Responses Due: March 22, 2024, 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (US)
Designated Contact Person for this RFQ:
Kate Rankin Director of Communications
Efficiency Maine Trust 168 Capitol Street, Suite 1 Augusta, ME 04330-6856
Phone: (207) 512-5905
Email: [email protected]
SECTION 2 –BACKGROUND INFORMATION
2.1 Efficiency Maine Trust
The Efficiency Maine Trust (the Trust) is the independent, quasi-state agency established to plan and implement energy efficiency programs in Maine. Through its suite of nationally recognized programs,
The Trust provides consumer information, marketing support, demonstration pilots, discounts, rebates, loans, and other initiatives to promote high-efficiency equipment and operations that help Maine’s homes, businesses, and institutions reduce their energy costs and lower their greenhouse gas emissions.
The result is job growth, better grid reliability, improved energy independence, a stronger local economy, and critical progress toward meeting the State’s climate change goals. The Trust is governed by a Board of Trustees with oversight from the Maine Public Utilities Commission.
2.2 RFQ Background
The Trust markets its programs to potential customers through tailored outreach campaigns within and across its programs for residential and business customers. These efforts are complemented by the Trust’s Public Information and Outreach initiatives, which seek to increase general awareness of the benefits of cost-effective, customer-sited energy resources, and of specific efficient technologies, operating practices, and behaviors. These initiatives also provide basic guidance on how to access Efficiency Maine programs.
Through numerous communications channels, the Trust urges consumers who are planning to purchase new lighting, appliances, heating systems, and other equipment to consider buying one of the more energy-efficient models available.
Information is disseminated through the Trust’s website; printed flyers and brochures; print, digital, and radio advertising; social media, videos, and other multimedia tools. The Trust also manages targeted training sessions and attends industry events, such as trade shows, forums, and symposiums.
In addition, the Trust must report on, and plan, these initiatives in formal documents presented to its Board, the Public Utilities Commission, the Legislature, and others. This RFQ also seeks document production, substantive editing, and copyediting support for these reports.
SECTION 3 – POTENTIAL SERVICES AND ASSIGNMENTS
The Trust is seeking contractor(s) to provide services or complete assignments in the following areas:
1. Advertising (e.g., designing and implementing advertising campaigns, traditional media buys, digital ad campaign development and management, and general advertising project coordination)
2. Editing services (e.g. copyediting, substantive editing, and document production services)
3. Graphic design services (e.g., brochures, illustrations, images, maps, point-of-purchase signage, print ads, digital ads, website graphics, conference display materials, mailings, data visualization projects or infographics, and print coordination)
4. Website services (e.g., webpage development, responsive design, web tool development, development of software tools and/or Apps, website maintenance, and website security)
5. Third-party marketing Software as a Service (SaaS) support (e.g. development, maintenance, and integration through API third-party application solutions)
6. Radio ad creation (e.g., radio spot script writing, talent acquisition, production, and trafficking) Contractor(s) may bid to provide services in one or more of these areas and must indicate which services they are offering to provide under this bid, as well as their qualifications and rates associated with the specific services. Contractor(s) should also describe their willingness, ability, and approach to coordinating with other subcontractors selected by the Trust to support a single project covered under this RFQ.
Proposed personnel should have demonstrated experience, expertise, and capacity in the service area or areas included in the bid. For the editing services category, proposed personel must demonstrate experience with editing and document production of lengthy, technical reports in accordance with editorial policies or standards. Previous experience with energy efficiency or governmental reports is highly preferred. For the website category, proposed personnel must demonstrate experience in website and website tool development, including a proficiency in HTML 5, CSS 3, PHP, WordPress, Jquery, and JavaScript. The Trust may select individuals or firms based on their expertise or capabilities within distinct areas of specialization to provide services to discrete tasks; expertise in all potential service areas is not required and bids need not include all service areas.
file:///C:/Users/cbettencourt/Downloads/EM_018_2024_RFQ_for_Various_Services.pdf
