Municipal Public Relations Services RFP Issued :

The City of Laramie is located in Albany County in Southeast Wyoming and was originally

incorporated in 1868. Laramie is a full-service municipality providing police and fire protection,

emergency medical services, utilities (wastewater/drinking water/storm water), solid waste collection,

curbside recycling, sanitary landfill, parks and recreation, public works, planning/zoning and other

services. The City employs a professional City Manager and a staff of approximately 270 full time

benefitted employees to manage the City’s day-to-day business and it’s the fourth largest employer in

Albany County.

Laramie is governed under a Manager/Council form of government with nine council members and a

Mayor/President of City Council elected by the governing body. There are three (3) City Council Wards,

and each Ward is representative by three (3) officials elected to the Council for a four (4) year term.

The distribution of public information and regular communications are a constant challenge for the City

of Laramie. We strive both to connect and engage with local residents, and to advocate effectively for

the community’s needs among regional decisionmakers and stakeholders. Regarded as a relatively

youthful community, the average age in Laramie hovers around 27 due to being the host city for the

University of Wyoming, WyoTech and LCCC. The non-student, permanent population of Laramie is

more aligned with the rest of the State in terms of age. In addition, Laramie’s residents are more urban

dwelling with 90% of Albany County’s population residing either in Laramie, or within 5-miles of the

City and utilizing municipal services. The reach of the local newspaper had been a successful method

for getting information into the hands of residents, however, in recent years readership has declined and

there is no ready alternative. Residents under 35 tend to prefer digital communication about municipal

matters but no preferred platform is evident for effectively reaching this demographic, or for

communicating with critical decisionmakers and stakeholders throughout the region and State

concerning the community’s needs.

The City of Laramie requests proposals from consultants qualified in the practice of public relations,

strategic communications, public engagement, media relations, the preparation of publicity and the

development of promotional programs and materials designed to improve public awareness of City

services, programs, activities, plans, and projects to perform the services and responsibilities described

herein for a period of one year, or more. The City invites individuals, or firms, to respond to this notice.

General Qualifications:

Generally qualified Proposers will be skilled in the practice of public relations, strategic

communications, public engagement, media relations, preparation of publicity and the

development of promotional programs and materials designed to improve public awareness

of City services, programs, activities, plans, and projects.

Specific Qualifications:

Specific qualities of qualified Proposers could include demonstrable experience providing

effective governmental public relations services:

Resident and stakeholder engagement campaigns focused on municipal operations,

initiatives, conditions, challenges, and matters of public policy.

Strategic communication with regional and State decision makers concerning the

needs of Laramie’s residents and the future of the community.

Ability to read and understand local and regional public sentiment and respond with

appropriate content, placed strategically within appropriate platforms (print, digital,

social media, etc.) to reach the widest possible audience.

Scope of Work:

Responses to this RFP are free to expound upon or suggest modifications to the preliminary

scope of work and the City welcomes such creative expressions as the Consultant might

determine necessary to meet the City’s communication challenges.

A preliminary scope of work for this project is outlined below. This scope is not intended to

be all inclusive but, instead, generally demonstrative of services to be provided. Final scope,

as well as payment terms and provisions, will be negotiated with any selected consultant

during contract preparation.

 Work with City Manager and staff to appropriately coordinate messaging for council

initiatives, as well as for the City’s departmental programs and activities.

 Advise City regarding best strategies for engaging residents and gauging public opinion.

 Serve as liaison with news media and coordinate events, photo opportunities, speaking,

etc.

 Act as spokesperson for the city upon request.

 Create proactive information and content to improve public awareness of City services

programs, activities, plans and projects.

 Create new strategies for enhancing City’s reach through traditional and non-traditional

media and informational platforms.

 Review press releases, statements, announcements, newsletters and social media posts for

routine City matters.

 Prepare press releases, statements, announcements and social media posts for special

projects, crisis or litigation communications, and governmental/intergovernmental

advocacy upon request.

 Serve as central adviser for quality and branding control for all city websites,

publications, social media accounts and outreach programs.

 Write articles for various publications upon request.

Proposal Due Date

March 18, 2022, 4:00 p.m. – Local Time