DALLAS COLLEGE REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL Podcast Production Services
DUE NO LATER THAN: 2:00 P.M. JANUARY 19, 2024
PROJECT SCOPE AND DOCUMENTATION
1. SCOPE OF SERVICES
Dallas College is seeking the services of an expert in the field of podcast studio operations, marketing, and management to handle management of all operations of their existing DC podcast studio in Dallas, and the potential rollout of additional podcast studios throughout Dallas and the north Texas region. The Podcast studio is connected to a collaborative workspace and entrepreneurial center known as the Dallas College Venture Club (“DCVC”) located at the Bill J. Priest Institute in the Cedars District in Dallas, TX. The DCVC is targeted at expanding into other sites and podcast studios would be a part thereof. While the podcast studios will be treated as an independent resource and revenue center, they will be connected to those sites through DCVC and will support DCVC’s vision of serving students, small businesses, public and private interests, and the community at large as being an innovative catalyst for learning, business incubation, acceleration, and entrepreneurial success.
We are seeking to locate and engage a podcast industry expert (individual or entity) that can build, manage and grow the podcast studios in tandem with the growth of the DCVC sites and provide the best overall value to DC to achieve their objectives. Multiple criteria will form the basis for their engagement decision, as more fully described herein.
1.1. PROJECT MISSION, DESCRIPTION and PURPOSE
Underlying Mission: The mission of the DC is to transform lives and communities through higher education. The new DCVC was created to be an innovative catalyst and support system for entrepreneurship and career advancement over a diversified field of users. The DCVC brings state-of-the-art facilities and amenities, including the tools, systems, resources and connections necessary to pursue entrepreneurial success. The podcast studio mission is to be a valuable amenity for the DCVC and to share and feed into its vision through excellence in podcast productions.
General Description: The DCVC podcast studios will be a full-service, fee-based podcast recording studio and production house. It is an amenity open to all for booking, recording and posting a podcast. Dallas College students, faculty, and associates, along with DCVC members, will have preferential pricing and booking privileges.
Purpose: The purpose of this RFP is to engage the best podcast production expert to manage all facets of the existing DCVC podcast studio at BJP, which includes (a) all aspects of operations, production, pre-and post show needs, marketing, booking & scheduling, and all other matters related to creating a vital and financially successful podcast studio asset capable of replication and growth. Additionally, as additional sites are approved for development, the engaged podcast expert will work with DC to guide the design, development, buildout, equipping, and launch of these new sites, and subsequently take over the operational and managerial duties thereof.
2. ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
Manage the current podcast studio at BJP and any future podcast studio’s that DC chooses to rollout in the region.
Working closely with DCVC community managers and community management software and
technologies to oversee the booking, scheduling and professional communication with prospective or existing podcasters before, during and after podcast tapings.
Work within DC ‘s established podcast fee parameters for users.
Maintain all aspects of the podcast studio facilities, equipment, tools and assets at all times.
Provide skilled engineer(s) / production personnel for each podcast taping and include in their services a pre-show tutorial and advisory session with the incoming podcaster, and a brief post-show overview.
Subject to advance approval by DC, make additional professional services available (for a fee) to current or prospective podcasters such as show editing, inserts, creative writing, coaching, etc.
Work with DC marketing department and other DC divisions and professionals to promote and market the studio and its brand, services, and vision.
Place all podcast shows on the dedicated DC channel(s) and give general advisory input to podcasters on marketing and promotions of their shows.
Maintain ongoing and open communications and collaboration with DC and the DCVC community
managers on all aspects of the studio, its scheduling, and its operations within the DCVC facilities. The podcast studios and the DCVC facilities will work together in a unified, supportive basis.
3. REPORTS AND MANUALS
3.1. Issue monthly summary reports on the details of the previous month’s bookings and key information, podcaster contact information, fees received, and other pertinent information DC may request.
3.2. Develop a Management and Operations Manual for DC.
4. EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND DELIVERY
4.1. Podcasting Education
Work with Dallas College to develop podcasting workshops, courses, and certification. With the introduction of podcasting courses, the goal is to equip clients and potential clients with the knowledge and skills required to excel in the world of podcasting.
4.2. Intern Training and Development
Work with Dallas College team to create curriculum and training to students via an internship program.
5. NEW PROSPECTIVE STUDIO:
5.1. Work with DC to develop a general assessment report on the viability of the studio placement, cost of buildout, availability and cost of resources and equipment, market evaluation, and other relevant information helpful in determining the feasibility of success.
5.2. Assist in the design, development, construction, equipping, marketing and launch of the new site.
5.3. Manage all aspects of each additional podcast site and production, including but not limited to operations, bookings, scheduling, servicing, production, engineering, coordination of personnel, upkeep, marketing, revenue collection, coordination with community managers, and all other management criteria pertaining to the oversight of a coordinated network of podcast sites within the DC and DCVC context.
