Active SLED Opportunity · CALIFORNIA · SWEETWATER AUTHORITY
AI Summary
Sweetwater Authority seeks qualified consultants for on-call Spanish and English communications consulting services including social media, branding, outreach, and crisis communications. Proposals due May 29, 2026, with a contract value up to $150,000 per year.
The Authority is requesting proposals from qualified, professional consultants interested in performing the duties and functions for Spanish and English language communication services on as as-needed basis and intends to award a professional services contract for the defined scope of work detailed in this Request for Proposal. The Authority has allocated a maximum of $150,000 per year for this project.In order to assist the Authority, the professional consultant selected will be required to have the capabilities to perform the following Public Affairs services including but not limited to:A. Under the direction of the Public Affairs Manager, and working closely with the Public Affairs staff, the Consultant shall perform services that complement and support communications and outreach activities including, but not limited to:• Develop, expand and enhance social media, photography, and video content• Sweetwater Authority branding/rebranding• Provide communications support (planning, strategy, implementation)• Provide writing services such as brochures, social media, social media content development, web content maintenance and development, outreach materials, etc.• Enhance communications tools for outreach to include email and placement in community newsletters• Review the Authority’s recent Customer Survey and provide an analysis and recommendations based on survey findings• Make recommendations and review materials for cultural appropriateness in Authority messaging and outreach• Develop strategies that establish the Authority as an agency that empowers its community in ways that respects its diversity and culture• Assist the Authority in crafting campaigns, such as tap water safety and others as needed• Assist staff in building community partnerships and support staff at Authority led events or meetingsB. Additional services requested by Public Affairs on an as-needed basis, may include:• Crisis or Emergency Communications assistanceThe proposal must demonstrate that the consultant has significant experience and expertise in the following areas: multicultural communication, outreach and media relations; connecting with residents, community and civic groups, businesses, government and other entities in the South Bay and the San Diego region, and working with local and regional print and broadcast media. Pre-Bid Meeting Information: No Online Q&A: Yes Location Information: Department: Information Systems Address: 505 Garrett AvenueChula Vista, California91910 County: San Diego Other Details: The letter proposal submitted by potential consultants shall be concise, well organized and demonstrate the responder's experience applicable to the requirements of this Request for Proposal (RFP). A letter proposal submitted in response to this RFP shall provide information on the expertise of the firm and its team members, such as:1. Qualifications of the firm to provide services, and any summary information that may be useful or informative to the Authority.2. Resumes for proposed consultants.3. Costs: The service being requested will be on an as-needed basis, not-to-exceed $150,000 in fiscal year 2025-27. Provide a rate per/hour for the services that will be charged to perform the work described in this Request for Letter Proposal. In additional, state any additional costs that may be charged such as administrative fees, meals, travel, and lodging. Payment by the Authority shall be made on a monthly basis within thirty (30) days of invoicing.4. Exceptions/Proposed Changes to the RFP: The proposer shall certify that it takes no exceptions to this RFP, including but not limited to the Authority’s Professional Services Agreement (Agreement), as attached in Exhibit A. If the respondent does take exception(s) to any portion of the RFP or Agreement, the specific portion of the RFP or Agreement to which exception(s) is taken shall be identified and proposed alternative language shall be provided and explained in the proposal.5. Letter Proposal Submittal: Provide one electronic copy of the letter proposal in PDF format. Proposal should be limited to no more than 25 pages, excluding attachments.Letter Proposals must be delivered electronically, via the Authority’s PlanetBids link, NO LATER THAN 5:00 p.m. PST on May 29, 2026. Please note the following:• The secure file transfer system will REQUIRE you to set up an account by providing a valid email address. This email address must be validated by the system before it will allow you to upload your response document.• The secure file transfer system must be accessed using an up to date internet browser. Examples include but not limited to: Chrome, Edge Chromium, Safari, Internet Explorer 11 or later, Firefox.• The email address used to register for the system to submit the response will receive a confirmation email when the file is first accessed by Authority staff.• Response should be uploaded in advance of the response deadline. The time stamp on the file received by the system will be used to determine whether the response was submitted on time.• File Format: The response must be in pdf format, and include scanned copies of all pages with required signatures present. Notes: SELECTION CRITERIA1) Related experience of the respondents – 20 points2) Knowledge of the Authority’s Service Area- 10 points3) Professional qualifications of individuals assigned to the Project and related information- 40 points4) Overall proposal content and related information- 30 pointsAfter the Board reviews the RFP’s, finalists may be scheduled for an interview with the Authority’s Governing Board/and or subcommitteeDISCLAIMERThis RFP does not commit the Authority to enter into an agreement for services, to pay any costs incurred in the preparation of a proposal, or to procure or contract for services or supplies. The Authority reserves the right to accept or reject any or all proposals received as a result of this request, to negotiate with any qualified source, or to cancel in part or in its entirety this RFP, if it is in the best interest of the Authority to do so. The Authority shall not be obligated to contract any or all of the requested services to the selected consultant.All questions must be submitted by May 22, 2026, no later than 2:00 pm.All questions will be answered through Planet Bids only. Questions submitted via email directly to Sweetwater Authority staff pertaining to this solicitation will be ignored. Both questions and answers may be distributed, without identification of the inquirer(s).
SLED stands for State, Local, and Education. These are solicitations issued by state governments, counties, cities, school districts, utilities, and higher education institutions — as opposed to federal agencies.
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