TEXAS WATER DEVELOPMENT BOARD REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS BRANDING AND CREATIVE DESIGN SERVICES

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION: JUNE 28, 2023, BY 5:00 P.M.            

About the Texas Natural Resources Information System

The Texas Natural Resources Information System (TNRIS) was established by the Texas Legislature in 1968 as the Texas Water-Oriented Data Bank. In 1972, after four years of growth and information diversification, the organization was renamed the Texas Natural Resources Information System. TNRIS is the state’s clearinghouse and referral center for unique and quality historic and current Geographic Information Systems (GIS) datasets. TNRIS provides geographic information system (GIS) education and training and advances the Texas GIS community through collaboration, expertise, cost-sharing initiatives, and exceptional customer service.

TNRIS consists of the following functions:

In 2011, the Director of TNRIS was established in statute as the Texas Geographic Information Officer (GIO). Important functions of the GIO are to build and maintain relationships with public agencies, institutes of higher education, and private sector and trade associations to encourage cooperation between stakeholders and maximize the value of Geographic Information System (GIS) data and services. The GIO brings the Texas GIS community together to create connections, find common needs, and build

support for continued innovation in the use and adoption of geographic information systems. The Texas GIO is active nationally and coordinates with other state GIOs. Along with the anticipated name change of TNRIS to TxGIO, the GIO title will be changed from the Director of TNRIS to the Deputy Executive Administrator of TxGIO.

 The TNRIS Strategic Mapping Program (StratMap) coordinates cost-share projects to produce statewide, standardized digital geographic information that includes aerial imagery, elevation (lidar), hydrography, land parcels, address points, and historic aerial photography. The program produces consistent geographic data for use by state agencies and the public and was developed according to national and international standards for geographic content. StratMap staff encourage shared data practices, coordinate cost share opportunities, and produce data for use in the public domain as

well as premium data services. Common uses of the data include hydrologic modeling, vegetation analysis, transportation routing, emergency management and communications, land use planning and management, environmental assessment and monitoring, human and animal health disease analysis, crime analysis, homeland security evaluations, economic development assessment and planning, and business applications.

The StratMap Program houses the centralized state archive of physical and digital historic aerial photography and a moderate collection of historic paper maps.

The TNRIS Design Innovation and Marketing (DIM) group is a multi-disciplinary team focused on evaluating, progressing, and promoting new and existing TNRIS ideas and initiatives. The DIM team provides (User Experience/User Interface (UX/UI) design services for TNRIS developed applications and products and develops TNRIS and Texas GIS community user engagement experiences. The DIM team promotes TNRIS GIS data, programs, and GIO activities to the Texas GIS community at-large and organizes the TGIS Forum, an annual education and networking conference for the state drawing

300-400 attendees and sponsors from public and private sectors. Work to produce, guide, and maintain cartographic products for TWDB, TNRIS, and the public is led by DIM staff.

The TNRIS Geographic Infrastructure and Technology (GIT) section provides data services, develops web-based applications, ensures over 200 digital GIS datasets are available to the public online, and maintains the TNRIS website. TNRIS GIT staff manage and disseminate digital data products acquired by StratMap and other public agencies through network access, web services, and web-accessible mapping tools. GIT maintains TWDB GIS server infrastructure and software licensing.

TNRIS is the leader in Texas for geographic information, data, and GIS technology and provides the highest level of geographic data services for the people of Texas. Through the TNRIS GIO appointment and activities, TNRIS is a model for other states and a collaborator nationwide. TWDB is seeking a Contractor who will not only develop the deliverables but will commit to fully understanding the agency, current branding challenges, goals, and scope of services as a partner in this process. TWDB views this as a collaborative creative process, and the selected Contractor’s creative expertise and established experience will be critical to the long-term success of this rebranding effort.

SCOPE OF SERVICES REQUESTED

The selected Contractor (individual or firm/agency) will work closely with designated TWDB staff to provide branding work and deliverables for both TWDB and TxGIO, including two logos and logo variations, file formats, and branding guidelines for each. The final logos should complement one another, as TxGIO is a division of TWDB, and the two logos may frequently appear together. The logos will be used for marketing materials, websites, business cards, letterhead and other correspondence, vehicle decals, promotional items, apparel, event displays, and more.

The selected Contractor must complete the following tasks:

A. Creation of logo designs

a. Facilitate a creative process that includes developing multiple logo options for both

TWDB and TxGIO and results in the selection of two final logos—one each for TWDB and TxGIO.

B. Creation of logo variations

a. Work with TWDB to understand how the two logos may be used for various materials, platforms, backgrounds, and orientations.

b. Create variations of each logo (final TWDB and TxGIO) to accommodate space limitations and other use considerations. At a minimum, the variations should include horizontal and vertical/stacked, for light and dark backgrounds, and potentially a symbol (for favicon use).

C. Creation of logo file types

a. Provide various file formats for each logo (primary and variations for TWDB and TxGIO) for use in print and on screen.

D. Creation of complementary branding guides

a. Develop branding guides for both TWDB and TxGIO that include, at a minimum:

i. logo use guidance

ii. logo color specifications (Pantone, CMYK, RGB, and Hex)

iii. primary, secondary, and tertiary color palettes that complement the logos and can be carried throughout agency materials and channels for consistency

iv. typography options

v. guidelines on graphics (TxGIO only)