REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP) MAINSTREET GRAPHIC DESIGN AND MARKETING
Proposal Due Date: May 20, 2024
The Economic Development Department has assigned a Procurement Manager who is responsible
for the conduct of this procurement whose name, address, telephone number and e-mail address
are listed below:
Name: Danielle Maestas, Procurement Manager
Telephone: (505) 469-4558
Email: Danielle.Maestas@edd.nm.gov
IV. SPECIFICATIONS
- DETAILED SCOPE OF WORK
1. Scope of Work.
The Contractor shall perform the following work:
Introduction:
The Economic Development Department hires on-call professional Contractors for the New Mexico
MainStreet Program (NMMS) to fulfill its responsibilities for delivery of services and trainings in
asset-based community economic development to its partner Programs and Project Based Initiative clients. The requirement of NMMS to provide resources, services and trainings as proscribed by Main Street America and National Main Street Center, Inc. (NMSC) are derived from the New Mexico MainStreet Act (1984), through the Department’s licensing and accrediting agreements with NMSC and through the goals, policies and protocols established by the Economic Development Department.
Contract services are provided based on the professional needs identified in a NMMS Service
Request Form submitted from local Programs or Initiatives to the Department. Consideration of
local requests are tied to the local stakeholders’ annual implementation plan. Contractors are
assigned to work with the local Program or Initiative partner to provide training and workshops to
strengthen, transfer knowledge, skills, and the delivery of professional expertise to local leaders
and task groups. All the Programs and Initiatives under the NMMS umbrella include capacity
building for local leaders to assist the Program or Initiative in the implementation of projects,
events, activities, and programs of the local stakeholder group.
New Mexico MainStreet is an umbrella program administering, managing, and orchestrating
resources, services, and trainings to partner community-based economic development
organizations focused on traditional and/or historic commercial districts. These programs include
MainStreet organizations representing stakeholders within the designated commercial district by
New Mexico MainStreet (created by state statute in 1984), New Mexico Arts & Cultural Districts
(created by state statute in 2007), and New Mexico MainStreet Project-Based Initiative programs
which include Frontier and Rural Communities Initiative (amended to the 1984 MainStreet Act in
2013), Native American Communities Initiative, Urban Neighborhood Commercial Corridors,
New Mexico Historic Theaters Initiative, and other programs as assigned by the Department (see
each Program or Initiative background information below).
The Programs and Initiatives administered by New Mexico MainStreet are accomplished locally
through public-private partnerships. Local stakeholders collaborate with their primary local
governing body (Municipality, County, Tribal Government, Land Grant) and New Mexico
MainStreet (representing the state) to establish a common vision, goals, and work plans.
New Mexico MainStreet is committed to positive economic transformation within a Program or
Initiatives’ service area that results in property redevelopment, business revitalization and a vibrant
quality of life for residents and visitors. NMMS has adopted three “Economic Transformation
Strategies” which Staff and Revitalization Specialists use to guide their statewide work to meet
these objectives.
1. Build Capacity for Local Economic Revitalization and Re-development Efforts
Develop local leadership and capacity to implement projects and initiatives that
accelerate community appropriate economic growth and revitalization through the Main
Street Approach™.
2. Enhance the Entrepreneurial and Creative Economy
Building on the existing commercial base, arts, culture, advanced technology and
creative assets in New Mexico MainStreet communities, strive to strengthen and
support entrepreneurial and creative endeavors through assessment, education,
planning, and collaboration.
3. Create Thriving Places in New Mexico
Develop strategies, tools and techniques and implement them with local partners to
transform our downtowns, squares and villages into community assets where their
greatest economic potential and realization can occur. This includes great public
spaces, buildings, streets and pedestrian areas, increasing economic viability through
revitalization resulting in places to live and work that enhance people’s health,
happiness, and well-being.
New Mexico MainStreet Program delivery is holistic using an inter-disciplinary approach to asset based community economic development and revitalization that contributes to the vitality and vibrancy of the local economy. Successful revitalization requires a comprehensive approach that
includes organizational development, promotion and marketing, economic development, business
development, financial development, creative economy, urban design, landscape architecture,
historic preservation, and architectural design. NMMS provides services through its Staff and
Contractors, to develop capacity assisting local affiliates to successfully implement projects and
activities.
B. Brief Synopsis of Programs and Initiatives:
New Mexico MainStreet Program
New Mexico MainStreet (NMMS) is a designated “Main Street America” State Coordinating
Program. Main Street America (MSA) is a program of the nonprofit National Main Street Center,
Inc., a subsidiary of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. NMMS is a program of the New
Mexico Economic Development Department that is licensed and accredited annually to administer
the MSA/NMSC’s Main Street Approach™ to downtown revitalization. It does this through the
development of “Economic Transformation Strategies” that are implemented through
comprehensive work in four broad areas known as the Four Points: Economic Vitality, Design,
Promotion, and Organization. There are currently 45 other licensed and accredited Coordinating
Main Street programs nationally.
The New Mexico MainStreet Program was created by state statute in 1984. All local affiliates must
forge a public-private partnership for the revitalization of a historic and traditional commercial
neighborhood, plaza, town center or downtown. NMMS assists the local stakeholder group in
creating a non-profit community economic development organization to work in partnership with
its local governing body, raise funds for full-time staff and implement the Main Street
Approach™. NMMS, in consideration of financial resources established annually through the New
Mexico State Legislature, provides resources and ongoing technical assistance in the Four Points
to designated MainStreet communities (inclusive of the local government partner, local MainStreet
organization, and businesses/property owners within the MainStreet district).
New Mexico Arts & Cultural Districts
New Mexico is one of the first states to adopt a state Arts & Cultural Districts (ACD) program in
2007. With its diverse and rich cultural and arts traditions, New Mexico is a solid fit in utilizing
cultural and creative economy strategies to enhance local economies.
The Arts & Cultural Districts state statute provides a framework for the “State-Authorization” or “Self-Designation” of such districts. State-Authorized Arts & Cultural District designations are attached to a local MainStreet organization designated by New Mexico MainStreet as an Accredited or Affiliate Main Street America program. Operating under the local MainStreet organization’s structure Arts & Cultural Districts are administered by an ACD Coordinating Council that is responsible for developing and implementing Creative Economy projects and activities in the Arts & Cultural District.
The ACD Coordinating Council is comprised of Arts, Cultural, Historic Preservation, and
Revitalization organizations and institutions dedicating resources to the growth of the cultural or
creative economy within the ACD District. The ACD Coordinating Council develops
comprehensive strategies to meet its goals, Cultural Planning and Development, Physical Planning
and Development, Capacity and Sustainability, and Branding and Marketing.
The New Mexico MainStreet Director is also the ACD State Coordinator responsible for
implementing the program and providing resources and technical assistance, however, local Arts &
Cultural Districts are State Authorized through the New Mexico Arts Commission in the
Department of Cultural Affairs. A State Council for the ACD program is comprised of the New
Mexico MainStreet Director (EDD), the Director of New Mexico Arts Division (DCA), the
Historic Preservation Division (DCA) and the Tourism Department.
Frontier and Rural Communities Initiative (FRCI): The MainStreet Act was amended in 2013 by
the State Legislature to establish the Frontier Communities Initiative administered by NMMS to
provide project-based community economic development support for rural communities. The
FRCI supports communities under 50,000 in population. The 12 to 18-month affiliation with
NMMS through the Initiative focuses on one economic development project within a traditional or
historic village or town center. The FCI is not open to communities that already have a MainStreet
or Arts & Cultural District Program. The program focuses not only on the proposed project, but it
also seeks to renew and build leadership in community economic development. It requires a group
of stakeholders working in partnership with a local governing body, however, it does not require a
non-profit board and paid staff as does participation in the MainStreet Program.
Native American Communities Initiative (NACI): Building off the success of the Frontier/Rural
Communities Initiative, the NACI was created in 2019 to provide specific project-based
community economic development support to New Mexico’s indigenous communities where the
preservation of tribal culture and political sovereignty create different challenges and opportunities
than working in rural economic development in general. The 12 to 24-month affiliation with
NMMS through the Initiative focuses on one economic development project within a pueblo,
reservation, or village or town center. The NACI is not open to communities that already have a
MainStreet or Arts & Cultural District Program. Like the FRCI, NACI focuses not only on the
proposed project, but it also seeks to renew and build leadership in community economic
development. It requires a group of stakeholders working in partnership with a tribal governing
body, however, it does not require a non-profit board and paid staff as does participation in the
MainStreet Program.
Urban Neighborhood Commercial Corridors Initiative (UNCCI): The UNCC Initiative is a new
pilot program of the New Mexico Economic Development Department’s MainStreet program
aimed at providing project-based community economic development support to urban
neighborhood commercial corridors located in cities with more than 50,000 in population that may
currently not have the capacity or resources to start or operate a full-fledged MainStreet Program.
Like the FNAC and NACI Initiatives, the UNCC requires a group of stakeholders working in
partnership with a local governing body. Selected communities receive NMMS professional
services and technical assistance to implement and complete a community economic development project within 12 to18 months.
Historic Theaters Initiative
The New Mexico Historic Theaters Initiative is part of an ongoing statewide effort led by the
Economic Development Department and New Mexico MainStreet that provides resources and
technical assistance to support and rehabilitate historic theaters, install new digital projection and
sound equipment, and improve theater performance. Established by the Department in 2010, the
original goal was to prevent the states historic movie houses from going dark. With the national
film industry moving from film to digital media, many communities could not afford the expensive
equipment required to show digital movies. Capital Outlay funding has been awarded to qualifying
historic theaters to support the rehabilitation costs of the fixed assets of these publicly owned
cultural facilities. To date, the Department has supported nine of these renovations financially.
More information on each of these programs can be found on the web site,
www.nmmainstreet.org. Policies and guidelines for each program can be found under “Resources”
on that web site.
NMMS requires a single dedicated contractor to serve as the Revitalization Specialist that
will work with the State MainStreet Coordinating program and deliver onsite and remote
technical assistance to designated local MainStreet programs, projects, and initiatives.
C. Contractor Qualifications/Services to be Provided:
Promotion within the context of the Main Street Approach™ positions the downtown or
commercial district as the center of the community and hub of economic activity, while creating a
positive image that showcases a community’s unique characteristics. The Graphic Design and
Marketing Revitalization Specialist contractor may be assigned to provide the following
services when a Service Request is filed by a designated organization with the Economic
Development Department’s New Mexico MainStreet (NMMS) Program:
1) GRAPHIC DESIGN
a) Organization or Business Logo
b) Event Logo and Design
c) Organizational Image – letterhead, business cards, award and event programs, award
design, Etc.
d) Signage, Brochures, Flyers, Posters
2) WEB SITES & SOCIAL MEDIA
a) Existing Site Review and Recommendations
b) Web Site Set-Up/Design
c) Social Media Set-Up (Facebook, Blog, twitter and list serve accounts)
3) INTERPRETATIVE COMMERCIAL DESIGN
a) “Way Finding” Design (with NMMS Urban Design and Landscape Architect)
b) Interpretive markers and signs
c) Appropriate commercial, retail, district design and advertising
4) MARKETING
a) Regional Market Surveys and Demand Surveys
b) District Marketing/Design Plan (with NMMS Promotions contractor)
c) Target Market Strategy
5) STATE COORDINATING PROGRAM SUPPORT (NMMS): Contractor will collaborate
with NMMS staff and Revitalization Specialists to plan, coordinate, schedule, and publicize
program activities. This includes:
a) Team meetings, planning sessions, conferences, and institutes
b) Providing content for publications, workshops, and website content
c) Other state program duties as assigned by the NMMS Director
d) File in-field service reports with outcomes from site visits
e) Work with NMMS staff/Communications & Promotions Specialist to maintain NMMS
external websites.
6) NETWORKS and PARTNERSHIPS:
a) Maintain a network of partnerships and collaborations that assist the work of New Mexico
MainStreet and its local affiliates.
b) Additional networks and partnerships may include but are not limited to:
i) Council of Governments
ii) Statewide non-profit support organizations.
iii) Statewide Foundations and granting agencies supporting non-profit capacity building,
leadership and operations
iv) National Foundations and granting agencies supporting non-profit capacity building,
leadership development and operations.
D. General Requirements of Contractor:
1) Demonstrated ability to work in the diverse communities of New Mexico.
2) Contractor will exercise considerable independent judgement, discretion and decision
making. Work is performed independent of Agency day-to-day supervision.
3) Must be available for extensive, regular statewide travel throughout the year, including
overnight and weekend travel, to deliver on-site services and trainings. Contractor must
provide vehicle for travel to on-site work in communities. Average annual mileage is
estimated at between 15,000 and 20,000 miles.
4) Must be available to schedule and fulfill Program or Initiative Service Requests to the
community within an appropriate timeframe.
5) Must have his or her own work office with complete electronic equipment, software and
phone. Contractor must have email and phone connectivity while on required statewide
travel. All resources necessary for the satisfactory implementation of the services requested
by affiliates are the responsibility of the Contractor with the concurrence of the
Department.
6) The contract awarded will be inclusive of all expenses including, but not limited to, office
supplies, printing, office equipment, communications equipment, training expenses and
travel. Contract is inclusive of all applicable state and federal taxes.
7) The Contractor shall not subcontract any portion of the services to be performed under this
Agreement without the prior written approval of the NMMS Director.
8) The Contractor is responsible for working with the state’s Historic Preservation Division of
the Department of Cultural Affairs from the beginning of a project, to ensure all design,
planning, permitting, licensing and construction conform to appropriate, corresponding
state and federal statutes guiding historic and cultural properties and state and nationally
registered historic districts.
9) The Contractor is responsible for working with the state of New Mexico’s Department of
Transportation (NMDOT) from the beginning of a project to ensure all design, engineering,
planning, permitting, licensing and construction conform to federal “Context Sensitive
Design Solutions,” the NMDOT 2040 plan, the “Dark Skies “ and appropriate,
corresponding state and federal statutes and policy.
10) The Contractor is responsible for integrating climate change mitigation and adaptation
practices into their work to limit adverse climate change impacts that harm our natural and
cultural heritage.
11) The Contractor shall disclose any financial interests, partnerships or property ownership
within a project area where the consultant is providing services to a client. The Contractor
will disclose any financial interests, partnerships or property ownership, in a service area
that might personally benefit said consultant. The Department shall determine if there is a
conflict of interest based on the disclosure.
12) The Contractor shall disclose the offer of a hire as a sub-contractor for a third party
contract to do work within an NMMS Program or Initiative. The Department shall
determine if there is a conflict of interest based on the disclosure.
13) The Contractor, as requested to the Department by the local Program or Initiative, may be
assigned to support the client to build local capacity to develop an advocacy role for its
projects. However, the Contractor may not contract with any entity, public or private,
governmental non-profit or private business or property owner to represent or advocate for
the interests and/or advocate on behalf of any entity to secure finance or support for that
entity.
E. Deliverables:
1) Submit a Technical Assistance Service Report to NMMS within 48 hours of a MainStreet
consult, service or technical assistance visit via New Mexico Economic Development
Department’s (NMEDD) web-based “Salesforce” project management software. The report
is integrated into a weekly report to the Department on MainStreet’s activities in the field.
2) Submit regular invoicing (recommended twice a month) with technical assistance, services
and activities on the form provided by the Economic Development Department.
3) Submit a comprehensive report upon completion of a project, program or activity
including, when appropriate, graphs, illustrations, conceptual design work, planning
documents, photographs and other graphic elements.
4) Provide workshop evaluation materials to participants and ensure they are returned to New
Mexico MainStreet office.
5) Upload presentation training materials to the NMMS web site.
6) As appropriate, draft and assemble assessment, documentation, research and
recommendation reports.
7) As appropriate, based on the project, work collaboratively with NMMS staff and other
contractors
