Scope: MHA intends to award a contract to a qualified individual or firm or team of individuals or firms to provide day-to-day public relations and marketing services to support the operation of the agency. The individual or firm selected should, at a minimum, be able to provide the following scope of services listed below. Teaming arrangements are acceptable and encouraged if necessary to successfully perform. Team responses must identify a lead individual or firm who will be responsible for performance of the work and will serve as primary contact for MHA.
The task descriptions below are a fair representation of the services that may be required by MHA; however, they are not meant to limit the scope of work requested by MHA.
Respondents should address each task described below by providing a supporting narrative on your background and capacity to provide the service.
Contractors must be properly licensed to do business within the State of Connecticut. Respondents must have public relations/media knowledge for a minimum of 5+ years and certify that they are qualified and capable of performing the work required under the Contract. Any successful Contractor shall have a person available during normal business working hours to address any problems or complaints of MHA within a reasonable time.
3. 1. Develop and implement a strategic public relations/media plan which provides outreach strategies and promotes public awareness of MHA through a consistent and positive message.
2. Produce/Update Media Materials – Fact sheets and media relation materials that highlight MHA’s mission, value to the City of Middletown and legislative issues.
3. Identify and Train MHA Designated Spokesperson(s) including the Executive Director and Board Chairperson.
3. 4. Create Crisis Communications Plan (could be part of the plan described in task 1).
3. 5. Pitch success story coverage to local, regional and industry outlets. Pitches to include visits to MHA offices and communities in addition to highlighting mission and legislative issues.
3. 6. Assist in actively maintaining MHA social media accounts with frequent housing related materials as well as meeting announcements, postings of minutes and other relevant information.
3. 7. Assist in developing and maintaining a quarterly newsletter to residents.
3. 8. Provide branding and related marketing services.
3. 1. Plan and coordinate press events and community events.
3. 2. In addition to periodic branding and marketing services, MHA has an immediate need for assistance in its current rebranding efforts. MHA hired a new director in January 2025 and has seen significant additions to staff as well as new board members in the last 6 months. MHA is currently working on the following initiatives to move the agency forward, enhance the efficiency of the agency, improve resident experience and grow its standing as a community partner in Middletown:
3. 2. Modernizing policies, procedures and workflows related to all aspects of operationMoving administrative officesActively pursuing positive cultural change in the organizationImplementing a mission oriented strategic planning mindset for its Board and staffPursuing paper light operationUpdating and integrating its use of information technology, including switching its enterprise softwarePursuing the repositioning of its physical developments toward long term sustainabilityPursuing partnerships and deepening relationships with the Community Health Center,
Wesleyan University and the City of Middletown
3. 2. Developing and implementing flexibilities available as a Moving To Work agency to enhance resident experience and promote long term sustainabilityPursuing additional affordable housing development opportunities
These initiatives represent major change for the agency and a commitment to modernization and long-term sustainability. To celebrate and recognize this change the Agency is interested in a large-scale rebranding effort to include new logos, potentially a DBA name more closely representing the operation of the agency, marketing and publicity materials, etc.
Due Date: Thursday, July 31, 2025, by 2:00 pm
Contact: Ben Bare bids@middletownha.org
