Affordable Housing Bond (Housing Bond). The Housing Bond provides the County with an unprecedented opportunity to partner with cities, residents, and the affordable and supportive housing community to significantly address the housing needs of the community’s populations including veterans, seniors, the disabled, low and moderate income individuals and/or families, foster youth, victims of abuse, homeless men and women, and individuals suffering from mental health or substance abuse illnesses. The Housing Bond proceeds would contribute to the creation of at least 4,800 units of supportive housing and affordable housing for extremely low income and very low income households. The Housing Bond would leverage other funds to support the development of another 4,000 to 5,000 units of housing affordable to low income and moderate income households. In addition, the Housing Bond would assist about 1,000 first-time homebuyers.
The County has developed a strategic communications plan to support the OSH’s current programs and its efforts to implement the Housing Bond. Through this RFP, the OSH is seeking a firm to help manage and implement the strategic communications plan, the overarching goals of which are to:
- Reduce the Stigma Associated with Homelessness, Poverty, and Mental Illness
- Engage and Activate Communities to Support Housing Solutions
Sections IV and V, “Proposal Preparation and Submission” and “Proposal Requirements,” respectively, describe how the County will select the most qualified organizations. Section II, “Project Scope of Work,” describes the program requirements that selected vendors must follow. In other words, the Project Scope of Work describes the deliverables expected from each contractor that is selected through this RFP. The County has allocated $700,000 over three years to be used for the services and strategic execution described in this RFP, including any media/advertising development, purchasing, and placement.
Scope of Work:
The County seeks services that may include the following:
- Website development, including Search Engine Optimization and Marketing
- Market research
- Brand development and campaign planning
- Creative direction and design production for media and collateral, including print, digital, photography, and video
- Content development and production
- Agency of Record for media planning, purchasing, and placement
- Campaign execution and management
- Social media platform development
- Media and public relations, including special events and citizen engagement
The selected firm(s) should be available for in-person client management meetings, conference calls, and presentations.
Due Date:
May 16th
Address:
Office of Supportive Housing
3180 Newberry Drive # 150
San Jose, CA 95118
Strong California PR agencies include Zeno Group and Shift Communications.
